Do I need to phone 111

[Soph895]

I’m type 2 taking one alogliptin and another tablet which I can’t remember on top of my head.
6 weeks ago doctor reffered me to diabetes clinic as numbers are high and said I may need a different medication like insulim

I’ve been using freestyle libre to monitor and my numbers are around 12mmol - 27+….most of this week they’ve been 17mmol lowest and as high as 27. Im exhausted, have headaches, I go hot and clammy sometimes (but didn’t know if this is doe to my depression and anxiety) and I’ve notice sometimes things seem more blurry. I don’t want to waste nhs times

 

[EllieM]

Hi @Soph895 and sorry you are feeling so unwell. I'm not a doctor so don't know whether you need to call 111 but if you tell them what you've written here then it shouldn't take them long to determine whether you need urgent help. I don't think you'd be wasting NHS time.

I don't suppose you've got any testing strips for ketones? (You can get ones for urine or blood).
The condition below is rare in T2s but not in T1s, and needs urgent treatment in hospital.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Find out about diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help and how to prevent it.

www.nhs.uk

Good luck.

 

[lovinglife]

Agree totally with @EllieM, you will not be wasting any one’s time, when you call 111 they will triage you and decide what will be the best way forward for you. If you are not feeling well and you are worried then that’s what they are there for. If I was in your position it’s exactly what I would do.

Please if you get the chance and you feel you can let us know how you get on, try not to worry too much, hope you’re feeling better soon

 

[Soph895]

Hi @Soph895 and sorry you are feeling so unwell. I'm not a doctor so don't know whether you need to call 111 but if you tell them what you've written here then it shouldn't take them long to determine whether you need urgent help. I don't think you'd be wasting NHS time.

I don't suppose you've got any testing strips for ketones? (You can get ones for urine or blood).
The condition below is rare in T2s but not in T1s, and needs urgent treatment in hospital.

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Find out about diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help and how to prevent it.

www.nhs.uk

Good luck.

Thankyou, I’ve phoned and they’ve got back to me, I am now to wait for an out of hours doctor/nurse to phone back within an hour
I’ve not got any blood test strips for ketones, however I’ve got the urine test strips, I’ve been to the loo twice within the last hour and tested and on the ketones part it’s very dark, darker than the last reading on the colour chart.
I’ve gone all warm but unsure if that’s just anxiety.

 

[Soph895]

Agree totally with @EllieM, you will not be wasting any one’s time, when you call 111 they will triage you and decide what will be the best way forward for you. If you are not feeling well and you are worried then that’s what they are there for. If I was in your position it’s exactly what I would do.

Please if you get the chance and you feel you can let us know how you get on, try not to worry too much, hope you’re feeling better soon

Thankyou, I’ve spoken to an out of hours doctor who was absolutely no use…just said for me to drink lots of fluids yet I told him I’m easily drinking 4 litres a day. Them said it could be I’m not type 2 but actually type 1 and then looked to see if they can get an appointment with my gp - and said ‘uh oh there’s no appointment, but o can go to a gp surgery 20 miles away on Thursday, I explained I can drive at the moment and he said ‘what would you like me to to do, you’ll need to just phone your gp Tomorrow morning’…….

I really feel like I’m not being taken seriously and I’m so upset. My anxiety is through the roof and I’ve been up all night and now have to go work. I don’t know how much I can take. I also explained the urine test strip I did - he didn’t seem concerned at all.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thankyou, I’ve spoken to an out of hours doctor who was absolutely no use…just said for me to drink lots of fluids yet I told him I’m easily drinking 4 litres a day. Them said it could be I’m not type 2 but actually type 1 and then looked to see if they can get an appointment with my gp - and said ‘uh oh there’s no appointment, but o can go to a gp surgery 20 miles away on Thursday, I explained I can drive at the moment and he said ‘what would you like me to to do, you’ll need to just phone your gp Tomorrow morning’…….

I really feel like I’m not being taken seriously and I’m so upset. My anxiety is through the roof and I’ve been up all night and now have to go work. I don’t know how much I can take. I also explained the urine test strip I did - he didn’t seem concerned at all.

With a ketone strip that dark, and you feeling unwell, I'd try calling around to anyone who'll listen. GP's assistants, maybe emergency services rather than 111, then?

I don't know whether you're home alone, but going in to work seems like a good move if you are. Be around people who can call on your behalf, should anything go wrong.

 

[EllieM]

If those strips are in date (check the expiry date) then according to the NHS article I linked earlier

If you use strips to test for ketones in your pee, over 2+ is high. This means you may have DKA and should call 999 or go to A&E.

Disclaimer, I'm not a doctor and can't give you medical advice.

