Diabetes Service Patient Testimonials

• Patient Story - Gulam, DESMOND

  Gulam is a 53-year-old taxi driver.

  Initially I did not know I was diabetic. I was not feeling well but I had no other symptoms. However during a routine blood test, it was discovered I had diabetes type 2.  I was not aware what the symptoms for diabetes were. 

  DESMOND for me…

  The programme was really good and the reason I attended was purely to educate myself and control my diet before my condition got worse.  I wanted to feel better without taking any medication.  When I was referred for DESMOND, I was really happy to learn more about the illness.  I attended DESMOND and learnt how diabetes damages and affects the body and the complications associated with diabetes. It affects everything. The programme was good it educated me on what to eat and what not to eat. I was given practical expert advice which was useful. 

  The explanations and information given during the sessions were easy to understand the condition really well. No one in my family or friends had ever discussed it to that extend.  I had never heard about DESMOND or been aware such a programme existed.  The programme has helped me control what I am eating as well as drinking.  I followed all the advice given, exercising, controlling my diet, and have not had to take any medication. 

  After the programme my advice is if you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes then go and learn what it is, what will make it worse and how it affects your body. The programme will give you so much knowledge.  By following the expert advice, you will feel better. 

  I feel it is primarily the GP who should explain the education program and benefits during your consultation or when he is referring you for DESMOND. 

• Patient Story - Abbi, DESMOND

  Abbi is a 42-year-old lecturer.

  My life

  I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy with my second baby and as result knew I would be at a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  Last year I changed my job and started a less physical job and started full time work.  I was unable to keep up with the exercise and my diet changed.  My exercise decreased; my entire lifestyle changed.  I put on weight which led to everything just creeping up. 

  For the last three years I have been on medication for high blood pressure which I have monitored since my first pregnancy.  My routine annual blood test for my medication revealed I had type 2 diabetes. There were no other symptoms I was completely asymptomatic.  I had no physical or mental changes nothing to indicate diabetes or high blood pressure.  My children are now 12 and 14 years old.  I believe stress due to change of job working from one day a week to full time, my job now been sedentary; I have gained more weight and that has tipped the scales, physically and emotionally it has dipped me into the diabetic range.  I am now working on going into remission. 

  DESMOND

  I wanted to make more effort with my health and so I attended DESMOND.  I found it helpful, it helped me to know what decisions I should be making around food.  The only thing I would have liked is to know more was the portion sizes.  What appealed to me, I was able to complete the course from home virtually and that it had two sessions, which meant my entire day was not taken up.

  The different reasons why diabetes occurred, I knew the science behind but wanted to know more and the app provided that information.  Attending in with a group allowed me to ask questions during the sessions.  If the sessions had been face-to-face for the whole day, I believe I would not have been able to take the time off; rearrange my life and rearrange childcare.  A couple of hours in the morning fitted into my lifestyle.  I would suggest maybe a course at the weekend, a Saturday morning would be good.  

  Access to Mydesmond app was very useful; knowing I had the app, and I could work through it at my own pace.  Also, it was a reminder of discussions that had taken place in the sessions, there was a lot of information.  The app allowed me to go over that information and also gave me an opportunity to join conversations that were taking place.   People ask questions and different ways of living. 

  Concerns were arranging work. 

  What I took away from the programme was the knowledge of how diabetes works.  The advice I was given I am trying to implement into my life.  The programme has helped me make more conscience decisions about what I am eating. 

  Advice

  The programme gives you an awareness of what the disease can do to your body and helps highlight the fact you can go into remission if you work hard.  I really enjoyed been part of it, having the information and educating myself about diabetes is one of the best things.