World Hereafter
Well-Known Member
Hello
I am so glad I found this website and forum!
I was diagnosed yesterday, Type 2, by the Practice Nurse at local GPs. It was rather a shock, as I'd gone to my GP weeks earlier with awful pain behind ribs, vomiting, extreme bloating and tummy aches, dizziness and fever, and was told it might be gallbladder related and he’d arrange “raft of blood tests” (incl. Fasting Glucose) and scan of gallbladder, liver, pancreas etc. I’d heard nothing back from GP over a week after having all the blood tests, so thought everything was normal, although still awaiting scan.
Than a few days ago I was called by Receptionist at GPs, telling me I had to see the Practice Nurse in the Diabetes Clinic. I asked if that meant I was Diabetic, and was told curtly “I’d assume so!” :shock:
On seeing the Nurse yesterday, and being given a confirmed diagnosis of Type 2, I was even more shocked at how very little help, answers or support were given, apart from a basic NHS booklet “My Diabetes”, being told to “eat a healthy balanced diet, exercise regularly and lose weight”; being told I had probably been Diabetic “for some time” prior to diagnosis, being asked “you do understand this is a progressive disease?” and finally being given a form for Hba1C blood test, weight & BP measured, and another appointment made for three weeks-time!
Almost every question I asked was met with vague/evasive answers “we’ll go over that another time” or “we’ll see how things go” or “we can look at that in the future” etc. I even had to ask for the actual results of the Fasting Glucose test which had led to me being diagnosed in the first place! (8.7 it turns out). I also asked if I need medication? … “you will do soon” and if I need to self test? … “not yet”. Even my explaining that I was confused about how I could be diabetic, as, in spite of now being overweight due to other serious illness causing 85% immobility past 5 yrs, and masses of steroids/opiates for pain etc., I have always had a very healthy diet – was vegetarian for 20 years, although now eat fish and limited white meat, but I’ve been a fan and avid follower of the low Gi eating plan for at least 10 years. Her response? “That’s good!”. :eh: :roll:
Am I unreasonable to have expected to be talked through everything, or at least had a basic explanation of the treatment plan, or what happens next, or symptoms to watch out for, or what to expect in the future??
I hope other people have had more informative, supportive and helpful introductions to the news they are now diabetic! I for one have been left rather shocked… it feels like I’ve been hit with this diagnosis, then left to fend for myself to find all the answers/help I need. To have to wait a further three weeks for my next appointment, with so many questions and concerns is really not very reassuring.
No doubt I’ll be spending a lot of time on this forum reading through as many posts as possible over the coming days/weeks/months, trying to find answers and advice. Thank goodness for this website & Forum!!
Anyone else experienced similar? Or anyone got any advice on how or where I can get more help or support, e.g. offline resources?
:wave:
I am so glad I found this website and forum!
I was diagnosed yesterday, Type 2, by the Practice Nurse at local GPs. It was rather a shock, as I'd gone to my GP weeks earlier with awful pain behind ribs, vomiting, extreme bloating and tummy aches, dizziness and fever, and was told it might be gallbladder related and he’d arrange “raft of blood tests” (incl. Fasting Glucose) and scan of gallbladder, liver, pancreas etc. I’d heard nothing back from GP over a week after having all the blood tests, so thought everything was normal, although still awaiting scan.
Than a few days ago I was called by Receptionist at GPs, telling me I had to see the Practice Nurse in the Diabetes Clinic. I asked if that meant I was Diabetic, and was told curtly “I’d assume so!” :shock:
On seeing the Nurse yesterday, and being given a confirmed diagnosis of Type 2, I was even more shocked at how very little help, answers or support were given, apart from a basic NHS booklet “My Diabetes”, being told to “eat a healthy balanced diet, exercise regularly and lose weight”; being told I had probably been Diabetic “for some time” prior to diagnosis, being asked “you do understand this is a progressive disease?” and finally being given a form for Hba1C blood test, weight & BP measured, and another appointment made for three weeks-time!
Almost every question I asked was met with vague/evasive answers “we’ll go over that another time” or “we’ll see how things go” or “we can look at that in the future” etc. I even had to ask for the actual results of the Fasting Glucose test which had led to me being diagnosed in the first place! (8.7 it turns out). I also asked if I need medication? … “you will do soon” and if I need to self test? … “not yet”. Even my explaining that I was confused about how I could be diabetic, as, in spite of now being overweight due to other serious illness causing 85% immobility past 5 yrs, and masses of steroids/opiates for pain etc., I have always had a very healthy diet – was vegetarian for 20 years, although now eat fish and limited white meat, but I’ve been a fan and avid follower of the low Gi eating plan for at least 10 years. Her response? “That’s good!”. :eh: :roll:
Am I unreasonable to have expected to be talked through everything, or at least had a basic explanation of the treatment plan, or what happens next, or symptoms to watch out for, or what to expect in the future??
I hope other people have had more informative, supportive and helpful introductions to the news they are now diabetic! I for one have been left rather shocked… it feels like I’ve been hit with this diagnosis, then left to fend for myself to find all the answers/help I need. To have to wait a further three weeks for my next appointment, with so many questions and concerns is really not very reassuring.
No doubt I’ll be spending a lot of time on this forum reading through as many posts as possible over the coming days/weeks/months, trying to find answers and advice. Thank goodness for this website & Forum!!
Anyone else experienced similar? Or anyone got any advice on how or where I can get more help or support, e.g. offline resources?
:wave: