My Experiences So Far...

[EggPlanter]

My first post!
Recently, following a regular blood test, my practice nurse told me I had diabetes type 2. She did a glucose tolerance test, and the results were enough for her to make the decision, though she did tell me I could make an appointment with the GP if I wanted for confirmation. She seemed almost pleased (as if this was my punishment for my obesity).
I started to monitor my blood sugar levels, and then I duly made an appointment after a few weeks and went armed with a list of questions, having done a lot of research on the internet (especially this website).

Here are my questions and the GP's replies:

Q1) Do I have type 2 diabetes or might it be LADA diabetes?
A1) LADA? What's that?.... I've never heard of L.A.D.A.... Let me google it. [Googles it]. Ah right. LADA is just the name that we give to diabetes type 1 when it comes on in later life. You don't have type 1. You have type 2.
Q2) You have suggested Metformin. How does that work?
A2) I can't remember how it works. It's the drug we always prescribe as first line treatment. Let me just check. [Back to google.] It makes the liver produce glucose.
Q3) One of my symptoms is extreme fatigue. Will this help?
A3) All it will do is lower your blood sugar level.
Q4) Since controlling my blood sugar, I've noticed that my appetite is more controlled. I feel as if not having the highs and lows has reduced my cravings for foods. Is increased appetite a symptom of diabetes? And does diabetes make a person crave food, even after eating?
A4) No, it doesn't work like that. High sugar levels can make you feel tired, so you should have more energy if you can control your blood sugar level.
Q5) How much metformin should I take?
A5) One 500mg once a day.
Q6) Will this last all day? What is its half life?
A6) You just need to take it once day. I can give you extended release if you need it, but only if you have adverse reactions.
Q7) Can I get testing strips on prescription?
A7) No. Only if you are type 1 or on a sulfonynlurea. You can't possibly have a hypo on metformin.

So - that's my first experience of support for this condition. Is this typical? I felt I learned more on this website in a few hours than I did from the nurse or GP.

Egg.

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

Are you sure s/he was a GP and not just a random person passing the surgery? Welcome to the forum.

 

[oopsie]

I have regular blood tests. Went for the results as usual & he said my anemia was back & that I was also a diabetic. (I was in the8's) He prescribed Metformin & iron tablets for the anemia & told me to come back in 3 months for another blood test. I asked if I could try diet instead of taking Metformin, his reply was ''I don't think you can do it'' I asked if it would react with my other meds, his reply was ''I don't think so'' I collected my prescription, threw the Metformin in the bin. Found this site after hours/days of trawling the net. Bought a tester, cut carb's. I'm now floating in the 4's. Also from trawling the net & posts in here I discovered anemia can give false readings. So for me it was throw me a pill & out the door.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi Egg,

Sorry you had such an "interesting time" at the nurse & GP.

I also recently had a followup check at a new surgery & the GP's basic knowledge of T1 was the best work of fiction since reading Jeff Noon...

 

[Daibell]

Hi. With regard to your Q & As, Metformin reduces the liver's glucose output not increases it. If you have excess weight then T2 is more likely than Late onset T1. Metformin can be increased to 2000mg per day. It doesn't have a big effect and a low-carb diet is the lost useful first step. I think the extreme fatigue some feel with diabetes is more of a psychological reaction rather than physical (some might disagree)

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

Hi. With regard to your Q & As, Metformin reduces the liver's glucose output not increases it. If you have excess weight then T2 is more likely than Late onset T1. Metformin can be increased to 2000mg per day. It doesn't have a big effect and a low-carb diet is the lost useful first step. I think the extreme fatigue some feel with diabetes is more of a psychological reaction rather than physical (some might disagree)

I would be one of those to disagree. I found extreme fatigue was a symptom of insulin resistance. Could sleep standing up.

 

[MissMac]

My first post!
Recently, following a regular blood test, my practice nurse told me I had diabetes type 2. She did a glucose tolerance test, and the results were enough for her to make the decision, though she did tell me I could make an appointment with the GP if I wanted for confirmation. She seemed almost pleased (as if this was my punishment for my obesity).
I started to monitor my blood sugar levels, and then I duly made an appointment after a few weeks and went armed with a list of questions, having done a lot of research on the internet (especially this website).

Here are my questions and the GP's replies:

Q1) Do I have type 2 diabetes or might it be LADA diabetes?
A1) LADA? What's that?.... I've never heard of L.A.D.A.... Let me google it. [Googles it]. Ah right. LADA is just the name that we give to diabetes type 1 when it comes on in later life. You don't have type 1. You have type 2.
Q2) You have suggested Metformin. How does that work?
A2) I can't remember how it works. It's the drug we always prescribe as first line treatment. Let me just check. [Back to google.] It makes the liver produce glucose.
Q3) One of my symptoms is extreme fatigue. Will this help?
A3) All it will do is lower your blood sugar level.
Q4) Since controlling my blood sugar, I've noticed that my appetite is more controlled. I feel as if not having the highs and lows has reduced my cravings for foods. Is increased appetite a symptom of diabetes? And does diabetes make a person crave food, even after eating?
A4) No, it doesn't work like that. High sugar levels can make you feel tired, so you should have more energy if you can control your blood sugar level.
Q5) How much metformin should I take?
A5) One 500mg once a day.
Q6) Will this last all day? What is its half life?
A6) You just need to take it once day. I can give you extended release if you need it, but only if you have adverse reactions.
Q7) Can I get testing strips on prescription?
A7) No. Only if you are type 1 or on a sulfonynlurea. You can't possibly have a hypo on metformin.

So - that's my first experience of support for this condition. Is this typical? I felt I learned more on this website in a few hours than I did from the nurse or GP.

Egg.

Hey! Welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago now...I had much the same experience following this and can honestly say the peeps on here are the best! Defo defo try the LCHF...I have NEVER felt so good and my blood glucose levels (I bought my own tester as many do) are not hitting about 7's now whereas before they were up in the low teens pretty much...use this site as your bible..there is nothing someone has not gone through and they can help with everything!
As for the tiredness...for me it was one of the things that made me head to the GP and ask for a FBG as it was debilitating. xx