The Knowledge Board:
Diabetes Type 1
We are interested in both adult and childhood onset diabetes. So the opinions of carers of a diabetic would be very useful.
The aim of the blog is to identify the key lifestyle issues for diabetics.The kinds of questions we are particularly interested in are:-
How do you best manage your condition? What type of medication are you on? What kind of testing equipment and meters do you use and what is your opinion of it?
Do you think your condition is being sufficiently managed by your healthcare team?
Do you follow any specific dietary or lifestyle requirements?
How has your condition changed your outlook on life?
What special arrangement do you have to make when you travel for work or pleasure?
Of course we would appreciate any comments you might have on the diabetic lifestyle as all your thoughts are of interest and value to us.
To contribute all you need to do is type a nickname of your choice and the put your comments into the box. Your comments are anonymous of course!
sad flower | 18/04/2007 15:15:00
my aunt has diabetes but did not know she had it or did not want to admit to it. She lost a lot of weight (she told us she was dieting) and things got bad when her eyesight was affected. She finally was told by our family to go to the doctor who took her in hand. She still does not say she is a diabetic - its as if she is embarrassed . Maybe better education would be useful, especially for us who have emigrated over from the north africa
firstgym | 18/04/2007 17:18:00
I have had diabetes now for around 7 years, at the moment it is managed by tablets, but in the very near future I will probably need to inject insulin. this thought terrifies me, I find it really hard to lose weight because of the tablets, but know that this would help me in many ways. Sometimes I really get down about it all, it affects your life much more than people realise, and sometimes just dont want to take another tablet again.
David Filkin | 18/04/2007 17:28:00
I have type 2 diabetes which was diagnosed almost by accident over two years ago when my GP was taking blood tests for another suspected condition. On reflection I realised that I was actually showing symptoms but as a 60 year old I had dismissed them as just normal for my age - sleepy afternoons, slightly overwieght, sometimes a little thirsty - and was quite shocked when I was told i was diabetic. But after good counselling from my GP and a session with the dietician I soon realised how easily I could manage the situation by eating sensibly and taking pills. I now have two 80 mg tablets of gliclazide twice a day and monitor my blood sugar levels fairly regularly; and the only impact on my lifestyle has been when the sugar levels are not being reduced effectively enough and my GP has changed the dosage. As I am shortsighted my sight is tested at least once a year and this includes a diabetic check; and I have an annual check for my feet and general health with my GP's practice nurse Other than that I just go about life normally and the diabetes is really no problem at all. I realise I may be lucky in this, but it just shows that diabetes for some people can be a condition that is relatively easily managed and there is no great inconvenience from having it.
kitty | 18/04/2007 17:28:00
i have had diabetes since the age of 14 which was brought on when i got a bad case of the flu apparently i had alow immune system and now have next to nothing. i lost weight had shaking fits lose of vision plus really bad mood swings everyone put it down to teenage hormones untill i colapsed and i knew there was something wrong. i went to the doctors and asked for a diabetic test as my friend was diabetic and i had the same symptoms. i was proved right and sent to the hospital. i wasnt really given alot of information just do this and this or you will be very ill and may die. i really think they need a different approch to teenages tell them not to do something and they automatically do. i was put on souuble insophane and another one not quite sure what it was now. ive also been on a few others during my ride with this and now im on novarapid and leveimir which now seem to be working. i use an accu check compact machine to manage my blood sugars but i now have an underactive thyroid and high blood pressure and high colestrol which ive been told is all part of the down fall of diabetes i have an eye problem now and am awaiting the first of probally many operations and im only 26. i feel if i was told more about my condition and treated more like a young adult instead of a child and sitting there while people talked about me not to me i think i would have taken a more serious look at my illness. im at the point now where im so sick of injections and having to prepare everything before i go out and while i go out whats normal about injecting yourself and if i over excite myself i suffer with a hypo
Trevor | 18/04/2007 18:04:00
My wife was diagosed in 1989 with diabetes and started off on tablets but was put on Insulin (as a result of her being on the Oxford Study) She takes a fast acting insulin 3 times a day and a slow acting one at night. She also takes 500g metformin 3 times a day which caused stomach problems but as a result of chatting to the Diabetic nurse she was put onto a different form of metformin (app Drs don't like to prescribe this as it costs more) and after the change her stomach problems disappeared. I was diagnosed in 1990 with diabetes mainly because i was showing the usual symptoms very thirsty etc and used my wifes blood machine to check my blood/sugar count. I started off on diet alone then diet and tablets until about 2000 i was put onto metformin 500 mg 3 times a day plus Humajet3 insulin twice a day. We both are treated and checked by the local GP and the surgery nurse. We have annual check ups at the chiropodist and optician. We also have the back of our eyes checked at special eye clinic every 18 mths. We do not mind injecting as we know is it prolonging our lives and because we regulary change the needle it is vitually painless. Also since we were given diabetic pens by the GP we find it is not obtrusive and not embarassing when we have to inject when we are out for a meal. Our main gripe is the way nurses change at the surgery and nearly always seem to have only basic training on Diabetes when they first arrive (A lot of the time my wife and I end up telling them). Then when they get more experienced in dealing with diabetes they move on. I feel a lot more can be done to educate people when they are first diagnosed with diabetes i.e. What to do if they have a hypo, informing DVLC and Car Insurance Company Also the difference and how it affects the type of driving licence you can get from the DVLC when you go onto Insulin control. After such a while since we were diagnosed with diabetes my wife and I have a greater understanding of it and its side effects and of course we are both lucky because we can both ask our partner if we have a problem and we both look out for each other. We both do regulary checks on our blood sugar count using an Accu meter and i find this more painful than injecting myself.
Goldie | 18/04/2007 18:12:00
I have had insulin-dependent diabetes since the age of 13 which was a long, long time ago as I am now 48. I was diagnosed after collapsing during school assembly, but I think that I had known for some time what the problem was because I had been feeling so ill for a few months (losing weight, feeling tired, always thirsty - the usual!) and had read about the symptoms in a medical dictionary, so it was no great surprise to me when the diagnosis was made. Back in 1972, a nurse was sent round to our house to show me how to do injections and urine checks and to talk to my mum about what I could or couldn't eat - it was all a lot more strict in those days. I had 2 injections a day and a diet which was composed of carbohydrate portions which had to be counted. I suppose I consider myself quite in lucky in that my family had a very positive approach and didn't let me dwell on what I could or couldn't do - they just let me get on with things. I was never a fan of the hospital diabetic clinic and, as an adult, have always managed to find GPs who are prepared to deal with my treatment themselves. I married and have 2, now grown-up, children who thankfully have not inherited the condition. Although I had to have consultant care during my pregnancies, everything went well and both children were normal weights when born (diabetics have a tendency to have large babies). I now manage my diabetes with 4 injections a day, morning, before lunch, before tea and bedtime and I also do at least 2 blood checks a day. My diet is nowhere near as strict as it used to be because of the frequency of my injections, but I try to eat healthily - that's not to say I wouldn't like to lose some weight, but there you go...! Like kitty, I have also developed an underactive thyroid, high blood pressure and take tablets to prevent high cholestrol, but fortunately this is a fairly recent thing and I have only started to take medication for these conditions in my 40s. So far, I have had no eye or kidney problems and long may this continue! I would just like to say (particularly to Kitty) don't get too depressed about it all - you really can live an (almost) normal life. I often inject when I am out in public (in restaurants, etc.) and, quite honestly, I don't think anybody even notices and if they did object I would just tell them why I was doing it.
barbie | 18/04/2007 18:26:00
I was diagnosed last year. I take one pill a day for diabetes and one for high blood pressure and another for high cholestrol. I have a healthy, and almost sugarfree diet and feel good. I have joined Diabetes UK and get lots of info from them. I like their magazine too and would recommend people join them.
sally408 | 18/04/2007 18:41:00
I have been diagnosed for about 10 years but it was first noted when I was pregnant. And not delt with. Why??? I'm now on insulin, one long lasting and 3 fast acting..mostly well controlled. I cant remember when I last had a hypo and have never had a serious one. I put that down to the American Diabetes Association (I'm an on-line memeber) who pointed out that treatment for diabetes is different in the U.S. The more blood testing you do during the day the better..4-5 times. They were also advising that blood sugar levels should be between 4 - 6 all the time - my british doctor suggested 8 was fine! This forum is a brilliant idea..And anyone facing the change from pills to insulin..DO IT. It makes you feel soooo much better if you need it!
scotty | 18/04/2007 19:02:00
I have been Diabetic approx 12 years and take 6 metformin tblts perday + I inject 4 times a day I have no problems with this the only problem I have are the mood swings and when you try to discuss this with Drs or nurses no one whants to know
kitty | 18/04/2007 20:35:00
i had a bad time during my pregnacy as the nurses wouldnt give me anything with sugar in which is bad news when the baby i was carrying was taking all mine i was always having hypos and 2 put me into comas. then when going for my c-section due to my eyes being bad during the pregnacy because of my pre eclampsia they over dosed me instead of giving me 0.5mmls they gave me 5.o on the hour every hour this took 5 hours to figure out what they had done andmy baby was in distress she was wisked away to scbu and monitored as the insulin had passed thru not surprizing really the amount they gave me. i was in intensive care i was told when i came round that they would explain what happened well you could imagine my shock when my so called experienced doctor told me well it was just a cock up yeah a cock up that could have killed both me and my daughter which was told to me by a nurse this is not the first time they have messed up with me and im losing my confiedence in my doctors and scotty your not they only one who suffers from mood swings i do too when my blood sugars are high and get depressed when i get them under control which i have been told is like coming down of the sugar as our body uses it just like a drug so i was having with drawal symtoms
alan | 18/04/2007 21:02:00
I've had type 1 diabetes for 49 years, not at all well controlled with HbA1c's of 10 or more. That is until recently. I went on a DAFNE course through my clinicand was shown how to titrate my sugar intake against my insulin. It is just FANTASTIC. I guess this is the type of regime the yanks use, because I aim to get my blood glucose at 5.5 - 7.5 (I'm seriously hypo at 4, so wouldn't want to aim for 4.5). I eat anything. No dieting for me now. I just look at the packet and find out what the total carbohydrate content is and take the corresponding dose of Humalog. (I also have 2 shots of Levemir each day). I would suggest all you disgruntled type 1's ask if there's such a course in your area. I know that it's not available everywhere in the UK, but it's definitely the best way to go for many. I, too, had mood swings and became extremely aggressive when hypo; whilst I still have the odd hypo I'm much more placid and everyone tells me how laid back I've become. May I also just add a word about the GPs and Practice Nurses - they are generalists and can't be expected to know as much as the specialists in hospitals, nor as much as those of us having the disease for years. Any move from a hospital diabetic clinic based service is, in my view, not to the advantage of most of us, for that reason. Any problems met in hospital, on the other hand, are potentially avoidable and the best action is to complain bitterly and loudly where deficiencies are found. It may not help you, but it will stop problems for the next one of us who meets a similar situation. Make sure that the diabetic nurse specialists are aware that you are on a surgical/medical obstetric ward and that they are involved in your care. My experience is that amateurs dabble in areas they are not familiar with, like many others, above, to our detriment. Don't take "no" for an answer - if necessary be unpleasant, because it is your entitlement.
Tanya | 18/04/2007 21:48:00
I have been a type 2 Diabetic for 3 years now. I started on The 500mg Metformin tablets 3 times a day. Iam overweight & have been for many years. To start with the Metformin & diet was keeping my blood sugars at a reasonable level but 6 months ago thay went haywire & were all over the place. my nurse started me on 1 insulin injection, slow release, plus the metformin & it is now much better but its still not brilliant. It ranges from 6's to mid/high 8's. I dont feel this is too bad but i am due to see my nurse in 3 weeks & am sure shes not going to be very happy with it! I am on 64 units of Insulin which i take in the morning as i was told morning or evening is fine, whatever suits. Anyone find taking it at night any better? I do have other medical problems, ( Uric Acid kidney stones of which i have suffered from for nearly 9 years!) I have recently been suffering severe stomach problems, ie; very bloated stomach, acid reflux, heartburn & awful wind. Having read the comments from Trevor, i wondered if the stomach problems his wife experienced may have been similar to mine & if so maybe i should ask for different tablets, other than the metformin? I am in the process of having tests by a Gastroenterologist to see if it is caused by something else, but i would be interested to know if any others have had the same or similar problems to myself! I do still get quite tired at times but overall having Diabetes is easy to adjust to & anyone who has been advised that they will have to start injecting then i would say to them ' its no worse than doing your blood sugar, i would even go as far as to say that it is somewhat less painful '. The weight issue for me is my main concern at the moment, any success stories out there?
Roger | 18/04/2007 22:48:00
Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 2 years ago. Initially controlled by diet but now on 4 x 500mg slow release Metformin tablets once a day. I have no idea of how effective this is between nurse visits (quarterly) as each time I ask I have been told there is no need to monitor my levels. Net result over last 2 years is that sometimes levels have risen and the answer is to increase the medication. Not happy and considering a change of Doctor but not sure what if this is a standard approach. I will be watching commenst with interest.
Viv | 19/04/2007 07:37:00
I was found to have Type 2 diabetes about 7 years ago during a routine doctor's MOT. About this time my husband was diagnoised with Alzheimers and it is wondered if the shock of that trigger my condition although it does run in the family. For the first two years I managed to control it on diet only and keeping to my regular excercise. Then the levels got above 7 and I was put on 500mg metformin once a day and this has worked until recently when due to inactivity because my husband is now very severely restricted in what he can do and is not able to walk very far and I can't leave him to go swimming. I have booked to go and see my Practice Nurse today to see if we can improve the situation as my levels are now 8+ early in the morning. I have annual eye tests at my opticians and an annual check on the NHS to view the back of my eye. I also have my feet examined every year by our Practice Nurse and am entitled to the services of a chiropodist once a year as well. Overall I try not to eat sweet things and I do eat a normal healthy balance diet. I have also been told what I should and shouldn't eat but also told that the OCCASSIONAL treat is OK. I have the odd pudding if we are eating out but prefer a starter anyway.I've read books on the subject and discussed my condition with friends who also have the condition. I found metformin caused loose motions at times but by taking then towards the end of the day my motions are dealt with first thing in the morning and do not cause any more problems. I eat regularly but always have some dry biscuits with me incase I get caught in traffic or am delayed. I am overweight which is not helped by lack of excercise and I am trying to improve this situation and get off the half stone I put on since Christmas due to inactivity. My doctor and nurse are brilliant.
