Diabetic Nurse didnt Understand

RoseofSharon · May 23, 2016

Mep said:
what's this business with her saying you shouldn't test? That sounds ridiculous to me. And saying you can't have a hypo on metformin is rubbish as I had my first hypo on metformin only and I've had plenty of hypos ever since. I know what a hypo is and how I react. I think she should be encouraging you to continue to test regularly. I'm sorry you had this experience... not good.

Unfortunately the present 'wisdom' prevalent is that metformin doesn't cause hypos. However if you read the insert from the medication it clearly states that you should be testing regularly!

Mep · May 23, 2016

RoseofSharon said:
Unfortunately the present 'wisdom' prevalent is that metformin doesn't cause hypos. However if you read the insert from the medication it clearly states that you should be testing regularly!

Yeh I've seen that mentioned before too... although my experience differs to the 'wisdom'. I remember that one.. walked into a wall.

RoseofSharon · May 23, 2016

Typicaltwo said:
The NHS, medical professionals, nutritionists, dietitians, school staff et al have all been influenced (indoctrinated) by the government's Eatwell guide (formerly the Eatwell Plate) since 1994. This is produced on the governments behalf by The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF). This is the governments 'go to' organisation for dietary advice. Just follow this link to see who the BNF's members are. Not the best advertisement for healthy eating.
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/aboutbnf/supporters/memberorganisations.html

Conflict of interest sounds about right here.

dbr10 · May 30, 2016

amgrundy said:
Hi all, thought I would let you all know how I got on yesterday at my 3 month review with diabetic nurse. She wasn't the diabetic nurse I usually see, the one I see is lovely and listens and seems to understand. This nurse really had an attitude, didn't listen to me properly, was asking me questions written on her note pad. Got off to a bad start as she asked me for a water sample [ didn't know I had to take one.] She then asked for the letter sent to me [ I never received one ] She said I would have had a letter so she looked in her diary [ Guess what I wasn't even in the book] She tried to cover this up by saying it was an oversight on the other diabetic nurses part. Next question off notepad Lets look at your 3 month BG results which were from 148 in Jan to now 54 she looked amazed but never asked me how I had achieved this, so I told her about this site, she said <Who told me to go on the site> I said the other diabetic nurse, she didn't even reply. I tried to tell her about the LCHF diet she didn't even reply

I showed her my diary with the daily BG readings, [ she glanced at them then asked < Why was I still testing? I didn't need to test anymore as Type 2s on Metformin will never have a Hypo and the Metformin are great for lowering B G levels !!!! GOT THE IMPRESSION SHE THOUGHT OH JUST TAKE THE TABLETS DIET DOESNT MATTER !!!!!! so I would probably not get a repeat prescription and if I wanted to carry on testing I could buy them of the internet > I told her my doc was happy for me to test 2-3 times a week, didn't even reply. Back to the notebook, next question, I will take your blood pressure and weigh you. Blood pressure fine [ I don't know how as at this moment in time I was livid. ] Weight good lost another 10lbs. Then this nurse said I needed to loose another 10lbs to get down to 62kg. [ I know she was only being informative but it was the attitude she had as though she knew all about being a Diabetic ] I only need to loose pounds she needed to loose stones Sorry about the sarcasm but I was so frustrated with her.
Then to put the top hat on it all I tried again to explain why I needed to keep testing my BG levels to see what foods I could tolerate, she didn't even seem to be interested at this point. What is going on why do some Diabetic [ proffessionals not listen ?
Have to go back in 3 months to see doctor will be asking questions.

I know a lot of people on here have had good discussions with their diabetic nurses [ I have had one with my normal nurse ] but this Diabetic Nurse wasn't one of them ] Came out and sat in car was so confused and frustrated more than anything. Unbelievable

Take absolutely no notice and carry on as you are.

Sent from my LG-D620 using DCUK Forum mobile app

amgrundy · May 31, 2016

Thank

dbr10 said:
Take absolutely no notice and carry on as you are.

Sent from my LG-D620 using DCUK Forum mobile app

Thank you dbr10 was annoyed at the time but getting used to the docs and diabetic nurses now they have no idea, as far as I am concerned they just read from their books perhaps if it was them they would gave a different outlook into being a diabetic

Oldvatr · May 31, 2016

As a Diabetic,I am guilty of having a vested interest in my condition. I spend a lot of time and money in researching this disease, and so I will know much more about it than a general practitioner (GP) or even the Specialist nurse.

