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Just diagnosed Type II

P

premiere

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Am really miffed. With the doctor but also with myself. I have just been diagnosed type 2.

Two months ago I had a random health check up which included a fasting test. I was told that the result showed a high BG level and that I needed another test as I could be developing type 2 Diabetes. No instructions/recommendations were given to me on what to do Diet or Exercise wise and neither was I made aware of my readings. I was simply told to come back and have another test. I booked the test for 6 weeks after.

During the 6 week wait, I scoured the internet and saw recommended steps I should be taking as a pre-diabetic. I cut out sugar in coffee, joined weightwatchers and started to gently exercise (jogging). I was really unfit and over weight at 16 stone 13 lbs. I really exercised slowly (1 minute jog, 2 minute walk and repeated ten times. Did this 4 times a week and walked on the other days for 30 mins. I gradually amended my jogging so that a week before my second test, I was running 1.5 miles without stopping and doing this 5 times a week. So my intensive exercise was only in the last week before my second test.

Back I go for my second test (hb1ac). Whilst waiting for the Hb1ac results (one week) my jogging has intensified to 3 miles per day, 5 times a week. My weight has dropped to 15 stone 12 lbs (lost 1 stone 1lb). My results came back. I asked what my original results were and GP said 8.5. She then said I have good and bad news. Bad news. "Your result this time is 7.3. According to the World Health Organisation, two tests over 7 means you are diabetic". The good news is that you have dropped 1.2 from 8.5! This means you can manage (for now) your diabetes with just Diet and Exercise.

I made a drop in 6 weeks from 8.5 to 7.3 with only a minor change in sugar intake and gentle exercise for 5 of the 6 weeks. If only I had arranged the second test for 8 weeks after the first, instead of 6 weeks, given the running (3 miles per day) I am now doing and my diet change, I bet I would've had a second reading under 7 (my estimate would've been 6.1). This would've made me a non-diabetic!! (but still poss pre-diabetic?) She has offered no other tests to confirm diabetes (thought you should have a glucose drink test?)

I am so annoyed. Both with my GP for a lack of guidance ad also myself for not waiting slightly longer than 6 weeks for a second test. I am also furious with myself for being type 2 (if i am). I am confused and not sure if I should have a second opinion elsewhere? Any suggestions?

I should also mention, that during the time between the first and second test, I bought a home monitor (AccuChek Aviva nano). My 30 day average 2 hours before my evening meal is 5.7. My 30 day average 2 hours after a meal is 6.7. My overall 30 day average (morning and evening readings) is 6.1.

Sorry for the rant. Any suggestions? or do I just accept that I am now a diabetic..........
 
Hi premiere.
Welcome.

You can if you wish ask for a second opinion and get a referral to an Endocrinologist. This way any diagnosis will be either confirmed or refuted. Have you discussed this with your GP ?

Having been in the same sort of position 11 years ago I know it is difficult to accept any diagnosis of Diabetes. You may well be right, your GP may well be right. Get that 2nd opinion.

I notice you give your 'average' Bg levels. Averages are just that. They don't tell the whole story.
You really need to know what the numbers are when waking, before a meal, then 1 and 2 hrs after a meal plus on going to bed. Check these figures for a week and keep a food diary of what you eat for the same time. You will then clearly see if there is any room for improvement in your Diet.

The guideline Bg levels for a T2 Diabetic are:
Fasting (waking) ..............between 4 - 7 mmol/l.
2 hrs after meals..............no more than 8.5 mmol/l.

You may be DIabetic and if you are you will have to accept it. If not then you have had a wake up call. You are doing great with your efforts so far, keep it up.

Ken.
 
Diabetes is a progressive condition. Type 1 usually progresses very fast, from days in children to months in some adults.

Type 2 is generally much slower to progress, and the point where it is actually diagnosed is somewhat artificial, and changes over time

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/

however the sooner you start to attack it as your numbers veer away from "normal" the more success you will have. As you seem to be discovering.

