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Recently diagnosed diabetes type II

L

Luninha

Newbie
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1
Hi
I've been diagnosed recently Diabétic type II and I don't Know how to arrange an appointment to see my feet. Should I ask my GP? It's expensive?
Thanks a lot.
Happy New Year for all.
Josefina
 
Luninha said:
I don't Know how to arrange an appointment to see my feet. Should I ask my GP? It's expensive?
Click to expand...
You need a appointment to see a Podiatrist, your GP will help you make a arrangement too see one. They charge around $65.00 for the first appointment then it drops down to $52.00 for subsequent visits here in Bundaberg.

You may be able to get a healthcare plan to see one if your eligible.
 
Hi and welcome,
I don't know where you live but here in the UK it is free and part of the NHS health plan for all diabetics that your feet get checked once a year by a podiatrist. You can make the appointment via your diabetic nurse when you see them. In my case the podiatrist runs a clinic at my Gp surgery so it was all arranged in house as it were but that might not be the case every where.
Good luck
Maggie
 
Luninha said:
Hi
I've been diagnosed recently Diabétic type II and I don't Know how to arrange an appointment to see my feet. Should I ask my GP? It's expensive?
Thanks a lot.
Happy New Year for all.
Josefina
Click to expand...

Hi Josefina, and Happy New Year to you too! Can you tell us where you are based? In the UK treatment is free and will be arranged by your diabetic team. It sounds as if you are worried about your feet and would like them looked at.

I'll ask @daisy1 to send you some information which may help. Welcome to the forum.
 
@Luninha

Hello Josefina and welcome to the forum Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful. In particular it gives advice on eating the low carb way to keep your levels down, and also includes a link to the Low Carb Program which you could join. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 220,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
I was told that a NHS podiatrist appointment was only done if there was a foot problem otherwise if we want to see one we have to pay privately
 
Hi @Luninha and welcome to the forum. I assume you are in the UK as you use the term 'GP'. On being diagnosed your GP should refer you to the Diabetic Nurse for advice and tests on your feet. If the DN nurse thinks you have neuropathy in your feet they can refer you to a specialist for advice,
 
Pinkorchid said:
I was told that a NHS podiatrist appointment was only done if there was a foot problem otherwise if we want to see one we have to pay privately
Click to expand...
Who told you that? I believe they're wrong as all diabetics should be given at least one foot and one eye examination a year (more if the patient is higher risk) free on the NHS
 
You should get a foot check every time you have a diabetes check by the diabetes nurse she will refer you to a chiropodist or podiatrist if you need to be seen by one and as far as I know this is free on the NHS
CAROL
 
Pinkorchid said:
I was told that a NHS podiatrist appointment was only done if there was a foot problem otherwise if we want to see one we have to pay privately
Click to expand...

My nurse does mine on my annual review. She checks the pulse to both feet and does the sensitivity test with the little pronger thing. I have to close my eyes and tell her which part of my feet she is touching. You are entitled to a free foot check at least annually, although this may not be with a podiatrist.
 
Pinkorchid said:
I was told that a NHS podiatrist appointment was only done if there was a foot problem otherwise if we want to see one we have to pay privately
Click to expand...

This is what I was told and the diabetic nurse checked my feet the first time I saw her, she said that this check would be done when she sees my for check-ups.
 
Ive never had a check up with a podiatrist just the diabetic nurse at the hospital. I have ingrowing toe nails on both my big toes i have to cut these myself. I had a one of appointment at the local health centre a few years ago when I had chronic hip pain and couldnt cut them myself to be told that I couldnt get them cut for free as my feet were in good condition. If my feet were infected then the treatment would be free. I can afford a chiropodist. Ive just cut one of my ingrowing toenails and it now hurts!
 
Yes my nurse does that
 
It seems you are one of the lucky ones to be seen by a podiatrist we all get a foot test done by our nurses but only with a podiatrist if there is a problem
 
phil1966 said:
Who told you that? I believe they're wrong as all diabetics should be given at least one foot and one eye examination a year (more if the patient is higher risk) free on the NHS
Click to expand...
Yes a foot check with the nurse but not a podiatrist and I have had to wait 15 months after diagnosis for my first retina scan because the clinic is so busy with them
 
It sounds like you really do need to see a podiatrist you should ask again as they could get infected very easily
 
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