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Consultant Convinced I have Hypo Unwareness

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Bright72

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Dear All,

I'm a newbie on here so be please bear with me 🙂 I went to a consultant appointment last week to get some on advice for my diabetes, I havent any issues just wanted to check that I was taking the correct amount of insulin, should I consider carb counting etc. Anyway the consultant asked me what signs I get when having a hypo I couldnt explain them, I just said that I feel funny and it prompts me to test my blood. He is now saying that I am hypo unaware which is totally untrue. I get a feeling when I feel funny it might not be the text book trembling or shaking but I feel strange and then get the sweats. I always know I am having a hypo (which is not often), I test every few hours, always help myself and have never collasped or gone into a coma. I have sent him a letter explaining that I object to his diagnosis. As I am a group 2 driver he advised that I tell the DVLA however he says that I can still drive a car. I am devastated as it means I will loose my job. I have taken some time off work to sort everything out. The consultant rang today with regard to the letter and said that unless I manage to convince him at my next apppointment his diagnosis wont change. I feel because i did not blurt out text book symptons hes taken it that I'm unaware. I have booked a private appointment with another consultant for next week to see what he thinks, can anyone offer any advice?
 
Welcome to the forum, Bright72.
Sorry to hear about your driving problems. Can you provide any proof about detecting low blood sugar? Eg, majority of hypoglycemia readings being 3.x mmol/l, rather than 2.x or 1.x mmol/l.
As this is a legal issue, it would be worth phoning Diabetes UK helpline when it opens tomorrow morning.
 
Hi @Bright72 - sorry to hear of your difficulties.
It's good to hear that you are getting a second opinion from another consultant. Seeing your GP or another consultant are both helpful options, as the DVLA need confirmation from your healthcare team regarding your fitness to drive. This could be either your consultant or your GP (it depends who you have visited most recently). As you are Group 2., the consultant may be being more strict due to the wording in the DVLA Guidance. In Assessing Fitness to Drive: Guide for health care professionals doc, you will see on Page 69 the difference in wording:

For Group 1 (insulin-treated) it requests 'Adequate awareness of hypoglycemia', whereas for Group 2 (insulin-treated) it requests 'full awareness of hypoglycaemia'

So any uncertainty/vagueness may have driven the consultants decision, as you need 'full' awareness'. You mentioned that you experience sweating - this is a symptom that you should mention as it is widely recognized as an indication of hypoglycemia. It may also be helpful to think about what you mean by 'feeling funny'. Do you feel dizzy, anxious, shaky, nervous etc?

You could also keep a diary or a log, in conjunction with your BG readings, which you should have stored on your meter. I think trying to get as much clear evidence as possible can support you. As you say, you always know when you are low and treat hypo's in time, so it sounds like it is just a case of communicating this clearly to your health care team.

Feel free to contact our Advocacy Team, who advise on driving and employment concerns https://www.diabetes.org.uk/how_we_help/helpline/your-rights

Hope it goes well!
 
Hi, thank you for the advice I have contacted the Diabetes.org helpline they said it can take up to 5 days for someone to ring me back hopefully it wont be too long.
Hopefully I will be able to get across my symptons better at the next appointment, although I think the trust is now gone as he probably wont believe me as its all too convenient. Also if he wants to work with me to get back awareness how can I get back something I havent lost... do what he says for a few weeks and suddenly say oh yes Doctor a miracle has happend its all come back..
 
Bright72 said:
Dear All,

I'm a newbie on here so be please bear with me 🙂 I went to a consultant appointment last week to get some on advice for my diabetes, I havent any issues just wanted to check that I was taking the correct amount of insulin, should I consider carb counting etc. Anyway the consultant asked me what signs I get when having a hypo I couldnt explain them, I just said that I feel funny and it prompts me to test my blood. He is now saying that I am hypo unaware which is totally untrue. I get a feeling when I feel funny it might not be the text book trembling or shaking but I feel strange and then get the sweats. I always know I am having a hypo (which is not often), I test every few hours, always help myself and have never collasped or gone into a coma. I have sent him a letter explaining that I object to his diagnosis. As I am a group 2 driver he advised that I tell the DVLA however he says that I can still drive a car. I am devastated as it means I will loose my job. I have taken some time off work to sort everything out. The consultant rang today with regard to the letter and said that unless I manage to convince him at my next apppointment his diagnosis wont change. I feel because i did not blurt out text book symptons hes taken it that I'm unaware. I have booked a private appointment with another consultant for next week to see what he thinks, can anyone offer any advice?
Click to expand...
Are you T1 or T2 ? Good luck sorting Bright 72. How is your eyesight ?
 
Hello and welcome to the forum Bright72. 🙂

Sometimes I think the professionals simply don't listen to the patients. :(
 
They don't , just been in there and described the symptoms I get when I first feel a hypo like shakes, sweats etc and he still doesn't believe me.
Going to see the specialist next hopefully that will be more positive. Also he says shakes etc aren't early signs ???
 
I have given talks to NHS staff about Hypos. Try & describe one, Its not easy & they don't know. So good luck from someone who has been T1 for a few years now & really enjoys to drive. 🙂
 
Bright72 said:
They don't , just been in there and described the symptoms I get when I first feel a hypo like shakes, sweats etc and he still doesn't believe me.
Going to see the specialist next hopefully that will be more positive. Also he says shakes etc aren't early signs ???
Click to expand...
I did a search on early symptoms s of hypo's and found this
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-hypoglycemia/basics/symptoms/con-20034680
I hope you find it helpful.

One of my early signs is mild shakes.
 
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