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carole lucas

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi All,

I was diagnosed with D2 in April this year, I have learned to manage my levels myself with no help whatsoever from any group or nurse, I'm having a nightmare, the doctor tells me to see the diabetes nurse, 3 months of waiting I see the first nurse who was very rude, didn't advise me anything. Again went back to doctors explained, he told me to persevere which I did, saw a second nurse who said she can't help me they are not doing that anymore I need to be referred, 6 months later, I've still not got any support group or nurse to help or advise, so I'm having to figure it out myself. I have had all the important checks done, eyes, feet, kidney etc which have come back ok but it's frustrating.

However I am still happy and doing ok, would like to make friends with anyone for support, advice, chat, to rant or whatever you feel like.

sorry for the rant

Carole
xx
 
Welcome to the forum, Carole.
What methods are you using to control your diabetes?
Diet
Exercise
Medication
Reducing body weight (only if overweight or obese)
 
Hi

I've changed my diet and exercise more, walking, exercise bike, palates , my medication is metformin but the prolonged released ones, i'm also on tablets for high blood pressure and cholesterol.

I'm being positive as much as I can, although for last week or so I have been having down days, but with my friends and family support i've managed to get back up again.

The marine sounds interesting, I love everything wildlife and nature based.
 
For completeness, what dose of metformin are you taking?
What change to diet?
You're right, marine invertebrates are interesting, although whales, dolphins and seals tend to get more attention! Sadly, not currently working in marine biology, but the odd day leading pond dipping sessions helps a bit.
 
So sorry to hear about the (lack of!) care you have been receiving. Sounds like you have a very frustrating experience with the nurses at the practice, but a much better relatioship with your GP.

Have you thought about writing to the practice manager to explain your frustrations? I'm sure they would want to know.
 
carole lucas said:
Hi All,

I was diagnosed with D2 in April this year, I have learned to manage my levels myself with no help whatsoever from any group or nurse, I'm having a nightmare, the doctor tells me to see the diabetes nurse, 3 months of waiting I see the first nurse who was very rude, didn't advise me anything. Again went back to doctors explained, he told me to persevere which I did, saw a second nurse who said she can't help me they are not doing that anymore I need to be referred, 6 months later, I've still not got any support group or nurse to help or advise, so I'm having to figure it out myself. I have had all the important checks done, eyes, feet, kidney etc which have come back ok but it's frustrating.

However I am still happy and doing ok, would like to make friends with anyone for support, advice, chat, to rant or whatever you feel like.

sorry for the rant

Carole
xx
Click to expand...
Hi Carole...disappointed to hear the response (or rather the lack of it) from your nurse...however it doesn't surprise me...I had a similar start myself...fortunately you've come to the forum which is an excellent resource for those of us let down by our care teams... members here will give advice & support when necessary...and there are many experienced type 2s who will give you the benefit of their experience if you need it...are you able to tell us a little more about yourself...such as when/how you were diagnosed...what your blood sugar levels were...whether you are currently on medication?...if you would prefer not to answer those questions...that's understandable...however it would help us offer the right support/suggestions if you need it...what is it exactly what you were looking for from the nurse...you say she said 'they not doing that anymore'...but...haven't said what...possibly testing strips...an education course?...let us know...we may be able to help with that...luckily diabetes is something we can manage ourselves...take control of it with the right routine...it does involve adjusting our diet & lifestyle...you have already made a start on that... made good progress...ask any questions you need to...chat as much as you need to...rant as much as you need to...we've all done that here... when necessary...keep us updated...good luck.
 
Copepod said:
For completeness, what dose of metformin are you taking?
What change to diet?
You're right, marine invertebrates are interesting, although whales, dolphins and seals tend to get more attention! Sadly, not currently working in marine biology, but the odd day leading pond dipping sessions helps a bit.
Click to expand...


I'm using Bolamyn tablets, we had an idea diabetes was the issue so before the tests were confirmed I cut out all sweets, cakes, chocolates, anything like that, no fizzy
drinks unless zero sugar or no added sugar drinks, things like that, and it's a case of trial and error. I am still learning what i can eat and I know my own body and am now aware of a little thing.
everydayupsanddowns said:
So sorry to hear about the (lack of!) care you have been receiving. Sounds like you have a very frustrating experience with the nurses at the practice, but a much better relatioship with your GP.

