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Strange diabetic appointment

A

abigail0432

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hey everyone,
Just wondering, does anyone else's nurse question the type of diabetes you have? As I just had an appointment and every time I go we go through the same thing about can I take tablets for my diabetes (and the amount of times I have said no is ridiculous) and that am i really a type 1?
Considering I have been injecting for 17 yrs roughly I would say I am a type 1. Does anyone else have this? Could it be cost saving trying to make me type 2?
 
Hi i would think as you have be using insulin for that number of years that you are a type 1 is it a different nurse you see each time you go perhaps someone on the forum can advise why they ask you about tablet medication no one's ever said about it to me let us know
 
After 43 years of type 1, (I was diagnosed at the age of 10 ) I was told I could probably come off insulin ! I was taken aback, then laughed and said, "I hardly think so". The GP in question was surprised at my reaction and asked if I would mind telling him why. When I told him when I was diagnosed, it was his turn to be taken aback. He was doing a yearly diabetic review without reading my records.
 
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@abigail0432, your post concerns me a little as I'm sensing an element of doubt on your part as to what type of diabetes you have? Do not let the lack of knowledge of a third party have you doubting yourself. You say you've been injecting insulin for 17 years; have you been diabetic for longer than that?

As you know, type 2's can use insulin injections as well to manage their condition, yet a T1 cannot use oral medication alone to treat the condition. There should be no reason on earth that any HCP would try and cut costs by treating T1D with oral medication only. It would cut costs, but only because the patient would die...
 
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At my local GP surgery they offer an annual diabetes check. It's two appointments, the first just to take bloods, urine, check feet and check BP. A non specialist appointment. Then they send me the results and I go for a second appointment with the diabetes specialist nurse to chat about the results and stuff. That's the theory. The last few times I've had the same experience as you. Then it turns out the specialist only knows about type 2. On my last visit I asked about the new Fiasp and the nurse said she'd get the type 1 specialist to phone me, which she did. And guess what? Yep, she didn't know as she is a type 2 specialist. That didn't stop her telling me I'm running my tests too low tho. My hba1c was 38, which is an all time record for me and I was pleased. Next year I'm just going to go to the first appointment for the tests and not bother with the second.
It's weird. I know there are far more type 2's than type 1's but why oh why does this keep happening? It's such a waste of everyone's time.
 
I have used insulin since diagnosis and it's the same person all the time It's a bit of a relief to know that others sometimes have the same problem
 
Hello @abigail0432 I have an annual appointment at my local GP practice where they run a tick box exercise on me, my nurse always says to me that they only see very few type 1's so sometimes her questions can sound very type 2 orientated, she tells me that I know so much more than her about type 1 but she has to ask as it's the review process. She is so incredibly nice and we always have a good chat, I know the surgery has to monitor it's patients so these reviews are necessary, but I can see how your apt can seem strange but they wouldn't be trying to be changing your type status, it's just that they have a set amount of questions that unfortunately can be type 2 skewed, so would lead to misinterpretation by the patient. On the other hand my annual apt with my consultant is very much a consultative meeting and it's a chance to look at all aspects of type 1 management which helps me review and stay on track with my care.
 

Although we have a very nice diabetic nurse at my surgery, I go to the Bournemouth hospital for my check ups. I get a blood test done at the surgery. The team at the hospital are absolutely wonderful. They listen and only offer advice if you want it. Totally non judgmental, very caring and dedicated. They always want to hear about any new research. Very keen to offer you whatever you feel you need. I don't think they are allowed to push lo carb but they certainly hint at it saying that ideas are changing re diet for both T1 and T2. Reading everyone's experiences here I realise what a lottery it is in the NHS and how bloody lucky I've been. Isn't there something that can be done to make it more fair?
 
Poole is just next door to Bournemouth, but it was at the diabetes education session organised by the Poole hospital where I was told that type 1 diabetics don't even need insulin if they eat baked beans.
The phrase luck of the draw comes to mind.
 
Resurgam said:
Poole is just next door to Bournemouth, but it was at the diabetes education session organised by the Poole hospital where I was told that type 1 diabetics don't even need insulin if they eat baked beans.
The phrase luck of the draw comes to mind.
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Bloody hell! I can't understand how 2 places side by side can be so different! Get transferred to Bournemouth! Have you done the BERTIE course? It would be a good way to meet the Bournemouth team and see if you like them. Besides - it was fun!
 
Sibyl said:
Bloody hell! I can't understand how 2 places side by side can be so different! Get transferred to Bournemouth! Have you done the BERTIE course? It would be a good way to meet the Bournemouth team and see if you like them. Besides - it was fun!
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No one is even talking to me now - something to do with dropping below the numbers considered diabetic.
My file is marked NFA - no further action.
I don't know if it is the same as DNR - but I think it indicates that they might be a bit peeved about having a smartarse to deal with.
 
And I thought the US had shaky healthcare. Whoa. At least yours is free!
 
Very few nurses in my experience seem to know about Type 1. I'm sure they associate it more with younger people and just don't realise we do actually get older.
 

I think it's frightening how little some medical staff, both doctors and nurses, seem to know about diabetes. Given its unfortunate prevalence now you'd think diabetes and its management would form part of their basic training. I had surgery a few years ago which meant a week in hospital. On arrival at the ward the the sister confiscated my diabetes kit, saying while I was a patient there It was their responsibility and I thought 'Oh good, a holiday from it!' Couldn't have been more wrong. They hadn't a clue. My bg's ranged from 2 to 20 and I was 2 on the way into surgery. I thought it would have to be cancelled. But scary really.
 
Resurgam said:
Poole is just next door to Bournemouth, but it was at the diabetes education session organised by the Poole hospital where I was told that type 1 diabetics don't even need insulin if they eat baked beans.
The phrase luck of the draw comes to mind.
Click to expand...

Whaaaaat!
 
Interesting how in the UK it seems like much of the medical decision making is done by diabetic nurses especially at first. Here the care of Type 1's is almost exclusively overseen by endocrinologists, who after finishing med school undergo a 3 year residency in internal medicine (as did I) then a 2 year fellowship in endocrinology. General internists often times oversee the care of Type 2's but not Type 1's. They won't come close to managing pumps, etc.
 
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I have a friend from uni who is an endo. She says the UK nurses have a better understanding of daily care (in the diabetes clinics at hospital) because that is what they do each day. The consultants are more focused on test results and unusual cases.
 
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