PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

hi hazey, I am sorry you are feeling so unhappy, I hope you do feel a bit better getting all that off your chest. It is surprising how much better you feel when you talk about a problem, you know the old saying a problem shared. There is plenty of people on here who will listen and offer advice if they can. Your reads are pretty high and it is only early days for you yet. Take care junieliz

Hazey, its always good to get it off your chest. I always tell my mum everything, (even though she cries half of the time before i even say nething. Be strong. My emotions are pretty bad, if i can help in anyway i will!!!

just before i was diagnosed, i found myself crying over anything and everything. But after being diagnosed, i was fine.

Maybe if you went to your doctor and told him about your emotions, he may be able to help. Or maybe if you talked to someone at home (family/friends).

Make an appointment with your chiropodist as soon as possible, to get your feet sorted out.

Good luck, Michelle

Oh Hazey, thats not good, but you know it is not a sign of weakness to go with your emotions, bottling up is not good, the uposet and stress only end up coming out in other ways, even illness you know, so you did the right thing by coming here and sharing with us, I think all of us have been in your situation before at one time or another.

Now the practical thing first, insist that you are given a meter, explain to the doctor that if you are not able to test you will never really find out how the different foods are affecting your bg levels, eg some people eat porridge and its good for them, others eat porridge and their bg goes sky high.
Find out when you can see the dietitian and the choropodist, ask if appointments can be brought forward.
Get some remedy for sore and cracked heels from your chemist in the meantime, I do lots of sports and recently had a painful cracked heel and I used Flexitol Heel Balm, it worked after just 2 days there was an improvement and completeley healed in a week; but maybe your chemist has something a bit cheaper or a different brand that works just as well.
What kind of food are you eating, try and reduce carbohydrates, there is so much info on low-carb eating in here, basically cut right down or even cut out completely, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit, beans, cereals I would say cut right down because cutting out totally might be a bit of a shock to you, it will hopefully still reduce your bg levels. Also there is the transfat issue, take this serious please, its not just an issue for you but for your family too, its for everyone.

Re your upset tum, did you start with this when you started taking Metformin? If so go straight back to your GP and ask to be put on the slow release version, this might just make a difference, some people are more sensitive to Metformin and do better on Metformin SR, also your anxiety and upset can contribute to your tum playing up.

Of course you are feeling fragile, 6 weeks is early days and you are in shock - its confusing, its scary, you dont know what is all about, but you are also very clever instead of sticking your head in the sand you got off your backside, joined this forum and asked questions, for this reason I really think that you will do very well indeed in taking charge of this diabetes and achieve good control and avoid developing complications.
Read as much about diabetes as you can, read the posts in here, some members have recommended books, there are the sticky links too, and the more you learn about diabetes the more confident you will become and fears diminish.

Get over the first hurdles first, then see what else you can or want to do to help yourself further whether it is complimentary stuff or exercise or cinnamon or fenugreek or whatever, there are many many options out there, just work your way through things, somep posts are good some are not so good, whatever you do dont go out there spending a whole load of money in the hope for a cure, these things dont work.

And come back in here, you are very welcome and there is always someone there that really cares, you will see.

Re your family, sometimes it is easier to let off steam somewhere else, eg this forum or with an outsider, I used to feel guilty for burdening my close family, but justd explain to them it is all because of your recent diagnosis, you are feeling ill and confused, actually maybe your family should learn about diabetes too, this way you will all grow closer, but you should find that as you go along and know more about diabetes and all that goes with it, things re depression and family arguments will improve all the time, if not then perhaps a short course of medication or counselling or see if your local health authority offer self-help courses on diabetes.

Also remember diabetes is not the end of the world, many, mamy people do really well, once they have made necessary adaptions to their lifestyle it just slots in, and at least this is a disease you can control yourself to a large extent.

All the very best

Karen x


Challenges can be stumbling blocks or stepping stones, it depends how you view them

hi hazey
im sorry to hear that you feel so bad
i also get very bad cracks on my heals i use a heel balm called flexitol its from austrlia you can buy it at boots or morrisons it is a bit deer at 5 pounds a tube but it is worth it it takes about 5-10 to work but if you use it twice a day it should do the job but it will feel a lot better straight away.
i have had cracked heals for about 10 years and i tryed all sorts of other creams before this one that did not really help but this one does i saw my chiropodiet last week and she told me i was useing the best thing on the market
if running to the loo 10 times is not the runs then what is and as for you bg been 22 i call that very high not slightly up no wonder you felt so ill
i hope you start to fell better soon

sami

HbA1c 7.7

Hi Hazey,
I can remember being very tearful a few weeks after diagnosis. When you realise it's not like a cold and not going away and that diabetes is for life, it does take adjusting to.I had family members saying "Pull yourself together, it's not as though diabetes is that serious".They just didn't understand my fears or tears.Folk on here do though because many of us will have felt the same way at the beginning.
In time,hopefully, you <b>will</b> feel better emotionally and if you have any particular concerns, most folks on this forum are very helpful and friendly.
I can't believe the ridiculousness of your doctor not giving you a meter to test your blood sugars. Keep pestering him until he gives in.
I wish you well.

Sorry that last post was from me. Usually I am automatically signed in, so didn't realise I wasn't today.