Have you thought about writing to the practice manager to explain your frustrations? I'm sure they would want to know.
Click to expand...
I am back at the doctors Friday afternoon so i will make it an issue with him, he's usually ok, it's the support network/nurse I have an issue with but i will make my point on Friday, thank you x
 
Bubbsie said:
Hi Carole...disappointed to hear the response (or rather the lack of it) from your nurse...however it doesn't surprise me...I had a similar start myself...fortunately you've come to the forum which is an excellent resource for those of us let down by our care teams... members here will give advice & support when necessary...and there are many experienced type 2s who will give you the benefit of their experience if you need it...are you able to tell us a little more about yourself...such as when/how you were diagnosed...what your blood sugar levels were...whether you are currently on medication?...if you would prefer not to answer those questions...that's understandable...however it would help us offer the right support/suggestions if you need it...what is it exactly what you were looking for from the nurse...you say she said 'they not doing that anymore'...but...haven't said what...possibly testing strips...an education course?...let us know...we may be able to help with that...luckily diabetes is something we can manage ourselves...take control of it with the right routine...it does involve adjusting our diet & lifestyle...you have already made a start on that... made good progress...ask any questions you need to...chat as much as you need to...rant as much as you need to...we've all done that here... when necessary...keep us updated...good luck.
Click to expand...
I was having some problems with my leg constant pins and needs above the knee, in one leg only of a night it was burning, I've lost weight without trying, headaches, and i was suffering from bad fatigue to the point of couple of times i was nodding off at the wheel, so i took myself to the doctors and after i explained all of this he said he's confident it's diabetes let's do the tests and see but he said it all points to diabetes, this was end of March this year, April tests came back positive for diabetes 2, from day one i have stopped the sweets,cakes etc etc really been strict with myself. After having three different types of Metformin and on wrong dosage I'm now on the prolonged metformin, called Bolamyn, along with high blood pressure and cholesterol tablets and adding my own women over 50 + vitamins pills I seem to be ok.
I was on in the 20'smmol/L, I bought myself a self tester and I don't test every day but have been doing couple times a week, I have now got it down to 5.4 well it was yesterday lol, but every day is different.

thank you all for your lovely kind thoughts and support xxxx
 
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the first nurse i saw was an hour late for her appointments which put everyone late, when i went in her room she said i was booked for a wrong appointment and spent half my appointment sending emails to whoever booked my appt, i had loads of questions to ask, my gadgets etc and she said she didn't have time to listen to me because it would make everybody else's appt after me behind so i said that's not my faulty, i want some answers she told me to read the pack and that was it. My second appt 3 months later was with a different nurse, when i walked in she said you're here for the flu jab i said yes and the follow up from the previous appt she said no they don't do follow up appts anymore i had to be referred, i should have been referred from day and and she said she put me on referral on the spot, so i have to wait for someone to call me to invite me to a group etc.

I have tingling in my right foot now, i have noticed digits 3 and 4 are sticking together and digit 2 is kind of slightly bent, i've noticed it because since being diagnosed, i am constantly monitoring my body any changes etc.

hope this helps sorry for the waffles x
 
carole lucas said:
the first nurse i saw was an hour late for her appointments which put everyone late, when i went in her room she said i was booked for a wrong appointment and spent half my appointment sending emails to whoever booked my appt, i had loads of questions to ask, my gadgets etc and she said she didn't have time to listen to me because it would make everybody else's appt after me behind so i said that's not my faulty, i want some answers she told me to read the pack and that was it. My second appt 3 months later was with a different nurse, when i walked in she said you're here for the flu jab i said yes and the follow up from the previous appt she said no they don't do follow up appts anymore i had to be referred, i should have been referred from day and and she said she put me on referral on the spot, so i have to wait for someone to call me to invite me to a group etc.

I have tingling in my right foot now, i have noticed digits 3 and 4 are sticking together and digit 2 is kind of slightly bent, i've noticed it because since being diagnosed, i am constantly monitoring my body any changes etc.

hope this helps sorry for the waffles x
Click to expand...

