Not sure if I have seen this metioned on the forum before but I have been asked to attend this in April for 6 weeks via my GP. Have any of you heard of it or been on it. I am undecided as to whether it will be beneficial or just a complete waste of time. Maybe I should attend the first one and then make a judgement.
Yes, we've heard of it. Devon girl (Mandy) did start it several years ago but was unable to complete it because of ill health. I think Inspirationalley was invited to do it but don't know if she did.
NB to readers: this is the Expert Patient (non-condition-specific) course, not the T2 Xpert diabetes course. I don't know if the latter owes some of its provenance to Expert or Desmond or a mix of the two.
T1 DX 06/2003 using Lantus and Novorapid. Dafne graduate.
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Mandy completed the Expert Patient course and was going on to train as an instructor, however, she didn't complete the instructor's course because of ill health.
I havent done the expert patients program but as I have other issues ongoing I have read a lot of other sites about other conditions such as MS and Arthritis. The consensus that I noted was that most people felt this course was irrelevant and a waste of their time but this might be different versions etc etc. If you get the opportunity I would do it as its just a few hours wasted if its pointless but its possible there are gains from it. Would love to hear your opinion on it!
Type 2(but apparently with little insulin resistance) Diagnosed March 2008 - Metformin 1500mg s/r, Byetta 5 micrograms twice daily, 20mg lisinopril(for necropathy), 600mg pregabalin(for neuropathy) + Salbutamol for asthma. Also dyslexic so please dont pull apart my spelling or grammar I do my best Email/MSN : mark@koszler.net, skype : fordprefectu, googletalk : fordprefect0, SL : Jonkarra Jeruben. Website : http://koszler.net
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Unless I'm very mistaken our Moby did the full expert patient course, he doesn't speak very highly of the course itself but I believe he enjoyed the contact with others with a variety of conditions. I'm sure you will get the full run down once he sees this thread. OVER TO YOU MOBY !
dx type 2, 2002 diet, 5.8 Hba1c metformin, gliclazide, usual other stuff and exercise
t2 diagnosed 2002 metformin lantus novorapid. no units for non carb meals. 6 units for 'low' meals and a pure stab in the dark for anything else! a1c 10.4, 6.1, 6.7
come to think of it seems a bit dodgy to call one scheme 'Expert' and another one 'Xpert'! could cause mucho confusion
t2 diagnosed 2002 metformin lantus novorapid. no units for non carb meals. 6 units for 'low' meals and a pure stab in the dark for anything else! a1c 10.4, 6.1, 6.7
I think Mandy concluded it was all down to the course leaders as to how 'good' it was likely to be. I know they talk about coping with pain for instance. Well very important if you get pain, I don't knock it at all. But highly irrelevant for most diabetics esp youngish T1's without eg neuropathy - I suspect.
Although you do have opportunity to feed back so you could always say eg session 3 was completely irrelevant for me.
I'd be interested Claire, as I've always wondered about it myself!
Thanks Guys, think I may go to the first couple as they are 2 and half hours every week for 6 weeks and see what I think. Give some feedback and take it from there.
claire Type 1, Coeliac & Hyperthyroid DX June 2008 on Lantus/Novorapid First HbA1c - 14.6 HbA1c Sept 09 - 5.9, March 10 - 5.8, July 10 - 6.0!!
Claire, I picked up the current EPP leaflet at the docs this morning. It says its suitable for anyone living with a chronic health prob and covers topics including the following:
Dealing with pain tiredness and stress Healthy eating and exercise Relaxation techniques * Making plans for the future Communication skills
How will EPP be of benefit to me?
Develop simple ways to manage your health condition ** Share experiences with others in similar situations Increased confidence Improved communications with health care professionals Realistic about the effects of the condition on yourself and the family
I'd like to do the one marked *
I bet they can't do the one marked ** (esp after the second item in the first list!!!)
'Making plans for the future' made me laugh. Wonder who it could be who just made a Will including a Family Trust type thing, which as the current law stands means that if either of the participants have to go into care in future, no-one can get their capital off em?
Of course we will have to change our particular arrangements should we get the opportunity to add, 'Please switch the plug socket to the off position, if I lose my marbles' etc......
I have a strong feeling that probably isn't what they mean!
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The trouble with most of these courses is that they are aimed at the lowest common denominator. If you are clued up regarding your condition I reckon that you will often get bored on such courses. I'd like to be proved wrong.
Patti Type 1.5 (LADA) diagnosed May 2003. On Levemir/Novorapid. Last Hba1c 5.6 never been over 5.7 for 6+ years.
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Email/MSN : mark@koszler.net, skype : fordprefectu, googletalk : fordprefect0, SL : Jonkarra Jeruben. Website : 
