Went back to Docs as forum members suggested

[james11]

Hi again,

I posted a few days ago regarding continual high blood sugar levels and went to docs as forum members suggested. My GP is off for a while but the locum wanted to start me on insulin and spoke with the hospital who are going to see me on Monday as they would prefer me to have continuity of care, as at my surgery there is only my GP and they think different locums is not best initially till we get things under control, its a country practice.

So I am going on Monday, not sure what to expect. Any advice would be appreciated.

I am also going to lose my job as a result of this, being a HGV driver I understand my licence will be revoked for a while, so I am confused as to whether I will be classed as sick or unemployed as I have never been out of work before. Our kids have grown up so its just me and my wife.

Bit of background, I have had type 2 for several years, not overweight, non drinker, healthy lifestyle and was managing well on low doses of metformin 2 x 250 mg a day. This Christmas I got severe pancreatitis, spent a while in hospital and since then my blood sugars have been more or less uncontrollable. Up to 850mg metformin 3 x a day, since Xmas they have tried various add-ons such as starlix and glicazide but they upset the pancreas too much so I cannot take them.

Thanks for the previous advice and if you can help anymore It would be appreciated

James

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi James, sorry to hear about your recent problems and the fact that you having to go onto insulin.

Regarding your appointment at the hospital try to look on it as a positive step as hospital diabetes clinics are staffed by far more knowledgeable and highly trained diabetes specialists than those found at even the best GP surgery.

I was placed under the care of a hospital diabetes unit and put on insulin after I was initially diagnosed T2 and although very scared and frightened I soon got used to the multi daily injection (MDI) routine they put me on and I gained good control very quickly with their help :thumbup:

I dont know anything about the HGV side of things other than what Ive read on here and that seems to suggest that you can request to have your licence restored but you will need 6 months worth of regular meter reading data indicating that your control is good and that you are have not suffered any serious hypos. Hopefully someone who has gone through this process will be able to give you more advice.

Good luck and I hope things work out well for you :thumbup:

 

[james11]

thanks for your comments ,your right about them being more experienced.
looking forward to going tomorrow hopefully I will start to feel better . thanks again

 

[angieG]

Hi again,

I am also going to lose my job as a result of this, being a HGV driver I understand my licence will be revoked for a while, so I am confused as to whether I will be classed as sick or unemployed as I have never been out of work before. Our kids have grown up so its just me and my wife.

Thanks for the previous advice and if you can help anymore It would be appreciated

James

Hi James,

I have a PSV and HGV licence and was put on insulin last August (initially diagnosed as type 2 but then referred to Consultant due to rising levels and tests revealed I was type 1).
I notified DVLA by telephone and they told I had to stop driving group 2 vehicles immediately. They then send me a form to send to apply to have my licence re-instated.
To do this you need a Consultant appointment after you have recorded 3 months of readings on your meter. You need a meter than stores 3 months of data (my DSN at the hospital gave me one that they can download as it must be compatible with their software) and you must test at least 2 times a day every day. My DSN warned me of a lorry driver they treat that wasn't bothering to test on his day off from work and DVLA suspended his licence as he couldn't prove good control so make sure you keep testing.
As for employment, can your work give you other duties at all? I am self employed so if I don't work I don't earn anything. I tried to get Employment Support Allowance (since I have paid my contributions for the last 30 years) and despite not being able to work due to illness as such I ticked all the boxes when I went for the medical assessment so I was deemed fit for work. I asked what I was supposed to live on and they then suggested I try for Jobseekers and say I wanted a job other than driving. I went for the interview and was told I wasn't entitled to the contribution based part due to being self-employed and that I wouldn't be successful in claiming the means tested part as my partner works full time. I therefore ended up substituting my Coach driving lost earnings from my savings.
Once I got to see my Consultant after about 5 months (they moved my December appointment to January!!) she filled in the medical form for DVLA and gave it back to me to post. I put it in the post box at the hospital and 2 weeks later I got a letter from DVLA saying I was back on the road.
I would recommend giving DVLA a call, they seem more helpful on the phone and you can speak to the department that deals with the Group 2 medical cases so they know what's what.
Good luck, hope this helps.
Angie

 

[james11]

Hi Angie,

Sorry for the delay in responding.

I got back late from the hospital and was knackered. Started my insulin tonight, so everything is up in the air. The consultant gave me a meter capable of doing the readings and downloading for DVLA. My company do not have an alternative position for me and I have a couple more hospital appointments in the next week, so I suppose, I will get a sick note initially.

Its sounds a complete nightmare but I am going to try and start tackling everything tomorrow. Thanks so much for your reply, looking at the hassle regarding DVLA its making me question whether I should consider a career change but I suppose its a bit early to make any proper decisions yet. :thumbup:

 

[angieG]

Hi
That was my thought but I got back on the road quite smoothly so I said I would carry on until it started being a hassle and then I will quit.
My biggest problem is 2 hour testing during driving, ok with an empty vehicle or lorry but not easy with a load of passengers on. I don't have problems with low levels as driving puts them up so it's usually highs I'm fighting not lows!
Hope all goes well.
Angie

 

[missy789]

Hi James and Angie, when DVLA first introduced the new restrictions, every single person who drove a lorry or a bus had to stop working immediately! They are more lenient now but you can see their standpoint, other road users are at risk! James, it might be that as your body gets used to the insulin and you regain control of your blood glucose you'll be able to return to work fairly quickly. Does your employer not pay sick pay? It would be worth contacting Department of Work and Pensions or the old Jobcentre as it was known t find out what would be best for you. I know if you claim JSA you'd be expected to look for work but you have a job as such so if your employer doesnt pay sick pay, you'll need to claim ESA. That's Employment and Support Allowance. It'll tide you over until you're able to return to work. What I would suggest is that, if you're required to do long trips pack a lucozade in with your food, you'll soon get used to the signs of a hypo, sweating mostly and a feeling of not being 'there'! Dont ever not have your insulin, your liver will release glucose if you dont eat to maintain the blood glucose and then you're at risk of going the opposite way, which is why you're now taking insulin! You could see if your hospital has a Diabetic Specialist Nursing Unit. Mine has and my nurse is great, very knowledgable and will keep you on the right track. You'll soon be able to juggle things like the rest of us who battle daily with he condition. If you need more help or want to talk more about things I will try to visit more often. I've suffered a stroke, partly due to the diabetes, so I have an insight into both conditions. You will learn to adapt if DVLA revoke your licence permanently, mine will be revoked as the stroke affected my vision. After driving 30+ years it came a bit of a blow, although it's not my profession or job at stake! I wish you well

 

[martwolves]

Hi James, anytging further, re: work, etc? It's a pain in the ar$e testing all the while, but best to be safe. I stopped driving a couple of years ago and use public transport to get to work, etc. So much cheaper and I can relax on the bus/train or read. It costs me just over a grand a year, plus work pay 75% off my season ticket, so anywhere in the west midlands on train, bus or metro for about £250 is a lot cheaper than maintaining and running a car.

Good luck