How long is a diabetic clinic appointment?

[Loobles]

what could happen is a fast track to the eating clinic part, this is something I would be pushing for

Yes, that's on my list, though I have a feeling that getting them to grasp that one isn't going to be easy. I'm willing to take whatever help they will give me though. I know these changes aren't going to be easy but I'm definitely having more binge free days...trouble is I'm having more starving days. Neither is good. Though I think I'm feeling more confident that, generally, things are moving in the right direction.

 

[graj0]

Oh no, I'm not deflated! I'm curious about whether Metformin would help (particularly with the weight and also re the cardiovascular protection), but I only want to start it if there's going to be some kind of benefit. If there isn't, then there's no point. I won't be too upset. As I said, I just want to be listened to and have a logical 2-sided discussion.

I'd better start by saying we're all different, and we'll all react differently to Metformin.
One thing it's good at is helping to regulate blood glucose in type II diabetics.
Whether it helps with cardiovascular protection is still being investigated if the Lancet is to be believed. I'm a little skeptical about secondary claims for drugs where the patent has expired or about to. I've been taking it since 1997, so a 20 year patent with several years being used up in clinical trials, has probably expired.
It did not help me lose weight although it did give me the worst diarrhea ever, possibly not a problem if you are on low carbs. It lasted more than the few weeks the consultant suggested, it was several years. Cocodomol for back pain made it more tolerable because of codeine's bunging up effect, they kind of cancel each other out.
I can't imagine you getting someone at your appointment as arrogant as the idiot I got, it just can't be possible. I wasn't warned and was totally flummoxed, if I ever see him again (17 years, where did they go? LOL) and he were to use the same tactics, I'd walk out, tell him not to waste my time and report him.
I'm sure your appointment will go fine, you've written everything down, which they can read in minutes without distractions. I do the same with my GPs, they love it. All the best!

 

[graj0]

Yes, that's on my list, though I have a feeling that getting them to grasp that one isn't going to be easy. I'm willing to take whatever help they will give me though. I know these changes aren't going to be easy but I'm definitely having more binge free days...trouble is I'm having more starving days. Neither is good. Though I think I'm feeling more confident that, generally, things are moving in the right direction.

I've recently been accessed for Weight Management by a psychiatrist and dietician, they decided I had a weight problem, not an eating problem, they're different. Could have told them that, but at least I've ticked the boxes and my GP gets paid. If you're already low carbing which I read somewhere in an earlier message, that's a great start. I'm down to 1,000 cals and 80 gms carb a day, this goes totally against advice from my old doctors and dieticians at the hospital. Works for me, and several other diabetics on the different forums I subscribe to. (not with money, don't worry).

 

[Loobles]

Went to diabetes clinic today and found it really helpful. Doc suggested starting metformin as says i'm v high risk of developing diabetes before achieving healthy weight. Also suggested weight management clinic cos it has psychologists who can help with the eating issues. Mentioned i probably have PCOS which is no shock as i've had an ovarian cyst previously and just found out i have another one. So...its going to be a long process but it sounds like finally people are listening. Back to diabetes centre in 6 months to review results and progress. Feeling positive now

 

[cold ethyl]

Great result. I did think they'd do something along preventative Metformin lines as you do have a strong family history and a lot of weight to lose. Also interesting that he suggested PCOS. I am pretty sure that played a part in my development of diabetes as it was suspected when I struggled to get pregnant and I have several signs like hirsuteness and skin tags. Anyway at least now you are going to be kept an eye on and the Metformin should help with the weight loss too.

 

[Enclave]

So pleased it was a positive experience

 

[Bluetit1802]

Fantastic result Lou, I'm so pleased for you.

 

[AndBreathe]

Excellent result Loobles. I was itching to ask if you suffered from PCOS, having re-read the GP Update last night, but felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason. That's one reason I was sort of keen for you to re-read before you went.

I've had loads of ovarian cysts, which have been addressed by shruggings of the shoulders until my age had a 5 at the beginning, then there was a great deal of interest again. Thankfully, they all managed to resolve themselves, and I appear to have been clear for some time.

I'm so pleased you got the result you feel you needed. It's so much better to get onboard with a plan one feels one has been a party to formulating.

Did they do another HbA1c, perchance?

 

[Kat100]

Went to diabetes clinic today and found it really helpful. Doc suggested starting metformin as says i'm v high risk of developing diabetes before achieving healthy weight. Also suggested weight management clinic cos it has psychologists who can help with the eating issues. Mentioned i probably have PCOS which is no shock as i've had an ovarian cyst previously and just found out i have another one. So...its going to be a long process but it sounds like finally people are listening. Back to diabetes centre in 6 months to review results and progress. Feeling positive now

A great start and outcome

 

[cold ethyl]

Excellent result Loobles. I was itching to ask if you suffered from PCOS, having re-read the GP Update last night, but felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason. That's one reason I was sort of keen for you to re-read before you went.

