Sam’s story: My type 2 diagnosis came as a complete surprise

I found out I was living with type 2 diabetes nine years ago. I was hosting an event and there was a nurse in attendance as part of the event who asked if she could do a general health check. When she tested my blood sugar she saw it was really high, so she asked if I had any history of diabetes in my family. That’s when I found out I could have had type 2 diabetes, which was later confirmed by my GP.  

Until recently, I never really engaged with any services for diabetes. I didn’t have any symptoms and I didn’t really take it seriously. But I had experienced a bereavement during the pandemic, and some time afterwards I realised I wanted to take living with diabetes more seriously.  

Then in 2021 I joined Diabetes UK, and I developed a better understanding of what things I can do to manage my health, and how to say no to certain food that affects my blood sugar levels.  

In January, I was put on new medication: Victoza injections, and metformin. Since then my weight has dropped, and my blood sugar levels have improved. 

But I still didn’t understand what makes my blood sugar go low or high; each day can be completely different to the next. For several months I have been trying to understand it more, as someone who is now engaged with their management.  

Earlier this year I requested with my healthcare team to use a blood glucose monitor and finger pricking to check my blood sugar levels. But the readings weren’t really making any sense to me, and I realised I needed a device to monitor my levels 24/7. So I requested the use of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) with my nurse.  

The nurse told me that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines say that I’m not entitled to a CGM, but I persisted and she took my query to a GP partner to see if they would grant me access.  

I know that tech is not generally for people in my situation, but I am trying to understand my diabetes and have had to push quite hard. 

In June 2023, my nurse called me one morning and said that I was being given a 3-month trial of a Dexcom ONE CGM. I was ecstatic! 

Being at Diabetes UK gave me the confidence to push for this, and within just a few days of using the CGM I noticed that stress and anxiety were factors for my blood sugar being higher.  

My blood glucose levels are now better than they’ve been since I was diagnosed, and I feel like I’m much more in control of my health.