how often are you seen by your diabetes doctor?

[misswhiplash]

Once every year, or every six months if there's a specific reason to go more often. They'd see me more if I asked them to, though, I think.

 

[Bucksgirl]

I'm type 1 (LADA for 19 years - now 48 years old) and am meant to be on 6 monthly hospital consultant care. Haven't heard from them for over 18 months, probably due to shortage of doctors. Am OK as take good care of myself and get bloods done through GP surgery followed up by appointment with practise nurse who doesn't mind as she usually only deals with type 2s. I have to interpret my own results though.....

 

[keefyboyuk]

I was diagnosed in 2002, I was put on Metformin by my GP and since then I have NEVER seen a Dr, never been invited to the so called Desmond educational course (my wife has because she was at pre diabetic level but now through weight loss is well away from that) I used to see my Nurse responsible for diabetics whenever as my diabetes is NOT under control, now trying to get an appt is virtually useless as they have cut back the days she can diabetics from 5 to 2 because of NHS cutbacks in funding. Diabetes is still not under control and what can I do now? presumably they just want me to die then its one less person to worry about.......

 

[C-Mack]

Still new to me but here in Canada, I have seen the endo once and then go back in 6 months, seen my diabetic nurse educator 4 times and will see her again in August and my family gp wants to see my every 3 months to review my a1c. Gp said she will leave the insulin management to the educator but that she wants to make sure my overall health stays on track.

My gp is awesome and is from Scottland, she may go back there and I have told her that me and my family may follow!

 

[RuthW]

i haven't been seen since august when i first met my new adult team (i was changing from childrens to adults services), and was wondering if this is normal or if maybe i should get in contact with them?

how often are you seen?

i have type 1.

Type 1 in the UK should be every six months regularly. More often if you have any kind of problem.

 

[ConradJ]

I'm type 1 (LADA for 19 years - now 48 years old) and am meant to be on 6 monthly hospital consultant care. Haven't heard from them for over 18 months, probably due to shortage of doctors. Am OK as take good care of myself and get bloods done through GP surgery followed up by appointment with practise nurse who doesn't mind as she usually only deals with type 2s. I have to interpret my own results though.....

Are you based in Bucks @Bucksgirl ?

If so, that may be the issue: there's a real problem with recruiting and retaining diabetes consultants at SMH and Wycombe, and the DSN team are also severely stretched owing to the large number of T2's on insulin who've been passed over to hospital care in recent years.

If you've having control issues, etc., it would be worth seeing your GP and asking for a referral to another hospital trust - MK or OCDEM, etc., depending upon your location.

 

[andybee]

I was diagnosed two and a half years ago and had a follow up with a consultant and nurse about six months later where I got my tests results etc. I realised that as an intelligent person with a life threatening condition who had read and I mean really read 'think like a pancreas' that I was in a much better position to make my choices than the nurse who clearly knew much less than me about living with my condition than I did. I have tried to book appointments since but there is currently no diabetic nurse at my practice but they have been able to arrange for blood teats. The eye tests have come through like clockwork but that is a different department; no problems there. To be honest I am OK with this arrangement; I know what I need to do to stay healthy. I need to be informed and disciplined; the information is out there; what does a diabetes nurse know that I don't. Its like everything in life - personal responsibility. I am not going to be a victim to this condition