I've had loads of ovarian cysts, which have been addressed by shruggings of the shoulders until my age had a 5 at the beginning, then there was a great deal of interest again. Thankfully, they all managed to resolve themselves, and I appear to have been clear for some time.

I'm so pleased you got the result you feel you needed. It's so much better to get onboard with a plan one feels one has been a party to formulating.

Did they do another HbA1c, perchance?

I was told it was likely I had PCOS by a fertility specialist only for the GP I saw to say it was so rare that I couldn't have it and no need for further action. As I eventually conceived naturally all was forgotten though I would bring it up occasionally when at the surgery for other tests but no one seemed to care. I'm sure it has played a part in my terrible periods and long term gynae pain and is at root of my weight issues and insulin resistance. Current GP says possible but that we are where we are, which is fine but an apology for putting everything down to my anxiety over years might have been nice.

 

[Loobles]

Great result. I did think they'd do something along preventative Metformin lines as you do have a strong family history and a lot of weight to lose. Also interesting that he suggested PCOS. I am pretty sure that played a part in my development of diabetes as it was suspected when I struggled to get pregnant and I have several signs like hirsuteness and skin tags. Anyway at least now you are going to be kept an eye on and the Metformin should help with the weight loss too.

I really wasn't sure they would as GP was very evasive and unhelpful and it felt like he was fobbing me off by sending me to the hospital clinic. TBH I've wondered about PCOS for years but because it's not really caused ay problems (ie we can't have kids anyway and my one and only ovary seemed to be otherwise behaving) I decided to leave that for another day...forgot about the link with diabetes though! Already have scans which show a cyst (and apparently you don't need loads, just a history of them) and the orregular periods, so that's 2 of the 3 diagnostic criteria which makes it certain I believe. Bloods should (in theory) be the icing on the cake. Treatment is Metformin I believe, so that's useful. Just got to see GP in a week or so to get them to prescribe it and refer me to weight management clinic.

 

[Loobles]

Excellent result Loobles. I was itching to ask if you suffered from PCOS, having re-read the GP Update last night, but felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason. That's one reason I was sort of keen for you to re-read before you went.

I've had loads of ovarian cysts, which have been addressed by shruggings of the shoulders until my age had a 5 at the beginning, then there was a great deal of interest again. Thankfully, they all managed to resolve themselves, and I appear to have been clear for some time.

I'm so pleased you got the result you feel you needed. It's so much better to get onboard with a plan one feels one has been a party to formulating.

Did they do another HbA1c, perchance?

No, they didn't do another as last one was only end of July, so he's just done FBG...which I'm sure will be fine as it was 5 something this morning. As I've now hit 10% weightloss, I'm getting mostly 5's (some 6's, but low 6's) in the morning now...yippee

I never actually got chance to look at the GP update in detail later on as I fell asleep LOL. However, you shouldn't be frightened about asing me anything as I know you're only trying to help.

Finally, I did feel I'd been involved in the decision making. I did also explain that I felt I'd been left in the dark with other referrals that had gone in and I appreciated copies of things so he said he'd copy me on the GP letter. Just got to ask my GI surgeon to do the same next week. I thought this happened automatically as we always used to copy patients on clinic letters and discharge summaries, but it seems that it's not a given in Dewsbury.

 

[Loobles]

I was told it was likely I had PCOS by a fertility specialist only for the GP I saw to say it was so rare that I couldn't have it and no need for further action. As I eventually conceived naturally all was forgotten though I would bring it up occasionally when at the surgery for other tests but no one seemed to care. I'm sure it has played a part in my terrible periods and long term gynae pain and is at root of my weight issues and insulin resistance. Current GP says possible but that we are where we are, which is fine but an apology for putting everything down to my anxiety over years might have been nice.

Ugh! That's annoying, I'd actually say PCOS is one of the most common hormone disorders, I wonder why your GP would think it rare. GP's never apologise, you should know that. I once confronted mine about an earlier misdiagnosis - at first she fobbed me off, but then when pressed she said "we let you down"...that's the closest I got to an apology and it hardly made up for the weeks of pain ad suffering I'd gone through!

 

[cold ethyl]

Ugh! That's annoying, I'd actually say PCOS is one of the most common hormone disorders, I wonder why your GP would think it rare. GP's never apologise, you should know that. I once confronted mine about an earlier misdiagnosis - at first she fobbed me off, but then when pressed she said "we let you down"...that's the closest I got to an apology and it hardly made up for the weeks of pain ad suffering I'd gone through!

I think so too- but this was the senior partner at the practice 20 odd years ago and he was very out of date. I asked for a blood test for toxoplasmosis when after I'd miscarried twice as we lived on farm and had sheep and cats and he thought that was something that didn't need checking either.Given I had several symptoms , including infertility and miscarriage, you'd think he'd want to follow specialists advice. In end I was down for IVF but had son naturally, partially because I just opted out of all the rubbish drugs I was given by local gynae team who hadn't a clue.

 

[jack412]

that was a good outcome from the appointment, there's light on the horizon