The shape of things now?

[happydog]

My annual review should have been in April. Got a call to say to go and get a blood test done in the car park outside the doctors surgery last Friday. They phoned yesterday with the results and said "all OK". I asked about my HbA1c and she said, it is fine no worries there. I asked for a number and she said 44, a little bit up on last time. She then said that I should be taking statins because having diabetes makes me very at risk for a heart attack or a stroke. I asked what my cholesterol result was and she said she would look it up, 3.8. I therefore said no to that. She was not pleased and said you are at high risk you should start them ASAP. I said no again and that was it until next year. Is this the new norm? I think I am OK but I am concerned about other people who might need to have a bit more information. I am going to collect a print out of my results next time I am that way. So is this how it is going to be in future? Thought the government said that they should take greater care of diabetics. Doesn't look that way at the moment. (I do understand about the virus at the moment but I am looking longer term.)

 

[silentsquirrel]

Well done on the 44 - and for resisting the statin !. I would be pushing for a foot check before next year, though not yet.

 

[grovesy]

Fortunately for me Retired GP recorded me as allergic to Statins.
I was due a 3 month review in May I have not heard anything.
I have been checking my surgery website everyday since the sheilding was relaxed, (I am not sheilding), no change what so eve the messaging.

 

[Drummer]

I managed to get a fraction lower than you, but yes, that is pretty standard, an annual test and a badgering to go onto statins once you are close to normal numbers.

 

[eggyg]

Mine was due April I got a text last Friday to tell me an appointment had been made for me on Tuesday 3rd June. So took myself off yesterday. No one else in. Sanitizer at the door, touch screen check in which told you which room to go to. I didn’t sit down, called through straight away. Nurse all PPEd up. Took BP, fine, weighed me, same as last year, took bloods. Then asked to see my feet, took her gloves off and put my feet on her lap! 😱 She felt for the pulse and stuck those bendy wiry things in my toes, all fine. She was a nice person but didn’t know much about diabetes I don’t think. Just went through the motions, diet ok? How much alcohol do you drink? Exercise? Blah blah blah. DSN will call me next Tuesday with the results, won’t need to go in unless they’re bad! She was surprised I hadn’t had a shielding letter because of being a splenectomy patient. Too late anyways they’re letting us all run riot now!

 

[happydog]

I managed to get a fraction lower than you, but yes, that is pretty standard, an annual test and a badgering to go onto statins once you are close to normal numbers.

Well done Drummer. I knew my results would not be good as we were only allowed to go out once a day and I had to combine that with a walk for the dogs. I have a male dog who must pick up and leave many weemails when out so can't walk fast! I have been appalled at how little the nurses and some of the doctors know about diabetes. I would be in a bad way if I had not learnt lots off this forum. I am going to try really hard now and see if I can get lower numbers by next year.
I am wondering if we will go back to face to face meetings or if it will all be a phone call now, worrying.

 

[happydog]

Mine was due April I got a text last Friday to tell me an appointment had been made for me on Tuesday 3rd June. So took myself off yesterday. No one else in. Sanitizer at the door, touch screen check in which told you which room to go to. I didn’t sit down, called through straight away. Nurse all PPEd up. Took BP, fine, weighed me, same as last year, took bloods. Then asked to see my feet, took her gloves off and put my feet on her lap! 😱 She felt for the pulse and stuck those bendy wiry things in my toes, all fine. She was a nice person but didn’t know much about diabetes I don’t think. Just went through the motions, diet ok? How much alcohol do you drink? Exercise? Blah blah blah. DSN will call me next Tuesday with the results, won’t need to go in unless they’re bad! She was surprised I hadn’t had a shielding letter because of being a splenectomy patient. Too late anyways they’re letting us all run riot now!

The shielding letters seem to be hit and miss. Glad that you seem to be OK though. You seem to have had what we used to have although last time the nurse started with "Can we make this quick as my washing machine is not working and I want to phone them up to arrange a repair". Fortunately I have learnt a lot from the lovely knowledgable people on this forum. Glad we can go out a bit more as I may be able to get lower numbers for next year if I can do more exercise. Also must confess that food became a bit more important during the boring times. Hope you get very good results next week and remain well. Take care.

 

[happydog]

Well done on the 44 - and for resisting the statin !. I would be pushing for a foot check before next year, though not yet.

Sounds like a plan. I knew my numbers would be higher and was surprised it was not worse. Now we can exercise more I will try harder. She also said I could have a shingles vaccination. I declined that too. Not in the good books there.

