[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

calfmuscle

I'm a physio and t1 for a long time. I am prone to repetitive strain injuries. But know how to manage them before they become an issue. I often see people with tendonitis etc and only a small portion are diabetetic. Management of diabetes and being able to identify when your at risk and reducing the risks are key. Get a good physio to have a look at that tennis elbow rather than letting it get chronic on you.

ebbsy

RobbingBandit wrote: »

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.

Had one a few years ago. Due to neglect.

Getting shoe fitting in Tallaght in 2 weeks.

1. Gel insoles are good. Go see a shoe guy soon.
2. When the ulcers heal soak your feet in cool boiled water with teatree oil.
3. Keep pressure off your feet. In the office I have shoes off and keep them on a cushion.
4. I go to see a podiatrist every 4-6 months. She trims nails callous etc. Keeps an eye on things.
5. Keep Bg normal.

philten

Hi, general question re signing up for a mountain biking sportive (nire valley drop) - I am keen on doing this and went to sign up but on the registration form you need to specify any illnesses and you also sign a waiver to say you don't have any of the following illnesses ....diabetes ... that prevents you from taking part.

This is all fine but I really want to do the sportive (I am physically well able and do quite a bit of mountain biking with no issues), I would be cycling with other club members who are aware and carry enough sweets to feed an army.

Anyway not sure what to do - not sure if anyone can advise either

Its this type of stuff that gets me - I don't want to hide it but if I declare it I won't be able to do it

Xofpod

philten wrote: »

Hi, general question re signing up for a mountain biking sportive (nire valley drop) - I am keen on doing this and went to sign up but on the registration form you need to specify any illnesses and you also sign a waiver to say you don't have any of the following illnesses ....diabetes ... that prevents you from taking part.

This is all fine but I really want to do the sportive (I am physically well able and do quite a bit of mountain biking with no issues), I would be cycling with other club members who are aware and carry enough sweets to feed an army.

Anyway not sure what to do - not sure if anyone can advise either

Its this type of stuff that gets me - I don't want to hide it but if I declare it I won't be able to do it

Well, depending on the wording of the waiver, you don't have any illness that prevents you taking part and can sign in good conscience...

ohnonotgmail

Does it give diabetes as an example of an illness that may prevent you from taking part or say that if you have diabetes that you cant take part?

philten

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Does it give diabetes as an example of an illness that may prevent you from taking part or say that if you have diabetes that you cant take part?

This is taken from the waiver
"I confirm that I DO NOT have any of the following injuries or medical conditions that would prevent me from taking part in the activities; Spinal Injury, Epilepsy, Pregnancy, Fractures, Heart Disease, Muscular Injury, Diabetes."

Also there is a question "Do you have any medical conditions?" - If Yes then specify. This question is part of section on emergency contact details. I wear a RoadID alert bracelet with emergency details on it.

I could say yes to the question and provide diabetes and then going by the wording of the waiver infer that diabetes does not prevent me taking part, as diabetes doesn't prevent me from taking part in this activity.

CramCycle

Cycling Ireland have covered me for just as bad. I suspect the organisers just carbon copied a form from elsewhere. If you want I can contact them, and if they kick up a fuss you can still do the norm and just enter and tick the box they want ( at your own risk).

daisyscience

rioghan wrote: »

I have developed those horrible lipos on my stomach near my belly button, the doc said they'd go in about 3-6 months, but insulin absorption will never be the same again. Went on the DAFNE program last week and found out that lots of the things i was doing in relation to my diabetes was wrong. I also have a very overprotective mother about it and she freaks at my bloods beign 5, terrified that i will hypo. I've had diabetes since i was 9 and im 19 now, and i still cant get a grip on the damn thing :P

I hope you found the DAFNE course helpful? I had diabetes for about 10 years when I did that course and couldn't believe all the mistakes I'd been making too. Initial treatment in Ireland is seriously bad and so are most of the diabetic clinics in my experience too.

An tUasal C

daisyscience wrote: »

Initial treatment in Ireland is seriously bad and so are most of the diabetic clinics in my experience too.

I've had diabetes since I was very young and I must say, I have had nothing but positive experiences at my clinic..

daisyscience

An tUasal C wrote: »

I've had diabetes since I was very young and I must say, I have had nothing but positive experiences at my clinic..

I once had to wait 7 hours to meet the endo and that was when I was on the 2 injections a day so had to eat at the same time every day. It was a nightmare as i kept expecting to be called in any minute so didnt want to leave and just had to drink lucozade away. I was pretty young then though and wouldnt wait around now. I'd regularly be waiting 4 - 5 hours a clinic visit in the Limerick clinic and developed white coat syndrome from the stress.

