What happens next? Diabetes T2 related.

[sarahsarah]

After a few weeks, I have finally plucked up the courage to go to my GP about symptoms which all point to diabetes and I was just wondering what the procedure will be. Will he/she be able to diagnose me tomorrow or will I have to have fasting blood tests etc? Then what will happen? What sort of timescale am I looking at?

I realise diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition but to be honest, a diagnosis will be something of a relief and I can just get on with dealing with and managing it. The diagnosis will not be a shock.

Could anyone who has been through this give me a few pointers and ideas about what I am about to go through? Thanks ever so much xx

[mummyanxious]

Possibly test your urine for markers. Usual standard blood test is a fasting glucose test where you have to have nothing but water from about 8pm the night before and then have bloods taken the next day before you eat.

---------- Post added at 21:06 ---------- Previous post was at 21:04 ----------

Don't know what the ranges are for normal blood sugar, think its about 5-7 but may be completely wrong.
I had it when pregnant and had to test my blood 7 times a day every day to make sure my blood sugars wasn't getting too high. Will be completely different for non pregnant people so I can't really advise further. Mine was controlled by diet though. Not everyone has to have medication for type two.

---------- Post added at 21:08 ---------- Previous post was at 21:06 ----------

Really do try not to worry too much though before you've seen the dr. I know that's easier said than done but it could be all and nothing. What makes you think you have diabetes?

[sarahsarah]

Thanks mummy. I am more frightened of what will happen at the docs and waiting for the test results than I am about the diabetes itself. I have found out a lot regarding diabetes T2 and how it can be managed and I am ready to cope with that. It is the bit beforehand that scares the bejesus out of me. My form of HA means I am scared at what else they might find whilst testing for diabetes.

What makes me think I have diabetes is that I was diagnosed pre-diabetic a few years ago and I did lose a lot of weight after that but I have put some of that back on. Recently I have been going to the toilet a lot, have been thirstier and have a dry mouth at night and perhaps blurred vision (though I did have an eye test a month or so back and all was fine, so I don't know if I really have blurred vision or you're just not meant to see that clearly things in the far distance) and (sorry if TMI) a raging case of thrush.

I am going tomorrow to the GP *gulps*

[mummyanxious]

Well for what it's worth I get thirsty at night and my vision has been a bit dodgy lately and my yearly check just came back clear.

Hope you get on ok x

[sarahsarah]

Thanks mummy. I know only the doc can tell me if I am diabetic or not and I am not trying to self- diagnose. I's a big thing for me to get my head out of the sand and get this sorted at the GPs. I am more than prepared to deal with a diagnosis but it is how they will arrive at that diagnosis, and the possibility they may find something else wrong with me, which is crippling me.

Hopefully this time tomorrow I will be feeling better about everything but tonight is going to be a long night. Thanks for reading my posts and replying, it is very comforting xx

[Rennie1989]

At the appointment they'll do what's called a dipstick test. Basically they test your urine with a strip of lots of little sponges. One of those sponges will detect glucose, or sugar, in your urine. If glucose has been identified then you'll have a blood test to confirm a diagnosis. I assume you'd get a letter with an appointment and instructions on when to and when not to eat/drink. In terms of the blood test I couldn't tell you what time scale they'd do it in, could depend on the area and surgery but I couldn't imagine it would be very long.

Let us know how it goes :)

[AuntieMoosie]

I'm a diabetic with diabetes type 2 hun.

I went to the doctors because I had a raging, unquenchable thirst and then my eyes went blurry and foggy.

I had a fasting glucose test done the next day and my results were through in a couple of days, if I remember rightly, I had the blood test on the Wednesday and my GP rang me with the results on the Friday of the same week.

Diabetes is very easy to treat and to manage these days, I have medication and have to watch what I eat and watch my weight.

You will usually be seen by either a doctor or a nurse in the diabetic clinic at your surgery, if they have one, which most do nowadays being that diabetes type 2 is getting more and more common.

