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DAFNE messed me up

R

RollingJovi

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I went on a DAFNE course about 2.5 years ago and it was in a group setting so I faced some difficulty with the learning aspect of it due to my paranoid schizophrenia.

My mental health team aren’t very well trained in diabetes and diabetes team are just rubbish at the mental health side of it as well.

I would really like to go back on the DAFNE course again but would cope better in a 1 to 1 sessions. I’ve recently been referred to King’s College diabetes team and I have seen them but they say I need to be seen by a specialist that deals with mental health and diabetes and see what they can offer me.

I’m not self managed in my diabetes as I have my partner and district nurses do my insulin doses due to my schizophrenia but my Hba1C is now 9.9% which is the highest it has ever been since becoming diabetic in 1993. I used to cope well until schizophrenia took over my life and I was put on the group DAFNE course.

Has anyone got any suggestions on how to regain back control for myself and how to manage the schizophrenia with the diabetes? I don’t want to be running high in the Hba1C levels for too long as it will create complications in the long term.
 
Sorry to hear you're struggling @RollingJovi It must be very hard.

Is an online course something that you'd consider? The BERTIE course is good.

Or could you see if a dietician could offer you a one to one appointment to learn carb counting? I've never done DAFNE and don't want to. I learnt basic carb counting from a dietician very soon after diagnosis and it worked well for me.
 
Just like @azure, I was going to suggest the online course.
My other thought was whether DAFNE would be easier with your partner as you say they do your daily doses so it would be very useful for them to understand as well as you.

(Sorry for the impersonal "they" and "them", I don't want to make any gender assumptions.)
 
Twice daily insulin might be far better for you and is relatively simple to use once the correct amount of carbs can be worked out for a main meal, snack.
 
I am type2 and I did do a one day course but can,t remember what it was called.
I am under my gp surgery for my diabetes.
I have bipolar and regular see a psych.
To be honest, my gp and DN are absolute **** when it comes to me with diabetes and bipolar.
My psych is a bit more on the ball re type2 because apparently it's common for people with bipolar to develop type2.
My diabetes can be very up and down, which frustrates me and frustrates my psych.
My psych has written to my gp on numerous occasions requesting that I be checked ideally every 3 months rather then the yearly test that the surgery do re diabetes.
My surgery have not acted on these letters.
Personally I do feel that I need more of a one to one that has a knowledge of type2 and bipolar.
Also I do feel that the neuropathy in my feet and in my left leg has got worse yet gp won,t help me in any way. I know the neuropathy won,t disappear but am scared stiff that things will develop more or even get other bits wrong because my surgery is not looking after me
 
Also, the numbness in my left leg gets worse when walking and now to the extent of often falling over. This is a big worry to me as now can,t walk far because I am scared
to even pop to the local shop.
Have mentioned to gp to which, he has done sweet fa.
Because of this, am now not getting any kind of exercise which has resulted in my weight going up
 
Same as me but right leg. Off to see my gp on wednesday for advice about whether neuropathy or related to 2 bulging discs which are getting better since less pressure from weight loss but scatica no improvement. I want gp to check not neuropathy due to numb baby 2 toes on right foot and wobbly legs which cause me worry of falling too.
Are you using a stick? I'm using a crutch to give me more confidence to keep me upright with support to weak right arm too.
Suffering with more pins and needles in my fingers but off and on but toes constantly weird feeling. Not normal.
 
I did an afternoon course at my local hospital in west sussex on first being diagnosed. A lovely podiatrist did an extensive talk which I even remember well to today. I have always bought leather closed up shoes to protect my feet from injuries.
I have risked leather sandles but I check my feet before bed. When able to bend with bad back. I stick to every appointment to keep me healthy. My commitment is apparent.
As I know you too @ally1.
I know I don't have bipolar but I still have occasional panics. God help me once I get my op date.
 
The trouble is that the majority of medication used for mental health problems is that they are the root cause of type 2 diabetes and psychiatrists and GPsee should be more keyed into the fact. I suffer from mental health issues and have been on most of the newer medications antidepressants and antipsychotics. I have beeñ diabetic for 26yrs I think that mental health services and diabetes nurses should get together and offer a course about how the two have an impact and help us improve both our mental health and the knock on effects diabetes and how we can control our blood levels.
 
hazel719 said:
The trouble is that the majority of medication used for mental health problems is that they are the root cause of type 2 diabetes
Click to expand...
They may have some contribution but they are hardly the root cause. The cause of type 2 is unknown but is probably a combination of genetics and lifestyle/diet.
 
Am not using anything at moment with help with walking.
I saw my gp last Thursday about my leg. He gave me a number to ring about self referring to a physio. I rang and left a message. A lady rang me Friday, asking what's wrong, gave a brief history. Now I am waiting on a email/call to say if they can help me. I mentioned to gp about getting a walking stick, he said to wait until I see physio to see what they suggest. If they say they can,t help, then I will buy myself a walking stick. I certainly need something to help me
 
My physio is saying my bulging discs are improving but myright leg goes numb in walking, everytime now. Side of right foot and baby toe weird feeling when walking. Like numb but some texture to it. Under my bum cheek on right can either stabbing pain or numbness. Weakness still. I have exercises to strengthen leg but I'm not seeing any strength back yet. Still shaking when doing exercises.
 
Can all members please stay on topic the OP is type 1 and enquiring about options with DAFNE - if you feel you would like to start a new thread then let me know.
 
Hi, Mental health problems and diabetes are a complete nightmare together! Have they referred you to a specialist yet? Hope they're not delaying things for you! I have been doing some research on the dafne course, because I too will struggle with a group course. I have read the NICE guidelines for diabetes (NICE set the standards that hospitals, including diabetic clinics, have to follow) Since 2015 they say that if a person doesn't want / can't do the dafne course in a group setting, then an alternative of equal quality must be provided. Hope that helps! Good luck xx
 
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