Police and hypo and dvla

[donnellysdogs]

Hi everybody:

Have researched a lot in to pumps, and emailed my DSN who phoned me up today and had a good chat with me. 2 things worried me 1) Care from NHS to support you, and basically was told that they have put 13 pumps to patients so far, and there is one specialist consultant and my DSN who have had all the theory training, and practice with the 13 patients, and that it could take up to 3 months to get good levels. Was told they are still learning from people's experiences, but that because of this, there is a good support system in place for patients. I have done the Accu chek tutorial on line and that didn't really scare me. The only thing now that worries me is the siting of the cannula's. I can only sleep on my stomach due to left shoulder being unable to go under a pillow, and my right hip hurst so much I can't lie on that side either. Anyhow, DSN has said that when she comes back off her holiday in September, she can fit me up with a cannula just to try for a couple of days sleeping with it on my stomach. She also mentioned different sites to be able to use. I don't actually technically fall in to 2 of the categories required by NICE, as my levels are 7.1 and not above 8.5, as they state, and I do recognise hypo's whilst awake (when asleep my husband always gets to me first), but I do come in to the category where injections and regimes to get to 7.1 are having a huge impact on the quality of my life. The DSN has suggested a pump because of my levels raising so high in mornings, and dropping in afternoons with just the glargine and needing extra corrective doses of fast acting to bring them down. It would still need agreement from another 3rd specialist 'pump' consultant, and DSN said they are very particular as to who they allow to have them, as they do not want people to get in to a 'pickle' and make things worse for themselves. Still, I will be seeing her tomorrow and Thursday before she goes off on hols, so I am a little more relaxed about things now.

My DSN phoned me to say she had the medical report to be completed for the DVLA arrive today, and she is going to speak to the nice Consultant 1st thing tomorrow morning to try and get me booked in tomorrow afternoon for the medical. She wants to get it done with the nice consultant, her and me before she goes on holiday on Thursday. This DSN has been absolutely superb with me, I cannot fault her at all, she has been absolutely fantastic. At least by Wednesday, I know that the report on me will be completed and then up to DVLA to say yes or no, and hopefully the anxiety that the GP's caused me can be tackled then, by changing GP and writing to PCT. 4 weeks just to get the medical sorted out....

After DVLA report is done, and I hear back from them, I will then take the steps to write to PCT and to change my GP. My GP did give me 250 strips last week, but did challenge me as to why I needed them!!! Even working out how many tests I would be doing with 250 strips. After I said the hospital were adamant that I had a minimum of 250, he did the prescription ok. He is the diabetic GP, but when I asked if he knew anything at all about pumps, he said his knowledge was 'nothing'. So at least as previously said on the posting I would not be under GP care anymore, which would be a relief up until changing GP, as he could never write another medical report on me, it would be totally out of his hands.........

 

[sugar2]

Best of luck today!

I have an accuchek combo..and they have a range of cannulas. i like teh one called flexilink...as it is very soft, and it means that I can lie on my stomach quite happily. I am sure that other pump manufactures do something similar.

Take care

 

[iHs]

Good Luck from me too :wink:

Don't worry about infusion sets for a pump just try and get one that has got a luer connection on the cartridges. Makes it fairly easy then to try other brands of set if the ones your pump uses are not suitable for you. Like Sugar says, Flexlinks are really nice, are fairly flat in profile and dont catch in your clothes. With the Link Assist to put them in, it's a doddle - literally.

 

[theacatsmother]

Hi again,

Glad to hear you've had positive news/advice about a pump and not just from the nice DSN. Mine is really super and very nice. We always have a chat about "things" as well as the topic in hand. She has changed my insulin this week as I was getting far too low overnight, with some Hypos. So with sort of starting over again, I've an inkling of how you're feeling about starting with a pump.

But what a p*ll*ck your present GP is. :roll: He clearly doesn't understand the need of Type 1s to test before and after meals, and again before bed/overnight. Pity we can't name and shame....

All the best for the pump trial, I'll be thinking of you with crossed fingers.

Thea xx

 

[donnellysdogs]

Hi

Found out that they give accu chek combo pumps, and have 10 for the rest of the year to give out.

Have had medical with consultant today, and absolutely shocked that the form just has tick boxes on it for them to complete....2 questions on eyesight, 1 on laser, 1 on retinopathy, 1 on hypo/driving knowledge, 1 on hypo's and what type of diabetes and date diagnosed. That is it.

They are paid £133 for filling in those tick boxes. Consultant said I would be one of theose diabetics that fall in to the catgory of being 'punished' by DVLA.

