What's a diabetic check? (rant)

[mg_2204]

I called the clinic the other day to have my very first diabetic check since we moved back to the homeland. The secretary didn't have a clue what I meant by 'diabetic check'. Promising, isn't it? I had to explain : I have blood work done, then the doc checks me over, reviews my meds, my feet are checked, you know, stuff like that... :hmpf:

Going Friday. I'll most probably add to this thread afterwards...

Questions : Do you guys have a proper diabetic check over here? Or only an endo does that over here? Do you call it something else perhaps? Do you have a little booklet where everything is written (ex : A1C, cholesterol, weight, eye test, tests on feet, etc)?

[Penny]

Marie, I have blood drawn every 3 months, but everything isn't checked that often. Cholesterol and other stuff usually is only done once a year. Weight is done every visit. My doctor only checks my feet if I ask. We discuss my levels and he makes changes every 3 months. I get my eyes examined once a year but only get new glasses if there has been a big change, but my doctor doesn't check during my exam...he usually asks if I have had it done.

[mg_2204]

Thank you Penny :)

Do you see an endo or a GP?

Back when I was living in Québec, I had no diabetic check whatsoever. Even during my two last pregnancies (one on insulin) I was pretty much left to my own device. I am scared to go back to something like that. Now I realize how lucky I was in England and had a really good health care team and diabetic check.

[xMenace]

It's nothing to do with hockey? pfffft!

[Dan Gato]

Marie, As you already know, good dental health is important too, twice a year.
Podiatrist visits as needed, or once a year. (to prevent amputations)

Marie, maybe you can put something together, and help us all.
I would say the lipids (Cholesterol)to be checked, like every 3 months, because diabetics, are at more risk for heart disease- the heart gets a lot of damage by high BG's.

There is an important test of the Vagus nerve to be done, annually. to see if some Gastroparesis is going on, and for men, how the erectile is being affected.

[Penny]

Marie, I see a GP, but he is quick to send me to specialists if he thinks I need it. Our insurance doesn't give you much choice, but I am happy with my doctor anyway. The insurance is another story...they can make you feel like a criminal, every time you do anything.

[Emm]

It's the nurse at my GP's office (GP = MD) that does my yearly Diabetes Check. She does my weight, height, blood pressure, foot check, and asks about my diet & insulin use. I go for the usual blood tests - fasting BG, a1c, cholesterol etc about a week before so we can discuss those results.

I really don't like going... but it's good to have a record of all my blood test results etc, and that's the only way she'll give them to me! At least it's nice to get the all-clear once a year.

[labob]

My doctor's office offers group sessions for diabetics conducted by a CDE. Now that I have my glucose levels more or less under control (sometimes more, sometimes less), I go to these sessions every three months for routine maintenance instead of seeing my primary care physician. Usually I schedule the classes for about a week or two after I've had a blood test (cholesterol, A1c), because our most recent test results are usually a topic of discussion at some point. The CDE is insistent that we have the blood tests taken every three months and schedule an ophthalmologist (good grief, is there a harder word to spell in English?) appointment yearly.

I've got to admit, though, that I've had the foot test done only twice in the 13 months since I've been diagnosed, and both times it seemed kind of odd, although I understand that it's good to get in the habit of checking for sensitivity. I'm active, I wash my feet daily (twice daily when I go to the gym, which is several times a week), and I don't have problems with neuropathy (for now), so the foot test thing doesn't seem so pressing to me. Still, the CDE keeps pushing them, even if she doesn't always have time to do them herself.

[Peter Lee]

I see the diabetes nurse twice a year and the doctor once a year. My blood gets checked twice a year and feet once a year. At the visit with the doctor he reviews all my numbers and medication. All my numbers and history are kept on the doctor's computer and he can refer to my complete history.

Separate from that, I get a retinal scan by an optometrist and his report is automatically sent to my doctor and also to me.

From my experience with diabetes since diagnosis in Dec 04, I would be unhappy with a lower level of 'surveillance'.