Jimbo | 19/04/2007 08:49:00
I have had diabetes type 2 for approx. 10 years, I am able to control it very well on tablets. I religiously take my meds and my 6 monthly bloods show that i have been in control. I feel it is important that with diabetes you need to control i, do not let it control you. Take prescibed meds. properly, monitor your bloods, talk to your GP about options and keep trying until you get it right after that you can get on with your life. Diabetes is a controlled disease so take advantage of this and god bess you all.
Kirsty | 19/04/2007 09:16:00
I have been a diet controlled type 2 diabetic for 5 years, but I still find it hard to accept. My aunts all had type 2 so I should have seen it coming especially as I am overweight. Most of the time I can control it and my blood glucose can stay within normalish ranges. It is important to find out all the areas that need protecting eyes and feet. I have recently had minor surgery to my toes and I know that they are taking longer to heal than they should. Read as much as you can and really understand this condition.
John S Shepherd | 19/04/2007 09:17:00
I became a steriod induced Insulin dependent diabetic in December 2002. I have not taken insulin now since 25th November 2006. My renal consultant (I am on dialysis) suggests that as I am heathlier and have lost 6 kilos and am more active, my body requires less insulin and my pancreas is now able to satisfy my body needs. I should have said I suffered acute pancreatitus in January 2001 triggered by an immune suppresent Azathioprine. I also maintain my diabetic diet in order not to overload my pancreas.
vera | 19/04/2007 09:19:00
i have diabetets type 2 for 2 year's now and the first lot of pill's i get i used to double up with the pain, but now i have glucophage,3 a day, but having to watch what i eat is the down fall i also have IBS and some food just does not like me one bit, can not get a happy eating plan at all, so my sugar count is up and down just like me, at time's,like most thing's we cope with it.
Belinda | 19/04/2007 10:28:00
A list of relevant diabetes blog,
jonboy | 19/04/2007 10:42:00
i have dibetes for approx 10yrs, started on tablets (glicazide) then switched to metformin and now on insulin as well. sometimes i just cant be bothered altho i dont miss a dose it does become a drag. bg levels anywhere between 4 and 8. i try to eat healthy but its a drag (get sugar cravings). still everything in moderation. o yeah and dont be fooled by dibetic foods i.e jams and marmelade .... to expensive and no good !!!.
Gilly | 19/04/2007 10:49:00
I have had diabetes for about 12 years now, I had been told before this (about 5 yrs before) that I was borderline diabetic, I didn't know what this meant and as the dr at the time didn't give me any more information I dismissed it, maybe if I had been told what to do, I may have been able to avoid becoming type 2. It was at a checkup 12 years ago that it was suggested that I do a fasting test for diabetes, then i recall what was said 5 yrs before that, the test showed type 2 diabetes. At first it was tried to control by diet alone and I stuck to all the things I should do, but ended up on Metformi 500mg x 1 daily, but am now on 4 x daily, and am looking at insulin in the near furture. I have a lot of other problems, some i can spell and some i can't, divaticulitis, osteo-arthritis, lung-desease, Reynolds, retinophy, numb feet. Having divaticultis makes eating very hard so have trouble managing the right foods for diabetes. I tend to forget to check out blood sugar levels, I have a Glucomen that i can conect to the pc, this is really good as i can set alarms for Max and min levels, I get check by the diabetic nurse every 6 months, when they check kidney function etc, have the bigger blood test done by the nurse yearly, eye checks every year, photos taken of the eye yearly at the hospital. My uncle had diabetes but no one was told as it was considered dirty, a lot more education is needed, so people can be aware of this desease. when i go out i have to carry so munh meds that i rarely go out for the day, and don't like to dine out, it is almost impossable to find a dessert that is suitable and a lot of meals in restaurants are full of salt etc, just a few meals for diabeteics on the menu would be good, the only home i can go for a meal and know my needs will be taken into account is my fathers as my step-mother is type 2 diabetic controlled by diet. I dread the day I have to inject. I do get depressed about it all
caz | 19/04/2007 11:04:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 2 years ago, by a phone call at 11.40 at night ( iwas asleep) telling me that my sugar level was 23.5 didnt sleep much that night was horrified. this resulted from tests for other things. I gave up smoking put on weight and this was the result, I am now on metformin 500g which have been increased steadily,I am now on 6 a day which I believe is max, dont know what will happen if they ever tell me i need insulin, because I couldn't do it, I eat pretty much most things trying to keep fat down, cant diet to save my life, at the begining i was on what they call fat busting tablets but because i didnt lose the standard rate was took of them! but I was losing weight.I think I have a good quality of life and consider my self lucky that its only diabetes.
jess | 19/04/2007 11:13:00
I was diganosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 13 years old. I have had it for almost 8 years now. I was having all the classic symptoms, ( extreme thirst, hunger, weight loss, and moody). My mother took me to the hospital and my blood sugar was 886, I was lucky not to be in a coma. I just remember the nurse comming into my room, handing me a syringe and telling me okay now put this in your abodmen!! I have always tried to take good care of myself, but soemtimes it is very frustrating. I currently take lantus at 9pm and I use the humalog pen 4-5 times per day. I inject the humalog when my sugar is over 140 and every meal or snack. I do worry alot about dying young, it's just a personal fear, and also about the cost of my supplies and medication, but other tha that I live a normal life with work and school, I just have to take care of myself more than ohers, which isn't always a bad thing. Being diabetic takes alot of strength and courage.
Ann | 19/04/2007 11:42:00
I was diganosed with diabetes 2 years ago,after 30 years nowing that I might have it,I have had 5 operations and they have treetaed me as I had diabetes but nothing have ever been done , I was having all the classic symptoms:thirst, hunger,sleepy. I did drink 10 liter of water or more during 1 week. And at christmas time my parents come form Norway and my Dad have typ 1 diabetes,so he tested me with insulin when we went for a drive,I had 7 bothels of water with me for 1 h drive and empthy before we are back home,now I am using tablets. I just have to take care of myself more than ohers,which isn't always a bad thing. Being diabetic takes alot of strength and courage. to live with diabetes and asthma is not easy,
Margaret | 19/04/2007 11:50:00
I have worked my way over the years through diet then tablets then insulin and now finally Novamix30 plus Metformin. I test three times a day using an accucheck meter which I find easy to operate and adjust insulin accordingly. Usually well controlled but I, like Alan ,find that anything below 5 means that I am hypo, by 4.5 I'm cold sweaty and shaking.So usually try to stay around 6. Going on holiday means doubling up on everything and having my travelling companion carry one lot and me the other, a lost bag would otherwise cause chaos. As to injecting in public I did mine at the table in a restaurant- as it is possible to inject through light clothing - and noticed the couple who had just arrived at the next table whispering and taking glances. I thought they had assumed that I was a drug addict but oh no the lady then proceeded to take out her pen and inject too. Obviously she had been a loo visitor before. I then nearly laughed out loud as the gentleman at the next table repeated the performance, it's good to know we are not alone. My diabetic care used to be brilliant but the specialist nurse left and there have since been a series of "I don't know much about insulin" episodes with the new "diabetic nurses".A great shame I'm just glad she taught me loads before she left. I am ,however,summoned for yearly eye tests and see the doctor once a year for a review. To all new diabetics I say be informed - ask, ask, ask until your questions are answered- and you will find the fear goes and diabetes becomes a managable part of your life.
katherine | 19/04/2007 12:38:00
I have had my diebeties for about 6yrs now,and it is type 2! which it makes me embarassed, as i have been told this type is caused by being over- weight. But it does run in my fathers side of the family,dad has it also.Its the things it can cause that stresses me out....i have in my head i,m not going to make old bones,all though i try to look after myself the best i can...i am taking metforman twice daily. the other thing is! my teeth are starting to fall loose, and fall out! DOES ANYBODY ELSE SUFFER FROM THIS? PLEASE...as i have always looked after my teeth.
Fred | 19/04/2007 13:39:00
I was diagnsed with type 2 diabeties during blood tests for an unconnected condition. I found my doctor uncaring and lacking in the ability to answer specific questions. After a trip to the dietician and an information morning I still could not get the required information. The consultant at the hospital was great but my doctor went agaist his recomendations. For some months I felt that there was very little point in going on. I then found out that surgeries get a bonus for diagnosing diabeties! In the years since my diagnosis I have not had one high blood sugar level (the only one I have ever had was the one that was used to diagnose me), so as far as I'm concerned, I no longer see my doctor as I have no confidence in him either professionally or morally.
Sued | 19/04/2007 15:35:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after finding out I also had Cushings Disease which in itself is not so easy to control. I take Metforming 3 x 500mg per day. I do not take my blood sugars as I was told by GP not really necessary. (Monitoring for the Cushings also takes into account my diabetes.) I go for my MOT once each year at the Doctors surgery, my eyes, feet, weight etc are checked, am always asked at that time if I have ever smoked the answer is always the same yes, but have been stopped for over 25 years. The Diabetic Nurse at the Surgery is very good and answers any queries I may have and my blood test results taken at the MOT are given about 1 - 2 weeks later by the Doctor - which I feel is a good idea as they are also involved. I have an eye test at the hospital yearly too. As I said earlier, my situation is a little differet because of the Cushings Disease but all in all I cope very well with it. I don't make an issue of it, eat sugar free or drink sugar free drinks have the occasional treat, well why not and I manage it very well I feel. So long as you don't stray too far from the advice given you will not go far wrong. My mum had diabetes type 2. she was diagnosed at the age of about 60. They say it runs in families.
anders | 19/04/2007 15:38:00
i have type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed through another test i was having at the doctors- this was the week before xmas 3 years ago. i was devastated and cried all the way home - i knew nothing about diabetes apart from my nan had it when i was younger and we bought her diabetic chocolate at birthdays and christmas! i started off with diet alone and did manage to lose a little weight but then i remarried and settled into old eating habits. i then proceeded on to glucophage and rosiglitazone(im on max amount now)and if my readings dont improve ( last 3 mths have averaged at 9.2) then it will be onto insulin. this initially scared me stiff until the nurse told me it wouldnt hurt as much as testing my bloods! my weight is stable but needs to be a lot less - as long as it isnt increasing it doesnt worry me too much as i am quite active. i have to say that i am pretty laidback about my condition and dont let it run my life, but i am constantly reminded that if things dont improve, then in later life (i'm 40) there will be complications (i have high blood pressure, high cholestrol and take antidepressants) because of my condition and also because i have a "fatty liver". i must admit though my doctors and nurses are brilliant, they answer all my questions, try and encourage me to lose weight (hard when i struggle to diet) and i have regular check ups with blood tests, feet and eyes.
Eileen | 19/04/2007 16:10:00
I was diagnosed type 2 in 2000 whilst undergoing tests for another condition. I started on diet only, after a year I had to take tablets (can't recall the name of them now) but these caused hypos so I went back to diet/exercise/restricted red meat/sugary foods/high fat foods. Since then I have been working up dosage on Glimeripide from 1mg to the present 4 mg once a day and 6 months ago I started Metformin 500mg twice a day, which upset my stomach, causing bloating, wind etc. However since going on slow release Metformin this has not been so bad. I feel my diet is very restricted and dread being invited out as there are so many things I either cannot tolerate or which would make my BM rise too high. I use Accucheck meter but the fancy pen with the drum is a waste of space so I went back to the old style pen. Health care team is good, I have never seen a specialist! so have nothing to compare with. I have regular HBA1C tests and foot/eye checks and can have answers to any queries really quickly. Have had access to a dietician, I think I depressed her! and regularly visit the chiropodist. Diabetes runs in my mother's family and my mother got all the nasty complications we are warned about, so it is a bit scary knowing how bad it can be. It has not really changed my outlook on life - I think my other medical condition is far more scary and puts diabetes in the shade as it is never really the first thing I think is causing any new symptoms - it is hard to tell sometimes if lack of sensation in my limbs is caused by diabetes or this other thing, but a check at the doctor/nurse usually puts it at the door of the other condition. I know several other diabetics type 1 and 2 and they all have different views on life but mostly we all just do our best to live a full and happy life.
Lillian Robertson | 19/04/2007 16:13:00
I know very little about diabtes. My Mother has type two as does my brother. They are both diet controlled. What is the difference between the different types of diabetes? can any one tell me. Are my family members going to develop a worse type of diabeties? and is it heredotory? Thank you to anyone who responds.
Geoff 19/4/07 | 19/04/2007 16:18:00
I was diagnosed with diabeties type 2 in 1992 I was lucky I had never had any signs that I had diabeties and did not know there was 2 types od diabeties I was having a routine medical at work and when they tested my urine it showed a high level of suger and the works nurse got me an appointment with my GP Luckily there is an Diabeties clinic run by my GPs practice and I am able to attend this twice per year.At first I was knocked sideways the only diabeties I knew about was the one where you injected with insulin a few times a day and there was a lad working for me who had type 1 diabeties but used to abuse his diet going out drinking a lot and taking extra insulin to carry him through unfotuanetly this used to have an adverse reaction on him the following day and regulary whent hypo we used to keep a store of glucas to administer to him to bring him round intill the nurse arrived this is what I thought the future held for me. When I whent to the diabetic clinic I was told after blood test etc that I had slight type 2 diabeties and was sent to the dietician give a diet and sent on my way and off I whent on my merry way and was told to come back in 12 months I enrolled in a gym stuck to my diet lost weight and seemed healthy enough I attended the clinic every for about 5 years and every thing was ok but on the 6th year my suger was a little high so I was put on glicazide 1 per day over the years I gradualy got worse and know I am on 2 glicazide in the morning and 2 before my tea plus 1 metformin 850 after my breakfast and i metformin 850 after my tea this seems to be keeping my suger in check I also take tablets for blood pressure and a simvastatin for my cholestral I asked my doctor would I ever have to go on insulin and she said in her opinion I would never have to go on insulin keeping my fingers crossed I find that metformin affects my stomache no pain but excessive wind with loads of tummy rumblings I recently got back in touch with my Father he is living in Australia and he found out that he had diabeties 2 in his sixties he is now 92 so there is hope for us all if we keep taking the tablets and follow a reasonable lifestyle.
Michael G. Marsden | 19/04/2007 16:25:00
I totally agree with Firstgym. Those comments almost echo my condition exactly. I am 24 stones and dieting does not help me in any way to loose weight. Ive just returned from Hospital after being sent by my GP who thought I may have had a DVT but fortunately that is not the case. When you have diabetes you hopefully keep taking the tablets and try to forget it is there but that is not the answer. I didnt worry about this situation until recently and I now have changed my piont of view. I think that sharing your thoughts and concerns could be a helpful way forwards
Mary Lovemore | 19/04/2007 16:34:00
I have been A dibetic since 1981 i still find meals can be difficult as I dont eat meat So I tend to eat eggs and cheese so of course i get told to much is not very good for me. Any ideas?
