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New member in Andalucia - type 2

A

AlcalaBob

Well-Known Member
Messages
178
Location
Andalucia, Spain
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,

I'm type 2 living in Andalucia having retired here a couple of years ago. After having it well under control for a few years in the UK, I've now discovered I've become blasé and a recent routine blood test made me wake up. I've also just read then Bernstein book which seems to make a lot of sense so I've switched to a much lower carb diet which, together with metformin, seems to be reducing the levels again pretty well.

A million years ago I trained as a biochemist so I'm in the process of upgrading my knowledge and reading some of the research. The health service here is excellent and I've just had a prescription for test strips, though my doctor also recommended Benecol (I wonder if he is on commission). I'm making an effort to get my blood sugar to within normal levels so we'll see how that goes. At the least it might help me lose a few kilos.

I glad to have found the forum as it helps to read about how others are coping. It's a pig of an illness and although I realise lots of folks experience worse than I do, it doesn't ever go away. Like most folks, I don't make a fuss about it but it's good to know there's a source of advice. Anyone expats in Spain, let me know.
 
Hello AlcalaBob and welcome :) I am an expat too but in Switzerland not Spain. Happy reading on this forum.
 
Welcome to the forum Bob, hope the weather is better in Spain than it is here! :)

Nigel
 
Welcome... probably better for DMs in Spain at least for the climate but you no doubt miss the free meds of the NHS we get.
Benecol isn't that for cholesterol from the supermarket? 8)
 
Cowboyjim said:
Welcome... probably better for DMs in Spain at least for the climate but you no doubt miss the free meds of the NHS we get.
Benecol isn't that for cholesterol from the supermarket? 8)
Click to expand...

Hi CJ,

The medical care here is every bit as good as the UK. When I went for a flu jab a month ago, a doctor was standing in for the nurse who was sick and he gave me the injection and then, noticing my records, asked when the last time I'd had a foot inspection. As it was a while ago, he did it there and then.

For diabetics here, the GP liaises with the pharmacists (there are two chemists in the village) and if you haven't yet picked up your prescription, they remind you. They also act as paramedics and every time I go in, they have a chat and check on your levels asking if everything is under control, etc.

And it seems, though I haven't yet needed it, that dental care is now free for diabetics though I'm not sure if that is for just Andalucia - Andalucia has a reputation for being out in front. I've just had a prescription for test strips too though I suspect that might be restricted in future because of the cost.

There are prescription charges but mine are always around €3 for metformin, allopurinol, and statins for a three month supply. All in all, it's pretty good care.
 
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