I phoned DVLA earlier and asked why they pay £133 to someone just to tick 8 boxes if my licence was just going to be revoked, and also explaining that the consultant was willing to back me up once my licence was revoked he would write a letter. The chap from DVLA acutally said, 'that's daft, if your consultant sent in a letter now, your licence wouldn't automatically be revoked, why is he waiting until it is taken away before writing a letter?'

So now I have emailed the DSN and asked 'if the Dr will be sending in a letter with my medical form, that he completed this morning. As the DVLA say that if this was done with the form he has just completed, they would not automatically revoke my licence and that I would stand a chance of keeping it. They said it is daft if he is willing to support me to keep my licence that he waits until I have lost my licence until he writes a letter.
They have said if he faxed a letter through to them with my medical number they would have to consider it, without automatically losing my licence.'

Seems as if consultants and DVLA aren't singing off the same hymn sheet, and that possibly (I believe) that the consultants have the policy of not writing letters until licences are revoked. The consultant was adamant this morning that the DVLA take licences away automatically, and he was sympathising that I was being categorised in with diabetic persons that had accidents etc and had not stopped to give themselves sugar etc, which was when he said about the DVLA punishing me.

I know the inevitable loss of licence is going to happen, but if Consultants/Gp's have the policy of blaming DVLA for being automatic and it isn't then they should be honest with me and tell me they don't support people in my circumstances. Plain and simple, at least I would know exactly where I stand. I can't see that the DVLA people would tell me it wasn't automatic loss of licence when it is, as their phonecalls etc are all logged, and names are given etc.

Still, the big black 'x' for being a pain in people's bums has just moved from my GP's files to my consultants files now, and I must have a huge, gigantic black 'x' marked agianst me on my DVLA file!!!

I should know by the end of next week, at least I am much calmer now from everybody's excellent advice to me, my levels have been excellent and I have some excellent advice on insulin pumps now as well.

Also lost 1stone 5lb in 4 weeks from all the stress, so perhaps there has been a silver lining to this deep dark cloud that has been hanging over my head. Will be back to my old size of fitting in to childrens clothing before all this is over, and wow, when I have to walk every where the high blood pressure from the last 4 weeks should drop too.....

 

[donnellysdogs]

Well.....

After emailing my DSN late yesterday afternoon, questioning whether Consultant was going to support me with a letter, or did they have policies not do so......today has been quite a turn round.

When I went to rheumatology clinic, opposite the diabetic one, I called in to see the Consultants secretary, and asked whether his 8 tickbox report had been sent, and did a letter go with it? She tried to say that the Consultants do send off letters with the report....

This afternoon when I went to a different hospital to see the DSN (at a local clinic) for my appointment, she said that she had forwarded the emails to the Consultant, who did say to her that he DIDN'T normally do letters until the licences had been revoked, but he would immeidately fax a letter to the DVLA stating that I did everything as I should have done etc, and that he sees no reason to revoke my licence..........different to what the secretary said to my husband and I this morning, but hey, he has faxed the letter to them to support me, before they make the decision to revoke the licence......

Was diagnosed with fibromyalgia today, so now have to research that illness too, but as I have had so much pain in apst 13+years, I do know what the symptoms are, just not the correct treatment for it.....

Also the DSN has booked me in to have a pump fitted on Sept 13th, with a training session on 10th Sept. Does anybody know whether I can take my husband and best friend with me to learn with me?
The DSN is now on holiday for 2 weeks, so I don't know whether this is possible. I just feel that I need these two people to learn with me and to be able to support me, especially as my best friend was a nurse.

Waiting game now to see whether the DVLA will take any notice of the letter from Consultant, I emailed the DVLA with confirmation of the Consultant sending a fax. THe DVLA will definitely have a huge paper trail and computer records on all my emails to them, but they have been 100% factual of all conversations I have had with them and with my consultants, and with everything.

Expect it will be probably end of next week by the time they make their decision.

Thank you once again for everybodys support....Sharon

 

[iHs]

Still keeping fingers crossed for you as what's happened to you can easily happen to anyone.

Yes you can take a friend, hubby with you when you go to get hooked up. My rep was really nice and friendly so don't worry. I didn't have a chance to play with my pump first, as due to personal matters, I collected my Combo straight from my hospital. Be warned though, if you are collecting pump from hospital, the Combo comes in a fairly large box with pull out drawers and you will also get a large training manual plus some sets etc and insulin in vial instead of cartridges plus a meter for testing keytones. It's enough to put in a small suitcase :lol:

Might be interesting to see if your diagnosis of fibromyalgia gets much better through not using Lantus anymore. Not sure what bolus insulin you will be on but try to get Novorapid or Apidra if you can.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Your small suitcase made me laugh, I really though I would walk away with just the pump!!! Great knowledge to pass on to a newcomer to pumps...

