[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

feedthegoat

CramCycle wrote: »

What hospital were you attached to? Did they not try and draft you onto another one?

Mater, attended another consultant there but I wasn't happy with it. Previous consultant retired suddeniy and had built up a great relationship with him.

philten

Hi all,

My driving licence is up for renewal - as a Type 1 diabetic is 3 years the default period your GP will check when renewing - assuming everything else is hunky dory healthwise ?

Would love to get a 10 year but I heard somewhere that its always 3 year for type 1 now.

thanks,
Phil

Meauldsegosha

I got my licence renewed last month, my GP ticked the 10 year box. It seems 3 years is the default but if you talk to your GP they may give it for 10 yeas.

Buford T. Justice XIX

philten wrote: »

Hi all,

My driving licence is up for renewal - as a Type 1 diabetic is 3 years the default period your GP will check when renewing - assuming everything else is hunky dory healthwise ?

Would love to get a 10 year but I heard somewhere that its always 3 year for type 1 now.

thanks,
Phil

I'm on my second 10 year licence now, no issues whatsoever with anything less than 10 years.

CramCycle

I get the impression that despite recommendations, in Ireland it is very much GP dependent, on second one myself.

philten

So my GP ticked the 3 year box - which is whats indicated as per page no 65 (73 in overall pages) for Diabetes in the NDLS Fitness to Drive guideline at link.

https://www.ndls.ie/images/PDF_Documents/Slainte_agus_Tiomaint_Medical_Fitness_to_Drive_Guidelines.pdf

anyhoo.... just to let people know
thanks,
Phil

CramCycle

philten wrote: »

So my GP ticked the 3 year box - which is whats indicated as per page no 65 (73 in overall pages) for Diabetes in the NDLS Fitness to Drive guideline at link.

https://www.ndls.ie/images/PDF_Documents/Slainte_agus_Tiomaint_Medical_Fitness_to_Drive_Guidelines.pdf

anyhoo.... just to let people know
thanks,
Phil

I think I filled it in for my GP, he just asked me how my diabetes was, how my eyesight was, told him they were both great, /discussion

philten

CramCycle wrote: »

I think I filled it in for my GP, he just asked me how my diabetes was, how my eyesight was, told him they were both great, /discussion

Me too but not the medical practitioner part of the form - my doc is stickler for detail, obviously depends on the doc. Very annoying to have to renew every 3 years, envious of those who get the 10 :P.

Eurovisionmad

philten wrote: »

Me too but not the medical practitioner part of the form - my doc is stickler for detail, obviously depends on the doc. Very annoying to have to renew every 3 years, envious of those who get the 10 :P.

I got my consultant to do it (happened to coincide, so it was easier than going to the GP specifically for it) he barely looked at it & gave 10 years, he actually complained that since the NDLS took over he couldn't exempt patients from medical review indefinitely 😆

littlelogan

I recently had an appointment with my doc over something else and towards the end I just mentioned about having my blood checked for diabetes. This was about 4 hours after lunch and I had 3 coffees by that stage. Result was 6.4. Doctor said it was a little high, to come back in a few weeks to have it tested again.

For what it's worth I've had a couple of blood tests throughout the past few years. In 2013, fasting glucose (which I assume is a bit different than the above?) was 4.7. In 2015, fasting glucose was 5.6.

So I'm just wondering what my next move is before I go back to the doctor. Should I pick up a kit to carry out some tests myself in the meantime (something like this maybe - amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LYKZ4ZU - GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Monitoring System Kit)? Change my diet dramatically (currently eat rice/pasta/potatoes for my lunches and dinners)?

Appreciate any advice, thanks.

ohnonotgmail

littlelogan wrote: »

I recently had an appointment with my doc over something else and towards the end I just mentioned about having my blood checked for diabetes. This was about 4 hours after lunch and I had 3 coffees by that stage. Result was 6.4. Doctor said it was a little high, to come back in a few weeks to have it tested again.

For what it's worth I've had a couple of blood tests throughout the past few years. In 2013, fasting glucose (which I assume is a bit different than the above?) was 4.7. In 2015, fasting glucose was 5.6.

