Severe denial

[Farang]

Hi guys...

I just joined a few minutes ago... I run a couple of forums (not related to diabetes) I know I have been meaning to post here for a while now but like everything else I keep putting it off.

Okay so here it is... I need to put these words down.

So I was in the UK submarine service for the past 5 years. I was going for a routine medical and they tested my pee with the little paper strip... thats when I found out I was type 2 diabetic - 28 years old... I was crying when I left the doctors surgery.

The thing was I just didn't believe it... I didn't have any of the symptoms the doctor described. I was only 28 this kind of stuff happened to other people... not me.

Anyway... I was eventually kicked out of the RN... Given a good ressetlement and pay package and became a civilian once again. I got my head in gear and started looking for work as objective number one. To my suprise I was offered a job from the first interview I went to, with a very good package also.

I have now been working for my new company for a little over 2 months, just got back from a great holiday in Thailand but here is the problem.

I am so in denial about the diabetes.... I should be taking 4 metformin tablets every night but I can't remember the last time I took them.... I just keep forgetting. I'm really struggling to change my diet also... I have managed to lose some weight but I know my diet is terrible.

These past few days have been bad.... I have started to get the symptoms really bad.... I am so thirsty all the time, and I need to go to the toilet all the time also.... just like the doctor desribed.

Whats more... all is not right down below... I wont go into details but I need to go and see my doctor.

The ultimate shock came last night.... I went to bed slightly needing the toilet.... (it hurts to pee at the moment) so I thought it will be ok.... I woke up at 4 am after doing something I havent done since I was a baby.

 

[mullaneder]

hi farang and welcome to the forum.you have made the first move by coming on this forum.i can relate to what you went through,but you have to take it seriously.it is in your hands.theres a lot to take in at the start,but look around the forums and if you have any questions just ask away.we are all here to help.by taking the tablets and changing your diet you can take control of it.best of luck
dermot

 

[fergus]

Time to get with the program, Farang!

Your body's giving you the typical warning signs and you need to pay attention to them. Your blood sugar is very high so that the sugar is spilling into your urine so it can be, erm, jettisoned overboard. While your blood sugar is high, it's attacking all of your nerves and organs and unless you do something about it, the damage can be permanent.
Believe me, outpatients surgeries around the country are busy with people missing eyes and limbs because they ignored the warnings. Your 'embarrasment' is pretty trivial by comparison.
Sorry for the heads-up, but there it is.

Take the meds. Every day. Change your diet. Read the Success Stories thread. Don't mess about.
Do it now and in 6 months you'll feel better than you have in years.

Best wishes,

fergus

 

[MrsPugwash]

Welcome Farang, I agree with everything Fergus says. You might think you are in denial but the very fact that you have come here seeking help means that deep down you know you need to make changes.

You are the only one who can do that but you have a whole new bunch of friends here who will support you all the way.

I think we were probably all a little shell-shocked when we were diangnosed and I suspect many of us have been through a period of denial. The sooner you take responsibility for your care, the better you will feel.

Read the information here, post or PM if you have any questions however trivial and go back to your doctor as soon as possible.

Good luck!

 

[danwilson]

More people are diagnosed with diabetes at an early age even more on children. So, it can strike you anytime and at an early age. Being obese and having a sedentary (non-active) lifestyle are the major causes for this (Type 2 diabetes), unless it was genetically transmitted by your parents to you which is a case of Type 1 diabetes.

The more you deny it, the greater chances that it will get worse. Now that you know you have it, try to discipline yourself and heed what your doctor is saying. Doctors are there to guide and give you options, it's for you to follow with utmost dedication. Just like GOD gave humans free will, it is your choice if you want to prolong life and continue to live happily.

 

[Thirsty]

danwilson, get your facts straight before spouting off about GOD and telling people it's their own fault they have diabetes.

You are not correct.

 

[diabetesmum]

Hi there,
I am a little worried that you may not be Type 2. At 28 years of age you are plenty young enough for it to be Type 1. Please get this checked out as Type 1 can rapidly cause you to become critically ill within a matter of hours once it 'flips'.

If you start feeling nauseaous, vomiting, having stomach pain, having problems breathing (eg. deep, sighing breaths and/or lots of yawning), a bad headache, and a 'nail-varnishy' smell to your breath in addition to the tremendous thirst and weeing, get help medical help immediately. If it is Type 1, the tablets won't help you, you'll need insulin, pronto.
Best wishes
Sue

 

[hanadr]

Danwilson
not only is diabetes NOt a punishment from God for some kind of sin, But T2 diabetes is strongly genetic, whilst, mostly,T1 is a statistical accident. possibly even the result of an infection.

your diabetes knowledge pretty much zero, but your theology isn't much either.

