Diabetic clinic

[Loobles]

I'm asking this here because it seems a fairly busy forum and I think you can answer it...

My GP referred me to the diabetic clinic at our local hospital as he felt my BG, weight and BP would be better dealt with "under one roof" and because having done some research I igured I'd rather start metformin now - but I don't really know how/if they can help given that I'm prediabetic and not diabetic (unless of course they will agree to me using Metformin now, but it's not licensed and blah-de-blah).

So, my question is...what happens at a diabtic clinic and how do you think they can help me if I'm "only" prediabetic. And finally, how should I prepare for it, to get the best out of it. I've seen the thread on what to ask, but it doesn't really go far enough for me....you know how I like to be prepared and all that LOL.

Thanks

 

[richard256]

HELLO YOU,METORMIN,THE DOCTOR PUT ME ON TWO PER DAY,BUT DREADFULL HEARTBURN, WHICH IS
A COMMON PROBLEM,CAUSED HER TO BRING ME DOWN TO ONE.MERRY TUESDAY. RICHARD

 

[cold ethyl]

I would imagine that the clinic doctors will have more flexibility in their off licence prescriptions than the GP. Given your family history I would have thought that Metformin would be a good idea now so hopefully they will think the same. As it acts as an appetite suppressant too, it would help with the necessary weight loss. I can't remember what blood tests you have had but would ask them to check thyroid function and VIt D levels.

 

[noblehead]

I suppose your gp wouldn't be referring you over to the diabetes clinic if they didn't think they could help, the diabetes clinics are more specialised than your average gp surgery and hence why patients are referred over there.

 

[Crimsonclient]

In a lot of cases it is a better option what they are doing for you. You should get more specialist advice. Best thing that ever happened to me, but the clinic I go to they are fantastic and nothing is to much bother for them

 

[Loobles]

I would imagine that the clinic doctors will have more flexibility in their off licence prescriptions than the GP. Given your family history I would have thought that Metformin would be a good idea now so hopefully they will think the same. As it acts as an appetite suppressant too, it would help with the necessary weight loss. I can't remember what blood tests you have had but would ask them to check thyroid function and VIt D levels.

That's exactly what's persuading me; my family history, weight and the fact I keep getting recurrent abscesses which need incision and drainage under GA. I've been told that my hyperglycaemia is definitely not helping the abscess situation.

I had A1C (44) and 2 FBG (6.5 and "something", need to ask about that one) - all prediabetes. TFTs & Calcium done last week and don't get results till next week. No vit D. Maybe I'll ask about that later LOL.

 

[Loobles]

I suppose your gp wouldn't be referring you over to the diabetes clinic if they didn't think they could help, the diabetes clinics are more specialised than your average gp surgery and hence why patients are referred over there.

The logical side of me is telling me the same, but the illigical side is telling me I'm not even diabetic and I'm wasting an appointment that somebody really needs. I can just imagine I'm going to get in there are they're going to say "so, why are you here"? LOL

 

[Loobles]

In a lot of cases it is a better option what they are doing for you. You should get more specialist advice. Best thing that ever happened to me, but the clinic I go to they are fantastic and nothing is to much bother for them

I've been to the hospital a few times and been inpatient twice...I have a lot of faith in them, but I've never been to a diabetic clinic before and don't really know what to expect anyway.

 

[cold ethyl]

The logical side of me is telling me the same, but the illigical side is telling me I'm not even diabetic and I'm wasting an appointment that somebody really needs. I can just imagine I'm going to get in there are they're going to say "so, why are you here"? LOL

I suspect that your GP would like you on Metformin too but can't go against guidelines so is handing you over to the specialist clinic to make that call. Given your infection/healing issues and family history I think they will be looking at doing something rather than nothing. Also at 44 you are creeping towards the top end of the pre-diabetic range so hopefully they will take that into account and prescribe.

 

[Ambersilva]

The logical side of me is telling me the same, but the illigical side is telling me I'm not even diabetic and I'm wasting an appointment that somebody really needs. I can just imagine I'm going to get in there are they're going to say "so, why are you here"? LOL

It is likely that the GP has written a letter providing an assessment of your health issues leading up to the referral.

 

[ally1]

i,m type2 and the surgery diabetic nurse sees to me as the gp and nurse both said the diabetic clinic only see type1

 

[Loobles]

i,m type2 and the surgery diabetic nurse sees to me as the gp and nurse both said the diabetic clinic only see type1

It must depend where you are. I do know some clinics see type 2's as I have a good friend who goes to one and my mum's been to one. Maybe they just strongly discourage it. I thought at the time that my GP was just wanting to get rid of me because I was asking too many difficult questions LOL

 

[ally1]

lol, my gp has been great, last time i saw him, the appointment lasted 35 minutes

 

[Crimsonclient]

I've been to the hospital a few times and been inpatient twice...I have a lot of faith in them, but I've never been to a diabetic clinic before and don't really know what to expect anyway.

That's understandable, however as gp said everything is under one roof, you will get more help than what the gp surgeries can do for you

 

[noblehead]

The logical side of me is telling me the same, but the illigical side is telling me I'm not even diabetic and I'm wasting an appointment that somebody really needs. I can just imagine I'm going to get in there are they're going to say "so, why are you here"? LOL

Any help is better than none, just see what they say and have to offer you.