All the above is free of charge.

[KickStart101]

:rofl: ...Sorry Marie...just the way you come out with things. :D

OMG, I thought you said you got a Dr. I didn't ask you if he was
an Endo or GP. I gave you the web site...they had Endo's on there
also. You didn't get one in Ottawa, did you?

I have an Endo, GP, Ophthalmologist, Eye Specialist, Rheumatologist,
Diabetes Nurse, Dietician and Physiotherapist, also an Occupational
Therapist and Social Worker from way back, if I ever need them. So
I get lots of tests done. But I've been through many Drs. through the
yrs. and also I've been here longer than you, when the Drs. were plentiful.

My Endo's and Rheumatologists always gave me a "total physical" at
the first visit, I imagine they still do. Then checked my feet occasionally
(I told him I could do that myself). My Rheumy checks my joints and if I
have a prob, sends me for exrays or to other Specialists.

As I told you, my GP sent me for an ultra sound and I have to see him on
Friday to discuss the results plus my other bloodworks. All these Drs. are
doing mostly all the same tests and when I go down to the Lab, I tell them
to smush all the tests together 'cause I'm not going back 3 times. So they
do that.

With a GP you usually have to ask ahead for a "total physical". I made an
appt. for my Daughter while she was at work the other day and the Secretary
asked me if she wanted a "total check-up". I said, "Yes". I
don't know if she actually wanted one, but she's getting one anyways. :D Surprise.

No, we don't have a little book to check off whatever the Dr. has checked.
You could take your own if you want. But ask him for a copy of the test results.
Take your logbook and meter, just in case. I don't know with your
Dr.(please let him be an Endo)that you got. If he's a GP he can order all the normal
tests for you, but you'll have to get him to refer you to an Endo, Dietician and Diabetes
Nurse. Boy, are you going to have a wait.

If you only got a GP, tell him you moved here about a yr. ago and haven't seen an Endo
in about a yr. and a half. You never know maybe your GP
will be up on Diabetes. My GP is pretty good at it.

Sorry Marie, I should have sent you this info in an e-mail. Didn't expect
it to be so long. I'm not rewriting it so there Ya go. Any other questions
e-mail me. My Friend is out of the ICU. I told Ya I have time for Ya, no problem. :) See Ya.

[Stuboy]

i know my feet and eyes will be checked annually. But i want my A1c every 3months if I can... keeps me up to date and motivated it does!

[mzizgayle]

I get blood checked every three mo, now that I am on cholesterol meds, I go for liver function to make sure all is ok..eyes once a year, teeth come out at night LOL, and a physical each year (informed me must have no fights about it) and they check every area of my body, plus the usual female exams/bone density since I have osteroporis,

[Cyborg]

I see an Endocrinologist approximately every 3 months for my diabetes.

[mg_2204]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer. It's very enlightning to see what everyone else is getting as far as diabetic check. I was very curious!

I was told I can't see an endo. I must be referred by my family doctor first. That's why I'm seeing him today.

I've done as I used to in England before a diabetic check: fasted for 14 hours. Will be 16 when I actually see the doc Ack! They better do a cholesterol test or I'll scream! I have my UK booklet. Urine sample. Meter. BG for the last month. I'm rrrready!!!! So they better be at the doc's. And terribly suffering from coffee withdrawal... :coffee:

[FTW]

Joslin has a list of tests and how often they should be done here. (http://joslin.org/managing_your_diabetes_3114.asp)

I used the info there on my last visit. "Have I had a Urinary Microalbumin test?" No? When should that be done?

"Um, we'll add it right now to the labs for your next visit."

