Type 2s: Please can you tell me about the support you get ?

Have you been on any courses as a Type 1 @NicoleC1971

I think the waiting time for courses can vary hugely from area to area, but often a session with a diabetes nurse and/or a dietician can be a good substitute - and free

That's not to mention the help and support this forum provides too, of course

Hi @NicoleC1971

I'm T2 - been diagnosed for about 10 years - and I've never been offered any information or courses about dietary change from my GP practice and I've definitely never received any support from them. I was just given a handful of leaftlets and told that T2 is a progressive disease and that in time I can expect to suffer with complications.

My GP really didn't like me adopting a low carb way of eating. He didn't give any particular reason - just said it was 'hippy dippy' so I try not to see him any more and never about anything diabetes related. Every time I have my annual review there is a new DN (they can't keep staff there) and DNs seem to have strict guidelines that they have to follow - at the moment it is still recommending carbs at every meal and three meals plus two snacks a day.

All the knowledge I have gained has been through the wonderful people on this forum or doing my own research. It would be great if, on diagnosis, new T2s were given a leaflet about eating a low carb diet as well as the usual stuff about eating carbs. Just so that they could see there is another way.

Seem sto recall I turned them down flat. I had already landed here and set course for who knows where

NicoleC1971 said:

I would love to hear from all type 2s and pre diabetics with regards to what help and support you have, or haven't, recieved to help you manage your blood sugar levels via lifestyle changes.

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I am from Italy and from what I have found you have a "postcode lottery" too.
The support from my GPs was almost none and for one of them I could say "misdiagnosis" too. Got some interesting advice from a nurse - not a diabetes specialist. I got from the diabetic centre and useful diet plan (that was "reduced carbs") and a one day quick course on diabetic foot and diabetes lifestyle.
To manage more I have found more useful borrowing all books available ast the public library and read them, then started to search information on internet.

I bought a BG meter and buy my strips.

My GP told me to check this website as it has lots of useful information. The diabetes nurse provided me with an Accu-Chek Mobile glucose meter plus a prescription for lancets and a spare cartridge. I was told to cut out sugar and exercise more. Unfortunately, most GPs are in the Stone Age when it comes to the benefits of a LCHF diet for type 2 diabetes. The dietdoctor.com website has a lot of useful information on diet and fasting.

My DN mentioned the Desmond course to me but then didn't give me any info and didn't sign me up for it anyway.
I'm kind of glad as I had already found this site. I have since tried to read as much as possible about Type 2 to educate myself about what best to do and then do it. In my opinion (not very humble) the best advice you could give is to either point people here or recommend a LCHF way of eating with intermittent fasting. I firmly believe that is what has brought my blood sugar under control and has resulted in my weight loss.

NicoleC1971 said:

I would love to hear from all type 2s and pre diabetics with regards to what help and support you have, or haven't, recieved to help you manage your blood sugar levels via lifestyle changes.

Specifically I would like to know what if any courses or advice were offered by your GP practice or other health educators? And what did you feel might be useful to you now in terms of knowledge, support or motivation with regards to lifestyle changes?

I am a personl trainer with an interest in diabetes and nutrition because it runs in my familly and as a type 1 myself. I want to set up a course in my area but want to know what the community needs and wants!

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Best of luck in your endeavours. I would love a bit of help with exerciing because I do feel very alone and I am very lucky has it is impossible for hubby to be more supportive. I have seen a lot of surveys set up and think that would be a great way for you to identify need as I shall merely ramble on. My ability to exercise is severely restricted because of injuries on my right side including neck and hip. If I had been able to continue exercising maybe I could have delayed the onset of T2. We used to do a lot of walking. Up to 25miles pd. Saturday we went to the NEC and despite taking several rests I was in tears because of the pain. I am still in ibuprofen heaven. Only help GP and Cov NHS is Desmond course. Only tests ordered HBA1C so they have no idea how much damage done. I am 60 and get my first wellwoman (or whatever it is called) in May. How about an exercise book and on line course?

Support? lol. Just this forum.

I did attend an afternoon course, I think it was called food mapping. It was of some use, but what I eat today bears little resemblance to what was suggested there. It was a little bit like being in school and being talked to like a child. I have since changed my lifestyle following all the good advice on this forum. Diabetes nurse that I see is great and really encourages exercise so no complaints there.

julie56 said:

It was a little bit like being in school and being talked to like a child.

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You are SO right - I got exactly that attitude from my Diabetes Nurse at my annual review last week. Even after I explained what I do (low carbing) she carried on with her standard interrogation about what I eat at every meal and having listened to a day's low carbing menu then asked 'do you have snacks?' - and then carried on to explain because those carb snacks are important because they keep your blood sugars up'. Now, why would I want to keep my blood sugars up?

How does it go?

Smile
Agree
Ignore

julie56 said:

I did attend an afternoon course, I think it was called food mapping. It was of some use, but what I eat today bears little resemblance to what was suggested there. It was a little bit like being in school and being talked to like a child. I have since changed my lifestyle following all the good advice on this forum. Diabetes nurse that I see is great and really encourages exercise so no complaints there.

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That's exactly how I experienced the Desmond course. Little useful information (especially around diet) and presented in a very patronising way. Best info has come from this site.

Hi @NicoleC1971
Interesting thread .. and I wish you well in your venture (I don't think that you will have any problems in gathering enough about support .. or lack of it)
I was diagnosed T2 on 7th Feb and given no support from my Doc .. my story is typical of many and is summarised in the following chronological list of posts ..
# First meeting with DN (1)
# First meeting with DN (2)
# Phone call out of the blue (1)
# Phone call out of the blue (2)
# A Good Day
# My Dietician appointment
Hope this helps

Chook said:

DNs seem to have strict guidelines that they have to follow - at the moment it is still recommending carbs at every meal and three meals plus two snacks a day.

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This is interesting, because that's exactly the same advice I had when diagnosed as a kid in the mid 1970s.
They realy have come a long way! Lol

Diagnosed T2 4 weeks ago my Levels were horrendously high - meds given by my GP , advised low carbs , info pack given - cancelled an operation I've been waiting for and heard absolutely nothing since . Oh and no reply to surgeries request to email DN ... marvellous eh