I moved from the USA to North Wales to be with my partner in 2005. I am now a dual Citizen. I have had very little help or care with regards to my type 1 diabetes which I was diagnosed with in April 2004. I am currently on a sliding scale with Novo Rapid, and I take Levemir every night for my long acting insulin.
Since moving to the UK, I have access to the NHS and I have only had 1 HBA1C done. I have not had any help from my GP with regards to getting in touch with a Hospital Diabetic Consultant until three months ago, when he finally said he would write a letter to the hospital in order to refer me. I received a letter from the hospital yesterday, offering me an appointment for the 21st of August. I don't know how I am going to get through this.
When I first moved here, I had been in an education program regarding starting life with the insulin pump, but my hospital refused to continue with that for me. I also asked about continuous glucose monitoring and I was also shot down within seconds of asking. This was Autumn of 2006. Since then I have had no contact with any Diabetes specialists since then. I feel like I have been left to my own devices. I have not had a single day since I moved here where my glucose levels have been even somewhat normal, its like a yo-yo. Due to the lack of professional care, I have developed a very alarming condition. I can no longer tell when my blood sugar is going low, which is pretty bad considering I am only 20 years old. I wont feel anything until my glucose level is less than 2.9 mmol/l or 50mg/dl. I don't feel safe in public on my own anymore as I have had episodes everywhere from College to the supermarket. I also get minor seizures/blackouts due to lows.
Despite all of my issues, I lead a very active life. I get in excess of 60 minutes a day where my heartrate is in an elevated range, and I stay away from junk food. I haven't had soda or crisps in the past 4 years and I mainly live on lean meats, veggies, fruits and pulses.
I recently got fed up with the NHS and started researching Service Dogs. I am looking to train my own (not yet purchased) pup to be an Assistance dog, that would be able to detect abnormal blood sugars by scent and sight. I have spoken to many charities who would be willing to help me, but they have a 2 year waiting list.
Does anyone have any experiance with Diabetes alert dogs? I have the basic gist of alert training, and I have done advanced obedience with dogs for many many years now. Whatever the case, I will be receiving my puppy within the next coming months, I havent been able to find an appropriate temperment in a pup as of yet, and I will probably create a blog or diary on my website or the forum for the future reference of others.
Thank you for any help/advice you can offer!
Since moving to the UK, I have access to the NHS and I have only had 1 HBA1C done. I have not had any help from my GP with regards to getting in touch with a Hospital Diabetic Consultant until three months ago, when he finally said he would write a letter to the hospital in order to refer me. I received a letter from the hospital yesterday, offering me an appointment for the 21st of August. I don't know how I am going to get through this.
When I first moved here, I had been in an education program regarding starting life with the insulin pump, but my hospital refused to continue with that for me. I also asked about continuous glucose monitoring and I was also shot down within seconds of asking. This was Autumn of 2006. Since then I have had no contact with any Diabetes specialists since then. I feel like I have been left to my own devices. I have not had a single day since I moved here where my glucose levels have been even somewhat normal, its like a yo-yo. Due to the lack of professional care, I have developed a very alarming condition. I can no longer tell when my blood sugar is going low, which is pretty bad considering I am only 20 years old. I wont feel anything until my glucose level is less than 2.9 mmol/l or 50mg/dl. I don't feel safe in public on my own anymore as I have had episodes everywhere from College to the supermarket. I also get minor seizures/blackouts due to lows.
Despite all of my issues, I lead a very active life. I get in excess of 60 minutes a day where my heartrate is in an elevated range, and I stay away from junk food. I haven't had soda or crisps in the past 4 years and I mainly live on lean meats, veggies, fruits and pulses.
I recently got fed up with the NHS and started researching Service Dogs. I am looking to train my own (not yet purchased) pup to be an Assistance dog, that would be able to detect abnormal blood sugars by scent and sight. I have spoken to many charities who would be willing to help me, but they have a 2 year waiting list.
Does anyone have any experiance with Diabetes alert dogs? I have the basic gist of alert training, and I have done advanced obedience with dogs for many many years now. Whatever the case, I will be receiving my puppy within the next coming months, I havent been able to find an appropriate temperment in a pup as of yet, and I will probably create a blog or diary on my website or the forum for the future reference of others.
Thank you for any help/advice you can offer!
