• Clip
• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 66 - 69 >> Philip - Interview 02 >> Despite increasing problems with his feet, Philip says his diabetes is manageable and does not have a negative impact on his life.

Diagnosed at 46, Philip took metformin for 5 years and is now on insulin (NovoMix 30). He also takes amytriptyline, alloprinolol, simvastatin, bendroflurizide and atenolol.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 70 and over >> Philip - Interview 15 >> Philip describes how he feels 'light' when his levels are too low.

Philip was diagnosed with diabetes nine years ago when he was hospitalised after a heart attack. He was put straight onto insulin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Gareth - Interview 24 >> As a paramedic Gareth was well aware of diabetes symptoms but never made the connection for himself.

Gareth was diagnosed 11 years ago. At first he was prescribed tablets, but is now taking insulin which he prefers.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 35 and under >> Wasim - Interview 22 >> Wasim realised how serious diabetes was when he was still in hospital and felt too weak to lift his young son.

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 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 >> Malcolm - Interview 14 >> Malcolm explains how important it is to keep glucose levels balanced and describes what he does if his levels dip too low.

Malcolm's diabetes was diagnosed 15 years ago after a routine eyesight test. Initially his diabetes was controlled by diet but now he takes metformin, gliclazide and pioglitazone.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 66 - 69 >> Balvinder - Interview 10 >> When Balvinder's levels are dipping too low he starts to feel 'shaky' and eats a piece of fruit or has a sweet drink (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 56 - 65 >> Gareth - Interview 24 >> Gareth used to be a paramedic and so knows the difference between hypos and hypers. He says a mild hypo feels like 'walking on eggshells'.

Gareth was diagnosed 11 years ago. At first he was prescribed tablets, but is now taking insulin which he prefers.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Gareth - Interview 24 >> Gareth used to be a paramedic and so knows the difference between hypos and hypers. He says a mild hypo feels like 'walking on eggshells'.

Gareth was diagnosed 11 years ago. At first he was prescribed tablets, but is now taking insulin which he prefers.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 66 - 69 >> Balvinder - Interview 10 >> When Balvinder's levels are dipping too low he starts to feel 'shaky' and eats a piece of fruit or has a sweet drink (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 >> Malcolm - Interview 14 >> Malcolm explains how important it is to keep glucose levels balanced and describes what he does if his levels dip too low.

Malcolm's diabetes was diagnosed 15 years ago after a routine eyesight test. Initially his diabetes was controlled by diet but now he takes metformin, gliclazide and pioglitazone.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 70 and over >> Philip - Interview 15 >> Philip describes how he feels 'light' when his levels are too low.

Philip was diagnosed with diabetes nine years ago when he was hospitalised after a heart attack. He was put straight onto insulin.

• Topic
• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Managing hypos >> Managing hypos

Managing hypos 

• Condition
• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Diabetes Type 2

Publication date: 1st March 2008           Last updated: November 2010

Review date: November 2012

 

Diabetes type 2 occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly (insulin resistance).  We interviewed 40 people about their experiences of diabetes type 2. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Gugu - Interview 40 >> Gugu says that diabetes has affected every part of her life including her interest in sex and relationships.

Gugu was diagnosed 10 years ago. At first she was prescribed metformin. 3 years before the interview she was transferred to insulin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Nicky - Interview 18 >> Looking back Nicky realises she had many classic diabetes symptoms but at the time she wondered if she was going through the menopause.

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 >> Diabetes Type 2

Publication date: 1st March 2008           Last updated: November 2010

Review date: November 2012

 

Diabetes type 2 occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly (insulin resistance).  We interviewed 40 people about their experiences of diabetes type 2. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Managing hypos >> Managing hypos

Managing hypos