New to diabetes and lack of help and support

[Northface78]

Hi

I was diagnosed with diabetes, and now inject twice a day.

Weight has gained, eye sight has worsen and feeling a little helpless, very little support via hospital and doctors.... Kinda given a bag of tricks and told to just get on with it!?

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Hi Northface78 ,

Welcome to the group. Please feel free to check out the postings/comments done.by the other members, posting and commenting on the postings and the other comments from the members, taking the polls on the Polls section, asking questions and of course, meet the rest of the group's members.

Have you been able to get a referral for a new doctor? How long have you been with your current doctor?

Are you counting the carbs for your meals and snacks? Are you type 1or 2? I have been a type 1 for 30+ years and I will be turning 37 years old in May coming up. I do insulin shots 4 times a day.

Please check out the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation website for the free leaflets at: drwf.org.uk/diabetes-leaflets

You can download, read and/or listen to the leaflets anytime. Hope this helps.

[Fruitandnutcase]

As well as Activity2004's comments, I found the Diabetes.co.uk and the DietDoctor.com websites really helpful.

I also used a book called Reverse Your Diabetes: The Step-by-Step Plan to Take Control of Type 2 Diabetes by Dr David Cavan really helpful.

I ate my way out of T2 by following the advice given there but I know a couple who are both T1 who amazed their doctor by following the advice given and have now massively reduced their meds.

[oceantragic]

Which type of diabetes were you diagnosed with? Is it Type 1 or Type 2, or another type? What was in the bag of tricks?

You must have lots of questions, what's your first one?

[Margaret9349]

I was exactly the same 2 years ago and despite working at the time in the NHS felt 'lost'. Now whilst still having the odd moment of 'should I eat this' I find that it has got easier. The best advice I was given was to join Diabetes UK, not to fight the fact I had diabetes but to learn to live with it. It really isnt as bleak as it seems now it is like learning a new skill and each day will get better. Forums like this also help as even by doing the polls you soon realise that you are not the ony one dealing with an issue but there are a lot out there feeling the same.

There will be days that it feels tough but one of the things I have learnt that keeping mobile is one of the best ways of controlling the diabetes. Whenever I have a sitting down and feeling in the dumps day my control is always worse.

I bought a mini pedal machine and this has helped as when I went to the gym I felt that I really was so far behind the gym bunnies that it was laughable. Slowly but surely fitness is getting better and I can now walk further wihout getting tired.

If in doubt ask and ask again. Be honest with the health professionals I had to be as because of my job and the fact that I seemed to be fine with my diagnoses I was ok. It was only when I said I had never felt so stupid or out of control and said help (it was not easy for me to admit this) that they realised I had the same anxieties as every other newly diagnosed diabetic

Good luck

[ceejayblue]

Have a look on the diabetes.org.uk website it's the no.1 Diabetes charity and has invaluable information and education modules. It is my go to website. Also look at xperthealth.org.uk which has great educational courses that you can self refer to.

Do try and cut back on your carbs, it will help control your blood glucose. Insist on getting more help and support from your medical team and if they won't then change to another practice and get referred to a hospital Diabetes consultant.

[hi-JB]

Northface78

Hi . I know how you feel. When I was diagnosed I was told to go home and lose weight - and they did not even give me a bag of tricks ( no meter, no nothing). If you have any comments or questions I hope you get a lot of help and understanding here.

- hi-JB