I Dont Know What Im Doing

[scouse_21]

Hi Guys,

I was diagnose type 1 last january and on reading all these threads everybody seems so educated on it. I was diagnosed in hospital i was kept in for 3 days then sent home with a load of pens and extra stuff i have seen a diabetes nurse 3 times since and on every time i have been rushed out well i fell as if i have. Can anybody tell me where can i get help i would like to go on courses etc as i feel the only thing that has changed is i inject twice a day. I dont really know what is good to eat what is bad to eat i am just so confused xxxx

 

[Copepod]

Dieticians & Courses

Hi Scouse

It may be that you don't need to change what you're eating - I didn't have to change much, as I was eating a normal healthy adult diet when diagnosed aged 30 years. For more detailed personal advice, then you could ask to see a dietician - I found that the dietician was the only person with any useful advice at the hospital I attended at diagnosis about 12 years ago, and I've met another a couple of times at my current hospital, who gave me a very quick introduction, as there were no spaces for me on DAFNE. In both cases, they gave me useful printed sheets to refer to later.

Courses: There are different names & intended participants (eg for insulin users / tablet & diet / diet only; newly diagnosed or longer since dignosis), formats (5 working days or 3 weekends for example) etc for courses in different places.

 

[sunflower_harvester]

Hi Scouse

Which hospital are you under? Wierdly the only one on Merseyside that does DAFNE is Arrow Park. I've got a vague recollection of 2 beginners diabetes courses one was an evening/afternoon and the other was about 6 weeks long (couple of hours a week) run by either Liverpool or Knowsley PCT and covered the basics of diet, exercise, foot care etc. might be worth asking practice nurse or ring your PCT

 

[scouse_21]

Hi,

Thanks for replies but could i ask what is DAFNE? and these courses do i have to pay? i am currently under walton diabetes centre i shall ring them and see if there are any courses available?

Thanks,

Lyn

 

[sunflower_harvester]

Hi Lyn

DAFNE stands for dose adjustment for normal eating-its a five day course that teaches you how to adjust your insulin to what you want to eat but its not available through Walton and unfortunately you're not allowed to go elsewhere for the course. You dont have to pay for any of the courses provided by the NHS or PCTs. Absolutley ring Walton and ask about any courses that they or the PCT run.....
Diabetes UK run weekends for adults-not sure on content but may be some education and meeting others with diabetes -look under DUK website > how we can help> care events, think you may have to pay for these though

 

[sofaraway]

to do a DAFNE course you need to be on a basal bolus insulin regieme. which means injecting at least 4 times a day.
I think that you should set up an appointment with your DSN to go over things, they should give you the time that you need. If you have specific questions then write them down so she can answer them fully.
Any idea how your control is? do you know what your HbA1c is? If it's good and you are happy with your insulin and diet then you may not really have to change anything.

 

[Caroline]

I ususally see my GP, and getting information from him is like getting teeth from a chicken or blood from a stone. Also lucky if I get more than a 5 minute appointment and it is not always possible to book a longer one.

One of the keys is research. We are well informed because we did our research, and the longer you have been diabetic, the more experience you gain.

Sometimes you have to be patient and persistent to get all the information you want or need. I have folders full of information both on diabetes and arthritis, and since my husband has a dairy intolerance, I am learning a lot about food and its' effects on the body.😱

 

[Daisy]

Hi Scouse
Welcome - and don't panic! While you are waiting to see if you can get on any courses I would recommend looking at the recommended books list on this site as there are some great books on there covering diabetes which help you understand what is going on and about diet. Hope this helps.

 

[jax]

Hi Dude,

I would try calling and making an appointment to see your Diabetic Nurse… this is what they're there for. You can call and make an appointment with them any time and their dedicated to looking this sort of stuff exactly (unlike some consultants, who may not have all the time to spend with you on these things). They should be able to help answer some questions (like your's about more suitable insulin regimes and such), and also they should be able to get the ball rolling on getting you some more specialised help.

If youre seen at a hospital then diabetes clinic should also have a nutritionist as well, who you can talk to about how and what to eat.

When I was really struggling, I (begrudgingly) made an appt with the diabetic nurse at my hospital, and explained what was really going on with my diabetes (rather then my usual lie, that everything was fine), and they helped me out with some stuff, put me in contact with some good people, and also importantly the doctors knew, and started paying more attention. Not to say the help was perfect, but that was due to hospital/NHS administration and what was limited to my hospital; however it was a darn sight better then nothing, and made a big difference.

I think you have to tell youre diabetic team you're not fine and you need whatever it is you need, otherwise you won't get it. They're always moaning at me for not coming in and talking to them when I've clearly needed help.

Also… read up about it! I do know a lot about diabetes…. Mainly from books. I get help from the medical teams.

However, even with my knowledge, and the help I've had, it doesn’t mean I do things perfectly, I don't have a clue what I'm doing either… I do know I'm doing the wrong thing though.