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should I continue t let my GP look after my diabetes?

dani-a

Active Member
Messages
27
Location
Kent
Arrrgh,
I've just been to my GP to discuss some specific questions about my diabetes and have walked out of the surgery feeling really frustrated and angry.
I don't know quite how I'm being looked after by my GP, I used to see my consultant with my GP under care share scheme but that stopped over 2 years ago, I want to see a consultant that can answer my questions, is taht too much to ask for I wonder.
I had 10 things relevant to diabetes to ask him and when i told him this he said that he couldn't answer everything as it was only a ten minute appt!!!! (the surgery was empty probably due to the fact England were playing).
I am a T1 and have been for 39 yrs, I hven't been on DAFNE and am struggling to work out my carbs and what amounts of insulin I should be taking (currently on Humalog and Lantus and also have 10mg of Lisinipril) to cover this.

All I wanted to ask the doc was, should I be taking Statins, should my ace inhibitor dose be increased, should I be seeing a pediatrist (haven't seen a foot doc in years), how can I get my a1cs down to help with my PDR etc.......not difficult questions and all he said was I needed to have more blood tests done, despite me only having them done a couple of months ago!

Does anyone know how to get back under hospitl care rather than being looked after by my GP and has anyone else had bad experiences of their GP's looking after their diabetes.

Sorry for the rant but I just don't know where to turn to for help
 
O dear, that sounds as though it was truly awful. At the surgery I go to they wont really entertain me with any questions about my diabetes because they can only deal with type 2 ( more or less their words!!) :evil: As I understand it alot of surgeries (well around here) do alot of self referrals so I'd maybe try to look into where your' nearest Diabetic day clinic is set up and try to get into speak to them!!! Hopefully they will be able to answer all your questions and give you a wee bit of moral support!!
Hope you find the answers to help you
 
I don't think your GP's care is good enough. Ask your GP for a referral to a diabetes specialist. You may need to do some research yourself to find a suitable clinic/consultant near you. Once you have the info go to see your GP and ask for a referral and supply him/her with the name and contact details of the clinic of your choice.
 
Every time I ask my gp about anything diabetic, I get the impression 'jack of all trades, master of none'...

Diabetes is complicated and needs to be looked after by someone who actually knows about it. Some gps seem to be giving advice that is negligent or even properly dangerous. You should ask to be referred to a diabetes clinic or specialist at the hospital. Then get them to put you on a dafne course, it could really help.

As for the podiatrist, you should have a foot check every year. But this us now done by the practice nurse at the gp. Last time I tried to get my check at the foot fiddlers they told me to go away and see the nurse. So you could ask at your gp surgery. But definitely try to get a referral to a specialist.

Good luck
 
Agree with all of that, above
If the GP can't answer your (very intelligent questions) then s/he should get you someone who can answer those questions.
Please do post on here again about what happens, I think it would be useful (for me anyway) to hear how/if you managed to get what you need, and what the magic words are to get your doc to listen...
 
 
Thanks for all the advice and help guys, it's really appreciated.

I've managed to get hold of my specialist diabetic nurses tele no and have rung them, they will call me back within 3 days!
I'm also changing my GP, not that I'm expecting huge improvements but once you lose faith in them I can't see the point of staying with them.
I've also found a local hosp with a diabetes centre so I'll be ringing them shortly!

The final nail in the coffin at the GP's yesterday was he had no idea I have PDR, despite having treatment since early 2008 and copies of letters being sent to him by my opthomologist, I guess admin staff just scan them in thesedays without my GP ever reading them!
 
Yeah my gp doesn't read the hospital's letters until I'm in the room with her. Which is annoying and pointless. Some of them want a good strangling, but others are better. Hope your new doctor is one of the good ones!
 
Hi Dani-a, suggest you write to your local Primare Health Care Trust and explain the problems you are having with your GP who is being really unhelpful. Before you do that you could also ask at your surgery if there is a GP there who is interested in diabetes and who might be able to help you. Do you have your annual check-up with your own GP? Our surgery has one of the doctor's who runs the Diabetic clinic but the diabetic nurses should also be able to answer your questions and should be willing to give you the time you need. Don't give up, keep pushing, you have the right to have answers to your questions, they are not unreasonable and will improve your care and may alleviate future side effects too. Best of luck!
 
Hi dani-a

I changed from having check-ups at the hospital to going to the GP, it didn't do me any good cuz as sson as i hit a problem they referred me back to the hospital. When you have changed GPs you may find that they may refer straight away to the local hospital clinic anyway. I feel lucky because i have always been under the care of the hospital for my check ups and other things.

I hope everything goes well for you and when you re-post you have most of it sorted out and are feeling happier about your care.

Best of luck hunxx

Josie
 
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