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Hello from another newbie

P

paul birchall

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi there

I was diagnosed today

Bit of history.... Had a problem with fluid on the knee a few weeks ago. Went to the hospital where they drained it. Did some blood tests there an my glucose was 13. Had another test last week and got the result yesterday and it was 15.2. Is this bad in the scheme of things. The doctor has given me tablets, but it is going to be 3 weeks before I see the practice nurse. Is there anything I can do in the meantime?

Regards

Paul
 
Welcome to the forum Paul.A blood glucose of 13 is High!!The main thing to do is have a good read round this forum for information and also try reducing the amount of starchy carbs that you eat.Try either very small portions or,if you can ,no portions at all of bread ,potatoes ,pasta and rice and also any flour based products.Don't try and do it all at once though,a little at a time!!
When you see the nurse try and get a blood testing monitor and test strips from her as well because the secret to good blood sugar control is to test before a meal then two hours after to find out just how that meal has affected your blood sugars.
If you are buying labelled products then read the label.Look at the total amount of carbs in the product and not just the sugars,if it is more than 10gm in 100gm then maybe give it a miss!!This should help bring your levels down before you see the nurse.
 
Paul
if your doctor wants to make a formal diagnosis of diabetes, he should do a Glucose tolerance test. Unfortunately, they often skip this stage.
What tablets have you been given? If it's Metformin, don't be surprised if you get an upset stomach. It does that to most people, but it's worth persevering, because overall this is a safe, effective medicine.
 
hya paul and welcome to the forum
 
Hi Paul welcome to the forum
Hope you can get your head round things it does take time i'm newly diagnosed too.
A monitor is good to keep an eye on your levels when testing different foods, mine has become my best friend Good luck.
 
Hey Paul,

I'm in the same boat as you, newly diagnosed (but knew it was coming). I've found that the NHS is completely inadequate when it comes to chronic illness care and the best thing to do is to ask questions about everything they tell you.

Good luck.
 
Many thanks for all your comments. They are all useful. I had a feeling it was coming for about 18 months. Had an emergency appendectomy last february and I've not 'felt like me' since. I think my pancreas has been doing it's job only partially.

On my left leg I have a bruise/ulcer about 2 inches across. I've had it for months. When I saw the doctor 3 months ago, she dismissed it, said do nothing to it and it will go away. I now know this is an external indicator.

In answer to the question, yes I am on that drug, 500mg to begin with, once a day. After 2 weeks, up to 2. Then after another 2 weeks, up to 3. Not had any side effects yet apart from a bit of a fuzzy head!

Evidently there are Diabetes educators attached to the local PCT, who you can evidently get advice from. So, I am going to try and contact them. But I know that the best thing to do is talk to the people who have to live with it.
 
Hi,

I would advise that you should not sit back and assume that the tablets are going to solve your problems. I suggest that it would be a good idea to start testing your blood glucose levels and to adjust your diet according to whatever you find from those results. Most people find that they can improve their situation a lot by managing their own situation.
Best Wishes - John
 
Hi and welcome to the forum, Paul!

I would back up other's comments above, specially regarding the meter to get blood sugar tested, this has been very helpful to me to be able to sort out and control my own diabetes and believe you will find this forum very helpful and valuable too, many answers about things the healthcare folks don't always tell you or fill you in on without asking questions and when you're new, difficult to know just which questions to ask anyways!

best wishes, Salsasue
 
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