Welcome to Diabetes in Spain

Welcome to Diabetes in Spain

Posted on 17. Apr, 2009 by Mike in Featured

Hi and welcome to Diabetes in Spain.

With 11 years of Type 1 Diabetes under his belt, he felt it was important to persons with Diabetes in Spain to have access to as much information as possible. Therefore the site was born!

The intention also, is to bring together global Diabetes news and resources for everyone’s benefit whether the visitor has Diabetes or not.

We @ Diabetes in Spain are very open to a community effort and will actively encourage the input, feedback, advice and help from all possible areas.

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21 Responses to “Welcome to Diabetes in Spain”

  1. Mike

    17. Apr, 2009

    Well done Mike.. Great site too!! :-)

    Reply to this comment

  2. mary lennon

    02. May, 2009

    hi mike.great to find a site .now know im not alone outhere on insulin.am from ireland moved to huescar ,granada last june.definitely much better living here stll using loads of insulin but much healthier.will watch site with great interest good health mary

    Reply to this comment

    • Mike

      02. May, 2009

      Hi Mary
      Thanks for stopping by. I do hope that the site is a “real” benefit to you and your diabetes management/lifestyle, but I am to make it clear that I/we can’t replace the professional care from you local nurse/doctor/consultant etc..
      If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to get in via the comments section or directly info@diabetesinspain.com.
      Regards
      Mike

      Reply to this comment

  3. Kathi Koble

    13. May, 2009

    Hello Mike, I am on the 2nd month of a one year vacation. I have type 2 diabetes and as you can imagine I have brought a lot of supplies and medication with me. That in itself is another story. Today however, I went to a pharmacy to buy alcohol swabs to use with my Byetta and insulin. The people in there looked at me like I was crazy. I am sure that people in Spain disenfect the area before they use these products.

    My question is what are alcohol swabs called in Spain, and/or do they do this some other way?
    Please let me know.

    Thanks,

    Kathi

    Reply to this comment

    • Mike

      13. May, 2009

      Hi Kathi

      Many thanks for stopping by.

      Whilst I know what you are asking for I have not used any whilst I have been in Spain, approx 7 years..

      I’ll make some enquiries and see If I can find out for you..

      Regards

      Mike

      Reply to this comment

      • Kathi

        20. May, 2009

        Thanks, I’m still trying to find them, any help you can provide would be appreciated.

        Reply to this comment

      • Kathi

        28. May, 2009

        Mike, Success I found my alcohol swabs. In Spain they are called “toallitas con alcohol” the brand is Isoclean OTC.

        It took a little bit of ingenuity and a few minutes at the translator on my computer but I got there.

        Also a very common thing for cleaning wounds in the states is Hydrogen Peroxide, here in Spain the same product is simply called H2O2.

        Thanks for your support, and I hope this will help someone else down the road.

        Reply to this comment

  4. Mike

    28. May, 2009

    Great News!

    Thanks for letting us all know.

    Mike

    Reply to this comment

  5. Celia

    02. Jun, 2009

    Hi Mike – what a great site!
    I moved here with hubby and daughter last June 2008 – i am Type 1 diabetic – and have about 1 1/2 yr supplies of insulin and supplies left – i brought a Novopen to take my Humalog Lispro during the day – and a spare – but am now on a spare – does anyone know where i can get another Novopen here – i also have to sort doctors out – i live in duquesa – any suggestions where to go – thanks for your help!

    Reply to this comment

  6. jo barham

    29. Jun, 2009

    my husband has diabetes and whilst on holiday has fallen ill. He is in the hospital and the nurses are regularly testing his blood sugar levels. Please could you tell me how they measure the levels here as my husband regularly has perhaps 8, 9, or 10 at home and they measure in the hundreds here well average 150? We are confused

    many thanks Jo

    Reply to this comment

    • Mike

      29. Jun, 2009

      Hi Jo
      Over in Spain they use the same measurements as in the USA and many more countries.

      Simply multiply your UK reading by 18 (8 m/mol = 144)
      then divide by 18 from the readings your husband gets in hospital.

      Hope you husband is ok. Feel free to get in touch if you require any further info.

      Reply to this comment

  7. Geoff

    23. Jul, 2009

    Hi
    I’m type 2 diabetes, first diagnosed in 1992, I have been on insulin now since April 2008.

    I’m 62 (just) and hope to retire in December 2010.

    We plan to retire to Spain hopefully the Valencia region somewhere inland a bit between Valencia and Alicante (we have family already in this region)

    My question is, since I will be 18 months from my pensionable age of 65, How will I be able to get my diabetic prescriptions (insulin, metformin, needles test strips etc.). I presume I must pay for them, wheras in UK they are free.

    Also what healthcare will i be entitled to, Will I have to take out insurance initially.

    Many thanks in advance for your help

    Geoff

    Reply to this comment

    • mike

      23. Jul, 2009

      Geoff hi

      Thank you for stopping by.

