Help available during pandemic?

[alicook]

Hi my name is Ali from the off so EVERYONE knows I am pre-op trans so we get that out of the way

T2 which was diagnosed after having serious blood poisoning 4 years ago, for which I spent 3 weeks in hospital, 1 of them on a ventilator, dialysis 2nd week blood transfusions more dialysis antibiotics obviously this was in ITU the last week I was on a ward constantly on an antibiotic drip, I then went home and ended up back there for 7 days on antibiotics IV.
I do have various other physical, mental and gastric issues some relating to the happenings four years ago and some prior to that.
My LFTs are always all over the place.
Before 2016 I was being blood tested regular due to being on Lithium and never came back as even pre-diabetic I have had sky high blood pressure issues for a long time and have arthritis but who hasn't at 53 I have worked on farms, estates and with horses, building and civil engineering, but now long term sick due to the arthritis and mental health problems.
I am not the best at managing the diabetes and always skip the DESC test because living on my own and not being able to drive immediately after to get home, because the centre is always MILES away the last one was booked for Cranleigh and I live near Liphook so no way I am even bothering, I lost mobility when they changed from DLA to pip so cant afford a taxi.
Anyway the basics I think.




I will be honest I have come here because I would like to know how many other people are disgusted with the current 'extreme and high risk' covid 19 guidance, I am on another site and people with really serious issues, not always diabetes related and are literally at their wits end.
Without that letter you get nothing no help at all, does anyone know if representations have been made and if so what are the possible progressions.

Thank you.

 

[SB2015]

Hi my name is Ali from the off so EVERYONE knows I am pre-op trans so we get that out of the way

T2 which was diagnosed after having serious blood poisoning 4 years ago, for which I spent 3 weeks in hospital, 1 of them on a ventilator, dialysis 2nd week blood transfusions more dialysis antibiotics obviously this was in ITU the last week I was on a ward constantly on an antibiotic drip, I then went home and ended up back there for 7 days on antibiotics IV.
I do have various other physical, mental and gastric issues some relating to the happenings four years ago and some prior to that.
My LFTs are always all over the place.
Before 2016 I was being blood tested regular due to being on Lithium and never came back as even pre-diabetic I have had sky high blood pressure issues for a long time and have arthritis but who hasn't at 53 I have worked on farms, estates and with horses, building and civil engineering, but now long term sick due to the arthritis and mental health problems.
I am not the best at managing the diabetes and always skip the DESC test because living on my own and not being able to drive immediately after to get home, because the centre is always MILES away the last one was booked for Cranleigh and I live near Liphook so no way I am even bothering, I lost mobility when they changed from DLA to pip so cant afford a taxi.
Anyway the basics I think.




I will be honest I have come here because I would like to know how many other people are disgusted with the current 'extreme and high risk' covid 19 guidance, I am on another site and people with really serious issues, not always diabetes related and are literally at their wits end.
Without that letter you get nothing no help at all, does anyone know if representations have been made and if so what are the possible progressions.

Thank you.

Welcome to the forum Ali.
I am concerned that your post will get lost in the responses to Sj005a, so I will tag @everydayupsanddowns who I think can then move this to your own thread in the newbies.

I can understand people’s fear of Covid 19, but people with Diabetes are no more likely to contract it. However if we did get it it would muck up our glucose levels and we would need to monitor it carefully.

Sorry to hear about the health problems that you had, but glad that you have found us. You already know that the regular checks that all diabetics should have are important, but I can understand your difficulties. I was surprised to find that there was an eye testing centre 5 minutes walk from me, although I had had to arrange lifts to a town 12 miles away as for some reason that was where I was listed. I got this changed with just a phone call. It would be worth you finding out if there are alternative centres if you have not done so already.

What strategies are you using to manage your levels?
Is there anything you would particularly like to sort out.

 

[alicook]