I mentioned glargine and human insulin problems to the rheumy today, saying I had heard generally that some people can have bad effects due to the insulin, she asked how long I had been on synthetic-25 years, but she tactfully moved on to a different item of conversation.

John came with tme this morning to rheumy, and said that she was the first person to listen to me in the 13 years has been with me and my moaning about pain and complete exhaustion.

 

[catherinecherub]

Completely irrelevant to your DVLA problems but this well conducted survey shows that Tai Chi can help ease fibromyalgia symptoms. It is a very gentle exercise routine. and thought it might be worthwhile mentioning this to you. No sports equipment or clothes to buy and you can do it at your own pace and sit out the moves that you find difficult. All ages, all shapes and sizes go to my class.

http://www.physorg.com/news201370975.html

 

[donnellysdogs]

Yep, tai chi will be on my list of things to look at, GP has already enrolled me to go to do low impact exercises as well through personal trainer at gym for 12 weeks, and something to help with stress busting, as Fibro people including me find stress exagerates the pain, so he is looking at that when he comes back off hol. Diagnosis has taken 13 years of chronic pain, this GP did suggest it was fibro on Tuesday before seeing specialist on Thursday, so it may look as if this GP may know something about it. Tai chi and the website you recommended looks as if it has some good benefits to fibro people, and adise on things to help is very helpful, as I have never known what to do to help before because I never had a diagnosis besides depression before. I've always said I was fed up because I couldn't deal with the pain and tiredness, confusion and memory malfunctions, and that was when I was diagnosed with Perncicious Anaemia 5 years ago, which these GP's undiagnosed but had left me wondering what the heck was wrong with me besides the diabetes......now at least I can find help to deal with everything. Coming round more to thinking more positive about the pump too, especially from the advice here as to the pumps and insulins i should be asking for, has been a great help.
Licence, I know I have done everything possible and now I just have to accept what is coming, a very steep learning curve, but even if i lose it for a while, at least the DSN has observed my insulins and results a lot closer and thinks that the pump will benefit, so there may well be a silver lining to the hypo incident. Certainly been the steepest learning curve I have ever had in my life, but I also hope that others may too have benefited from peoples expereinces and help that I have been given from so many fantastic people on this posting....
Tai chi here I come....

 

[theacatsmother]

Hello again,

I've found a couple of useful leaflets at my local Diabetes Centre about diabetes and driving. Maybe your DSN has a supply to let you have copies.

One is by Bayer, and is called "Diabetes and Driving" and the other is by Eli Lilly & Co and is titled "Driving and Employment." The bayer leaflet recommends not driving if your BG is below 4mmol/l but the Lilly booklets suggests the limit should be 5mmol/l which seems more sensible. The leaflets have general advice about driving, with details of what and when you need to disclose to the DVLA. They make for good reading, and worth keeping somewhere safe for future reference.

If your DSN doesn't have copies, you can order them through the websites :-

http://www.bayerdiabetes.co.uk

http://www.lilly.co.uk

Hope this helps.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Almost 2 months now since driving/hypo incident, and still waiting to hear from the dvla whether they will revoke my licence. Apparently my medical notes are still being reviewed, and the person I spoke to couldn't tell me how long I will have to wait to find out.

 

[Debloubed]

Hi ya, bit late in joining this thread, but for what it's worth, a type 1 friend of mine ended up in a ditch on the side of the road after a bad hypo whilst driving (he ended up in the ditch in his car!) and he still drives now. Incident happened 2 years ago. Apparently he had to fill out the forms and DVLA 'spoke' to his consultant team and a decision was made, he kept his licence as it was a one off and he usually had good awareness. The older I get the more scared I get about driving anyway, and with the hypo threat my nerves are getting very frayed! I've had random hypo's when driving before and I've always managed to pull over and correct. Fortunately it doesn't happen often. I always report on my forms and I always get a 3 year renewable licence. The best thing is to always be 100% honest. I once clipped a lamp post whilst parking to correct (no damage to car or lamp post!) but it always makes me think 'what if??' Just not worth the risk in my opinion. Good luck with your licence review, hope you get a 3 year renewable!

On a lighter note, my OH constantly asks if I'm hypo when I'm lost when out in the car, as one of my symptoms is confusion. Usually, I am just lost but it amuses him to highlight my blondeness :lol:

 

[Lordy100]

Not sure if this has been pointed out previously but I will post just in case.

I recently attended a DAFNE course, really helpful, and one of the things the DSN told us was that the DVLA are now recommending that your blood glucose is 5+ before driving if it is below you should act accordingly to raise and only drive 45 minutes after your levels have reached 5+. However, I've just had a look on the DVLA website and cannot find any mention. If you don't test and act accordingly obviously it will affect your insurance in case of accident.

