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Diabetic nurse!

Jaxx01

Jaxx01

Well-Known Member
Messages
294
Location
Bracknell, Berkshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I keep reading if people seeing their Diabetic nurse??? is everyone supposed to see one? So far, I just had my initial appointment with go to confirm diagnosis and my deal course! That's it???? I have a retinopathy scan thing booked but have never actually heard from a nurse!? I'm confused :( even more so now than I was at diagnosis xx
 
Hi, :)

Not all health clinics have diabetes nurse's, as long as you have a doctor that can give you the help you need, should be better for you.( you can ask your doctor if all the necessary test etc; have been put in motion regarding your Diabetes ).

Some of there large clinics tend to spread the patients around to give the doctor's more space.

I would prefer a doctor than a nurse that is not always fully aware of diabetes requirements.

Roy, :)
 
I see my Diabetes Specialist Nurse about twice a year. She is an absolute Darling. My Health Centre has about 3 of them.
If you are concerned you might have been forgotten, ring your surgery and arrange an appointment. I find nurse appointments easier to get than doctors.
Hana
 
Hi. Surgeries vary. My one has a diabetes GP who I normally see but early on I saw some of the nurses who had some diabetes training. On average the nurses have been good and the diabetes docs varied. At your next appointment with whoever ask who you will be seeing next time and go away with a blood test form, urine sample tube and agreed month to get your blood test done before the appointment you also probably need to make. At diagnosis you should have been told your diagnostic blood test results and next appointment date. If you haven't had one yet your should have an HBa1c test within 3 months. If you go to the NICE Diabetes website, this website or Diabetes UK you can find the list of 15 things you should expect as a diabetic. Armed with the list you can start to find out what questions to ask. Good that a retinopathy test has been organised. BTW if you are advised to have anormal, healthy balanced diet be aware that as diabetes can be defined as the inability to process glucose properly you need to have a diet with a fairly low-level of carbs and make these low-GI. Most of us would advise getting a glucose test meter and adjusting your carbs to meet the NICE guideline figures e.g. probably somewhere below 6.5 mmol in old money.
 
The problem with the practice nurse is they do not understand chemistry and the way it governs your body, where the doctor (usually) does. So, they work from a box ticking type script and from your answers and previous test results, form an opinion as to how you are to progress from that point.
I am probably a practice nurses biggest nightmare as I DO understand how my body works (chemically and electrically) and what influences it. So if I am not sure about something, I tend to ask in detail and can't be fobbed off with the stock "because it just IS". That wont wash with me, so my GP agreed that regular reviews/check-up are done via the DNs clinic, but anything not as it should be and I'm shunted in to see him.
I am very proactive in managing my various health issues and the more I know about them the more I can assist my health care team, from cardiologist and rheumatologist to endo and pulmo.

My personal view is you are better off being treated directly via your GP :thumbup:
 
Thanks guys!!

I did have an initial appointment where I was told my hba1c was 6.5 but was not told to come back at all! They didn't weigh me just assumed I was still overweight because the weight they have on their system says I am (I was when I was weighed about a year ago, but gave list weight!) then sent on my way. i went to a deal course with the dietician but am following the advice on here... Just feel a bit like I'm going to miss an appointment I never knew I should have!!! Shocking..
 
I would make an appointment with my GP to ask to have some tests again, you can't be left until they decide you need an annual review (which may or may not be on the anniversary of diagnosis).

In my surgery they don't have a diabetes nurse, the nurses just do blood tests, blood pressure, check my feet, weight and eye chart. I discuss the results with my GP. The nurses in my practice are generalists who do the asthma clinic and baby jabs etc, I wouldn't trust them with my diabetes. Early on I did have a discussion with one of the nurses and she told me I couldn't eat any fruit and should eat lots of wholegrain.
 
My practice nurse knows more about diabetes than the specialist GP. We do have a peripatetic diabetes specialist nurse but I don't particularly want to see him (yes, him!). As for the dietitian :roll: - poor girl, it's not her fault! She has to preach the "starchy carb" line, and because she too is peripatetic she deals with patients in groups. I spent the whole time biting my lip.

My favourite GP is quite happy about my diet/lifestyle because he's seen it work for me. In fact, we had an interesting discussion today about cholesterol levels and Red Yeast Rice - he's very interested, so I'm going to show him the bottle. He has an open mind, and also has time for his patients - I am so lucky!

Only a slight infection around the big toe nail - caught it early - us diabetics can't be too careful :D

Viv 8)
 
I have had outstanding experiences of diabetic nurses. When treated at the Liverpool Royal Hospital, I had an annual appointment with the doctor and the diabetic nurse was in attendance and I had appointments with the nurse on her own. I use a pump and the nurses are the ones that really know how to set these up and sort out the background inulin levels.

Nigel
 
My surgery has a dedicated diabetic nurse and I get seen twice a year - they always send me an appointment about a month before so that I can get a blood test a couple of weeks beforehand. It may be worth checking with your surgery what their policy is. If they are a bit off hand is there another surgery you can register at?
 
I have a diabetes specialist nurse at my surgery and to be honest she seems to have a much better understanding of diabetes than my gp does.

We have quarterly routine visits for blood tests, foot checks etc, and we can make appointments with her at any time with any concerns we have. She is brilliant.
 
Definitely book an appointment through your doctor to see a specialist nurse! I find doctors want you in and out in a flash! I saw a locum doctor when I was first diagnosed I had a HbA1c of 6.5 and I had lost a stone in weight and my normal doctor didnt even realise any symptoms yet apparently doctors are more qualified?! Diabetic specialist nurses are great, my one is at the nearest hospital they have a diabetes centre. You should enquire, find out more information and get seen by someone else :) you may find you have other specialists to hand (dietitians, endocrinologist)
 
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