hi am andy i am new to this just got told i am type2 on wednesday while i was driving to bristol (am a hgv driver)first of all do i get free eye tests and prescriptions and do i have to get a machine to test mine blood sugars also do i have to pay for it :roll: i am seeing the nurse for the first time on wednesday will she or he sort out what i can eat etc
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just been told am type2
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totsy
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hya andy,
firstly your nurse should tell u lots of things but this site is great, if u are on diabetic meds then prescriptions are free, eye tests are free for diabetics also, as for blood testing, most believe u need to test regulary, unfortunately some drs dont think so and wont give test strips either, what are your blood sugars like? what kind of foods do u eat?
if u let us know im sure someone will be able to help, im moving your thread to ask the experts so u will get more advice,
by the way im also a yorkshire ite lol
welcome to the forum
firstly your nurse should tell u lots of things but this site is great, if u are on diabetic meds then prescriptions are free, eye tests are free for diabetics also, as for blood testing, most believe u need to test regulary, unfortunately some drs dont think so and wont give test strips either, what are your blood sugars like? what kind of foods do u eat?
if u let us know im sure someone will be able to help, im moving your thread to ask the experts so u will get more advice,
by the way im also a yorkshire ite lol
welcome to the forum
You will still be able to drive your HGV.
Prescriptions are free if you need medication and it is very likely that you will be put on a drug called metformin at some point.
Many of us on the forum test more than our doctors would like (due to the cost of test strips) but it can help us figure out what foods are raising blood sugars too much and which ones we can get away with.
Obviously your eyesight and foot care are going to be important to you. Cutting back on carbohydrate containing foods can help improve blood sugars very quickly. Eg sugars, potatoes, rice, flour products, bread, pasta, and of course Yorkie Bars.)
Prescriptions are free if you need medication and it is very likely that you will be put on a drug called metformin at some point.
Many of us on the forum test more than our doctors would like (due to the cost of test strips) but it can help us figure out what foods are raising blood sugars too much and which ones we can get away with.
Obviously your eyesight and foot care are going to be important to you. Cutting back on carbohydrate containing foods can help improve blood sugars very quickly. Eg sugars, potatoes, rice, flour products, bread, pasta, and of course Yorkie Bars.)
Trinkwasser
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I'd wait until wednesday and see what sort of advice you get. Hopefully they might give you a meter: if not you can buy them at any pharmacy, and sometimes find them given away. The meters are artificially cheap as the strips are artificially expensive.
Have a read here
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html
also check out the sticky threads and Success Stories
Have a read here
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html
also check out the sticky threads and Success Stories
had a blood test and nurse said i was23.6 (blood sugar) which she said was high so am on pills now not seeing dietiction yet not really sure what foods are good or bad some have low sugars but high in fat its a bit of a minefield any advive would be nice thank you 
Dennis
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Hi Andy,
Certainly sugar is one of the things that you need to cut right down on, but fat isn't. The foods that have the biggest effect in raising blood sugar are bread, cereals, pasta, rice and potatoes. They all contain high amounts of carbohydrates and it is carbohydrate that is converted into sugar in your blood. Fat has no carbs and therefore no effect whatsoever on your blood sugar. Also, contrary to popular belief, fat doesn't make you fat! But there's a whole "diet" industry out there making a fortune out of telling people that it does!
See if you can cut down on the starchy foods that I mentioned above and you should see an immediate reduction in your blood sugar. Have a good look round the forum, particularly in the low-carb section and you will pick up loads of tips on what is good for you to eat and what to avoid.
And just ask away if you have any questions.
Certainly sugar is one of the things that you need to cut right down on, but fat isn't. The foods that have the biggest effect in raising blood sugar are bread, cereals, pasta, rice and potatoes. They all contain high amounts of carbohydrates and it is carbohydrate that is converted into sugar in your blood. Fat has no carbs and therefore no effect whatsoever on your blood sugar. Also, contrary to popular belief, fat doesn't make you fat! But there's a whole "diet" industry out there making a fortune out of telling people that it does!
See if you can cut down on the starchy foods that I mentioned above and you should see an immediate reduction in your blood sugar. Have a good look round the forum, particularly in the low-carb section and you will pick up loads of tips on what is good for you to eat and what to avoid.
And just ask away if you have any questions.
Dennis
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Hi Andy,
I think that you are entitled to free eye tests. The NHS Direct website advises that you only qualify for free prescriptions if you receive diabetic medicines. But on eye tests it says you qualify if you have been diagnosed as diabetic, which you have.
Your nurse has given you good advice. High blood sugars (and yours is very high) changes the shape of the eye, and when you reduce the sugar level this can cause blurred vision for a few days as your eyes get used to the lower level and gradually change shape.
Having high blood sugar isn't generally seen as a danger for drivers, but very low blood sugar is. I shouldn't worry too much on that score because it will take you some time to get your sugars down low enough for a hypo to be a risk. According to the Diabetes UK website, "People whose diabetes is treated by diet alone or diet and tablets are normally allowed to hold LGV and PCV licences, provided they are otherwise in good health."
I think that you are entitled to free eye tests. The NHS Direct website advises that you only qualify for free prescriptions if you receive diabetic medicines. But on eye tests it says you qualify if you have been diagnosed as diabetic, which you have.
Your nurse has given you good advice. High blood sugars (and yours is very high) changes the shape of the eye, and when you reduce the sugar level this can cause blurred vision for a few days as your eyes get used to the lower level and gradually change shape.
Having high blood sugar isn't generally seen as a danger for drivers, but very low blood sugar is. I shouldn't worry too much on that score because it will take you some time to get your sugars down low enough for a hypo to be a risk. According to the Diabetes UK website, "People whose diabetes is treated by diet alone or diet and tablets are normally allowed to hold LGV and PCV licences, provided they are otherwise in good health."
