Help

[paulie]

I have Type 2 diabetes and unfortunately I can't get any help from my doctors; every time I ask to use their diabetes clinic I'm lectured on just how many patients they have on their lists.

I'm having increasing problems with what I assume are symptoms of my diabetes and I can't find any answers on how to control these problems. I'm feeling increasingly weary and weak and at times what I can only describe as light headed and shaky especially when I'm out and about. I don't know if this caused by high or low blood sugar or what if anything I can do about it

I'd be extremely grateful if anyone could help me out with this🙄

 

[AlisonM]

Hi Paulie, welcome to the forum.

There's a lot you can do to help yourself, including asking for a second opinion, which is your right. But first, tell us what are the issues you're facing?

 

[Sally71]

Hi Paulie

Welcome to the forum! That's absolutely shocking that you can't get any help from your doctors! But even if you had a great medical team, you can still be proactive in managing diabetes yourself.

The first thing you need to do is get yourself a blood testing machine and start testing. I believe there is one called th SD Codefree which is cheaper than most others but works just as well. Then once you know what your blood sugars are doing you will be able to work out what to do about it. You will find plenty of help on this forum!

I presume you are on diet and exercise control only, as your doctor won't see you?

 

[Northerner]

I have Type 2 diabetes and unfortunately I can't get any help from my doctors; every time I ask to use their diabetes clinic I'm lectured on just how many patients they have on their lists.

I'm having increasing problems with what I assume are symptoms of my diabetes and I can't find any answers on how to control these problems. I'm feeling increasingly weary and weak and at times what I can only describe as light headed and shaky especially when I'm out and about. I don't know if this caused by high or low blood sugar or what if anything I can do about it

I'd be extremely grateful if anyone could help me out with this🙄

Hi Paulie, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sorry to hear that your surgery are being less than helpful, but as the others say there is a lot you can do for yourself. Diabetes is something YOU manage, day by day, week by week, whereas you may only see your GP every few months - even then they are not really helping! The key is educating yourself on what your blood sugars are doing when you eat, and to do this you need a blood glucose monitor. If the surgery won't supply one, then the cheapest we have found is the SD Codefree Meter with test strips at around £7 for 50 (the test strips are the main expense, so these represent good value, others can cost up to £30 for 50 😱).

Have a read of Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and also Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S . I would also recommend getting a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker (however long you have been diagnosed, if you haven't received support and education then this is for you!).

This may all seem like a big expense for the book, meter and strips, but it will pay huge dividends for your health and well-being and you can look forward to feeling much better and in control before too long 🙂

Ask any and every question you may have - nothing is considered 'silly' - we are here to help!

 

[pav]

Hi Paulie welcome to the forum. Unfortunately its not uncommon to experience the lack of help you are getting.

I had the same problem, after some proding from here (in a good way) and after an appointment with the worst diabetic nurse I have encountered I moved GP's. I would look at doing the same if you can't get any help.

Theres not always much choice of GP's that one can go to, so its worth asking around to see what others recommend. Thankfully my new practice has an excellent DN.