How Many of You With Type 2 Have ...

[stephiesut]

I don't think it is at all.

Exercise has certainly helped my insulin resistance, as has my weight loss.

So, only speaking for myself, laziness and greed, a major part in my diabetes, as without them, my numbers are in the normal range.

Would it have helped me if I had believed my gp saying lose weight, exercise more, eat less. - yes.
Would being told laziness and greed didn't cause type 2? Not in my case.

But its not the cause of all type 2. Im type 2. every adult in my family is type 2, both my parents, all aunts and uncles etc. Of all shapes and sizes. My family are all military so lack of exercise and poor diet was never a factor there! My husband is type 2 also, and his was caused by steroid use (prescribed ones!) It is disheartening when people assume your diabetes is caused by poor lifestyle choices when in so many cases thats not even a factor.

 

[Fallgal]

When I was diagnosed in April, I was told by my GP (the Diabetes specialist for the practice) that testing is not necessary for T2s. When I went back a couple weeks ago for a follow up to my foot infection, I asked again about strips. I was again told it wasn't necessary, and that if the medication I am currently on "isn't working" that there are further medications I could take. *sigh* Is medication less expensive than strips? Less expensive than the 12 podiatrist appointments I've had in the past six months? or the off-pressure boot I've been wearing for the past month?

 

[peacetrain]

The NHS does not have enough money to fund strips for types 2s as standard.

I know all the arguments.
I agree with most of them.
But the NHS does not have enough money to provide strips to an ageing, increasing, type 2 population.
No amount of activism, arguing, and protest is going to change the cold hard economic fact.

I'll say it again: the NHS does not have enough money.

I agree that the NHS can't afford everything. However, I would like to know the cost of bariatric surgery, being recommended for type 2s as a cure (I'm thinking on my feet so apologies if my facts aren't right). A colleague at work has a friend who has just had this done, recently diagnosed type 2 and extremely overweight. I wouldn't have the surgery even if offered. I'd be too scared of not surviving the surgery. I also don't agree with GP s being given the go ahead to prescribe statins to older people and, according to the news yesterday, many doctors don't agree with such indiscriminate prescribing either and many are refusing.
Those of us who have found this site are fortunate to be blessed with self help attitudes and the will to endeavour to understand diabetes and how to live with it and try to stay as healthy as possible. Whilst I believe more can and should be done to encourage those on the verge of T2 /Diagnosed T2s, I'll bet many health professionals are banging their heads against a brick wall. I know my DN views me as a exception rather than the rule. Many believe the medication prescribed is a passport to carry on eating the wrong foods.
Remember the anti smoking ads? The diseased lungs? I wonder if a few infected feet and legs/amputation photos would do the same for many. Then again, I think the health organisations have caused the reliance on drugs. I wonder if the distribution of statins will stop people from changing their diet for a healthy heart?
I don't know the answers ... Just asking the questions.

I'm T2, diagnosed a year ago. My reading was 115 and I was put on 3 x 500mg daily. I wasn't given a meter initially but my DN gave me one, no questions asked, when I asked for one. I have 100 strips on prescription and these don't last very long at all. I supplement with the code free because I'm aware of the cost of the strips and I don't want to cost the NHS too much. I limit myself to getting the prescription once every 2 months. I may be on borrowed time as far as the prescription goes because I haven't been on medication since May and my annual review is at the end of this month. We shall see.

 

[izzzi]

If all Newby type 2's etc; were given free meters and strips from the NHS, approximately only 5% at most of these meters would be properly used to control Diabetes.
That is not cost effective, to the NHS.
However every member on this Forum should be awarded these meters and strips from the NHS for obvious reasons.
Dream on izzzi ( actually not such a bad idea )

 

[douglas99]

But its not the cause of all type 2. Im type 2. every adult in my family is type 2, both my parents, all aunts and uncles etc. Of all shapes and sizes. My family are all military so lack of exercise and poor diet was never a factor there! My husband is type 2 also, and his was caused by steroid use (prescribed ones!) It is disheartening when people assume your diabetes is caused by poor lifestyle choices when in so many cases thats not even a factor.

As I said though, speaking for myself, I ticked the boxes.
Type 2 seems to have a range of triggers, and a range of symptoms, seen, and unseen.
We can really only work on ourselves, and tell others what we have done to help ourselves personally. I couldn't say if anything I have done would help you, or even hinder you, only that you should try it if you want to.
The NHS don't have that luxury, they can only advise a course for the majority to start, that won't make them worse than no intervention at all, and upon seeing them complete that step, fine tune it for the individual, as happened to me.

 

[Pixelle]

I had my first visit to the Diabetes Nurse last week. I was all geared up with info on why I need a monitor and strips when to my shock and surprise, she handed me a Nexus monitor with 12 strips and a form to fill out for free prescriptions.....I don't think I'll get them free though as I'm controlling (or not) on diet only at the moment as I've not yet been to my clinic (been waiting months!).

Could possibly be because I had GD and know what I'm doing (ish) that she thought she could trust me with them haha!

Since getting the monitor, I've been able to gauge what I can and can't eat and it's helped massively.