At the time of diagnosis it was found that I also needed a hysterectomy, so diabetes wasn't the top thing on my agenda, I was more concerned about having a major op.
Although I was soon put on metformin and had a chat about diet with the practice nurse (you know the one, she does the baby injections, asthma clinic etc) who told me to limit the amount of sugar in my diet, nothing was said about how carbs will raise your blood sugar.
I asked for a meter about 6 months after diagnosis and was given one and a repeat prescription to test 2 or 3 times a week and no guidance on what to do with the results.
After the op, I never really got better. I was tired all the time, had IBS-D and felt generally completely rubbish.
Unfortunately I didn't find this website until May 2010 after I'd decided I needed to take control after some really scary fasting figures in the 11's. I took the advice of cutting the carbs, I found I was wheat intollerant and cut that out completely (not replacing it with gluten free carbs).
Last December I ended up at the hospital seeing an Endocrinologist (I was looking for answers as to why I was still so tired) who found I was vitamin D deficient (only after I asked for it to be tested), she also suggested adding in 40mg gliclazide to my meds.
I've not lost loads of weight like lots of people on here, but my BMI fluctuates between 29.5 and 30.5, so I'd like to loose a stone, which if I didn't work in an office and was more active, I'm sure it would go.
I'm not an angel when it comes to food, but I try to stick to less carbs. Chocolate peanuts are my downfall (but they are the lowest carb proper sweets I have found at around 35g carb per 100g).