Need to declare Diabetes to DVLA?

faringdon

Hi,

Do I have to declare to the DVLA that I am diabetic even though I have never had a formal diagnosis of it?

Ive been diabetic since age zero but only found out when I was 50 years old.

It was during covid and I couldn't get to the shop and so ate only apples for 3 days ..

and it made me feel so, so much better....I stopped being "Tired all the time", unable to sleep and

endless headaches. So I realised then I was diabetic  because it was the first time ever that i had been without troughing into loads of cakes and sweets all the time.

I have never officially been declared diabetic, even when my mother took me to the  doctor concerning my prolific 

bedwetting when aged 7 and tardiness. Also, I have always had all the other symptoms of diabetes including...

Foul sweaty feet in summer.

Hot flushes because don't sweat properly as pores get blocked up with the poisons of diabetes.

My sweat is rather unpleasant and "sticky".....not "watery" as it should be.

I make metal tools go rusty in no time with my sweat.

Craving for sugar and sweets...not so much now as I have been without them for 7 years now.

I don't take any medicines for diabetes like insulin etc.

Ayr_Rage

Read this, the definitive .gov page

https://www.gov.uk/diabetes-driving

Emmia

Perhaps it would be worth getting a formal diagnosis of your diabetes. There are reasons why you might feel better eating apples rather than cakes that won't be diabetes related.

Peter999_2

You need to urgently see a doctor if you think you are diabetic, it can be a very serious condition if not treated correctly.

When did you last get your eyesight checked?   Diabetics can suffer from diabetic retinopathy which is pretty serious and you need to have your eyes checked for any abnormalities such as blood vessels leaking etc.   

Please go and see a doctor and get a diagnosis.   If you do need to be on tablets you won't have to pay for them as diabetics are exempt from all NHS prescription charges.    

elsien

Emmia said:

Perhaps it would be worth getting a formal diagnosis of your diabetes. There are reasons why you might feel better eating apples rather than cakes that won't be diabetes related.

I agree. I’m not sure you can simply self diagnose after just three days worth of eating something different. 

My brother was still wetting the bed and struggling to get organised when he was 11 and he certainly wasn’t diabetic. 

marcia_

faringdon said:

Hi,

Do I have to declare to the DVLA that I am diabetic even though I have never had a formal diagnosis of it?

Ive been diabetic since age zero but only found out when I was 50 years old.

It was during covid and I couldn't get to the shop and so ate only apples for 3 days ..

and it made me feel so, so much better....I stopped being "Tired all the time", unable to sleep and

endless headaches. So I realised then I was diabetic  because it was the first time ever that i had been without troughing into loads of cakes and sweets all the time.

I have never officially been declared diabetic, even when my mother took me to the  doctor concerning my prolific 

bedwetting when aged 7 and tardiness. Also, I have always had all the other symptoms of diabetes including...

Foul sweaty feet in summer.

Hot flushes because don't sweat properly as pores get blocked up with the poisons of diabetes.

My sweat is rather unpleasant and "sticky".....not "watery" as it should be.

I make metal tools go rusty in no time with my sweat.

Craving for sugar and sweets...not so much now as I have been without them for 7 years now.

I don't take any medicines for diabetes like insulin etc.

 I wet the bed till I was 12 and was more than tardy and was and still am exhausted. I don't have diabetes 

sheenas

I am a diabetic. From what you have said currently as your treating it by diet no need to inform them.

i agree with the other posts. Not monitoring your blood sugar levels could result in serious health issues. Go to the doctor and get your sugars checked.

Emmia

OP the reason you probably felt better eating apples, is that although they're sweet (making cider requires sugar to be fermented) apples contain fibre which slows the absorption of the sugar they contain, so you don't get so pronounced blood sugar spikes.

Cakes, sweets etc. with little fibre and lots of refined sugar will cause big spikes and drops, making you feel lethargic etc. so you eat more cakes and sweets to get the energy back.

Feeling that way doesn't make you diabetic, but I really urge you to see the doctor and have a diagnosis and get proper treatment if you need it.

teaselMay

Feeling better eating fruit vs "troughing into loads of cakes and sweets all the time" is normal. Fruit is also high in sugar.

It sounds as though you need to discuss your diet and health with a doctor rather than label yourself.

Grey_Critic

I am have been Diabetic since being officially diagnosed in 2009 and have been on Metformin ever since. Diabetes is a progressive condition and two years ago I was having problems controlling it and was referred to a specialist. He advised that I should move onto Insulin which I did. I am type 2 and did not have to inform DVLA but once you begin to use Insulin then you must inform them. I reported it online and was asked to return my driving licence - they issued me what is termed a Medical Licence and as I am over 70 it is for 3 years but the expiry/renewal date is different from my birth date.

If you use Insulin then you are required to carry out daily blood tests - You are required to test before driving and must test every two hours when driving. In the event of an accident or being stopped by the Police they will ask for proof of testing. Failure to test can result in a fine up to £1,000 and loss of licence.

Goudy

My other half is Type 2.
She had one bad episode a few years ago as she wasn't taking it seriously and ended up comatosed in hospital for a week and now needs insulin.

She really was very poorly. She knew she was type 2 but was rather blasé about it, but one day within a few hours she went downhill very quickly.

If you use insulin, you must inform DVLA, but most of all you need to control your disease properly if you drive or not.

You can use a blood sugar monitor like Dexcom or Freestyle rather than pricking you finger constantly but I would advise you to see your GP asap.

Diabetes plays all sorts of havoc to your body and one of the main ones is damage to blood vessels.
The smaller ones and ones at your extremities suffer first, like the ones in the eyes and toes and feet. (you already show signs)

Trust me, you need a diagnoses and if you do have it, a treatment plan and help from your local Diabetes centre.
They'll help you with everything including your diet.

It's not just your obvious sugar intake (cakes and sweets) that causes problems, you need to control/count your carbohydrates, it's these that can also spike your blood sugar levels.
You can make a start by just replaces the ones you can't really avoid with carbs that slowly release their sugars into your blood stream (and yes Apples are one).
Whole grains like brown rice and oats. Legumes like lentils, beans and chickpeas. Sweet potatoes and leafy greens.

I won't try and scare you too much, but my ex Mrs is a NHS Podiatrist and as part of my last role I had to visit the local amputee rehabilitation centre regularly. Both are busy with people who haven't controlled their diabetes.