[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

MrMacPhisto wrote: »

https://www.diabetes.co.uk

Lots of good information. I think you will find a lot of the answers you are looking for there.

You will see many different numbers used in reference to diabetes. The different units and meters are explained on that website too.

Try and develop your knowledge and prepare the questions you want answered by the Endo. They will be well able to answer your queries.

I would definitely consider changing GP. Diabetes is a serious condition but very treatable/manageable. In my opinion, a Doctors primary role is to reassure a patient and provide relevant information. I think he/she has failed you in this instance.

while your GP should be doing that in my experience they dont. I relied on the diabetic unit in my local hospital for that stuff when i was first diagnosed. If you are lucky enough to be close to a diabetic unit you will be well looked after by them.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

while your GP should be doing that in my experience they dont. I relied on the diabetic unit in my local hospital for that stuff when i was first diagnosed. If you are lucky enough to be close to a diabetic unit you will be well looked after by them.

Agree, my local Diabetic unit is excellent and the Specialist nurses are who will be primarily driving care when you get there.

GP's are very wary of treading on the toes of the specialist units in these instances.

There is a plan somewhere in the HSE for primary Diabetic care to be devolved onto GPs but at present I don't know anything more about when or even if it will come to pass.

My GP spoke with me about it @5yrs ago and I've heard nothing more since.

@JohnnieT2, given you've already been referred to the public Endo you are likely going to be at one of the Main Hospital Endo clinics.
These all have Specialist nurse teams who are available by phone to discuss any concerns you may have and while I've only dealt with the Limerick team...
They are IME very helpful.

banie01 wrote: »

Agree, my local Diabetic unit is excellent and the Specialist nurses are who will be primarily driving care when you get there.

GP's are very wary of treading on the toes of the specialist units in these instances.

There is a plan somewhere in the HSE for primary Diabetic care to be devolved onto GPs but at present I don't know anything more about when or even if it will come to pass.

My GP spoke with me about it @5yrs ago and I've heard nothing more since.

@JohnnieT2, given you've already been referred to the public Endo you are likely going to be at one of the Main Hospital Endo clinics.
These all have Specialist nurse teams who are available by phone to discuss any concerns you may have and while I've only dealt with the Limerick team...
They are IME very helpful.

the diabetic unit will also invite you to a training day as well which is very helpful. I think they do this before you even see the endo. its all about how to use a meter, when to use it and dietary advice as well.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

the diabetic unit will also invite you to a training day as well which is very helpful. I think they do this before you even see the endo. its all about how to use a meter, when to use it and dietary advice as well.

I was told about this but it was the public ward and was told there is a 6-9month waiting period for this which I can't afford to wait and see. So went private.
Is it not crazy with these type of illness to be just left to your own devices for that period of time?

gctest50

Don't have the staff maybe

The how-cr@p-is-muh-local-hospital survey :

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/diabetes/resources/national-survey-of-diabetes-care-delivery-in-acute-hospitals-2018.pdf

johnnie T2 wrote: »

I was told about this but it was the public ward and was told there is a 6-9month waiting period for this which I can't afford to wait and see. So went private.
Is it not crazy with these type of illness to be just left to your own devices for that period of time?

6 to 9 month wait to attend a diabetic unit for the first time is crazy. where are you based?

gctest50 wrote: »

Don't have the staff maybe

The how-cr@p-is-muh-local-hospital survey :

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/diabetes/resources/national-survey-of-diabetes-care-delivery-in-acute-hospitals-2018.pdf

After a quick scan of that i am really glad i live where i do.

johnnie T2 wrote: »

I was told about this but it was the public ward and was told there is a 6-9month waiting period for this which I can't afford to wait and see. So went private.
Is it not crazy with these type of illness to be just left to your own devices for that period of time?

I don't know what you expect the private appointment to give you other than seeing an Endo sooner.

I originally saw my Endo privately for a number of years before moving across to the public system under the same Endo and each private appointment was shall we say, brisk!

At the public clinic, you will be seen by a specialist nurse or registrar. Any medication changes or treatment plan changes will of course be confirmed by the consultant who will see you and go over the details. But the level of care and actual attention in the Public clinic is IME in excess of what I received privately.
Now granted that is offset by 20patients having a 2.30pm appointment

but that's just how the public system works.

The training day and so on will be arranged via the public system whether you are a private patient or not and I'll be honest, I would not at all be surprised to see a post from you after your 1st private Endo appt asking is that all I got for my money.