They will be able to give you heaps of information, also Diabetes UK are extremely helpful, they have a website http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
and you can also ring them and speak to someone specialising in Diabetes.

It's nothing to be frightened of though hun, I've been diabetic for years now, as has my partner and nothing bad has ever happened to us because of the diabetes :hugs:

[sarahsarah]

Thanks Rennie and Moosie, both very helpful and reassuring posts. I will check out that website.

Moosie, if you don't mind me asking- what happened after diagnosis was confirmed?, e.g. treatment plan etc? Also, how long did it take for you symptoms to disappear?
Xx

[AuntieMoosie]

You're very welcome hun :)

I was put on a medication called "Metformin" which is a very, very common medication for people with type 2. I was put on that literally on the same day as my GP rang me with the results as my glucose level was pretty high and he wanted it to start coming down quickly.

The symptoms disappeared very quickly, I can't remember the actual time scale now, but I know they had gone within 2 weeks of me starting the medication hun :)

Feel free to ask as many questions as you like hun, I know there's a lot to learn in the beginning but it does get better, and now, I even forget that I am diabetic :hugs:

[sarahsarah]

Moosie, you are brilliant! :hugs:

After you were put on the medication, how soon were you monitored to see how your blood sugars were doing and how often are you monitored now? As you can tell, I have a real fear of doctors and medical tests. It's irrational really as every time I do visit my GP, I come out feeling 10x better than I did before.

Without wishing to denigrate the seriousness of diabetes, I reckon I can cope alright with it once I am up and running. I have read loads and loads about it (from sensible sources, rather than Dr Google!) I realise it will be a lifetime of careful management but I am determined to do what I can. Xx

[nomorepanic]

Sarah

try not to get ahead of yourself so soon - you haven't even been diagnosed yet

See what happens before you start stressing and working out how to treat it etc

[sarahsarah]

You are right, Nic. I just like to be forewarned and therefore forearmed. Xx

[nomorepanic]

Let us know how you get on but don't worry about it will you

[sarahsarah]

Well I went and just my luck I got the scary doc who is renowned for his serious lack of bedside manner. But actually he was very kind and listened to everything I had to say, did my height, weight and blood pressure and I am booked in for a fasting blood test next Monday. I will then follow up with him a week later.

2 weeks seems will seem an eternity but the GP said that in the scheme of diabetes, it's nothing. For me it will be a tough time til the results come in, as I said I am scared of what else will show up on the tests, but I have started the ball rolling. Thanks for all replies, comments and advice xx

[mummyanxious]

Good luck :)
Did they test your urine at all? I'm guessing not or you probably would have said. Did he give you an opinion or just let's wait and see.

[sarahsarah]

Hi Mummy,

No urine test. I would have had to have the FBT anyway, whatever the urine result. He said the symptoms I have been experiencing mean diabetes is a possibility but we mustn't assume it and said we'd deal with the test results when they came in.

I am still expecting it to be diabetes but am trying not to overthink treatment options etc. xx

[tiff123]

My partner has diabetes type 2. He was first diagnosed a year ago (thanks to my HA lol - finally it did one positive thing).

He is the type who is super laid back and doesn't ever go to docs.

He had the blurry vision and thirst symptom (which he was completely ignoring). I dragged him to docs and they did pin prick on finger test to get blood and 30 sec later was told yep type 2.

For him it just mean cutting out the fizzy drinks and junk and obviously cutting down on sugar. No meds at this time.

He tends to get called to the nurse twice a year for monitoring and once a year to the eye screen check.

[sarahsarah]

Thanks for that post, Tiff. Glad your husband got tested and is coping with his diagnosis well. Xx

[AuntieMoosie]

Moosie, you are brilliant! :hugs:

After you were put on the medication, how soon were you monitored to see how your blood sugars were doing and how often are you monitored now? As you can tell, I have a real fear of doctors and medical tests. It's irrational really as every time I do visit my GP, I come out feeling 10x better than I did before.