David | 19/04/2007 16:37:00
My Diabetes was diagnosed 13 years ago. Since then I have been on Gliclazide and Metaformin. My sugar levels remained too high, but the Hospital decided to delay putting me on Insulin, probably to save them money. When I was diagnosed as having developed cataracts as well as Diabetes-related Peripheral Neuropathy in the feet, they finally put me on Insulin. But the damage was done. I am in severe pain all the time, which gets worse when I'm on my feet. All to save the NHS a few measly pounds. What you quickly become aware of as a diabetic is that they put sugar into everything! Why add sugar to Bran Flakes, when people are going to add sugar anyway? Is it because Bran Flakes and all other breakfast cereals are sold by weight, and sugar weighs more than flakes? All the diet items you are told to eat have sugar. Wholemeal bread and biscuits, etc. etc. Why add sugar? Sugar is so bad for everyone that, if it were only discovered today, it would be a controlled or banned substance. Are we all victims of greedy food producers and criminally inept government?
completely confused | 19/04/2007 18:01:00
I was diagnosed by accident 2 years ago whilst having other tests. It was a complete shock. I am overweight and 44 years old. At first I tried everything to lose weight - to no avail, although I never put any on but I could not lose it either. I have recently started taking metformin 500mg twice a day - I also take lisinopril for high blood pressure (apparently this goes hand in had with diebetes)? I have hardly been told anything about my condition - just -' keep taking the tablets', look after your feet'? 'don't drive for 5 hours after having these eye drops' - for eye tests? I realy don't understand what I am doing or what symptoms I should or should not! be having. So I hope I will be able to ask the right questions (whatever they are) someday?
johnwyn | 19/04/2007 18:20:00
I was diagnosed 12 years ago while in hospital for another reason, and was started off on Gliclazide. I had to go back into hospital for a double hip trans. where they found out I had kidney dammage and was put onto insulin twice a day, please dont worry about injections, you can use a pen now instead of a syringe and they have the smallest and finest of needles. johnwyn
terri | 19/04/2007 18:32:00
I am 71 yearsa of age and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes approximately 12 years ago. Initially it was controlled by diet alone but as my sugar levels fluctuated I was put on Glimepiride tablets. As these tablets alone did not have the desired effect my GP prescribed another tablet, Rosiglitazone, to boost the Glimepiride. These tablets worked quite well for a number of years but since then I have become overweight, I have osteo-arthritis,high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am unable to lose the excess weight although I have tried various diets and I don't eat half the amount I used to, and having arthritis I am unable to take the excercise I should. Therefore I now have to take two extra tablets for my diabetes which are a combination of metformin and rosiglitazone. All in all I take about 11 tablets a day ~ but what the heck, I am still here, enjoying life even though I am not so active, so keep on taking the tablets!
Ricardo Lobo-Morell | 19/04/2007 19:01:00
I have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for about 4 years now; as is my mother. I am 31. It is still out of control and I am on a combination of oral tablets (Metformin, Amaril and Rosagilatzone/Metformin) and on Insulin (Levemir) 56u twice a day. I am also on Amlodopine and Lisinopril for high blood pressure and Simvastatin for high cholestrol. I have sporadic "down days" when I feel bluesy as I just cannot control my blood sugars which are in the mid-teens in the morning. I find that I contiunue to urinate all the time and spend most of the night times in the toilet that I think I should just set-up camp in their! My skin is bad especially on my hands which are cracked and painful. In terms of how I best manage my diabetes; I find this very hard. I work 9-5 Mon - Fri and usually work through lunch and tend to pick up a "Greggs" sarnie and some crisps - convenience food. WHen I get home I don't have the energy or motivation to prepare soemthing more healthier for lunch! I see the diabetic nurse spcialist every 3-4 months and the diabetic doctor 6 monthly. My GP takes a special interest in Diabetes and he is very approachable. Back in the latter part of 2006 I developed severe thrush related to high blood sugars - this was very painful, embarrasing (the damn itch!) and I felt really down. My diet has changed dramatically since I was diagnosed with diabetes but I do have my "off" days which are related to work-stress where I eat rubbish food and pay the price a few hours later when I am thirsty and feel rough. I test my blood sugars in the morning using an Accu-Chek Aviva monitoring kit. THis is the best kit I have had since it uses less blood than what I am used to and also the results are super fast.
bob | 19/04/2007 19:07:00
I've been type 2 diabetic since 2000, but have been aware of the condition since I was a kid, as my dad was diagnosed back in the late 1960's (he's now insulin dependent and in his mid 70's but still going strong).I'm now in my late 40's and have had a gradual increase in medication over the last couple of years, going from Metformin 500mg 2x/day to Avandamet 4mg/1000 mg 2x/day.I've also had to start taking statins to control my cholesterol levels in the last 12 months. i too have noticed a weight gain although i try to eat sensibly-this could be partly due to lack of exercise as i have a desk bound job and little spare time to exercise.Other than the annual check at the surgery, and annual glaucoma check I don't have a great deal of interaction with my GP as far as my condition is concerned.I tend to manage my condition and don't let it rule my life!
paw999 | 19/04/2007 19:31:00
I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was pregnant with my son. I was told that the diabetes would go away after I had given birth. It didn't and it took me two years to get a doctor to listen to me. It was only because I moved and registered with a new doctor that they noticed alot of sugar in my urine. I started off with tablets, but I could not cope with not having chocolate and ended up eating more chocolate than I normaly would. I was then put onto the insulin which you inject twice a day, but with a busy lifestyle with two kids and work I could not eat when I needed to. I am now on Humalog and Lantis. When I was put on these I was told I could eat when and what I wanted, but the problem I am having is that one day my nurse will say one thing and then another day she will totally contradict herself, so what I do is try to aim to wake up on a 4 and have between 7 and 9 during the day. Which is hard and it has tsaken me about 5 years and it is still not purfect. To be totally honest I don't think it ever will be. My Daughter has been diagnosed as being diabetic last year so I want to get my diabetes right so I can help my daughter. It is hard work and sometimes I get really down when my blood sugar results are too high, but I do'nt get hardly and support from my diabetic nurse and I haven't seen a consultant for 5 years, which my nurse knows about, but as I say she does not give me a great deal of support.
mac 19/04/07 | 19/04/2007 20:15:00
As the medical profession can not decide how you should control your diabetes what chance do we stand.
Graham Hockaday | 19/04/2007 22:27:00
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with type 2, after feeling very tired for weeks. Had had pains in hands and feet for years, told that as I had other illnesses for years I did not notice that I was getting worse so had very uncontrolled diabetes for about four or five years and has resulted in diabetic neuropathy. I take Metformin and Rosiglitazone and have a good diet, but my levels are still not too good. Tried anti cholesterol tabs but could not take as caused very bad tummy cramps. My doctors and clinic are great, i have very regular treatment and blood tests. I would like to go onto injections as I have other health problems, and my stomach can not cope with many more tablets. I am over weight, but exercise is difficult due to other disabilities. Found out that my great gran was a diabetic but no others in family.
albert monaghan | 20/04/2007 09:01:00
i have type 2 diabetes. controlled by diet. but, i must say it has not/ i have not altered my diet a great deal. i eat virtually the same stuff. inc. chocolate, the only difference being, i have cut down slightly amount i eat. i have stopped drinking/smoking, but, did this b4 being diagnosed with type 2.
Alma Kitsberg | 20/04/2007 09:47:00
I have had diabetes since I was 38 and am now 52 I started diet control then went to pills now I am on insulin. I cant say that I cope well as i have a sweet tooth. My mother had onset diabetes which came on with a stroke but nobody else in my family are diabetic. I had the usual symptoms, thirsty at first, very tired and I lost weight that was a bonus! then I had the unpleasant thrush which made me go to the doctors and found out then tthat I was diabetic. I try not to let it interfere to my lifestyle but of course it does really but we have to cope the best we can. I also try to follow a good diet and must say that I do really just eating healthily, makes you feel better anyway. I do get conflicting advice from the medical profession each doctor has a different opinion but listen to all.
Sunny side | 20/04/2007 09:50:00
Your whole life does change! I have been managing my condition for well over 10 years. It is one of care and management and the development of a whole regime of proceedures. The dependancy on the medication is only one thing but consider the testing of sugar levels, the change in dietary requirements. Some people I know do not even have the discipline to make meaningful changes in their lives. The support from the doctors is vital but we can go a long way through self education. Forums like these are essential where we can share experiences. We have to go even further by doing internet searches to find information that will be benificial to our wellbeing. Stay strong
wings1 | 20/04/2007 09:53:00
I contracted/was made aware that I had diabetis about five years ago, my health was already suspect as my pituitary gland had to be removed years earlier - none malignant melanoma - I had problems with deposits on my scalp and after pains in my hands and arm. only when I consulted my GP for a suspected smini stroke did a locum test for the desese and my blood sugger was 28!! It is surprising having been under the care of endrocology at hospital level for years and on a considerable ammout of medication for hormone replacement that a check was never carried out for daibitis , I am of course type 2. I was initally able to control by diat alone but as forcast by my GP I had to go on to tablets about two years ago - metaformin 500mg three times daily. six months ago things started to go wrong yet again and no way could I get my bllood sugar down, swinging beteen 10 or 12 up to 28 again as a result I now have 80mg of Gliclazide three times daily. This has resulted in blood sugger dropping below 4 on several occaisions and once was down to three with my accucheck meter bleeping warning of a hypo! I felt shakey, dry mothed and thirsty when this happend, but I am grateful that it did because I am now able to judge when I am heading for a hypo. I should also point out that I have been caring 7/24 for a wife with Altzhimers and even now she is in care, stress levels are high which may account for some of the blood suggar swings.She also was type 2 but far more stable than me and was fine the way I controlled her diat. She had a dierent GP and was called in every six months for bloods and urine annually for eyes. I only get checked annualy and I realy feel that a more frequent check ought to be carried out. I still try to controll my diet as a result I rarely eat out, with a 4 bedroom house and garden to look after and prepare my meals it leves little time for any recreation activities I believe that still type 2 is thoght to be less serious! Any diabitis is a problem and dangerious, I am loosing feeling in my feet now and am scared of going blind as my mother did with it. Testing is now done daily fasting and because I drive I now carry a test kit in the car, also a small bag of boiled sweets - just in case! Meters I use Accucheck Compact for the morning test and a 'free Bayer Contour' to carry in the ca,r great as it is very small but have yet to get my GP to agree tho support both meters by presciption. I am 75 English white male living in the Oxford Health Area I also have a pacemaker, bi-aural hearing loss 30%+ and an artificial right hip two hearing aids and now also wear knee legnth support stockings to counter odeama in my legs otherwise I am fine. I am not worried when the time comes to use insolin, I self inject groth hormone every night so am used to self injecting, bit scary at first but soon get very easy to do and modern systems are easy to manage. went on a bit long but is all ver complicated in my case. At the end of the day this diagnosis was just one more medi problem to deal with. Keep active and not dwelling on it keeps me going and do support activities outside my home situation whenever I can hope that this is all of some use
Dave Hanbury | 20/04/2007 10:08:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 7 years ago. As a nurse I suddenly realised that the symptoms of tiredness, being thirsty a lot of the time and getting up to pee during the night were the same symptoms as people I had nursed who had diabetes. Have a good practice nurse who monitors my health and bloods twice a year. Have annual retinopathy screening and podiatry checks. Have tried not to let diabetes control my life - eat healthily (lots of low GI foods) but still treat myself with a small amount of dark chocolate each day - just had to give up the daily mars bar! Gave up smoking years ago. Do regular walks and cycle rides. Know that I have to eat every 4 hours at least or I get dizzy and confused. Medication is Rosiglitazone/Metformin and Gliclazide which I have tolerated well after early stomach upsets. Discovered recently my paternal gran was diabetic - she used to swallow her urine testing tabs - so just hope that dementia is not in the family too! My dad was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 80.
Fay D | 20/04/2007 10:16:00
I ws told I was borderline diabetic 23years ago, also high choletral.I was given a diet sheet whci because there are foods I am allergic to I ajusted to my own menu. I was also given tablets to bring down cholestral as my body makes more than it should. After living on nothing but salad for 6 weeks the GP said that was a waste of time and put me on the rablets which work. Along with that and what some would call a very strict diet and I check my blood twice a week which tells us that my sugar levels yoyo between 3.9(to low) and the highest is 5.9. My husband goes the other way. he goes from 6.0 up to 11.3 on Sunday.On top os this I am 65 disabled and in a wheelchair, spinal damage , osteo/rhumatoid and osteoporosis plus Raynauds and a dudenal ulcer to cope with. Despite all this I run a club for disabled people, and my husband at nearly 68 has been a County Councillor & standing for District next month ans I am the County Party, County group, Branch and CLP treasuer as well. I dont have time to dwell I my problemswhci I have had for over 20 years. KEEP BUSY, EAT ALL THE RIGHT FOOD, DONT DRINK, AND FOR THOSE WHO CAN PLENTY OF EXERCISE.WORKS WONDERS. My husband and I both useOptium Xceed moniters
Dave Brooker snr | 20/04/2007 10:53:00
Hi Yes I have type 2 diabetis and angina and heat problems and crumbling bones in my neck and high blood pressure. A lot is through age as I am 61 and a lot through the way I had to work through my life.But you can live a normal life with all these things as well as only Diabetis. I take 166 pills a week and have to be careful what I eat. Where is the hard ship in that. My only big problem is that through the pain in my feet, I don't sleep well at night unless I take sleeping pills. They are a lot of things you can't do, but that can also come with age and not just ill health. Between the GP and Diabetis clinic and the firms like One Touch Ultra, you know that you are in good hands. So I say, the problems you have can always be sorted. Live you life today happy as tomorrw "well who knows". I have 9 grand children and spend most of my time with them. It keeps my mind working and young at heart.
george boulton | 20/04/2007 11:13:00
i can honestly say that when i was diagnosed with type 2 some years ago it frightend me to death.i was told it would progress to me having to take injections daily.but after changing my diet to no sugar etc i have managed to get through past 5 years with no problems.still on my normal diet with very little sugar.
des1 | 20/04/2007 11:42:00
having always been relatively fit and healthy it came as quite a shock to be diagnosed not only with type 2 diabetes but with Barrett's Oesophagus at the same time, this was then followed by news that I needed an operation on my cervical spine and possibly another on my lumbar spine and all within a 4 month period. So 4 years down the line and at the ripe old age of 44 I've had to take medical retirement from work (after the operation was unsuccessful) and am now taking a fairly major drug cocktail everyday, this above all else is the thing that causes me the most concern, the illnesses have meant making changes in my lifestyle and diet which I can cope with but having to take so many tablets (14 ) a day + Oramorph makes me feel despondent as I don't see anyway around the likelyhood of having to take them for the rest of my life. I know here are other people out there with similar and wosre conditions than me, so if anyone can give me any tips on how to deal with the feelings of failure due to this drug dependancy I would appreciate it.
