Just for Fun. DSN or test strips?

[Unbeliever]

This was sparked by a discussion I had with a fellow diabetic. In these days of austerity we know we have to make savings somehow..
I know opinions will differ as experiences and situations differ but if you had to choose between free test strips and a DSN in your practice which would you choose.?

I personally would go for the strips as they have been of great help to me in bringing down my levels.
This forum has also been invaluable. I was very fortunate in once having a good Gp to advise me about my diabetes and have also been forunate enough to receive some very valuable help from the hospital ,. but none of this was connected with the DSN.

ISo in my case I would definitely plump for the srips. How about you??

Not that anyone is likely to offer us the choice but just as a matter of interest......

 

[reidpj]

100% the strips

 

[Sid Bonkers]

I'm not aware that any GP practices have DSN's, just a nurse who may be called the diabetic nurse or the respiratory nurse, in my GP practice it is the same nurse who just changes hats. When I was on insulin I asked a question and was told "oh I dont know anything about insulin", does that sound like a diabetes specialist nurse to you?

In my limited experience DSN's only work in specialist diabetic units and work directly under a consultant endocrinologist. Is that what their called?

But to answer your question the answer is test strips, I slipped under the radar after diagnosis, I was shown how to use and adjust insulin in hospital and never saw another soul until I asked for a blood test. So without testing I would still be on insulin today three years later :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

 

[chocoholicnomore]

Definitely strips :!:

 

[starlight1]

strips every time.

 

[slimtony]

Strips. :twisted:

 

[Snodger]

strips. No contest.

 

[Grazer]

When I was on insulin I asked a question and was told "oh I dont know anything about insulin", does that sound like a diabetes specialist nurse to you?

Unfortunately yes. My practice DOES have a DSN, dedicated to just diabetic matters. The practice does it's own blood tests, etc. Nice girl, but unfortunately clueless.

 

[didie]

Strips.

 

[Hobs]

Definitely the strips every time!

My GP's multi hatted NHS practice nurse knows so little about my 'conditions' she learns far more from me than the other way round .. I only go along to the various clinics she runs for the practice to keep my name on the lists as an attentive attender and a short route to all the various tests I need on a regular basis. If I want to know something about a condition I am not sure about or a new symptom pops its head over the parapet, I ring the appropriate consultant's secretary and make an appointment and if its summat really dire I summon a taxi and get taken directly to the main district A & E. . . as I did with my first occurrence of atrial fibrillation .. I needed a 12 lead ECG + a skilled chart interpreter to diagnose that and a visit to my GP would have only put me at further risk.

 

[Ann19]

Strips for me too. GP & nurses don't seem to have a clue. :roll:

Ann

 

[Unbeliever]

My practice is like Grazer's Sid. We do indeed have a DSN who deals with diabetic matters only except in emegencies. One of the othe practice nurses is being sent on all the courses so she can assist her.
The GPs are afraid to so much as refer obliquely to any diabetes related matter and if a patient does so they are quick-sharp pointed in the direction of his nurse.

She MAY know something about insulin - I wouldn't know - she is very keen for all diabetic s t o be on insulin bu she knows little of T2 medications and even makes something of a virtue of this ignorance..
I still have nightmares thinking of the possible results had i not listened to my instincts instead of
taking her advice.Another disturbing thing is that as the recognised authority on all things diabetic the GPs never quesion her , or the other practice nurse and just rubber stamp prescripions..

doeser merely being of no use wouldnt worry me as much as her potential for causing hrm does..

 

[Dougie22]

Despite my reservations on a number of issues, I have found my practice nurse to be knowledgable, helpful and realistic in helping me through the T2 maze. She has, for example, arranged all the tests and appointments that you would want in the first nine months. I'm not sure she's designated as a DSN and she does have a lot of other functions in the practice.

My beef is with the doctor designated as the diabetes specialist who is difficult to work with if you want to have an informed conversation. Her attitude is that she knows best and the patient doesn't really have the background or knowledge to have an opinion worth discussion. Although a group practice, all diabetic patients are referred to this one doctor so there's no interaction with other doctors who might have a different approach.

I'm going on the DESMOND course next week and the nurses giving the course are reputed to be diabetes specialists working for the local health authority. It will be interesting to observe how they operate and whether they adhere strictly to some of the NHS guidelines. I'm particularly interested in self testing, cholesterol and reduced carbs diet.

I don't get strips and buy my own but after the initial "discovery" phase, this has settled down to every day fasting tests plus some more intense testing for specific purposes so the cost has reduced accordingly (as I'm using less strips).

 

[anna29]

Hi all.
Strips win with me !
Some practice nurses are used to dealing with a much wider spectrum of health issues and needs and arnt just soley focused on diabetic issues only.
Luckily mine has a unique interest in diabetes and asks for more training in this field , but not every practice has nurses that wish to do MORE diabetes training.
My practice has 2 nurses one that deals with surgical needs like dressings need changing and does the mums and babies clinic.
The other deals with more medical related things. This is the one that has an interest in diabetes and asks for more training in this field.
Anna.x

 

[Carlb]

What's a DSN? :wink: I want to erect a sign outside my doctors surgery saying " If we diagnose you as Diabetic please log onto www.diabetes.co.uk to find out...A, what we mean and B, what to do!" :lol: Now you think i am joking don't you :crazy: :***:

 

[ClaireG 06]

I would say strips but i am very lucky that i know have a fantastic DN. There are 3 nurses in my surgery that deal with diabetes, i was assigned to one who turned out to be ok but not that clued up. She was ill one day so i got to see one of the other two and this one has turned out to be fantastic

 

[viviennem]

Strips every time!

Our area has a peripatetic DSN, and despite being diagnosed over 18 months I have yet to see him! Our main practice nurse is excellent and very clued up about diabetes, she's the one who deals with my annual review foot tickling etc. We have a diabetes specialist GP who can't stand me - feeling's mutual - so I see the GP I get on with best about everything.

I would recommend any newbie to read around on the subject, and to join this forum.

Viv 8)

 

[Unbeliever]

I wish my DSN were peripatetic. :sick:

 

[Skweek1]

When I asked at my GP's surgery for advice about my diabetes, I was told no-one knew anything about it - they automatically refer new diabetic patients to the local DSN, but I have a problem relating to her. My specialist is great, but otherwise my care tends to be annual bloods at surgery, self-monitoring and insulin, so there's no question - strips without any hesitation! :roll:

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Our area has a peripatetic DSN, and despite being diagnosed over 18 months I have yet to see him!

The vast majority of T2's never get to see a DSN Viv, I was lucky (sic) that I ended up in hospital and as a matter of course all diabetic patients are visited by the DSN. She was very knowledgeable and talked to me at length, at least two hours about how I should adjust the insulin she prescribed for me, and the importance of getting it matched to your diet, had she not done that I would probably still be taking 48 units of insulin a day to this day


Alarmingly their numbers are dwindling fast in the face of the current economic climate.
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/New ... t-cutting/