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Question for Type 1's....

I go to see my specialist diabetic nurse. My Consultant is next to useless and is a waste of time going and the GP wants me to attend their clinic (must get more money that way) but as its no benefit to me cos they dont know that much, I wont bother.

Sounds very negative but thats how it is!

I'm now using a pump along with same manufacturers test meters and management software. This provides the ability to download everything which can then be reported on in various ways....my consultant wont use these reports though - he still wants me to write everything down in a book!!! I thought having diabetes was about managing it in the best wasy suitable for your lifestyle!!!

You can see we get on eh lol!!
Paul
 
GP's, bless them, rarely have the sort of detailed knowledge and understanding that you might need. That's not necessarily a criticism because of course they need to have a wide breadth of knowledge on all sorts of conditions. I know many GP's as friends, but only one would I expect to be aware of some of the latest research and thinking or have an understanding of the complexities that many here on the forum have.
I'm not blowing our own trumpet here - most of those GP's would fully agree with me.
A DSN would be a better bet, although judging by some of the stories on here, that's also a bit of a lottery. Whether you get a by-the-book or a free-thinking DSN would make an enormous difference to the type of advice you could be offered.
I'd suggest you speak with your diabetes team, and if you are uncertain or unconvinced by their advice, many on here will be very happy to give you their personal opinions.

All the best,

ferus
 
Always go to my DSN who is fantastic as is my consultant. My doc does not have the knowledge of type 1 to help me.
 
My GP is fantastic but as previously said somewhere they don't have the detailed knowledge of diabetes that is required for unique individuals such as us so I either sort it myself or get in contact with the diabetic nurse but generally I can figure it out for myself.
 
Thanks for comments.

The only reason I ask is because I'm pretty sure my fast-acting insulin is doing nothing for me anymore. Its been fine for the last however many years. However, despite no change in lifestyle, diet, etc, my numbers are sky high. My reader says HI pretty much all of the time and I've lost almost a stone in weight over the past couple of weeks.

Unfortunately, I'm one of those who finds it quite difficult to ask for help regarding 'diabetes'. I've always done it on my own and never once bothered my doctor. It seems now I'm going to have to. Oh well.....
 
I think nurses are better at the practical things - fergus we agree!

Dont ask doctors about anything food related - they are useless!
 
Ally
Sweeping statements like this give you no credibility, show your lack of understanding of the HCP roles you mention and is rude.

by ally5555 on Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:33 pm
I think nurses are better at the practical things - fergus we agree!

Dont ask doctors about anything food related - they are useless!

wiflib
 
well if I was a patients why would i ask a doctor about food ? I think you work somewhere in the nhs so why would a pateint ask me about injections? Doctors do about 3 hours nutrition in their training so ask the right professional. I think nurses are brill at the practical stuff so I always drect pts to them either in the surgery or the hospital
 
As the proud aunt of a young army nurse, off to Iraq soon, I agree nurses are practical people
 
I'm not a nurse. I'm a Midwife. Two distinctly different jobs with many similarities.
Are you under the impression nurses do nothing but practical tasks? If you are, you are very wrong, and, like doctors, a nurse working in a one speciality may find working in another a challenge. I may be a Midwife, but I don't care for women antenatally in the community so my knowledge of antenatal screening is not up to scratch. However, my intrapartum skills are excellent. You Ally, specialise in diet and sport. Other dieticians may have only the basic knowledge.

I understand completely that there are many different HCP's who fail in the most basic of their specialities, but to make such sweeping statements as a fellow HCP is appalling.

I do not wish to turn this topic into an unnecessary discussion. As you have said yourself Ally, it's disgraceful some of the things we have to go through from the clients we are employed by, don't lets do it to each other.

wiflib
 
I first look at the net to see if there's anything I can do myself, but generally I call my Diabetic Specialist Nurses They are very good and can answer most questions by phone. IfI call my GP they are pretty useless and make me come to the surgery which means time off work! :D
 
Hi
My opinion of "Diabetes" nurses and docs is pretty negative I'm afraid. As I've said on this forum before, I was having trouble for years while on Lantus, my control was lousy, and it didnt seem to work, my control was so inconsistent and unpredictable. I repeatedly told the docs and nurses at my hospital clinic. It was like talking to a brick wall and I got no help whatsoever. I have since changed to a pork long-acting,MY CHOICE, and my control is now great. I have reported my miraculous change in control, and my worries about Lantus to the Diabetes Nurse at this clinic and she couldn't have sounded less interested. I wanted to pass on the info as it may help other patient with similar problems and lack of good BS control on Lantus, I am really conerned about it possible being a faulty product. I'm quite confident that my concerns are being ignored, as this clinic is reluctant to take any of it's patients of this "wonderdrug", for whatever reason. It'll all come out in the wash.
Whenever I've had probs with my diabetes, I've found talking to other diabetics, and the internet to be more helpful than my diabetic clinic or GP. I have been type-1 for 19 years, so I speak from lots of experience!
Jus
 
I see noone. I've been living in North Wales for just over 2 years now, and I only just got my letter to visit the hospital Consultant yesterday. My appointment is august 21st.

I've been living as a Type 1 borderline diabulimic for two years, and I can't help it. I am not doing it on purpose. My GP wont authorize any change in my insulin regime. Since my long acting insulin isn't working, I can't keep my blood sugars down. :(
 
anything minor I would try to sort myself or look to the internet and forums for info and advice.
I'd then phone my DSN if I needed more help, she's very good.
I wouldn't ever really go to my GP, we have a good relationship but int he 18months I've been with t he surgery we've never really talked about diabetes, she just acknowledges that i have great control and knows that i know more than her.
alternatively I would consider asking a work colleague, last week i spoke tot he podiatrist and she gave me some good advice.
 
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