Had a brief chat with diabetes nurse today and she asked me how I felt about being taken off the Diabetes Register. I was a bit surprised, a) because I still take Metformin (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening) and b) I wanted to know what t 'taken off' means. Will I still be geting all the annual checks and reminders from surgery. She said, she thought so but would talk to the GP. She also mentioned Statins, as my total cholesterol was 7 (too high) but she continued that my LDL is only a little above normal, HDL and,Trigs all fine. She found some calculation that said i had a 6.6% risk of a CVA in the next ten years. I don't expect anyone to advise me but I am a little confused. I think she was trying to be helpful. She is going to call me back.
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Diabetes Register and stuff.
- Thread starter Sharron1
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Cherrelle DUK
Much missed Online Community Coordinator
Hi Sharron1, that is a bit surprising!
I guess it could mean they feel confident enough with the how things are going and the rest can be managed via your GP.
Did she mention a reduction in meds at all? I'd jot down your question and ask them when she calls back.
I guess it could mean they feel confident enough with the how things are going and the rest can be managed via your GP.
Did she mention a reduction in meds at all? I'd jot down your question and ask them when she calls back.
goodybags
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I think some of the health care professionals trying to look after us
just talk twiddle twaddle I can still hear a DSN telling me not so long after I was first diagnosed I need to loose weight and the way to achieve it would be a virtualy fat free diet, eat plenty of potatoes and pasta she told me, this might been the same DSN ?
its no wonder it took me so long to get my sugars & weight under a better control (well sugars - as still need to shed another 20KG really
just talk twiddle twaddle I can still hear a DSN telling me not so long after I was first diagnosed I need to loose weight and the way to achieve it would be a virtualy fat free diet, eat plenty of potatoes and pasta she told me, this might been the same DSN ?
its no wonder it took me so long to get my sugars & weight under a better control (well sugars - as still need to shed another 20KG really
It was weird. I was simply confused and decided that as she was going to get back to me to ask all my questions
I intend too, it was all odd
Ljc
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
It sounds very odd to me too. If your on meds for diabetes, then they should not even consider taking you off the register.
I am wondering if she’s rather confused and just looked at you Hb1ac, which is fantastic by the way, and thought you don’t need to be on the register any more without spitting your on Metformin .
I am wondering if she’s rather confused and just looked at you Hb1ac, which is fantastic by the way, and thought you don’t need to be on the register any more without spitting your on Metformin .
AndBreathe
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
Macca - Anyone with an exemption certificate who no longer takes meds for their diabetes (or other qualifying condition) retails their entitlement for the remainder of the life of their certificate, but could not longer renew it.
In @Sharron1 's case, it would come down to the interpretation of the official definition, which is here: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/medical-exemption-certificates
Maca44
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
That's good news
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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No wonder you are confused!
I am quite happy to be corrected by the forum’s tame ex GP @mikeyB, but as far as I am aware ‘the diabetes register’ isn’t really a thing. There isn’t a centralised database of everyone with diabetes, a big dusty ledger in which your name is enscribed when you get a diagnosis... There is only your own medical record, and what it says about you. And depending on what your medical record says you will (or won’t) have access to certain things, and be offered certain checks and screening.
So unless your nurse was talking about you no longer being offered eye screening / annual reviews / free prescriptions etc I can’t think what she meant!
I am quite happy to be corrected by the forum’s tame ex GP @mikeyB, but as far as I am aware ‘the diabetes register’ isn’t really a thing. There isn’t a centralised database of everyone with diabetes, a big dusty ledger in which your name is enscribed when you get a diagnosis... There is only your own medical record, and what it says about you. And depending on what your medical record says you will (or won’t) have access to certain things, and be offered certain checks and screening.
So unless your nurse was talking about you no longer being offered eye screening / annual reviews / free prescriptions etc I can’t think what she meant!
Sincere apologies for butting in, but I’m stuck. I’m due to see the diabetic nurse for the first time having been newly diagnosed with type2 and prescribed 4x500 of Metformin.
I recently had a funny turn. I didn’t know whether it was low blood pressure (history) or low blood sugars - it scared me. A diabetic friend suggested buying a monitor and being prescribed glucose test strips to ascertain any future episodes. But....having just received a very curt reply from said nurse I find myself not eligible for said strips (ok) but more importantly free diabetic prescriptions. If I’m taking Metformin I am a diabetic, right...... I’m so confused.
I recently had a funny turn. I didn’t know whether it was low blood pressure (history) or low blood sugars - it scared me. A diabetic friend suggested buying a monitor and being prescribed glucose test strips to ascertain any future episodes. But....having just received a very curt reply from said nurse I find myself not eligible for said strips (ok) but more importantly free diabetic prescriptions. If I’m taking Metformin I am a diabetic, right...... I’m so confused.
grovesy
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You are entitled to a prescription exemption certificate as you are on medication.The surgery should need to give you the form to apply.
AndBreathe
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
Provided you are taking medication to help manage your diabetes you are entitled to apply for a Medical Exemption Certificate. This page outlines it all: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/medical-exemption-certificates
In the meantime, you should be saving receipts for any prescriptions you pay for, as you may be able to claim those back, provided you have the proper receipt. Your pharmacist should be able to help there, but please read that web page.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Yep - and the exemption certificates only last for 10 years, even though several types of diabetes can't even go into remission or be cured, so will be constant companions for those of us so affected until the day we pop our clogs. Hence - you have to remember to check the dates occasionally on the card they send you to evidence the exemption - and renew it. I lost my exemption as we all do when old enough to otherwise qualify for free prescriptions anyway. I sort-of felt a sense of loss 11 years ago now. That surprised me even though I knew!
Loobyloo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
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Mines only 5 years so maybe things have changed.
Ljc
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
Hi @Wooluff .
What symptoms did you have with your funny turn ?
As you are on a medication for Diabetes , you are most definitely entitled to free nhs prescriptions. Perhaps speak to your Gp rather than than nurse about them completing the exemption form.
So please do ask the pharmacy for a receipt for you prescriptions as proof , as once you get your card you can claim a refund for all your medications not just your diabetes meds.
Sadly unless you are on medications that can cause hypo’s , most Gp practices do not prescribe testing strips , some are more enlightened though so perhaps ask your Gp about them as well.
However most of us on here recommend tesing if you are not on meds that cause hypo’s ( Metformin usually doesn’t) to find out how the various carbohydrates affect you , so you can make informed choices.
This is done by testing directly before eating then two hours after starting to eat.
If you are no higher than 3mmol higher , then that meal was fine , if not it needs adjusting .
Many here use the navii meter as it’s testing strips are £8 rather that the £5+ that many other meters use .
If you decide to test and use this meter, star buy buying the starter kit and I suggest 2 pots if strips and a box of lancets . don’t worry about the other things you see on there as you can always buy them later if needed.
We use the mmol/measurement in the uk .
You are entitled to claim vat relief.
I hope this helps .
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trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Aaah - it's the EHIC that's 10 years - been a while and I can't remember everything I no longer have!
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