To think I'm going to be diagnosed with diabetes tomorrow?

[koolaidpink]

My last hba1c in October I can’t remember exact number but I was ‘pre diabetes’ according to doctor. Put on 500 mg metformin.

Hba1c yesterday was 7.1, got a telephone appointment with doctor tomorrow morning.

I’m I going to be told this is diabetes? And what’s likely to happen from here?

Thank you she said she's going to keep me on same level of metformin which I am confused about as it's obviously not working . Should I ask her about that or should I just trust her? She's obviously a doctor and knows best but just because it hasn't been working I'd of thought she's up the dose, not sure whether to bring it up on Monday or not.

I have had diabetes for many, many years, also thyroid problems. You need to take this seriously and make changes to your life otherwise it will lead to serious health problems, such as blindness. It is possible to reverse this, but only if you make the effort early. I never did reverse it but I have learnt how to control it.

1. You need to lose weight. This can be done slowly or quickly. Low carb diet or Optifast. See a dietician for help. Read up on GI levels of food. The lower the better, e.g. wholemeal grainy bread, not white bread, sweet potatoes not ordinary potatoes
2. Once you are a healthy weight, continue weighing yourself and being careful.
3. Exercise regularly. Just walking works really well but building some muscle will help too.
4. Have regular blood tests and doctor visits.
5. Don't get upset or scared. This is a wake up call. Believe me, you will feel so much better when it is controlled.

I really wish you well.

Re your metformin dose. Your doctor is hoping you can make some changes and won't need a larger dose. This would be better for you.

@koolaidpink

Thank you she said she's going to keep me on same level of metformin which I am confused about as it's obviously not working . Should I ask her about that or should I just trust her? She's obviously a doctor and knows best but just because it hasn't been working I'd of thought she's up the dose, not sure whether to bring it up on Monday or not.

If ever I have discussions with my GP I ask questions, I also look up nice guidlines. So for example I would ask what is the reason for not increasing my metformin and what would be the risk / consequenses if you did against leaving it the same? Maybe refer to guidlines if I didnt agree. I would also ask what support can you offer me to help lose weight? Not all GP's like to be questioned but I usually find it opens up the discussion.

Many years ago I had debiltaing headaches and thought something was wrong. I asked my GP what symptoms would you look for to consider a scan, she told me and I knew that I had none of those symptoms (other than headache) It gave me more reassurance than a GP just saying you don't need a scan, it also meant I trusted the treatment that she suggested.

When I started HRT, it wasn't straightforward and the GP discussed it and used the internet with me there and looked up guidlines, options and made suggestions. I trust these type of consultations far more.

Take a list of things you want to ask to focus you, appointments are brief enough as it is.

You’ll probably be given lots of information to help make life changes. They’ll probably want you to try diet changes and to lose weight before looking again at your medication.
I’m type 2. I’ve reduced by hb1ac from 50 to 42 through diet and losing weight. I didn’t go low carb just a sensible diet and limited sugar.

Oh I forgot to mention I did have a session with a dietician which was very useful.

I was diagnosed on Monday and put on Metformin Tuesday. Am both mortified and terrified. I'm also not sure what the blood reading is and the receptionist wouldn't tell me when I went back, so hope to find out when I go in for another test next week as I need to know where I am starting from. A bit in the dark with it all as I don't have a home strip test machine etc, but have drastically cut back carbs, sugar etc and put a meal plan together to kick start a 3 stone weight loss. Also not wanting to tell anyone other than DH right now.

Thanks all

@koolaidpink I was told I was pre-diabetic at my annual blood tests a month or so back (47 was my measurement, so just below the T2 threshold). The GP referred me to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme. They basically signed me up to Weightwatchers, free for 9 months. You can also opt into weekly Zoom support sessions, jsut for those on this prevention programme. I have been following the WW purple plan for 2 weeks now and have actually found it helpful.

What it has encouraged me to do is swap things out to keep myself within my points for the day. Knowing if I eat it I have to track it, is certainly helping, but I'm actively thinking for 'better' treats. Also in cooking - I was rather liberal with the oil before. Last week i made a sausage and red wine casserole that came in at 8 points per portion. I've made the same thing again tonight, but with a few small changes it's now 5 points per portion. I am also an emotional eater (caused by stress and upset mostly) and I do think this is helping. I am definitely losing weight and feeling better.

If this sort of thing might appeal to you, maybe it's something you can ask your GP about?

@SpecialToffee

Sorry to derail, but *@WiddlinDiddlin*, has your doctor tried you on Trulicity (dulaglutide) or any of the drugs in that class? My DH is Type 2 and was initially denied when he asked about them because they said he was ‘too slim’! He ended up on basal and bolus insulin for a while but he used to get a lot of hypos and eventually saw a consultant who put him on Trulicity. He’s now been able to drop the bolus insulin and halve the basal. He’s slim and fit and eats low-ish carb, so sounds similar to you. He doesn’t get hypos on the basal plus Trulicity, so it’s been a real game-changer 🙂.

Best wishes OP. I second looking at Diabetes UK BTW.

Yep, I had to come off metformin as it realllllllly doesn't agree with me and the slow release stuff I simply wasn't digesting.

I've been on liraglutide daily jabs but still only getting decent results with a strict and unsustainable low carb low cal. starvation diet.

I've been v resistant to trying insulin for a while but I have to admit defeat, the specialist nurse cannot see how I can avoid it and begrudgingly admits im not going to control this with diet, my digestive system and metabolism are systematically fucked for a variety of reasons! (I am not slim or fit though, I wish, im fat and sedentary and a wheelchair user!).

OP I hope you've got a good plan for how to sort out diet, and I hope metformin helps, it does help most people, I am just a weirdo!

Ah @WiddlinDiddlin, that’s a shame. Much sympathy as it sounds like you’ve tried all sorts, a bit like DH. Thank goodness for insulin though! Do you have a Libre? DH has to pay for his unfortunately. He’s just started getting the Libre 2 and has it set up so it will sound an alarm if he has a hypo (useful at night!).

How are you getting on @koolaidpink?