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Dumped by NHS?

F

Fencer

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
Location
Aberdeen
Dislikes
Tomatoes. Mayo.
Hmm... bit confused. I've had to call in to speak to the diabetes nurse at regular intervals. Firstly every day, then every other day and then just twice in the last 2 weeks.

Today I was told to stop checking my BG as often, that I don't need to check 2 hours after meals and that before is more important and that I don't need to call in again unless I have a problem. I should now go and make an appointment with my GP.

Not sure what I need to say to my GP or what the appointment will be for. When the GP asks what she can do for me, I'll probably just be confused.

Not sure that I can manage this on my own so soon
 
Yeah, type 2 diabetics often go in less than type 1 diabetics. For example my grandad is type 2 and he goes for a check up once a year I think where as I have to go in every four months for a check up. He also goes to his GP where as I have to go to the hospital.
 
Have a read of these links and work out what you are going to say to the doctor before you go ! Print them out if that will help.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002&start=0

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091#p155408

You need to know how the foods you have eaten affect you so a pre meal only test is of no value!

This nurse is being very cavalier in her attitude to your Diabetes. Ask if you can be refered to a hospital Diabetes clinic where they are more specialised. This is your health they are playing with!
 
The advice to not test often is motivated by cost and also those that think testing before a meal is all that is required. Frankly that is rubbish ! :roll:

All that tells you is a fasting level.....nothing more. The only sure way to know what is happening to your Bg levels is by testing 2 hrs after meals.......then you will know how certain foods affect your Bg levels.

It matters not what Type you are.... T1 or T2. In the initial stages at least testing is something you need to do frequently.

I am a well controlled Type 2 but I can still see my Endo and SDSN whenever I want and at the moment that is every 3-4 months. Excellent care I think.

Is the Nurse just a Practice Nurse or an actual Diabetes Specialist Nurse ?
 
Tbh, this may also have to do with the quantity of contacting the DSN, as you said initially daily, then getting lesser so. My DSN wouldn't have time to see the patients if she was taking large quantities of phone calls as well. Even having gone to a pump, I did not have that much contact with my nurse (thankfully I had loads of help from here), and in actual fact that did make me take more control of managing myself, rather than a DSN that only ever sees a glimpse snapshot of my life.

The DSN would appear to have confidence enough that a GP can handle your diabetes, and if the GP can't he will be able to put you back to the DSN. I know it sounds like too-ing and fro-ing, and that is awful for anybody newly diagnosed with any type of diabetes.

I do agree with other comments posted earlier, but I personally (only of course-my opinion) think that with the management of diabetes (getting to be high quantitys of population nowadays), that it may well be that GP's specialising in diabetes, DSN's specialising in pumps, or type 1's or tye 2's may well have limitations as to who they see and how often, and the type of contact that and follow up that they can give....and of course in line with the cost cutting too.....

I see it from the patients point of view, but I can also see it from a HCP point of view too.
 
That still does not excuse her bad advice on testing especially for someone newly diagnosed !
 
Thanks for the advice guys. Taking it on board. I've requested an appointment from my GP surgery, so they should get back to me tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I want to know what effect my supper had on my BG.
 
I'm lucky my GP has an interest in diabetes,
I seem to get more help from him than I ever did from the nurse.
So don't think your Deff going to be let down
I have a diabetic check up every three months with the GP and see him every four weeks for other things.it was he that prescribes more strips ,talk to your GP tell him/her you wish to be
pro active with your BG control ,,you never know ?


Bob
 
Yes, but Sue on this posting it didn't actually say how many blood tests were being done.....so how do we know it wan't good advice...surely it could, (not saying it was) that Fencer was testing 15 times a day.

Fencer did write that the DSN said he didn't need to phone 'unless there was problem'-so the DSN hasn't necessarily dismissed Fencer off the list, but the DSN may think that Fencer can manage.

Not being 'argumentative' but I don't think all the info was posted, and it would be interesting to find out from Fencer how many tests were counted as 'too much' ....
 
