[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

Hi. Long time lurker here. Am diagnosed Type 2 the last 3 years after illness and coping well on Metformin mostly.

My only issue is my GP who is a nice caring person but because I am a nurse myself assumes I am au fait with everything and has never checked my feet or anything other than hbA1c and cholesterol., and routine bloods.

In fairness he did get my BP and heart checked out early on.

But I have been struggling to get bloods checked 6 monthly (they want to do it yearly?)

I have been getting retinal screening and am on LTI (had the card as had gestational diabetes on one). So have a glucometer and the 50 strips a month.

I got my feet checked just last year myself.

I am feeling a bit lost tbh and worried that something else is being missed.

Had surgery recently and for someone with relatively normal blood sugars (5.5 to 6/7 most mornings) and good hbA1c my control went mad.

I know illness and stress affects your sugars not to mention fasting and anaesthetic drugs, but wow they went crazy.

Anyway just touching base here as wanted to for a while.

My question is do you guys think I should bite the bullet and ask my GP to refer me to an Endo?

My care is a bit fragmented imo at present. The only thing that would make me complicated is the renal thing though so not sure if that is enough?

Or is that ott?

No they haven't. Referred me

GPs meant to be managing uncomplicated diabetes in the community. But I suppose it depends on their resources.

But yes, I am losing the faith. Good GP but probably too much going on.

If they haven't checked for peripheral neuropathy then they aren't managing your diabetes.

As others have said already, if your doctor isn't doing peripheral neuropathy and other checks? They aren't really managing your diabetes.

My own practice runs a chronic disease management programme via a CNS. I get Hba1c and KFT, LFT and other bloods every 6 months. The flow is a visit for the blood draw and a week later, back in with the CNS for a foot check, height/weight/waste and once that's done. In with the GP for a meds review.

All that runs concurrently with my current once a year endo review.

Have found it increasingly difficult over the last year to get bloods taken and to get any feedback.

I didn't know I should be getting my foot pulses etc checked until I went to the diabetic chiropodist.

My gp nurse has started doing 6 monthly checks for diabetics but when I asked I was told it was 'only for GMS patients ' ! 😯 Thought that was a bit mad so I will discuss with the GP .

I was happy to pay no problem but don't know what the story is .

If they cannot or will not offer the service I need I am going to ask to be referred .

Thank you .

Dear all,

I would like to express my gratitude for including me in this group.

I recently received a diagnosis of diabetes at the age of 34. Initially, it was unclear what type of diabetes I had. However, upon discovering my condition, I made a serious commitment to adopt a low-carb diet, incorporating plenty of vegetables, and established regular meal times throughout the day.

After being on insulin for two months, I experienced a series of hypoglycemic episodes during a bout of vomiting. I sought medical attention and received an injection of medication in the gluteal region. Consequently, I lost my appetite for a day. Subsequently, it appeared that my pancreas began functioning again, as my blood sugar levels stabilized, leading me to discontinue insulin treatment.

However, after consuming three pints of alcohol, it seems that my pancreas once again started to fail. Currently, I am adhering to a low-carb diet and taking 6 units of Lantus at night, along with 2 units of Novorapid before each meal.

The hospital has now determined that it is type 1 diabetes. They have also informed me that the temporary restoration of my pancreas' functionality may have been a transient period. Naturally, I had hoped for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and wanted to ensure that I was not misdiagnosed.

A nurse informed me that she, too, is unconvinced, as my GAD count was only at 40. Moreover, there is no history of diabetes in my family.

To gather further information, I underwent a genetic test conducted by a company called Found My Fitness. Based on the genetic markers identified in my body, the test provided me with a list of diseases to which I might be predisposed, along with recommendations on preventive measures. Type 2 diabetes was frequently mentioned.

I am eager to hear any advice, thoughts, or personal experiences that any of you may have regarding this matter or the possibility of being misdiagnosed.

Thank you for your attention.

I have been Farxiga 10mg and having read the leaflet in the box I have concerns about the side effects that are making me reluctant to take it.

is anyone else on this drug?

I have been on Farxiga 10mg for a few years now and i can tolerate it well, one thing to mention if your are ever getting a diabetic checkup and they also want a urine sample..dont be scared if the hospital/gp says they found sugar in your urine as this is one of the functions of farxiga.

Metformin is well known for depleting B12 thats why a Supplement is always advised.

It says there’s a 1 in 10 chance of getting a urinary infection which is really my main concern, that’s a high chance. Also it mentions genital thrush in men

I took it following discussion with my GP and something I notice so far is I produce a lot more urine. This may eventually become intolerable but I’ll give it a while.

The 1st I've heard of it too and that's after 17yrs on some form of Metformin.

It is the correct advice though and UK guidance is linked below.

Maybe it is one of the things they check when they take bloods and and only advise a supplement if required.

Hi Kremun, sorry to read of your issues in getting to grips with CREON. I have no experience with it myself, but my Sister in Law does and I've asked her to take a look at your post. Hopefully she can come back to you with some advice.

Ask your GP/Consultant if you can switch to jardiance instead. It does a very similar job but has less side effects.

give it a month or two.

The main thing is catching it early and being able to react before things progress further. And I wouldn't be too hard on yourself either, 16 years is a long time and there are other factors that can make some people more prone to complications like this. Here's hoping everything works out ok!

Just on this, I know that onetouch were allowing for an extension beyond the printed expiry date on their test strips. A combo of COVID delays on materials and Brexit delays on distribution hit them. Similar situation came to pass with Dexcom, received some sensors beyond their original expiry and Dexcom confirmed that they were extending expiry dates after additional sample testing to help address shortages.

Back from Newcastle again after getting my lastest 2 Noctura 400 masks from the optician.

Still stable. No changes.

They have a new eye camera there now that can assess fluids etc in the eye. Very similar to the Eye and Ear Hospital here. Very useful.

They now have this device in several major eye hospitals in the UK and it makes me wonder why its not over here.

I had my last eye bleed 4 years ago. I started using the night mask a few months before that.

So it must have some value.

Great to hear that Noctura is still working out for you Ebbsy. Always look forward to your updates. On that fluid imaging machine? Is it the one that laser scans your eye and gives a depth profile?

I know that on my previous referral to the opthalmic clinic, a machine of that type was used. After being discharged from the clinic back to DRS I've had a few years of stability.

On my last DRS check I was referred back to the second line care. This time, rather than being sent to my local opthalmic clinic? I was referred to the new DRS surveillance service, which is a very similar setup to normal DRS but with that scanner for fluid depth.

Fingers crossed it comes back as still incipient and they are just being cautious.

Banie01

Yes the machine is as you describe.

My condition was self inflicted. I had a lot of laser and injections before Noctura.

Control of blood pressure and do not smoke are the 2 most important things.

In the UK the makers of the mask Polyphotonix even have a mobile setvice where they come to wherever you live, or to your hotel.

Good luck with your scans by the way.

My own scans went ok. I'm still at the "incipient" stage. I will now be monitored on a 6month interval at the DRS surveillance clinic, rather than my local hospital clinic.

HI, question about Dexcom and G7 APP. I've set up G7 app on a non compatible Samsung A13 (SM-A137F) using Build your own Dexcom , its working fine. Just wondering should I occasionally check to see if there are any updates for G7 on BYODa? or forget about it now that it is working?

Also, I am thinking of changing my phone to an Samsung a14, model is sm-A146P/DSN.

Dexcom lists sm-A146 as compatible with G7, I presume the extra P in model number is ok? I cant find a model with just sm-A146

Thanks for reply, will do this