 

[Spiral]

Danwilson
not only is diabetes NOt a punishment from God for some kind of sin, But T2 diabetes is strongly genetic, whilst, mostly,T1 is a statistical accident. possibly even the result of an infection.

your diabetes knowledge pretty much zero, but your theology isn't much either.

What hanadr said. And fergus and Mrs Pugwash and mullaneder and diabetesmun too. With bells on.

I have diabetes because I picked the wrong grandparents.

However, this thread was started by someone who is having a few difficulties dealing with his diagnosis and has just had some embarassing and distressing problems. Perhaps we could get back that because he has only posted once and I want him to come back and tell us how he is.

Welcome Farang.

 

[candyog]

hi farang good first step coming on to this forum im serious!!!!! i was diagnosed diabetes 2 when i was 35 i didnt take much notice too busy working full time to change my diet quick snacks then i was put on metformin had some side effects so stopped taking them didnt have time for side effects still never changed diet gp reviews dieticians sat and listened still never changed diet then 10 yrs later i was put on insulin two kinds 3 times a day plus metformin its very hard to change old habits i was brought up on fatty foods and puddings since ive come on this forum reading other ideas ive realized its not the end of the world stay with us i promise i think it is lack of knowledge is dangerous i dont know about you but im not the type to ask gps etc. questions and id come out and shrug it off my shoulders but no more im now on byetta (new drug) got through side effects with a lot of help from people on this forum now on gi diet thanks again for people on this forum loosing weight starting to feel really good take care bye for now

 

[Farang]

Hi guys... thank you for all your comments so far.

I will try and use this thread like a diary, that way anyone else who happens to come accross it who is in the same situation as me might find it usefull, my way of giving something back to the forum I guess.

Okay... I have taken the following steps so far.... after posting this thread last night and reading the first 2/3 replies I went into the kitchen and took the medicin that I have been prescribed (for the record that is 4 x Metformin Slow Release 500 mg + 2 x Ramipril 5mg)

Felt better for taking them and took myself to bed but not before going to the loo to ensure there was not a reaccurance of last night.

This morning I forced myself to have breakfast (didnt feel hungry) which consisted of cereal and fresh orange juice (need to substitute that for water).

The day went pretty good but felt very tired as usual when driving home... I suspected that this was caused by the diabetes for a long time.

While I was at work I tried to book a doctors appointment to have my little fella looked at but the earliest I could get was next tues.... Grrrr. When I got home I called NHS direct and the suggested I go to A&E but would be happy if I see my doctor first. Called my GP I am waiting for a call back as I type.

Don't feel any physical change yet but I know it is too early to tell. I do feel better in myself though becuase I know this is the start of dealing with this.

Thank you for your concerns diabetesmum... will enquire about that when I visit my GP.

Will update you guys when i'm back tonight.

 

[Farang]

Ok... just got back from A&E, I waited a while but not too long which is a result.

The doc gave me some anti biotics and took blood urine samples and referred me to the GUM clinic. He also passed a comment about I would be better off circumsized... not too sure about that ok.

Oh well, gonna have a bowl of cereal to put something in my stomach before I take the medicine and hit the sack.

Night night people... Keep the faith.

 

[fergus]

Cereal? :shock: We've got our work cut out with you Farang!

fergus

 

[bunty]

If you want to make changed slowly, then one change ought to be a switch from 'cereal' to something that is slow-release carbs, with absolutely no added sugar anywhere - porridge made from whole rolled oats, is tons better than weetabix, for instance.

Ditch the orange juice, which is sugar plain and simple and substitute water or sugar free squash. Milk has carbs too, so dont start drinking it by the gallon.

Chuck out the white sliced and get in wholemeal bread which you can ration yourself to - dont start making a pile of wholemeal sandwiches, for instance and crisps will be a treat for high days and holidays.

The problem you had when you went to bed was 'cos your body was loaded up with excess sugar and got rid of it as fast as possible - make sure you dont go to bed soon after a carby snack or meal. If you're hungry at bedtime, have some cheese or peanut butter on a low-carb cracker, or wrap a slice of lean ham round a bit of cheese and have that.

Take the meds and allow yourself to experiment with your meter (which you need to get if you dont have one already) so that you gain an understanding of how your body reacts to the various foods.

Read as much here as you can and then choose - try and test - see which approach fits you best. There's the low carb method, the reduced carb method and the one that has a dismal success rate - the 'i'll eat anything i like and not worry' method! Note that the low carb and the reduced/non-low carb method both really rely on keeping a good grip on carb intake, one way or another. That's because all carbs convert to sugar of one form or another, once eaten.

My advice would be not to panic but to congratulate yourself on finding this site and on beginning to take control of your disease. Dont be rushed into choosing any one method of control until you have experimented and learnt more. Be gentle with yourself; all that time of being in denial means that now you are facing facts, you dont need to berate yourself for what went on before. One day at a time, i say.

