Should I still have a DSN?

[Greyhound Gal]

When I was DX on 31 May by the consultant he sent me to the DSN (appt was 3 days later) who started me on testing and then insulin - Novomix 30. I had 6 sessions with the DSN, going through diet, DVLA etc, but then they signed me over to the sister at my GPs (who deigns to look at diabetics on Wed only and is a vile woman). I saw her and she did the foot check etc and said I just needed to come back each year. I'm still waiting to see the consultant again following blood tests over a month ago for HBA1C etc and for confirmation of whether T1 or T2 - heaven knows when this will be.....
However, now 3.5 months in and having pretty much got to grips with the testing and injections (not yet fully to grips with LC diet but getting there 😳) I have questions for I think a DSN. Should I still be in contact with them despite them signing me off?

 

[pippaandben]

I would contact DSN - apart from anything else you will not be ill on demand on a Wednesday and need to have a contact you can reach easily. Anyone on here will try and help you out with general help and advice or point you in the right direction. And we are open 24/7.

 

[Ljc]

Hi Grehound Cat. I don't think it's right that you have been passed over to the practice nurse so soon after being diagnosed with T1 and that this practice nurse doesn't want to see you for a year😱😱 what planet is she on.
I would contact your consultant ASAP to let them know what's going on, and hopefully be put back with the experts again rather than someone who has had very little training in diabetes.
Do let us know how you get on.

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Thanks namesakeandben 🙂)) and Ljc. Unfortunately I have no way of getting in contact with the consultant - it's just a waiting game, however I do still have the number the DSN originally gave me so I'll see if I can get another appt with them. Thanks.

 

[Ljc]

Thanks namesakeandben 🙂)) and Ljc. Unfortunately I have no way of getting in contact with the consultant - it's just a waiting game, however I do still have the number the DSN originally gave me so I'll see if I can get another appt with them. Thanks.

If you have no joy with the DSN and know your Consultants name, phone the hospital and ask for your Consultants secretary. S/he will take a message and either the consultant or secretary will get back to you.

 

[Copepod]

Thanks namesakeandben 🙂)) and Ljc. Unfortunately I have no way of getting in contact with the consultant - it's just a waiting game, however I do still have the number the DSN originally gave me so I'll see if I can get another appt with them. Thanks.

It can't do any harm to phone DSN. You may have to leave a message if they're dealing with another patient when you call, unless they keep a time free for phonecalls.

 

[DaveB]

Hi. With an HBa1C at 7.7% you should be having reviews every 3 or 6 months max. I've just been given a 3 month review as I gone up to 6.8%. You should be seen by someone who has some diabetes training - complain if not. What is your weight? If you are not overweight then a diagnosis of T1 is possible. Either way if you continue to have high blood sugar you should ask to be swapped to the Basal/Bolus insulin regime. Mixed insulin is OK for T2s who still have some insulin production or who don't like many daily injections but Basal/Bolus is the right choice for T1s. My DN put me onto Basal/Bolus and taught me carb-counting despite still being listed as T2 but in reality a slim Late onset T1.

 

[Greyhound Gal]

What a palava. Just spoke to DSN Team to try and get an appt. As they discharged me, I have to be referred to them again, and as this time it is not urgent, it will probably be a few weeks. I'm gonna have to go back to the wicked witch of the west (GP Nurse) and ask her to refer me 😡😡 AARRRGGHHHH

 

[Ljc]

What a palava. Just spoke to DSN Team to try and get an appt. As they discharged me, I have to be referred to them again, and as this time it is not urgent, it will probably be a few weeks. I'm gonna have to go back to the wicked witch of the west (GP Nurse) and ask her to refer me 😡😡 AARRRGGHHHH

Could you have a chat with your GP and see if s/he will refer you

 

[Flutterby]

Hope you soon get an appointment with the DSN. Mine is worth her weight in gold.

 

[Northerner]

I used to see a consultant and DSN for my diabetes reviews, but last year they decided that in future these would be conducted by the practice nurse. Fair enough, I'm pretty experienced now and know what I'm doing. However, I do still have access to the consultant and DSN if I ever need to ask them anything that the practice nurse is unlikely to be able to help with, so I think this option should certainly be open to you as you are so recently diagnosed. Get the referral done and the process started, as it is clear that the practice nurse is not sufficiently experienced to help you. For a start, I would be wanting to know why I'm not on basal/bolus and on a mixed insulin!