So I'm just wondering what my next move is before I go back to the doctor. Should I pick up a kit to carry out some tests myself in the meantime (something like this maybe - amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LYKZ4ZU - GlucoRx Nexus Blood Glucose Monitoring System Kit)? Change my diet dramatically (currently eat rice/pasta/potatoes for my lunches and dinners)?

Appreciate any advice, thanks.

Ask your doctor to take some bloods and do a hba1c check.

littlelogan

Thanks. I'll arrange to see them again soon for another test. So was the test I took a bit of a waste of time? Are those kits pointless for me at this stage?

ohnonotgmail

littlelogan wrote: »

Thanks. I'll arrange to see them again soon for another test. So was the test I took a bit of a waste of time? Are those kits pointless for me at this stage?

i wouldnt bother for the moment unless the doctor tells you otherwise. the finger prick tests only give a point in time reading. the hba1c gives an average for the last 3 months. it is a much better indicator. Are you actually symptomatic for diabetes?

CramCycle

You could do a proper glucose tolerance test, which would be indicative. People are individuals so, as ohnonotgmail said, the fingerprick is a snapshot and says nothing.

Glucose tolerance test would give an indication of response to a challenge. It won't confirm anything but it could rule something out.

ohnonotgmail

CramCycle wrote: »

You could do a proper glucose tolerance test, which would be indicative. People are individuals so, as ohnonotgmail said, the fingerprick is a snapshot and says nothing.

Glucose tolerance test would give an indication of response to a challenge. It won't confirm anything but it could rule something out.

I didnt even know what a glucose tolerance test until i read that. I've never done one or had it mentioned to me. Is there any value to it if you have hba1c results?

CramCycle

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I didnt even know what a glucose tolerance test until i read that. I've never done one or had it mentioned to me. Is there any value to it if you have hba1c results?

Yep, they will give you an idea of how high your bloods have been running on average for the past 10 weeks and are used as a diagnosis tool for diabetes.

The GTT is good because it gives youwhat your resting glucose with no stimulation is (including excercise, excitation etc.) and then seeing how your body deals with a challenge. Everyone reacts slightly differently but the trend you see should be able to rule out, at the very least, full onset Diabetes (which I don't think you have) and may confirm that you are perfectly fine (which is also quite possile).

have you any other symptoms or issues related to the diagnosis of diabetes?

ohnonotgmail

CramCycle wrote: »

Yep, they will give you an idea of how high your bloods have been running on average for the past 10 weeks and are used as a diagnosis tool for diabetes.

The GTT is good because it gives youwhat your resting glucose with no stimulation is (including excercise, excitation etc.) and then seeing how your body deals with a challenge. Everyone reacts slightly differently but the trend you see should be able to rule out, at the very least, full onset Diabetes (which I don't think you have) and may confirm that you are perfectly fine (which is also quite possile).

have you any other symptoms or issues related to the diagnosis of diabetes?

I'm not the person who asked the question initially. I know i have diabetes.

CramCycle

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I'm not the person who asked the question initially. I know i have diabetes.

LOL, I thought littlelogan asked, need to go home and sleep.

CramCycle

CramCycle wrote: »

LOL, I thought littlelogan asked, need to go home and sleep.

And no, if you know you have diabetes, then there is not much point unless you want to see is it reversing (type 2) or how good your dosing is (type 1).

C-Shore

Have any of you ever worked as a posted worker in another EU state? Specifically the UK (EU for now anyway).

I may have to spend a few months in the UK, and I'm wondering if I can get supplies over there, or if I'd need to stock up/make trips back here.

NHS website says I need A1 and S1 forms and an EHIC card from Revenue here. Then the HSE website says I need to phone them!

So I have a rough idea of what I need to do, but wanted to check if anyone has done it. Also how long it takes to get all of those forms.

I have my EHIC card, which should cover me for emergencies etc., but not having to transport everything or make return visits would be handy.

I realize this is very specific for this thread, but figured I'd ask!

littlelogan

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

i wouldnt bother for the moment unless the doctor tells you otherwise. the finger prick tests only give a point in time reading. the hba1c gives an average for the last 3 months. it is a much better indicator. Are you actually symptomatic for diabetes?

Looking at the usual symptoms, I don't really qualify for any of them. But I guess the tests from a few years ago and the one more recently has me a little worried. It doesn't run in the family but for some reason I still felt the need to check it out.

I'll take a look at the glucose tolerance test as well, thanks.

