nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

[Diabetes] General Chat and Support Thread

tbh

Hey guys - I've created a single "chat" thread for all the diabetics for any topics of conversation that don't fit in the existing threads.

Find more posts tagged with

Quick Links

Comments

banie01

Specsavers do digital retinal photography and will alert you to anything immediately apparent.

They don't do the specialist check and vis a vis comparison with older photos that afaik the DRS do.

I will say for those newly diagnosed that fear can play a lot on the mind with regards Retinopathy.

I have incipient retinopathy in both eyes, no actual impact or degradation as of yet.
That said last year I was convinced I was going blind, colour perception and focus in my left eye was just off...

After convincing myself at one point I was soon to be white caneing it...

Turned out old age was catching up and at 40 I needed my 1st pair of glasses.

ohnonotgmail

Orion wrote: »

This is something I've been wondering. Only diagnosed a month ago and my eyesight has gone mental since. Been wearing glasses since I was 10 - in the last month went bought reading glasses for the computer for a week or two, then two weeks without needing any glasses at all. Now wearing an old pair I hadn't thrown out that are much lower than my last prescription. So WTF has diabetes been doing to my eyes before I was diagnosed?

Going to book an eye test in the next week or two anyway but they don't do retina scans afaik.

I know that specsavers do the same kind of imaging that the Retina Screening service does. Now the screening service are looking for changes since your last screening and specsavers cant do that but they should be able to tell you if there is anything seriously wrong.

CramCycle

It was on a news report the other day, can't remember the exact date but they are starting back up very soon. In fact one of the first screening services to reopen AFAIK. This said, why they wouldn't put releae on their website is beyond me.

Orion

Xofpod wrote: »

Anyone hear anything on retinopathy?

This is something I've been wondering. Only diagnosed a month ago and my eyesight has gone mental since. Been wearing glasses since I was 10 - in the last month went bought reading glasses for the computer for a week or two, then two weeks without needing any glasses at all. Now wearing an old pair I hadn't thrown out that are much lower than my last prescription. So WTF has diabetes been doing to my eyes before I was diagnosed?

Going to book an eye test in the next week or two anyway but they don't do retina scans afaik.

ohnonotgmail

Xofpod wrote: »

I should be doing bloods this week for my regular 6 monthly clinic in a couple of weeks but nurse at the clinic advised they will be in touch on the phone to assess/triage me and see if I need to come in, or can they skip for 6 months. I've no idea what my HbA1C is though - certainly it would have been sky high at the start of lock down until I got a better routine established.
Are people experiencing a similar response from their clinics?

Also, I know there have been some announcements re other screening programmes. Anyone hear anything on retinopathy?

had the same with my clinic but i had to go to my GP around the same time for something else so he took bloods and sent them off.

Xofpod

I should be doing bloods this week for my regular 6 monthly clinic in a couple of weeks but nurse at the clinic advised they will be in touch on the phone to assess/triage me and see if I need to come in, or can they skip for 6 months. I've no idea what my HbA1C is though - certainly it would have been sky high at the start of lock down until I got a better routine established.
Are people experiencing a similar response from their clinics?

Also, I know there have been some announcements re other screening programmes. Anyone hear anything on retinopathy?

pew

Banie, you should ask in the Fiabetes in Ireland facebook group. I've seen people post similar before but never looked into as right now it doesnt affect me.

Appointment in Beaumont this week was supposed to be obee the phone but got a text to say they want to see me. I can only assume my hba1c is horrendous

banie01

Lockdown has absolutely killed my glucose control I reckon.
It is at least 2 months since I've tested below 8.5 in the morning

Then at 40, I've managed to get my 1st case of Athletes foot!
3 toenails lost and but no other real issue.

Went to see my GP yesterday for a non-diabetes related issue and in fairness to him!
Got a very good going over, and as my Endo appointments were pushed out to November, he has arranged a set of bloods for next week to see where I stand.

Now in what I hope isn't a diabetes related question, but could well be!?

Does anyone have any experience of ilioinguinal or inguinal nerve blocks for long term pain?

calfmuscle

Hi all I have some g5 sensors and a g4 receiver here if anyone wants them. South Dublin north Wicklow area.

pew

banie01 wrote: »

I've yet to find a GLP-1 that agrees with me, great effect on my control when I was on Victoza but the side effects weren't worth it.

I may give the newer generation a try, Ozempic or one of those when they get approval here.

I was shifted to a combo of insulin and oral meds a few years ago and I've been lucky enough to get my control tight enough that I've been off insulin now for 16 months and kept control tight.

Im on Ozempic, i find it great to be honest.

banie01

calfmuscle wrote: »

My dad and me and a good friend all used to be exactly the same mornings always over 10. Then I went on tresiba and it was a game changer and the other 2 switched over and had the same results. Morning nearly always between 4 and 6.

