I need HELP: I've just been diagnosed with diabetes and feel misinformed

[Austin17]

Hi,

I'm a 33-year old male from Brooklyn, NY, and I really want to share my horrible last few days to get some insight from other people who have diabetes. I was diagnosed with diabetes just a few days ago, and I haven't been getting any informative advice as to my condition. I've been taking care of myself by going to the gym 5 days a week and watching what I eat, so this comes as a huge surprise for me. Sorry this is long, I just want to explain my story and hope that whoever reads this can see how people are treated unfairly in the US with an illness such as diabetes when not having health insurance.

Last week I had a doctors appointment because I started experiencing frequent urination (peeing every hour of the day/night), consistently feeling dehydrated even after drinking a lot of water, I was feeling very "out of it" and cloudy headed, and feeling dizzy and exhausted when exerting myself. The doctor took some urine samples, then the last test was a blood sugar monitor to the finger. My blood sugar read 450 so she explained that my life was in danger and I had to go to the emergency room of a hospital immediately. Yay. So, following doctor's orders, I walked two blocks to the hospital.

After waiting an hour at the ER they assigned me to a bed and hooked me up to an IV. Within an hour and a half my blood sugar went from 450 to 246. Then, when I mentioned I had no insurance (Yes I'm from the almighty USA. Brooklyn), the quality of attention went from a 50% to 10%. They kept telling me I had to stay overnight because the "diabetes educators" would be available the following evening to see. I repeatedly told them I did not want to stay, that I lived a few blocks away, and why couldn't I just come back the next day to see the "diabetes educators", and the only answer I kept getting was, "It doesn't work that way." Considering I have no health insurance, I told them that I refuse to stay overnight ($10,000+ a night with no insurance), and that I would like to know if I could come back tomorrow since nothing would be done until then, and the doctor said ok. He gave me the telephone number of the hospital's primary care doctor's office and said to call them the following day, and considering that I was in the ER, to mention that and explain my situation over the phone and I would be seen.

The following morning I called the office. The receptionist asked my name and what I was calling for, and then, after she asked about my health insurance status, I told her that I had no insurance, and then she put me on hold for 10 minutes, and then hung up on me. This happened FIVE TIMES IN A ROW. As much as I love to exercise politeness, I think even staying on hold five times for 10 minutes just to be hung up on was stretching it. I called the number once again and I told her to please don't hang up on me, this is very serious and I need to see a doctor immediately due to spending 8 hours in the ER the previous evening with no treatment except being hooked up to an IV. I then mentioned that the doctor told me to call this number and said I would be able to be scene due to my condition, and she rudely said, "Well I don't know why the doctor would tell you this. He was lying. You can't be scene today. If you're lucky, I can book you an appointment for late August. If you want to be scene today, go to the ER." I called the doctor who advised me to go to the hospital and told her about how the hospital was treating me, and so she found an endocrinologist that would see me soon in the next few days.

So this morning I saw the endocrinologist. It cost me $450 at the reception desk, even before could I meet the doctor. Not surprised. Regardless of cost I just wanted to get the proper treatment and to start feeling better. The doctor barely even asked me what my symptoms were, and he didn't bother to check my blood sugar. His first act of motion was to plop a huge box of Janumet onto his desk and say "You're taking these". Then I asked what Janumet was and he wouldn't explain further except that "it works". I'm not one to take things at face value, and I like to know exactly what I'm putting into my body. I told him I was taking an herbal supplement that contains cinnamon bark, turmeric root, and other herbs that helps in lower and maintain a healthy blood sugar level, and he told me to throw it away. The point of my $450 doctor's visit was to get informed about what exactly am I diagnosed with and what are my options to treating it, especially as natural as possible. I asked him again if there were any other routes I can go other than taking the pills he was so passionate about, but then he said, "If you plan on taking those natural pills DON'T BOTHER COMING BACK TO ME." He then advised me to drink gatorade and eat soup. He also said that the only way to live with diabetes is by take prescription drugs for the rest of your life. Is this a joke?? $450 for this?? Also, I asked him- "if I were to start taking Janumet, would it be possible to slowly get myself onto a natural diet and natural pills and off of Janumet?" He then got up and politely opened the door to his office, signally with his finger that I needed to leave his office. I guess I offended him by asking questions about other options besides pills.

So now I sit here with no insight as to what kind of diabetes I have, what I should be taking and eating, and 2 big boxes of Janumet.

Regardless of all the usual healthcare issues that plague the US, does anyone have any advice or can someone answer questions I have about my situation?
- What's everyone's feelings on Janumet?
- Should I take Janumet temporarily if I plan to seek a natural way of living with diabetes without using prescription drugs?
- I'm still feeling cloudy headed and dehydrated, even after drinking lots of water. Is there anything else I can do to fend off these symptoms?
- Is my cloudy head, fatigue, and soreness caused from dehydration?
- When will I start feeling normal again?

The $450 doctor wouldn't answer these questions, so again, sorry this is a long post.

THANK YOU!!

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear how you were treated. Don't worry, your treatment is pretty typical. The sad reality is that even with health insurance you might not have gotten better treatment. Doctors just don't seem to grasp type 2 diabetes. I think a big problem is they think people cause their own diabetes through poor lifestyle choices and therefore have no sympathy. I am in Canada where we all get "free" healthcare (not really free as we pay higher tax) and I didn't get much better help from doctors. In fact, the doctor who first diagnosed me told me to find a new doctor when I started asking questions and asking for a referral to see a specialist. It turned out his advice to find a new doctor probably was the best thing he could do. I realized I was on my own (especially since it can take months to get a new primary doctor) with regards to figuring out my diabetes.

