[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

Dub Ste

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with type 2 a couple of years ago.
I'm on metformin, diaclide MR(gliclazide) and also use Ozempic.
Overall I feel fine even though I know I need to lose weight.
My GP isn't the most pro-active, and to be honest I know I could and should do more to help get myself into better shape, but one thing is killing me, one of the side effects no-one really talks about in men.

ED......This has made me feel like half a man, not even that to be honest, it makes me feel as though I am nothing.
I can't get it up anymore, and the little blue pills don't work and I'm at my wits end.
There's nights when I've attempted to make love to my wife, and of course having failed to do so, I just wish to myself that I don't wake up in the morning.

I've taken levitra, which is supposed be the strongest tablet available, and still nothing.
Is this at all reversible, or is that it for me. Sex used to be such an important thing for me and not being able to do it anymore is killing me and I know that even though my wife says she undertands, I know it is really affecting her.

Is there a specialist I can go to, I've asked my GP, but got no help there.

I read about a place in Dublin that sends electric shocks through your nuts, but I'm not sure if I want a bag full of ESB's finest..

Any help would be so welcome........

Thanks in advance.

CramCycle

Dub Ste wrote: »

My GP isn't the most pro-active,

Here is the first issue, your GP isn't a specialist and this requires one, are you linked to a diabetes clinic?

and to be honest I know I could and should do more to help get myself into better shape, but one thing is killing me, one of the side effects no-one really talks about in men.

100% and fair play for opening up about it. Undoubtedly better shape and (presuming, I could be wrong) better control is possible, this undoubtedly will help immensely. Speaking as a scientist better control, and losing weight will all contribute to stopping and potentially reversing any blood vessel damage done.

ED......This has made me feel like half a man, not even that to be honest, it makes me feel as though I am nothing.
I can't get it up anymore, and the little blue pills don't work and I'm at my wits end.
There's nights when I've attempted to make love to my wife, and of course having failed to do so, I just wish to myself that I don't wake up in the morning.

And this is the more dangerous prospect, even if you fix the physical issues, psychologically it can be hard to overcome even if you are physically capable again. I am not a psycologist but maybe consider talking to one while you are getting the physical stuff in order (you might not need too hopefully).

Is this at all reversible, or is that it for me. Sex used to be such an important thing for me and not being able to do it anymore is killing me and I know that even though my wife says she understands, I know it is really affecting her.

Almost certainly but you need to talk to a diabetes expert and the sooner you do it, the better

Is there a specialist I can go to, I've asked my GP, but got no help there.

Has your GP not linked you to a clinic yet?

I read about a place in Dublin that sends electric shocks through your nuts, but I'm not sure if I want a bag full of ESB's finest..

Any help would be so welcome........

Thanks in advance.

I don't care how life goes for me, everyone has their kinks but I am with you, I will pass on the shocks to my testicles.

Dub Ste

CramCycle wrote: »

Here is the first issue, your GP isn't a specialist and this requires one, are you linked to a diabetes clinic?

100% and fair play for opening up about it. Undoubtedly better shape and (presuming, I could be wrong) better control is possible, this undoubtedly will help immensely. Speaking as a scientist better control, and losing weight will all contribute to stopping and potentially reversing any blood vessel damage done.

And this is the more dangerous prospect, even if you fix the physical issues, psychologically it can be hard to overcome even if you are physically capable again. I am not a psycologist but maybe consider talking to one while you are getting the physical stuff in order (you might not need too hopefully).

Almost certainly but you need to talk to a diabetes expert and the sooner you do it, the better

Has your GP not linked you to a clinic yet?

I don't care how life goes for me, everyone has their kinks but I am with you, I will pass on the shocks to my testicles.

Hi Cram,

Thanks a million for that.

No my GP hasn't linked me to a clinic, I'm back with him next month for my tri-monthly check up, I'll ask to be referred then, is there one in north Dublin, and do you have to pay to see someone.

Sorry I'm not with it...

ohnonotgmail

Dub Ste wrote: »

Hi Cram,

Thanks a million for that.

No my GP hasn't linked me to a clinic, I'm back with him next month for my tri-monthly check up, I'll ask to be referred then, is there one in north Dublin, and do you have to pay to see someone.

Sorry I'm not with it...

Tell (not ask) your GP to refer you to an endocrinologist and to a diabetic. I can't believe they have not done that already. If you are in north dublin then beaumont hospital might be nearest to you.

CramCycle

Dub Ste wrote: »

Hi Cram,

Thanks a million for that.

No my GP hasn't linked me to a clinic, I'm back with him next month for my tri-monthly check up, I'll ask to be referred then, is there one in north Dublin, and do you have to pay to see someone.