Hi Sharon.
This is what the OP posted, what he had been advised to do by the Nurse........

that I don't need to check 2 hours after meals and that before is more important
Click to expand...

That is rubbish advice and that is what the comment is all about. I don't see how anybody, who is newly diagnosed is going to gain anything from following such poor advice. Testing after meals is vitally important. The OP is a T2 on 1g Metformin daily.
 
Sorry, night blindness!!! Never saw the comment about 2 hours after, and I totally agree.....
 

Apologies for the missing info. They had me testing 4 times per day. Before breakfast, lunch, supper and bed. I would also test 2 hours after my main meal at night, as this meal always tends to be different, whereas my breakfast and lunch are the same every day.

I hope you are right, in that she does think that I can manage. I'm not confident though
 
Fencer. you have my apologies, ref qty of tests as I jumped the gun so to speak.

The support you get from here and the information is absolutely remarkable, and can be a huge help to managing any type of diabetes, unfortunately nobody can prescribe 'confidence' in dealing with our managing it. I think everybody on first diagnosis and for quite some while after diagnosis that it seems very hard to cope and manage. You will gain the confidence, honest, I still look on the positive side that you must be doing some things right otherwise you would still be phoning DSN daily. So surely that can be a boost to your confidence that you don't have to do it.

Honest, you will get there. There are so many people that report improved hba1c's etc on this website that you can get a positive from that too..
 

I don't know. They seem to be happy because my BG readings are away down. I just think that's more to do with the fact they are only taking into account before meal readings and that my medication is doing what it should be, rather than anything I am doing right. As far as I am concerned, I am still in the very early stages and have a lot to learn yet.
 
donnellysdogs said:
Sorry, night blindness!!! Never saw the comment about 2 hours after, and I totally agree.....
Click to expand...

You've got it all wrong, mate! On a forum, you NEVER admit you were wrong - ALWAYS hold on for dear life to whatever SHRED of a point you had and defend it to the death!

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

That's a joke, folks. :wink:
 
Its ok Patch we know you are always right( except when you are wrong of course) :evil:
CAROL
 
Hi personaly
I think it is all down to money at the end of the day. Most Gp surgeries manage there own budget and as we all are aware the current state of cut backs is and will take effect on anyones health service as well as diabetic people. Is'nt it awful when you feel dumped when you have just started getting your head round things. . We have all payed our nat insurance and income tax and we don't recieve a fair crack of the whip!
I can't see the NHS being available and we should start thinking about private health insurance as a back up. :idea: :idea: :idea:
Tim
 
Hi Fencer,

Understand it feels scary being "cast adrift"...but it really is a good sign, the nurse is happy that you are doing well...so huge congratulations on that!

I would say, that if you are leaning something from post meal testing...then keep doing it, until you get results that you are happy with. It is a sad fact, that many nurses and Drs etc, set us less stringent goals than we set ourselves...and she sees that you are achieveing good numbers, so knows you must be doing something right! SHe will aslo see many patients, who could probably only dream of achieveing such results. Your sucess so far is down to your hard work, so son't stop that, but be aware, taht compatred to some, you are doing a great job!

I am surprised that you have had such a high level of care to be honest...we often hear of people who go to the Drs, get diagnosed...and then sent away to cope for weeks. Obviously, not a good thing, but comparatively, you have had a lot of NHS time. Keep up the good work.
 

A good friend of mine was also advised to only test pre-meals, got readings of 5 - 7 most days........he did that for years until he started getting all sorts of complications. His HbA1c was always mentioned as 'being fine.' It was nearly always over 7.5% ! I got him to test 2 hrs after ALL meals and it showed that they were regularly as high as 18 mmol/l. :shock: So much for good control which the Nurse and GP had mentioned he had........

Take your own readings, assume nothing and do what YOU need to do every time. When newly diagnosed it is wise not to assume because a meal is the same each day you don't need to test. Bg levels fluctuate every second, every minute and every day and it isn't just food that affects those levels..........
 
Thanks for your advice everyone. I have an appointment with GP on the 8th March.
 
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