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Cyprus, newly Type 2

S

sjwill56

Member
Messages
8
Location
Nicosia, Cyprus
Good Morning friends,

Just thought I would drop a little note with my recent experiences...

I am a Brit living in Cyprus where the patient has to 'make the running' with healthcare.

I noticed my eyes were going a bit but was surprised at the thought of an eye test because they had been checked three months ago. Eventually other symptoms started - terrible thirst and up a lot at night. Then the cramps started. Also felt very washed out.

Anyway - the optician on Monday did not spot any diabetes related problem but refered me to a consultant due to the rapid change in vision - got an appointment for that Friday.

I looked at BBC Health pages and got a strong suspicion about the diabetes... but then again the following day I decided I had MS!!!! Ha Ha.

During the week I chatted with a couple of people and it was suggested I got a blood sugar blood test just to rule something out. Well, I never got to the Consultant eye doctor as my reading was 420 after fasting overnight. Cyprus means you can find a service and get any test done and the result is back in hours.

So - rang a colleague at work who is T2... she suggested going straight to her doctor. I rang and pleaded a bit about feeling very sick and I was in his surgery within 20 minutes. EAT YOUR HEART OUT NHS!!!!! :lol:

So, now I am T2 diabetic as of two days ago.

The Diabetician prescribed me Eucreas 50 / 1000 - which seems to be very new. Does anyone in the UK use this? I know it's flippin expensive!!!! GIVE ME BACK THE NHS!!! :shock:

Will I need one of those little testing machines?

The shame is that our diet is pretty good here, lots of fruit and veg. Still, I guess that's the last of the ice cream and Nutella! My wife has a cupboard full of jam she will now have to give away!

My wife is Ceoliac and I am T2 Diabetic. Are we officially the worst dinner guests ever !!!! Ha Ha!

Regards to all...
 
Hi sjwill56,

Welcome to the forum - I am a relative newbie myself only being diagnosed 6 weeks ago but I have found so much help on this forum.

Don't know about what treatment you can expect in Cyprus but yes, you will need a blood glucose meter - it helps you stay in control.

There is loads of info on this forum about diet and testing etc - have a good look around and ask any questions you like - there will be someone out there who can help.

Good luck
 
Good morning,
Welcome to the forum, theres plenty of T2's who will be along to give you any help, guidence and support you need. I'd certainly have you to dinner, my 10yr old is both T1 and coeliac so i'd be a great host, so if you'd like a perfect meal any time you'd like to send me a plane ticket to sunny Cyprus i'll be there in a shot :lol:
Suzi x
 
Hi sj.

Welcome to the forum. Have a good look around and ask any questions you wish.

We use mmol/l in the UK so I have converted your reading of 420 for your Bg level.
It was very high.23.3 mmol/l. Not good. There is a blood sugar converter on our main site.
You could also just divide or multiply by 18.

You will most definitely need a Blood Glucose meter if you want to know what your Bg levels are and take control of your Diabetes.

Eucreas has been around in Europe/UK since 2008. It is called Vildagliptin here.
This is a combination drug which has a low dose of Metformin in it ( 1g ). It costs the NHS around £30+ for 60 tabs.

Hope this helps ?

Ken.
 
Thanks for the welcome and encouragement, especially as I am 2 hours ahead of UK time.

I was interested in the reference to the 'convertor'. Could you please give me the URL for that?

Just for your interest my wife bought 30 tablets of Eucreas and it cost EUR 30 so that seems about right. Useful to know the UK name of the drug, for reference.
 
sjwill56
You can both have fish, meat eggs and cheese and fresh salads and a bit of fruit. That's what we eat here daily. It's good. I bet the fish is good in Cyprus.
 
I looked up Eucreas it's Metformin combined with a DPP-4 inhibitor, which is why it's expensive. The NHs won't look on it with favour, because of the cost. Yes it is new.
 
Regarding the drug - the Diabetician gave me a free sample to set me off!
They say the first hit is always free! I am fortunate that my (UK based) employer should cover these costs. Bet they'll be chuffed at that... eh?!

Regarding diet - mostly what we eat now is pretty healthy, I'm just going to have to chop out any cakes and pastries etc. (very popular here in Cyprus.) Not too keen on fish but we'll see. My wife is a good cook and we are both experts at 'labels' due to her Coeliac.

Thanks for all the info.

Steve W
 
Hi all... I have been enjoying a week off work whilst (hopefully) my body sorts itself out a bit.
Still feeling very sleepy, especially a couple of hours after eating. I want to get one of the testers so I can start to work out what is really happening - the doctor said he would sort me out with one when I go and see him in a week.

Anyway - I have been dipping into the forum posts to try to educate myself. Can I ask someone to summarise, if possible.. the "low-carb" and "non low-carb" debate that there seems to be in the Diabetes community?

Remember I am a complete beginner at all this. Thanks and regards,

Steve W
 
Hey swill. theres a sticky about the low carb diet. Take a look. These guys need to answer the hard questions. You can search on here if you can't find it by just looking. As for the non low stuff, don't think you will get many answers there/ You never know I suppose.

D.
 
Hi -

I got the news today that I have a tumor on the head of my Pancreas. THIS is the root of my problem. So - looks like flying back to the UK post haste for a Whipples procedure.

Not Good - with a capital 'N'.
 
Chemo and radio therapy start on Monday 24th August for 5 weeks.

Only a 1 in 3 chance of this making the tumor smaller to allow for an operation.

Have been managing OK with the regime of testing and insulin injections... I hope it doesn't prove too tricky if my routine is all over the place with strong drugs.

*sigh*
 
Heard today that the tumor was not reduced by the Chemo and radio therapy. My condition is inoperable. I will likely die in a few months.

I urge anyone who is newly diagnosed with diabetes to ask if you can have a CT scan to see if, in fact, you have a pancreatic lesion. It could be a life saver if you get something picked up sooner rather than later.

Steve
 
Steve.

I fell across your postings just a few moments ago and noticed that nobody had posted.

Words are pretty useless at this time and I am pretty useless at finding them but I hope you are able to spend your time with those you love. Lots of us here post on our awful days. I find it cathartic because people can just read and listen without trying to 'solve' the problem, unlike real life.

I'm sending my best wishes to you in the hope you have the love and support you need.

wiflib
 
Steve.

I echo wiflib's comments. I hope that you and your loved ones can spend the time you have left together and I am sure you will get solace from that. Thinking of you.
 
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