I've yet to find a GLP-1 that agrees with me, great effect on my control when I was on Victoza but the side effects weren't worth it.

I may give the newer generation a try, Ozempic or one of those when they get approval here.

I was shifted to a combo of insulin and oral meds a few years ago and I've been lucky enough to get my control tight enough that I've been off insulin now for 16 months and kept control tight.

calfmuscle

banie01 wrote: »

I'd give half a pancreas for a 7.5 morning reading, let alone after an Indian
My usual morning reading is between 9 and 11

That said it does come back into far better control during the day and my HbA1c over the last few years has averaged at @6.5.

An Indian, particularly Korma or Biryani even without Naan will always leave me in double digit the next morning.

Endo reckons I have a leaky liver and dawn phenomenon, couple that with an awful sleeping pattern and I've learned that in my own particular case i'm far better focusing on afternoon readings pre-dinner and my HbA1c for a more realistic picture.

I'd love to have a libre or other continuous glucose monitor to see just what the fúck my pancreas gets up to! :pac:

My dad and me and a good friend all used to be exactly the same mornings always over 10. Then I went on tresiba and it was a game changer and the other 2 switched over and had the same results. Morning nearly always between 4 and 6.

Orion

Thanks. That's a relief - was concerned it was creeping up. The Indian I had without a sauce due to a nut allergy so less sugar but did gorge on the carbs parts. The Thai last night was homemade so I knew exactly what was in it.

Yes my readings are nearly all mornings. It's the highest it's been since I got it under 8 (only diagnosed on the 26th May) so that's why I was concerned but reading the above has allayed that concern. I keep a food diary too to try and spot patterns. Considering I was over 27 when I saw my GP I'm happy enough to be under 8 still anyway

04/06/2020 08:15:00 6.5
05/06/2020 08:10:00 7.2
06/06/2020 08:30:00 5.1
06/06/2020 14:00:00 4.6 (after a 45km cycle)
07/06/2020 12:00:00 5.0
08/06/2020 08:00:00 6.7
09/06/2020 08:00:00 5.9
10/06/2020 08:30:00 6.2
11/06/2020 08:30:00 6.9
12/06/2020 09:00:00 7.0 (Lasagna for dinner day before)
13/06/2020 10:00:00 5.7
14/06/2020 09:00:00 5.2
15/06/2020 09:30:00 7.5 (Thai curry day before)

banie01

I'd give half a pancreas for a 7.5 morning reading, let alone after an Indian

My usual morning reading is between 9 and 11

That said it does come back into far better control during the day and my HbA1c over the last few years has averaged at @6.5.

An Indian, particularly Korma or Biryani even without Naan will always leave me in double digit the next morning.

Endo reckons I have a leaky liver and dawn phenomenon, couple that with an awful sleeping pattern and I've learned that in my own particular case i'm far better focusing on afternoon readings pre-dinner and my HbA1c for a more realistic picture.

I'd love to have a libre or other continuous glucose monitor to see just what the fúck my pancreas gets up to! :pac:

CramCycle

Harry Palmr wrote: »

7.5 isn't a spike really! It's going to be hard to isolate which food created a slightly higher reading, I'd ignore it other than to make a note (which you've just done in effect)

+1 also it is hard to say anything based on one morning reading. A spike to me is something that happens immediately after the food, not something I could diagnose the next morning. 7.5 could be from a bad nights sleep, a good nights sleep, being awake too early or sleeping in, it is really hard to say without more info but I wouldn't be concerned unless it stays up or continues to rise over time.

questionmark

Do you just test in the mornings ? I would say it was either the nann bread or the rice or a combination of the two. I would try just haveing one with the curry next time

Harry Palmr

7.5 isn't a spike really! It's going to be hard to isolate which food created a slightly higher reading, I'd ignore it other than to make a note (which you've just done in effect)

Orion

Had a spike this morning and wondering what might have caused it. I'm 7.5 - up from 5.2 yesterday morning. Food yesterday was weetabix and bacon/eggs for breakfast. Some seeded brown bread with cheese for lunch. And a homemade thai curry for dinner. Also had some popcorn later on. Everything except the curry I've eaten since diagnosis without spikes so was it the curry. I made the curry myself - coconut milk, Mai Ploy curry paste, 1 spoon coconut sugar, fish sauce, lime leaves, veg and chicken. Coconut milk I thought was ok and the spoon of sugar was in a meal for 4 people so didn't think that would impact greatly. I did have half a naan bread and basmati rice. Also a couple of hours of light exercise yesterday which should have helped.

