who monitors me

[douglaspott]

hi there i was found to have type2 in february and the doctor put me on 500mg metformin one in the morning. i asked her about monitoring myself and she said not to cuz i might worry myself.
i`ve seen the nurse once for a fasting bloods and told to come back in a months time. as a new-be to all this it seems very strange not to be monitored more regularly. could someone tell me if this is normal practise.
i am monitoring myself and my bloods consistently read in the high teens.
Douglas

 

[saz1]

Hi Douglas,

I was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago and found the same response. |Extra stress and worry for testing so I won't get a meter and strips. I went online and got myself strips, lancets and a friend gave me a meter. I find it astounding that we don't generally get prescriptions for meters so will carry on myself until the policy changes.

Testting has proved so useful since I started at 16.3 and really needed to know that my sugars were coming down since I felt so ****. I chose t restrict my carb intake so eliminated pasta, potatoes, rice, bread and all flour/grain based peoducts from my diet. It wasn't easy since I'm a proper carboholic and was eating huge amounts of carbs over the day. Within a week my numbers were 6-8.5 and another week later, 4-6.9 most of the time and still carry on with restricted carb intake.

If you have such high numbers perhaps you could try restricting your carb intake severely since carbs all convert into glucose in your blood and once levels are in safe limits,you can start testing how you react to different carbs. For instance I have found that I'm ok with one slice of burgens soya and linseed bread, 1 normal tortilla and minute amount of potatoes. And the testing continues....

 

[gbtyke]

In another thread I posted that I was refused testing equipment. I wrote to the practice with a polite note saying that it was impossible for me to control my glucose levels without testing and that this would lead to future complications with heart, liver, eyes, limbs etc. so could I please be supplied with testing equipment. I received a phone call back saying collect your testing kit. I also wrote to my MP saying that PCT's were restricting testing for Type 2's and that this was wrong. He is querying this with our local PCT and getting back to me. Please do the same.

 

[Trinkwasser]

Sadly it's normal practice but not good practice. Ask your friends, colleagues, pharmacists and especially fellow diabetics if there are any more enlightened doctors you can change to. It may be an area wide restriction though thanks to the PCT.

The meters are cheap enough to buy, and sometimes you can get them for free. They will come with 10 - 17 strips but after that the things are a frightening price. It really is worth doing this at least at first

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

you can test less later when you have better control and a better idea of what you can and cannot eat. Until then they are leaving you driving blinfolded.

 

[peppiB]

Fascinating reading. I was diagnosed last April. After starvation blood tests a month apart, no one has tested sugar level since. Twice they have tested for kidney function, and had my eyes photographed last July. My podiatry appointment was last week - nearly 11 months after the original diagnosis. I was found to have neuropathy. It sounds as if the handling of my treatment is not what is to be expected! No one even mentioned being able to self monitor. I do my own blood pressure to make sure I keep it low, but when visiting a GP in my practice for something else just before Christmas, he went ballistic and said I had no right to check my own BP - that was down to docs. :shock:

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi peppi,
So this means that nobody knows what your blood sugar levels are??? Have you ever had an HBA1c blood test? Has anyone advised you on a suitable diet? You are perfectly at liberty to check your own B.P.
Your care for your condition seems non existent.

 

[peppiB]

Hi Catherinecherub,

Tis true, no one knows my blood sugar levels at the moment. I did see a dietician who did not say that carbohydrates were likely to cause high blood sugar, she merely was stressing the 5 a day line - because of IBS I don't do veg, but I do eat loads of fruit. Thinking about it that in itself will increase blood sugar levels - but no one has said anything! I have never heard of a HBA1c blood test. I was told on diagnosis that my sugar levels were between 7.5 and 7.8 on the samples given, and as they were above 7 that meant I was diabetic. I was also told that my kidney function was 54 instead of 60 (no idea what that means either!) No other information was given.

I get the impression I am suffering the mushroom method of communication. :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi peppi,
The post previous to your first one by Trinkwasser explains about the meter and testing. I would advise you to buy one and start testing as the longer your blood sugars are uncontrolled then the more damage your body is likely to suffer. The neuropathy is usually reversible once you get things under control. If you could let us know the sorts of things you eat for meals perhaps we can help.
Is there another Dr. you could see at the surgery? Personally I would complain about the way you have been treated.
Catherine.

 

[peppiB]

Hi Catherine
The doctor I see is supposed to be the diabetes specialist at the surgery. There is also a specialist diabetes nurse whom I have seen twice in 11 months - she has never taken blood. I am also asthmatic and it is the asthma nurse who has taken blood to check potassium levels as I take seretide. She took blood 4 weeks ago and last week, but no blood sugar levels were done - asthma nurse said she couldn't authorise them.

Typical food for a day - breakfast either cereal (museli or porridge, occasionally corn flakes) or a slice of toast with a small amount of butter. Lunch is usually a sandwich (ham, cheese, corned beef occasionally bacon) Dinner typically curry & rice, chilly & rice, steak with either literally 6 chips or 2 croquets and half a tomato, roast and yorkshire pudding on a sunday. I rarely eat veg. During a normal day I will usually have 2 bananas, an orange, several grapes. Drink is usually tea with a small amount of milk, fresh orange juice, semi skimmed milk. I usually also drink about 6 pints of water a day (am always thirsty) Rarely drink alcohol, an occasional glass of wine (usually red) no more than 1 bottle of wine a week.