Read back over the last 2 months or so of this thread, there is some fantastic advice for newly diagnosed.
Regarding the meter, a call to the local Diabetic care team to ask if they have any available (They always do) explain you are newly diagnosed and ask if you can drop down to collect it if it's convenient to you and I can nearly guarantee that you will be shown how to use the meter and have any immediate concerns or questions addressed.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

After a quick scan of that i am really glad i live where i do.

I see the integrated care model for uncomplicated type 2 is at least mentioned in there.

Discharged to GP or Primary care hopefully if they can get it actually running it will alleviate pressure on the Acute units.

That said all patients will need to be at least referred to the Acute units for screening and discharge back to integrated care.

banie01 wrote: »

I see the integrated care model for uncomplicated type 2 is at least mentioned in there.

Discharged to GP or Primary care hopefully if they can get it actually running it will alleviate pressure on the Acute units.

That said all patients will need to be at least referred to the Acute units for screening and discharge back to integrated care.

i would fit in to the uncompicated type 2 group but i wouldn't be happy to be thrown back to a GP. they just aren't trained for it. I have one consultant appointment a year that never lasts more than 10 minutes. The only time i actually see the consultant (as opposed to somebody on his team) is when i need my medication changed. I haven't seen him in 5 years.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

i would fit in to the uncompicated type 2 group but i wouldn't be happy to be thrown back to a GP. they just aren't trained for it. I have one consultant appointment a year that never lasts more than 10 minutes. The only time i actually see the consultant (as opposed to somebody on his team) is when i need my medication changed. I haven't seen him in 5 years.

When my GP was talking to me about this plan, albeit 5 yrs ago he said the plan was to have at least 1 diabetes specialized doctor in our practice aswell as a prescribing nurse.

I've seen hide nor hair of either since then

That said I'm on yearly visits now, but far from bloody uncomplicated :pac:

gctest50

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

After a quick scan of that i am really glad i live where i do.

Best not to get hhs if your in Roscommon or Limerick, they'd probably think you've Ebola :

gerrybbadd

Sligo Hospital is a disgrace, treatment wise.

They are holding an insulin pump for me for over 3 years at this stage, as they cannot provide the training for it

https://www.oceanfm.ie/2019/06/20/issue-of-insulin-pump-training-for-diabetics-in-sligo-raised-in-dail/

banie01 wrote: »

I don't know what you expect the private appointment to give you other than seeing an Endo sooner.

That is what I want though?
I literally know nothing as of now bar the GP said ive Type 2 so I don't want to wait 6 months in public to get any further details. The service sounds great but I cant wait that long not knowing my condition.
it would be Beaumont hospital i'd be referred to.

[Deleted User]

Morby wrote: »

I've gotten my blood sugar levels down from 33 to 25 over the past 9 months or so, I'm not fully au fait with blood sugar levels, but am I on the right track, am I doing OK?

You need to be seeing a doctor. You could be causing significant renal organ damage. Type 2 diabetics should be aiming to be below 8.

Morby wrote: »

I've gotten my blood sugar levels down from 33 to 25 over the past 9 months or so, I'm not fully au fait with blood sugar levels, but am I on the right track, am I doing OK?

Deleted User wrote: »

You need to be seeing a doctor. You could be causing significant renal organ damage. Type 2 diabetics should be aiming to be below 8.

i think Morby might be using a different unit to you. You use the same units as me which are the old units. They now teach mmol/mol so 33 would be around 5.2. or maybe i've misunderstood both of you as that seems a bit low for me and 25 seems really low.

if I go into a pharmacy looking for a meter will they ask me for some documentation from the GP? I don't think I have anything bar my metformin prescription. what is the cost in pharmacy for meter and test strips?

johnnie T2 wrote: »

if I go into a pharmacy looking for a meter will they ask me for some documentation from the GP? I don't think I have anything bar my metformin prescription. what is the cost in pharmacy for meter and test strips?

no they will happily sell you one. you shouldn't really have to buy one though. have you contacted your local diabetic unit?

jimf

johnnie T2 wrote: »

if I go into a pharmacy looking for a meter will they ask me for some documentation from the GP? I don't think I have anything bar my metformin prescription. what is the cost in pharmacy for meter and test strips?

best to become a regular at your local / nearest chemist as you will need regular med strips etc

test meter are foc and come with about 12 test strips inc

when you get your lti book all will be foc strips and meds

[Deleted User]

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

i think Morby might be using a different unit to you. You use the same units as me which are the old units. They now teach mmol/mol so 33 would be around 5.2. or maybe i've misunderstood both of you as that seems a bit low for me and 25 seems really low.