Couldn't believe the fantastic level of care I received in Galway clinic after my experiences in Limerick and then when I moved to Cork, I was advised by many professionals, drs, nurses and other diabetics to stay with Galway. So I did.

So we are probably some of the lucky ones with great clinics now.

I keep asking and keep getting told to stay with Galway as it has the most resources for diabetic clinics in Ireland and I have to say I love it there. Could not praise the staff there enough, knowing how bad it could be. Its like they get that you are the one living with the condition and they're there to help you. In Limerick I always felt that I was a bother, this was just a job for the staff and I was doing everything wrong and was a problem patient. Everyone was a problem patient. The place is so under resourced, sure nurses are leaving Limerick hospital in their droves because they can't cope with the stress of it.

I don't think that all the various clinics teach DAFNE which was a lifesaver for me and every diabetic and diabetes Dr/nurse should know about it, but that could be different now. I was in and out of the clinic in Galway in 20 minutes on Thursday last. Nurse, endo and out. Unreal!

Buford T. Justice XIX

An tUasal C wrote: »

I've had diabetes since I was very young and I must say, I have had nothing but positive experiences at my clinic..

I haven't bothered with the public system with over 20 years since the nurse at the clinic asked me if I had the high blood sugar diabetes or the low blood sugar diabetes.:D

It didn't exactly fill me with confidence in the abilities of the staff at the clinic.

CramCycle

daisyscience wrote: »

I hope you found the DAFNE course helpful? I had diabetes for about 10 years when I did that course and couldn't believe all the mistakes I'd been making too. Initial treatment in Ireland is seriously bad and so are most of the diabetic clinics in my experience too.

I was in the UK with it for several years, it was not great at all, although I was young and i think they were trying to treat me like one rather than talking to me. I learned more on my own at 5 from the local library than I did from anyone there. I was in Crumlin for years after that. Maire and Nell were legendary. They have probably improved the lives of so many young diabetics who haven't experienced what poor treatment is like and never realised how good they had it with those two. A loss to their unit when they retired.

I had a neighbour who went to Mullingar, the things his endo told him were shockingly wrong.

Since Crumlin I have been in St.James. Nursing staff are incredible there, really know their stuff but also how to work with patients. Current main endo is good, the former one was a thundering buffoon though with his corrective doses only.

An tUasal C

daisyscience wrote: »

I once had to wait 7 hours to meet the endo and that was when I was on the 2 injections a day so had to eat at the same time every day. It was a nightmare as i kept expecting to be called in any minute so didnt want to leave and just had to drink lucozade away. I was pretty young then though and wouldnt wait around now. I'd regularly be waiting 4 - 5 hours a clinic visit in the Limerick clinic and developed white coat syndrome from the stress.

Couldn't believe the fantastic level of care I received in Galway clinic after my experiences in Limerick and then when I moved to Cork, I was advised by many professionals, drs, nurses and other diabetics to stay with Galway. So I did.

So we are probably some of the lucky ones with great clinics now.

I keep asking and keep getting told to stay with Galway as it has the most resources for diabetic clinics in Ireland and I have to say I love it there. Could not praise the staff there enough, knowing how bad it could be. Its like they get that you are the one living with the condition and they're there to help you. In Limerick I always felt that I was a bother, this was just a job for the staff and I was doing everything wrong and was a problem patient. Everyone was a problem patient. The place is so under resourced, sure nurses are leaving Limerick hospital in their droves because they can't cope with the stress of it.

I don't think that all the various clinics teach DAFNE which was a lifesaver for me and every diabetic and diabetes Dr/nurse should know about it, but that could be different now. I was in and out of the clinic in Galway in 20 minutes on Thursday last. Nurse, endo and out. Unreal!

Glad you're enjoying the experience in Galway, hopefully we both continue receiving care we're happy with.

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

I haven't bothered with the public system with over 20 years since the nurse at the clinic asked me if I had the high blood sugar diabetes or the low blood sugar diabetes.:D

It didn't exactly fill me with confidence in the abilities of the staff at the clinic.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a negative experience before but never at the clinic itself. One doctor wasn't the most knowledgeable regarding the amount of insulin an eight/nine year old should get. :rolleyes:

ohnonotgmail

Any T2 diabetics having a problem getting sufficient test strips on the LTI? My pharmacist today told me that LTI scheme has been changed and they will now only authorise 1 box of 50 strip a month for T2 diabetics that are not on insulin or sulphyonurea medication. As i have always been told to test twice a day this presents something of a problem. Anybody else experience this?

Buford T. Justice XIX

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Any T2 diabetics having a problem getting sufficient test strips on the LTI? My pharmacist today told me that LTI scheme has been changed and they will now only authorise 1 box of 50 strip a month for T2 diabetics that are not on insulin or sulphyonurea medication. As i have always been told to test twice a day this presents something of a problem. Anybody else experience this?

