- Messages
- 42
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
I was diagnosed just over 3 weeks ago, and had to wait a little while to see the DN at my GP's practice. She only works 3 days a week - and I need an early morning appointment, because work is over 40 mins away so impractical to attend during the day. I joined this website because the sort of person I am means I need to know everything I can (control freak my kids call me).
Anyway I've looked at all the different diets - low carbing etc. And read lots of posts about the NHS advice, and quality of care. When I got my results from the GP she told me to see the DN, who would put me on medication, and hopefully get my bloods back down into acceptable range. (They were 50, and a fasting result of 7.6 - so not really a big ask).
My sister is under the same GP's practice so I knew I wouldn't get a meter/strips as they had tried to take hers off of her. So after a week of being scared to eat anything, so upset because my life was now being controlled by a disease, I got myself a monitor. So I went to my first appointment armed and ready to do battle.
We started with me telling her what I knew about the condition - she didn't want to waste my time by explaining things I already knew. So I told her that I'd cut down on carbs alot (ie not eaten potatoes - switched to wholemeal bread etc). So she made recommendations re oily fish, and I said I had tried - but was not a fish lover. But I do eat tuna, chicken more than red meats. So she said it sounded like I had done my research, and was doing all the right things. I said the biggest difference had come from a structured day - ie breakfast - mid morning snack - lunch - mid afternoon snack - tea. So I was actually eating more food - just the right food instead of being so hungry that I would just grab something quick. So she asked me about a typical day, which she agreed was a good start.
I told her that I had started monitoring - she was really pleased, sorry that she wasn't allowed to help with that anymore - but had been told off about it - the standard NHS response is that Type 2's don't need to monitor. I said that it was a short-sighted response - the damage it could do to mental health by not allowing Type 2's to be in control - never mind the fact that 'eating sensibly' means different things to different people. I thought that some of my choices in food had been right ie low fat which I now know means +carbs. She agreed. She also said that some NICE recommendations were not the same has government recommendations - but it is the government who holds the purse strings. ie is eating an apple a day good for me, no it's not good for my diabetes, but it is good for my overall diet - and is a lot better than eating a banana.
She checked that I was testing correctly (wash/new needle/where/which fingers), and was impressed that my highest readings had been 7.2. I explained how I felt it had given me the control back.
She explained that although my blood pressure/cholesterol levels were fine for a normal person, I was no longer in that range - so they did need to come down a bit.
She didn't put me on medication, in her opinion I don't need it yet - once the changes to my diet have kicked in she will reassess. Initially she has said that if they stay in the diabetic range we will go through my diet thoroughly and see what else can change. Once we get to a point of changing everything we can, and if they are still up - then she would look at medication.
With my monitoring numbers really good she is positive I can get into the pre-diabetic range, and may even get them down so my diabetes is in remission.
She has also said that she is not the 'food police' she can make recommendations/suggestions but at the end of the day I am the one putting the food into my body and her treatment/medication will be built around my needs. She just wants me to be honest with myself and her - she is not there to judge.
We did nothing but 'chat' and I was in there for around 40-45 minutes (the surgery will not let her schedule appointments for longer than 30 minutes - which she doesn't agree with either). So I go back as soon as I can for all the checks/referrals.
So I felt a whole load better. I felt supported and treated with respect, which has given me the confidence to continue as I am - because my numbers confirm I am doing what is right for me.
So to other newbies - there are good HCP's out there and I hope you are lucky enough to get one.
Anyway I've looked at all the different diets - low carbing etc. And read lots of posts about the NHS advice, and quality of care. When I got my results from the GP she told me to see the DN, who would put me on medication, and hopefully get my bloods back down into acceptable range. (They were 50, and a fasting result of 7.6 - so not really a big ask).
My sister is under the same GP's practice so I knew I wouldn't get a meter/strips as they had tried to take hers off of her. So after a week of being scared to eat anything, so upset because my life was now being controlled by a disease, I got myself a monitor. So I went to my first appointment armed and ready to do battle.
We started with me telling her what I knew about the condition - she didn't want to waste my time by explaining things I already knew. So I told her that I'd cut down on carbs alot (ie not eaten potatoes - switched to wholemeal bread etc). So she made recommendations re oily fish, and I said I had tried - but was not a fish lover. But I do eat tuna, chicken more than red meats. So she said it sounded like I had done my research, and was doing all the right things. I said the biggest difference had come from a structured day - ie breakfast - mid morning snack - lunch - mid afternoon snack - tea. So I was actually eating more food - just the right food instead of being so hungry that I would just grab something quick. So she asked me about a typical day, which she agreed was a good start.
I told her that I had started monitoring - she was really pleased, sorry that she wasn't allowed to help with that anymore - but had been told off about it - the standard NHS response is that Type 2's don't need to monitor. I said that it was a short-sighted response - the damage it could do to mental health by not allowing Type 2's to be in control - never mind the fact that 'eating sensibly' means different things to different people. I thought that some of my choices in food had been right ie low fat which I now know means +carbs. She agreed. She also said that some NICE recommendations were not the same has government recommendations - but it is the government who holds the purse strings. ie is eating an apple a day good for me, no it's not good for my diabetes, but it is good for my overall diet - and is a lot better than eating a banana.
She checked that I was testing correctly (wash/new needle/where/which fingers), and was impressed that my highest readings had been 7.2. I explained how I felt it had given me the control back.
She explained that although my blood pressure/cholesterol levels were fine for a normal person, I was no longer in that range - so they did need to come down a bit.
She didn't put me on medication, in her opinion I don't need it yet - once the changes to my diet have kicked in she will reassess. Initially she has said that if they stay in the diabetic range we will go through my diet thoroughly and see what else can change. Once we get to a point of changing everything we can, and if they are still up - then she would look at medication.
With my monitoring numbers really good she is positive I can get into the pre-diabetic range, and may even get them down so my diabetes is in remission.
She has also said that she is not the 'food police' she can make recommendations/suggestions but at the end of the day I am the one putting the food into my body and her treatment/medication will be built around my needs. She just wants me to be honest with myself and her - she is not there to judge.
We did nothing but 'chat' and I was in there for around 40-45 minutes (the surgery will not let her schedule appointments for longer than 30 minutes - which she doesn't agree with either). So I go back as soon as I can for all the checks/referrals.
So I felt a whole load better. I felt supported and treated with respect, which has given me the confidence to continue as I am - because my numbers confirm I am doing what is right for me.
So to other newbies - there are good HCP's out there and I hope you are lucky enough to get one.