Hi the reason I am quite concerned about is I live alone, I am notorious for avoiding my doctor, (hence the secpacemia) never can spell that right please excuse.
At my annual review the nurse noticed I had a healing foot wound and ask if I had it checked out of course I had not, and she gave me a right rocket, I also have varicose excema and consequently if I touch my leg with anything it knocks the skin off and leaves a massive septic wound, which I have had more than I can remember and due to the 'words of encouragement' I had from the diabetic nurse.
I asked for a gp appointment, but during the current climate a practice triage nurse rang me, asked me to explain and describe the wound and what it was doing, inflame, red, hot and *****, so she prescribed me antibiotics and arranged an appointment for it to be dressed.
This was Friday and the dressing appointment was Monday, which I attended she was surprised at the extent of the injury over multiple sites on the shin she has applied iodine silver and an Aquacel dressing, she also asked me what I was doing during the c-19 restrictions.
I told her I was going about my normal with consideration for the restrictions, she told me that I should not be doing that and really I should stay at home and not go out! she said she would check with my GP and she came back and told me 'we don't want you out, because of the other underlying conditions, she told me that were I to get c-19 I would likely not survive it,
She was so insistant that they are coming to me to change the dressing at home and I only live a five minute drive from the surgery, I have tried to do what they said which was to register on the extreme vulnerability but there was no exact description, so I just answered yes, and left all the other details, but I and others feel that when you have a direct from your GP order it should accept this, and as there is no way of finding out until you either do or don't get a letter.
If you knew of any developments that could give a bit of hope. . .I live alone and it seems as though I will have to run the gauntlet for meds and food which honestly she has shocked me into actually for once taking this seriously.
I did not want to mention it on the intro but I currently have a BMI of 41 and I am mindful of T1 sufferers just thinking just another fat lazy slob who has got a 'badge diagnosis' I am desperately trying to loose weight and have made great strides, it is difficult because of lumbar region arthritis as soon as start doing anything this starts to hurt like hell.
I have also been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea so I really don't have much hope if I get this thing before a vaccine is developed, and I AM eligible for the flu jab and she insisted I have a pneumonia vaccination there and then.

Sorry this is so long, but you need all the facts to help me in whats best.

Thank you

 

[grovesy]

Many councils are offering services to those that need help, I suggest you check their website.Mine is called EssexWelfareService, they are offering to help even those not on the government list.

 

[alicook]

Many councils are offering services to those that need help, I suggest you check their website.Mine is called EssexWelfareService, they are offering to help even those not on the government list.

Thank you

 

[Ljc]

Hi and welcome.
Some pharmacies do a delivery service for medications, so I would check with your usual one . Do explain you have been told to self isolate.

 

[alicook]

Hi and welcome.
Some pharmacies do a delivery service for medications, so I would check with your usual one . Do explain you have been told to self isolate.

Hi That was one the first calls I made when I got home, and they are fully booked and their very short waiting list is closed. I really don't want to change chemists as I have been using the same one for 10 years and apart from a couple of issuesthey have never let me down.
It will have to be one of 'those calculated risks' going just a few minutes before they close and I have a respirator and get the marigolds out and literally come in and straight into the shower bag up the clothes leave them for three days and then into the washing machine, I would rather not have the hassle but we have to make accomodations, when some people are giving their lives to save others, a bit of faffing around seems insignificant.
Thank you

 

[Ljc]

It’s a shame about your chemist being unable to help you, mine is rushed off it’s feet too.

I think your best bet now is to contact your local council as mine (kent) has just started a helpline for people who need help with shopping, collecting prescriptions etc for people needing to isolate due to Corvid 19

 

[SB2015]

My understanding is that after the first phase of letters that went out, based purely on the strict definitions set up across the country for shielding, there will be a second phase of these based on GP’s knowledge of their patients. From what you have said this may put you into the shielding group.
(@LucyDUK , @everydayupsanddowns may know more about this)

It is only this week that the Local Auhorities have started to use the new volunteers. I think that these are going to be delivering meds and food, as the pharmacies are indeed understaffed at present and unable to take on the additional deliveries. Well worth contacting them.

I hope that you can get some help from these suggestions.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about the anxiety you are experiencing relating to the pandemic.

It also sounds as if you have several factors in your medical history which are causing you concern, and practical challenges of living alone into the bargain.

While diabetes by itself is not a reason to be considered ’high risk / extremely vulnerable’ (there are only modest additional risks associated with diabetes alone vs the general population), it sounds like your clinical history may benefit from further consideration.

I think, if you are on the ‘automatic list’ for extra support you are supposed to hear by 13 April, and if you think you are i
at additional risk and haven’t heard by then, you should contact your GP as @SB2015 suggests.

One of the main things to bear in mind though, is that anxiety is a major factor in this. And while it is prudent to take sensible precautions against infection, it’s also important not to allow anxiety to run riot, and to recognise that both chance of infection from any essential trip out, and also chance of a severe case if you did happen to contract the virus are both still quite low.

So I would suggest good hand-washing, and a brief well distanced trip out where essential errands are needed is sufficient.

It is also worth checking what local / mutual aid voluntary groups have sprung up in your area. It may be that some fetching and carrying could be offered by a community group?