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Newly diagnosed type1

D

David Wraith

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Newly diagnosed 4 days ago, originally told I had type 2 by diabetes specialist GP only then to be called into doctors urgently due to very high blood sugar levels and sent straight into A&E, sent home from there and told to return the following morning. Spent the whole of that day getting blood works and getting insulin injection due to k tone being over 1.7, they managed to get it down to 0.7 by the evening, then spent time with me showing me how to do tests and administer insulin before letting me go. Got to admit the diabetic nurse was great and has called to check on several times. Then it comes to the GP surgery, they don't seem to have clue, had to go twice just to sort out prescriptions as they have only given me supplies for testing to last 3 days, in the end I've had to order test strips for the 2 test units I have and lancit needles from Amazon so that I can at least test my self. Just feels like they are not interested. Would appreciate any suggestions and ideas for a newbie to this.
Many thanks, David
 
Hi @David Wraith not great support when you need as much as possible to help you through these early days :(. I'm glad the nurse has been helpful at least. It can be totally overwhelming when you get the diagnosis but gradually it does get easier, honestly. When I was diagnosed I insisted that I wanted to be seen by a Specialist Consultant at hospital who is normally part of a wider Diabetic Team offering a whole range of services. Since then I would say that on the whole I've always had great support over the years. I still see a nurse at GP surgery in addition to the consultant but purely to get bloods taken and regular check-ups on blood pressure, weight etc. Are you able to enquire to see if you can be registered with a consultant as it seems you've been left pretty much to fend for yourself? Are you able to share what insulin has been prescribed etc.? Did the Surgery supply you with a glucose meter or did you have to self fund? There are lots of friendly members here who understand the complexities of dealing with Diabetes so you're not alone and please don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you want . Let us know how you are getting on ...
 
Welcome @David Wraith 🙂 Many GP surgeries know very little about Type 1. I’ve found I need to be explicit in telling them exactly what I need and how much and that it needs to be on a repeat prescription.

Did the hospital write to them?
 
@David Wraith welcome to the forum. There are lots of type 1s on here. A significant number of the older ones were initially thought to be type 2. A diagnosis of diabetes is shocking. It took me a while to work it all out though as I was type 2 it was a slightly gentler process. As far as lancets are concerned you can use them more than once in fact for months at a time. Your surgery should prescribe what is necessary. I have today posted a link to a medical website in the new Forest which has useful information as does the site linked to the forum.
I had assumed the benefit of type 1 was you got good care. I havent seen a GP and had very little advice but this forum is great. However, in some areas looks like GPs haven't got their act together which given type 1 if not treated is lifethreatening is worrying.

Good luck
 
HayleyR said:
Hi @David Wraith not great support when you need as much as possible to help you through these early days :(. I'm glad the nurse has been helpful at least. It can be totally overwhelming when you get the diagnosis but gradually it does get easier, honestly. When I was diagnosed I insisted that I wanted to be seen by a Specialist Consultant at hospital who is normally part of a wider Diabetic Team offering a whole range of services. Since then I would say that on the whole I've always had great support over the years. I still see a nurse at GP surgery in addition to the consultant but purely to get bloods taken and regular check-ups on blood pressure, weight etc. Are you able to enquire to see if you can be registered with a consultant as it seems you've been left pretty much to fend for yourself? Are you able to share what insulin has been prescribed etc.? Did the Surgery supply you with a glucose meter or did you have to self fund? There are lots of friendly members here who understand the complexities of dealing with Diabetes so you're not alone and please don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you want . Let us know how you are getting on ...
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I've been supplied with two different test meter but having to chase the GP for sensor strips for them. I've ended up having to order supplies my self via Amazon to ensure I have enough
 
I remember being given a test kit with 10 strips when I was diagnosed, and went home for the weekend. However the test strips soon got used up and we ended up going back to the hospital to get some more strips. My GP told me I was ‘testing too much’. He had absolutely no idea, but he did therefore just agree to whatever my consultant told him I needed, and still does.

I am glad that your nurse was so helpful and I hope that you get all the items needed on prescription. I know the lancets say use once, but I soon found that most people just change on ‘ouch’ day. A reminder that the needle is no abut blunt. Not what they tell you to do but practical and especially if you are short of supplies. (I still have the box of lancets I was given when diagnosed 17 years ago!)

Very pleased that you have found the forum, and can now tap into a wealth of experience on here. Anything that arises, just ask.
 
David Wraith said:
I've been supplied with two different test meter but having to chase the GP for sensor strips for them. I've ended up having to order supplies my self via Amazon to ensure I have enough
Click to expand...
You can probably claim that back if you're so minded, I seem to remember being given a form when I had to buy my own to bridge a gap many years back.
 
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis @David Wraith but glad you have found us - welcome to the forum - Unfortunately GPs are not the best qualified to help (no disrespect to them, I must add) - you should 100% be prescribed a monitor and test strips - definitely worth challenging
 
Sorry to hear you’ve been getting a bit of a runaround trying to get prescriptions sorted out. It can be a frustrating business, but once it’s sorted, and you’ve got your repeat-prescription amounts tailored to roughly the same timeframe it will become much easier.

Another new member was similarly discussing newly-diagnosed prescription woes earlier. In their case they’ve been prescribed the wrong strips for the meter, and insulin cartridges, but no pen device to administer it with.

Adjusting to the diagnosis itself is plenty enough without having to run multiple laps chasing around trying to get the supplies sorted.
 
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