Anyone seen the same with a curry? I'd hate to have to cut out that meal - it's a regular staple. Last weekend I gorged on an Indian takeaway including rice, naan and popadums but spike only went to 6.5 from 5.0.

uli84

Unfortunately with all the cuts on health spending upcoming due to coronavirus it’s not going to be easy

MrMacPhisto

Wanton wrote: »

I am under Dr Hatunic in the Mater public. I tried to bring it up with him after I saw good result while self funding the Libre, but he was beyond dismissive. Made me feel like a 10yr old kid. Its been a long time since I was 10yrs old.

I will need to check and see the next time I am due back in with the nurses in the day clinic.

Thanks.

It is a pity you and I are not ten years old, then the ageist rules wouldn't preclude people like us from getting such a helpful device....:mad:

Wanton

banie01 wrote: »

+1 on this, if you have a nurse practioner led clinic get on to them and see what they advise.

I am under Dr Hatunic in the Mater public. I tried to bring it up with him after I saw good result while self funding the Libre, but he was beyond dismissive. Made me feel like a 10yr old kid. Its been a long time since I was 10yrs old.

I will need to check and see the next time I am due back in with the nurses in the day clinic.

Thanks.

banie01

CramCycle wrote: »

Ask your consultant what you need to get it, then tell them you have that thing. or even better find out who your Nurse in charge of them is, and try to meet them instead of the consultant, they will know the actual system better.

+1 on this, if you have a nurse practioner led clinic get on to them and see what they advise.

CramCycle

Wanton wrote: »

Many thanks, I dont meet any requirements so

They dont make it easy.

Ask your consultant what you need to get it, then tell them you have that thing. or even better find out who your Nurse in charge of them is, and try to meet them instead of the consultant, they will know the actual system better.

calfmuscle

Wanton wrote: »

Many thanks, I dont meet any requirements so

They dont make it easy.

Hi just to say I didnt meet any of those criteria when I got mine. I was living alone and having hypos at night. That's why I got it. Hope that helps!

Wanton

questionmark wrote: »

Hi , if you self fund it's 188 a month (after claiming vat back)
To get HSE funding your endo has to apply for you and you need one of the following

• More than 1 episode a year of severe hypoglycaemia with no obviously preventable precipitating cause.

• Complete loss of awareness of hypoglycaemia.

• Frequent (more than 2 episodes a week) asymptomatic hypoglycaemia that is causing problems with daily activities.

• Extreme fear of hypoglycaemia.

• Hyperglycaemia (HbA1c level of 75 mmol/litre [9%] or higher) that persists despite testing at least 10 times a day (see recommendations 3.6.11 and 3.6.12).

Many thanks, I dont meet any requirements so

They dont make it easy.

questionmark

Wanton wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Since it doesnt look like the Libre is going to be made available fully on the LTI any time soon, can anyone fill me on in the requirements for getting the Dexcom?

I love the Libre, its great, but the cost is just too much at the moment

Thanks

Hi , if you self fund it's 188 a month (after claiming vat back)
To get HSE funding your endo has to apply for you and you need one of the following

• More than 1 episode a year of severe hypoglycaemia with no obviously preventable precipitating cause.

• Complete loss of awareness of hypoglycaemia.

• Frequent (more than 2 episodes a week) asymptomatic hypoglycaemia that is causing problems with daily activities.

• Extreme fear of hypoglycaemia.

• Hyperglycaemia (HbA1c level of 75 mmol/litre [9%] or higher) that persists despite testing at least 10 times a day (see recommendations 3.6.11 and 3.6.12).

Wanton

Hi Folks,

Since it doesnt look like the Libre is going to be made available fully on the LTI any time soon, can anyone fill me on in the requirements for getting the Dexcom?

I love the Libre, its great, but the cost is just too much at the moment

Thanks

calfmuscle

I got the dexcom g6 in the post today. Just waiting on my pharmacy to get the sensors in. Iv been on the g4 and then g5 but for some reason I got all emotional and teary when this arrived. Iv been finger pricking since 1996. Just cant believe I dont have to anymore. Technology is truly amazing!

Harry Palmr

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Just got my appointment for a virtual consultation with my diabetic nurse for next week.

25 minutes chat not sure how we spun it out that long! The nurse who was not my usual one but she said she is about to join the team at UHW. She liked my mmol/l HbA1c for the last 90 days as read by the machine, said in a blood test it would be lower than the stated 7.3/6.2 and that it continues a downward trend towards the green zone.

Harry Palmr

Exercise/physical work is a problem, esp if you don't know how much it'll be and it's out on location somewhere. I tend to go low - if the blood reading is 6 at breakfast inject 3 and do a blood test just before you start the work. If the reading is say 8 then you're okay for a while but if you know you are unlikely to be able to test again just make sure to have carbs with you and eat after an hour and then again an hour later (unless you know you're heading for a hypo of course!).