New Type 1 Diagnosis

[David01]

I was pretty shocked to read Hannah Postle's account of her diagnosis and how poor the treatment was. I feel very sorry that she's suffered such an appallingly poor service from various health professionals. I've had Type 1 diabetes for 33 years, having been diagnosed at the same age as Hannah. Because I've heard that most newly diagnosed Type ! diabetics are dealt with in the community unless the patient goes into a coma, I believed that studies had shown that patients can be given adequate training to cope with everyday life. When I saw my GP all those years ago, I gave him a list of my symptoms (weight loss, exhaustion, spending hours every day going to the toilet, drinking gallons of fluid - totally classic!), and also a urine sample. He tested it and said straight away "you're definitely diabetic". Although he was probably well over 60 his mind was clearly open to the possibility of adults developing Type 1. He made one phone call, and almost before I could blink I was on a hospital ward and stayed there for the next 8 days; firstly to make sure I was having enough insulin to get rid of my ketones, and secondly to ensure I knew enough about the basics to manage my blood sugars on a daily basis. Most importantly I knew it was essential to take my insulin doses at the correct time and never to miss for any reason. It was also stressed that if I ever felt I was developing symptoms of a hyper to check for ketones immediately - and if there were any - to increase my insulin doses as necessary to get rid f them as quickly as possible. It's pretty scary to hear that the teaching isn't always there nowadyas.

Perhaps in this instance the "old ways" were the best?

 

[jackois]

Not at all... just your luck I'm afraid.

I was diagnosed at age 59 this year, visiting my GP with the same symptoms as you, and was sent straight down to the local hospital where the diagnosis was confirmed, I was taught how medicate my self & allowed home on the same day.

I was followed up via telephone over the next few days before being passed to the local diabetic community care team who re-inforced the education given by the hospital team.

Since then, I have follow up from the clinic & my GP on a regular basis. No problems with prescriptions or anything else.

Also seamless have been retinopathy, podiatry & sharps collection.

The article seems to say that she was diagnosed but didn't get the required follow up to allow her to fully understand how her diabetes worked until she suffered a serious DKA.

I know a few diabetics, type one, who don't appear to understand diabetes and rely on their healthcare professionals to set insulin dosages. My own experiences make me think that the healthcare professionals I've met care that their patients have not only the knowledge to help themselves and where to go for help if needed.

It's a shame that we see so many posts on this site complaining about their health care.... and I'm not sure what the answer is.