      Right then at the moment the situation for expats in the Valencia region remains a little unclear and as such would not wish to confuse the issue at the moment. This applies to persons who have retired but are not entitled to full Spanish NHS health as they do not posses the E121.

      You will be eligible for a E106 and you can apply at the Dept. Work & Pensions in Newcastle. Typically these allow for full medical coverage including family medicine, emergency medicine, related tests and prescriptions. However these are temporary and can vary in length from 1 year to 2 years.

      My suggestion would be to organise some health checks before you leave for Spain. Perhaps suggest that you are going to Spain for 6 months to escape the cold weather and ask to be provided with medicines for that period and in doing so will allow you time to organise health care in Spain.

      My thoughts are; If you have enough insulin/tablets and so forth to last a certain period then the E106 can then take over until you are eligible for the E121.

      As a last resort, you can purchase over the counter Insulin, Tablets, Test Strips without the need for a doctors prescription. It is expensive though, however it is possible to get your money back once you have a prescription/note from a NHS doctor. Example: I use a Accu-Chek Aviva Monitor. (Test strips retail at €43.59 for a box of 50.)

      Ref: Insurance. There are many programs here to insure yourself. You would be able to enlist the services of doctors and various specialists however your prescription charges will be the same.

      Without wanting to complicate things, I have left it at that.
      If I can be of further help, feel free to get in touch. Either via the site or email – info@diabetesinspain.com

      Mike :-)

      Reply to this comment

  8. Geoff

    23. Jul, 2009

    Hi Mike

    Many thanks for your prompt reply.

    I had done some research on the E121 & E 106 route, and I think that that is the way to go, I must admit I hadn’t thought of the 6 months holiday idea, sounds good and will give me time.
    It is good to know that if I do get stuck I can get supplies, albeit at a cost.

    Many thanks

    Geoff

    Reply to this comment

  9. Reg Lovell

    21. Dec, 2009

    Hello Mike

    Just found this great site. I am type 2 diabetic. I manage to make myself understood at our local clinic, but would welcome someone to chat with, do you know if there are any regular meetings held in the Torrevieja area whereI could go to for information and support.

    Many thanks
    Reg

    Reply to this comment

  10. Richard Murphy

    28. Feb, 2010

    Hi Mike,

    Do you have any advice (or links) regarding the level of support diabetics get in Tenerife?
    My wife is a type 1 diabetic and we are thinking of moving to Tenerife later this year for work.
    The only thing holding us back is not knowing the level of support she’d receive or the costs involved.
    Do insulin dependents get free prescriptions as they do in the UK?
    Seems a little crazy to me that anyone needing a life sustaining medication could be refused

    Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can give and well done for putting this site together….. Fantastic!!!

    Richie

    Reply to this comment

  11. Karl

    07. Mar, 2010

    Hola. I found this site whilst looking for information about diabetes in Spain. I’m moving there in several months and am naturally quite concerned about the effect the move may have on my sugar levels and overall health. I’m an insulin dependent diabetic. Does anyone have any info or links where I can find information about diabetes care in Spain and also costs etc. I’m British so currently get ‘free” prescriptions on the NHS. Thanks.

    Reply to this comment

  12. Karl

    07. Mar, 2010

    Oh, I forgot to say I’m aged 28 and plan to study for a month and then work over there (though it’s possible the work may be unpaid, depending on where I get accepted), if that makes any difference.
    Is it best to try and bring as many supplies with me? It sounds good in theory, but airport security is always a pain, then trying to keep the insulin cool, etc.
    Would be good to hear from people who have done this, or are already living (and possibly studying/working) over there. Thanks again.

    Reply to this comment

    • Mike

      09. Mar, 2010

      Karl Hi

      I’ll list my thoughts for you below;

      *Generally speaking, you will be fine, as with any situation where there is upheaval, it simply calls for closer monitoring until such a time you are happy with the levels you need/want.

      *Airport security can be tricky although steps to minimise disruption would include; ID Card, Medical Bracelets/Tags, Letter from Hospital/GP denoting that you have to carry insulin etc..

      * Whilst travelling, your insulin will be fine at normal room temp. Please do not place any of your supplies that you take in to the hold baggage. 1) The temps. will freeze the insulin and test strips. 2) If the bags get lost you will be without insulin.

      * Depending on the duration of your trip, I would suggest asking you GP for supplies that will keep you going for up to 6 months. Most will accommodate this is asked nicely and explained what, why ,where etc..

      * In Spain unless you are the holder of either a E106 or E121(Pensioners) you will only be entitled to Free Medical Care if you work and/or pay in to the social security

      * On that note, there are plenty of private clinics if you were to become unwell, travel insurance may be of help for this and for your information Insulin and Test strips are available over the counter without the need for a doctors prescription.

      Hope the above helps and if you have further questions, please get in contact directly – info@diabetesinspain.com

      Mike

      Reply to this comment

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