Oh. That's weird. I work in James and we still use mmol/L.

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh. That's weird. I work in James and we still use mmol/L.

in bueamont they use the new units. i have to convert my hba1c back to the old units every time i go in.

[Deleted User]

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

in bueamont they use the new units. i have to convert my hba1c back to the old units every time i go in.

Sorry, I was talking about random blood glucose levels, you are talking about Hb1AC?

25 doesn't seem correct for a Hb1AC, it would put you below a blood glucose of 5 which is veering towards hypoglycaemia.

Deleted User wrote: »

Sorry, I was talking about random blood glucose levels, you are talking about Hb1AC?

25 doesn't seem correct for a Hb1AC, it would put you below a blood glucose of 5 which is veering towards hypoglycaemia.

I'm not sure what i'm talking about now. Can i blame that on the diabetes?

TBH i'm not sure what the 33 and 25 refer to. Whether it is from a pinprick test or a hba1c they seem either low or very very high.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

no they will happily sell you one. you shouldn't really have to buy one though. have you contacted your local diabetic unit?

do you mean the public hospital or the diabetes.ie people?
would be a fair trek out of my way to go there was going to
go into a pharmacy on way home from work.

johnnie T2 wrote: »

do you mean the public hospital or the diabetes.ie people?
would be a fair trek out of my way to go there was going to
go into a pharmacy on way home from work.

the diabetic unit in your nearest public hospital, assuming it has one. If you tell us where you are located generally somebody can point you towards the nearest diabetic unit.

If you want to buy one fire ahead but they are expensive enough to buy. as are the strips and lancets you. Boots want nearly 50 euro for a decent meter and nearly the same again for test strips and lancets.

johnnie T2 wrote: »

do you mean the public hospital or the diabetes.ie people?
would be a fair trek out of my way to go there was going to
go into a pharmacy on way home from work.

also, have you applied for your long term illness book? If not, do it now.

https://www2.hse.ie/services/long-term-illness-scheme/apply-for-a-long-term-illness-scheme-card.html

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

the diabetic unit in your nearest public hospital, assuming it has one. If you tell us where you are located generally somebody can point you towards the nearest diabetic unit.

If you want to buy one fire ahead but they are expensive enough to buy. as are the strips and lancets you. Boots want nearly 50 euro for a decent meter and nearly the same again for test strips and lancets.

I was referred to Beaumont hospital that's where I was on the waiting list.
yeah don't really want to pay 50e for one, Is it common to get free ones like mentioned above at pharmacies?

I applied for the long term illness book but the GP only wrote Metformin on it. Will this cover me for other things not written down by GP?

johnnie T2 wrote: »

I was referred to Beaumont hospital that's where I was on the waiting list.
yeah don't really want to pay 50e for one, Is it common to get free ones like mentioned above at pharmacies?

Ring the diabetic unit in beaumont and ask them for advice on getting a meter. i haven't heard of pharmacies giving out free meters, i cant see the incentive for them to do that.

http://www.beaumont.ie/diabetescentre

you said your hba1c was 55 which isnt terrible so i wouldn't worry about getting a meter immediately, as in, today.

johnnie T2 wrote: »

I applied for the long term illness book but the GP only wrote Metformin on it. Will this cover me for other things not written down by GP?

when you get the book bring it back to your gp and ask them to add strips and lancets. that should not be an issue.

Buford T. Justice XIX

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Ring the diabetic unit in beaumont and ask them for advice on getting a meter. i haven't heard of pharmacies giving out free meters, i cant see the incentive for them to do that.

http://www.beaumont.ie/diabetescentre

you said your hba1c was 55 which isnt terrible so i wouldn't worry about getting a meter immediately, as in, today.

when you get the book bring it back to your gp and ask them to add strips and lancets. that should not be an issue.

Just on that, most pharmacies do keep a small stock of meters on hand. I dropped my meter and it broke a while back while away on holidays. I went into the nearest pharmacy and they supplied me with a meter and a box of test strips once I supplied my LTI number. It's a handy thing to know in case you're away from home with no meter.