Support .. what support?!!!

[Debzz_]

Hi everyone - just over a week since my T2 ( yes getting the hang of the slang now ) diagnosis . Been an emotional week with a lot of tears , guilt , stress etc etc . The medication seems to be helping and following a low carb diet - most of the time !
However... where is the support from my practice - I'm a reasonably intelligent woman but I don't even know when I should return to my GP . I've been given a repeat prescription for my meds so obviously not planning to see me for a while . I think it's disgusting to be honest - I could rant more but I'm sure you are all familiar with this .
Thank goodness for this site - Thankyou for the info I've had on things I've asked questions about .

 

[Buttons11]

I can only agree. My Dr told me on 21st Feb "your fasting blood sugar was 13, you're diabetic, you need to make an appt with the diabetic nurse" and that was the only information she gave me (to be honest I was seeing her about something else). My appointment with the diabetic nurse is NEXT Friday. Without this forum I would have been totally lost. As it is, my BG readings are going down, I'm feeling much better and I'm not even sure I want to see the diabetic nurse in case she tells me to start eating carbs - I won't though!

 

[vekay]

I was recently diagnosed and I can say I totally agree with the OP. The NHS is just not set up to deal with Diabetes properly.

I was diagnosed with a very high HBA1C of 147 and I was told to come in. On that day there was a locum GP who said to me I was diabetic and she was putting me on Metformin and told me to set up an appointment with the diabetic nurse.

No information was provided on the test results and the impression was to just take medication and everything will be okay.

 

[walnut_face]

@Debzz_ You will find that you visit you surgery much more frequently now that you are T2. You will find that Practice Nurses have set times to run Diabetic clinics, so some will have a longer wait than others. Once the oil tanker leaves harbour it will get up to speed, but in the first instance it all seems a bit hap hazard, as you are finding out.
In due course you will have;-
Regular blood tests
Follow up appts
Eye screening

For all that it will probably take 4 additional hours a year at the surgery.
For the other 8756 hours of the year, you are on your own, or better still here, with an effective self support group.

It will get easier, honest, but do remember it is your Diabetes, you cannot offload it on fleabay

 

[AM1874]

Hi @Debzz_
I'm with you re: support (or not) .. my experience pretty much matches yours ..
I have posted about my first appt with my Doctor .. a different sort of experience, shall we say ...
I believe though, that it can only get better ...

 

[wiseowl_123]

Good afternoon I agree with everyone Diabetic nurse we haven't got one,saw her when diagnosed in October and she left the same day, all she said was your Hb1ac is 114 see you in 3 months,they are looking for a replacement thats nearly 6 months ago,,signed on the xpert course went first week,then next two weeks cancelled, phone call this morning saying that to days was cancelled ,not sure what else I can say

ps this forum has been a life saver for me and I would like to thank everyone for the advice,help they have given me

 

[Mervin]

Hi,
Got told yesterday I'm diabetic, so thought I'd join the club!

 

[ickihun]

If it's any consellation. I was turned away more than 10 times in the 70s as 6yr olds didn't get type2!
I'm thankful 6yr olds aren't turned away today thou!

 

[Bluetit1802]

In most surgeries and health centres, the nurses cover many different aspects, from diabetes to asthma to everything else the surgery provides. They don't just specialise in diabetes is what I'm trying to say. Unfortunately there probably aren't enough nurses to go round, and far too many newly diagnosed diabetics. I am probably lucky in that I haven't been inconvenienced by long waits.

However, at my initial appointment I was given a big glossy brochure and told all about the Eatwell Plate, plus a promised referral to the retinal eye screening and an X-Pert course. Not a lot else happens at these initial appointments, other than BP checks, weight, urine test and a Q-risk score.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. We've all been thru it. Normally you should have another appointment in 3 months time to re-check your HBa1C blood sugar. In many surgeries like mine it is up to you to book the appointment and the blood test. Hopefully Reception will let you book that diabetes review with the nurse. If so then get bloods and urine done 2 weeks before at the hospital pathology clinic or your surgery may have a phlebotomist. This means the nurse will have your results available to discuss. If your BS readings are reasonable then the next appointment after that may be 6 months and eventually going to 12 months when stable. You should be given a retinopathy appointment annually. Try to get online access to your records including tests results. I find this helps knowing what the nurse or GP will be discussing. You may be offered statins. Don't accept these unless you know your lipids test results including the important HDL/LDL ratio (don't worry about the total). Good luck.

 

[Chook]

I think T2 seems to be a mainly DIY ailment. When I was diagnosed I was told I would get six months blood tests followed by consultation with DN, annual appts with podiatrist, annual retinal screening. The only one of those that actually happened as planned is the retinal screening. I get annual blood tests and have only seen the podiatrist once about ten years ago.

