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Dodgy DN?

T

TheLovelyTarotLady

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Being disabled... & disempowered!
Hi guys: had an appointment with a new DN last week... who I'm feeling dodgy about. We didn't hit it off. She made me cross... by denying me lancets & test strips; and suggesting that I don't know what a hypo is. The latter is after I described feeling dizzy, sweaty, shaky, trembly and anxious. But also after... I have to admit... me being mighty rude to her.

I do have panic attacks. I suffer from depression. I am also a total social phobe. But I did apologise loads. So should she have said after all was calm that she's '... dealt with bigger & better people...' than me?

Also... she reckons I need more support - after not being offered flu jabs & DESMOND by the old DN - so is expecting to see me next week. I don't want to see her. Oh dear. What to do?

A nightmare of my own creation :(
 
I had a difficulty with a nurse on the DN staff once. I put up with it and then decided that next time I would not put up with it. I went ready for battle but she was as nice as nice can be. Maybe she has her own troubles.

She has remained professional and nice ever since.

What I am saying is you have to find out if she is always like that or if it was just a one off. Decide after your next visit.
 
The thing is the symptoms you describe above do not necessarily mean 'official hypo'. Official Hypo's are when your blood drops below 4.0. With your medication and hba1c being high last time, it is very unlikely that your bgs are dropping below 4.0....
The symptoms you describe could be your body having a reaction to meds... Not necessarily diabetic ones.. Or your bloods dropping to more normal levels. If your body has been running high for a while, it could well feel odd when its levels drop towards normal ones.

I don't actually think your DN meant harm by saying that you dont know what a hypo is... Perhaps the DN could have explained herself better.

As for saying shes dealt with bigger &better people than you.. That is an odd wording of terms.... I cant get my head wrapped round that phrase!

I think that she is actually on your side offering you desmond and flu jab.. As these are abailable and perhaps you are in need if them and she recognised that.

Getting annoyed or frustrated at appointments with DN's doesnt help much to be honest. Far better to try and explain yourself calmly and to put over your reasoning why you need lancets and test strips or different meds.

I'm not a medic, just a gardener but when I get into reactions like your DN gave, then I make sure that my hubby or a friend comes to my appointments next time. Someone who is very calm and knows me personally.. And who will act as a witness and back me up if necessary, or will tell me when I'm veering off subject....
 
Getting frustrated with your DN does no good. She is what she is. You wouldn't shout at the clouds or howl at the moon. DNs, and GPs, are the luck of the draw. My last GP was excellent, first class, this one, not so good. I can imagine some of his patients have told him that too so I bet he has gone home some nights and wanted to cry himself to sleep. Get yourself informed about your diabetes, there's loads of people in the same boat. You will become your own expert.
 
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