You could also try phoning the DUK (the UK diabetes charity) helpline which opens at 9am

Diabetes UK Helpline

Get specialist information and advice on all aspects of living with diabetes. Call us for answers, support or just to talk to someone who knows about diabetes. What is the Diabetes UK Helpline? Our helpline number is 0345 123 2399. It is a dedicated diabetes helpline for all people with...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Soph895]

If those strips are in date (check the expiry date) then according to the NHS article I linked earlier

If you use strips to test for ketones in your pee, over 2+ is high. This means you may have DKA and should call 999 or go to A&E.

Disclaimer, I'm not a doctor and can't give you medical advice.

You could also try phoning the DUK (the UK diabetes charity) helpline which opens at 9am

Diabetes UK Helpline

Get specialist information and advice on all aspects of living with diabetes. Call us for answers, support or just to talk to someone who knows about diabetes. What is the Diabetes UK Helpline? Our helpline number is 0345 123 2399. It is a dedicated diabetes helpline for all people with...

www.diabetes.org.uk

I’m presuming these are in date. I’ve done another one this morning and it went that dark straight away. I might try and order another box as I’ve had theses about a year

 

[becca59]

They are in date. Personally I would just bypass everyone else and go straight to A&E. Sugar levels are high, ketones are high. It needs sorting.

 

[PenguinMum]

I’m presuming these are in date. I’ve done another one this morning and it went that dark straight away. I might try and order another box as I’ve had theses about a year

If it was me I would get myself to A&E at a regional hospital (not a community A&E for minor injuries) by taxi or getting a friend to drive you. You are not wasting anyone’s time you just need to be properly checked. Sending you a massive hug. Best wishes.

 

[lovinglife]

With all you are saying I agree with everyone a trip to A&E much better to be safe than sorry

 

[Antje77]

Hi @Soph895 , how did things go today?

From the thread you posted in March, I take it you were going to be referred to a specialist nurse because the hospital thought you might be T1 or T3C, did this referral happen?
I hope you've been seen at A&E, and that someone will fasttrack you to see an endo or specialist nurse to get a better treatment, you've really been through the mill for the past year.

I wish you all the best and I hope you'll feel better soon!

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Are you currently having a low-carb diet and seriously restricting the carbs until you've been able to see a medic?

 

[mouseee]

I hope you got checked out too. Definitely not wasting anyone's time.

 

[Soph895]

Hi @Soph895 , how did things go today?

From the thread you posted in March, I take it you were going to be referred to a specialist nurse because the hospital thought you might be T1 or T3C, did this referral happen?
I hope you've been seen at A&E, and that someone will fasttrack you to see an endo or specialist nurse to get a better treatment, you've really been through the mill for the past year.

I wish you all the best and I hope you'll feel better soon!

I’ve been so ill and anxious all day, couldn’t get through my own gp. But I also went on my nhs app today and saw this yet my gp isn’t mentioned once about kidney impairment.

( Mod edit to remove personal information of GP and surgery from image)

 

[Soph895]

Hi @Soph895 , how did things go today?

From the thread you posted in March, I take it you were going to be referred to a specialist nurse because the hospital thought you might be T1 or T3C, did this referral happen?
I hope you've been seen at A&E, and that someone will fasttrack you to see an endo or specialist nurse to get a better treatment, you've really been through the mill for the past year.

I wish you all the best and I hope you'll feel better soon!

The referral appointment isn’t till next week

 

[Antje77]

I’ve been so ill and anxious all day, couldn’t get through my own gp.

How are your blood glucose and ketones right now?

Possible kidney problems are a long term issue but having high BG plus ketones can be a sign of an acute emergency.
If still high, please contact 999 or go to A&E because of risk of ketoacidosis, especially with a suspicion of having T1/T3C.

Your GP has already proven less than adequate in the past, and you're feeling very ill right now. You may need medical care today, please seek help now.

Sending you a very big hug, I understand your anxiety makes this even harder to deal with. Thinking of you, and know there are always people around on the forum to lean on if you need us.

 

[zand]

I have read the 2 attachments re kidney impairment and I read it as there is no need to consider it as your egfr is greater than 90% and is therefore normal. The notes re impairment are just to guide the doctor if the egfr is less than 60%.
Hopefully someone else can check that I've interpreted it correctly. I am sure your doctor would have mentioned it if there was a problem.

 

[zand]

The KFRE is The kidney failure risk equation. The attachment says the KFRE is invalid as your egfr is over 90%. So the KFRE is invalid as there is little risk at present.

Well that's my take on it anyway.
I could be wrong...

 

[Grant_Vicat]

The referral appointment isn’t till next week

As has been suggested above, I would get yourself to A&E as quickly as possible. I did this in March, without visiting a Dr Or phoning anybody. I had a haemorrhage in my right eye. If you trn up to A&E with the information you have given us, you should be seen quickly. I was treated by an ophthalmologist the same day! Your health is the most important asset you have. Good luck!