I will endeavour to find out link to where DSN obtained this info.

 

[hazyclaire]

I was also told about this on DAFNE course, first time I'd heard it. Then the last time I did my 3 year driving license renewal (about 12months ago) there was a leaflet saying the same thing from the DVLA.

I must admit, I never do a blood test before driving, it doesn't even occur to me. But then I am lucky to have good hypo awareness. I believe though that if you have a hypo whilst driving and don't pull over and move out of the driving seat, the police can do you for driving under the influence of drugs!!!!!!!!

Wonder if that has ever actually happened to anyone?

 

[hazyclaire]

However I think I will start being stricter with myself and testing before driving now I have read this post!

 

[donnellysdogs]

So grateful for the last postings....I've learnt a very hard lesson, and Hazyclaire if my posting and lesson has made you more aware of testing before driving, then my posting and everybodys comments and support have made it worth it. Believe me, it is an awful experience to go through, and I wouldn't have wished it upon my worst enemy.

Monday a letter from DVLA arrived. Hubby was out walking the dogs, and I could not stop myself shaking to open the envelope, so I left it on table until he got home 20 minutes later. By this time I was actually shaling very badly and my heart was literlly pounding. I had seen in the window of the envelope some digital numbers, and I was thinking they had sent me a standard letter revoking my licence. My husband opened the envelope for me, and then said, "Sharon the letter isn't even for you!!!, its for me!!" So, I then accused him of speeding, points, fines etc, and he said "no they just want me to renew my photocard!!!!!" It took another 40 minutes to calm myself down completely......I am still absolutely dreading the postie arriving each day, and still no news. I don't know whether they will write if they allow me to keep my licence, or whether they will just write to revoke it.

Besides the DVLA issue, I have now gone on to a pump on Monday (good job the DSN did not take my blood pressure that day!!) and IHS username has been absolutely fantastic with the support that she has given me to manage the swop over from MDI to pump. I just want to say that the support I have received from members of this forum have seen me through the worst experiences in my life so far, and I want to thank everybody for their time to write the postings and especially to IHS who has gone way beyond the support I could possibly have wished for. Bit off a soppy posting really, but a huge big thanks to everybody. I just don't know how I would have got through all of this without your postings and support..... Sharon

 

[Debloubed]

I
I must admit, I never do a blood test before driving, it doesn't even occur to me. But then I am lucky to have good hypo awareness. I believe though that if you have a hypo whilst driving and don't pull over and move out of the driving seat, the police can do you for driving under the influence of drugs!!!!!!!!

Wonder if that has ever actually happened to anyone?

I remember reading about a lady who had crashed her car whilst hypo and had caused the death of someone in the car she crashed into. She was prosecuted and charged with causing death by dngerous driving whilst under the influence. So yes, it has happened! People have been found guilty of being under the influence of drugs whilst hypo at the wheel. Which is pretty terrifying and should hopefully remind us all to test before driving! (if memory serves, the lady in question wasn't sent to prison as she had various doctors and consultants to testify that too much insulin caused her to crash the car.)

 

[jopar]

Charges one can face

Driving without due care andd attention..
Driving while under the influance
And causing death can be applied to both charges..

And yes diabetic's due get rightfully hauled up into court...

Most diabetics that don't get charged following an accident, generally have Blood Glucose readings and data, to prove that they there levels were safe to drive started their journey and the time since they started their journey, one would expect the individual to still have safe blood glucose levels..

If at anytime I get any trouble or concerns about my hypo awareness, I would not drive until this was sorted, and if it looked like I wasn't going to be sorted then I would hand my licence back before it was revolked...

I actually changed jobs several years ago, taking a pay cut of £1000 pounds a month due to the amount of driving invovled (which had drastically increased) it was hard impact to take but the risks for me was just to high..

 

[donnellysdogs]

Day 76 and still not a response from the DVLA. I have phoned a couple of weeks ago, and they said my case was being reviewed, and told me to ring back on the Friday of that week as they may be able to tell me something more over the phone. The DVLA staff answering my calls have been so helpful and nice, I can't fault them. I phoned back on the Friday, and they said my case was still being reviewed by the Drs, but that it has the highest priority.
They confirmed that they had my consultants letter on September 8th supporting me, and they received his report on the 12th September, they also tell me each time I have phoned that I can continue to drive whilst their decsion is being made.

One thing for sure, if they have had my notes this long, they either have a large back log and / or they are not rushing in to make a decision on my licence without a thorough review. Still agony waiting, but the time has given me more of an acceptance I think. I can thik more clearly, rather than the sheer panic I had put my brain through.

If they keep to their guidleines I should hear a response within the next 14 days to come within the 90 day processing warning.