Kate Kells | 20/04/2007 12:38:00
I use an insulin pump and this has opened up my world with diabetes. It certainly helps me to manage my diabetes as well as my three small children however I feel that you need to have a few years with diabetes before you are able to undertake a pump successfully. I have humalog insulin in my pump and the pump gives me a variable basal level all the time which is decided by myself in discussion with my consultant and then I bolus dose with food.I use The new meter which can test for gluscose as well as ketones. This has been another big improvement as I have had diabetes for 25 years and remember the days of no blood testing strips for home use and use the clinitest chemistry test equipment. The blood ketone test is great as it tells you what your body is doing now rather than what your body was doing. I have nothing but praise for my diabetes team my consultant and nurse have been very supportive to me especially over the past few years with pregnancies. I would not ever want to managed by me GP as I feel that I would not get the same level of care and support. I have a much more relaxed lifestyle now compared to when I was first diagnosed. I make sure that I regularly test my blood and ensure that I seek advice promptly if required. I carbohydrate count to work out my dose of insulin. I rule my diabetes rather than let my diabetes rule me. I play by the rules but do not dwell on things. I make sure I take responsilibilty for my body and what I do to it. I always ensure that I test before driving. I let people know I am diabetic just in case I need assistance and explain to them what they may have to do if I am hypo and not aware.
Rosie | 20/04/2007 14:06:00
I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes 7 years ago. Initially I found it an incredible shock as a single mother with a young child I had a great deal of difficulty coming to terms with it, though I think my biggest concern was always for my daughter, if I got it wrong that she might have to find me in a diabetic coma and be scared out of her mind. Thankfully I can now say that that has never happened yet and I hope to god it never will. I deal with it a lot better now, though I still have a lot of trouble trying to get my blood sugars right, I get incredibly fed up with the consultants who treat you like a child and patronize for not being able to get it right. One thing that I noticed a lot of people saying was that they dread ever having to inject insulin, I can honestly say that that really isn't so bad, so long as you change your needle regularly it doesn't hurt at all, in fact i find that the lancet used for checking your blood sugar is a lot more painfull. I have tried several different insulins but am now using novorapid 3 times a day and levimer at night, I am wanting to change this to twice a day to see if it helps improve my sugars I would be interested to hear if anyone else has tried this with good results
Nicky B | 20/04/2007 16:12:00
I have been an insulin dependent diabetic since 1989 (age of 20). Luckily I have always been very positive and although it sounds rather crazy, when I was first diagnosed I actually found it quite exciting (probably through relief as I had imagined all sorts of things to be wrong with me!)and spent hours boring everyone with all the details (friends, family, work colleagues). I have never had any problems and am a fitness fanatic which really helps me to manage my diabetes. I am really open about it to everyone I meet and I would love to have a job that involved supporting newly diagnosed young people (any ideas on how to get involved would be greatly appreciated!). I have moved a lot over the years so have experienced numerous GPs and hospitals. Norwich has a fantastic diabetic clinic and my current GP who specialises in diabetes is brilliant but I have also encountered some pretty miserable health professionals in my time (how do they get their jobs?). I use Novorapide (love it) and glargine. I can hoestly say I don't ever get down about my diabetes (although when first diagnosed I was told the time would come.....I am still waiting). I realise there are far worse conditions to be suffered. I look on it as a way to keep healthier than most - who else can get regular checks on blood pressure, cholesterol, kidneys, eyes, feet........ For those of you who do find it difficult to deal with at times and I'm sure there are many of you, a really good book (written in nice simple terms) is "Diabetes for dummies" - it has been great - not only for me but for those around me to understand a bit more about what it's like to live with diabetes.
robert | 20/04/2007 16:13:00
I have had diabetes for just over 3 years and I had expected it as two of my sisters, an uncle and my mum had it.I tried to stick to the diet ( my wife tried anyway!) but I was feeling lifeless all the time. In the end she gave up and said that I could eat whatever I liked. I know that sounds bad, but as soon as I started enjoying my food again, I wasnt feeling ill. I lost a lot of weight and keep drinking lots of water. I have to be near a toilet all the time, which does restrict where I go, but I am happier. The only problem I suffer with, which is a bit personal, is that I have constant infections on my foreskin. This is not very nice and it can make lovemaking very difficul. I was advised to be circumcised but because of the superbug in hospitals, I couldnt bear the thought of having it done. I suffer with anxiety as it is and they wanted me, if they couldnt fit me in in the morning, to stay overnight. I have never been away from my wife and just couldnt do it. I know one day that I will probably be on insulin and I am really scared. My mother died from complications from diabeties and she lived by the book, so what chance have I got? I have a very young wife and two children, who are at primary school and never want to leave them, expectially in death. I wish they could find a cure.
Ann | 20/04/2007 16:14:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabeties when it was first dicovered that I had Sleep Apnea after a silent heart attack in 2002. Thankfully, I have recovered from the Sleep Apnea and still control the diabeties thru my diet. I eat sensibly, i.e. low fat and 5 fruit and veg a day, and really feel good. I exersise by walking every weekend (unless the weather is too bad) and riding my bike whenever possible. The only problem that I have is my feet. The chiropadist is very good but I think I need to see him more often than once a month-or every six weeks. I can go to the chiropadist privately, but alas it is getting too expensive now that I cannot work. I also suffer with Angina. Really I think I need a new body!!! But I do quite well. I am 56 years of age and am looking forward to retirement with my long suffering better half.
Devonrose | 20/04/2007 16:15:00
I have been diabetic for about 18 months. At the moment it is controlled by diet only. Sometimes it is hard though because I am under my doctor with depression. I am trying to do more exercise and eat senseably but on occassions have slipped up. But on the whole I seem to be managing ok.
Marilyn Aldridge | 20/04/2007 16:18:00
I've been diabetic since aged 8 and a half,I took the news very badly,I couldn't hear properly as it had affected my hearing,as well as this I'd not been seperated from my mum before,then to be told I wasn't allowed sweets/chocolates/pop/ordinary squash/cakes, my world came crashing down on me,my bodily functions had stopped working I was given suppositories and had catheters inserted,I thought they were killing me at the hospital,my mum was the only thing keeping me going as she came to the hospital every day to visit and would even bring me a chicken dinner which was warmed up in the kitchen each night for me by the medical staff,I soon learned that saying one thing and doing another would get me what I wanted,I just wanted to be normal again,I started stealing sweets from the other children on the ward and managed to get away with it,when I left hospital I continued eating sweets as often as I could,sometimes taking them from shops and other times from people who didn't know I was a diabetic,I would even say I was hypo to have some sweeties,at school I had a teacher whom was diabetic and she always carried glucose sweets with her,over the years things went from bad to worse as I neglected my diabeties,a friend told me to seek help from a psychiatrist as I'd stolen some money from her so I did,I was described as having cleptomania as my condition had become uncontrollable,so went into a psychiatric hospital and was cured,then at 19 I met the man I would marry,he took illegal drugs but I wanted to do this too and continued the habit of smoking cigarettes since aged 13,at 38 I had a beautiful son and started having an over active thyroid called Graves Disease,this cleared itself after a while on carbimazole tablets but has since returned,I decided to change my lifestyle when things were noticably deteriorating with my partner and I,he was stealing money I'd kept for bills/food etc in order to feed his drug habit,I gave up smoking and taking illegal drugs,started going to the gym and divorced my husband as well as eating healthily,then I started getting breathless and went to the hospital as an emergency as I couldn't breath,my lung had filled up with fluid,the hospital drained the lung and sent me home then I got breathless again and had to have my other lung drained of fluid,I've gradually started exercising again and as well as eating 3-4 pieces of fruit a day and orange and green vegetables have been lowering my insulin intake,I do think that people in the medical proffession hold different views as in England my Diabetes Nurse allowed me to keep my blood sugar level around 3.5mmol whereas in Wales the Diabetes staff say that is too low and recommend keeping BMs above 4.mmol as well as this the hospitals no longer offer a diabetic diet on the wards and I had to complain to staff in order to get oats for my breakfast in order to avoid hypo's at lunch times.
Nicky B | 20/04/2007 16:27:00
For Mary Lovemore - I don't eat much meat, bread or dairy foods and manage to steer clear of cheese most of the time (although I absolutely love it - the stronger the better!). I eat a lot if beans, pulses, lentils and there are some great recipes for vegetable dishes in any of Carol Vordermans detox books. I fill up by eating my veg etc with brown rice, wholemeal pasta or a variety of potato dishes. If you cut back on how often you eat cheese, it will obviously be better for you cholesterol but think how much more you'll enjoy it when you do have it!
Dabbit | 20/04/2007 16:36:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1997 at the age of 37. After trying diet alone my regime moved up to tablets Metformin and another which I can't recall the name of. After the diet, and tablets have little effect I was put on insulin - where along with the metformin I have remained ever since. After some years of up's and down's my diabetes is fairly well controlled and my last HB1Ac results have all been around the 6.4 mark. With me, I had a refusal to accept my diagnosis - which obviously had problems with my control. However now that I have realised it is My condition my control is far better. I still eat chocolate bars once a week or so and know my limits - after all if I don't look after my body, why should anyone else?
Paul | 20/04/2007 16:37:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1997. The controlling of the diabetes through diet has never proved a problem. My main problem has been with hypertension. I use a 'Glucotrend 2' meter to check my blood sugars and a 'Seinex' full auto fuzzy logic meter to check my blood pressure. Both meters have proved reliable and accurate. I have never suffered a Hypo but do carry glucose just as a precaution. Medication for Diabetes. 80mg Gliclazide twice daily with food. Medication for hypertention. 10mg felodipine in the morning, 10mg Ramipril every night, 2.5mg Bendroflumethiazide every morning and 4mg Doxazosin every morning. 75mg Asprin every morning. For the control of cholesterol, 40mg Simvastatin every night. Because of the Simvastatin I also take 10mg Bio-Quinone Q10 as a food supplement. My local health centre gives me 2 checks per year with a qualified Diabetic nurse, where my blood is taken and laboratory tested. My feet are checked for sensitivity and pulse checked in 4 places on the foot so as to ensure blood supply to the feet is not a problem.
Dabbit | 20/04/2007 16:38:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1997 at the age of 37. After trying diet alone my regime moved up to tablets Metformin and another which I can't recall the name of. After the diet, and tablets have little effect I was put on insulin - where along with the metformin I have remained ever since. After some years of up's and down's my diabetes is fairly well controlled and my last HB1Ac results have all been around the 6.4 mark. With me, I had a refusal to accept my diagnosis - which obviously had problems with my control. However now that I have realised it is My condition my control is far better. I still eat chocolate bars once a week or so and know my limits - after all if I don't look after my body, why should anyone else?
Jayne R (Peterborough) | 20/04/2007 16:47:00
I was diagnosed as having Impaired Glucose Tolerance 2½ years ago after mentioning to my doctor that my hair seemed to be thinning on the top of my head. (I’m female by the way, so not normal “male” hair problems) I’d been visiting for a long time with anxiety and agoraphobia, plus depression and general panic disorder, and felt that anything I mentioned to them was just dismissed as being part of my stress symptoms. I have been on some sort of tranquilliser or another since I was 15 years old, I am now 38. Anyway the issue here is diabetes, not my mental health so will quit waffling! I had spoken about feeling a deep tiredness that seemed to come from my bones, also about feeling shaky, confused and weak with cold sweats if I got hungry, plus had gained weight until I was 18 stone. I am 5ft 8 so can take a little extra weight but that was ridiculous! My doctor dismissed all the symptoms as being part of my agoraphobia/depression/anxiety, and told me to drink a glass of cola when I felt shaky. This was a disaster as I’m sensitive to caffeine and ended up lying awake at nights “buzzing” from the stimulant effect. So I then added lack of sleep to my list of symptoms. When I stopped drinking the cola, I found that I would get so sleepy that in the afternoon I’d go and lie down, usually around 1.30pm, and wouldn’t wake until around 6.30pm, and still have a good nights sleep. When the doctor finally tested my glucose levels they said I had IGT, or Pre-Diabetes and said it could be controlled with a change of diet. I switched fried food for grilled or steamed. I eat chicken and salad instead of KFC with chips, and eat more fruit, also loads of steamed veg. I also started doing Tai Chi, which I find brings my stress levels down, thus brings my blood sugar levels down too. I’ve lost 3 stone in weight since being first diagnosed, and when I test my glucose levels now it ranges from around 5.4 mmol instead of 11 mmol that it was on the day I had my test at the hospital (after that yucky glucose drink they gave me!) When its “high” for me its still only around 6.7 so isn’t really anything drastic. Aftercare from the GP has been almost nil, its been very much a case of “we’ve told you what you’ve got and now its up to you to deal with it” apart from two appointments with the diabetes nurse. As far as caring for diabetes myself, okay I admit going shopping takes a little longer while I check the labels, but apart from that, with a little thought and care, its not too bad. In fact I’d say its one of the best things that’s happened to me. It was a wake up call to remind me to take care of myself, and I do tend to stand up for myself more. There are still those who say words to the effect of “well its self inflicted, everybody knows type 2 diabetes is brought on by bad diet and obesity” I give them a sharp reminder that anybody can develop a condition (I refuse to call it An Illness) and that unless they are a complete and utter expert on it, they should keep quiet. Diabetes isn’t a life sentence, it’s a chance to change!
