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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Living with diabetes blog

  • March 31, 2011

    Diabetes diagnosis: First reactions

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

25 comments posted

Controlling Your Diabetes

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Throughout my years as a diabetes educator, I've seen many people faced with the shock of a new diabetes diagnosis. There's the diabetes diagnosis itself, and then being thrown immediately into the required management of the disease. Everyone processes and reacts to this information differently. Unfortunately, the disease generally doesn't allow much time to ease into its management — scheduling and giving medications and injections, counting carbohydrates, storing insulin, understanding hypoglycemia and its treatment, using blood glucose meters, foot care, exercise and much more.

People's response to a new diabetes diagnosis varies. It's natural to respond with shock and stress. You might feel dazed or agitated, have poor concentration or a narrowing of attention, have difficulty comprehending information, anxiety, panic, a rapid heart beat, sweating, and shakiness and flushing. Some statements I've heard include:

  • Honestly? I wasn't expecting it, I don't eat sugar.
  • No one in my family has diabetes.
  • I ate a bunch of candy yesterday. That's why my sugar is high.
  • Test my blood sugar again, I don't think it's right.
  • I can never eat cake again.
  • I'm not overweight. How did I get this?

People are frequently told they have diabetes, then rushed into a quick education session to learn how to test blood glucose, take the medications and insulin required, modify their diet and treat low blood sugar. These quick educations sessions aren't ideal. They may happen because of lack of time, at a patient's or physician's request, or because a person doesn't have insurance. I've looked at a person sitting there in shock and wondered how much of the information he or she really absorbed. This isn't my preferred method of education, but people amaze me sometimes at how well they adapt to it.

Studies show that after three days, adults only remember 10 percent of what they read, 20 percent of what they hear, and 30 percent of what they see. However, when adults are actively involved in learning new material, they'll remember up to 90 percent of what they say and do. So, the more active a role you can play in your diabetes education, the better.

What was your reaction to first being told "You have diabetes?"

Have a good week,

Nancy

25 comments posted

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  • November 20, 2012 4:44 a.m.

    I could not believe it. I was not overweight. My doctor had described me as "superfit" at my annual aircrew medical (in which also had a diabetes urine test). I exercised vigorously (long distance running, 5000 metres non-stop swimming, up to 5 times per week).I was not overweight. I had no obvious symptoms - apart from a persistent thrush infection in the groin area. I accepted it & determined to contain it to the best of my ability. I lost 2 stone in weight. I kept up & increased the exercise. I adopted a low GI diet. That was 5 years ago. I've kept everything going. I kept the weight down. I don't need any drugs or tablets. I still can't believe I'm diabetic. But, no room for complacency.

    - keith

  • December 4, 2011 6:48 p.m.

    I just found out I am type 2. I have been having trouble with kidney stones just this year. Sense June I have had 12 stones. The doctors ran a lot of tests but one test result started to concern me. I was being told my sugar was a little high. I put it off but finally went to the doctor and they ran their tests and it came back I am type 2. I was hard becasue it is a lifestyle change for me and something new. I was not given a lot of info but was encouraged to go to classes. I have been stressing about the classes because they cost $500 in my area and insurance will not cover all of it. The kidney stones have wiped out my savings. On a positive note I have lost weight and eating better. Still have questions but for my family I will continue to do my best.

    - Allen

  • October 25, 2011 10:29 a.m.

    Hi Maria, your feelings are normal. Were you just recently diagnosed? Loved one? Type 1 or 2? We recommend that you see a diabetes educator in your area. She or he will get you started.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • October 24, 2011 1:45 p.m.

    I am in a state of shock, emotional, angry, sad, scared, and Lord I don't know what else!!! What is the first thing to do, I am getting a headache, please guide me patiently for I left the doctors office in dismay!!

    - Maria

  • September 7, 2011 8:18 p.m.

    After one blood test i was told i had Type 2 Diabetes.Then a nurse came in showed me some gages and after a few trys on my arm to get blood gave them to me and sent me home to use. I had no idea how or what was going on. So i called a freind whos dad had this and that was how i got educated on what was going on. Then my hospitol had a program to educate us on diet and things. But my insurance denied the claims.I guess Diabetes isnt important to insurance companies. Many set up phone calls to people in far away lands to talk to us.Happy ending though.I lost70 pounds in 7 months and it went to 5.8 Aic. Buti think some bed side manners would have taken away the stress of it all.

    - Alexis

  • June 28, 2011 1:08 p.m.