 

[Diabeticliberty]

Hello GG possibly not a fair thing to suggest but quite a lot of our white coated advisors can tend to attempt to fob us off so that we become some other poor white coated saps responsibility. The thing is though if you pester them then they have a responsibility to do something about it. Grab them by the proverbial thingy's and don't release your grip until they do the right thing by you 🙂

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Thanks all. DL - the GP nurse technically shouldn't have any "thingies", although I wouldn't be surprised is she had a couple tucked away..... Unfortunately, my appt for referral needs to be via her according to my practice so I'm aiming for Wed 28th as can't do next Wed. Plenty of time for me to build up a head of steam 😡

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Good news. Had a dermatology appt this morning and I get on really well with my specialist nurses there, so i had a bit of a rant about trying to get diabetic appts. She said that everyone DX as diabetic who sees her says the same thing, and said that it really ought to be prioritised due to potential health and mental problems. She rang my consultants secretary and I will get the next available appt. It could be a month away or a quick cancellation but at least I'm in the system and top of the list. Also she (remember she is a dermatology nurse) gave me a blood test form for my next HBA1C, in which she has no dermatological interest . Anyhow fasting blood result down from 12.5 to 6.0, weight less, blood pressure good 125/75, creatinine levels fine 80. She has also asked for a thyroid check on my next blood test (in 10 days), which apparently I should have been having each year since all my problems began 21/2 years ago!. Good job someone in the medical profession takes my health seriously...
Anyway, all in all, a good morning.🙂

 

[Northerner]

Good news. Had a dermatology appt this morning and I get on really well with my specialist nurses there, so i had a bit of a rant about trying to get diabetic appts. She said that everyone DX as diabetic who sees her says the same thing, and said that it really ought to be prioritised due to potential health and mental problems. She rang my consultants secretary and I will get the next available appt. It could be a month away or a quick cancellation but at least I'm in the system and top of the list. Also she (remember she is a dermatology nurse) gave me a blood test form for my next HBA1C, in which she has no dermatological interest . Anyhow fasting blood result down from 12.5 to 6.0, weight less, blood pressure good 125/75, creatinine levels fine 80. She has also asked for a thyroid check on my next blood test (in 10 days), which apparently I should have been having each year since all my problems began 21/2 years ago!. Good job someone in the medical profession takes my health seriously...
Anyway, all in all, a good morning.🙂

That's excellent news GG, good news all round! 🙂 Well done that nurse! 🙂

 

[Ljc]

Good news. Had a dermatology appt this morning and I get on really well with my specialist nurses there, so i had a bit of a rant about trying to get diabetic appts. She said that everyone DX as diabetic who sees her says the same thing, and said that it rweally ought to be prioritised due to potential health and mental problems. She rang my consultants secretary and I will get the next available appt. It could be a month away or a quick cancellation but at least I'm in the system and top of the list. Also she (remember she is a dermatology nurse) gave me a blood test form for my next HBA1C, in which she has no dermatological interest . Anyhow fasting blood result down from 12.5 to 6.0, weight less, blood pressure good 125/75, creatinine levels fine 80. She has also asked for a thyroid check on my next blood test (in 10 days), which apparently I should have been having each year since all my problems began 21/2 years ago!. Good job someone in the medical profession takes my health seriously...
Anyway, all in all, a good morning.🙂

Result
Well done on your tests, shows you've worked hard

 

[SB2015]

Have you looked at the 15 Health Care essentials that has been produced by DUK. It lists all the checks that you should have annually. I used to go along with the card to my appointments at the GP, but they are used to it now and ensure that I have all the checks. The list is available on the DUK website and worth printing off.

 

[Greyhound Gal]

Thanks everyone. SB2015 - I'll have a look at that thanks

 

[Northerner]

Thanks everyone. SB2015 - I'll have a look at that thanks

Here you go:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-t...-essentials/?gclid=CIKulJDHlM8CFUVAGwodDEMGsQ