Chrissie in Belgium | 20/04/2007 16:50:00
I don't at all mind telling you of my life with diabetes T1; I have a blog about diabetes with address http://chrissieinbelgium.blogspot.com , and it was at my blog that you contacted me. i have had diabetes since october 1962. I was 10 years old when I became diabetic. I lived then in New York. I was well educated at the Joslin Clinic where I stayed for 1 week. What they taught me there has been helpful all my life , all during the 45 years I have now had D. I later moved to Sweden where I had two children and neither are diabetic. Only I am diabetic in the entire family - thank goodness! The births were difficult b/c I had to spend lmong periods in the hospital since back then it was difficult for diabetics to have kids. Since I have had Ds o long I remember Clinitest and huge glass syringes, etc. Two and 1/2 years ago I began using an insulin pump and my management is much, much better. Previously I tried and tried to be a goood diabetic, I NEVER hid that I was diabetic, but I felt that I always failed. Sometimes I would just give up completely. So although I have VERG good management now, most of my life it was not well managed, with HbA1c in the 8s or higher. Right before I got the pump iI worked very hard and got it to 7.5! NOw I usually have HbA1c in the 5s! I am proud of what I have achieved and this has made me like myself after always dislikning myself for being such a failure! Before I was always chubby and hungry. After getting the pump I became thin and I am rarely hungry. I am not hungry when my bg values are stable around 80-100. I am hungry when the bg falls rapidly and when it is high. I use a Cozmo pump now. Originally I started with a Htron+ by Distronic. I use Humalog insulin. I test with Abbott's Precision Exceed - which also tests for ketones in the blood. This is the ONLY bg monitor that also checks for ketones. It is VERY useful to check for ketones when you have a pump b/c sometimes the site doesn't work properly and then you get no insulin at all. You do not use any long acting insulin. As a result ketones can develop quickly and this makes me feel HORRIBLE! Afterwards when the ketones disappear I get terrible hypos and twice ended up in the hospital as a result. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCES! I wish more research was done into the effects of ketones on diabetics. When you have ketones in your blood you are more resistant to insulin and need more insulin than usual. This affects me even at low levels pf 0.2-0.5 mmol/liter of ketones in the blood. Exercise also causes ketones sometimes and then your bg values are harder to predict. It is expensive to test for ketones, so you do not do it all the time. However if you know you have ketones you also know that you will need more insulin than usual to get your bg values down so it is important information. I check my bg 10-15 timer per day! I even wake up 1-2 times every night to check. I try to aim for a bg value of 80mg/dl. This is very tight control and I have hypoglycemia unawareness. If my bg drops quickly I may feel it. I can go down to 30 mg/dl before maybe I know it is a hypo! I am very densitive to insulin. My total daily dose is 14-16 units. My basal insulin is only 5.2 units. What is great about the pump is that you can measure small amount accurately. I LOVE my pump, but the screen is not that easy to read and the carry case really sucks. I always wear my pump clipped upside-down on my jeans belt. In this way any bubbles that might occur when the temperature changes (for example on a hot summer day) and bubbles form will remain in the cartridge and not get into the infusion line. Europeans do NOT get the service that Americans get with help for the Cozmo pump! I am not offered the upgrade or their new pump case. This seems unjust to me!!!! PLEASE pump makers think of those people who use very small amounts of insulin. And the design of insulin pumps could be improved. This is not necessary but it sure would be nice! I am very sensitive to proteins and fat. Everyone just talks about counting carbs and giving insulin for the carbs eaten. NOTHING or little is said about the fact that proteins and fat also raise our bg values, and often in an erratic manner. More research please. With the pump I achieve very good results BUT it also demands a lot. I have to test my bg a lot. I have to carefully log all mu bg values, food consumed , exercise taken and stress or illness. Just about everything affects D! To better understand the patterns I see on my llog charts I have chosen to eat the same breakfast and lunch everyday. For dinner I eat a very small protein and lots of "free-vegetables". I must give insulin for even the "free vegetables". I cannot eat a large portion of protein(low fat) b/c then my bg values may rise unpredictably when I sleep. I have noticed that if the bg value on awakening is good it is easier to keep the rest of the day's values level. II walk a lot to get exercise - no escalators or elevators for me. I take 2-3 hour walks at least twice a week. Real competitive sports are very hard for me to manage. Ketiones arise and bg values get erratic. I have tried everything. ... I have read books, but in the final analysis you have to see what happens in your own body after exercise b/c each diabetic reacts differently to food, insulin , stress, exercise - you name it! I think diabetes has to be basically managed by th diabetic himself after a thorough education, but sometimes we need to talk to sommeone and way to often I feel docotors lack the time and knowledge to help me! For years I did not have a pump b/c my diabectic endocrinologist at that time said that a pump offered NOTHING!!! This was WRONG WRONG WRONG! Wasted years! I have very few complications - I think I am lucky!! I have had lasers in both eyes and a vitrectomy in one eye. I have macularr edema but it is a result of poor previous management and now my eyes have no bleeding although the bubbles remain! AGAIN poor info from a doctor - my opthmologist back in the 80s did not believe in lasers! AGAIN POOR TREATMENT! I have two frozen shoulders, but they do not hurt. I have low thyroid, and thus take medications for that. Two toes on each feet feel a little fuzzy, but no pain. My kidneys are totally fine. My blood pressure is 50/100. Before the pump it was much higher. My cholesterol values are great - LDL is 31, HDL 85, Triglycerides 51 and total cholesterol 126. I take Lipitor, but only 5mg/day b/c it has other microvascular benefits beyond lowering cholesterol. I also take a low value aspirin.I take Tillcotil off and on when my joints hurt. Also I take Movicol b/c I am often constipated - probably I have some gastrparesis since my vagus nerve doesn't function. What else did you ask? I believe that more research should be done on how our emotions are changed by high and low bg values. I am SO unhappy when my bg values are high. This is really detrimental for good management - I just want to throw everything out the window! I believe that there is a physiological explanation for my terrible moods at high bg levels. I would also like to know more about the ADVANTAGES of human analog insulin. I think it is bad that C-peptide is NOT included in any of the currently available insulins. Perhaps these analog insulins are contributing to my hypo unawareness! There is so much we don't understand about this disease - let alone cure it. Patients cannot be blamed for poor management - we need more help!
peterj | 20/04/2007 17:01:00
To those who are scared of injecting, the message os DON'T BE. It really is not a problem. After 13 years diet and tablets I was apprehensive of injections, but had to need to be in any way frightened. Four injections a day, either in the stomach or in either thigh are no problem at all - I find that nearer to the belly-button is least likely to cause any feeling at all from inserting the needle.
John Simmonds | 20/04/2007 17:02:00
I have been a type 1 diabetic since the age of 35 years I did not consider myself an overeater I was not a keep fit fanatic and worked a two shift pattern ie 0600 hrs to 1400 hrs and 1400 hrs to 2200hrs so my food intake regime was a bit disjointed but my family history relates to the larger type of person and so far my father and one neice have succembed to type 1 Diabetes My blood sugar control is not perfect but I do try to maintain a reasonable level I do take Simvastatin to keep my cholesterol in line and I also have to take a blood pressure tablet every day ie:-Rampirin 10Mg I find that people are slowly starting to realize that Diabetes is becoming a worldwide Problem.
Maureen Hodrien | 20/04/2007 17:07:00
I have been an insulin dependent diabetic since Nvember 1969. I have gone through trials and tribulations but have come out at the end stronger. I have 4 injections a day at the moment, but in the next few months I am going on a course called DAPHNE (dose adjustment for normal eating) which means I have two long acting insulin injections per day plus a quick acting insulin injection each time I eat. You go on this course for five days and have doctors, nurses and dietitians with you all the way. I am now aged 62 and have been injecting myself since I was 25, but this has not stopped me from doing normal things in my life. I go for regular check-ups at my local hospital (every four months) and like everything I have my ups and downs like everyone else, but the help is always there for me. It is up to you yourself to try and keep stable and keep off foods you are not supposed to have but a little of everything does you good I say.
bev willows | 20/04/2007 17:28:00
i have been diabetic for around 7 years i am 46 yrs old , i take metformin 3 times a day an asprin and bendroflurizize for blood pressure i have also started having vertigo. i am over weight and nothing i do seems to move it , i am having weight loss surgery soon
W Leslie Roberts | 20/04/2007 17:53:00
I have known that I have Type 2 Diabetes for about 4 years. It was originally missed because I was being treated for other conditions ans the drugs had a side effect of making the mouth dry. A symptom of diabetes. It was only when I mentioned that my father had suffered from it that I was tested. Whilst my diabetes is now resonably well controlled I have unfortunately developed Kidney problems although at the moment my Kidneys are working at 20%. There is a need for doctors to check people with the symptoms no matter what else they are being treated for.
Jim Steele | 20/04/2007 18:02:00
My doctors found I had diabetes type 1 (non-insulin dependent - I often get types 1 & 2 confused) when testing my blood for myelitis about 15 years ago now. For several years I did nopt take my diabetes seriously but since the dosage my tablets (Gliclazide and Avandia) has had to be increased and I am now going on to Metformin (which I could not tolerate 1st time round but have been advised to try again due to high Hb1c readings) and also because I have had leg circulatory problems due to my existing back problems and operations I am now having to take my diabetes much more seriously. I do feel that I possibly misunderstand what I should and should not eat such as - can I have some desserts because I am taking the medication or should I have none whatsoever? This is always a dilemma for me. I am also very annoyed with the food industry as a whole for they have all sorts of food with low fat but seldom have low sugar foods plus those low fat desserts often contain more sugar than usual to offset the taste difference due to the lower fat element. Where are the lobbyists for diabetic sufferers??
gordon palmer | 20/04/2007 19:07:00
i have been diabetic since 1980 the job i do makes it dificult to take my insulin at the time i should is their nothing out their to help with this problem
slytherin63 | 20/04/2007 20:02:00
I was diagnosed as type 2 in 1999. Initially I was diet only but that only lasted for 6 months before I was started on Metformin. When the dose of Met was increased it began to have drastic gastric effects on me so it was cut down and I was started on Gliclazide as well, this was better but my diabetes still wasnt brilliantly controlled even when I stuck religiously to a healthy diet. In 2003 I was started on 2 injections of Novomix a day plus the Met, and I felt so much better, although the thought of injecting myself was a scary one, but I overcame that. In 2005 I was started on 4 injections a day, 3 of Novorapid and 1 insulatard at night plus the Met. This combination has worked much better for me, although the dr asked if I would up the metformin last year and as usual it upset my tummy, so I asked if I could juggle with the Met to find a dose that suited me, so I am quite happy on an 850mg of Met and a 500mg of Met. When I was first diagnosed the diabetic unit that looked after me had sessions for newly diagnosed diabetics, where we all told how we were diagnosed, how to check blood glucose, nutrition etc... then later you saw the dietician and the dr. I know what the ramifications of diabetes are as i am a qualified nurse and during the time I was nursing went on diabetes courses etc... plus I worked on an amputee rehab unit where a great majority of patients were diabetics. Even though I know what results can happen if I dont take control of my diabetes, sometimes I really wish it would go away and have had times where I havent taken my insulin, but I am back on track and my HbA1c was 6.9% at my last vist. I see my diabetic dr and the nurse roughly every 3 - 4 months, i have my eyes checked at the opticians once a year and by the hospital once a year, and a podiatrist checks my feet once a year as well. I have good days and bad days it is only human. The thing I find hard is when you come down with something you feel 100x worse than if you didnt have diabetes as it mucks up your sugars... I dont hide that I am diabetic and am not ashamed of it either. I went into hospital with chest pain and that is how they found out I was diabetic through my blood test results. I then went for a GTT and they tested my urine and took one blood sample and came back to e and said, we dont have to carry on any further with the test as the sugar in your urine was off the scale and your blood sample shows you are a diabetic.. As my dieticians have said to me before, you can eat a healthy diet but a little of what you fancy won't hurt you in moderation. I added a chromium supplement to my tons of meds, and have found that it has really taken away any sugar cravings that I had. Dont let injections scare you, I know I was as I thought they would hurt, but 99% of the time I don't even feel the needle. I also have high cholesterol and take simvastatin 40mg, and high blood pressure and take tablets for that as well, plus meds for angina.
yorkie841 | 20/04/2007 21:25:00
seems we all have to make the best of whatever hand we have been dealt.Me I continue to do the lotto who knows one day I might win the big one.God bless us all.
Teresa | 20/04/2007 21:34:00
A month before I turned 50 (October 1998) I went to my local doctor to visit a well woman clinic. She decided to do all sorts of tests and one of these came back as positive that I have diabetes type 2. (My family on both sides had late onset diabetes and my elder sister since has been diagnosed as diabetic.) I had no previous symptoms and, in fact, when I was diagnosed my blood sugar level was only 9. I was told to try and control it through diet but within two weeks it had gone up to double figures of 15 / 16. So immediately I was put on Metformin. (I can’t remember the first dosage but possibly 250mg twice a day.) I regularly see a nurse, have my eyes and feet tested and have blood tests every six months. However, over the past four years my dosage seems to have gone up quite a lot. I am now on Avandamet – a tablet that is made up of 1000mg Metformin and 2mg Rosiglitazone three times a day, plus one Gliclazide 80mg a day. The last blood test showed that I had gone up, on average, from 7 to a reading of an average of 10 – that was when I was put on the Gliclazide. (I now have to go back in three months time, rather than six – in June – to see if the extra tablet has helped.) It was also found that my cholesterol was 5 and so I have been put on Pravastatin Sodium 10mg once a day. I am about to try the GL way of life diet and hope this will help me lose weight, help control my diabetes and lower my cholesterol. We shall see!
brian henderson | 20/04/2007 21:58:00
i have type 2 diabetes i was disgnosed when i had a mild stroke funny really , my mum had diabetes and believed i would never get it but there you go. i manage it (badly) with tablets and my readings are always between 6 and 11 eben though i still do all the bad things i shouldnt but not as much as i used to :). maybe one day ill be on insulin maybe not but as and when it happens it happens.but whatever happens i decided i would control it and it would not control me :)
Izzy | 20/04/2007 22:14:00
I was diaganosed with type II diabetes in about 2000 by accident while changing G.P surgeries and having the routine check up to join. I havent been well with other problems since i was young and so feeling unwell all the time wasnt anything diffrent from normal. I currently control my diabetes with diet and tablets, i have 1000-1500mg of Metformin a day. This seems to be working well and i have regular check ups with the diabetic nurse, chiropodist and optician. I have been dieting for the last year with the help of a dietician and xenical diet pills and have lost 5 stone with has helped the diabetes a lot. I feel in regards to the diabetes, i can still live my life to the full and as long as im careful with my diet and take my tablets i hardly notice it is there a lot of the time. I know at some point down the line i may need to have insulin injections, but when that day comes at least i am already prepared for it. Lets hope it is a long way down the track yet.
little john | 20/04/2007 22:23:00
52 year old type 2 diabetic controlled with tablets and diet. was diagnosed approx 3 years ago after being admitted to hospital with severe cellulitus, this was a big shock and i am still getting my head round it, my G.P. is very understanding but does not seem to be able to answer my questions, i find the diabetic nurse practitioner and the dietetics department at my local hospital very understanding and extremly helpful in answering my questions and helping me to change my lifestyle to accomodate my diabetes, approximately 6 months ago i enrolled in the local leisure centre and now attend the gym there on 2 days, i am instructed by one of four fitness instructors each time i attend and they stay with me advising me and monitoring me all the time i am working out. the gym definately helps with my condition and also keeps my weight in check.
