• Clip
• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Raj - Interview 06 >> Raj still checks his levels and records them for his GP because he may need more medication.

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 56 - 65 >> Mike - Interview 16 >> At first Mike took metformin but for several years now he has controlled his diabetes with diet and exercise.

Diagnosed in 2002. Mike controls his diabetes with diet alone.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Malcolm - Interview 14 >> Malcolm explains how the amount and strength of medication he takes has increased over the last fifteen years.

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 46 - 55 >> Alex - Interview 07 >> Alex was put on metformin and gliclazide to get his blood glucose under control.

Alex was diagnosed with diabetes three years' ago. He is currently taking metformin and gliclazide.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Helen - Interview 09 >> Helen changed her medications several times before she stopped getting side effects. She found taking medication with food helped.

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 >> Sallie - Interview 36 >> Sallie was dreading being weighed at the clinic but said that the nurse was 'brilliant'.

Diagnosed 6 years ago. Sallie tried to control it with diet and exercise but has recently started metformin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Susan - Interview 03 >> Susan found metformin didn't suit her and the GP substituted rosiglitazone.

Diagnosed aged 61, Susan was first prescribed metformin, but now takes rosiglitazone which suits her better.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 56 - 65 >> Mike - Interview 16 >> Mike questioned the need to take a statin but his doctor persuaded him.

Diagnosed in 2002. Mike controls his diabetes with diet alone.

• 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 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 56 - 65 >> Gareth - Interview 24 >> Gareth doesn't always want to be monitored or to take so many tablets but knows he must.

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