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• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Nicky - Interview 18 >> Nicky knew she was overweight when she got the diagnosis but she felt so fit and healthy she didn't believe what she was told.

Diagnosed 4 years ago. Nicky was taking metformin but having established very good control through diet and exercise she no longer takes any medication for diabetes. She also has hypothyroidism.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 66 - 69 >> Balvinder - Interview 10 >> Balvinder explains why he only tests his blood sugar once every two weeks even though he has had a hypo (audio in Hindi).

Balvinder was diagnosed with diabetes 35 years ago. He was prescribed metformin for many years, and for the last 15 years he has been taking insulin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Andy - Interview 04 >> Andy has chronic pain as well as diabetes so found blood testing painful at first.

Andy has chronic pain as well as diabetes which was diagnosed six months ago. His medication includes Avandamet [rosiglitazone + metformin], simvastatin, Xenical, perindopril, amlodipine and doxazosin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Tina - Interview 17 >> Tina feels she is well understood by her GP and diabetes nurse and that they listen to her ideas.

Tina was diagnosed 12 years ago. Initially she tried to control diabetes with diet alone, then transferred to metformin. In 2004 she changed to insulin and now takes Levimir at night.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Mrs Singh - Interview 05 >> Mrs Singh had laser treatment for blood clots at the back of her eyes ten years ago. Her eyes have been fine ever since (audio in Hindi).

Mrs Singh was diagnosed when she was 49. She takes metformin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Helen - Interview 09 >> Focusing on the positive things she could do helped Helen to feel less depressed.

Helen was diagnosed three years ago. She is currently controlling her diabetes with a low dosage of gliclazide + diet and exercise regime.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Mo - Interview 25 >> Mo recently took part in a diabetes study and says she felt more supported by that than by the locums she usually sees at her local practice.

Diagnosed a year ago, Mo currently takes metformin and gliclazide though she began trying to control her diabiates by diet alone.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Helen - Interview 09 >> Helen recalled how diabetes took over her life until she found a routine that suited her.

Helen was diagnosed three years ago. She is currently controlling her diabetes with a low dosage of gliclazide + diet and exercise regime.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Stuart - Interview 12 >> Stuart was diagnosed when he was having treatment for persistent nosebleeds.

Stuart was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago. Currently he controls his diabetes by diet alone and takes no medication.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Andy - Interview 04 >> Andy discussed the pros and cons of Avandamet with his GP.

Andy has chronic pain as well as diabetes which was diagnosed six months ago. His medication includes Avandamet [rosiglitazone + metformin], simvastatin, Xenical, perindopril, amlodipine and doxazosin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Pamela - Interview 08 >> Her relationship with the GP is good because he listens well, is responsive and doesn't pressurise her.

Pamela was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago. She takes metformin and rosiglitazone.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Hyacinth - Interview 39 >> Hyacinth found that rosiglitazone didn't suit her and asked her GP for something else.

Hyacinth was diagnosed 33 years ago after a pregnancy. In 1997 she was also diagnosed with breast cancer and has had two mini strokes. She takes metformin and gliclazide.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Tina - Interview 17 >> Tina has developed a good relationship with the podiatrists in the hospital who are very helpful and straightfoward.

Tina was diagnosed 12 years ago. Initially she tried to control diabetes with diet alone, then transferred to metformin. In 2004 she changed to insulin and now takes Levimir at night.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Pamela - Interview 08 >> Pamela recalls how casual she was about her diabetes until she discovered that it was affecting her eyesight.

Pamela was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago. She takes metformin and rosiglitazone.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Duncan - Interview 27 >> Duncan thinks he may have had diabetes for years before being diagnosed because he was overweight and drinking too much.

Diagnosed 2 years ago. Duncan takes metformin, gliclazide, simvastatin, atenolol, ramipril and amlodipine. He has had neuropathy in his feet since 2006 and expects to receive laser eye treatment soon.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Nasir - Interview 21 >> Nasir goes to the hospital once a year and only goes to the GP if he has any problems with his medication.

Diagnosed 10 years ago, Nasir takes metformin and gliclazide.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 66 - 69 >> Brian - Interview 11 >> Brian has colitis and attends diabetes clinics at the hospital and the GP and says that the system works well.

Brian's diabetes was diagnosed seven years ago when he was having prostate surgery. More recently he has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He takes metformin and insulin (Novorapid and Levimir) for diabetes.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Stuart - Interview 12 >> Stuart goes to the GP for routine checkups and also sees a chiropodist and dietician.

Stuart was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago. Currently he controls his diabetes by diet alone and takes no medication.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Adrian - Interview 13 >> Adrian explains that he sees his GP for diabetes care and a private consultant for lymphangiectasia.

Adrian was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago. Since then lymphangiectasia (a lymphatic disorder) has also been diagnosed. He takes metformin and gliclazide.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Raj - Interview 06 >> Raj who also has a blood disorder (polycythemia) sees his GP every 3 months and finds it reassuring.

Raj was diagnosed when he was 41 when he was having routine tests for a blood disorder (polycythemia) that he has had for the last six years. He takes metformin and pioglitazone for his diabetes.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Lawrence - Interview 33 >> Lawrence says he used the internet to find out as much as he could and also asked his medical team about anything he didn't understand.

Diagnosed a year ago, Lawrence takes gliclazide and losartan.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 35 and under >> Wasim - Interview 22 >> Wasim thinks it would be difficult to get the support he needs from his GP and prefers being treated by the hospital.

Diagnosed a year ago after emergency admission to hospital. Wasim is on insulin (NovoRapid during the day and Lantus at night).

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Pamela - Interview 08 >> Pamela works full-time in London and would like to be able to see her GP on a Saturday morning.

Pamela was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago. She takes metformin and rosiglitazone.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Paul - Interview 20 >> Paul has read books and used the internet but finds talking to other people the best approach.

Paul was diagnosed 14 years ago when he was in hospital for a minor op. He takes metformin and uses other medication to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels.