Hi Matt and welcome to the forum. A lot of us, before being diagnosed as diabetic ourselves, had little knowledge of diabetes and all it entails. To begin with, I openly admit to just thinking I couldn't eat sugar!! :roll: I certainly had no idea, until I came on this forum, that carbohydrate turns to sugar when we eat it, so learning that simple fact was hugely important to me. Now I know not to overdo the carbs.I was also scared witless when I read about the possible diabetic complications but was heartened when I came on here and read about people like SarahQ and Fergus, who have had diabetes for many years and have no complications.
As Sue says, getting control of your condition is the best thing you can do. Have a read around the forum, especially the Success Stories thread and I hope you too will feel heartened by the folk on here who lead pretty much normal lives, some with the help of medication, some without medication. Like you, I was put onto meds. straight away but it seems treatment varies from person to person.
Please stay with us and you'll get no end of friendly, helpful support.
All the best, chocoholic.