Jo | 20/04/2007 22:38:00
I am 38 years old and have had type two diabetes for about 18 months. I control it with diet - quite well I hope! I have had an underactive thyroid for five years, and one of the things they tell you to expect is diabetes type two. It was during a routine blood test that diabetes was found. I have always been fit and active with a healthy diet - and never overweight so how can diabetes type two be caused by an unhealthy diet and being overweight? This stereotype really annoys me as it can affect anyone! I am worried about the complications diabetes can cause - my grandad died after having his legs amputated due to diabetes. I am also worried that I will have to go on tablets - I already take levothyroxine 150mcg (for hypothyroid), co-codamol and ibuprofen as needed for the pain I have in my arms legs and back. Worse than that, what happens when I need to inject? The thought of this terrifies me, I say 'when' because the nurse says that it happens to everyone eventually. I am living my life the way I always have - with slight adjustments to my diet. I will not let diabetes make a difference to who I am and what I do - it is something which will have to live with me!!
Ann | 21/04/2007 02:16:00
I have had type 11 diabetes for about 4 yrs. I started on tablets and now use 3x500 metformin plus 2x 38 novomix 30 insulin, this is in a preloaded pen form and consists of quick release and slow release insulin pen form is very easy to use and carry about when away from home. Being diabetic does affect my day to day living but only in a small way. I have put on weight, which I'm finding difficult to loose and its complicated by other health issues. This weight problem is the major concern for me because I'm sure the diabetes would be improved greatly by some loss. I am mostly managed by my health centre diabetic nurse. Testing of my sugar levels is with the freestyle mini which i tend to use only now and again unless I think I have a problem but my levels are very stable now. I would prefer not to be diabetic because you are treated differently for insurance, driving licence and when having operations, which it complicates, but you just have to get on with it. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and I am still having surgery for it, so in comparison diabetes is minor.
sammy j | 21/04/2007 04:15:00
My mum was diabetic. So from an early age a lerned about the condition. Back then they used glass syringes and you had to mix insulins. Later as I got older my grandfather developed the condition. As I grow up around the condition my mum constantly tested for the illness. She believed it was something that ran in the family. Back then for a child blood testing was scary. Then on one occasssion I was visiting my mum and she did a routnie blood check. My levels were high so she advised me to contact my local GP. I was never sent for a glucose tolerence test. Just asked to fast and blood were taken. I remember calling the practice and been told by the receptionist that I was not diabetic. Only later to be called by a nurse that I was. My condition was controled by diet alone. A couple of years later i became pregnant. I must admitt things had changed from my mum day. Were pregnant diebetics spent most of their pregnantcies in hospital. I asked how I know I was diabetic if I had never had a glucotolerence test. The sent for one. I was put on insulin 4 times a day. Whilst pregnant my mum died aged just 49! So as you can imagine Diabeties scared me. The thought i may die young. After I had my baby I kept in contact with my diebetic consultant at the hospital who advised I should start taking metformin 3 times aday. I was eventually signed off but advised that when I decided on another baby to get in contactas I may need to be on insulin before I concieved. So I did. Although as my diebetes was controled I was told to continue with Metformin but to contact the consultant when pregnant to go onto injections. I am now 9 weeks pregnant. I concived in months rather than years. I feel more incontrol. In the 3 years since I last used insulin things have changed slightly for the better. You dont have to woory about it been mied right. I on 3 novarapid and 1 levermir a day. I test 4 times aday 1 before breakfast, and an hour after each meal. You do have to be strict when pregnant as hormones can bring blood sugars up and down at the drop of a hat. But my diabetic nurse from the hospital call one a week and we told through any problems and there always someone there to help answer any questions.
Bev | 21/04/2007 14:46:00
I have Type 2 diabetes and have had it for about 5 years its controlled very nicely with Metformin. When I was pregnant with my last child I had type 1 diabetes and had to inject 3 times a day after he was born I was no longer a diabetic, I think I still was but the doctors didn't check and now I am a type 2,don't ask me how or why it can change from one to another.
margaret b | 21/04/2007 23:04:00
i was diagnosed some 16yrs ago quite by accident.i was rushed into hospital with suspected heart attack,which turned out to be angina,following a blood test the consultant told me that i was diabetic.it came as a complete suprise as the only other diabetic in my family was a cousin,sadly departed now.it has been very difficult at times as i have quite afew other health issues which can influence my blood sugars.i am finding it hard now more than ever to achieve good results,when i was first diagnosed, once i accepted the fact,i threw myself into doing all i could possibly do to keep my numbers level,now it seems like the older i get the more difficult it gets.i have neuropathy in one of my toes on my right foot also in my left ankle.i take 4mg rosiglitazon in the morning with4mg repaglinide,then just 4mg repaglinide 30mins before food.my gp is very good with me and my diabetic nurse is wonderful,they keep me on my toes.i do get frustrated and down at times.i also have high blood pressure which i take ramipril 7.5mg a day which is also used for the early stages of diabetic kidney problems,i have been showing signs of this too.at times i just want to,well never mind.lets pray for a cure to be found very soon.
teresa | 23/04/2007 00:34:00
i have had diabetes for 2 years and i have been to the docs this week and been told my sugar levels are just over 7, and they are going to moniter me for next three months to see if i have to go with the insulin i am really worried about whats going to happen when im put on insulin i would love to be informed the whys and why nots of what will happen .
Anthony | 23/04/2007 07:48:00
I am 73 years old and have had type 2 diabetes. It was confirmed some 20 years ago and I have been through the realms of diet and tablets, exercise and what ever. So far I have not got to the Insuline stage. AS far as I can from my own experience report that the best way to "survive" is to do what you are told and keep "taking the Tablets" give the sugar the shuve, and act responsibly. Do not be fearful of the disease, as this gets you no where. JUST BE SENSIBLE.
Mary Lovemore | 23/04/2007 15:31:00
I have been a diabetic 25 years and coping well the only thing I have problems with is diet as i am vegetarian and the vegetarian food you can buy as lots of spices in which i find hard to digest. does anyone else have that problem?
William Daglish | 23/04/2007 21:24:00
I hate being a diabetic, the medication has made me feel worse so I stopped it all for 2 years. Now retakeing half of the previous amount of tablets.
jakethewriter | 24/04/2007 14:58:00
I am 70 years old ex Special Forces and a former Outward Bound Instructor. I discovered that I had type 2 diabetes some 18 years ago while on a mountain expetition. I had to inject insulin from the start but in the main manage to keep in balance with a fairly active and healthy lifestyle. A couple of years ago my reradings went haywire and I was told that I had become insulin immune. My insulin was changed after a few trial runs and now take less insulin than before. In the main because my lovely wife insists on a rigid medication regime and I always do as I am told by her, I live a normal life and am fitter than most 70 year old men that I know. Don't let it rule your life
John G | 24/04/2007 15:05:00
I have been injecting insulin for around 18 years and currently follow 3 fast acting insulin and a night time slow acting insulin regime. Before I went onto insulin I was on Metformin and Chloropropamide, but the mood swings caused by the Metformin were almost catastrophic (Scotty, you need to get serious with the doctorsover the mood swings, they will not go away if they are being caused by the Metformin. Persist with telling the doctors and nurses, they will actin the end, but you may end up on insulin). I was left with that choice. Firstgym, like you I was terrified at the prospect of injecting insulin as I hate needles. I asked a doctor what would happen if I didn't take it, he said "You'll die slowly and bits of you will fall off". I immediately injected for the first time and haven't looked back. Within a few weeks I was back playoing football (at the age of 31 and continued to play till I was 44) I am now 48 and still don't like needles, but I'm alive and reasonably fit. Yes, I had plenty of ups and downs and a few injuries caused by collapsing with hypos, but nowadays am very steady. I am glad that I am around now and not in my grandmothers time, I still have her insulin syringes, believe me, they are like knitting needles, the thought of injecting with them would have been terrifying. To all, keep the faith and good luck and good health to everyone.
Philippa Seaton | 24/04/2007 15:05:00
I've been a diabetic injecting insulin for forty years now and I really don't know what all the fuss is about. The trick is to make your diabetes fit your life, not your life fit your illness. I can honestly say that compared to my non-diabetic friends I've had a really normal life with no more problems than the next person and compared to how it was when I became diabetic, aged 9, the treatment these days is a breeze.
Jackie Turner | 24/04/2007 15:39:00
My blood sugar is quite good generally. My big problem is glucose intolerance so I concentrate on eating well and avoiding anything with sugar. I also avoid fatty food of any sort.
Karen | 24/04/2007 15:48:00
Diagnosed with type two diabetes four years ago, given a diet sheet and blood monitor and sent on my way, I have done a lot of reading about diabetes recently had extremly high blood readings over 20mmol so did lots of tests and tried hard on the diet to bring the levels down, was told off for using too many testing strips and the GP has now witheld them from me until I have another blood test, I feel punished for being a diabetic. I was told by the nurse at the surgery that I do not need to use so many tests with high blood glucose and that I shouildn't monitor my diabetes as much, I don' know what to do as I was sure I was told along the way to do more tests if blood is high, I was told anything over 10 is high and to try and keep blood at 10mmol others have said between 5 and 7 mmol. I am so confused about all this, I lost two stone and still losing gradually, I have a lot of weight to lose. I feel quite depressed about my care with the diabetes as I have really just been left to my own devices, I also have a daughter who has learning disabilities and could have chromosome 22 deletion, just finding things hard to cope with, tried all sorts of alternative remedies the only thing that really worked for me was cinnamon and moderate exercise no one has mentioned any medication, the cinnamon and walking exercise put my bloods to between 5 and 7 mmol. I have a very supportive partner but I just feel left to sort myself out, I feel abandoned by the very people who should and could be helping me to help myself.
SANDRA DAVIES | 24/04/2007 16:24:00
I have been a diabetic since the age of 18 months. It was quite a shock to my parents at the time as diabetes then was nowhere near as well advanced and informative as it is today. I am now 44 years of age and have never known a life without injections or diet rules. Although diabetes is a serious and can be life threatning condition, common sense and a positive attitude are a must if you want to live as close a life as "normal". I went through a pahse as a teenager of trying to totally ignore the fact that i had diabetes. i just wanted to be like everyone else, eating when I wanted and drinking as much as my non-diabetic friends. Sometimes a little over the top but there you are, you live and learn. i am not perfect and never have been. After suffering retinopathy in 1987 at the age of 26 i realized that I had to try and be more informed about my diabetes if I wanted to avoid other complications. After a course of laser treatment, I lost a lot of vision in my right eye but fortunately kept most o the vision in my left. The haemmorages I suffered before the laser treatment made me realize just what it would be like to be blind and from that day on I have tried to alter my lifestyle to preserve the sight I have left and prevent any other complications from developing. I don`t want sympathy and hate people fussing! I just want to get on with my life and enjoy it as well as I can. My worst thing is the comments that people make such as "Oh, you`re a diabetic and you`re not allowed anything with sugar in". Pity the public wasn`t a bit better informed!
Rebecca | 24/04/2007 16:27:00
I have type 2 diabetes. I have had it for about 5 years now.It was a shock to find that out. I have always loved sweets but i had to stop eating them. I still eat them sometimes but if feel guilty because i know i should not do it. You read about diabetes causing kidney damage and blindnes and you are more prone to have a heart attack and stroke. I know it is a very seious disease and i should manage it better than what i do. I take metformin twice a day. My a1c levels are pretty good. Sometimes they are higher than others. I know it is the way i eat sometimes. I joined curves for women and exercise 3 times a week and that really helps keep my sugar down. I do not check my sugar as often as i should. At least i do not have to take insulin shots. My stepdad has diabetes and has to take 3 shots a day. So it is something you have to take care of and try not to let it get out of control. I am resentful sometimes that i have the condtion but i deal with it the best i can.
claire Hambleton | 24/04/2007 17:26:00
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 9. My father already had diabetes so it was picked up quite early. I don't tend to monitor my sugars too much, i know that i am running risks with high sugars but find the constant monitoring too depressing. I'm now 32 and my diet is better than what it used to be, although i have an under-active thyroid and have to take statins for slightly high cholesterol levels. I have a four year old son and had a few problems in the later stages of pregnancy with him. I was given lots of information about how to control my diabetes when i was first diagnosed, but when i moved to London felt that there wasn't much in the way of updated information widely available. i am relieved to see that other diabetics get bad low blood sugar symptoms and mood swings, i thought i was the only one!!!
Clubber | 24/04/2007 17:58:00
Let me start with a potentailly contensious point: It seems to me that there are three groups of people who are diabetic: Group A are those with a genetic disposition to have an inadequate pancreas. These are classic 'Type 1's.' and the generally develop the condition whailt they are young. Group B is the small group who lose the ability to produce sufficient insulin at some point in their life, probably as a result of some illness. Sometimes they are called 'Type 1 and a half' (beacuse they rely on injected insulin to live). Group C are those where their diabetic state is often the result of their lifestyle – notably: poor diet, becoming overweight and taking too little exercise; most 'Type 2's, I believe, fall into this category (some of this group use insulin, but most are treated by diet, exercise and tablets). As a member of "Group B", I don't want to appear self-righteous. But I have always lived a healthy and active life (my diet and my weight has hardly changed in over 40 years). I just have to cope with the fact that I've needed to take insulin for the last 20 odd years to supplement my body's own production (I am now 59). I've never had to modify my diet: I just eat sensibly and regularly. Luckily I started taking insulin when the "fast acting insulin with food + long lasting insulin once a day" regime was coming in; so I've always been able to manage my condition to fit my life and never (conciously) at least had to adjust my life to fit my condition. Maybe I'm very lucky, but this condition has never stopped me doing anything. I've taken up skiing and competitve kayaking, undertaken 60mile bike rides, etc, since developing diabetes; and I can still go clubbing and danec all night with as much energy as people half my age. Indeed – if anything – my condition has probably made me healthier by enabling me to see doctors and nurses regularly and encouraging me to maintain my active life. Clearly diabetes is a growing problem, but it's mainly Type 2 that's growing, and I am a bit concerned that the ensuing discussion fails to recognise those for whom diabetes is not a result of their lifestyle, but simply a problem that has to be coped with. There is – I fear – a risk that everyone with diabetes may be seen to have a self-inflicted condition. I don't wish to be unsympathetic, but let's recognise there are several reasons why people are in this club. My final thought is that whilst I have found time to submit this contribution don't expect me to be frequent reader of this blog - diabetes is just one small part of my life and I have much more interesting things to do than worry about my condition.
jane | 24/04/2007 18:07:00
i am diabetic, and have been for 15 years now, (found out when i was 29), but i had no symptems, i was overweight and went to the nurse for a diet. had a urine test, and doc found sugar in my urine. had to go to hospital for glucose tolerance test. my level was 14, so was tried on diet for 18 months, it worked, but then needed tablets 1/2 tab day of gliclazide. was on that for 10 years before going on metformin. now on 3x850 metformin and 2mg avandia. hba1c has been 7.5 for last 2 years. i have lost 2 stone in 2 years (11.8) to 9.7. i feel as though i have been lucky by not yet going onto insulin.
