How long after diagnosis did you

[Kaylz]

see a Consultant? when I was diagnosed I received a letter telling me the waiting list was around 6 months, the DSN was hoping I would get an appointment by March but I still haven't heard anything about it? what does an appointment with a consultant involve etc? x

 

[Mark Parrott]

I got a phone call from my GP to say they thought I could have diabetes & wanted to book me in in 3 weeks time. I went to the doctor's the next day. I wasn't waiting 3 weeks. Luckily, we have a walk in centre if we turn up before 10.30.

 

[Northerner]

I was diagnosed when I was in hospital with DKA, so saw a consultant then. After I came out I spoke to the DSNs quite a bit over the ensuing weeks, then I think it was about 6 weeks to two months later that I saw a consultant again - I remember it because my HbA1c had gone down from 11.8% at diagnosis to 6.8%. I didn't understand a word the consultant said to me, as his English pronunciation was so poor, so his input to my progress and knowledge was marginal 🙄 I didn't see a consultant again for about 18 months after that, because they firstly changed my appointment from June to October, then when October came around they told me the clinic had closed and I needed to find myself another consultant! 😱 Fortunately, I found a very good one, who then saw me every 6 months. Now I've been changed back to the surgery, which wasn't great the first time, but this time around (about 3 weeks ago) they had a new DSN and she was great 🙂

 

[Pine Marten]

Gosh. I had a blood test which confirmed D, was asked if I wanted to join a group (DESMOND - I said , no ta), was given some c**p diet sheets (starchy carbs at every meal) and left to get on with it. No consultant, no nothing . I was told I'd probably end up on medication...

 

[Kaylz]

I was diagnosed when I was in hospital with DKA, so saw a consultant then. After I came out I spoke to the DSNs quite a bit over the ensuing weeks, then I think it was about 6 weeks to two months later that I saw a consultant again - I remember it because my HbA1c had gone down from 11.8% at diagnosis to 6.8%. I didn't understand a word the consultant said to me, as his English pronunciation was so poor, so his input to my progress and knowledge was marginal 🙄 I didn't see a consultant again for about 18 months after that, because they firstly changed my appointment from June to October, then when October came around they told me the clinic had closed and I needed to find myself another consultant! 😱 Fortunately, I found a very good one, who then saw me every 6 months. Now I've been changed back to the surgery, which wasn't great the first time, but this time around (about 3 weeks ago) they had a new DSN and she was great 🙂

I didn't get any of that, a consultant came down when I was in hospital spoke to me for a couple of minutes and that was it I don't even remember what he said to me as I felt like I wasn't there if you know what I mean, I was completely out of it, so when I do EVENTUALLY get an appointment what kind of things will they go through (sorry I feel so stupid but I really have no idea) x

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Hi Kaylz, I'm busy at the present, but will get back to you shortly.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I haven't seen a diabetes consultant. I was in hostipal with cellulites when I was diagnosed. The doctors I saw were the ones who did ward rounds. They saw half the people on ward no matter what they were in for. (Another batch saw the other half.)
Didn't ask at the time. Don't know if any was a consultant or anything to do with diabetes.
Not seen anyone other than practice nurse, dietician and gp (only a couple of times cause I made a fuss) since. Unless you count the people who did the two courses I went on.

 

[Grogg1]

Am I right in assuming that only type 1 see a consultant. I don't believe I've been referred at all. I had diagnosis, 3 month review then offered a 12 month review. I asked for a 6 month review.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Am I right in assuming that only type 1 see a consultant.

Possibly. And maybe T2 on insulin sometimes. A lot of T1 attended a clinic at the hospital I believe.

 

[grovesy]

Am I right in assuming that only type 1 see a consultant. I don't believe I've been referred at all. I had diagnosis, 3 month review then offered a 12 month review. I asked for a 6 month review.

It is unusual for Type 2 to be referred to hospital team.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

I was diagnosed in August and had my first Consultant appointment in November.
Things discussed:

Blood tests revealed I was definitely T1

Cholesterol levels ok

I have some high antibodies in my blood, not sure of the medical terms, but one of those is from my pancreas

My D is not lifestyle related, I couldn't have prevented it

Due to high antibodies and the fact that T1 is autoimmune condition, I may (but also may not) be more at risk
of getting other autoimmune conditions such as; pernicious anaemia, coeliac disease, thyroid condition

The most important thing was to bring my bg's down steadily, discussed insulin regime, that I was taking it correctly, and my basal daily etc.