There are no other surgeries in the area
P

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi peppi,
It is nearly a year since diagnosis. You need to write to your Primary Care Trust explaining about your concerns regarding the management of your diabetes and the fact that your blood sugars have never been monitored and you haven't been provided with a monitor to do home testing. You must also include that you have never had an HBA1c test.
With regard to your diet, you need to cut down on your carbohydrate intake. Most diabetics find that they cannot eat the amount of cereals, bread, rice, pasta, etc. that you are consuming without the blood sugars becoming elevated. The orange juice and banana will also spike your levels.
The only way you will get this under control is by frequent testing. We are all different when it comes to the amount of carbohydrates that we eat.
Hope this helps and if you need any more answers, please ask. There is always someone who will answer.
Catherine.

 

[peppiB]

Thanks for the help Catherine.

Have found an online supplier for a test kit. They are out of stock at the moment but should be able to get one in a few days. If I upset my current practice by writing to the PCT I am likely to be excluded and the next nearest is a long car journey across the city.

P.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi peppi'
Could you talk to the practise manager and ask him/ her views about the lack of care? You could do it in a calm way and and explain your worries about your health if this is allowed to continue.
Catherine.

 

[peppiB]

Catherine,

There is a vacancy at the surgery at the moment - for a practice manager!!

Will make some enquiries and see what progress can be made. I was offered the DESMOND course last autumn, but I am a full time (24/7) carer for a mentally ill epileptic woman and I couldn't find a baby sitter for her - and obviously I was unable to take her with me to the course.

I should add that I am disabled and can hardly walk - the result of a road traffic accident 21 years ago.

P.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi peppi,
Sorry to hear about your domestic problems. Pretty tough for you on a day to day basis. Hope that the meter you have ordered goes some way to improving your diabetic problems. Come back and ask any questions you may have.
Take care,
Catherine.

 

[Blondie]

Hi, I have had diabetes since feb 08, Just after Christmas 08, I was given Metformin prolonged release tablets 500mg twice a day to take, I was given a glucose meter and strips ( but the doctor didn't want to give me one), they never showed me how to use it, I read the book that came with it, so I know how to take it, but I don't know what I'm looking for, I don't understand the results, so I've stopped using it. Also for the last 2 1/2 months since I've been taking Metformin, I haven't had any blood tests done by my GP is this right. Many Thanks.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi Blondie and welcome to the forum.
A good place to start for you to understand more about diabetes is, http://www.phlaunt.com.diabetes
It would seem that your diabetic team have not given you much education to manage your condition. They may be writing to you in a few weeks to offer you an HBA1c test which will average your blood sugars over the last few months.
I suggest you read the website I have put on this post and then come back and ask any questions that you need to know the answers to.
Hope this helps,
Catherine.

 

[Blondie]

Hi Catherine, Thanks for replying, I will have a look at the website.

Thanks Blondie

 

[Blondie]

Hi Catherine, had a quick look at the website ( will go back to it later ), found it very useful, I've printed off the page about how and when to test my blood, which I will start doing from tomorrow morning. I did notice the other day when I went into hospital as a day case for another health problem I've got, that when they tested my blood glucose after 12 hours of no food or drink the result was 7.8 mmol/L, which at the time I didn't understand if that was good or bad. Thanks once again.
Blondie

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi Blondie,
Now that you know what you are looking for when you test it will be easier for you to see which foods are causing your blood sugars to rise.
Keep referring to the website I gave you and things will get clearer.
"Different strokes for different folks" with what to eat. There are various strategies that people use to control their sugars but no one can tell you what is right for you. It is a process of elimination and everyone is different. and It is up to you to make an informed choice. Most starchy carbohydrates are the main cause of high readings and these are the ones you have to test for, bread, potatoes, pasta, rice and cereals. You may be able to eat them in smaller quantities or may have to give them up altogether. Also anything containing sugar. Refer to packaging if you are not sure as some foods have hidden sugars.
Any unanswered questions, please come back to the forum.
Catherine.

 

[gbtyke]

In another thread I posted that I was refused testing equipment. I wrote to the practice with a polite note saying that it was impossible for me to control my glucose levels without testing and that this would lead to future complications with heart, liver, eyes, limbs etc. so could I please be supplied with testing equipment. I received a phone call back saying collect your testing kit. I also wrote to my MP saying that PCT's were restricting testing for Type 2's and that this was wrong. He is querying this with our local PCT and getting back to me. Please do the same.


Following on from this

Just had a reply from MP. The reply is a letter to him from Local NHS Chief Exec quoting NICE guidelines ... Offer 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. Discuss its purpose and agree how it should be interpreted and acted upon.

From which she concludes....It would appear that Mr...... may have misinterpreted this information and I would like to clarify that type 2 diabetics do not need to have personal monitoring equipment. He should be receiving regular reviews from the practice and may I suggest that he speak with his GP or practice nurse regarding any concerns he may have.

This is not really relevant to me now as I have managed to get myself reclassified as Type 1 and I am at the moment trying to get all my relevant supplies put on repeat prescription so will see how we go with that.