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Hi guys

kaylz91

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,084
Location
Angus, Scotalnd
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Some of you know im going through some issues at the moment - fear of eating, adjusting my insulin, losing weight every week etc, I have an appointment with the consultant coming up on the 19th and was just wondering what sort of questions I should be asking (this is the first time I'll have seen him as the first appointment he was off so seen someone else and I'm not very good at coming up with questions etc all she did was check my feet look at my bg diary and sent me off) so any help would be greatly appreciated TIA X

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I think the main question you need to ask is - how can I get some help with my eating disorder which is being caused by my fear of high blood sugar and diabetic complications - you need to explain to your endo consultant that you are scared to eat because you are scared of high readings, you need to tell them what your calorie intake per day has been reduced to, you need to tell them what your weight loss is looking like, you need to see some reassurrance on what normal post prandial readings look like and what impact normal post prandial spikes have on the risk of diabetic complications. You need to seek some explaination on why you have encountered diabetic complications so early on following your diagnosis, as hopefully an explaination will provide you with further reassurance.
 
Hey! Good luck with the apointment.

If I was to suggest anything. Write your questions down & go prepared that way?
You can take notes on what your HCP replies with regards to memory & actioning advice on your question sheet...
 
Jaylee said:
Hey! Good luck with the apointment.

If I was to suggest anything. Write your questions down & go prepared that way?
You can take notes on what your HCP replies with regards to memory & actioning advice on your question sheet...
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I'm no good at coming up with the questions to start with that's my problem! Lol xx
 
When my diabetes care was bothering me the consultant's team psychologist started supporting me. I needed someone to off load on who wouldnt get offended by my own needs instead of everyone else's. Your consultant can action that for you, if you felt useful.
I wont be letting mine go easily as since having her support my hba1c has just got better and better. Obviously this forum has been enlightening too. Both combined has madethe difference, for me.
I couldnt talk about diabetes with my family as none have it and dont want to think about the bad side of it, even though I just wanted to share my progress. They aren't interested. They eat all the wrong foods and don't want that to change. For anyone. Especially the over-weight diabetic who is told insulin is needed to control her high blood sugar. She must eat sugar in secret......er, no!
 
ickihun said:
When my diabetes care was bothering me the consultant's team psychologist started supporting me
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My DSN has already put a referral in to the psychology department but I had a letter stating that I probably wont be seen for a while due to a long waiting list x
 
Hi @kaylz91 . What an awkward situation for you. It's something that is very common. A small part of my work involves me being a consultative/ communication representative for work colleagues and it's enabled me to see and try things differently in order to get a message across or get a response to a question.
This is only a suggestion but have you considered not asking any questions but making honest open statements.
For example. At your consultation tell the person you meet ( he or she will only be human ) that you are......
A type 1 diabetic, you are afraid, you fear eating, you fear control because you fear losing control and tell them you want their help.
If this person is in a position to help you they will now ask most of, if not all the questions you need help with.
You've already told us on the forum your struggles, now do the same face to face with the consultant.
Good luck.
 
Thank you very much for that suggestion, I never thought of just making statements and letting them respond with questions, so that's a brilliant idea thanks that's what I will do x
 
Not much help with questions (@catapillar and @therower make some excellent points) but one suggestion is to ask if you could record the conversation. When I am feeling a bit emotional, I take in less than half of what is being said and always wish I could play it back when I am a little calmer.
Probably worth explaining it is for yourself as some people might get a little defensive.
 
Ask about a BERTIE or similar course. You can do it online but it's a big help to attend a course in person. During these courses you get to chat to the whole care team - diabetes nurse, dietitian, psychologist and a consultant. It's fun and a big help. It takes time to get to grips with this condition. Don't be hard on yourself. X
 
I may do that although I have my OH coming with me too so he can remember parts as well x
 
I already did the BERTIE online course a few months ago, I just don't have the confidence in adjusting etc, and I've already looked for courses but there aren't any available in my area x
 
kaylz91 said:
I already did the BERTIE online course a few months ago, I just don't have the confidence in adjusting etc, and I've already looked for courses but there aren't any available in my area x
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Bugga!
 
Sibyl said:
Bugga!
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I know right! where I live is like a ghost town if you want a pub or a takeaway your golden but anything else your done for, I rely on public transport and had an appointment the other week, there is only 1 bus every hour and it broke down I had to pay £16 for a taxi! however I did complain and got £!6 in vouchers to use on their buses so not too bad xx
 
kaylz91 said:
I may do that although I have my OH coming with me too so he can remember parts as well x
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Excellent, good on them for going along

If you do take a list and at any point feel uncomfortable asking the questions just hand the list over to your OH to ask, I'm sure the Consultant will be fine with it.
 
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A list and a notepad is a great idea. Don't be afraid to jot down notes as the consultant is speaking, or get your OH to do it, if you prefer.

It's not only good to look back over afterwards, I find it helps me focus on the conversation and not forget things. It also relaxes me in a way as I feel organised and in control of the appointment.

Remember the appointment is for your benefit, so be sure to,talk about the things you want and not like the consultant race through some ticklist of things to cover. My own consultant is fantastic, but once I had another person who sat there and reeled off things, hardly letting me speak. I realised we were going to run out of time if they carried on like that, so I stopped them and said that I had some questions.

Do prioritise your problems with food variety. Don't let them just say "oh, yes" and move on. Even though you have a referral to a psychologist, it might be that there's a sympathetic DSN or dietician you can talk to, or even another Type 1.
 
azure said:
Even though you have a referral to a psychologist, it might be that there's a sympathetic DSN or dietician you can talk to
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The DSN I'm due to see straight after the consultant isn't very sympathetic unfortunately she is one that just wants you out the door as soon as possible the twice I've seen her she's done that and she let me ask nothing at all I'm waiting on an appointment for the dietician too but when she phoned last month she told me I wouldn't get to see her until at least October add the stresses of the job centre on top of my physical and mental health its no wonder I'm feeling utter poo at the moment xx
 
If you can write some down, it would be great.. additionally though give the consultant a copy and ask to work through them to get answers.
I leave mine with all of my consuktants and generally they get added in to my file...
 

Ask if you can see another DSN. A good one makes all the difference.
 
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