Asked about smoking/drinking, told him I enjoy a glass of red wine, he said fine to drink alcohol as long as stay in recommended guidelines/moderation

Asked about how carb counting was going, how was I managing etc, I'd already been on carb counting course which he'd organised when I was in hospital

Checked my feet/ankle pulse, my feet were a little numb, but he said as my levels went down it would improve (it has)

Listened to my heart (all fine, phew!)

Issued a letter to for me to have retinopathy screening (which I've since had, all OK, phew!)

Talked about my health in general (luckily good)

Did I have any questions (hadn't thought about this before hand, so if you have write them down)

He said I was doing really well and that one day I would control D rather than it control me (don't really believe that lol!)

Said he'd see me in 6 months and if all well then it will be yearly, I'm seeing him again next month, fingers crossed all is well.

Hope this makes some sort of sense and helps!

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Just remembered he discussed HBa1c but can't remember what mine was but its gone down since. Also you'll need to have a blood test about a week before you see your consultant.

 

[trophywench]

5 days after I was diagnosed and started on insulin - the rest of the time in hosp (10 days in all) I was cared for by the Prof's senior Houseman.

Discharged with all the initial stuff I needed then during the next week my GP surgery rang and asked me to go and see them where they went through the notes the hosp had sent them with me, made sure I was coping OK at the moment etc, gave me a scrip for a couple of months supplies, a sick note for work for another month (my eyes wouldn't focus and I did clerical work LOL) and sent me on my way. First D clinic appointment was after 3 months, then has been 6 monthly thereafter except for a gap of two years when I never saw anyone cos they just kept cancelling (disastrously short of staff) which was the reason I had to resort to the interwebnet thing in the first place and found DI, the predecessor of DSF where I still am today as well as on here. The BDA (which later changed it's name to Diabetes UK) had a website - but their forum wasn't even a twinkle in its mother's eye back then!

I don't mention very much about how well I was actually cared for way back then - it's hardly relevant these days - however - I still VERY much appreciate it.

 

[Jimmy Keenan]

Diagnosed in July 16. It was the consultant on the intake ward who just happened to be the diabetic consultant for the hospital clinic.
Seen the Dsn the next day and every week for about a month till I got a grip then every two weeks then monthly. Saw the consultant after 3 months. Eye check, feet,check , bloods taken and asked about my wellbeing. Seen my consultant for my 6 monthly review last week same process except my peepers so waiting to get that done again . Oh yeah said i could start on statins to lower my very normal cholesterol levels. No complaints whatsoever treated marvelously and took a day off work, braw!!
Jakay

 

[Greyhound Gal]

I was initially told I probably had diabetes by my GP in early Feb 2016 who sent an urgent referral to consultant. Finally saw him on May 31 st and he confirmed diagnosis and was furious my GP hadn't arranged for a finger prick test kit for me at the very least - I'd just been carrying on as normal 😱. He asked about my diet, family history, general health etc and urgently referred me to DSN team who I saw 2 days later.
They sorted me out with initial mixed insulin, told me to arrange eye screening, tell DVLA etc, and I saw them each week for about 6 weeks. Sawconsultant again in Sept last year, switched to MDI, went through latest lipids and A1c tests. Should be seeing him every 6 months but 2 months behind and waiting for appt currently.
Consultant said once I get into pre-diabetic range, he'll sign me off and GP practice will take over my care

 

[Kaylz]

Thank you very much for all the replies guys, you've all been such a great help apart from you @Lucy Honeychurch I was enjoying reading yours until you posted again saying I'd need another blood test haha (joking of course hun), how is it that I stab myself numerous times throughout the day yet I still don't like the idea of someone else near me with a needle 🙄, hopefully I will get a consultant appointment through sometime soon so I can get the first one out the way, thanks again everyone 🙂 xx

 

[grovesy]

Thank you very much for all the replies guys, you've all been such a great help apart from you @Lucy Honeychurch I was enjoying reading yours until you posted again saying I'd need another blood test haha (joking of course hun), how is it that I stab myself numerous times throughout the day yet I still don't like the idea of someone else near me with a needle 🙄, hopefully I will get a consultant appointment through sometime soon so I can get the first one out the way, thanks again everyone 🙂 xx

Why don't you ring them up or contact your Diabetic Nurse.To chase up.

 

[Kaylz]

Last time I spoke to the DSN there was still nothing on the computer system, however I have an appointment with them on the 18th so I will ask then x

 

[grovesy]

Last time I spoke to the DSN there was still nothing on the computer system, however I have an appointment with them on the 18th so I will ask then x

I would push for them to chase for you or your allocated consultants seceratry number to ring yourself.

 

[Kaylz]

I will when I see the nurse, I don't even know who my allocated consultant is but will get it sorted x