Newly diagnosed? Read this first!

[Administrator]

Welcome to the Diabetes Forum! This sub-forum is for people who have been recently diagnosed (also known as newbies!).

The following pages should prove useful to start with for those who are newly diagnosed:

- Newly diagnosed with diabetes
- Diabetes jargon and abbreviations

You're not going to find anything better than the Diabetes Forum for help and support - with over 30,000 people ready to help!

As someone newly diagnosed with diabetes, there's a lot to take in. After first being diagnosed it is normal to feel a range of emotions. You may feel confused, shocked, in denial, upset, lost, angry or over whelmed. It is completely normal and understandable. Over time, these emotions do change as you receive help, support, guidance, professional treatment and care.

People with diabetes can live an independent, happy and fullfilled life. It may seem daunting at first, but there are many thousands of people here who are more than willing to help you along the way.

The Diabetes Forum offers support, sensitive understanding, practical help and suggestions. However you feel, this is the perfect platform to share your experiences, ask questions, ask for support or just have a rant!

 

[benedict]

The newly diagnosed forum is here for people who either are, or at least feel, relatively new to diabetes.

This could be people who have recently been diagnosed or it could be those who were diagnosed some time ago but have recently begun to renew their efforts to control their diabetes.

Long time members are free to post, with the proviso that posts are kept accessible to people who may not yet be experts in diabetes

 

[benedict]

Starting Points To Help

Diagnosis
You will usually be diagnosed via a blood test giving your general practioner [GP], An a HbA1c result is a measure of the glucose levels in your blood over a period of the last few months. After a diagnosis by your GP, your GP will usually hand you over to the NHS aftercare team which will either be a practice nurse [PN] or an diabetic specialist nurse [DSN]. A newly diagnosed patient will start clinic attendance or will attend a regular review program and receive advice, guideance and medication -if needed.

Diet
Some newly diagnosed patients are asked to try and see if their levels can improve via a diet and excersise routine and before medication is considered. Any diet changes or needs can be discussed with a trained dietician usually by referral by a practice nurse [PN] or a diabetes specialist nurse [DSN].

Clinic
Attendance of a 'diabetes clinic' or a 'diabetic review' is required by the patient and is an ideal way to discuss any areas of concern such as:

Information and advice on blood glucose testing or any related conditions such as tiredness, blood pressure, cholesterol, digestion discomfort, anxiety or any pain you're experiencing.

If you have any worries or concerns, your clinic or review is a great place to raise these.

Questions
It is always a great idea to write down any questions you may wish to ask for when you attend clinic. This is always seen as positive and usually the practice nurse [PN] or diabetes specialist nurse [DSN] or any other healthcare professional [HCP] are usually happy to answer them.

Tests
It is normal to have blood tests and urine samples requested when you attend clinic. This is so blood glucose [BG] levels can be monitored as well as cholesterol.

Support
If you are feeling anxious or nervous it is a good idea to take someone else along with you for moral support when you attend clinic.

Appointment dates
All the NHS system and healthcare professionals [HCP] are there to monitor your diabetes and treat accordingly. Sometimes there can be a bit of a wait in between appointment dates in some areas.