Sorry I'm not with it...

What ohnonotgmail said, don't ask, tell them. Should have happened instantly upon diagnosis. Your specialist team can then monitor your bloods, meet an endocrinologist regularly, test nerve ending, have a chiropodist and also will have experience with a few 1000 other people who have been in the same place you are in and came out of it, pardon the pun, all guns blazing.

ohnonotgmail

CramCycle wrote: »

What ohnonotgmail said, don't ask, tell them. Should have happened instantly upon diagnosis. Your specialist team can then monitor your bloods, meet an endocrinologist regularly, test nerve ending, have a chiropodist and also will have experience with a few 1000 other people who have been in the same place you are in and came out of it, pardon the pun, all guns blazing.

not forgetting the retinopathy checks.

Dub Ste

Thanks again Cram and ohnonotgmail, I really appreciate your help.

Will let you know how I get on after my next check up with the GP.....

ohnonotgmail

Dub Ste wrote: »

Thanks again Cram and ohnonotgmail, I really appreciate your help.

Will let you know how I get on after my next check up with the GP.....

unless your next checkup is before the end of the week make an appointment today and ask for the referral. no sense in waiting.

davork

And make sure they stamp the retinopathy form - your optician (okay not the correct name) will do the checks - but really you need the HSE folks to do their jobs!

ElBarco

I see the recordings from Thriveabetes are up now. https://thriveabetes.ie/thriveabetes-wdd-2020 Some interesting ones to watch I think.

MrMacPhisto

Just a quick question that somebody might have the answer to.

Are Dextro/Lucozade tablets covered under the LTI scheme? At my last check up, the doctor added "dextrose sweets" to my prescription book. I just don't see them listed on the HSE LTI approved medications, although the list is long and I may have missed it

Thanks!

SneakyDoyle

MrMacPhisto wrote: »

Just a quick question that somebody might have the answer to.

Are Dextro/Lucozade tablets covered under the LTI scheme? At my last check up, the doctor added "dextrose sweets" to my prescription book. I just don't see them listed on the HSE LTI approved medications, although the list is long and I may have missed it

Thanks!

I get these on the LTI - https://www.boots.ie/glucojuice-berry-burst-flavour-60-ml-10147065

Much easier to stomach than eating 3 or 4 of those sweets in one go, and easier to control with each one being 15ml. I find they act very fast and don't cause a massive overcorrection.

Cheers

MrMacPhisto

SneakyDoyle wrote: »

I get these on the LTI - https://www.boots.ie/glucojuice-berry-burst-flavour-60-ml-10147065

Much easier to stomach than eating 3 or 4 of those sweets in one go, and easier to control with each one being 15ml. I find they act very fast and don't cause a massive overcorrection.

Cheers

Thanks SD, much appreciated!

Googling the glucojuice got me the answer I was looking for on the diabetes.ie website.

"Lift formally known as Glucojuice can now be prescribed and is available for people with diabetes under the Long Term Illness Scheme. This is because similar to other products such as Dextrosol tablets it is classed as supportive requirement at a reasonable cost to manage hypos. For further information speak to your diabetes team."

Cheers

echo beach

MrMacPhisto wrote: »

Just a quick question that somebody might have the answer to.

Are Dextro/Lucozade tablets covered under the LTI scheme? At my last check up, the doctor added "dextrose sweets" to my prescription book. I just don't see them listed on the HSE LTI approved medications, although the list is long and I may have missed it

Thanks!

Yes, they are covered. Apparently there is another list with additional items but for some reason it isn’t shared with patients or pharmacists! There must be a secret handshake you have to know to get access 😜.

robinph

Just need a mini moan somewhere, and you guys are the lucky audience.

Just had a telephone consultation with the hospital, all good (well better than previously), numbers going in the right direction, they can see all my stats automatically uploaded from my pump/ phone, get a reminder about checking the dates on my backup pen insulin for if the pump breaks or I need booster shots manually in the event of getting Covid and BG numbers going nuts.

Then I go to check the dates on the backup insulin in the fridge and it goes out of date this month, go to try and order through the online repeat prescription system the GP has setup...but they have decided to cancel my insulin from my repeats.

They have done this before with both my pump insulin and my backup pens. Why do GP surgery's that have nothing to do with my diabetes treatment other than providing the prescriptions which the consultant at the hospital tells them to write think they should be making changes to what items I can request for treating diabetes without consulting me first. Grrrr.

Obviously relatively easily solved and no major problem because I spotted it, just frustrating that it keeps happening. Just now have to go back through the rigmarole of getting the items authorised on my repeats again.

CramCycle

robinph wrote: »

Just need a mini moan somewhere, and you guys are the lucky audience.

