Newly diagnosed

Hello and welcome @GemGar

I remember the days of giving up chocolate for Lent

I live in Australia so no help with medication costs or anything like that.

Whether or not you can get a free meter I absolutely recommend that you get one. A meter is the tool that will give you the information you need to move forward.

I also recommend trying to manage it with diet if at all possible for you. Some can't for a variety of reasons but I think if you are able to manage without medication (other than metformin) that makes for a simpler life. For me that has meant going very low carb. I will openly admit I found that very challenging at first. Without the support and advice I received here I could not have done it. This forum was absolutely life changing for me. I still love carbs- my body does not.

You may find that the diabetic nurse does not recommend low carb- my suggestion is use your meter and test following meals with different carb levels and see the result. When I was first diagnosed even what I thought (back then) was a normal to low level of healthy carbs caused quite a spike. It was this that persuaded my husband that the advice on the forum was correct rather than the advice from the doctor. There's nothing quite like seeing the evidence and seeing how few carbs my body could cope with.

Anyway good luck and welcome.

GemGar said:

Hi. My name is Gemma. 36 years old and I was told yesterday that I am type 2 diabetic. I have an appointment with a diabetes nurse in a couple of weeks, but I do have a few of questions.
1) does the NHS provide the blood sugar level monitor things, or do we have to buy them?
2) does this mean that I'm now entitled to free medication?
3) will I need more regular eye tests?
4) will I need to inform the DVLA? (I wasn't prescribed any medication, and am learning to drive).

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1) No - neither the meters & strips or the Libre devices. I don't measure my blood glucose but changing my diet has worked to get my Hba1C into the pre-diabetic range.
2) I think so, but there is an online page you can use to check: https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-for-help-paying-nhs-costs/start
3) You should get separate diabetic eye checks. You should still get your normal eye tests, tell the optician about your diagnosis. Where I live I had one soon after diagnosis which was fine and another a year later. As that was also fine it's 2 years to my next one.
4) Probably not as you are not on medication. See https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving

If you are put on ANY medication Metformin included means you can apply for a medical exemption card for all your medications not just diabetes meds, just ask at your GP surgery and they will give you a form to fill out. If you are diet only you can’t get the exemption at all. I know this because I’ve just done it 3 weeks ago

If you are put on ANY medication for diabetes Metformin included means you can apply for a medical exemption card for all your medications not just diabetes meds, just ask at your GP surgery and they will give you a form to fill out. If you are diet only you can’t get the exemption at all. I know this because I’ve just done it 3 weeks ago

GemGar said:

my next appointment is due in May so I'll see what they say about that

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The diabetic eye screening is administered by the NHS, once you are on the register they will invite you to get Checked by a letter that lists the participating opticians in your area.
Your optician may or may not be on that list, the check is free, or I should say paid by the NHS.
This tells you all about it https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-eye-screening/

GemGar said:

Ah ok, I'm sure I'm due an appointment anyway so I'll let my optician know..
Where would be the best place to order a meter from?

I'm sure it can't be that difficult to prick my finger. I manage to cut them often enough

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Take a look at the Accu-Chek Fastclix which is like a pen where you insert a cartridge of 6 lancets, each one can be reused several times also you can set a comfort setting of 1-5. You don’t see the lancets and its so easy to use. I wouldn’t be without mine.