Really does sound as if you've had very poor experiences so far Carole. :(
 
So sorry for you Carole I had my first appt today waited 6 weeks for it to be told the receptionist didn't book a long enough appt !! The Nurse though was apologetic and has made me another appt to finish what we started . Its a good job we have this forum.
 
carole lucas said:
the first nurse i saw was an hour late for her appointments which put everyone late, when i went in her room she said i was booked for a wrong appointment and spent half my appointment sending emails to whoever booked my appt, i had loads of questions to ask, my gadgets etc and she said she didn't have time to listen to me because it would make everybody else's appt after me behind so i said that's not my faulty, i want some answers she told me to read the pack and that was it. My second appt 3 months later was with a different nurse, when i walked in she said you're here for the flu jab i said yes and the follow up from the previous appt she said no they don't do follow up appts anymore i had to be referred, i should have been referred from day and and she said she put me on referral on the spot, so i have to wait for someone to call me to invite me to a group etc.

I have tingling in my right foot now, i have noticed digits 3 and 4 are sticking together and digit 2 is kind of slightly bent, i've noticed it because since being diagnosed, i am constantly monitoring my body any changes etc.

hope this helps sorry for the waffles x
Click to expand...
Carole...it might be a good idea to diarise your experiences with the nurse...what happened...what was said and so on...if at some point you have to address it...whether with a complaint...or discussion it with your GP...an accurate record would be useful...some members here are fortunate to have DSNs who are supportive...knowledgeable & considerate...it can be a bit of a lottery...I no longer see the DSN at my surgery...my GP sees me for my diabetes care...as I've said before there is a lot you can do to get control of your BGs...manage your diabetes...while waiting for your place on the course...and the next appointment...just wondering how much you know about diabetes...diet/lifestyle adjustments...its not just sugar...sweets ...cakes we need to avoid...carbohydrates are what we need to be aware of...carbohydrates are our main source of energy...all the carbs we eat/drink are broken down into sugar...the more we consume...the higher our blood glucose...many foods we assume are good for us can contain a lot of sugar (in the form of carbohydrates)...such as potatoes...rice...white bread...some fruits are high in carbs (grapes have a high sugar content)...has anyone advised you to lower your carb intake?...as for the tingling in your hands & feet that could be caused by high blood sugars...possible neuropathy...that can be a common symptom of diabetes...did you mention it to the nurse...have you been able to do any research...find good reading material on diabetes...testing our blood sugars is vital to controlling our blood sugar...it shows us how the food we eat affects our BGs...if they are too high that food should be avoided...if within range...then that's a keeper...there is a lot to learn...it does take some time to find a routine that is suitable for you...as you gain a little more knowledge...gain some confidence things will get easier...for a good overview of diabetes a book called Type Two Diabetes The First by Gretchen Becker will answer many of the points you make above...she is type 2 herself...takes you though her first year from diagnosis onwards...month by month...addresses many of the problems we have...diagnosis...the lack of support...testing our bloods...diet...exercise...available on Amazon...you can even preview it before you decide whether to buy it...I'm sure it would be a great help & source of reference for you...keep us updated...good luck.
 
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hi all i did a self test and found my levels were too low 4.5 so i ate a couple of sugar biscuits which brought them up and the tingling has gone, lol it's all about finding the right balance i suppose

thanks for your help xx
🙂
 
4.5 isn't too low. What you probably experienced is a false hypo. It happens when your body is used to high blood sugars & when you get down to normal levels, the brain starts panicking & thinks you're having a hypo. This will improve in time.
 
oh, i didn't know you could get false hypos, it explains a ,lot as the normal symptoms for hypos were different to mine, but I did panic a little at the time, what would you class as too low below the 4,

thanks for that it really helps to know
 
Yes, below 4.0mmol/l finger prick test is hypoglycaemia territory and needs action - sugar / carbohydrate. Such a low level generally only occurs in people with diabetes taking tablets or insulin or in people who don't have diabetes after extreme endurance events eg running for hours.
 
carole lucas said:
oh, i didn't know you could get false hypos, it explains a ,lot as the normal symptoms for hypos were different to mine, but I did panic a little at the time, what would you class as too low below the 4,

thanks for that it really helps to know
Click to expand...
I don't always experience the same symptoms for hypos, each time.
 
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