Newly diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2

caitrionaanne

Hi all

I have been newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a few days ago. No symptoms ever showed. A blood test done before Xmas in hospital for a totally unrelated matter showed high glucose level. Went to docs for glucose test last week - fasting bloods were over 13 and after drinking lucozade the bloods 2 hrs later were over 21. So officially got the results a few days ago over the phone by my doc. Im going into the today for more info but ive no idea what i need to ask, etc. Im on Glucophage 500mg 3 times daily.

Im feeling so down since I got the diagnosis- crying, feeling so angry, frustrated, scared.....
Everything seems so bleak at the moment and overwhelming. I feel so abnormal that I just cook a lunch, etc like a normal person without having to read labels, etc. I know everyone should be watching their food intake but in reality not many do. Every morning im waking up with that knot in my stomach thinking, oh lord not another day of this crap. I dont see how I can cope with this for the rest of my life. Im trying to think positively but the negative thoughts quickly crush them. What doesnt help me is that I suffer with GAD as well so everything always seems so much worse.

I guess I would like to hear from people with similar experiences and maybe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

graflynn

Hi CaitrionaAnne,

What you're feeling is not abnormal - plenty feel as you do when they're first diagnosed, especially when you have no idea what the future has in store yet. I've had type 1 for 21 years now and I've found that there is tonnes of support out there.

Have a look at the Diabetes Ireland website, they have a lot of diabetes education classes coming up where you can meet others with type 2 who are in the same boat as yourself. http://www.diabetes.ie/category/events/

Believe me, once you have sat down a couple of times with a diabetes dietitian and figured that out it will get a whole lot easier.

caitrionaanne

Thanks graflynn. I never realised how serious diabetes was before now. Im waiting to see dietician and attend diabetic clinic so once I know more it might be easier. Thanks for the link for the classes - great idea. Been wallowing in self pity for last few days but I need to cop on and get on with it cos it wont change it. Im testing like mad but not too aware of what i need to be aiming for!! I guess the one consolation is ill get nice and thin and fit now!!!!

colrow

Hello Kat,

I was diagnosed about 7 years ago with a level of 32, and I suffered from being very depressed, and hoping it would just go away.

The worst bit was reading about all the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes, so I drastically changed my diet, and soon got my hba1c down to 6.2, thats a measure of the past 3 months average blood sugar level.

There are plenty of books on type 2 diabetes, and joining a diabetes forum is a good idea, people will be happy to share their experiences with you.

I'm quite glad that I have diabetes now, its forced me to look closely at my diet and lifestyle, and I am far healthier now.

Ask on the forums for help regarding, testing, you need to do it at 1 hour and 2 hours after eating, then you can see which foods to avoid.

carter001

caitrionaanne wrote: »

Hi all

I have been newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a few days ago. No symptoms ever showed. A blood test done before Xmas in hospital for a totally unrelated matter showed high glucose level. Went to docs for glucose test last week - fasting bloods were over 13 and after drinking lucozade the bloods 2 hrs later were over 21. So officially got the results a few days ago over the phone by my doc. Im going into the today for more info but ive no idea what i need to ask, etc. Im on Glucophage 500mg 3 times daily.

Im feeling so down since I got the diagnosis- crying, feeling so angry, frustrated, scared.....
Everything seems so bleak at the moment and overwhelming. I feel so abnormal that I just cook a lunch, etc like a normal person without having to read labels, etc. I know everyone should be watching their food intake but in reality not many do. Every morning im waking up with that knot in my stomach thinking, oh lord not another day of this crap. I dont see how I can cope with this for the rest of my life. Im trying to think positively but the negative thoughts quickly crush them. What doesnt help me is that I suffer with GAD as well so everything always seems so much worse.

I guess I would like to hear from people with similar experiences and maybe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Just wanted to say that I was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 about 4 years ago and managed to reverse it by dieting and exercise(under the watchful eye of my GP.)

So don't think there's no hope for you caitrionaanne,it can be a shock when you get a diagnosis but you will get better in time.

Regards
Carter.

caitrionaanne

Thanks guys.

Just been in to my doctor there as Ive been suffering from sever dizziness with everything. Apparently, she said I could actually develop type 1, just treating as type 2 for now. Bloods have come down a good bit since glucose test but still very high.

Its all still very confusing. Having a bad day today. Unable to exercise due to dizziness. Its like ive been put in a dingy and sent out to sea alone cos ive no idea what im at

LegacyUser

i got diagnosed with diabetes type 2 three months mths and like you was devastated.i read the internet and books which frightened the heart out of me. eventually i found a brillant book called blood sugar 101 by jenny ruhl. she says diabetes is a symptom not an illness and it is the least serious of all long term illnesses in that you can control it yourself. also i felt so guilty that my overeating and excess weight whiceh crept up over the years was a factor but she explains that your weight increases because you cant burn fat off like others so weight is a symptom rather than a cause despite the media saying it happens to fat people. my consultant is in tallaght hospital and hes been brillant. see website bloodsugar101.com also by jenny ruhl. also diabetes.co.uk.

take time to get used to glucophage. i feel brilliant since i went on it i was so tired all the time and put it down to age and weight. thankfully i didnt have any side effects apart from a very itchy back and a dry mouth in the mornings.

three months later i have quit all sugar and i feel terrific. once you stop eating sugar you dont crave it anymore now i crave fruit or exercise! i know you will feel good in time. if you want to email me witrth any questions i will be happy to help. i found it a very lonely place to be when diagnosed as i just needed to talk to someone who had it and whose life was kinda normal. and dont believe everything you read about it, i tell myself (just like coeliacs) i am allergic to sugar but enjoy bacon and eggs for breakfast, wraps or pitta for lunch, and lots of veg with meat for dinner. dont buy a lot of the low fat stuff in supermarkets because its low in fat but hugh in sugar. you will get through this and emerge a stronger and healthier person.

colrow

Here's a link to loads of information to newly diagnosed diabetics

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/newly-diagnosed.html?utm_source=Communicator&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=Untitled99&utm_campaign=Is+your+diabetes+type+clear%3f&utm_dispatch%20ID=2504006&utm_email%20name=Diabetes+18+03+2014+-+Types+1s