Hi
I'm 27 and have just been diagnosed T2. This both is and isn't a shock - on the one hand I am very overweight and need to lose around 8 stone. On the other, I have not shown any symptoms (to my knowledge) and the only reason I even had a glucose blood test in the first place was the GP accidentally ordered it along with other blood requests - I have had thyroid cancer and am now on replacement hormones which are monitored monthly, and he was also testing sex hormones which came back normal. So to receive a phonecall saying my blood sugar was high and i would need to have a glucose tolerance test was a surprise to everyone really.
So I went to see the GP and he told me I was showing diabetic levels. I can't remember everything he was talking about or writing down, but he said the first test was about 7.5 and the second test after the glucose drink around 12.5 - I think.
I have another appointment with him on Thursday, along with the diabetic nurse, and with the dietician in a few weeks.
The problem is I have a lot of issues with food -I've been diagnosed with 'an eating disorder' though doctors and shrinks don't seem to know exactly what to do with me, but it relates to food phobias and 'selective eating disorder' in order to remain in control over some aspect of my life. In a nutshell I haven't eaten anything remotely fruit, veg or salad like for well over twenty years and my health is seriously starting to suffer as a result - hence the diabetes now! It isn't as simple as telling me to make an effort with what I eat - it's like telling someone with a fear of heights to be a bridge painter for a living. But I have an appointment with a private NLP specialist in a couple of weeks - I'm hoping he will be able to help me else i don't know what i'm going to do. I am a self confessed carb junkie and coach potato and the thought of having to change my eating habits and go to the gym (all those thin people!) is terrifying and I'm having panic attacks.
Now the main issue I'm battling: telling my family. I moved back home with my parents when I was diagnosed with cancer as I couldn't continue to work. The elephant in the room has always been me and my weight, literally! Nobody talks about it, nobody has ever pressured me into eating properly, nobody ever forced me as a child and as a result, no 'issue' has ever been made. Even when my parents (not overweight) are watching what they're eating and ribbing each other about what they're eating, nobody has ever said a word about my plate of food, my lifestyle, anything - it has become an issue by its simple fact of never being talked about. I have always been the fat girl that likes pies and watching tv - it's sort of who I AM.
So to suddenly say to my family "I need help" just seems an innsurmountable challenge. I hate a fuss and I hate drawing attention to myself. To make matters worse, we recently lost my grandad due to heart problems and he was also diabetic - it will destroy my mum to remind her of how serious this can get.
I feel very young to be dealing with all of this and am now just waiting for the next big health problem. Another cancer, probably. I feel very guilty and know it's all my fault, and don't know where to begin. As for telling friends - i can't bear the thought of them thinking "I told you so".
Without challenging my food phobias, and without telling my family, I don't know what on earth to do - but these seem impossible
I'm sorry for the long post, there probably isn't much anyone can say that hasn't been said before. I just feel very scared and alone, and don't have anyone I can talk to.
I'm 27 and have just been diagnosed T2. This both is and isn't a shock - on the one hand I am very overweight and need to lose around 8 stone. On the other, I have not shown any symptoms (to my knowledge) and the only reason I even had a glucose blood test in the first place was the GP accidentally ordered it along with other blood requests - I have had thyroid cancer and am now on replacement hormones which are monitored monthly, and he was also testing sex hormones which came back normal. So to receive a phonecall saying my blood sugar was high and i would need to have a glucose tolerance test was a surprise to everyone really.
So I went to see the GP and he told me I was showing diabetic levels. I can't remember everything he was talking about or writing down, but he said the first test was about 7.5 and the second test after the glucose drink around 12.5 - I think.
I have another appointment with him on Thursday, along with the diabetic nurse, and with the dietician in a few weeks.
The problem is I have a lot of issues with food -I've been diagnosed with 'an eating disorder' though doctors and shrinks don't seem to know exactly what to do with me, but it relates to food phobias and 'selective eating disorder' in order to remain in control over some aspect of my life. In a nutshell I haven't eaten anything remotely fruit, veg or salad like for well over twenty years and my health is seriously starting to suffer as a result - hence the diabetes now! It isn't as simple as telling me to make an effort with what I eat - it's like telling someone with a fear of heights to be a bridge painter for a living. But I have an appointment with a private NLP specialist in a couple of weeks - I'm hoping he will be able to help me else i don't know what i'm going to do. I am a self confessed carb junkie and coach potato and the thought of having to change my eating habits and go to the gym (all those thin people!) is terrifying and I'm having panic attacks.
Now the main issue I'm battling: telling my family. I moved back home with my parents when I was diagnosed with cancer as I couldn't continue to work. The elephant in the room has always been me and my weight, literally! Nobody talks about it, nobody has ever pressured me into eating properly, nobody ever forced me as a child and as a result, no 'issue' has ever been made. Even when my parents (not overweight) are watching what they're eating and ribbing each other about what they're eating, nobody has ever said a word about my plate of food, my lifestyle, anything - it has become an issue by its simple fact of never being talked about. I have always been the fat girl that likes pies and watching tv - it's sort of who I AM.
So to suddenly say to my family "I need help" just seems an innsurmountable challenge. I hate a fuss and I hate drawing attention to myself. To make matters worse, we recently lost my grandad due to heart problems and he was also diabetic - it will destroy my mum to remind her of how serious this can get.
I feel very young to be dealing with all of this and am now just waiting for the next big health problem. Another cancer, probably. I feel very guilty and know it's all my fault, and don't know where to begin. As for telling friends - i can't bear the thought of them thinking "I told you so".
Without challenging my food phobias, and without telling my family, I don't know what on earth to do - but these seem impossible
I'm sorry for the long post, there probably isn't much anyone can say that hasn't been said before. I just feel very scared and alone, and don't have anyone I can talk to.