Blood checking and driving

[meardonna]

The contradictions are enough to make you scream!! I have asked numerous times the past few months about driving and diabetes and was told all was fine etc and informing DVLA ans checking bloods before driving only relates to insulin etc ... Go for diabetic review at gp, even though not long been seen by ny consultant at Hospital and gp told me off for not checking bloods before driving and not checking bloods enough!, back in july consultant told me off for checking bloods too much saying the apps and the recommending regular testing is just so the strip companies get business and the apps are sponsored by them etc, so i limited my testing to jist when ever i remembered or thought id check. Who is right! So frustrating!

 

[Dixon1995]

Regardless what type Diabetes you are, if you are on Insulin treatment longer than 3 months, I would recommend checking sugars before driving. By law you must not drive Hypo below 4 mmol/L and to do that you must check before driving and at regular intervals on long journeys. It is also recommended to be above 5mmol/L, if on Insulin.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Yes if on insulin or Gliclazide tell the DVLA and you must be above 4 mmol to drive and try to get above 5 mmol. Have some glucose if below 5 mmol. Test shortly before driving and every 2 hours whilst driving.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I see from your profile you are taking Gliclazide. This is one of the drugs that can cause hypos.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabete...etes-treated-by-medication-other-than-insulin

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @meardonna, You are not to blame for being given conflicting information.
Whoever the so and so who first prescribed you the Glicazide is at fault. That person is supposed to inform you of all the relevant side-effects of Glicazide, including low blood sugar and the relevance of that to driving and the DVLA.
But equally your GP should have asked about what 'el prescriber' at the hospital did and did not do before making a fool of him- or herself.
Now that you have rudely been awakened to the fact, you are indeed vindicated for checking your BSLs and now know to pay particular attention to your BSLs before driving. My specialist in Australia stipulates that I only drive if my BSL is at 5 or more mmol/l with a recheck after 2 hours or sooner if I feel unwell.
If you are unsure as to whether you have ever experienced a hypo, there is information on the home page under type 1 diabetes - Hypoglycaemia (hypo = low, -gly- = glucose. -aemia - = in the blood). As a type 1 and thus on insulin I am likely to more prone to hypos than you are on Glicazide, but hypos can be dangerous at the same so safety first.
And have fun composing how you might give the hospital doctor a 'piece of your mind' next time you see him or her !! (with all those blood test results demonstrating what a compliant citizen you are to the laws of the UK, in comparison to some who seem to have forgotten about prescribing guidelines and professional conduct.
Best Wishes and you are promoted to the rank of Major to best deal with these insubordinate hospital leftenant types.
Misspelling intentional.

 

[meardonna]

Hi @meardonna, You are not to blame for being given conflicting information.
Whoever the so and so who first prescribed you the Glicazide is at fault. That person is supposed to inform you of all the relevant side-effects of Glicazide, including low blood sugar and the relevance of that to driving and the DVLA.
But equally your GP should have asked about what 'el prescriber' at the hospital did and did not do before making a fool of him- or herself.
Now that you have rudely been awakened to the fact, you are indeed vindicated for checking your BSLs and now know to pay particular attention to your BSLs before driving. My specialist in Australia stipulates that I only drive if my BSL is at 5 or more mmol/l with a recheck after 2 hours or sooner if I feel unwell.
If you are unsure as to whether you have ever experienced a hypo, there is information on the home page under type 1 diabetes - Hypoglycaemia (hypo = low, -gly- = glucose. -aemia - = in the blood). As a type 1 and thus on insulin I am likely to more prone to hypos than you are on Glicazide, but hypos can be dangerous at the same so safety first.
And have fun composing how you might give the hospital doctor a 'piece of your mind' next time you see him or her !! (with all those blood test results demonstrating what a compliant citizen you are to the laws of the UK, in comparison to some who seem to have forgotten about prescribing guidelines and professional conduct.
Best Wishes and you are promoted to the rank of Major to best deal with these insubordinate hospital leftenant types.
Misspelling intentional.

I searched online due to the conflict and it only States ypu need to report it and check if on insulin, no where does it say on glyclizide, but i do understand why gp would say it as it does have effect on blood sugars, and i have had low blood sugars frequently. So am gping to check before driving to keep myself safe, but as to how often is right to check, since both have opposing views on checking blood sugars

 

[kitedoc]

From what @Bluetit1802 noted above the rules are a bit tricky to interpret. The intent of the rules might best be interpreted to mean that by being careful about hypos when driving the risk of harm to oneself and others is reduced.
My view is that: It best for my sake and others to check before each time I drive. Prevention is better than cure. I am only one hypo away from an accident - but when? Statistics are not helpful. If I flout the rules I might never have an accident or it might have have occurred on the first or hundredth time of having a hypo and disregarding it.
And if I am unfortunate to be in a car accident, having a normal BSL reading before I set off driving helps to eliminate my health condition as a possible cause of the accident.
The doctor in the hospital sounds like a fusspot, fussing about something that he has never had to experience (I assume he is not diabetic! ). Would he like you to not do any BSLs and run into his car!! Now who has the conflict??

 

[urbanracer]

Surprised by your comments I took a quick look for myself. It does appear to me that the precise wording has changed recently and all diabetes tablet medications can now be ignored.......

Find the source here.........
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabete...etes-treated-by-medication-other-than-insulin

In addition,

Again the source can be found here....
https://assets.publishing.service.g...data/file/717760/inf1882-diabetes-driving.pdf

I don't think the advice ever mentioned Gliclazide specifically but it used to make some reference to medications capable of producing hypoglycaemia.

 

[Stroudie]

Surprised by your comments I took a quick look for myself. It does appear to me that the precise wording has changed recently and all diabetes tablet medications can now be ignored.......

View attachment 28792

Find the source here.........
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/diabete...etes-treated-by-medication-other-than-insulin

In addition,
View attachment 28793
Again the source can be found here....
https://assets.publishing.service.g...data/file/717760/inf1882-diabetes-driving.pdf

I don't think the advice ever mentioned Gliclazide specifically but it used to make some reference to medications capable of producing hypoglycaemia.

 

[Stroudie]

If you are at risk of hypo in the UK you should as has been said test before driving and then every 2 hours till you stop.

If you can afford a CGM (continuous blood glucose monitor) then this is very useful as it will sound an alarm if you are going low, say below 5 mmoll/l (90mg/dl), between blood meter checks,

It has other benefits such as showing how you react to your medication and helping you manage your diabetes in such a way as to get you good Hba1cs and avoid the awful long term complications.

I have a website that tells you about all the CGMs available in the UK at bgonmywatch.com - if interested read the article "All about CGM" first. Good luck and an end to all confusion!