Is once a year often enough?

[happycat]

Have just returned from my first "annual" check up with the Diabetes Nurse, (I was diagnosed in September). She said to stop testing myself because it just creates anxiety and that all I need to do is go for the annual check ups as the only blood test that is meaningful is the Hba1c . She declined to look at my print out of blood test results because she said that they are meaningless. She is very insistent that an annual check up is sufficient. Is that often enough? :?

 

[Lucypieee]

The a1c is just an average of your results, if you need to adjust your insulin accordingly, the BG tests are vital, they're the only way you can see patterns with how your body adjusts to food and to insulin. Your diabetic nurse should know that and she definitely shouldn't be telling you they don't matter.

Are you under a hospital clinic or a GP?

I'm under a hospital clinic, I had a few problems some years ago and the consultants at the hospital (as well as my Diabetes Nurse at the hospital) want me to continue seeing them. I am supposed to have appointments every 3-6 months as that is what my consultant wants. (Of course, it doesn't always work out that way, due to cancelled appointments and having to wait at least 6 months usually for the next available appointment). I do know, if I went to my GP's Diabetic Clinic though, that would most likely be a yearly appointment. However, if I had concerns and wanted to be seen sooner, I could arrange that with my GP or DSN.

 

[catherinecherub]

Have just returned from my first "annual" check up with the Diabetes Nurse, (I was diagnosed in September). She said to stop testing myself because it just creates anxiety and that all I need to do is go for the annual check ups as the only blood test that is meaningful is the Hba1c . She declined to look at my print out of blood test results because she said that they are meaningless. She is very insistent that an annual check up is sufficient. Is that often enough? :?

Hi,

You were only diagnosed in September with an HBA1c of 11.9 according to your profile. I would say that your Nurse is actually a dangerous individual. She has no concept of how a newly diagnosed needs to monitor their levels to see which foods affect them, does not understand that not testing is more likely to cause anxiety and has not agreed to a care plan that suits you as well as her. Where is the negotiation between you and her for a better outcome for you?

I would make an appointment to se your G.P. and express your concerns that a yearly check up without any form of suitable education is a recipe for disaster and that you want to be proactive in your management. Being able to keep a food diary and plotting your numbers that correspond with suitable foods for you is so important. Yearly tests leave a lot to be desired. I have 6 monthly ones and have been a Type2 for 10 years and would be able to get one if I was worried about rising numbers.

As for a print out of your results, you are entitled to one, there is no law that says you cannot have one so perhaps she cannot work the printer? :crazy:

Like so many others, you will have to stand your ground to get a better outcome. :thumbdown: Be assertive and explain why you feel the way you do and see what the GP has to say.

 

[happycat]

Thank you both for your replies. I cannot say that I am impressed with NHS treatment of Diabetes going on my experience. My practice seems especially poor at it. The nurse "specialising" in diabetes in our practice does not even know what the readings should be for BG levels, she had to look them up! I have reached the sad conclusion that my treatment is up to me. Thank goodness for this forum. I have asked for a prescription for some testing strips and she said that they will think about it but she does not think that it is necessary. I am trying to be assertive but it may be a brick wall. I have an appointment with the Dr next week to get the results of my blood test etc, so I'll see how things go. Nurse also told me to stay away from forums because no one has medical qualifications and the advice etc is suspect. Suppose actually having the disease and living with it day to day does not count? Sorry, rant over.

 

[jopar]

Happycat

As to your question about once a year is it enough..

I would say yes, if not only did you have good control but also had the access to kit to monitor your control so that if any problems arises then you could make an earlier appointment if necessary etc..

But sadly, it seems that your control still needs sorting (not surprising you in the early days) and you haven't got the necessary access to monitoring kit (test strips) then it would have to be a firm no, in your case one a year isn't enough...

I think that you need to be a little assertive, ask for education such as a dietitian visit, DESMOND course access, plus access to test strips, so that you can adapt you diet which you can't do without knowing what the 'actual' effect a portion/meal has on your blood glucose levels..

As to avoiding Forums...

She is quite correct with none of us are qualified and more importantly we aren't privy to your medical records... Nor do we know anything about you..

So when it comes to information provided on a Forum, it needs to be treated with extreme caution indeed, and should be ran through with your HCP...

 

[kentish maid]

I have a new diabetic nurse she also wonted me to have annual blood tests but i asked to continue 6 monthly checks which she agreed to .My worry is that i never get a full cholestrol check.So when i saw my gp resently i asked her why and i was told the lab they use can't do the tests.Due of couse to money.

 

[izzzi]

Hi, happycat

She declined to look at my print out of blood test results because she said that they are meaningless.

This is dangerous, your diabetes nurse is another nurse that believes in cost saving shortcuts. ( It's not her fault or is it )

If blood test printouts are meaningless, then this nurse should get a transfer to a hospital mortuary which is the only place in the NHS where a blood test may be meaningless.

Sorry to be morbid Happycat but you deserve proper care and advice from your GP.

Roy.