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• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Tina - Interview 17 >> Tina was diagnosed in her early thirties and felt angry with herself because she had known all along that diabetes ran in her family.

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 >> 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 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 36 - 45 >> Nasir - Interview 21 >> Nasir was told his diabetes was probably hereditary but he says he's also been overweight for some time.

Diagnosed 10 years ago, Nasir takes metformin and gliclazide.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Pamela - Interview 08 >> Pamela attributes her diabetes to both hereditary and lifestyle factors.

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

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Andy - Interview 04 >> Andy doesn't know exactly what caused his diabetes but says that chronic pain has always made exercise painful.

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 35 and under >> Kay - Interview 32 >> Kay talks about her childhood, the abuse she experienced and the effect that had on her weight.

Diagnosed 4 years ago. Kay took metformin for 2 years and now takes insulin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 35 and under >> Zoe - Interview 34 >> Initially Zoe thought that her weight loss was a sign of diabetes.

Zoe was diagnosed 12 years ago. She also has polycystic ovary syndrome. She takes insulin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Tina - Interview 17 >> Tina has had weight problems since infancy and tried many diets but says what worked for her is eating healthy foods rather than dieting.

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 >> When she started following the GI diet Pamela found her glucose levels lowered quickly. When she ate smaller portions she began to lose weight.

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

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 35 and under >> Darren - Interview 35 >> Darren finds controlling his diet and his weight extremely difficult and says that diabetics need much more support with diet and weight loss.

Diagnosed 6 years ago. Darren takes humalog, metformin, atorvastatin and candesartan.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 36 - 45 >> Sylvia - Interview 38 >> Sylvia tries to follow the advice from her diabetes nurse but misses all the tasty things she used to eat and drink.

Diagnosed a year ago. Sylvia takes metformin, simvastatin and amlopidine.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Sallie - Interview 36 >> Sallie has lost weight on her new diet but doesn't enjoy it much and still has cravings for chocolate.

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 36 - 45 >> Gugu - Interview 40 >> Gugu feels more structured help with food might help. She feels tired after work and doesn't always want to cook fresh food.

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 56 - 65 >> Stuart - Interview 12 >> Stuart says he has a 'series of excuses' of not taking as much exercise as he should at the moment.

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 56 - 65 >> Duncan - Interview 27 >> Duncan explains that he doesn't want diabetes to dominate his life and so takes a 'broad-brush' approach to his diet.

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 35 and under >> Wasim - Interview 22 >> Wasim says he's never been keen on exercise and thinks he's probably become quite lazy.

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 >> Paul - Interview 20 >> Once he knew he had diabetes Paul made slow but steady changes to his rugby-lifestyle which has worked.

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.

• 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 >> 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 35 and under >> Zoe - Interview 34 >> Zoe prefers to talk to her nurse because she gives helpful advice and listens to her.

Zoe was diagnosed 12 years ago. She also has polycystic ovary syndrome. She takes insulin.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 46 - 55 >> Nicky - Interview 18 >> Nicky reacted badly to some of the suggestions made by her GP when she was first diagnosed.

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 35 and under >> Darren - Interview 35 >> Darren gets down at always needing to follow a diet and take medication. He works hard at making sure he doesn't stay fed up for too long.

Diagnosed 6 years ago. Darren takes humalog, metformin, atorvastatin and candesartan.

• Chronic health issues >> Diabetes Type 2 >> Aged 35 and under >> Zoe - Interview 34 >> Zoe was determined to prove she could lose weight and walked the Pennine Way.

Zoe was diagnosed 12 years ago. She also has polycystic ovary syndrome. She takes insulin.