 

[happydog]

Fortunately for me Retired GP recorded me as allergic to Statins.
I was due a 3 month review in May I have not heard anything.
I have been checking my surgery website everyday since the sheilding was relaxed, (I am not sheilding), no change what so eve the messaging.

Thanks for your reply. I don't fancy taking statins as I have heard that they can cause cramps which is something I suffer from at times. Hope you get an appointment soon. I am glad to be free until next year. Have to confess I don't enjoy the reviews. Stay well.

 

[Stitch147]

I had all my blood tests in January. Was due to see the diabetes nurse for foot and BP check, which I was going to do in march when I got back from my holiday, which didn't happen. I work opposite my GP surgery so see the staff all the time. They are keeping me updated as to when I can make my appointment to see the nurse.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well done on your great results @happydog

Sorry it sounds like a rather perfunctory phone appointment

I hope it’s just a temporary thing during the current weirdness, and that you can return to having a little more care and attention, and time to ask questions, in the future.

Diabetes UK’s 15 Healthcare Essentials are worth checking out to see the sorts of annual checks and offers of support you should be getting.

Diabetes health checks (annual review)

Diabetes can cause other health problems that can become serious if not picked up and monitored or treated in the early stages. So regular diabetes health checks – sometimes called your yearly or annual review – are part of your routine NHS treatment. What diabetes health checks should I be...

www.diabetes.org.uk

They’ve updated the page with some information about changes during lockdown.

 

[happydog]

Sorry have not been on for a few days. I was asked for a urine sample which I took up to the surgery then the next day they asked me for another one as they said there was not enough to send to the lab. I had bought the correct containers over the internet and filled it to the top so bit odd. Did this and now I am hoping to hear no more. Thanks for the list of what should happen. I'll look at it again when I go next year. My check ups have always been cursory and very quick, less than 5 minutes once. My blood glucose levels have not been as low as I would like but it has been difficult to exercise during the virus and I think loosing my husband has made me a bit stressed. I am just grateful that I seem to be doing reasonably well. Will just keep at it. So good that we can get support and advice here.

 

[Totalwar]

I not had any diabetic reviews this year no blood tests no urine no foot check.I was due a Community diabetic review but didn’t happen.I had phone to find out it has been cancelled and they contact me when they can see see me. Unfortunately My diabetes not well controlled and on max medication and injection so need to be kept eye and my GP surgery is closed phone only.

 

[trophywench]

Yeah you can't just wander in and make an appointment or see someone - but when you actually need them - you ring and they respond!

Are you monitoring your own BG at home yourself? We always recommend people do that otherwise how can you find out how much of which foods your body can cope with? Have you been recommended to try and limit how much carbohydrate you eat and take more exercise? It is up to each of us to make an effort to help ourselves, it is not solely the NHS's job.

 

[happydog]

I not had any diabetic reviews this year no blood tests no urine no foot check.I was due a Community diabetic review but didn’t happen.I had phone to find out it has been cancelled and they contact me when they can see see me. Unfortunately My diabetes not well controlled and on max medication and injection so need to be kept eye and my GP surgery is closed phone only.

That is not good. For your own sake you should contact them and get them to help you. As trophywench wisely recommended try to get the means to test your BG levels yourself. Why not telephone and say that you are concerned and feel that you need some help and can they let you have some strips and a monitor. We can do so much to help ourselves and never forget that we are the losers if we don't try. Good luck

 

[Totalwar]

Thanks for the feed back I have a Monitor to check my sugar levels.Not that it do much good as I know they high.i suffer from mental health problems and very hard to check how much sugar intake as I binge.really on a one way track to insulin.

 

[happydog]

When I was diagnosed with T2 in 2012 the doctor said that he recommended trying metformin but he was certain that I would need insulin as my levels were so high. I am needle phobic so really did not want to do that. It has been a struggle but I persisted in refusing medication and trying to control my blood glucose levels with diet and exercise. I have had an HbA1c as low as 39 and my last one was 44 so I am increasing my efforts. You can do it but it won't be easy. I found keeping a food diary helped and making sure that there were no things in the house that pushed my BS up was really important. I am very fortunate that I do not like sweet things so that helps a lot. If you want to give it a go I know that there are lots of good people on this forum who will help you to get control. Do ask as everyone is so helpful and kind and everyone knows what it is like to have this condition. We are all here for you. If I wanted to eat something that I should not I would go and do something or go for a walk. Good luck with it. I wish you success.