Eurovisionmad

Incase anyone is considering trying out a Dexcom, I got an email saying they're doing a special offer of one G5 sensor & a transmitter for €231 until the end of September.

Just said I'd let people know, I'm refusing to countenance getting one off them while they apply a crazy exchange rate £160 is apparently €231 in their books! That's a €50 premium above the (slightly worse than) market rate Visa offers today!

Buford T. Justice XIX

Just reading about the possibility that diabetes may be transmittable and shares similarities with prion diseases.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/spread-misfolded-proteins-could-trigger-type-2-diabetes

RobbingBandit

Have developed a couple of nasty foot ulcers one on the base of the left big toe and on the top of the right foot near the big toe, bloods are on a bit of a spike and I'm on a large amount of antibiotics for the next 7 days possibly 14 days if they don't clear up iv antibiotics have been discussed. Type 2 diabetic 8.5 years and these are my first ulcers.

banie01

Hey all.
Just looking for some input on Joint issues?
Have any of you fine people encountered issues with joint mobility, tendonitis or arthritis related to your diabetes?

ohnonotgmail

banie01 wrote: »

Hey all.
Just looking for some input on Joint issues?
Have any of you fine people encountered issues with joint mobility, tendonitis or arthritis related to your diabetes?

Not personally but there is a link between diabetes and arthritis. What type of arthritis depends on what type of diabetes you have.

Buford T. Justice XIX

banie01 wrote: »

Hey all.
Just looking for some input on Joint issues?
Have any of you fine people encountered issues with joint mobility, tendonitis or arthritis related to your diabetes?

Yes, yes and yes:)

Ask away, I'll answer what I can which may not be much.

banie01

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

Yes, yes and yes:)

Ask away, I'll answer what I can which may not be much.

Thanks for the quick reply Buford
I've an ongoing issue with an Arthritic shoulder that is fairly well managed.
I'm developing fairly constant bouts of "tennis elbow" and am suffering from an incredibly sore knee on an ongoing basis.
The knee doesn't seem to arthritic in that there's no heat/warmness developing and any swelling is fairly slight.
The pain is constant tho, especially when at rest which is an issue at work as I'm bound to a desk and the pain is becoming a distraction.
I've adjust posture to eliminate any issues my work station might be causing but the issues are persisting.

My GP has ruled out Lupus and other inflammatory diseases(But has a concern that it may be psoriatic arthritis) and I'm awaiting a weight bearing X-Ray to check it out.
He hasn't given any detail regarding possibility of the issues being diabetes related and I'm wondering if there is anything I should ask about next time I see GP or Endo?

CramCycle

Is Tegaderm covered by the LTI, just wondering whether to buy it in my pharmacy or order a bundle online.

Also any recommendations for additional adhesive for the dexcom sensor?

Buford T. Justice XIX

banie01 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply Buford
I've an ongoing issue with an Arthritic shoulder that is fairly well managed.
I'm developing fairly constant bouts of "tennis elbow" and am suffering from an incredibly sore knee on an ongoing basis.
The knee doesn't seem to arthritic in that there's no heat/warmness developing and any swelling is fairly slight.
The pain is constant tho, especially when at rest which is an issue at work as I'm bound to a desk and the pain is becoming a distraction.
I've adjust posture to eliminate any issues my work station might be causing but the issues are persisting.

My GP has ruled out Lupus and other inflammatory diseases(But has a concern that it may be psoriatic arthritis) and I'm awaiting a weight bearing X-Ray to check it out.
He hasn't given any detail regarding possibility of the issues being diabetes related and I'm wondering if there is anything I should ask about next time I see GP or Endo?

I suppose I'm fairly lucky in some ways as I've invested in work equipment to reduce lifting (I'm a dairy farmer) which has dramatically reduced any tendonitis problems but I find some discomfort towards the end of the year due to general tiredness and wear and tear. I have a problem with my left hip with some pain and pins and needles if I stand for too long and osteo arthritis in both big toes.

My specialist has me on Revive Active Joint Complex (45 euro a month) which has led to a reduction in pain medication of about 50% since I've started on it. I would talk to someone about it first before going on it but I find it having good results. I would be in a pump group with a few farmers in it and we are all on this as well. Manual work, arthritis and diabetes seem to have a high correlation, unfortunately:(