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Newly Diagnosed Type 2

S

Shurm

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Just been to see my GP today after having some blood taken the other day and I've been informed I'm a Type 2 Diabetic. A workmate is Type 1 and I asked to use his Accu-Chek machine on Monday and it read 13.7 mmol/L and he suggested I visit the Dr asap. I bought a kit straight away and measured my results until my appointment on Wednesday stopped drinking alcohol and started eating really well hoping I wouldn't be diabetic to be honest.

On Wednesday I showed the nurse my results and showed her I had got them down to 7 mmol/L and 10mmol/L after meals but after a urine test she told me I was diabetic :( but with a good diet and exercise I should be able to live ok, which gave me some goal to aim for as I could do with losing some weight and reduce my alcohol intake. :)

Today I have seen my GP and she has put me on Metformin 500mg twice a day for a week then 2 twice a day thereafter. She reported that my cholesterol was high and also put me on Simvastatin 40mg once a day. I was really hoping to fight this by diet and exercise alone and was feeling quite determined to do this as I could see good results in only 4 days on the Accu-Chek I'm now sat here looking at this tablet and can't decide whether to take it or not. I asked if I could ever get off these in the future and she replied no its for life !!! I really hate the idea of being on medication I feel quite healthy and have no such symptoms of diabetes apart from a thirst at the weekend which caused my suspicions.

She said it was old hat to try and do it alone and its better to get my readings down asap for my own benefit and to do this as quickly as possible. I know I still have to exercise and have a healthier diet but I just feel myself this tablet will not make me as determined as I felt by doing it on my own if that makes sense to anyone. :? Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
hi there and welcome,
im not type 2 but it isnt unusual to ask for say 3mnths to try get your diabetes under control, some can manage to do it with diet alone, if not then metformin is usually next, there will be more type 2s along soon who know more than me so will leave you with them :)
 
Welcome to this forum. I'm T2 too!

Last November I was put on Metformin as despite an HbA1C of 5.7 my morning fasting readings were 6-6.4 and the endo said that was just not good enough. Was already prescibed tablets for high blood pressure and cholesterol. I changed from the recomended 2-3 serves of carbs with each meal to a very much lower intake of carbs and by April this year I took myself off Metformin as my BGL were getting very low.

My GP said that the endo would be most unlikely to condone my course of action but he did and I take no prescribed medications now with his blessing. Some people need to take Metformin to kick start their system and to assist it to get on to a more level playing field. So don't despair, read all you can on this forum from those with years of experience and success.
 
Hi Shurm.
Welcome to the forum. What Totsy has said is spot on. You should have been given time of around three months to try and control things with the diet and exercise. It isn't 'old hat', it is in the latest NICE guidelines regarding prescribing and treatment of T2 Diabetic's. (2009)

However, I don't have access to all your medical records, so there may be a very good reason to start you on a low dose of Metformin to try and help get the numbers under control. Your readings aren't the only things that the GP will consider. As for Metformin being for life....no it isn't. I was on the maximum dose of 3g for a long time and then got it down to none after getting better control of my Bg levels. So it is not a 'given.'

If taking a few pills get's you lower numbers quickly, where is the problem ? At my worst I was 'popping' 23 pills a day......now down to just a few, non diabetic related ones. Sometimes, the odd pill can help you achieve your goals quicker, then aim to get off them asap. Not such a big deal really ?

edited.
Clearviews too has underlined what can happen.
 
Thank you for the replies I appreciate it I think I'm still in shock really. I'll get on with getting my readings down with the medication and improve my lifestyle as well, I just wanted some goal to aim for. Better get reading up on the forum now for advice.
 
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