Without wishing to denigrate the seriousness of diabetes, I reckon I can cope alright with it once I am up and running. I have read loads and loads about it (from sensible sources, rather than Dr Google!) I realise it will be a lifetime of careful management but I am determined to do what I can. Xx

Hi there Sara,

Well done for going and seeing the doctor hun.

So far as I understand it, doctors don't like to rely on urine dip tests or finger prick test when they are testing for diabetes really. They like to do the full proper blood tests as this gives them a very accurate result, also, important to remember, is that we have different types of stuff running around in our blood, so by doing the proper diabetes tests, the doctor can see the whole picture rather than a snippet of it :)

Sara, if you are diagnosed, you will normally have 6 monthly check ups in the diabetic clinic at your surgery. The checks are important, of course, but they are nothing to worry about and I'm normally in and out very quickly :) You'll have another diabetes blood test, then you will be seen by the doctor of nurse a week or two later, they will go through your results with you, and all being well, they will all be fine. They'll then check your feet for injuries and carry out a little test to see how well you can feel things on your feet and toes, they may weigh you and they may check your blood pressure, but they may not always do that :)

Hun, don't let the next few weeks have you riddled with anxiety, there's nothing bad that's going to happen to you, I promise :hugs:

[sarahsarah]

Thank you so much, Moosie. You've helped enormously. Not knowing what comes next was really affecting me. I like to be informed about everything I do, just the way I am, and your advice has been brilliant. :flowers:

In many ways, this is all a good thing for me. I have spent years worrying about (mostly non-existent) health problems and being scared stiff docs would suggest blood tests which would reveal god knows what, and now I am facing up to my worst fears and you know what- it feels GOOD. Yes, I may well have diabetes and yes, blood tests may reveal other issues but it is a chance to get a grip on my health and my health anxiety, sort of a "clean slate" No more head-in-the-sand about real medical problems and no more head-in-the-clouds about ones which only exist in my imagination.

Thanks to everyone who has replied to this. I will keep you updated xx :hugs:

[AuntieMoosie]

You're more than welcome anytime hun :)

Please do keep updating your thread, and if you need anymore help or you're worried about anything, just give us a shout hun :hugs:

[sarahsarah]

Went for my blood tests today. Five vials were taken (so the phlebotomist said, I kept my eyes firmly on a poster of a skeleton on the wall!) I asked what they were for and they are:

Fasting glucose
Cholesterol
HbA1c
Uric acid
Thyroid

So obviously the doc is being very thorough! Not entirely sure why I am having the uric acid one.

Anyway, they will phone me when the results are in and I will make an appointment to go in then, probably early next week. Going to be a tough few days waiting, I must admit. Xx

[AuntieMoosie]

Yes hun, they are the exact blood tests that you need to have done :)

Please hun, don't be frightened or unduly worried. If you are diabetic you will be fine, it's very easily treated and you will be very well looked after, you are going to be fine hun :)

Funnily enough, I had to go and have my diabetes bloods taken today too..........how strange is that :wacko: :)

If you need any help, advice or support, just come back and give us a shout hun, but it's all going to be fine :hugs:

[sarahsarah]

Thanks Moosie. I like your new avatar, by the way. Very spooky!

I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow to discuss the results. I made it last week before the results came in as I simply couldn't bear waiting for a phone call telling me I had to come in. I have used to time waiting to read up on diabetes and it's ramifications and I feel very informed and positive I can have a good stab at controlling it, rather than allowing it to control me.

My main worry is, and to be honest has been all along, what else they will find in the course of the blood tests. Sounds odd but I will be happy if it's "only" diabetes. Xx

[BumbleGirl]

Hi Sarah. Last year I had to have tests for diabetes as I had lots of symptoms. Luckily it turned out I didn't have it but I can understand how worrying it is for you. All you can do is look on the bright side and think atleast diabetes can be controlled xxx

[sarahsarah]

So the results are in and I am diabetic. I have to see another GP who deals with diabetes at the practice to discuss treatment options and what happens next and hopefully I will do that this week, perhaps even tomorrow if I can get in. Despite the diagnosis being expected, I am still a bit in shock and upset. I suppose that is only natural :)

However, all of my other tests came back clear. Even my cholesterol was good. All these months (years) of avoiding blood tests because of the worry about what might be found and there was nowt. I cannot tell you how good that feels.

