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Newly diagnosed (confused)

B

Beks

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7
Hi wondering if anyone can help me.
Im 22, just been diagnosed with diabetes (Doctor say's he does not know which type yet)

I had 2 fasting blood tests and both came back abnormal high blood sugar (nobody told me how high)
I went to the doctor today where he diagnosed me, he first said right I am going to admit you because you are young and we don't know what type you have yet. He then said can you do a urine sample, well because I hadn't long since been to the toilet I couldn't go so he said sit in the waiting room drink a load of water then come back in. I sat in the waiting room for an hour and 10 minutes drinking water until I finally managed to go. Anyway I went back in and he checked my urine for ketones, he said there were not any in my urine. He then said im not admiting you i will refer you for an urgent appointment at the hospital and you might be seen before xmas! He then perscribed me with Metformin 500mg twice a day, which says inside it is for Type 2. I told him I don't feel well today at all but he seemed to let that go over his head. During my time in with the doctor my mum saw a warning sign on my notes on the computer saying that my thyriod was also abnormal yet the doctor didn't mention this.
Today I have felt so bad ive had to go to bed for a few hours, I fall asleep in the car (passenger seat) on the way to and way back from Uni everyday, can't stop drinking because im so thirsty which means im forever at the toilet and I feel sick for at least 2 hours everyday. The doctor also didn't tell me what I can and can't do (eat, drink, exercise, drive?)

Is this right that the doctor has started me on this? Should I be worried? Should I have been admitted because of my age and to determine what Type I am or am I ok to wait for the hospital appointment?

Sorry for the long story, hope you can help. Thank you.
Rebecca.
 
Hi Rebecca and welcome to the forum :)

Here is some information, for new members, that could help you, whether you turn out to be Type 1 or 2. I think some members will be along soon to advise you according to their own their own experience. Ask any more questions you need to as there is always someone who can help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find well over 30,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
Hi beks. Firstly if you are unsatisfied with the way you were informed or treated you ARE entitled to a second opinion from another doctor and you can also put your concerns of the practice manager at your gp surgery. At first I thought I was getting the same reaction, but the real situation was I did not express my concerns to my gp or ask him to go into any detail pls dont be concerned about speaking out to doctors if that is the case tell them everything. As for being put on metaformin this is probably a tie over treatment until you can be properly diagnosed, I was so down about all the symptoms that I expressed to my gp he took a blood sample and sent it to the hospital for a HBA1c test.

I understand your concerns as to when you see the hospital, but the best advice is keep taking your medication and above all dont stress too much this is not helpful for diabetics. I am type 1 and my first proper appointment with the hospital is the 13th of this month.

Thoughts with you

Simon aka Cobra3164
 
Hi. At age of 22 unless you are grossly overweight you are most lilkely a late onset T1 (LADA). The fact that your GP did a test for ketones suggests he also thinks this is possible. Metformin always helps a bit to reduce glucose in the blood so won't do any harm but it is likely that insulin may be needed at least initially to get your sugars back in range. After that it may be possible for tablets to work for a while with insulin in the long-term. Late onset T1 can come on with varying speeds so you will need to wait for further results. If you have had an HBa1c test done then do ask for the result. If not then ask for the test to be done. In the meantime do keep your carb intake down and low GI and if you do feel worried and unwell do call the doc or go to A&E as ketones, if they do appear with high blood sugar, mustn't be left without treatment.
 
Thank you this helps a lot. Ive been told that my referal is with the consultant to look at 2moro so I am hoping I get an appointment very soon as it was put through urgently. Obviously I am really new to this and I don't really know what i'm doing at this point. Can anyone tell me what will happen in my first appointment?
x
 
beks
the nhs is one of the best .trust me take one step at a time if you are hunger take less bread and potatoes then try cheese or fruit little a time small meals over the day will help .
now if you need go and buy a blood glucose meter BOOTS chemist buy the one with cassette 50 at a time £30-00
it is the best one stops fiddle about with strips do 1 blood sugars before each meal if they are high say 10 to 20 slowly reduce all sugars bread ect do this each day and see if you can get the bloods down under 10 walk or slow excersie as all others have said possible is all double such at present but will get better as the nhs gets you under control
or if this sounds to much ingore my help vic 55 years on insulin
 
Hi Beks. A typical diabetes appoinment would consist of the usual weight and bp checks plus a check of your feet for neuropathy. Normally your blood and urine test results might be discussed. Do ask for these and the implications. In your case your are looking for a firm diagnosis and then what the treatment should be. This may be a change to tablets and possibly some insulin at least for while but that will depend on your diagnosis. You should have an annual retinopathy appoinment made possibly at the local hospital. If you haven't had an HBa1c blood test done yet your doc should arrange one. This will show your average blood sugar over the last 3 months weighted towards the last month. We all have an HBa1c test done at least once a year for our annual appoinment. Your cholesterol will also be measured at the same time. Beware silly NHS diet advice to have carbs with every meal; read the diet advice on this forum. Don't worry too much about fat e.g. as one of the posters has said do have cheese if you want. You may be offered statins and it's your choice if you take them. BTW do have plenty of fluids (non-sugary of course) at the moment until your blood sugar comes down
 
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