Seems a pretty drastic action to put you on Insulin after such a short time. There are other meds that can be added to the Metformin. Are your Bg readings well controlled ? What is your diet like ?
As for the question I am afraid that if you go on to Insulin then your bus driving days, if PCV/LGV may be over. Depends also on when you got your PCV licence ? See below.
New applicants on insulin or existing drivers are barred in law from driving HGV or PCV vehicles from 1/4/91. Drivers licensed before 1/4/91 on insulin are dealt with individually and licensed subject to satisfactory annual Consultant assessment.
Legal bar to holding a licence while insulin treated. May reapply when insulin treatment is discontinued.
As you can see, the up to date information is available from the DVLA. That is the position at the moment. Here is a link to the 'At a Glance Guide' for Medical Rules September 2009.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx
Your company however, would be obliged to try and find you another positon under the Disability and Discrimination Act. I am sure if you are a union member they would also support you ?
What should happen, according to the NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) guidelines to GP's is that you should be offered alternative treatment if at all possible due to your work circumstances. Medication is NOT supposed to disadvantage your work if at all possible.
There are alternatives to Insulin, one being Byetta - criteria for this is strict and involves you having a BMI over a certain level and yout Bg control being inadequate. The other is Victoza which is being offered to some but this is fairly new and is mainly on a trial basis from some Consultant's/Hospitals.
So if your GP suggests Insulin, then tell him you could lose your job and that there ARE alternatives.
If you can get your Bg levels under control by diet and other medications then you wouldn't need to go on any Insulin.
Hope that helps. :wink:
