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New doctor

Helping_hand_

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
I have registered my Dad with a new GP, his previous one wasn't very helpful about his diabetes and misdiagnosed the blood not getting to his foot. Told him it was athletics foot, and didn't spot the PAD.

This new clinic where really helpful and are sending out a diabetic nurse tomorrow to do more blood tests, because I was concerned the blood sugar is going up even with the diet changes.

I am hoping she will refer him to the Diabetic Clinic and he can start to get things under control.
 
To be fair, it shouldn't be a case of hoping he is referred, all diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, should be referred to a clinic.
 
tim2000s said:
To be fair, it shouldn't be a case of hoping he is referred, all diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, should be referred to a clinic.
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I havent been referred to a clinic ever. I have been told by the dn that type 2's dont need to be referred to a clinic.
 
serenity648 said:
I havent been referred to a clinic ever. I have been told by the dn that type 2's dont need to be referred to a clinic.
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I have not been referred either, only 1 month in but have had a retinol scan. Not sure that I would go anyway as I don't need to lose weight but don't want to put it on either. DN told me eat normally and take the pills so we know they are working (80mg Gliclazide once a day). I understand from this forum that going low carb and Gliclazide may make me hypo but I am careful and have not gone below 4.5mmol (before dinner) and between 7-8mmol 2 hours after.
 
tim2000s said:
To be fair, it shouldn't be a case of hoping he is referred, all diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, should be referred to a clinic.
Click to expand...

I think for the majority of T2s the "diabetic clinic" is the one run at the surgery, staffed by Practice Nurses. I have only ever been seen by my nurse, who is a senior Practice Nurse. I haven't even seen a GP. It is refered to as the diabetes clinic, but the nurse is as far as we get. At my surgery the same nurses also run the asthma clinic and probably other clinics. For simplicity I refer to her as my DN.
 
Ah, right. We only have one nurse, who specialises in diabetes a couple of days a month, and does different nursing work the rest of the month. So no actual clinic title is used.
 
I think I should count myself and my mum lucky in this respect then. Both at separate surgeries and we are both seen by diabetic nurse every six months and once a year by the GP practice lead on diabetes. We both have our feet looked at by the nurse along with getting weighed.
 
tim2000s said:
To be fair, it shouldn't be a case of hoping he is referred, all diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, should be referred to a clinic.
Click to expand...

To be honest, Tim, referrals for T2 are patchy, at the very best. Several T2s, posting on this forum, have never seen a doctor about their diabetes, never mind anyone specialised.

My own experience was to have the diagnosis delivered by a GP, but told not to ask questions as he had a lot to get through in the 10 minute appointment. He then went on to read a document to me. He referred me to the Practise Nurse who disbelieved me when I told her I was testing and the numbers I had returned. Nice. Thankfully neither of those individuals is with the practice any longer and my current, young GP is supportive my proactive management of my own health. She's a keeper!

I wholly appreciate everyone's experiences are different, but I think, in @Helping_hand_ 's shoes, I'd be hoping the same, but also preparing myself to fight for the referral, especially in the light of his recent vascular surgery.

Helping_Hand_, you really are doing a sterling job for your Dad. He should be very proud of you.
 
This is a carbon copy of my experience at diagnosis .. except that I only had 7 minutes with my Doc
I also endorse your comment .. @Helping_hand_, you really are doing a sterling job for your Dad. He should be very proud of you.
 
Thanks @AndBreathe and @AM1874

Funny thing is my Dad and I aren't that close, my mum wasn't well enough to go to the hospital to see my Dad. So it was me who got the updates from the nurses and collected him when he got discharged, so I kinds feel responsible.

He never managed his diabetes in the past, so I want to get all the information I can, then it's up him when he's back on his feet to make the right choices.
 
tim2000s said:
To be fair, it shouldn't be a case of hoping he is referred, all diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, should be referred to a clinic.
Click to expand...
Not true I'm afraid. I've never been referred to a clinic even when going onto insulin but fortunately my DNs have been very good but not the two diabetes GPs.
 
No referral and little support for me - no clinic, no DN, no courses offered. As I've said before, OK for those who can take the necessary steps to achieve better and adequate control but not for those who cannot.
 

Well, if nothing else, it will bring you and your Dad closer than before. I'm sure there will be "special moments" (of both the good and less good sorts!) for you both in the process, but I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

My Mother and I were never incredibly close; my brother and she were super-close, and I was the same with my Dad, but when she became unwell my brother was overseas on business for several weeks at a time, so, as a very small family, I really had to step into the breach, even though I was living several hundreds of miles away. Sadly, my Mother's diagnosis was terminal, but actually stepping up meant that she and I actually almost got to know each other again, as 2 adults, We had some very special times, but I will admit she had her moments when she tested my sanity, and I know she had the same thing from time to time too.

I'm sure both your parents are proud of you, and there can be no question that you are trying to achieve the best outcomes you can for your Dad. Keep fighting that good fight.
 
Helping_hand_ said:
Thanks @AndBreathe I am having a bad day, just posted a rant. I feel like I should be posting the 'parents' board as I felt like the responsible one
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Well, one of the things that I found, with my Mother, even the most well part of her illness (if that makes sense!), is that the parent/child relationship swapped over. Discussing this with friends (my support framework at that time), it is extremely common; especially if the biological parent's world has closed in a bit, whether by way of giving up driving, becoming less well, or any number of other causes, their confidence goes. I had to work really hard with my Mum to get her back to fighting her corner.

It's undoubtedly a very challenging time for you all, but hopefully, with the passage of time, you'll all be able to look back at some good times, even though you're probably going nuts due to the tougher times of right now.
 
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