Confused, concerned and disappointed

Chasida said:

Well I never knew about the online results thing!!! Is this in the UK? I'd really like to be able to access this if so. Thank you

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It is in England and is for everyone, not just diabetics. Scotland has its own version for diabetics only. I don't know about Wales.

well my practice do not let you see results online (Practice manager says they will only show bare legal minimum!)

Bluetit1802 said:

It is in England and is for everyone, not just diabetics. Scotland has its own version for diabetics only. I don't know about Wales.

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Oh Thank you for mentioning it as I had no idea. I'm due for blood tests on Wednesday and follow up after a week with DN

adamstclare said:

I think the main reason I was advised to moisturise is that I had some dry/tough areas on the soles of my feet

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It's also because if the skin on your feet is dry it is more likely to crack and let in infections, which are likely to cause problems particularly if you are diabetic.

This is the best place to learn how to take care of yourself with diabetes. welcome.

Pinkorchid said:

Did those of you who can see you medical records online have to pay to do this. I looked it up on my doctors web site and it said to apply to the practise manager and it could mean an administration charge

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No charge for me, my GP was very good and did it straight away.

adamstclare said:

About 5-6 weeks ago I went to my doctors because I had started to get double vision. I was advised to see an optician, which I did, and was told I needed to see a specialist at the hospital. A week later I had an appointment to see the specialist, whilst at the appointment, a few symptoms I had come up in conversation and I was told to talk to my GP. To cut a long story short after a test I found out I had type 2 diabetes. My GP said they'd refer me to a one day course to teach me what I should eat. Since then I've had an appointment with the DN and the only advice I've been given is...... make sure you use moisturiser on your feet every day! I wonder if others have had a similar experience.

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Horrendous experience for you! Even though I've been diabetic for about 10 years, I recently attended a 6 week course (2 and a half hours, once a week) called "X-pert Patient - Type 2 diabetes", which the diabetes nurse at my surgery referred me to. I understand this is a standardised course available throughout the country, whether you are newly-diagnosed or have been diabetic for a while. We all found it very useful I think and even those of us who have been diabetic for a while learnt from it. There is also a very comprehensive handbook that goes along with the teaching (which we could purchase at our own expense). Well worth it.

I'm working abroad and got diagnosed as type 2 in May last year. Because, as part of my package, I have health insurance I saw a specialist straight away and was giving medication, for which I have to pay a percentage of the full cost. But that's it. No advice on diet, or other possible complications. I went through a hell of a time with Hypos not understanding what was happening to me and when I spoke with the doctor he told me they weren't hypos because my sugar was above the level at which hypos were happening, but when you have a fasting glucose level of around 12-13 and you been living with that for a while when you sugar suddenly drops to the normal range the body reacts like it is a hypo.... But the Doctor didn't really agree. But I'm dealing with it and trying like mad to control it and not be controlled by my diabetes. In the UK there is help and you get your medication for free.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that you do have the infrastructure in place in the UK to get help, yes it may be a little slow sometimes. When my sister was diagnosed a couple of years before me, she was sent straight to the hospital from the local GP, in a state of shock because of the way the GP handled it. She saw a diabetic nurse straight away, she was given advice about how to eat, how to count carbs, how she would have to change her life style and how to inject which she was really scared about, the care she was given at the hospital was fantastic and the support they offered was amazing.

DebbieC said:

Even though I've been diabetic for about 10 years, I recently attended a 6 week course (2 and a half hours, once a week) called "X-pert Patient - Type 2 diabetes", which the diabetes nurse at my surgery referred me to. I understand this is a standardised course available throughout the country, whether you are newly-diagnosed or have been diabetic for a while. We all found it very useful I think and even those of us who have been diabetic for a while learnt from it. There is also a very comprehensive handbook that goes along with the teaching (which we could purchase at our own expense). Well worth it.

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@DebbieC
I agree Xpert can be very good, but if the instructor isn't "up to date "on the course or still entrenched in the old "Eatwell Plate Dogma" then it can be less so. Dr Trudi Deakin is a member here BTW.
The manuals can be obtained from http://www.xperthealth.org.uk/Shop

Pinkorchid said:

So do the people here who have online access see their full medical records or is it just things like test results

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As I understand it; surgeries can decide for themselves which of the enhanced levels they deploy - either the coded entries, or full access, including copies of specialist letters and GP free text notes.

Most surgeries have deployed the coded entry option, which means if or when my GP writes in her notes I'm a cantankerous old bat, I'll never know.

As @Brunneria suggests, by submitting a Data Access Request and paying the related fee, you may be granted access to your full file, except anything your Doc considers would be harmful for you to see. That, however, is a one-off request for one viewing; usually of a specific event or illness), and should updated information be required at a future date, a further request (and fee) would be required.

