Diabetes Education Course

[jay hay-char]

A follow-up from my first post, when I asked about the typical length of time (if such a thing exists) that you have to wait for an appointment to see a Diabetic nurse and attend a training session. I've just had a letter with the date of my first appointment which is - Ta-Da! - 4th October, about 3 1/2 months since diagnosis. Seems like quite a long wait although, on the plus side, I'm obviously not an emergency . On the down side, it's at a hospital ten miles away, because the hospital ten minutes walk from where I live doesn't have any availability until December.

It appears from the synopsis that there will be lots of discussions about "feelings"; a prospect that, as a typical repressed Englishman, fills me with dread......

Otherwise, things seem to be progressing OK, though I'm still only three weeks into taking metformin and adopting a hair shirt diet, taking brisk walks etc, so I guess it'll be a while before I can really evaluate how things are going.

As there's some stuff in the synopsis about "the importance of testing blood glucose levels", I guess I will buy a BG meter, after all.

 

[Scouser58]

Hello, long waits for appointments will be something that is always going on, (Iam still waiting for a follow up from Jan).
So what can we help you with, the need for a bs meter kit, is important, get an appointment with your practise diabetic nurse, and get a contact line going, the nurse is a good contact to have, it will be the nurse who will want you to have the blood tests for the HbA1c and relevant others, to keep a check on your bs levels about every 3 months or so, these are usual, and give a long term picture of your progress, you will find which arm is the best for having the tests taken, its normal, dont panic, dont panic.
Ask the nurse is she can give you a kit, that is free, most will give you a kit and then the testing strips and the compatable lancets will be supplied free on your prescriptions,most people get 100 lancets and 100 testing strips per month, this is enough for 3/4 testings per day, keep a good record, so you can understand the changes you will feel as things go on.
As the nurse to get your repeat request set up on your file, this will then save you from having to go to the doctors every month, and a good chemist will have the repeat request refill system, they take it to the doctors, get the new repeat and then have it ready for you on a set date, no more getting apponitments for refills of the monthly medications.
Keep talking to us all, and we are here to help and give you help to find information when you need it,ttfn

 

[jay hay-char]

Thanks, Scouser; all helpful stuff. I'm now not too fussed about the long wait, because it's obviously a common scenario - my initial concern was that I'd fallen through a hole in the system because I was expecting things to happen more quickly. I'm due to have a second set of blood tests in a couple of weeks' time (note to self: must check that my GP has put them onto the system - he normally does it direct via the Healthcare Trust IT system).

I'm going to set up the repeat prescription system, which our GP's surgery can do, and arrange collection from the pharmacy attached to the Practice, which isn't far from here. The other thing I need to do is to get an exemption certificate (I think that's what they're called?) so that I don't have to pay prescription and eye test charges. I think you get this from your GP, so I must remember to ask him, or the Receptionist, to sort it out. A bit of a result after years of paying for eye tests (I'm short sighted) and occasional pills & potions.

Every cloud, etc.....

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi and welcome

I can't agree with Scouser on the subject of free meters and prescriptions for test strips and lancets I'm afraid. Most type 2's do not get prescriptions for test strips or lancets (a few lucky ones do) and have to self fund. Always worth asking, but don't hold your breath for a favourable response. You are more likely to be told there is no need to test. This is complete rubbish of course, and all part of cost cutting.

Worry not about your appointment for the education course. You will get much better education on this forum from people who are actual diabetics.

Have a good browse round the forum and come back with any questions you have.

 

[jay hay-char]

Worry not about your appointment for the education course. You will get much better education on this forum from people who are actual diabetics.

Such is my impression so far!

I am resigned to having to shell out for a meter and test strips - what the government gives with one hand (exemption from prescription charges), it takes back with the other. I guess that I'll just about break even

 

[Scouser58]

Hi jay hay-char, nice to have been a bit of a help. You mention an exemption certificate, hope you get one quickly for your different things. Before you buy a meter ask the nurse, or look about for site that offer them for free, I have just received one from Bayer, and it fits into the computer to download the data, I firmley believe everybody should get free meter, strips and lancets as the importance of their use is vital. Below this post is an advert for a free contour next usb giveaway, have you tried this for a meter, it looks like the free one I received,I clicked and they give away 50 each month, ttfn

 

[mcdonagh47]

Seems like quite a long wait although, on the plus side, I'm obviously not an emergency . l.

Is that so ? A recent American study suggests that a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes should be treated as a medical emergency and the new T2 should be put on a 800 calories a day supervised diet for six weeks to detoxify and clear the pancreas of fat deposits.
A big contrast with our fabulous NHS - "Can you come back in 3 months" . Even then you are unlikely to see a Diabetic Specialist Nurse let alone a Doctor or Endocrinologist - just the Practice Nurse.

 

[jay hay-char]

Is that so ? A recent American study suggests that a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes should be treated as a medical emergency and the new T2 should be put on a 800 calories a day supervised diet for six weeks to detoxify and clear the pancreas of fat deposits.

Noooooooooooooooo; it's bad enough being subject to a donut prohibition notice .

Yes - I know I'm being flippant about a serious subject, but you have to laugh or else you'd cry. Well - I do, anyway.

Out of interest, and more seriously, do you have a source for the study? I'd be interested to see it.