There is a lot of tightening up going on alright but if your script says a minimum of 60 a month plus a few spare then that is what you should be getting, minimum. You may have to get your prescription changed to allow more testing.

I would go through over 2 vials of insulin a month and always had to wait 24 hours after ordering the third vial for it to be authorised for dispensing. I told my doctor and she nearly hit the roof and rang up to complain but now I get 3 vials a month on my prescription and just don't collect when I don't need one.

I'd say it's going to become more common with HSE budgets under presure.

Kurtosis

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Any T2 diabetics having a problem getting sufficient test strips on the LTI? My pharmacist today told me that LTI scheme has been changed and they will now only authorise 1 box of 50 strip a month for T2 diabetics that are not on insulin or sulphyonurea medication. As i have always been told to test twice a day this presents something of a problem. Anybody else experience this?

I think this was introduced last year based on the recommended frequency of testing for different categories of patients. If there's a reason you need to test more often, your doctor can apply for an exemption online with the HSE, some info here:
[url] http://www.hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/diabetesprogramme/Bloodsugartesting/[/url]

ohnonotgmail

Kurtosis wrote: »

I think this was introduced last year based on the recommended frequency of testing for different categories of patients. If there's a reason you need to test more often, your doctor can apply for an exemption online with the HSE, some info here:
[url] http://www.hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/diabetesprogramme/Bloodsugartesting/[/url]

According to that i should only be testing 3 times a week. My consultant has always said twice a day though i admit i havent discussed freuency of testing with in a while. V confused now.

Kurtosis

Those are the guidelines for the typical person just based on the type of treatment they are on. There may be individual factors that necessitate more frequent testing. Definitely worth talking to your GP or consultant about it, worst case you might not have to lance your fingers as much!

philten

CramCycle wrote: »

Cycling Ireland have covered me for just as bad. I suspect the organisers just carbon copied a form from elsewhere. If you want I can contact them, and if they kick up a fuss you can still do the norm and just enter and tick the box they want ( at your own risk).

appreciate that CramCycle, think I will sign up and specify it and see what they say. I have Cycling Ireland license (leisure) maybe I can contact the if I need to.

CramCycle

philten wrote: »

appreciate that CramCycle, think I will sign up and specify it and see what they say. I have Cycling Ireland license (leisure) maybe I can contact the if I need to.

I told CI and they covered me for Audax trips through Wales, France and the Netherlands without batting an eyelid.

Now nothing went wrong except my sense of direction but they said I was covered.

gctest50

Type 2 ?

frodi

Just a heads up for any using Medtronic Enlite. They have currently gone out of stock with the sole agents in Ireland and are likely to be so for the next month. The agent is recommending a switch to finger pricking and standard injections.

CramCycle

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/insulin-over-delivery-risk-prompts-medtronic-to-pull-infusion-sets?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT1RabFpEbG1NRGcxWldFeSIsInQiOiJWSU5jTGhUUlVqK3E3QlJIZDhkSWwzK2EweVdpR3BZbmxNMUs4akc0V1hOZUtIWGYyWnl5dHJWWkptOUUzVHZTMG1cL2F3Nkk4T2xyTHA5MXVkbXZUdURtNDZLMVhlK0ZsQ05tcCtYWkhaV1JLZWxISWl0TmQxQUhqRnl3K09XRXoifQ%3D%3D&mrkid=762866&utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Got this from my boss this morning, might explain one or two things, or is a handy excuse to explain for me.

ebbsy

Drat. Noticed toe was red. Went to Doctor. Infected toe. 100€ for consultation/antibiotics/cream.

Has to be done but.......

Irish Wolf

I've been meaning to post in here for a while... so hello!

I was admitted to hospital at the end of last year, feeling generally unwell. Along with some other stuff, I was diagnosed on NYE with Type 1 with a HBA1C of 131. Early 40s, male, had been losing quite a lot of weight up to that point - I think all told I worked it out at ~30kgs over 6-9mths. I didn't recognise myself as having any of the major symptoms and up to a couple of days before admission had been feeling OK, not 100% tip-top condition, but OK. It was certainly a shock to the system. Have to say the treatment I received from the DSNs in the hospital where I was admitted was great, very informative and were there to field calls from me after my release.

I was diagnosed in Cavan, home visiting my family for Christmas, I live and work in Limerick. So the first hassle I had was trying to get the LTI sorted out. Because I was laid up in my folks place for a few months after release, I couldn’t visit my GP to get the approval form signed and I was told that it had to be applied for through my local HSE health office with a local GP authorisation – not very sure how true that was, but eventually I got it approved, applied in March, received it in June. I’m not sure what I was expecting once I transferred back here, I figured a larger hospital would have even better support. I was surprised after my first visit to the Diabetic Clinic to learn that there are no DAFNE courses run through UHL, I was not put in contact with any DSNs, and no referral to a podiatrist. I was given details of the Retina Screening program.