Just had a telephone consultation with the hospital, all good (well better than previously), numbers going in the right direction, they can see all my stats automatically uploaded from my pump/ phone, get a reminder about checking the dates on my backup pen insulin for if the pump breaks or I need booster shots manually in the event of getting Covid and BG numbers going nuts.

Then I go to check the dates on the backup insulin in the fridge and it goes out of date this month, go to try and order through the online repeat prescription system the GP has setup...but they have decided to cancel my insulin from my repeats.

They have done this before with both my pump insulin and my backup pens. Why do GP surgery's that have nothing to do with my diabetes treatment other than providing the prescriptions which the consultant at the hospital tells them to write think they should be making changes to what items I can request for treating diabetes without consulting me first. Grrrr.

Obviously relatively easily solved and no major problem because I spotted it, just frustrating that it keeps happening. Just now have to go back through the rigmarole of getting the items authorised on my repeats again.

The DSN in my clinic just posts them out to me now, I mail her everytime the pharmacist asks and it arrives a week later. It is really weird they do that to you, are they concerned a cure has been found and you don't need it anymore? :pac:

robinph

CramCycle wrote: »

The DSN in my clinic just posts them out to me now, I mail her everytime the pharmacist asks and it arrives a week later. It is really weird they do that to you, are they concerned a cure has been found and you don't need it anymore? :pac:

I thought previously it was down to new staff turning up and then thinking they are being helpful in removing rarely requsted items to reduce costs. Seems to be happening regularly as in every year or so they cut stuff from my list.

ohnonotgmail

robinph wrote: »

I thought previously it was down to new staff turning up and then thinking they are being helpful in removing rarely requsted items to reduce costs. Seems to be happening regularly as in every year or so they cut stuff from my list.

The act of writing an unchanged repeat prescription seems to cause problems for a lot of doctors in my experience.

Eircom_Sucks

lads , ladies

im type 2

and can't seem to stick to right foods

whats everybody having for food to give me some inspiration

Galbin

Eircom_Sucks wrote: »

lads , ladies

im type 2

and can't seem to stick to right foods

whats everybody having for food to give me some inspiration

What way do you eat now? What was your diet like before diabetes? Where specifically do you struggle? The "right food" for diabetes does vary by individual, which is why I am asking.

pew

Getting a hba1c done this week with my gp.

Really want to get it done because I'm convinced my glucometer has been lying me, even got a new one but still the same.

They have actually been good????

Waking up usually at around 4, max 5.

I sometimes forget to take my metaformin (dont ask me how I manage because I'm not sure) but even after I eat it my sugars are max 5.3....

Everyone let's pray my gp decides to lower my meds

gctest50

pew wrote: »

Getting a hba1c done this week with my gp.

Really want to get it done because I'm convinced my glucometer has been lying me, even got a new one but still the same.

They have actually been good????

Waking up usually at around 4, max 5.

I sometimes forget to take my metaformin (dont ask me how I manage because I'm not sure) but even after I eat it my sugars are max 5.3....

Everyone let's pray my gp decides to lower my meds

You might want want to head to a gp, it could be lota of things eg: an insulin-producing pancreatic tumour (usually benign though)

banie01

gctest50 wrote: »

You might want want to head to a gp, it could be lota of things eg: an insulin-producing pancreatic tumour (usually benign though)

Ahhhm, not often I'd seek advice on how to catch a tumor
But where might one acquire such a thing?
Asking for a banjaxed pancreas :P

pew

gctest50 wrote: »

You might want want to head to a gp, it could be lota of things eg: an insulin-producing pancreatic tumour (usually benign though)

Theres such a thing??? I never knew.

I'm seeing him tomorrow so I'll be checking it out with him.

pew

pew wrote: »

Getting a hba1c done this week with my gp.

Really want to get it done because I'm convinced my glucometer has been lying me, even got a new one but still the same.

They have actually been good????

Waking up usually at around 4, max 5.

I sometimes forget to take my metaformin (dont ask me how I manage because I'm not sure) but even after I eat it my sugars are max 5.3....

Everyone let's pray my gp decides to lower my meds

Hba1c is down to 36. Start of the year it was 42.

banie01

pew wrote: »

Hba1c is down to 36. Start of the year it was 42.

Well done, that's a non diabetic range!
Really good work, you should be very proud.

RandomViewer

Bit of annoyance more than anything bu when I lie down my feet go mad itchy, have to get up and wash them,cream them, 100% otherwise

Harry Palmr

Do you mean itchy or tingly as in circulation?

RandomViewer

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Do you mean itchy or tingly as in circulation?

Itchy as in scraping at them

not yet

RandomViewer wrote: »

Itchy as in scraping at them

Athletes foot ?