Diagnosed my neighbour just in time

[mehdave]

Hi

My neighbour had what she believed to be pre diabetes for 2 years as well as lots of other major illnesses for years. Was diagnosed by a gp. By pure chance I was round fixing the computer for them on Tuesday and we got talking about my diabetes etc and was explaining how to keep it under control when she explained to me that not only did she have to urinate all the time like I did when I was diagnosed but was also constantly thirsty and had been like this for about 6 months and that after eating she could not keep her eyes open and always drifted off to sleep. That especially had me worried.

Immediately the alarm bells where ringing for me so I went and got a test kit I had spare and taken her blood sugar after I had checked it was calibrated with control solution. She had not eaten since 630 am that morning and was only a light breakfast and it was now 2pm. I tested her blood and it had a BG of 15.8 !!. I then I tested it 2 hours after she had dinner that night and it was 27 OMG. :shock: I got her to phone the gp right away and they said to come in today as quickly as possible.

This is where it gets shocking. It turns out her BS had been 8 fasting at 2 years ago then 9.4 18 months ago and as little as 1 year ago was sitting at 10.2 fasting. BUT at no point did anyone tell her or even advise seeing a gp so as far as she was aware to just continue on diet. She had been back at the doctors describing the same symptoms only 6 months ago. I am actually shocked at that really disappointing they can miss such an obvious case.

So I gave her lots of advice and the meter and showed her how to use it etc. and waited on them today. GP was disgusted with what has happened. Straight onto one of the new medications saxagliptin and set up for eye checks and feet etc and got prescription for strips and a new meter.

Just thought I would share with you all how easy it is for them to miss even the most obvious of cases. And that we can help share our knowledge with others so easy. Doctor said I pretty much saved her long term and possible life threatening repercussions 8)

 

[cugila]

bump

 

[orangeballoon]

Hello,

Good work in spotting the signs. It is a shame these things can be missed. It took the doctors ages to diagnose me with Type 1, even though I had many dr appointments. That was 15 years ago, so I thought maybe things would have improved being that diabetes is all over the news these days. I recently heard of a man that was very unwell with what the drs thought was a sick bug but turned out to be a very bad case of DKA, the advice to drink some form of sugary drink like orange juice did not do a great deal to his blood sugar level either!

I suppose the best thing we can all do is keep an eye out for friends and family members and do what we can to raise the profile of the symptoms of diabetes. As it can be fatal left untreated! Your neighbour is lucky to have you on the look out.

 

[alaska]

Good for you Dave

It's a blessing you were around at this point in time to spot what was happening.

 

[cugila]

Well spotted. The World could do with more people who care enough about their fellow Diabetic's to get involved. To educate, to share without wanting praise or payment for their help. Those unsung hero's steadily working away in the background.

Well done.

 

[mehdave]

happy to report got her all sorted on meds with the docotor showed her how to use her new meter and so on and that her bloods are down to between 12 and 15 so far from 26- 29. She is feeling allot better not as tired or as achey.

So all is good.

Thanks.