Thems the rooooolz

Well - this thread has been most interesting. I have been diabetic for about 20 years and never been told that there are courses I could have gone on. I also never knew that I could have access to my medical records. And nobody ever told me what foods to eat. But I was told that my feet were in very good condition and to look after them. But I was never told HOW to look after them.

I have learned MORE from this Forum than I ever learned from medical practitioners.

Thank you Forum members.

I was diagnosed in November, I started a four week course run by the Health Authority yesterday. I rang my doctors and got my HbA1c result. Am confused about the carbohydrate issue.

Ebbie56 said:

I was diagnosed in November, I started a four week course run by the Health Authority yesterday. I rang my doctors and got my HbA1c result. Am confused about the carbohydrate issue.

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Hello Ebbie56 and welcome to the Forum. Over the course of the next few weeks members of the Forum will give you lots of good advice - act on it - they have been where you are now and have made the same mistakes that you are liable to make.

Doctors & Diabetic Professionals vary a great deal in their experience. Some seem to know very little about Diabetes and just follow the NHS guidelines (which seem to be the opposite to all that is best for you as a Diabetic). Others are very good and helpful in that they will inquire of Universities about the latest research into Diabetes.

Unfortunately you have not given us any information about your medication, HbA1c results, fasting blood sugar, diet, and exactly what is confusing you about carbs.

This forum will help you - if we know what the problem is. It is a good idea to read other posts to get the feel of things and also inquire about the Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) programme. In the meantime look up "diet doctor.com" for some very helpful advice.

Looking forward to hearing more about you. Keep posting.

Thanks for your reply, I will have a look at what you suggest.

I have just been reading the UK “Asda Guide for People with Diabetes”. It says:

1. Avoid being overweight

2. Starchy foods should make up the largest part of your diet.

3. Eat less fat, especially saturated fat.

4. Added sugar (sucrose) is acceptable.

On page 4 it says: “base your meals around rice, potato, bread, pasta or cereal”.

On page 5 it says: “All rice, pasta, bread, chapattis, cereals and potatoes .... are great foods”.

Page 6 says: “BREAKFAST: Fruit juice, chopped fruit on cereal, tomatoes on toast, fresh fruit e.g grapefruit, bananas”.

Page 7 recommends: “Semi Skinned & Skimmed Milk & Light Yorguts”.
Page 8 recommends: “Peas, beans, oats, pasta and rice dishes, curries and mince dishes”.

Page 9 suggests: “Diet Coke, Jams, Biscuits, Malted Milk, Scones and plain cakes. Pizzas & Pies”.

Page 10 suggests: “Banana & Date Loaf”.

Page 11 suggests: “ Apple & Pear Crumble. Marmalade Carrot Loaf”


This is the advice from “Commerce”. Now, what are the comments and advice from Diabetics “who have been there = experts”?

Blimey, that is worse than the Eatwell Plate!

Regarding the patient access, I asked at my GPs today. They seemed unhappy at my requiring. Anyhow, test results and any other records are not going to be made available apparently. They were also very unhappy with my request to have the results from my tests, and only relented after my GP sent them a message saying it was OK for them to do it. Initially they only gave me the results of the latest test, which was my fault because 'it was what you asked for'. So I explained I was looking for all my results. They gave me another printout, and assured me it had both of the others. I now realise it doesn't so I've got to go back again. I'd contact the practice manager, but no contact information.........

lowedb said:

Regarding the patient access, I asked at my GPs today. They seemed unhappy at my requiring. Anyhow, test results and any other records are not going to be made available apparently. They were also very unhappy with my request to have the results from my tests, and only relented after my GP sent them a message saying it was OK for them to do it. Initially they only gave me the results of the latest test, which was my fault because 'it was what you asked for'. So I explained I was looking for all my results. They gave me another printout, and assured me it had both of the others. I now realise it doesn't so I've got to go back again. I'd contact the practice manager, but no contact information.........

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Hello lowedb. I inquired at my Doctor's Surgery and was given a form to fill in which asks me exactly which details I required. The form said that there would be a fee of £10 and if I wanted any print outs each page would cost 40 pence each. I have not filled it in yet because I am waiting to have my 3 monthly check up.

Kyambala said:

Hello lowedb. I inquired at my Doctor's Surgery and was given a form to fill in which asks me exactly which details I required. The form said that there would be a fee of £10 and if I wanted any print outs each page would cost 40 pence each. I have not filled it in yet because I am waiting to have my 3 monthly check up.

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Yes, I think that option might be open too, under the data protection act. But why should we have to pay for information that could help us understand and manage our condition.