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First Diabetic Nurse appointment today

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Anonymous

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Just been to my first diabetic nurse appointment today, sheesh!!!

Handed about 60 sheets of print outs from 2008, told nothing they can do for 3 months until my first diabetic clinic appointment...Told that I can't get a meter to test my blood myself until then, told that if medication is to be prescribed it wont be until the 3 month mark either...

Was told that I can still eat things like sugar-puffs, frosties etc for breakfast (Advice that i shall NOT be following)!!.

Told I can also still eat biscuits, cakes, pies etc, just to not eat them so often (I dont eat them anyway)!!!..

Asked them to fill in the form i got from "my diabetes my way" the NHS Scotland interactive diabetes website, they told me that they had never heard of it and recommened me to another diabetes website...

All in all, feel deflated!! Didnt have my weight checked, blood pressure took, nothing!! She talked to me about diet, exercise and looking after my feet....No advice at all, except to lose weight

I wont give up and glad that I have somewhere that I can follow advice from people that actually have diabetes...

Sharon xx
 
Hate to say it, but did warn you! Still worth getting on their good side if possible, they can be useful in arranging things like eye screening clinics - hopefully that was discussed / arranged? Can't believe blood pressure wasn't taken - did the doctor do that separately? Key things is, follow the dietary advice you've been given on here, test to make sure your readings are ok at 2 hours (adjust diet if not) using a meter you get yourself. Seem to recall you got one/were getting one? Quite a few get the SD codefree from Amazon because it seems to work ok and the testing strips are the cheapest around.
Good luck!
 
Grazer said:
Hate to say it, but did warn you! Still worth getting on their good side if possible, they can be useful in arranging things like eye screening clinics - hopefully that was discussed / arranged? Can't believe blood pressure wasn't taken - did the doctor do that separately? Key things is, follow the dietary advice you've been given on here, test to make sure your readings are ok at 2 hours (adjust diet if not) using a meter you get yourself. Seem to recall you got one/were getting one? Quite a few get the SD codefree from Amazon because it seems to work ok and the testing strips are the cheapest around.
Good luck!
Click to expand...


Hi Grazer, yeah, I kinda knew this wasnt going to go too well today lol.. She told me that I'll get a letter in post from hospital with an invitation to have my eyes screened. I'm not getting to see a doctor until the first diabetic clinic in 3 months time! Thing is, how will they even know if i'm trying to control my diabetes if they havent checked my weight etc? or my blood pressure?

Looks like i'll have to purchase a meter from the internet as she said there was no need to test it myself...I told her i wanted to follow the guidlelines and see what works for me, she just told me that I dont need to worry about all that...I'll have a look at the SD codefree one and buy it.

I am just so glad I found this forum, as the nurse wasnt much help at all

Thanks

Sharon xx
 
hi. You don't have to wait 3 months to see a doctor. If you have concerns about control of your diabetes , then you have every right to see a doctor. I had similar problems to you with the diabetic nurse, and insisted I had an appointment with the diabetic doctor at my practise. The best thing I did. I now only see the nurse for printouts of results and yearly checks. You may even have to see different doctors until you find one that will support you. That's assuming you have a choice.
The one I use now even borrowed my copy of Dr bermstiens " diabetic solution" and has embraced it's doctorin.
Best of luck. It can be a real problem finding the support and help you need. Certainly whilst I was getting everything under control, I was seeing him at least once a month.
If you end up having to go on medication, then there will be a period of adjustment which you will have to discuss regularly with a doctor.
P.s I don't accept a nurse issuing medication, but thats me !!!
You will get there in the end , it's just a lot easier with support.
 
The variation we all see across gp practices is a bit of a joke isn't it? First thing Sharon don't let it get to you just use it as a means of showing them what you can achieve without their help! Don't be afraid to make a fuss so if you think you need to see the doc then just make an appointment and go see them.
 
I really believe the system should be changed. The newly diagnosed need proper support but once they have got it under control an annual check up should be sufficient unless the patient has a problem

I believe that if patients can't be seen by a doctor on diagnosis they need to be seen by a nurse trained to a higher standard than is usually the case in the local practice, When the diabetes is controlled they should be free to see eiher the dr or nurse if they wish..

Too often the patient exists for the Practice instead of vice versa. Not good for anyone.

None of this delegation {or relegation} to nurses seems to be helping much People are constantly posting about being left in limbo not knowing what to do .
The newly diagnosed need support and reassurance. Good job they can get it here- but what of those who don't find their way here?
 
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