Des Davey shares his story of how a change in medication, due to changing from private to public healthcare, has improved his management of his diabetes.

Des Davey (62) lives in JHB South, Gauteng. He is divorced and has three adult sons and one grandson.

Des was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes around 30 years ago. At that time, he was on a medical aid and was prescribed insulin and metformin. The doctors informed Des that his lifestyle had to change; he admits he was drinking alcohol most days.

He adds that it was hard to change eating habits as he couldn’t afford the healthier food that tends to be more expensive. Though, he did try to cut out sugary cold-drinks and changed his diet as much as he could.

In 2007, Des moved to Johannesburg from Pinetown and consulted a new doctor. He was prescribed Lantus and metformin. Since then he has managed his glucose levels but unfortunately not with the best results.

Changing to a public hospital

Last year around September, Des had to stop his medical aid due to financial reasons. This meant that Des wasn’t taking any medication for his diabetes. For three months, his blood glucose levels sky-rocketed to 20 and he suffered many headaches and became listless.

In December, he decided to go to a public clinic. His blood glucose and blood pressure were checked; his glucose level was sitting at 18. He was informed by the nurse that she can’t prescribe insulin so he would have to go to a public hospital. She did, however, assist him with blood pressure medication.

In January this year, Des went to a public hospital in the south of Johannesburg. “I knew I needed help and couldn’t carry on without medication. So, I had to endure the long wait of a file being opened and all that. But, thereafter, I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth everything went. Once my file was open, my blood glucose and blood pressure was checked and then I waited a while to see a doctor. I showed the doctor my previous script from when I was on medical aid,” Des explains.

The doctor then informed Des that as a government hospital, a lot of the medication he was on, they don’t stock. So, she would prescribe him medications they do stock, accordingly to her assessment of him.

Change in medication

Des was prescribed Austell Metformin, and Actraphane insulin flexi pens (contains both fast-acting (soluble) and long-acting (isophane) insulin). He administers 30 units of insulin a day and takes metformin twice daily.

Since taking the new medication, his glucose level readings have been excellent. “I saw a difference within a week. It has been between 4 and the highest, it has been is 7. This morning, it was 4,4. That is compared to 13 and 19 that I was getting when I wasn’t taking any medication,” Des explains.

Motivated and managing glucose levels well

Since the improvement in Des’ glucose readings, the 62-year-old grandfather checks his glucose levels every morning. “Before that I would only check maybe twice a week. Seeing the good readings motivates me to check every day. The reason I only checked once or twice a week is I knew that it was going to be high and that upset me,” explains Des.

Des goes on to say that he is not only motivated to manage his diabetes better but he is also feeling much better. “I feel healthier!”

Des is happy with the service and care he gets at the public hospital and will have his three-monthly check-up appointment with the doctor this month.

MEET OUR EDITOR

Laurelle Williams is the Editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Her aim is to educate, encourage and most of all show there is always hope. Feel free to email Laurelle on editor@diabetesfocus.co.za