I guess it’s up to ourselves to own our own treatment and support.

I had my latest appointment this week, HBA1C is 42 so it looks like I’ve gotten reasonable control of the glucose and I made sure to ask for a referral to the dietician and podiatrist. What I was surprised with was when I mentioned having sharp stabby pains in my feet and legs, and slight numbness in the tips of my fingers, the doctor agreed that it could be the start of neuropathy but asked me to follow up with my GP about this – is that normal? I would have assumed that the clinic would follow up on something like that, after all they’re the specialists and I’m not sure how much experience my or many GPs in the country would have with T1D.

This is all still very new to me, and sometimes I feel like I’ve just been thrown out there with little support. It can be daunting at times. Anyway, as I said, I’d been meaning to post here for a while, I’ve read some very supportive and informative posts through the lifetime of this thread and I hope in time I can add to that.

jeffk

Caught some piece on today FM about Diabetes and they where on about the flu jab

Type 2 myself and this is news to me, should I get the jab?

banjobongo

Irish Wolf wrote: »

I've been meaning to post in here for a while... so hello!

I was admitted to hospital at the end of last year, feeling generally unwell. Along with some other stuff, I was diagnosed on NYE with Type 1 with a HBA1C of 131. Early 40s, male, had been losing quite a lot of weight up to that point - I think all told I worked it out at ~30kgs over 6-9mths. I didn't recognise myself as having any of the major symptoms and up to a couple of days before admission had been feeling OK, not 100% tip-top condition, but OK. It was certainly a shock to the system. Have to say the treatment I received from the DSNs in the hospital where I was admitted was great, very informative and were there to field calls from me after my release.

I was diagnosed in Cavan, home visiting my family for Christmas, I live and work in Limerick. So the first hassle I had was trying to get the LTI sorted out. Because I was laid up in my folks place for a few months after release, I couldn’t visit my GP to get the approval form signed and I was told that it had to be applied for through my local HSE health office with a local GP authorisation – not very sure how true that was, but eventually I got it approved, applied in March, received it in June. I’m not sure what I was expecting once I transferred back here, I figured a larger hospital would have even better support. I was surprised after my first visit to the Diabetic Clinic to learn that there are no DAFNE courses run through UHL, I was not put in contact with any DSNs, and no referral to a podiatrist. I was given details of the Retina Screening program.

I guess it’s up to ourselves to own our own treatment and support.

I had my latest appointment this week, HBA1C is 42 so it looks like I’ve gotten reasonable control of the glucose and I made sure to ask for a referral to the dietician and podiatrist. What I was surprised with was when I mentioned having sharp stabby pains in my feet and legs, and slight numbness in the tips of my fingers, the doctor agreed that it could be the start of neuropathy but asked me to follow up with my GP about this – is that normal? I would have assumed that the clinic would follow up on something like that, after all they’re the specialists and I’m not sure how much experience my or many GPs in the country would have with T1D.

This is all still very new to me, and sometimes I feel like I’ve just been thrown out there with little support. It can be daunting at times. Anyway, as I said, I’d been meaning to post here for a while, I’ve read some very supportive and informative posts through the lifetime of this thread and I hope in time I can add to that.

Hi Irishwolf.
I live in Limerick, aged early 50s, I was diagnosed with Type 1 June last year. If you like we can meet up for a chat some time to share our experiences....I dont know anybody else in Limerick with Type one, apparently its unusual for adults to get TYpe one diabetes....my own belief is that firstly, if somebody in my family has to get it ( I have 4 children), I would prefer if I get it rather than my kids, and secondly if I get to get a serious medical condition, I would prefer diabetes to cancer!

Kurtosis

jeffk wrote: »

Caught some piece on today FM about Diabetes and they where on about the flu jab

Type 2 myself and this is news to me, should I get the jab?

People with diabetes mellitus are one of the groups the HSE recommend vaccination for: [url] http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/Immunisation/pubinfo/fluvaccine/flupublic/[/url]

jeffk

Kurtosis wrote:

People with diabetes mellitus are one of the groups the HSE recommend vaccination for:

Read that and didn't see the usual type 1 or 2 names and googling didn't help, so said I'll ask to be sure

Strange I've never been told this, not something people would think of

ohnonotgmail

jeffk wrote: »

Read that and didn't see the usual type 1 or 2 names and googling didn't help, so said I'll ask to be sure

Strange I've never been told this, not something people would think of

diabetes mellitus is type 2