Diabetic nurse appointment

[KT85]

Hey Everyone

I finally have my first diabetic nurse appointment on Monday. The first medical person I've spoken to about my diagnosis since being diagnosed.

What should I expect? What questions should I ask?

Thanks
Kate x

 

[harbottle]

They might prescribe some drugs and do a foot check.

Although in my case the GP prescribed 1000mg of Metformin when she told me I was diabetic and said to make an appointment. When I turned up the nurse said, "I don't know why you're here." and then just checked my feet.

I didn't ask any questions as I'd already changed diet to go low-carb/low calorie.

 

[Vonny]

I seem to recall that I got measured and weighed at my first appointment and had a foot check. I was given a bit of advice about low carb, which I gather is fairly rare since the NHS generally is still banging on about low fat.
My questions to her were mostly around asking if what I'd changed to eating was a good start, which she confirmed it was. I'm lucky that our surgery has a dedicated DN who is really lovely and treats you like a person rather than a condition!

Good luck with your appointment x

 

[Martin.A]

Unless you know this already, one question you should ask is what your HbA1c is.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hey Everyone

I finally have my first diabetic nurse appointment on Monday. The first medical person I've spoken to about my diagnosis since being diagnosed.

What should I expect? What questions should I ask?

Thanks
Kate x

Hope the appointment goes well @KT85

You might get some physical checks (height, weight, blood pressure, toe tickle) and there will probably be a few questions asked of you.

If you’ve had bloods taken in advance of your appointment (eg HbA1c, U&E, cholesterol) there will be those results to discuss too.

It’s usually a good idea to jot down any questions you wanted to ask and take a notebook with you. It’s all too easy to have a list of 4-5 things you want to talk about, but then to get distracted when your nurse starts asking about other things.

You might want to ask:

• What your HbA1c and other results are - and what they mean
• If medication might be a good idea at the moment, and what options there are
• What education courses are available to you
• Any worries or concerns you have

 

[JITR]

Ask about diet, and dieticians if you need advice. Also about target glucose levels and how to reach them by diet and exercise.

 

[KT85]

Hope the appointment goes well @KT85

You might get some physical checks (height, weight, blood pressure, toe tickle) and there will probably be a few questions asked of you.

If you’ve had bloods taken in advance of your appointment (eg HbA1c, U&E, cholesterol) there will be those results to discuss too.

It’s usually a good idea to jot down any questions you wanted to ask and take a notebook with you. It’s all too easy to have a list of 4-5 things you want to talk about, but then to get distracted when your nurse starts asking about other things.

You might want to ask:

• What your HbA1c and other results are - and what they mean
• If medication might be a good idea at the moment, and what options there are
• What education courses are available to you
• Any worries or concerns you have

I had bloods a few weeks ago and i know my HbA1c is and I know my cholesterol is higher. But I'll definitely ask what I need to do to help lower it.

Thank you x

 

[KT85]

Ask about diet, and dieticians if you need advice. Also about target glucose levels and how to reach them by diet and exercise.

I'll ask about my glucose targets thanks