[SPLODGE]

Hi, I am Kate.

I am from Dundee in Scotland. I am a 35 year old mother of 2. I was diagnosed with Type 2 on 3rd June 2007. I have had 2 HBA1C tests but was not told the results cos' telling the patient whats going on is not what the NHS do. Just been told they were fine.

It was quite a shock being told I was diabetic as I no one else in my family is apart form my mothers cousin who was in her 50's before diagnosis. Obviously I now have concerns for my own children.

I also have Hypothyroidism and would be interested in finding out how many other members have both conditions.

Lost 2 stone in first 6 months after diagnosis but it has slowly crept back on. Having 2 conditions of which main symptom is weight gain is very hard to control. Up for the challenge though.

Currently undergoing tests for gallbladder issues. It seems I have started falling apart already.

The first year hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be and my life hasn't changed all that much except I eat more healthier.

Love to hear from others and what their 1st year was like.

Kate

[Evermont]

Hi Kate, I'm a 44 year old father of two, getting near the end of my first year with T2.

I was certainly caught off guard with the diagnosis. I just went to the doc for a rare checkup not expecting anything. Unlike many here I can't say I was shocked, once I heard that my fasting BG was 156 and looked into it I quickly realized that I had let this thing sneak up on me. I skipped right past denial and all that and right away accepted this as a serious challenge. I quickly learned that I should have expected T2 as I had ALL of the top risk factors working against me.

I got some books and poked around on the web - found my way here to DF pretty quick too. I strapped on the most productive attitude I could and went right to work fighting back.

It's been as good a first year as anyone could expect. A lot of hard work, learning, eating right, exercising and all that. All my numbers are trending the right way and I just keep getting better at being diabetic. I'm onto a lifestyle that I can happily maintain for years and years. I have diabetes in a head lock now and I'm giving it a noogie. I've won round 1 and the crowd is cheering me on.

[SPLODGE]

Originally Posted by Evermont

I have diabetes in a head lock now and I'm giving it a noogie. I've won round 1 and the crowd is cheering me on.

Hi Keith,

Thanks for replying. Like you I went straight for the books and the web. I joined Diabetes UK 3 days after diagnosis. I have had more information from my own research than I have yet to receive from doctors. Best book Diabetes for Dummies.

Again as you I changed my eating habits (no sweeties or high carbs & sat fat). I have my odd blip during the day for my numbers but mornings are always between 120 and 150 mg/dl or 7-9 mmol as we say in the UK) but mostly under control. Best encouragement is from my kids as they lay the we don't want you to sick or die guilt trip me if I so much as look at a bar of chocolate.

I hope you manage to stick it too, although we don't have much choice really. It is certainly a wake up call to our lifestyles and what way we are bringing up our kids.

Keep in touch.

Kate

[UpNorth]

Welcome to the forums

[princesslinda]

Welcome SPLodge! Glad you found the forums. I'll soon be "celebrating" my 2nd year anniv. with diabetes....time certainly flies.

Getting diagnosed with diabetes was a much-needed wakeup call for me. I have a strong family history of T2, and my mom, who was a very non-compliant diabetic, died at 54 of renal failure. I knew I had to take charge to avoiding having the same things happen to me. I don't have kids, so my incentive was to be around for my hubby and be able to do all the things we've planned for the future.

I look at my diagnosis as a "mixed blessing," as I figure i'll probably live longer WITH diabetes than I would have before diagnosis because it forces me to take better care of myself.

Hope you post often, as this is a great place for support, information and encouragement.

[christineanne]

Hello,
I was diagnosed in MAY, via the phone, it is a shock,I have not gone a year yet, I think the DR and clinic not that helpful.I went to the diabetic nurse before I was diagnosed< wanted to find out information >she was totally confussed by a patient wanting information.Prevention does not seem to be recognised in th U.K.
Most of what I know has been through surfing the net,most were American sites.
So best of luck. You did well with your weight loss, it took me 4 months to lose a stone,
Cheers Christineanne

[SPLODGE]

Originally Posted by christineanne

So best of luck. You did well with your weight loss, it took me 4 months to lose a stone,
Cheers Christineanne

Hi Christineanne,

I didn't really do anything. After diagnosis I stopped eating cakes, sweets and crisps (don't need to tell me, no wonder I am now in this state) and the weight just fell off. I am in a slump just now and struggling with my willpower. Finding this site has helped me find it again.

Keep posting because you will get really honest answers back, maybe not all good but honest.

I don't personally know another type 2 so it is good to discover other experiences.

Keep in touch,

Kate

[cuddy]

Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed T2 in January 2008 following routine blood tests - quite a surprise. Then, nothing. Promises of seeing a diabetic nurse, dietitian, podiatrist etc. but nothing. I was left to do my own research with the recommendation to look at Diabetes UK site.

When I mentioned it to my oldest friend he too was T2 and recommended I get a BG Monitor and start finding which foods raised it and the portion size to keep to. This was quite a long journey and still ongoing.

The nurse in the practice would not give me any test strips, saying I did not need them. Abbott gave the best deal on strips and lances. I now think it was worth the small cost, and keep a regular check, especially when I eat something new.

After 4 months I got to see the practice nurse, 5 months the optician, and 6 months the dietitian and podiatrist. I also got onto a course for T2.
But it was those first few months that were so difficult in coming to terms with it all and a change of diet.

I had a serious computer problem and wiped my laptop. This helped me to decide to move over to Linux - Ubuntu - but it means that I am finding it difficult to source software to do little things, like using my Palm M130 which has a record of all BG food, exercise etc entered manually,but, especially I miss being able to download readings from my Freestyle Lite Even to download them into an Excel type page would be great. When I find threads on forums related to this they all seem so out of date and I get no responses.

If anyone could help with this I would be most grateful.
Cuddy.

[kgm0612]

HI Kate & Welcome to this great forum!

Karen