Diabetes

Diary of John Smith started 1st July on Diabetes.

I first thought there was some thing wrong with my health in early July. I had been feeling rough for a few months, but put it down to changing from permanent nights (14yrs) starting about 5pm and finishing about 4am, to early starts getting up at 02.30hrs, finishing any time from 1130 to 1pm depending on the traffic.
The first symptoms were I was drinking for Britain (any fluids) mainly 1ltr of pop or water but still feeling thirsty, and ended up drinking 2 pints of water at a go, so what goes in comes out and I was peeing for Britain as well, waking up during night.
Going from yard (Markyate) to Norwich I would have to stop 3 or 4 times and, I was also waking up with cramp in the legs during night.
I was feeling tired & lethargic all the time but not in the sense that I never woke up at 2.30am for work, best way is to say that if there was £50 on the floor I would not fight to pick it up!......more

Archie Meechan

My name is Archie Meechan and back in 1987 I obtained a Class1 HGV licence, then in October of 1989 I was diagnosed diabetic and began the necessary treatment.
I contacted the TAO in Edinburgh and also the DVLA about my condition, to which I received a letter informing me that my condition may affect my ability to hold this licence BUT could continue driving these vehicles. So in December of 1990 I applied to have my licence renewed having had no diabetic complications or any word from the DVLA or TAO. I then received a letter from the DVLA in January 1991 stating that my licence was not being renewed as I was diabetic. I was never asked anything about my condition by the TAO or the DVLA, I asked for reconsideration but it was still refused. They decided that between my GP, my Consultant and the DVLA, I was unfit to drive these vehicles, but this is not the case as my GP and Consultant were never contacted by
the DVLA and both are 200% behind me as they both disagree with this blanket ban. Since then I have had my case looked at by a lawyer, local press and trade press i.e. Commercial Motor. I have also been in contact with the DVLA but do not get a response from them, as they say it is a blanket ban. However, this is not true either as they state any person who held this licence on or before 1st April 1991 and had informed the TAO before the 1st January1991 with no diabetic complications should still be able to hold this licence. How can this be? I now read in Commercial Motor, today 31/8/06, that the DVLA are looking into changing the rules on certain medical conditions. I look forward to see what this will incur, my details for any correspondence are as follows;

Fax: 01236 821897
Mobile: 07980363929
E-mail: amtransuk@yahoo.co.uk

I look forward to any reply.

cheers
Archie Meechan

Professional Drivers Association

Raising Standards

Diabetes UK

The charity for people with Diabetes......more

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, chapatis, yams and plantain, from sugar and other sweet foods, and from the liver which makes glucose. Insulin is vital for life. It is a hormone produced by the pancreas, that helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body. The main symptoms of untreated diabetes are increased thirst, going to the loo all the time – especially at night, extreme tiredness, weight loss, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, and blurred vision......more.

News

NHS-National Library for Health

Diabetes Specialist Library......headlines

On 19 April 2005, three newspapers reported that a woman has been cured of diabetes as a result of a live transplant of cells from her mother. The articles were based on a case study of a woman with type 1 diabetes who had insulin-making cells (islets) from a living-donor transplanted in to her liver. These news articles have been assessed and summarised by Hitting the Headlines (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, York).....more

On 12 April 2006, four newspapers reported that shock wave therapy used to treat kidney stones may increase the risk of diabetes. The newspaper articles were based on a retrospective cohort study examining the adverse effects of shock wave treatment in......more

On 29 June 2006, six newspapers reported on a pill supporting weight loss. Most newspapers gave the weight loss effect as about 10%, and commented on positive effects on diabetes or cardiovascular diseases and also nicotine cravings. The majority speculated that the drug is not yet available on prescription but would require approval from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). These news articles have been assessed and summarised by Hitting the Headlines (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, York)......more

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