    Taking larger doses of insulin to control the blood glucose does not necessarily mean you have type 1 diabetes, infact it generally indicates you are insulin resistant" a common factor in type 2 diabetes.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • June 20, 2011 9:34 a.m.

    I spoke with a 33 year old this week-end on Lantus at night a very high dose 50-70 units and tells me he is a Type 2 diabetic??? Isn't he Type 1 ??

    - No name given

  • June 9, 2011 1:06 p.m.

    I was mortified!! My grandmother told me all the time when I was a kid that if I kept eating sugar that I was going to get diabetes I didn’t believe her. I thought it was one of those things that parents just said to keep you from doing things they don’t want you to do. I WAS WRONG!! It’s still scary and it makes my life difficult. I can’t do the things I used to do. But it has done some things to help me. I’ve become more proactive like I cook now which is fun! I always bring my own foods to my friend’s parties and they actually like them. =) It gets easier every day.

    - Angel

  • June 5, 2011 6:56 p.m.

    I had had 2 CT-Scans which showed a fatty liver. My physician could not tell me why this was. I was always tired for the two previous years. My physician said that my A1-C was normal. Why do physicians not use the plain blood Glucose Levels before and after meals to diagnose diabetes? I was diagnosed with diabetes after requesting a referral to an Endocrinologist. The latter prescribe me quite a large dose of Metformin twice a day. That's what I needed. By the way, a fatty liver is the first sign of diabetes unless you are an alcoholic !

    - Denise

  • May 25, 2011 7:57 p.m.

    Sue: Lifiting weights got my numbers down under 100. Weight schedule is W, F and Sunday and walking 5.5 miles the other days. It has brought my numbers down. Also rinsed can of beans helps build fiber and that helps bring the numbers down too.

    - Patrick

  • May 21, 2011 11:26 p.m.

    I was only 7 weeks out from having a total knee replacement and then I got the diabetes news. Even though my Mother, her Sister, and her Mother had this disease and died from complications, we 9 children were still diabetic free with the youngest being 53 years old. My knee physical therapy was horrendous and then this. I was in depression and crying most of the time. The diagnosis was 3 weeks ago and today was a horrible day due to not having ny lunch planned in time. I became week, nauseated and overall mentally not prepared to fix a meal for my husband.Iwas half sick and felt helpless to prepare a meal. I have always been the sister, etc to cook the big meal, make big weekend plans with sometimes 25 people. Now I feel like a 95 year old invalid. I was so depressed today I just truly want to die. We are having our first stay-over house guests next weekend with 4 famioly members coming for a few days. I shudder to think of that. I am very thankful that I am testing ny blood sugar levels and using the "Flexpen" The neuropathy is painful. Is there any help to treat this at home without mediations?

    - Joan

  • May 7, 2011 9:35 a.m.

    I WAS SENT A GLUGOSE TESTING MACHINE AND TESTING STRIPES,WITH SOME INSTRUCTIONS.TRYING TO GET APPT. WITH DOC. AT V.A. HOSPT.THIS IS NOT THE WAY I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO INFORMED.THANKS FOR LISTENING. 5/7/11

    - Dick

  • April 28, 2011 9:44 a.m.

    I was diagnosed with Type 1 six months ago, right before my 30th birthday. I walked into the doctor's office (for the first time in about 15 years) and said, "I think I have Diabetes." They checked by BG and promptly confirmed my suspicion (which I'd been actively ignoring for about three months). I spent the next weekend in the hospital. I spent the next month gaining 20lbs (up from 118 at 5'7"). I sort of said, "okay. fine. i'll do this." And, I have. And, I'm kinda kickin' ass.

    - Kristin

  • April 26, 2011 8:39 p.m.

    fixing spelling mistakes: Type 1 diabetes Tried "so i was wondering IF.."

    - No name given

  • April 26, 2011 8:38 p.m.

    My friend of 15 just got diagnosed with Type diabetes, and I want to be able to help her if something goes wrong, i ry to look up stuff on the internet that says how i can help but it doesnt recommend anything, so i was wondering you had any advice on how i can help her when a problem arises and also what kind of food can she eat and cant she eat so i know what i should and shouldnt suggest for her to eat.

    - Emily

  • April 13, 2011 12:29 p.m.

    First of all, it's really sad that so many practicioners don't seem to understand the importance of "manner" (or should I say manners?). Also, today's varieties and changes in insurance coverage make it difficult for some to be properly diagnosed. And, sadly, poor diagnosis & education mostly contribute to poor control, and likely "spiral downwards". One would think insurance companies would be most interested in accurate diagnosis & education, but sadly it seems the accountants have a louder voide, and do not understand the long term effects of failure to set up a good management plan. We did encounter some attempts to help with management, but it was always by phone, and there's some level of "disconnect" with that process that is not as productive as "face time". There are companies who specialize in diagnosis & treatment, but insurance companies increasingly deny using them. Finally, we have personal complications that add significant complexity to our management - specifically lactose and gluten intolerance. Just try and develop a diabetic diet with THESE issues included and I can guarantee frustration. But insurance companies also have refused to provide effective dietetic counseling, so we're left on our own - not pretty at all. We do wonder how many other diabetics have issues with "allergies" such as milk, wheat, soy, etc. and why more specific programs can't be developed to help them!??

    - William

  • April 8, 2011 4:06 p.m.

    Sheila, a diagnosis of diabetes is made by two blood glucose readings fasting above 126 mg/dl or a random blood glucose test above 200 mg/dl one time or an A1C of 6.5 or above period.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • April 8, 2011 12:30 p.m.

    My doctor's office told me today that my A1C test is 6.8. The nurse said it hasn't gone down so they are diagnosing me with type 2. I asked based on what criteria? The nurse said it's because it hasn't gone down. How long must one have an A1C rating above 6 to be diagnosed? How long does it take to get it down to 6 from 6.8 should I change my exercise routine and diet? Thank you, Sheila

    - Sheila

  • April 7, 2011 3:32 a.m.

    When it was found that I had Type ! diabetes, I was thrown in the hospital for 10 days. There I learned how to inject an orange first, then myself. It was easy to learn after that.

    - Sue

  • April 6, 2011 6:47 p.m.

    I didn't need a diagnosis. I had no symptoms but when they announced on TV that guidelines had changed from 140 t0 126 I knew I was diabetic. What was most upsetting was a doctor saying in an arrogant tone that diabetes is a downward spiral the rest of your life. He was not one bit encouraging and said he bet I'd be on insulin in 6 months and I told my that I bet I wouldn't. I was right. I never saw him again but had a very good woman endocrinologist. She was encouraging.

    - Ferne

  • April 6, 2011 2:16 p.m.

    I recommend reading 'Diabetes and You: A Comprehensive, Holistic Approach'. It has just about everything diabetes-related in it. Hope this helps. http://www.amazon.com/Diabetes-You-Comprehensive-Holistic-Approach/dp/1442207280

    - indrojith

  • April 6, 2011 7:28 a.m.

    When I was diagnosed with Diabetes, My GP was very good, made it easy for me to understand. Advised me to go to hospital. No panic, just said its advised. When I got to the hospital, I was checked out with every test known to man. The nurses explained what every test was doing. The Diabetes nurse then came and helped out with the process of managing my diabetes. What struck me, is when I tell people I have diabetes is, they always say "You cant do X because you have Diabetes" What I say is, I control the diabetes and ask me if I can do it. May mean I change something in order to do the thing, but I can do it. As a result from all the information and advice from my Diabetes Nurse and GP, I have been running many 10ks, half a marathons and marathons. The way your told about Diabetes for me was very well informed. The Nurses and doctors wont know you dont like the way told to you, until you tell them its not working for you.

    - Sean

  • April 5, 2011 3:30 p.m.

    when i was diagnosed I was called to the Dr's office and ushered into the back room. the nurse handed me a precription, a vcr tape on dibetes, and some informational pamphlets and started to leave the room. I had to stop her and ask "so! do I have diabetes?". she looked at me dumbfounded and said yes! didn't you know?

    - Scott

  • April 1, 2011 6:43 p.m.

    When the doctor said "you have diabetes" my brain spun like an F5 tornado with horrible thoughts of needles, blindness, amputations, and kidney failure. But my biggest fear was, I wasn't going to be able to eat chocolate chip cookies! Until you are diagnosed, many do not know really, what causes diabetes, how did I get diabetes, and what diabetes is. Once you educate yourself, you will understand how every bite of food you take affect your body, mind, and moods. Learn about it and fight the "beast" called diabetes!

    - Thomas

  • March 31, 2011 11:19 a.m.

    Was both shocked and relieved to have my husband diagnosed with diabetes after he lost over 50 lbs in about 3 yrs. He is now down to nothing but bone and am concerned about what to do to increase some of his body mass. He now has his testing numbers down to about 120 consistently, with medication. Any suggestions?

    - Sue

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