So, onwards and upwards. Diabetes is never great news but it is by far not the worst and by having all the tests, I have a new baseline, so to speak.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread, it has been a comfort whilst waiting for my results.

[mummyanxious]

:( sorry to hear that it was positive but pleased you seem to be handling it well and that they can now sort you out. Hugs

[AuntieMoosie]

You've got a good attitude towards your diagnosis hun, and that will helps you heaps :)

As you said, it's never a good thing, but it's not the end of the world either. To be honest, I was relieved to get my diagnoses because my eyes had gone all funny and I couldn't focus on anything and that was scary, so, for me, getting the diabetes diagnosis was, in fact, a relief as I knew it was something that could be controlled and treated and then I'd be fine :)

You will pick up and learn lots along the way hun, and it's good that you're going to see the diabetes doctor, they will be able to guide you on your way and they'll be able to answer any of your questions or worries hun :)

Please keep updating your thread to let us know how you're doing hun :hugs:

[sarahsarah]

Well, it's 6 days since I was diagnosed so I thought I would update.

I have been put on metformin and I am happy with that. My GP's surgery has been fantastic so far, I've had all the tests and consultations apart from the retina screening, which I will have at some point soon. I've changed my diet, started exercising and in the three weeks since I presented myself at the GP's, I have lost six kilos. I feel better than I have in a very long time. I am taking this very seriously, it's a lifelong commitment from me and it won't always be easy but I have to give it my all.

Whilst I will never be happy I have diabetes, I am certainly happy I am diagnosed.

My particular form of health anxiety is avoidance. I am so afraid something is happening inside my body that I daresome go to the docs for fear he or she would take one look at me and diagnose me with something serious or worse, order tests for which I would have to wait for the results (utter agony) Well one thing the last few weeks have done is completely cure me of that. I now realise that having tests and seeing the doctor is a good thing. Putting it off and worrying instead will do absolutely nothing except make you feel worse. I doubt I am cured of my HA for good but this is a step forward.

[mummyanxious]

Such an excellent attitude Sarah. Keep up your good work, and good luck for the future x

[sarahsarah]

Just waned to post an update, three months on after my diagnosis with type 2 diabetes.

Well, life is going great. A combination of a change in diet, exercise and medication has meant I was able to get my diabetes under control pretty quickly and very successfully. My horrible, scary symptoms (and I think I had every diabetes-related symptom going) disappeared very quickly and I began to feel pretty damn fantastic almost straight away. My three-month post-diagnosis tests all came back at non-diabetic levels and I have had no complications despite being undiagnosed for probably a couple of years (at least) beforehand. I am lighter and fitter than I have been for a good long while. I swim every day and have said goodbye forever to 3 stones in weight.

I no longer get the fear whenever I think about visiting my GP. There was a time when I couldn't even drive past the surgery and used to take a circuitous route to avoid passing it. I do still get the jitters in the waiting room, especially if waiting for test results. I would never say I enjoy going, but at least I go!

Yes, I still do get scared about everything and worry about possible health problems, both diabetes- related and not, but I am a lot better than I used to be. I no longer obsess about health problems which are all in my head. I don't check for yellowing eyes or blue lips (well, not often!) or bruise and batter my neck digging for swollen glands.

Facing up to my fears of seeing a doctor and getting a full battery of tests was probably the best thing I could have done for my Health Anxiety. Diabetes isn't the best news you can ever get, but it is far, far from the worst and to be honest, it has given me so much perspective on health and illness and life in general.

Hope this post can help someone who had a similar type of HA to me see that there can be an end to it and life doesn't always have to be led under a shadow. Xx