Type 2 - NHS?

[Blubie]

Hi everyone, I got diagnosed with type 2 about three years ago. I am on metformin but have not seen anyone about the diabetes since apart from I saw the GP who diagnosed me about a year ago because I have a swollen and painful left foot. She told me to go on a diet which I did,I have lost weight but it is still sore and swollen.
What support are they supposed to give us?

 

[miahara]

Hi Blubie! I think you ought to be receiving greater support and at the very least an annual review involving a HbA1c test, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Here a section from the NICE guidelines - if you follow the link.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/chapter/Key-priorities-for-implementation

 

[Guzzler]

You should be having regular appointments with your Diabetes Specialist Nurse or your GP for blood tests, foot checks, weight etc. At diagnosis you should have been referred for a Retinopathy (eyes) Screening.

I advise you to return to your GP with your foot problems as these can be hard to put right. Hope this helps.

 

[Derbysocks]

You usually get diabetic bloods analysed every 3 months which changes to every 6 months after everything has settled down usually with a specialist diabetic nurse at your doctors . You should have a diabetic review once a year with the nurse where your treatments are discussed and feet etc are checked. If you are having problems contact the practice & see the diabetes nurse or a doctor. Not seeing them for years is unacceptable. You should also be getting your eyes check to make sure your diabetes is not causing problems. I got a retinal scan very year and now more often as my eyes are being affected. Please see someone ASAP as amputation with diabetes is a real possibility.

 

[Daibell]

Your surgery has failed you badly. You are entitled to a review at least annually and annual retinopathy tests. You need to stamp your feet at the Practice Manager.

 

[Bluetit1802]

It sounds like you have slipped through the net. The diabetes care pathway laid down by NICE is very clear on what should happen.

As others above have said, you should have begun with 3 monthly blood tests and reviews with either a GP or a diabetes nurse at your surgery, reducing to 6 monthly once medication and blood sugar levels are stable, and eventually to 12 monthly. You should also be having an eye retinal screening test every 12 months and a foot check every 12 months.

You need to go back to your surgery and insist you are put on this care pathway.

 

[Dark Horse]

This page lists the 15 healthcare checks that someone with diabetes should get:-
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/15-healthcare-essentials

The national standard for diabetic eye screening in the UK is that everyone should have their first screen within 3 months of diagnosis. If this hasn't happened, you need to see your GP as soon as possible.

 

[Rachox]

This page lists the 15 healthcare checks that someone with diabetes should get:-
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/15-healthcare-essentials

The national standard for diabetic eye screening in the UK is that everyone should have their first screen within 3 months of diagnosis. If this hasn't happened, you need to see your GP as soon as possible.

I’ve never seen that list, so only knew some of them, so thanks for posting the link. I was diagnosed in May and haven’t had my feet checked by a professional. I do check them every night myself and don’t have any problems that I can see apart from a toenail growing out after a fungal infection (one of the things that looking back was an indicator of my diabetes).

 

[Bluetit1802]

I’ve never seen that list, so only knew some of them, so thanks for posting the link. I was diagnosed in May and haven’t had my feet checked by a professional. I do check them every night myself and don’t have any problems that I can see apart from a toenail growing out after a fungal infection (one of the things that looking back was an indicator of my diabetes).

. Your DN should check your feet on a review once a year. She will use a prong gadget to check sensitivity, and check the pulse to both feet. Very few of us are referred to official podiatrists.

 

[Rachox]

. Your DN should check your feet on a review once a year. She will use a prong gadget to check sensitivity, and check the pulse to both feet. Very few of us are referred to official podiatrists.

Thank you for that. I hadn’t thought of the sensitivity or pulses. I was just checking my skin for damage. I haven’t seen a nurse at all, I’ve just been seeing my GP, so I’ll ask about it at my next review in Dec.

 

[ringi]

If you can feel the difference between walking on carpet and tiles (for example) I don’t think you are at high risk of having foot problems. (It tends to be people who have had a high BG over a long length of time.)

 

[Grateful]

... a toenail growing out after a fungal infection (one of the things that looking back was an indicator of my diabetes).

I had that, at diagnosis, but it was caused by a pair of bad walking boots (wrong size) and appeared on both of my big toes after a long hike in the beautiful Hampshire countryside several years earlier.

For the following few years I ignored the issue apart from taking an antibiotic (prescribed by a podiatrist) to get rid of the original infection. It was rather ugly but not painful. On T2D diagnosis I read about the importance of annual foot checks and booked an appointment with a podiatrist.

He used clippers and various other tools to get rid of the excess nail matter, and prescribed an antifungal. He said that the problem is that the toenails grow, then get the fungus, then die, and then another toenail comes along, in a kind of conveyor belt. At least that is how it presented, with me.

It is an example of a "small thing" that I should have paid attention to, but did not. That of course has changed now that I have T2D and know about the importance of foot care.

 

[Rachox]

If you can feel the difference between walking on carpet and tiles (for example) I don’t think you are at high risk of having foot problems. (It tends to be people who have had a high BG over a long length of time.)

My feet remain very ticklish, so I think my sensation is good!