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First Diabetic Appt..

Y

Yeoyeo86

Member
Messages
10
Hi,

I just had my first appointment with the diabetic nurse today and have been put on metformin. I was told by other family members to expect a blood pressure check, and a finger prick to check blood glucose and to be sent away with with a blood glucose monitor, none of which happened. I asked about the monitor but was told that as they check hba1c every 3 months that the monitor was not needed. Does this sound right? I know I need to get my levels down but I’m a little confused as to how I would know if what I’m doing is effective without a monitor to check?
Is this typical for a first appointment?
 
Unfortunately yes it is typical. The opinion of most people on this site is that you do need a meter and you should use it to identify what foods cause you spikes. The NHS usually only issues them to people who take medication which might cause them to hypo.

Despite the fact that they claim that type 2 is progressive and they actually diagnose you with high blood sugar they do not find it important enough to issue you with a meter for controlling high readings.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. Tagging @daisy1 for the info pack offered to all newcomers.

This does not reflect a full Diabetes review. You will probably have a full review next time.

Have a wander around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.
 
Yeoyeo86 said:
Hi,

I just had my first appointment with the diabetic nurse today and have been put on metformin. I was told by other family members to expect a blood pressure check, and a finger prick to check blood glucose and to be sent away with with a blood glucose monitor, none of which happened. I asked about the monitor but was told that as they check hba1c every 3 months that the monitor was not needed. Does this sound right? I know I need to get my levels down but I’m a little confused as to how I would know if what I’m doing is effective without a monitor to check?
Is this typical for a first appointment?
Click to expand...
I've been trying a lie carb diet for three years. HbA1c of around 34. You really need to ignore NHS nonsense in my experience. Buy a meter. Check BG before and two hours after you start eating and the two readings should be quite close. Avoid carby foods which cause spikes. Try to get the two hour reading below 7. Check www.dietdoctor.com and the book blood sugar 101 Jenny Rhule.
 
Just popped in to say hi and welcome! Have a read of daisy’s post when it arrives and if you decide to go ahead with self funding a meter, let us know and we can provide details, links etc...
 
Thank you for your reply! I will take your advice and buy a meter and have a look at the link you’ve shared and the book you’ve suggested!
I had to wait over two weeks to see the nurse and I’ve come out feeling like I’ve just been left to get on with it.
She did say she’s got an information book to give me but none in stock, so waiting on that as well now!
In all fairness she was a really nice lady, I think it’s just being thrown into this new world can be a bit daunting!
 
Yeoyeo86 said:
Thank you for your reply! I will take your advice and buy a meter and have a look at the link you’ve shared and the book you’ve suggested!
I had to wait over two weeks to see the nurse and I’ve come out feeling like I’ve just been left to get on with it.
She did say she’s got an information book to give me but none in stock, so waiting on that as well now!
In all fairness she was a really nice lady, I think it’s just being thrown into this new world can be a bit daunting!
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t hold your breath for the leaflet, the NHS advice is usually not very helpful I’m afraid.
Here are some meters that are popular on the forum:

Taken from a post by @Bluetit1802 as she wrote it so nicely:


The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.


Try here for the Codefree meter

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/


and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/


There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


The Tee2 is here

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/


Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)
 
Squire Fulwood, it looks like I will be buying my own meter then. My Mom said it’s definately needed in order to keep a check on things day to day too!

Rachox, thanks for meter info! I will have a look at those!
 
Yeoyeo86 said:
Squire Fulwood, it looks like I will be buying my own meter then. My Mom said it’s definately needed in order to keep a check on things day to day too!

Rachox, thanks for meter info! I will have a look at those!
Click to expand...
Many of us self fund and not only with blood glucose meters. It gets easier to accept in time. My nurse took a blood pressure reading, it was high so I got issued with a lifetime of pills based on the one reading. I bought my own blood pressure meter and proved that things were not so bad. Some self monitoring could save you an awful lot of pills in times to come.
 
@dbr10 @Squire Fulwood I notice both your descriptions under your avatars say T2 with insulin, so maybe you are victims of the forum glitch too and need to click on Type 2 again in your personal details? You're probably not seeing it as insulin dependent on your device so wouldn't have realised that's what some of us are seeing....@dbr10 I always thought you used insulin so never thought to say before today
 
zand said:
@dbr10 @Squire Fulwood I notice both your descriptions under your avatars say T2 with insulin, so maybe you are victims of the forum glitch too and need to click on Type 2 again in your personal details? You're probably not seeing it as insulin dependent on your device so wouldn't have realised that's what some of us are seeing....@dbr10 I always thought you used insulin so never thought to say before today
Click to expand...
Ok thanks
 
zand said:
@dbr10 @Squire Fulwood I notice both your descriptions under your avatars say T2 with insulin, so maybe you are victims of the forum glitch too and need to click on Type 2 again in your personal details? You're probably not seeing it as insulin dependent on your device so wouldn't have realised that's what some of us are seeing....@dbr10 I always thought you used insulin so never thought to say before today
Click to expand...
I have done so, did it help? For everyone's information I am not on insulin and am a diet controlled T2.
 
It did for me. I got lucky. I think indy said to click on the first type 2 not the second. Did that and viola all fixed.
 
dbr10 said:
Me too. Can't find settings in app. Have to try web version.
Click to expand...

Dbr - You need to sign in to the web version to make changes to your account. I hope that helps.
 
Squire Fulwood said:
I have done so, did it help? For everyone's information I am not on insulin and am a diet controlled T2.
Click to expand...

Squire - When you go into your account settings, you will see two entries saying simply, "Type 2". Please select the other one. If I recall correctly, it's the top one.

That should do it. If it doesn't, click the second option.
 
DCUKMod said:
Squire - When you go into your account settings, you will see two entries saying simply, "Type 2". Please select the other one. If I recall correctly, it's the top one.

That should do it. If it doesn't, click the second option.
Click to expand...
I heard Jeremy Paxman do the weather forecast once and he said, "It will rain tomorrow except for where it doesn't."
 
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