Type 2 Diabetes – If I Had Known

Living with type 2 diabetes

A diabetes diagnosis can be overwhelming.

It is common for people to go through emotional ‘ups and downs’ after diabetes is diagnosed. People may experience disbelief, grief, guilt, anger, fear, and negative feelings. Others may have a sense of relief that they now have a reason for how they have been feeling, both physically and emotionally.

At first you may feel down, concerned about how it is going to change your life. That is natural. It takes time to learn how to manage diabetes and to adapt your lifestyle.

While learning how to live with type 2 diabetes can be challenging, there are support and information available to help you.

Many people with type 2 diabetes are able to manage the condition well and continue to lead a healthy life.

Looking after your diabetes is important for good health and for preventing diabetes complications, such as damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels. Read more about diabetes-related complications here.

More information about managing type 2 diabetes click here.

Just been diagnosed?

When you are diagnosed your doctor will provide you with information and ask you questions about your diet and lifestyle, and your medical and health history. They will also ask you about your family. If you are a parent, you may also be asked about the health of your children.

Your doctor might do a physical examination of your mouth, feet, eyes, abdomen, skin and thyroid gland, and possibly a cardiac (heart) work-up. You may also have blood tests, including a blood-lipid test for cholesterol. All of this is important for your overall care.

If you find that all the information is overwhelming, don’t worry. Your diabetes health care team can take you through your personal diabetes management plan, step by step. Make an appointment right away. Talk to your family, friends and others who may be living with diabetes.

Remember that diabetes is different for everybody – one size does not fit all. What suits someone else may not suit you.

Getting the right support

Diabetes is best managed with the support of a diabetes healthcare team. The team approach will help you learn everything you need to know about diabetes, treatment and management.

Many people can be part of your health care team to help you live well with diabetes. Your team can be made up of health professionals as well as your family and friends. But you are the most important member. You make the day-to-day decisions about your diabetes, and the more you know about diabetes, the easier this will be.

There are many different health professionals who can help you to manage different aspects of the condition. Because diabetes impacts every part of your body, your diabetes healthcare team could include your GP, Credentialed Diabetes Educator, dietitian, podiatrist and eye specialist.

Find out more about healthcare team here.

What you can do

Diabetes is a progressive condition, however looking after your health, eating well, getting regular physical activity and keeping blood glucose levels within target ranges can slow that progression and reduce your risk of developing some the serious complications associated with diabetes.

You will be in charge of your diabetes management. It doesn’t have to be a full-time job, but you do have to be mindful of it day in, day out. The important thing is, you’re not alone. Many people find their families and friends are an important source of support and inspiration.

You should also get familiar with your diabetes healthcare team. This refers to the range of health professionals who will help you manage different aspects of the condition. Because diabetes impacts on every part of your body your diabetes healthcare team will include your GP, Credentialed Diabetes Educator, dietitian, podiatrist and eye specialist. The team approach helps you to learn all you need to know about diabetes, treatment and management.

Physical examination

Your GP may want to conduct a thorough physical examination, including a careful look at your mouth, feet, eyes, abdomen, skin and thyroid gland (a gland at the base of your neck that releases hormones that helps your body use energy) and possibly a heart examination. This could involve a range of tests, including a blood-lipid test for cholesterol.

The initial assessment is important for your overall care. Your doctor will probably also introduce to you the other members of your diabetes healthcare team who will be a valuable and reliable resource for support, advice and follow-up assessments.

Join our community

If you live in Queensland, New South Wales or Tasmania you can join Diabetes Australia. We offer members and their families, friends and carers an extra level of support through reliable information and helpful programs designed to make it easier to manage your diabetes.

As a member, you have access to expert advice, health information and recipes, education and support events and discounts.

You can also join your state diabetes organisation.

Register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes you are eligible to register with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). It is free and provides a wide range of services and education programs to help you manage your diabetes.

You can also call the free NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700 and talk to a health professional about your diabetes.

Read about NDSS information and services available to people with type 2 diabetes here.

Find out more

There are lots of helpful resources available including diabetes information sheets and useful websites.

Diabetes fact sheets:

NDSS Fact Sheet – Understanding Type 2 diabetes
NDSS Fact Sheet – Adjusting to life with diabetes
NDSS Booklet – Information for people with type 2 diabetes
NDSS Type 2 diabetes and me online course

Websites:

Proudly supported by AstraZeneca Australia in the form of an unrestricted grant to support this campaign.