I hate the annual consultation with the DN so put it off and put it off - then recently got a ticking off for not getting the blood test and making the appointment - ahhh, I thought, they DO care after all, but no, the reason they keep chasing me up is because they get fined if they don't see me.

 

[noblehead]

@Debzz_ The following lists the 15 Healthcare Essentials that people with diabetes should expect to receive:

1. Get your blood glucose levels measured (HbA1c blood test)
2. Have your blood pressure measured
3. Have your blood fats measured
4. Have your eyes screened for signs of retinopathy
5. Have your feet and legs checked
6. Have your kidney function monitored
7. Get ongoing, individual dietary advice
8. Get emotional and psychological support
9. Be offered a local education course
10. See specialist healthcare professionals
11. Get a free flu vaccination
12. Receive high-quality care if admitted to hospital
13. Have the chance to talk about any sexual problems
14. If you smoke, get support to quit
15. Get information and specialist care if you are planning to have a baby

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Managing-your-diabetes/15-healthcare-essentials/

 

[Chook]

When I said DIY - I meant we have to do our own research and learn how best to deal with it ourselves rather than relying on the medical professionals to teach us the most effective ways to cope with it.

 

[Bluetit1802]

My nurse has always done my foot checks. I only see her annually but have 6 monthly bloods.

I get a letter telling me when my bloods are due and told to make an appointment with the Health Care Assistant. She takes the bloods, checks the urine, weighs and measures me, does BP check and asks a few questions. The results are all on line by the following day (including all the weight, measurements, urine and so on). It is brilliant.

 

[Chook]

My nurse has always done my foot checks. I only see her annually but have 6 monthly bloods.

I get a letter telling me when my bloods are due and told to make an appointment with the Health Care Assistant. She takes the bloods, checks the urine, weighs and measures me, does BP check and asks a few questions. The results are all on line by the following day (including all the weight, measurements, urine and so on). It is brilliant.

How wonderful! We should all be treated like that.

 

[Daibell]

My nurse has always done my foot checks. I only see her annually but have 6 monthly bloods.

I get a letter telling me when my bloods are due and told to make an appointment with the Health Care Assistant. She takes the bloods, checks the urine, weighs and measures me, does BP check and asks a few questions. The results are all on line by the following day (including all the weight, measurements, urine and so on). It is brilliant.

How can you discuss your blood test results if the bloods are taken at the appointment? My surgery asks you to get the bloods done before the review so the results can be discussed. I know quite a few surgeries do it all together but it wouldn't work for me.

 

[Debzz_]

When I said DIY - I meant we have to do our own research and learn how best to deal with it ourselves rather than relying on the medical professionals to teach us the most effective ways to cope with it.

I disagree - whilst we are now lucky to have the internet to do our research we should not have to do it . What about people who have learning difficulties? The support should be out there for all .

 

[Debzz_]

@Debzz_ The following lists the 15 Healthcare Essentials that people with diabetes should expect to receive:

1. Get your blood glucose levels measured (HbA1c blood test)
2. Have your blood pressure measured
3. Have your blood fats measured
4. Have your eyes screened for signs of retinopathy
5. Have your feet and legs checked
6. Have your kidney function monitored
7. Get ongoing, individual dietary advice
8. Get emotional and psychological support
9. Be offered a local education course
10. See specialist healthcare professionals
11. Get a free flu vaccination
12. Receive high-quality care if admitted to hospital
13. Have the chance to talk about any sexual problems
14. If you smoke, get support to quit
15. Get information and specialist care if you are planning to have a baby

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Managing-your-diabetes/15-healthcare-essentials/

1 - yes
2 - yes
3 - yes
4 - yes
5 - no
6 - yes
7 - no
8 - NO
9 - yes but had no response
10 - no
11 - yes but not this year
12 - don't know already had op cancelled due to T2 diagnosis
13- all ok in that department
14 - don't smoke
15 - N/A

75 % then

 

[Chook]

I disagree - whilst we are now lucky to have the internet to do our research we should not have to do it . What about people who have learning difficulties? The support should be out there for all .

Having worked with autistic adults, several of which had pre-diabetes, I agree completely, but the way things stand right now we can only do our best with very little professional support.

 

[ickihun]

I get the support I feel I can take from.
If I was over tested I'd feel the pressure more. Diabetes isn't the only need in my life so it has to be manageable. Having liver and hba1c blood test in a few weeks after eyes, feet checked. Talking therapy, physio and hospital diabetes nurse on a regular basis are due.