My Diabetes Blog

During a recent visit to the DSN i was given the new Humapen Savvio

take a look:

It gets to the stage where I worry about going to see the doctor if i feel unwell, last week i went to see the doctor, spoke for a couple of minutes, she took my blood pressure then said "lay down over there while i call an ambulance" blood pressure was 230/100. Now had a letter asking me to see the GP so i guess they will stick me on more medication :-(

There are many possible side effects to having diabetes, when visiting your doctors or DSN, the will go on about high blood pressure, high cholesterol, neuropathy and damage to the eyes..

But there is one lesser known problem, Gum Disease. Apparently gum disease is not unusual, this is due to the increased sugar levels in the mouth creating an ideal breading ground for bacteria.

Im just getting over a chronic case of gum disease, and according to the dentist the best way to prevent this happening is regular brushing (2 - 3 times a day) flossing, and using corsodyl mouth wash.

The above routine, along with a good scrub and polish has managed to clear my problem, but its still not something you expect!

Oddly enough, even though it is a know issue for diabetics, unlike free eye tests and prescriptions you will still have to pay for you own dental treatment, so my suggestion is, if you dont have one find a NHS dentist and have regular checkups before problem occur.

Being a typical bloke, I like gadgets, whether its Phones, computers, cameras i like to play and have the best.

Well to my joy this week i was able to aquire the FreeStyle InsulinX blood glucose meter.  This is different to any other as it has a touch screen.

There are only a few glucose meters on the market that include a Bolus wizzard. The FreeStyle InsulinX and the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert.

I am lucky enough to own both these meters, and both are being offered free by DSN's,  so you get offered both, and dont know which to choose, or have any questions about either of these meters please do feel free to ask.

Once i have had the InsulinX for a bit longer I will write a full review but in the mean time there is a video on youtube showing some of the pro's and con's of each.

Ok, so it's monday morning, things going as normal, driving to work, wondering what the day will bring, and i start feeling a little tight across the chest.

Didnt give this too much thought, arrived at work, and a few minutes later the pain was a little worse so i phoned my GP's practice to arrange an appointment, i was asked the normal question "is later in the week ok or is it urgent".  I responded with i wished to see a doctor today as i had pains in the chest.  at which point the phone was passed to a nurse.

I was asked a few questions, and then was told "i think the best thing to do is call and ambulance"..   i said "no im sure its not that bad, i can come to the surgery and discuss the problem"..  the nurse said"if you are really sure, then come in and we will stick you on the ECG monitor"

Anyway, i got to the doctors, they stuck me on the ECG, took the printout to the doctor, the doctor called me in he said "The readings are not quite right" he pointed to part of the sqiggly line and explained that the shape would normally indicate pericarditis or it could be a heart attack, but that due to my history of diabetes and high blood pressure they would assume id just had a heart attack.

The next thing i know im laid flat, sprays under the tounge, oxygen mask, doctors and nurses surounding me.

10 minutes later the ambulance arrives and whisks me away.

upon arrival at the hospital i was taken to intensive care, wired up, pills, morphine and lots of questions. an hour or so later they advised me i was to be moved to the CCU (coronry care unit) what i would still be treated for a hear attack.

upon moving to the CCU i was ask more and more questions by more and more people, more drugs more poking and proding.

Eventually a doctor comes across to advise that they were not 100% sure that i had a heart attack, but needed to be treated as though i had, and the way they can tell if i have had a heart attack is to do a blood test 12 hours after first pain, if there is mussle damage then there would be Troponin in the sample and if there is i have had a heart attck, if not then i have not, but more test would be needed to find the cause of the pain.

Anyway time went by, blood sample taken and fortunatly there was no Troponin, so ive not had a heart attack, they have however stated that the pain was from the heart, and i will need more tests (echo stress test) to find the cause.

Anyway that was a 48 hour holiday i did not expect!