Hi Hazey,
Welcome to the group, I wont even try and offer advice thats up to your doctor, I will say that a blood glucose meter is about £8.00 and the test strips are about £25.00 for 3 drums, thats 51 strips. No VAT is payable.
I was given a meter but told i could only test twice a week and I wanted to know how and what made my levels go up and down. It will cost I know but it does not take long to discover what works with you, remember we are all differant.
Skin cracks, I work outside and in winter when its cold and wet my skin cracks and is painfull, I use LOTIL its not expencive £3.00 a tube but not only realy helps with the cracks it also takes away the sting right away.
You should also have a Diabetic "TEAM" I belive you should talk to them about how you feel about testing, or maybe just keep going to the doctor for a test he may then give you a prescription for strips, sometimes you just have to make a nusence of yourself in this world to get things done.
One last thing, Your not alone, there are a lot of us around.
Whitevanman.

Hi Hazey,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry you have been feeling so down. I have suffered with depression for the last 15 years and had to take medication for all of that time. My symptoms were as yours - burst into tears for no reason at all, couldn't cope with anything going on and such like.

I have taken medication for it for that length of time and have been a lot better. Perhaps with everything going on for you at the moment and your uncertanty re the diabetes, this has just tipped you slightly and you feel you can't cope at the moment.

There are people who will gladly offer you support, either through this forum or through your surgery. I hope that you find some help and manage to feel better about things.

Keep in touch

Michelle.

Hi Hazey,

Not been here too long myself but I have to say that there are lots of good people offering really good advice. The best thing for me was to cut down on my carbohydrates drastically which also cut my readings drastically. This is probably NOT what the dietician will advise you but for me it has really worked.

Does your nearest hospital have a Diabetes department. If so, why don't you give them a ring and try to get an appointment - can't hurt. Some of them don't seem to need a referal from the GP.

As others have said you are certainly not on your own and I hope those blues go away soon.

Hi Again Hazey,
Take a look at the web page below you may want to put it under your doctors nose, its the guidlines issued by N I C E These people control the health and medical drugs that are used by the NHS.
Take care there is help for you and remember your ENTITLED to it, so DEMAND IT.
Whitevanman.
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/NI ... elines.pdf

Hi Hazey,

Unfortunately the NICE guidelines in the post above are now out of date. Those are the old 2002 guidelines that effectively allowed a doctor to decide whether or not you should be allowed to self-test. These are the new guidelines that came into force on 1st April this year.
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/T2 ... rected.pdf

Hi Hazey, and Dennise,
It seems I`m out of date and am gratfull to Dennis for the updated report from N I C E.
Now i should be able to test more than twice a week, Many thanks Dennis.
I hope the N I C E report Dennis has put up will help you get the treatment you nead Hazey.
See your not alone.
Whitevanman.

Hi Hazey.

You don't seem to be getting the support you need from your GP, and that is inexcusable.
Does your surgery have a diabetic nurse, or is there a diabetic team at your local hospital?
If so, ask for a referral, or contact them directly.
Tell your GP that you need support here and now. Don't let him fob you off. You have to learn to control the symptoms, and that is a matter for your health team to take seriously.
Insist your needs are met and show no mercy. And come back here for support and advice.

It does get better. I had the depressive feelings too. Then I got educated and started to control my life. You will feel better when you start controlling your lifestyle.

most of all, DO NOT DESPAIR. That is truly a waste of time. I escaped by scrubbing the kitchen floor: it was grubby and getting me down. So, I cleaned it and I did feel better.

One small step at a time. One day, one hour at a time. Look at the flowers. It's Spring! And smile. Eventually you will mean it. Cry if you need to, it's not forbidden and we've all done it.

You have friends here now.

.Sorry i've not been back on for some time but i've had nightmares trying to get back on line since the new forum was set up cos i'm rubbish on computers Grrrrrrrr. Firstly a big thank you to all of you who came back with advice for me it was really good of you all. I went back to my doctors and the same happened. He still won't give me a meter even after a long discussion saying he knows whats best for me. told him about my feet and the dizzy spells. he said dizzy spells were due to me getting stressed. didn't even examine my feet, said he would try to sort out an appointment for chiropodist and not to worry (yeah right) I'm feeling a lot better now (emotions wise) thanks to all the advice i got from you people. my readings are still a little up (24), i know because i had to go to hospital again with another bout of gastro-enteritus (very messy). anyway i'll stop going on now but thanks again for all your help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you've made it back on the board,Hasey. How do you take your Metformin? Do you take it the traditional half hour before? Try taking it with your food,eat half,take tabs,eat the rest.This may help stop the runs,it does with some people.You really need the slow release tabs. This doctor sounds atrocious!If he treats all his diabetic patients like you he needs struck off!!Is this a joint practice or is he on his own? You really need to change doctors ,as Sarah said,of course it's difficult if he is the only doctor there.I hope you get that appointment with the chiropodist and that she/he is more enlightened than your GP.Try restricting your carbs to bring down your sugar levels.You will find plenty of info on that in this forum.Take Sarah up on her kind offer of a meter.The sooner you can test the sooner you can start reducing those high blood sugars.

Thanks Sarah and Sue. the thing is i'm scared of upsetting my doctor and getting struck off. yes it is a multi doctor surgery but he has said that i must only ever "SEE HIM" regarding my diabetes. with regards to my metformin i am on the SR type. I take them during my meal as you have stated but i still seem to get these bouts of gast-ent (about 4 up to know) and as you probably know they knock you for six. So i'm back at square one again. Oh well i'll live in hope even if i die in despare !!!!!!! MANY THANKS AGAIN THOUGH

Hazey,you don't only have to see HIM!!You have freedom of choice who you see!This is bullying.I realise that it is not always easy to go against what you have been told,especially by a doctor ,but is there anyone you can talk to about this?

Seriously, Hasey, get another opinion.

You should be seeing a podiatrist regularly.

Does your practce have a diabetic nurse specialist? If so, go see her.

I have one word for your doctor.

B*****KS ! :x