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First nurse appointment

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I

ImNotDancing

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all, I have my first nurse appointment in two hours for diabetes management. What are the sort of questions I should be asking?

ETA I have T2 and was diagnosed last week
 
For next time: make them give you a print out of All your results. Particular one for diabetics is the HbA1c, though they do do others.
Ask about diabetic sessions in your area. I know, under current circamstance unlikely to be runner. Maybe some are on line.
Ask about a diabetic dietician. In my area these are 1-1 sessions. Mine was no good though. Again, might be doing them online.
 
Ralph-YK said:
make them give you a print out of All your results.
Click to expand...
I have seen this mentioned a few times. Whilst I agree with the value of getting our results to set a baseline, track progress and maintain evidence for future, personally, I find having access to my medical records (which within England ... not sure about the rest of the UK, sorry ... we are entitled to). This should be a one-off request then we have access to all results in the future rather than remembering to ask for a print-out each time.
I'd lose a print out but I remember my log in because I need it for my online prescriptions.
 
helli said:
I have seen this mentioned a few times. Whilst I agree with the value of getting our results to set a baseline, track progress and maintain evidence for future, personally, I find having access to my medical records (which within England ... not sure about the rest of the UK, sorry ... we are entitled to). This should be a one-off request then we have access to all results in the future rather than remembering to ask for a print-out each time.
I'd lose a print out but I remember my log in because I need it for my online prescriptions.
Click to expand...
We might be entitled too but not all surgeries give full access to everything online! I am in England!
 
helli said:
I find having access to my medical records (which within England ... not sure about the rest of the UK, sorry ... we are entitled to). This should be a one-off request then we have access to all results in the future rather than remembering to ask for a print-out each time.
Click to expand...
My GP doesn't allow any access to any records at all. There's a general "the patient mustn't know"/gatekeeping attitude.
I've found that I need to list each and everything, and specifically say "tell me that one"; every single time. When I'd asked the more "general" "give me the results of my tests", I got just the one, not all.
helli said:
I'd lose a print out but I remember my log in because I need it for my online prescriptions.
Click to expand...
I've got an online account I can use to order my prescriptions. There's no access to anything else. I used to be able to request an appointment some of the time. That's gone now.
*{goes on rant}*
 
I have access to my medical notes online so can see the results thankfully. The appointment went really well, she seemed happy with the changes I’ve made since diagnosis, we discussed my new diet and she pressed everything is fine in moderation. All my other levels , cholesterol etc, are all good so it’s just the hba1c that’s the issue which is a relief. I’ve come away with a load of information and she also did my first foot test - an odd experience!! I also got given the flu jab I’ve been avoiding this whole season haha! I’m feeling positive tonight, like I can get behind this and do something about it
 
Good to hear that you have come away from the appointment feeling optimistic.
Did the nurse tell you (or can you see online) what your HbA1c result is. That is the test which they use to diagnose diabetes and it will be a number of 48 or more. That is the starting point on your journey with diabetes and ideally you are looking to get it below 42 which is the normal range.... 42-47 being classed as pre-diabetic. The number above 48 can go all the way into 3 figures if things are really bad but hopefully you are just over the threshold.
 
I
rebrascora said:
Good to hear that you have come away from the appointment feeling optimistic.
Did the nurse tell you (or can you see online) what your HbA1c result is. That is the test which they use to diagnose diabetes and it will be a number of 48 or more. That is the starting point on your journey with diabetes and ideally you are looking to get it below 42 which is the normal range.... 42-47 being classed as pre-diabetic. The number above 48 can go all the way into 3 figures if things are really bad but hopefully you are just over the threshold.
Click to expand...
It’s 50 so looks like it’s only just tipped me into diabetic so hopefully it won’t be too hard to get myself back under 42!
 
Good to see you sounding so positive @ImNotDancing and it looks like your DN (shorthand for Diabetes Nurse) is a good 'un. A few changes, nothing too drastic, should get you where you want to get to.
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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