Try doing this

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html

see if you can't become even more successful . . .
 
I sympathise with your situation entirely.I saw the DN nurse for the first time today and what a complete waste of space that was. I too had two glucose fastings over seven, but I do not believe I have T2 diabetes, I actually think that you fit into the NICE or whatever it is criteria on these "results" and it means the GP and the PCT can drawn down extra funding for "your care". It's all a big con as far as I am concerned.

Today I have been told my HBA1 is "excellent", might be the fact I am on a diet and have been for the last 12 weeks. I was put straight onto Glicizade, why I don't know and with no monitoring - my doc says I do not need to do this- but I passed out last week I wonder why. So I am not taking it any more. Not sure if I am meant to anyway If my HBA1 is "excellent" I do not have diabetes.

So they are also trying to shove at me Ramparil and statins at me (BP is 130/90), I'm assuming this ticks even more boxes for them. So I am not even going to consider taking these. I admit to some numbness in my feet tiredness, thirst, temper swings and the fact I passed out, but this was dismissed by the Nurse so I'm putting it down to stress.

As NICE and my GP do not believe in monitoring, then they obviously don't think I am diabetic, as they would want me to monitor and take control of the condition. So as I have not got a clue what my blood sugar levels are and nobody is actually offering help and guidance to me, then it is obviously not important or dangerous in my case, so I care not. So I can safely assume no diabetes. Just a con for more funding!! I am asking the surgery to take this "Diabetes diagnosis" off my medical records as I really don't have it and I refuse to be used so they can get more finance.
 
I don't even know what my readings even HBAI, they did one blood sugar, while I was there today around 4pm that was 5.8. I had eaten, one breakfast museli bar and at lunch a cup soup of 45 calories and water. So you tell me is that good, bad, low, high - based on my food consumption for the day?
 
Iolanthe
Gliclazide can cause hypos and make you lose consciousness.
It's not normally the first medicine ofered to T2 diabetics.( nor the one recommended by NICE) It's worth asking your doctor if ou can try on diet alone or Metformin instead. If he won't disci=usssit, I suggest you ask for an appointment with a specialist.
Bg of 7 twice may be the diagnostic criteria, but that's still way above non diabetic. the non diabetic range is about 3.5 to 5.5 at pretty much any time, averaging around 4.7. Unless you fall into that range, you can't regard yourself as nondiabetic.
The levels advised by diabetes uk are MUCH higher than non diabetics would have.i.e.4 - 7 before meals. (Most non diabetics wouldn't get up to 7 without drinking masses of glucose sports drinks.)
They are higher than those recommended by Richard Bernstein. the doctor whose teaching many of us follow.
Even if your doctor is totally convinced you are diabetic, you will be lucky to get test equipment. they don't prescribe it becaue it costs too much and they truly believe you can do just as well without it. They expect the condition to progress and that you will need more and more medication with time and probably develop some complications. And many believe you WILL need to go on to insulin
 
Forgive my ignorance but who is Richard Bernstein and what are his views?
 
Iolanthe said:
Today I have been told my HBA1 is "excellent", might be the fact I am on a diet and have been for the last 12 weeks. I was put straight onto Glicizade, why I don't know and with no monitoring - my doc says I do not need to do this- but I passed out last week I wonder why. So I am not taking it any more. Not sure if I am meant to anyway If my HBA1 is "excellent" I do not have diabetes.
Click to expand...

You need to find out what your A1c result is. You have a right to know. "Excellent" for a diabetic may be not the same as for a non-diabetic. My GP told me that anything below 6.5 is "good", but ideally you need to be aiming for below 6, with or without medication.

I can see how you may be in denial regarding your diagnosis - especially if you have no symptoms - and I share your experience of receiving lousy initial advice from my practice on diagnosis. However, you really do need to get the facts before you reject the whole thing out of hand, and then you can take appropriate action.
 
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