Johnpaul | 24/04/2007 18:42:00
I was diagnosed with Diabetes about three years ago, i went to the doctors and was asked to give a urine sample. iwas told there and then, i recieved no counselling and didnt realise what it meant. i have since changed doctors, i have an annual check of my eyes, but i have been waiting mearly 18 months to see a foot specialist, as i have a fungal infection. when people are told that they have a life threatening condition, they should recieve counselling and informed of the consequences. i was on tablets, but now i have to inject Novarapid 3 times a day, and a dose of Glargine at night. its nice to alk to others who have this unfortunate illness, because we can share our experiences and also learn by our mistakes. thanks Johnpaul.
maggie Grant | 24/04/2007 19:41:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1994. Following unsuccesfully managing the condition with tablets I went on to Insulin Human Mixtard) and I inject twice daily. I also have Metformin and a simvastatin and a blood pressure pill. I find that keeping to this regime I manage to maintain good control. I feel well and don't make too much fuss about having diabetes. I am in good company. This is a serious condition but it is of little use complaining - life goes on, after all, if you don't look after yourself you won't be here very long!
sean dentith | 24/04/2007 20:22:00
i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about a year ago. it was a bit of a shock at first but you learn to cope.it just seems that everytime i go to the doctors im given more medication and it can be very depressing
Nigel | 24/04/2007 21:26:00
I have type 2 diabetes, I was diagnosed about 7 years ago by accident. At the time I thought I was dying because my life was a nightmare of migraine headaches being sick on my knees for hours and feeling out of sorts and flu. My immune system must have been vey low at this stage. Finally I was disgnosed by a practice nurse who said 'Have we ever given you a diabetes test?' and found a suger level of 28! Now life is livable and through the use of tablets, diet and exercise I now have a reasonable degree of control over the problem. It was amazing that I remained undiagnosed for so long, but I'm glad that help came when it did. Like most others who have the condition I resent it but I'm determined to enjoy my life and live the best way around the incidents of depression that I suffer. My wife is a great support to me with her careful catering and dietary help. It's a pity though that for so many years I lived a poor life through non diagnosis so I actively support any campaign that promotes diagnosis
jamesarre | 24/04/2007 21:33:00
Oh dear, What a sad lot we are! Firstly the organisers of this 'blog' page. Why oh why did you have to slavishly follow the yankee sheep when giving a title to this news page? Why not call it, for want of a better word just 'Dlog'. 'D' signifying the message content,being about Diabetes, then 'log' or better stil 'letter'. so now we could have 'dletter'. Much more original, don't you think? So, back to the Diabetes part of my letter. I was diagnosed when having been rushed to Hospital with a suspected Heart Attach/ Yes It was a Heart Attach, plus I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes and a 25% functioning Kidney. Diabetes had been in the family for several years, but I had not shown any symtimes, and I was not a great sweet weater. Prefering the savoury types of food rasther than the sweet. My diagnosis was just over 5 years ago and since then I've started to lose partial sensation in both hands, the fingers themselves mainly, and quite severe loss of sensation in both feet. In fact they are sometimes like dragging two lupms of wood around, instead of feet. As a consiquence I have to be very careful of my feet, examining them ever morning and night ande also applying moisturising cream regularly, as not only have i lost feeling but also the blood flow to each foot has been quite severely compromised. Causing the skin of both lower legs to become very flakey and discoloured. All this in just 5 years, so you can well understand how and why so many diabetics loose one or both lower limbs, as the desease progresses. As I commented earlier, I'm a type 2 diabetic, but also supplimenting my 'Gliclaside' tablets with a small 'Insultard' injection each evening. Are the researchers any closer to finding a release from this debilitating complaint ?
Chris Chattaway. | 24/04/2007 22:52:00
.I am nearly 52 years old, have type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed in march 2005. My blood/sugar at the time was between 25 -- 35. I was started on 500mg metformin which did not work, My local surgery did not seem worried although diabetes uk had told me to try and get things sorted urgently. I went to my local outpatients and told them how worried i was and they put me on a course of glimepiride 2mg. This got my b/s level to under 10 for "05" and "06" so around the december i stopped testing myself (i use an accu-chek aviva). In feb "07" i noticed my eyesight getting worse again so i started testing again and my b/s levels had risen to between 14 -- 25. My doctor has increased my metformin to 3 a day and to 850mg, As these did not work after several weeks i have now added 4x2mg glimepiride a day as well. My b/s is now anywhere between 5.5 and 11.5 but taking into account that i am hardly eating anything nowadays. To me, shopping, cooking and eating food is just a daily chore i have to put up with. I do have other problems which do not help -- osteoarthritis in all of my joints (mainly spine and knees) for which i take paracetamol 500mg+30mg codeine plus 400mg ibuprofen. A duodenal ulcer -- omeprazole caps 10mg, Dangerously high blood pressure -- ramipril caps 10mg. I also have mild asthma -- salbutamol inhaler and am obesily overweight. I have been fighting my weight problem for several years now (i am between 21 -- 22st) , Seen dietitians, doctors, changed food in fact, you name it, i've tried it. As they say, worn the "t" shirt, got the hat. I have been going to my local gym (under supervision) for 18 months now to no avail. I considered my life as over when i first got diagnosed but my doctor has now said that if my levels do not drop then i will have to go on to insulin. Just the thought of this makes me feel like just taking all my tablets in one hit. I have to take sleeping tabs to help me through the night and have had antidepressants in the past. Friends and family still do not seem to understand how i feel or how careful i have to be. I still get offered biscuits, cakes or 3 sugars in my tea. I live on my own, get very few visitors and used to love cooking for myself and others, but now i just hate food and all it stands for. As for all those people who think that fat people are happy and jolly, What rubbish!, I ain't one of em'.
Nigel | 24/04/2007 23:21:00
I have type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed by chance 6 years ago. I was suffering with terrible migraine headaches and feeling dry and not right in myself. By chance a practice nurse said 'We haven't tested you for diabetes have we?'and found a reading of 28! I had been living a poor life for many years like this but until then no one had bothered to test me. Now I have reasonable control and by use of metformin, diet and exercise maintain a much better life. I have learnt that drinking water instead of eating is helpful in maintaining my weight. Hunger and thirst have the same signal so by drinking before eating many times I found my body was thirsty and not hungry as I thought. Diet is useful I have discovered by reading tin labels many canned foods to be poor for diabetics and my wife comes from a culture that truly belives in fresh natural food so it has been an eye opener to learn about these things. By keeping an open mind and not being fearful of the condition I have found I can enjoy life very well. At least I do not have to suffer the indignity of being on my kness for hours being sick and terrible pain with migraine headache. That I think is much worse.
Almoner | 24/04/2007 23:35:00
Diabetes type two was diagnosed some eighteen months ago. I was looking forward to retirement on my 60th. birthday, but was plagued by extreme afternoon tiredness and a dramatic loss of hair on the crown of my head for about a year whilst trying to perform in an acknowledgedly stressful job. My G.P.finally" set the ball rolling for tests at the behest of his clinic nurse, when I had experienced a two week period of very high systolic and diastolic readings on an accurate home blood pressure monitor of my husbands`(also type 2.) I am in constant fear of further complications, and find support difficult to obtain..Now! the media vilify us as being culpable due to obesity.... I am certain that due to age and progressive infirmity that all diabetics will receive a poor service from the N.H.S...already using discrimination against other groups ,such as smokers, the very elderly infirm etc to name but two..There is good reason to suspect that most non-insulin users will not benefit from the "miracle" drug being lauded in the press this week. My cynical nature believes that a beleaguered Health Service has begun to turn the general publics`sympathies away from this current "epidemic" of Diabetes...Hells teeth, must add "unreasonable Paranoia" to the list of signs and symptoms........
tigger | 24/04/2007 23:35:00
I find that there just is not the help for type 2 diabetics to manage their condition. My consultant will never advise on quantities for non-standard medication e.g. zinc capsules to help healing and has left me for thre very painful years withwith a weeping leg. When I went it alone, having prowled the web, I think and hope I have cured the problem in about 3 weeks. My husband is diabetic, suffers from terrible mood swings and all they want to do is put him in jail not cure the problem. Makes everybody's stress worse and hence the diabetes
Johnanon | 25/04/2007 00:18:00
I've had type 1 diabetes since I was 14. I'm 34 now and while it's been relativley well controlled, the familiar problems are starting to get noticeable. I've broken up with my long-term girlfriend cos she didn't believe that diabetes could cause partial impotence (my GP tried one type of tablet - that didn't work and he refused to let me try anything else.) I have to say to firstgym, don't worry about the injections. It's surprising how quickly you get used to it and the needles are so fine (I use a Novopen) that you barely feel a thing. I'm not bad at managing my insulin, so I can eat pretty much what I like, within reason. I don't do huge amounts of exercise, but I do partake regularly. Honestly, if you lead a reasonably healthy lifestyle, it's something you can manage, not something that will manage you. When I was a teenager, I was in and out of hospital - I was a bit out of control and it was easy to blame diabetes for pretty much anything that went wrong - it's an easy trap to fall into. It's not a particluarly pleasant thing to have to deal with, but we have no choice so accept it, ask for help as soon as you can if you think that you need it and gradually things will improve. I totally concur with John G in this respect - treatments will continue to improve. If I'd lived in the not so distant past, I'd have been six feet under so I'm grateful for every day and as long as you don't go overboard, there's no reason why you shouldn't continue to have a happy and healthy life.
geoff molly | 25/04/2007 00:34:00
I have been reading peoples opinions about there diabeties and it has openened my eyes especially the number of people with this disease it is very helpfull to read about other peoples problems and the medications they are taking I have had diabeties since 1992 and am now 63 years old and am on 4 glicazide per day and two 850 metformin tablets per day I have never really suffered many complications but over the years have had to take more medication to keep my bloodsuger at a reasonable level I have never really stuck to a rigid diet I have always liked to take a drink but if I have a good night out I know about it the following day but I have found that if I take a moderate drink at home perhaps 2 500 mm cans my blood suger is lower the following mornig has anybody any opinions on that.reading some of the comments of other people it seem that other people have simular problems to me but others a lot worse it seems that if you are lucky to be caught in the early stages of the disease and you have decent care and all the reguler check ups you can keep diabetus under control but you have to keep control of your diets exercise etc because it does not take much to knock you out of control reading all these comments has helped me understand more about diabeties and the different tablets insulin etc people take although I hope that I never have to go on insulin injections it has eased my mind a little over the prospect of having to go on insulin in the future just reading how people do not seem to have many problems using a needle.
maureen ross | 25/04/2007 01:20:00
i have type 2 diabetes for some number of years i am on insulin. i have nuropthy which is very painful any idea what would cool my feet, i am on gabapentin
Eastern Star | 25/04/2007 08:18:00
I was always very slim,then for no apparent reason started gaining weight,although I coninued my every day exersice regime,and walked miles..... I still gained weight, then I was diagonosed as having an underactive thyroid,( I suffer very badly with S.A.D. since coming back to live in the UK.) and I read an article in the newspaper, that .S.A.D. can bring on an underactive thyroid, which causes weight gain, and this leads to Diabetes.......unfortunately the paper was tossed out before I could cut out the article and I have never seen it since ...... but I do believe this is right ( in my case anyway.) I was always 8stone / 8 stone 3Lbs.never any more........I have put on 6 stone....tried everything to lose this weight, as it makes me unhappy, depressed and although I am in my 70's I feel it is making my life a hell......I was told to eat bread after my insulin.....its supposed to help the insulin to work >>?? I did as I was told....but I have never been able to eat bread white brown or granary ,... so this made me feel worse....plus upsetting my stomach... ( So I have ...on my own stopped eating it) .......and I am still trying on my own... to lose this dreadful weight ......I do exercises 20 mins a day ( I cannot go for my normnal walks anymore as I have such pain in my back and side I dare not walk to far........but I do my exercises.......yet cannot lose weight.all I get told at the clinic is cut down on food......yet when I say what I eat someone else tells me I am not eating enough ? I am so confused, depressed and unhappy my life is a misery, I just want to die........ yet I try and try......all to no avail. and no one seems to care......at the clinic...... luckily the only help I found... myself... was with the IDDT........if it had not been for them I would be dead by now. as the first insulin etc was making me so ill,and caused so much weight gain...and my muscles were so weak...and I suffered dreadful headaches... I could hardly walk at all..had to use two walking sticks to get around the house.......and could do nothing, ( this is not me and never has been me, I have always been active and done all my own work, plus gardening and worked a full time business.) I have finally got onto an insulin ( thanks to the IDDT ) that does not cause me any distress.....or infernal itching like I was having ....I was having to have a shower 5 and 6 times through the night......the deep itch was so bad...and no one did anything ....at the diabetic clinic....but as I said I found the IDDT site, quite by accident ( I like to think it was a miracle )and they got me onto the correct insulin , and when I feel 'down' I can always e-mail and they help me more than I have ever been helped in the diabetic clinic....here where I live .......I may add I am certainly not alone in this thought, about the diabetic clinic here, nearly everyone that goes complains about it .in fact the so called Head Consultant, is such a nasty snappy un-Dr like person I will not see him......he had one young woman run out of his surgery in panic and tears......becuase of his nasty manner.( one nurse that was only working there a few days and has since left..thought the young woman was told she was dying....but it was not that it was the nasty horrid manner of the Head Consultant.).....yet we have not to retaliate .? notices up all over the hospital warning patients they will be knocked off the books if they dare to complain ???? ( this in a so called free speaking country ?) seems to me its getting more like a police state than the FREE ENGLAND I used to know and was born in......I feel I wish I had never returned here...where is my country ..and why has it changed so ?and why do these so called consultants treat us like dirt ? when they should be so much nicer......they are not Gods.....only men. and certainly would be out of work if it were not for the likes of us ? I want to feel better, and look forward to each day......still finding it hard to cope with this weight ......although I do have the IDDT behind me.......I wonder if the damge has already been done by the diabetic clinics uncaring attitude....I am ill every time I have to go here.....my glucose shoots up..and I juat want to crawl into a hole and cover myself up.... ( this is not me either but its they way they make me feel >>>)
| 25/04/2007 10:00:00
Every thing I have read by the other Diabetic Bloggers, reflects my own situation
Jos | 25/04/2007 10:39:00
I've been diabetic since 14, I'm now 45.At first it was horrible, glass syringes, non-disposable needles and being different from everyone else.Food had to be weighed, I was told to buy scales! The diabetic clinic was horrible with a monster of a consultant who had no patience with diabetics as it is a managable condition but I now feel quite lucky, I'm alive, I have 2 lovely boys, I can manage my diabetes, I have very good backup care from both my G.P and the hospital. Yes, like every other diabetic, I have off days, but tomorrow will be better(honest!)I have some diabetic complications but these are being controlled, but now I dont resent being diabetic, I dont enjoy it but I want to make the most of my life
wilson millar | 25/04/2007 11:49:00
Thankyou to those who contributed. I have learned much. My one comment is , why hide your identity, why feel ashamed we have no reason to be. Once again I thank you all. Thanks also to Patients, Voice wilson
Barry Reynolds | 25/04/2007 15:56:00
I can see that I am lucky - I'm on several tablets for diabetes, heart, colestrol, kidneys. I just keep taking them and keep to my diet and mostly I feel fine. Sometimes in late morning and/or late afternoon I might go a bit hypo but I soon eat or drink something to put me right. Just wish that I did't get so tied.
