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Diabetes. Its been a month

....since i was diagnosed with diabetes.

It shouldn't have come as a surprise to me as I hold my hands up to having a crap diet and know full well i eat far too many sweets.

But, that said....it was a shock and it took me a while to get my head around it, mainly because the nurse i saw for my intitial consultation painted a very black future and gave me very little advice or support on how to deal with things day to day.

She told me she wanted to treat me aggressively in the hope of putting back my need for insultin for perhaps up to five years. She insinuated i needed to cut down my alcohol intake and i told her i dont drink with any regularity. She said i needed a scan 'to see what damage has already been caused to your liver and kidneys ' WHAT?? not 'if any damage has iccured' ...... and eye screening 'to see what fat build up in yr arteries has caused your eyes'
I'm aware these need to be done, but how much more negative could she have been???
She started me on a drug that very day and told me she wanted to start me on another drug in two weeks abd she would phone me on 18th of oct. to discuss it. ( she never called me back)
She told me i had to enroll on a course i could attend in person, or online and it would teach me all i needed to know. I enrolled online to find no courses were taking place for another month, so I rang my doctors.
I was told there was not notes on my consultation and nobody from the diabetic team could speak to until the following Tuesday. They promised to send me leaflets, ( on 7th) which never arrived.

Now, i was only just over the limit to being considered diabetic. I believed i would be able to control with diet, but the nurse i saw didnt discuss this with me, the only advice given....cut carbs.

I have since spoken to another diabetic nurse who said there is no notes written up from my appointment. She said she dosent understand way the nurse i saw spoke in such a negative way. She gave me a bit of dietry advice and said with my levels, i should be able to turn it around quite quickly and she said she was very surprised the nurse sugested starting me on an additional medication and backed my decision not to take adfitional drugs. She was appologetic i had been painted a black picture.

Anyhow.... a month down the line, im eating better than ever. Im still having treats, but in moderation. Im enjoying extra veg and salad for the first time in my life.....and i've lost over a stone in weight since my diagnoses. I'm feeling good......and I cant wait to go back for blood tests in Jan to see how much ive brought my sugar levels down.

But....i'll ve honest....i'd kill for a bag of jelly tots right now!! Lol
Coralmist · 41-45, F
Wow sorry Ruby. If you are newly diagnosed theres not going to be lots of fat buildip, most likely, at liver. Thats typically if its unmanaged for years. Thats really odd she mentioned that. So glad you are doing better!! Did they tellyou your A1C? Yes with a few tricks and extra veggies at meals etc, it can be turned around ( if type 2). My sister is type 1, and she has to minimize carbs , like she will take off the bun off a burger. And instead of fries, she will eat 3 of mine, and order side salad as her side. You got this for sure!! I want to start eating more salads too..and now with pasta i wont eat a piece of bread on side with it. Also, theres a website that helps diabetics talk together, a forum..Tudiabetes.com🌻
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@Coralmist thank you. X
So much of medicine is just a crap-shoot. It's focus often seems more on keeping itself healthy rather than the patient.

Have you seen this documentary?

[media=https://youtu.be/A-xrOHpDMj4]
SW-User
Been there done that with docs and nurses about my diabetes diagnosis. I have type 2. Mine never discussed what i need to do for a diet change. I asked and asked...just cut carbs and such like yourself....its ridiculous!! I am so happy for how far you have come!! 🤗
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@SW-User thank you. How are you doing with it? X
SW-User
@RubySoo so so…..I’ve had it for quite a few years….my psych meds brought it on. I have tried to manage it through diet and such…..my doc recently upped my diabetes med….so, it’s disheartening. But, I keep going and doing what I can. I have lost weight.
Congratulations, Miss Ruby!🌷

I don't have diabetes, but I do know what it's like to have nurses paint such horrible pictures, and I've learned not to take them so seriously anymore. I just wait on my trusted source; my doctor and always end up finding the nurse has blown things out of proportion and or gave me the opposite instructions. I don't know why they insist on doing that and a part of me hopes they're on the receiving end one day.

I hope you can continue to stay persistent and if a weakness hits and you slip, that you can dust yourself off and get back at it again. Taking it day by day is the best approach for all us when we're battling for our health and well being! 💖🤗
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@MoonlightLullaby thank you my friend.
How are you doing today? X
@RubySoo You're welcome. Kinda ughish today, but thanks for asking 💐
Northwest · M
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes

You should sign up for their newsletter. Past a certain age, most people develop pre-type II conditions, and the newsletter (as well as the site itself) , have great information on how to prevent it from going into full fledged Type II, or reversing Type II.
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@Northwest thank you x
SW-User
You can reverse it.
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@SW-User i do!!! I have to walk. I havent got any other trasport!!
SW-User
@RubySoo even when it’s pouring rain? You can’t get a ride or taxi or bus ?
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@SW-User nope. I walk whatever the weather. Id still get wet waiting for a bus so i may as well walk.
senghenydd · M
You could buy some "Mission Urinalysis Reagent Strips" on E-bay these strips test your urine Medical Professional's use them it would let you know how you're progressing how you really are, that old Nurse obviously took a dislike to you.
@RubySoo have your doctor prescribe a monitor and test strips. insurance should cover both then test your blood sugar before meals to see where you stand. keep a chart and let your doctor know after 2 weeks. get your blood work done before each appointment your A1C will let him know how sugar is being monitored . diabetes is nothing to screw around with. it can lead to blindness, kidney damage loss of toes, feet and legs, not to mention the risk of heart attack and stroke. be well my friend ❤️🤗🤗
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@saragoodtimes this is the NHS Sarah.
Thats not going to happen. Im only just about the limit so they wont hand out equipment as there are people more in need.
Im going ok. As long as im eating sensibly i'll have whopped its ass in months x
senghenydd · M
@RubySoo Oh, This case is far from straightforward these strips are great for detecting too much glucose it has eight tests lets you know if your Urine is right or not it has different shades it tests for (1) Ascorbic acid (2) Glucose (3) Bilirubin (4) Ketone (5) Specific Gravity (6) Blood (7) pH (8) Protein (9) Urobilinogen (10) Nitrate (11) Leukocytes, my Urine is OK all the colours are where they should be, if they weren't I could talk it over with my Doctor and swifty get to the bottom of the problem I hope this helps.
SW-User
You can eat sweets in moderation and go for the ones with the less sugar. Muffins and those danishes are the worst. You can have some cookies with low sugar. I always read the labels and look for the ones that have the least sugar and calories. Protein like eggs and chicken are really good. Tuna and fish are great as well.
Barny52 · 56-60, M
Are you in uk if yes we are left on our own by docs and nurses a lot it didn’t used to be like that,, im type 2 and on the meds and feel better but I didn’t feel ill,, less emotional being one thing,, good luck
both my parents was diabetic so me getting it was always a possibility. At 1st it was just tablets but now i am also on injections. I eat well and i dont go mad on the sugar stuff. I manage ok not the end of the world
OldBrit · 61-69, M
I hope you get it turned around.

Almost annually I go through a cycle of the first blood test showing me at risk but the subsequent ones showing I'm OK - my brother has the same blood results too. We both say this and are repeatedly ignored. Every time I'm told to drink less alcohol, my notes have my months in rehab in 2004 so shows no one ever reads them. Last year I said "I'd love some advice on that". She says "What do you regularly drink?" I say "Nothing since 2004" . She didn't get the joke.



Ps didn't know you could still get jelly toys.
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@OldBrit doesnt instill much confidence, does it?


yes you can....they are probably the reason i am diabetic!! Lol.
WaryWitchWandering · 36-40, F
Good job! You’ll turn it around

I’m sorry the nurse scared you and painted such a negative picture for you
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@WaryWitchWandering thank you. X
LunarOrbit · 56-60, M
Great news Ruby!

I’ve been diagnosed as pre diabetic and am nervous about the ‘next stage’.

Glad you look feel healthier
4meAndyou · F
I am awfully sorry for the sh!t nurse who saw you first. She should lose her license. Horrible patient manners, incorrect advice, no notes, no followup...I would report her to the licensing board.

But since I am also pre-diabetic, I am thrilled for you that you've made such wonderful progress with the new advice you've been given.
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@4meAndyou thank you. I hope you are doing well to keep yrself in the correct perameters.

Ive since learned the nurse i saw isnt employed by the practice. She is from the health authority and visits many practices. Still, that doesnt explain why my doctors have no record of the consultation.
4meAndyou · F
@RubySoo That nurse was toxic. You should report her to the health authority.
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@4meAndyou well, i reported her to the practice, but i dont have her name. I have been told ...'it was probably Jane' but i cannot be certain. I know it wasnt the nurse i was supposed to see as ive spoken to her since.
gdon39 · 46-50, M
Hi RubySoo, I’m gary. I really wish you did not have that gosh forsaken diabetes. It’s not very friendly.

It’s nearly 8pm Saturday evening and I am very excited to find appropriate interaction with my delightful.

Everything about you says to me that simply you are absolutely too be recognized for the amazing person that you are. Big love my dear
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@gdon39 thank you.
SW-User
Did he diagnose you with full blown diabetes or pre? How come you weren’t diagnosed with pre diabetes before? That way it wouldn’t turn into diabetes because you would have time to turn your health around.
SW-User
Do you mean you haven’t been tested for A1c? Here they go by fasting glucose first then if it’s high they go test for A1c. My mother didn’t test her blood sugar for years when she was diagnosed. The annual blood test is important to keep track of one’s health. You got this and you can reverse it. Don’t listen to the grumpy ones that tell you otherwise. @RubySoo
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@SW-User this is the NHS.
You dont get routine tests unless you already have a condition. I only had tests because i asked them to check my bone density. They checked for a few other things. Everything was fine exceot my Ac1 was 53..... and should have been under 48. As i keep saying, as it was only just over the limit i think i shoukd have been given the option to control my diet before i was put on drugs.
SW-User
@RubySoo I agree with you but many doctors prescribe meds for people who are past the pre diabetic stage. My father was diagnosed pre diabetic but the doctor just told him to stay away from sweets. That was like 3 years ago and he managed to not be diagnosed as full diabetic.
And yes, they should have given you the chance to change your diet before giving you meds since it’s still in the early stages. It can be reversed before insulin shots which most people take about 10-15 years of badly controlled blood sugar to take.
Fairydust · F
That’s brilliant, we’ll done 🥳
SW-User
I think it’s from the Asthma meds. I heard they can cause diabetes.
Zonuss · 41-45, M
Im glad you are doing better with your diagnosis now Ruby.
Keep up the good work. Youre a fighter.
iamonfire696 · 41-45, F
I am so sorry she treated you that way. It sounds like you are doing the right things to improve your health.

 
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