Do you usually ignore warnings to diabetics to 'consult your GP before use'?

Hi everyone,

I'm new on the forum and although I've been diabetic for around 21 years I've never really met other diabetics except on the Dafne course (which was around 4 years ago now).

So I just thought I'd ask whether you all routinely ignore or adhere to warnings on everyday consumer goods for diabetics to 'consult your GP before use'? These are found on everything from hair removal cream to cough medicine.

For myself, as it takes about 2 weeks to get a GP appointment, I usually do what I think is best. For example, I avoid products like foot scrubs that might not be suitable for diabetics so as to avoid damaging nerves (even though I imagine the chances of that are pretty remote). With cough medicine, if I can't find a sugar free one I usually imagine that it's less than 1 CP in a dose so probably can be taken without QA or too much fuss. With 'herbal' supplements I sometimes ignore.

How about you?

First of all, welcome to the forums AK, hope you find them useful. Second of all a little disclaimer - my opinions are my own, I'm not a doctor and not a representative of DAFNE.

That said, I usually google for 'diabetes + whatever the active ingredient/product is', to learn a little more about it. This usually tells me that it's only really dangerous for people who have complications such as neuropathy. As I don't have any complications (touch wood) then I ignore the warnings and give it a go, and so far there haven't been any adverse effects of my using hard skin softner on my feet, and sudafed, both of which have 'not for diabetics' on the packaging.

Hi and welcome to the forum........

I wouldn't say I ignore any warnings, but I dont take them too seriously either, a lot of these warning are just there in order that the company can cover themselves in the event someone does come to them claiming their product caused harm......

For things like cough syrup if it says sugar free I would trust it completely.......

I recently found out that taking ibuprofen was ill advised due to liver and kidneys or something........ , but I then discovered that this is catered more towards type 2 diabetes and it effecting the effectiveness of their oral medication, so sometimes it can be not very clear........

Common sense prevails I believe......

Was there anything in particular you were referring to.....?

Hi, thanks for the welcomes and your replies! I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I was just curious to know how other people handled these little queries that you don't really go to your doctor about.

Red Bull?

I noticed Mountain Dew says its unsuitable for pregnant women, which is scary enough to put me off!

I am wary when I see it usually.... especially for certain feet treatment. It's only been at routine checkups that I've asked about this sort of thing and, well, when it came to my feet, the nurse recommended that I just let the problem solve itself than relying on any products. The problem (a Verruca) did just go on it's own on that note - took it's sweet time though lol.

I do think that once there is a lot more clarification about differences between the types, stuff like this will become clearer to understand. As novorapidboi26 suggested too, a lot of the time they mostly put it to cover themselves.

I must admit I dont really look at the warnings on products, I belive they are just there so as novorapidboi put it 'the company can cover themselves'.

I used to ignore the warning - after all I've had Type 1 diabetes since birth and no problems...... until now when I developed Diabetic Foot Ulcers. I will now adhere to warnings.

Wullie (RNA)