Diabetes and exrcise, reduced carbs and making sure you look after your whole body and get enough rest are all inter-linked. You'll be amazed how, in a few weeks, you start to feel less tired, more alert and generally far better than you have felt lately. It's a journey, this diabetes and we're here to offer support for whatever you do - even if that support sometimes means a deep sigh and a shake of the head! LOL.

Keep taking those meds, keep altering your diet and keep us up to speed with how it's going. Ask anything 'cos someone here will know an answer.

bunty

 

[bolders]

Hi Farang. You briefly mentioned something wrong down there and you need to see the doctor. Yes you do. Don't be tempted to try and self medicate by buying off the net. You never know what your getting or even if it's the right treatment. There are lots of different treatments now and not just the obvious viagra and once you start talking to a gp you realise its not as difficult as you might imagine.

 

[salsasue]

Hi Farang,

Welcome to the forum! Congrats for taking the first steps and for also coming here where you will find support and help! Before being diagnosed, can relate to your feelings and some experiences including

These past few days have been bad.... I have started to get the symptoms really bad.... I am so thirsty all the time, and I need to go to the toilet all the time also.... just like the doctor desribed.

Horrible, that! Had a high blood sugar reading of 15 and felt really ill, yuk! After diagnosis, treatment and taking that 'first step', feel much better than I had in ages - the information seems to come pretty fast and sudden - appreciate that sure can be overwhelming! But I'm glad you decided to take action and believe you'll find your way too! All the very best,

kind regards, Salsasue

 

[badmedisin]

Hi Farang,

Hope you're feeling ok today. I totally understand the denial thing, I think most of us will have been through that at some point. Personally, I spent most of my teenage years discovering just how sick an entire tub of Ben & Jerry's will make you feel if you eat it in one go. At the time I wasn't that bothered, but now I've hit 30 I figure I need to take stuff a bit more seriously if I want to see 40.

I think it's about getting the right balance of fear as well as the right balance of food! You need to be scared enough of diabetic complications to make you sort it out, but not so scared that you turn into an obsessive nutter. Have you seen a dietician yet? Might help. As might learning about glycaemic index - that way you can find out which foods are likely to have a massive effect on your blood sugar and which ones won't. My main advice is to lay off the Ben & Jerry's, eat more vegetables, and be very careful with alcohol.

Also, it's really easy to get urinary tract infections when you have a high sugar level, so if it hurts to pee, always go to your nearest walk-in centre and get some antibiotics straight away. Don't wait for the GP.

Luckily for you, this forum seems to be really supportive and knowledgeable - wish I'd had this when I was diagnosed! Anyway, I hope you find some helpful advice on here, and wish you loads of luck getting yourself back on track with everything. :wink:

p.s. People, don't get nasty! Both types of diabetes have a strong genetic link. And the person who mentioned god (don't get me wrong, I'm as atheist as it gets, but everyone's entitled to their own beliefs) didn't say it was a punishment, just that we have free will to choose whether to look after ourselves or not. Which is true. So chill! :lol:

 

[FZ1]

Hello mate.

I got diagnosed about a month back, so just getting to grips with it myself. I'm an Ex-RAF avionics technician, but I'm not too proud to talk to an Ex-WAFU! :lol:

I don't have much info or experience of diabetes yet but here's a couple of comments from my very limited experience since being diagnosed.

Firstly, if you've got a mobile phone (who doesn't these days?), set the alarms to go off morning & evening to remind you when to take the pills. with my useless memory, its one less thing for me to worry about.

Second, if your "down below" problem is phimosis, then that's one of the symptoms that my GP picked-up on when I went for a chat about all the ailments I suddenly had creep up on me. I am absolutely bricking-it about possible circumcision! :shock: Probably not much comfort to you, but at least you know you're not alone!

Cheers,

Jon

 

[LizzieP]

Hi Farang,

Welcome to the forum. Glad to hear you are taking positive action...And your meds! You will get plenty of good advice and help on here (I am Type 1 so won't be much use). Just one question...You don't mention whether you have a blood glucose meter (unless I've missed something when reading) in order to do a bit of self testing. This would help you enormously (you could see what the cereal and juice does to the old blood sugar) and the readings can help you make adjustments to your diet. And importantly, it puts you in the driving seat, to a certain extent. Maybe next time you go and see your doc, you can ask him about one.

Good luck. :wink:

 

[belinda_b]

HI Farang....nice to meet you. I'm glad you found this forum because it will help you get to grips with it all....diet, meds etc. When you are in control of your diabetes, you will feel so much better....physically and mentally. I'm not saying that it's all roses because there are going to be days when you get really p'd off with it all, but hang on in there and come on here and have a moan. There will be plenty of people who will know exactly how you are feeling