[ett]

When I was diagnosed as type 2. One of the referrals on my patient discharge instructions from the hospital was to attend Diabetic Education classes. I assumed this was standard procedure for all people who were diagnosed with diabetes.

So it surprises me whenever I encounter other diabetics who were NOT instructed to attend Diabetic Education classes.
I'm so glad I attended the classes. They were extremely informative. They explained how the body works, how diabetes affects the body, how diet and exercise can be used to control diabetes, what our doctors should be checking, what the numbers mean on all the different test results, explained the different medications available, etc ...
They also pretty much explained how much of what we were taught by our parents and school while growing up was wrong.
(Well at least here in the USA with our poor diets.)

For my curiosity and perhaps everyone's education; let's hear from everyone on this forum.
Were you instructed to attend Diabetic Education classes when you were diagnosed ?
And if you attended; were you glad you attended ? What did you like and dislike about the classes ?

--ET

 

[wickedwickedwitch]

I was handed a book and a referral to a nutritionist. I went to the bookstore and got a few good books and read and read. So, no great class for me unfortunately.

 

[Lovecraft007]

I was not sent for education. My doctor SAID she was going to "get you some counselling and set you up with a diabetes educator" but never actually did. I suppose I slipped through the cracks.
I did see a nutritionist a few times who put me on a plan that made me gain 35 lbs in just over a month.... ?!? Her brilliant advice when I returned was to "eat less". Uh yeah, thanks for that.
So I took things into my own hands and just started reading and reasearching anything I could get my hands on regarding treatment (nutrition, insulin, exercise). I became a fanatic about exercise and healthy lifestyle, and how the body works, and actually ended up going back to school to study kinesiology and health. So I suppose it may have been a blessing in disguise for me, in some way.

Now I work as a fitness instructor, personal trainer, and massage therapist. A lot of my previous and current clients stuggle with diabetes, and I'm happy to be able to help them find better health.

 

[Brian Embrey]

I was just DX'd on the 18th of June. My Dr said she was sending my info to a diabetic educator and I got a phone call the same day. I had an enrollment packet and forms in 2 days. Only problem was the next available class didn't start for 5 weeks or so. A three day, 12 hour course...