Geoff hart | 25/04/2007 16:00:00
I have no problems take medication which keeps everything on line
Richard Young | 25/04/2007 20:01:00
I am in control of my diabetes and every other medical problems that I have. This is because I have a GREAT medical team behind me.
Natalie Rose | 25/04/2007 22:33:00
My father and his bro both have type 2 diabetes it seems to ba a familiar thing so the chances are that i may well develop it too. We found that Dad had diabetes after having some surgery, he was unwell post op and a bllod glucose told them that he had a bm of about 24mmols , they decided to put him on the usual glicaside and metformin. It was actually decided that he had probably been diabetic since the age of about 47 the year before he had bypass grafts, he's now 60 and as time has gone on the tablets are not as effective and i'm sure he thinks that he is managing his symptoms well, but i know that his consultant wants him to go on to insulin BD. Dad has decided that to him this is the last stop cafe for him and has decided that he will exhaust all the tablet options before he goes down the avenue of injections. I guess i can understand what he is thinking and why, but as a healthcare professional i can see both sides and i wish that he could just see the benifits from taking insulin, but he's stubborn and pig headed and i feel stuck in the middle with nowhere to go. How do you help smeone close to you manage the transition without being the technical knowledgable nurse, His bro has been using insulin for years but manages it in such a way that the insulin he gives himself is regulated by what treats he's going to have ( adjusting the dose according to the food ) and that works well for him, i just feel like i'm banging my head against a brick wall,! any suggestions pls folks
Rob Stokes | 26/04/2007 13:32:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1994, and was initially contolled by diet only. This was fine except that for around 18 months or so my blood glucose levels became too low, ie readings of 1.2 to 1.8 were frequently found. This problem was resolved when I became redundant. The issue disappeared virtually overnight. It looks as if this low blood sugar issue was caused through stress. At present my condition is conrolled by taking Metfomin. My main problem is a tiredness. I simply run out of energy after just the slightest amount of even gentle phyisical work. I attend a heart rehab gym weekly but need to rest, usually in bed for anything up to a couple of hours afterwards. My GP and his team are excellent with regards to monitoring my condition by yearly check ups. I have gradually lost weight and now have a BMI of 23. I ddo find that if my glucose levls go up drinking a few glasses of water seems to bring them down by a couple of units Just keep taking the tablets. Hope this helps other readers.
Julia | 26/04/2007 17:14:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 3 years ago by accident. At 37 I was in shock and for a while in denial as surely this can't be right at my age !! I am now taking 4 tablets a day for the diabetes and 2 which are precautionary for blood pressure & cholesterol.Most days are good but every now and again I get down thinking about that I am on them for life. I too have trouble losing weight but I persevere and watch what I eat and go to the gym. All I will say is in time it does become part of your regular day to day life.
Stuart | 27/04/2007 11:11:00
I have had type 2 Diabetes for the last 27 years having be diagnsed when I was 40. I started off on tablets and soon was put onto Insulin I have regularily taken my blood and have been between 5.5 and 7, occasionally going over after a party or a week away.Ihad following major injuries been given long periods of steroids which drastically effected my weight and with such massive quantities have effected my shape and weight. I have two injects of 56 long term plus 26 of short term and for the last three years I have also had to have medformin tice a day I am using the pen system, injecting into my stomach, being careful to put the needle in specific areas, mornings on my left and evenings on the right all in ever widening arcs, in this way I do not get hard bumps. Our surgery makes sure that we have three check ups a year, this also includes attending the District mobile eye photographer followed by a meeting with the Dr reading the photo details. The two meetings with the Diabetec Sister is also thorough. As Diabetec we have the right to attend the local Chiropedist if we feel we can benefit from the appointment. Here I have found it very rewarding as my feet have slowly deterioated. To reduce the effect of dry feet I was prescribed a slecial cream to rub into my feet as well as legs and since doing so I have no hard skin for breask in my feet especially on the big toes and the heals. Yes I like a glass of wine 2-3 times a week, otherwise I very rarely drink, both due the Diabetes and the need to retain my driving licence. Yes I do feel during the day that I am going towards a hypo but I always carry in the car sugary bottled drinks as well as boild sweets, a KitKat and a mars bar. the only time I get concerned is when a business meeting goes on longer than expected, the 2-3 boiled sweets do come out. How many times that you plan to get somewhere for a meeting that you are stuck in a massive traffic jam, this is the time tht the stached goods in the draw,come as a massive relief. My Brother in law always carried three cans of normal coco cola, I have found that the mars bar brings immediate relief which gives on the impression of a battery being recharged
rosemary | 27/04/2007 11:13:00
I have had type 2 diabetees since loosing my husband in 1992, it came as a shock and yet a relief because having been so wrapped up in my husband I had not realised that it was health and not my mind that was making me ill. I take six repalamide daily but at times I feel as if I need more I do test my sugers daily but my doctors dont seem to think there is a problem with my high levels. Because of other medication I take my weight goes up and down like a yoyo and at times I am so bloated I don't know what to do. Oh for a good diabetic nurse to help with the ups and downs and doctors who will listen.
bushman6 | 27/04/2007 11:13:00
i was diagnosed in 1996. treatment started with diet and metformin, but with little effect, and has progressed to large doses of insulin plus loadsa pills. unfortunately in 2000 i was also diagnosed with parkinsons disease, which entails more pills, extra physical problems and an early retirement at 51. so, i'm on pills for blood sugar control, liver functions, parkies, incontinence insomnia, depression, total 21 pills a day, plus 5 injections, yer gotta laugh. never had a problem with denial, or fear of injections, anything like that. if you trust your medcal team(s) then just take the medication and get on with life. it aint easy, you can't do everything you used to do, but there's plenty else. my biggest problem is absent mindedness: risky when it means missing pill time. haven't found a solutin yet, but i'm working on it!
John Hammond | 27/04/2007 13:43:00
I was diagnosed as diabetic (type2) about 14 months ago (at the same time I was informed that my BP was high as was my cholesterol level. This diagnosis followed a "new patient MOT" following a move. I am also Coeliac, having been diagnosed about 4 years ago. My GP was very supportive as was the dietician ot the local hospital but she did admit that I was the first patient she had seen that needed the have a Gluten -Free, 'anti diabetes' ,cholesterol busting and BP lowering diet. I explained to her the changes I had made to my diet in the couple of weeks following diagnosis and she suggested that I might be going too strictly. I get a lot of exercise ( Walking, cycling, climbing, kayaking and renovating my house) and must admit that I have never felt better. Diabetes control is through diet/exercise but I do 'pop pills' for BP , cholesterol and 'anti gout' ( last attack of gout was in the early '70's )(1970's not my '70's). Following diagnosis I 'lost' about 22lb in weight and after 6 months the 'tests' showed that I was completely controlling things. I am due for 're-testing' within the next few weeks but now seem to have stabilised about 20 lb less than 12 months ago. When travelling/eating out I find my gluten free requirement to cause more problems than my other dietary needs but even so, can always manage to get a decent meal. It is no problem at all to avoid ready-meals and fast food and, although I am retired I still do a bit of work and take my home prepared food with me. I do know if my blood sugar level is too low; usually when out mountain walking, and always carry Kendal mint cake with me which works wonders at such times. Maybe I'm firtunate but my attitude, when diagnosed, was that the only thing that would change was my diet and that I wouldn't let it affect my lifestyle or attitude. (Although I've been mountain walking for over 50 years,) I'v started climbing, kayaking and sailing in the past 12 months following being 'diabeticised.'
John Heavens 27/04/2007 20:40:00 | 27/04/2007 20:41:00
I was diagnosed January 2006.I think I had actualy been Diadetic for about three years.Sudden lack of energy and shaking.I used to eat a couple of chocolate biscuits or a bar of chocolate and after a while I was fine. I of course told my Dr this and also informed him that Diabetes has affected quite a few of my family.He told me not to worry I didn't have Diabetes,this was without any test's. It wasn't until I moved and saw another Dr that I was finally diagnosed,Type 2. I have not got very good control over it,I am taking 4 Metformin tabs twice a day and also Gliclazide twice a day. Insulin has been mentioned. The level of care is not very good,I think I have learned more on the internet through other peoples experiences. I accepted it,indeed I was waiting for it.I am lucky just my feet are affected at the moment. I do try to walk a bit for excercise but have an arthritic spine so I can't do to muchI don't mind testing,I've made a bit of a hobby with it,testing out software,printing graphs,much more fun than just writing everthing downI feel that I am lucky,it's not made life difficult,although I still have to be reminded at time to take my pills. Life for a Diabetic is a lot easier than when I remember my Mother coping with hers. Things have changed for the better,and long may it go on.
Tim Midgley | 29/04/2007 15:17:00
Diabetes is oft incorrectly diagnosed and people are regularly given Epilepsy Medication that then brings on seizures. Had the patient been tested correctly in the first instance you would find the phenomena of the ever increasing numbers of adults suddenly acquiring Epilepsy would decrease? I suppose that is why it is called the notional health service NHS.
Bry | 30/04/2007 19:19:00
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 2 years ago. I am taking 2 500mg Metformin tabs a day and also Pioglitazone 45mg once a day. I also suffer from high cholestrol for which i take more tabs, all in all i take a minimum of 11 tablets aday for various ailments. I often get a upset stomach, but im sure with the care of my Doc and diabetic specialists this will ease in time. Although the thought of having to inject one day, does seem a little scary..
Chattercat | 10/05/2007 17:07:00
I have had type 2 diabtes for nearly 10 years. I was put straight onto insulin because I was trying to get pregnant and insulin gave the best control. I started on 2 injections a day and about 4 years ago I was changed to 4 injections a day - since then my control has been really good. My tip to living with diabetes would be to perserve and get your control really good and your health will benefit in the long run and to be honest with your doctors.
Duck | 13/05/2007 16:26:00
I was diagnosed as Type 1, 23 years ago at the age of 7. I have to be honest and say that throughout my teenage years I never really accepted my diabeties, eating sugary foods, drinking and not testing B.M's. at 16 I had to under go laser traetment on both eyes which still didn't stop me. For the past 2 years I have been on an insulin pump...which is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I had reached the point in my life where I realised that I had to start looking after my condition and thankfully the healthcare team supported me. I have a wonderful diabetic nurse who I turn too... don't get me wrong I have come across a number of awful Doctors over the years. I have found that information, new medical knowledge is not shared unless you approach them and ask. I now feel in control of my diabeties and live life to the full. Technology has changed dramatically over the years and new ides are always appearing. I use the freestyle meter as it has an alternative site testing device which stops the sore finger tips...which is a blessing and has enabled me to test 4-6 times a day. One negative note about the UK is that it seems so behind the times when compared with the USA and diabeties care. I agree with many other comments that you cannot let diabeties control your life.
Les | 20/05/2007 19:41:00
I'm 48 and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1997; I've progressed from diet only, to diet + meds, and finally to diet + med + insulin. I find it very difficult to lose weight. I've altered my diet drastically, reducing my cholesterol from 13 down to 5, and my lipids from over 30 down to 7, but find it very hard to lose weight. Find it hard to find the time and motivation to exercise. Find it even harder to change the habits of nearly 50 years with regard to the amount I eat. Despite great improvements in my cholesterol and lipid levels, I don't get much encouragement from doctors. Apart from that, diabetic support here in Cheshire is good. I use an insulin pen, which I don't find a problem. I don't let my diabetes rule my life, it has to fit in with me, not the other way round. I don't view diabetes as an excuse for anything; to me injecting is no more of an inconvenience than having to take tablets every day - it's just something I have to do. My kids (3 and 7) watch me inject, and I find it's a great way of encouraging them to eat more healthily!
mzlisamichelle | 12/02/2008 03:43:00
I haven't been officially diagnosed yet, but my thyroid specialist is convinced I have type 2 diabeties. I have been using the tester and after washing my hands, and using alcohol on the area, etc. I test. Is there a reason when I test and the number is high, then not even a full minute later I test again using the same finger, and it is way lower than the test I took not even 30 seconds prior? Does anyone know if maybe I have a deffective meter or strips? I'm using the ultra mini one touch. I have been controling mine so far with a lower carb diet and "the water cure". I am staying in the normal range at the moment. It just confuses me that when I test sometimes it is way high, then so soon after it is normal.
pinkturtle | 18/04/2008 21:24:00
i am a nurse but it still doesnt make me feel "safe" from getting diabetes. it's in my genes, coming from a family with 4 type 2 DM patients. it's not something i look forward to. as a nurse, the best that i could do is share to others that the real DIABETES CURE is knowledge--- knowing the disease process and proper management.. if you know what's REALLY happening to your body, then you would REALLY make that lifestyle change ASAP.i encourage you to read blogs of nurses, or doctor's concerning diabetes and other illnesses (kidney diseases could really really complicate diabetes!). this way you could gain a variety of information which would be really useful.example blog would be:http://nursesnotesonline.blogspot.com c'mon, you've got nothing to lose and lots to gain. ayt? =D
anonymous | 19/07/2008 16:53:00
I just was wondering about the symtoms,like what are the in knowing if you are?
ASIF BHAT | 25/07/2008 13:11:00
MY UNCLE HAS A DIBETEC PATIENT AND ITS SUGER LEVEL IS 140 AT THAT TIME HE IS NORMEL BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT HIS SUGER LEVEL WILL BE NORMAL PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WILL HE DO
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