[HelenM]

Marie I googled Diabetes Care Canada and came up with a PDF guide/record as to what you should have done and how often http://www.diabetescareguide.com/en/healthrecord.pdf It seems much the same as elsewhere. except it says cholesterol at diagnosis and then every 1-3 years which seems less.
On another part of the website it details what your 'diabetes team' should do.
Hope your appointment went OK

[mg_2204]

... Upon my arrival at the doc, I gave my name, health card and mentioned I was also to have blood work done. I was candidly told there are no technician on Fridays. What??!? I specifically asked for blood work and was given today (a Friday) and you guys have NO technician on Fridays??!? I fasted for 14 hours for absolutely nothing. Well that's a good start...

My doc didn't know there is such a thing as Metformin Slow Release...

By the way, how long has it been around in Canada??! At the pharmacy I was told almost a year. Shouldn't he know about the Slow Release....??

And later, of course, I was sick. Went low, pounding headache, neausea, feeling terribly cold. I thought my head would explode. It took me a few hours to get better.

sdl;jfsdl;fjsdalfjsdfsdalfglfhgoaghjdfogkfodfj and all that for nothing!!!!!!!!!!!

I miss my doc in England...................

[KickStart101]

Talk about a CRAPPY Day, you had. You's should have talked about
your having these tests. I tell everyone moving to Canada, "Bring you
own Dr., Ours went south". ;) )

To **** With That Dr. and Clinic, you got there. You's 2 are not clicking.
I realize it's closer to your house but your getting no where fast. Is there
another Clinic in your area(with a nicer Dr.)? There are tons of walk-in
Clinics in Ottawa. There's about 8 just about 1/2 to 1 mile from me. I
know my GP isn't excepting Patients, I wonder...nah, that wouldn't work
since you need someone now and there's a good wait for Endo's. ACK!!

Okay, walk-in clinic, tell them your case, they'll give you a sheet for your
tests. I usually get my labs done at the Hospital but there's a Lab not far
from my place. Hey, you could stay here overnight...in the spare room.
Party. ;) :dancing2:

Or you could stay with your Grumpy Dr. :motz: 'til whenever your next
appointment is. If you have the test form you can go to any walk-in lab,
you know. There's the one near my place. I'll give you the addy if you
want it.

You may also have had that headache from the low sugar level. Too
many reasons. I hope you feel much better. :flowers:

p.s. Most Drs. are overworked and still have to work when they get
home, not forgetting Family time or other obligations. Some don't keep
up as well with new meds. The Patients tell them sometimes, like you did.
Now he'll know.

[mg_2204]

Carlie, I've looked around and not so many doctors are accepting new patients. He happened to be close to home and accepting new patients.

He says he's gonna watch me like a hawk and wants to see me every 4 months. He wants to review my meds, and has ordered so many blood tests I wonder if I'll have any blood left... :rofl: And I did get that piece of paper to have the blood work done and I know just where to go (I take one of my clients there on a reg basis for blood work). They sure won't turn me down because they don't have a technician...

But I don't know. We don't clic. And I was so upset and angry that it would have been Brad Pitt naked it wouldn't have mattered, I would have hated the guy anyway. I knew I would be sick (always am after fasting) but to be sick for absolutely nothing just upsets me beyond anything. My head still throbs this morning!

I must add that I was used to my health care team in England and I took for granted it would go as smoothly over here.

I've got those ACE inhibitors to pick up at the pharmacy too... but need my blood work done first and then have blood work done AGAIN after one week of taking those new meds. No fasting involved though. Yay!!!!! :dancing2:

[linda53]

:cool: I go every 3 months for bloodwork....eyes, feet, and pain clinic every 6 months...the pain clinic helps with my arthritis

[panmat1]

Let me see a1c, every 3-4 months, bp,weight,foot exam every 3 month gp visit, I see an endo every 6 months, bp &weight are done. Lipids, other labs, microalbumin are done once a year. I have special eye needs so I go every 6 month to my opthamologist and retina specialist. My feet are in great shape so I see a podiatrist as needed. If I have a problem I call and will be seen. I am a type 2, for 12 years. I test daily 3-4 times. On metformin and amary 0.5 am & pm meals. Nancy