So, I did a massive amount of reading stuff about diabetes online, joined this forum and bought a blood glucose meter. I started testing my blood glucose levels and quickly figured out I needed to cut out completely all carbohydrate rich food: sugar, rice, bread/pasta/grains, starchy veg/fruit. Within a short time my blood sugar levels were in the pre-diabetic range and a few months after that they were non-diabetic. Over a year I lost 50 pounds. I felt better and I was better.

The doctor who told you to drink gatorade should should have his medical licence revoked. A type 2 diabetic should not be guzzling liquid sugar! From my own experience, yes one can reverse type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise. I don't know about natural herbs, but you can google "Dr. Fung" (yes, a he's a licensed medical doctor in Canada) that has had success with having patients take herbs. I can't advise on the Janumet, but a carb restricted diet may be worth trying first.

Reversing type 2 can be as simple as eating natural, low carb foods (i.e. stop eating factory processed foods, especially vegetable oils and margarine), stop eating carbohydrate rich food (sugar, rice, bread/pasta/grains, starchy veg/fruit) and eat lots of fresh meat, eggs, butter, cheese, full fat dairy, and fresh vegetables (although I no longer eat plants myself). This low carb high fat way of eating will also result in weight loss if done correctly.

This website describes this diet in more detail:

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

And buy a home blood glucose meter and strips (you should be able to get one at any pharmacy) and start testing. Here is a good description of how to effectively self test:

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

In fact, you should read all the sections of that website. If you read it all you will know more about type 2 diabetes than the doctor you spent $450 to see.

@daisy1 will provide some more basic info soon.

Please stick with this forum and let us know how you are doing. There are people on this forum with as high (or higher) blood glucose levels as yours that have gotten them to non-diabetic levels through diet and exercise.

 

[Austin17]

Wow, thank you so much for all the insight! I truly am moved by how supportive you and seemingly everyone in this forum is. I will keep you posted as to how I'm doing in the next few days/weeks. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this.

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

You're welcome. Love your avatar.

 

[4ratbags]

Wow and I thought it sucked in NZ. Definitely stay away from the Gatorade, what an idiot for telling you that. Save your money, stick with us and you will be fine. Start cutting down on the carbs to get your BS under control and get a meter asap, it is essential to have one so you know which foods spike you and which don't. My BS was higher than your on diagnosis and by cutting carbs I am no longer technically diabetic and you will find many others who have reversed it as well. Getting shoved pills on diagnosis just seems to be the way they do it wherever you live. Don't be afraid to ask more questions and please keep us informed of your progress. Its funny you mention the cost of treatment in the US as a few years ago I was at an ASD support meeting and one of the lady's was from the US and she was telling me how she had to work full time just to pay for her sons autism insurance. I was shocked.

 

[Indy51]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Did they explain what was in the drip they put you on in hospital and that the diagnosis was definitely Type 2? You mentioned you were otherwise healthy and only 33 years old, so I'm concerned that you may actually be Type 1. All the advice you've been given is great for a Type 2, but if you find your blood sugar doesn't lower as you lower the carbohydrates in your diet, you might be wise to get another opinion. I think I'd be asking the hospital for the records of your visit in case you need to see another doctor.

 

[daisy1]

@Austin17

Hello and welcome to the forum

I am shocked at the way you have been treated. Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 150,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

 

[CollieBoy]

@Austin17,
Welcome. It does sound like type 2, but as others have said, it could possibly be type1.
As you have found, the system is concerned with your cash, not your health!
as @NoCrbs4Me said, getting th carbs down is important. Get yourself a cheap meter and monitor your BG (Fasting, pre meal, and @ +2hrs to find what foods are doing to your BG) Relion @ Walmart are a possibility http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/blood-glucose-meters If you try cutting back on carbohydrates (& replacing them with GOOD fats) then you should be able to get your BGs down.
Good luck!http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/members/nocrbs4me.113206/

 

[Phlogiston]

Wow,
That treatment was not the best!
Reluctant welcome here.
Janumet is what we call metformin over here - a fairly standard treatment for T2 diabetes. It eases insulin response by the liver and muscles. As long as you don't get upset stomach it seems useful.
My T2 diabetes is being treated with diet and exercise, and seems to be under control. I keep my carb load low each meal, and try to use carbs that are more slowly absorbed (low glycaemic index). I try to exercise as much as possible.
Best wishes
Adam

 

[Daibell]

Hi and welcome. Janumet is a combination of Metformin and Januvia (sitagliptin). The former is only really useful for those who are T2 and overweight as it reduces insulin resistance. It is a safe drug so don't worry but it may not help much. Januvia helps increase the insulin output from the pancreas after a meal wich helps T2s a bit. I've had both over the years until I realsied I was Late onset T1 and not T2. Unless you are really overweight I will hazard a guess that you may well be aT1. T2 is unusual at the age of 33 unless you are obese. If you are T1 then Gliclazide (diamicron in the USA) is commonly prescribed as it stimulates the pancreas. I was on it for years. It's safe and effective IF your pancreas still has enough working islet cells. Mine are nearly all dead hence the insulin I'm now on. A low-carb diet helps all diabetics but if T1 you will need some medication and in the longer term insulin. A c-peptide test will check your natural insulin production and a GAD test will check for antibodies that kill the islet cells. There are no real tests for T2 but these two tests for T1. C-peptide will be high if you are T2 and low if you are T1. I'm generalising but it gives a guide. You could get the tests done privately as I did.