I tried to reply earlier, forgot to log in, so here I go again!!
Please don't worry too much Margarett. The diagnosis is a shock, even when like me you have many relatives with type 2. Autoimmune diseases all round.
The eye test, 2 types. I had the split lamp one, look at the thin light for what feels like ages while they screen the back of your eye, then can tell you if its all ok - you just to read the letters, have stinging eye drops, as per normal eye test. If the letters are not clear they have another eye patch thingy with holes in to direct the light better, that worked for me, has every time. Then hunch over the machine which checks your eyes. I was still recovering from the eye drops that makes your pupils bigger the next day but better today. (Test was Tuesday.)
Take some snacks and a drink. It does sap your energy a bit.
I had to go by patient transport, you can't drive after the test for 4 hours, I'd say not at all that day, and patient transport ambulance lady looked at my bag, told me they were glad. They had one person, type 2 but no snacks, and they were concerned if the person had to wait - hypo. Not worth the risk. I took supermarket packet biscuits and water. I always take snacks, better slightly high if busy then hypo and collapse.
Blood sugars, gps were going to test yesterday then not then again today today, then not. Sending district nurses then not sending them, as my thyroxine low Hb1Ac slightly high, nearly a month ago, meter readings now 6-8 mmole. I'm almost housebound, arthritis. So now not testing me but will write to endocrinology Next problem will be which hospital, they have their favourite, not very clean and not the best. I go to one nearer, and all my notes are there. Gp lowered thyroid meds, someone tried that before, now I'm exhausted. Diet has worked fine. I test each morning, fasting, one gp wanted me to take medication to lower the blood sugar, based on 1 Hb1Ac only.
When they panicked, blood glucose slightly high. max was 10, but I was recovering from a cough and post covid, which arrived a year ago. Infections do cause rises in blood glucose. But the Hb1Ac covered 3 months including the infection period.
Main problem, inexperienced gp who handed on to another inexperienced gp! District nurses, as it was urgent a few hours before, can send someone out next week, They claimed tests take 7 days, it used to be 3 days!
I give up, I'm doing the daily fasting tests , bought extra strips as nurse told me not to test every day - why??, cost to them for strips I think.
All you can do is test, look after yourself , low carb may be fine but not so low you end with a hypo in hospital, I did last year. I hope your medical team are good, this forum has lots of advice. No one person is the same.
A good balanced is important, can be bought from any shop.
In UK, free medications I think, possibly podiatry via NHS, IF your surgery will book it, other people may have more advice on that as well.
Best wishes and good luck.
Carol
