My Diagnosis Journey

By Lesdavey

1 min read

It was 5 years ago that I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic, due to lack of activity, as I have chronic back issues I have had 2 back operations, being told I was a diabetic really shocked 😲 me, the only way I could learn to deal with it was that there's always someone worse off than me.

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Lori.Foster Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="Lesdavey" user-id="6614579"/>. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I wish you had more mobility and less pain. Have you been able to bring your A1C under control? Have you found any way to exercise without aggrevating your back? Thinking of you and sending lots of very gentle hugs your way. - Lori (Team Member)
Tula62 Member
I’ve heard this before “that there is someone worse off then me” yes there maybe someone worse of than you. But remember you have the right to feel what you feel at the same time, diabetes is not an easy thing to deal with. I myself struggle mainly with there isn’t much support for people with diabetes. I will never forget when I was first diagnosed. My doctor at the time walked into the room I was in, and said” I’m sorry to say you have Type 2. I was shocked. I went to my husbands work to tell him. Then my journey began. I didn’t know anything about diabetes. Then a few weeks later I went to talk to my doctor, I was in tears because I told a few people I had diabetes and was so scared then they told me some scary stuff, I was in tears in my doctors office, and a mess, he told me a bit about diet and to walk every day, still was scared, he handed me a perscription for antidepressants and the side effects were terrible groggy, I look back and realize it was STRESS not depression. When your first diagnosed you need support which I didn’t have, when I say support I mean the emotional side the tears the fear. I then was hospitalized because of side effects of the medication, and fear which at the time I didn’t know was diabetes distress, I am still on an antidepressant that is hard to get off of and an anti anxiety medication that is very hard to get off of, and no one can really help me get off the medications because of withdrawl, what I am getting at is doctors do not know about Diabetes Distress well at least my doctor didn’t know at the time, until I found out by researching on the internet. I did take the diabetes classes I was offered but that made me more distressed. There needs to be CHANGE, for people with diabetes, doctors need to be more understanding and empathetic when they diagnose anyone with diabetes and not give out phsychiatric medications when first diagnosed! I was so upset that he put me on these drugs, and he scared me off of taking Metformin because he told me of the side effects diarrhea and upset stomache because I asked what they were because off the awful side effects or adverse effects of antidepressants and anti anxiety meds I am taking. Another doctor I went to told me I shouldn’t of been on the anti anxiety med so long she tried to get me off it by weaning but was unsuccessful, and changed the anti depressant to a different one to wean off of, But I am very hesitant to try again because of the withdrawl. Make sure you have a very very understanding doctor about your diabetes and compassionate because I sure didn’t in the beginning. And family members need to be understanding and be there for you. Sorry for the long comment but I don’t want any of this to happen to anyone else. My distress was so bad with combination of medications that are not good for me I almost gave up on life. 
1. Cody Leach Community Admin
 Thank you so much for taking the time to share parts of your story, <inline-mention username="Tula62" user-id="4788345"/>. It's a great reminder how we can all acknowledge the struggles of others, while also acknowledging that our own feelings matter and hold weight. I can also understand why being first diagnosed was so distressing. There is a lot of scary new information that comes along with a T2D diagnosis. My hope is that this will change in the future as more people give feedback like yours. Information about our health should be practical and motivating, rather than distressing. Wishing you well, and hope to continue seeing you around the community. I can tell from your post that you have a lot of valuable input that would benefit us all. Warmly, - Cody (Team Member)
Tula62 Member
Your welcome Cody, my journey with type 2 diabetes has been a nightmare, from people being down right mean, and no support. Even in the medical community. I was talking to the psychiatrist who gave me Effexor (antidepressant), first time seeing her told her my story about another antidepressant that I shouldn’t of been on in the first place, when only a few weeks into being diagnosed with diabetes from my primary doctor, who could care less how I felt about being diagnosed with diabetes. You know what she said to me this is after I lost weight I looked pretty good by the time I saw her, I was telling her how hard this disease is to deal with. And she turned around and said to me “ you must of been fat” I was stunned, I had no words, I looked at my husband we were speechless. What I should have done is walked out of her office. But I was frozen and speechless. I have looked everywhere for the RIGHT kind of support and have not found that yet. Alls they do is medicate you instead of listening. Everyone I try to talk to about how I felt and the stress of diabetes just shut me down. I was telling my doctor at the time when I he diagnosed me that I was scared and feeling a bit down try to navigate this disease on my own, that’s when he gave me antidepressants he said these will help you at the time I trusted him they didn’t help at all. The distress still was there, I was just diagnosed a few weeks before, this is looking back 11 years ago, I didn’t know of diabetes distress until I was reading on websites and had every symptom. Scared of having a low, trying to find the right foods to eat, timing out meals, testing sugars, going to a restraunt for the first time after diagnoses, that was really stressful. Going on my first trip away from home and what to bring and where to eat, very sressful,and trying to enjoy the trip it was a total disaster we went to a restraunt and there was nothing on the menu I count EAT ate what I wasn’t suppose to but was okay, and had an injured shoulder at the time and on medications that kept me awake the nasty antidepressant it was. So I shy away from going on holidays now and still scared of Covid another added stressor. So I stay in my bubble, and that’s not living all because of fear that others put upon me. There’s other posts I have posted that has added to my distress on top of diabetes. I could make a movie or write a book, not joking. I’m a nervous wreck lol. On a serious note I’m glad I have all of you to get it all out. Thank you.
1. Cody Leach Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Tula62" user-id="4788345"/> Oh wow, I can understand why you felt stunned by what your psychiatrist said. I'm glad that you had your husband there as a source of support. It doesn't necessarily take away the pain from the interaction, but it does help to have someone else that you can turn to who knows how it felt in that exact moment. Part of me is also curious, if you don't mind me asking, have you considered seeing a therapist rather than a psychiatrist? A therapist would likely be willing to help you address some of these stressors related to your health and diabetes, without needing to prescribe medication. I also acknowledge that you've been living with this condition for a long time, so I apologize if this has been a redundant suggestion. I know there is nothing more annoying than being suggested the same things time and time again. I truly hope that you're able to find the support that you need soon. We all deserve to feel heard and respected, and to have help when we need it. Warmly, - Cody (Team Member)
2. Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Tula62" user-id="4788345"/> , thank you for sharing so much of your journey with us. I was diagnosed with T2D at the age of 30. I am now 66. My mother went into a diabetic coma and died at 38. When I shared this information with my doctor - he said - I would have thought you would have learned something from your mother. I didn't know how to take this. I was stung. You are right people and the medical field can be downright mean. I was so happy to find a community that understood. You are very knowledgeable and I hope you keep sharing with us. What is one piece of advice you would share with a newly diagnosed patient? Diane (Team Member)
Keith Crear Moderator & Contributor
I remember when I got diagnosed after passing out at work thinking it was just dehydration. Make sure you find you a solid medical team. I often refer to it as 'Draft Day" with my medical team. I have release and drafted numerous aspects of my medical team. Have you found a common ground with activity and the back pains? Any exercises you are currently doing to keep the blood flowing? And true there is somebody else worse off than you, BUT your journey and battle needs no comparison. -B. Keith Crear III (Team Member)