I am by profession a computer design engineer, a specialist in many respects, but I am totally floored by a smartphone since it is something I do not posess and do not have much experience with. I try to give my HCP's the respect they deserve, even when i disagree with them. Obviously there will be poor examples of their profession, just as there are poor teachers, poor dentists etc. But we cannot expect them all to perfectly understand our own personal journey as well as we do. We live with our bodies 24/7 , they don't.

thepolly · May 31, 2016

@amgrundy I'd probably put in a complaint about her attitude and inability to listen to you. Sounds like she was in a clinic that she was covering but just ask to be booked in with the nurse you want to see next time. I always book appts like this. You get someone that has more insight into your condition then. I'm newly diagnosed and out of 3 nurses I saw, 1 was a bit dismissive, 1 had heard of the blood sugar diet and some of its results and the 3rd (actual diabetic nurse) was supportive but said I shouldn't rule out meds (I refused point blank).

Official leaflet still gives lots of bad dietary advice - much carb heavy ****

amgrundy · Jun 1, 2016

thepolly said:
@amgrundy I'd probably put in a complaint about her attitude and inability to listen to you. Sounds like she was in a clinic that she was covering but just ask to be booked in with the nurse you want to see next time. I always book appts like this. You get someone that has more insight into your condition then. I'm newly diagnosed and out of 3 nurses I saw, 1 was a bit dismissive, 1 had heard of the blood sugar diet and some of its results and the 3rd (actual diabetic nurse) was supportive but said I shouldn't rule out meds (I refused point blank).

Official leaflet still gives lots of bad dietary advice - much carb heavy ****

Hi thepolly, thank you for your reply, next time I think it may be my usual diabetic nurse if not I will ask to see her. She is a bit more easier to talk to.

bolakey7 · Jun 29, 2017

amgrundy said:
Hi all, thought I would let you all know how I got on yesterday at my 3 month review with diabetic nurse. She wasn't the diabetic nurse I usually see, the one I see is lovely and listens and seems to understand. This nurse really had an attitude, didn't listen to me properly, was asking me questions written on her note pad. Got off to a bad start as she asked me for a water sample [ didn't know I had to take one.] She then asked for the letter sent to me [ I never received one ] She said I would have had a letter so she looked in her diary [ Guess what I wasn't even in the book] She tried to cover this up by saying it was an oversight on the other diabetic nurses part. Next question off notepad Lets look at your 3 month BG results which were from 148 in Jan to now 54 she looked amazed but never asked me how I had achieved this, so I told her about this site, she said <Who told me to go on the site> I said the other diabetic nurse, she didn't even reply. I tried to tell her about the LCHF diet she didn't even reply

I showed her my diary with the daily BG readings, [ she glanced at them then asked < Why was I still testing? I didn't need to test anymore as Type 2s on Metformin will never have a Hypo and the Metformin are great for lowering B G levels !!!! GOT THE IMPRESSION SHE THOUGHT OH JUST TAKE THE TABLETS DIET DOESNT MATTER !!!!!! so I would probably not get a repeat prescription and if I wanted to carry on testing I could buy them of the internet > I told her my doc was happy for me to test 2-3 times a week, didn't even reply. Back to the notebook, next question, I will take your blood pressure and weigh you. Blood pressure fine [ I don't know how as at this moment in time I was livid. ] Weight good lost another 10lbs. Then this nurse said I needed to loose another 10lbs to get down to 62kg. [ I know she was only being informative but it was the attitude she had as though she knew all about being a Diabetic ] I only need to loose pounds she needed to loose stones Sorry about the sarcasm but I was so frustrated with her.
Then to put the top hat on it all I tried again to explain why I needed to keep testing my BG levels to see what foods I could tolerate, she didn't even seem to be interested at this point. What is going on why do some Diabetic [ proffessionals not listen ?
Have to go back in 3 months to see doctor will be asking questions.

I know a lot of people on here have had good discussions with their diabetic nurses [ I have had one with my normal nurse ] but this Diabetic Nurse wasn't one of them ] Came out and sat in car was so confused and frustrated more than anything. Unbelievable

I had the same experience yesterday, I was told the same,but my blood sugar which has fallen she would not listen to or ask how I managed,I think there is something going on with these nurses ,only promoting tablets and buy your own stripes .

treborc · Jun 29, 2017

Mep said:
what's this business with her saying you shouldn't test? That sounds ridiculous to me. And saying you can't have a hypo on metformin is rubbish as I had my first hypo on metformin only and I've had plenty of hypos ever since. I know what a hypo is and how I react. I think she should be encouraging you to continue to test regularly. I'm sorry you had this experience... not good.

pamK · Jun 29, 2017

i think you should be so proud of your self i had a nurse like that who said i shouldn't test So i looked her straight in the face and said "oh can you tell me what my blood reading is now please she said i cant do that I said well at least my machine can so my machine is better than you " she didn't say anything else Some DN don't hace a clue

douglas99 · Jun 29, 2017

I go into mine, she checks my weight, pulse, blood pressure, feet, when my last eye check was, runs through all my blood tests, various other health checks, and asks if I have any problems.
She knows I'm ok when all my results are normal.
Beyond that I don't really need to tell her much else, she has other patients waiting.
I would expect if any result or trend is bad, she'll ask me what I've changed, and we'll come up with a plan for that, but if it's all good, I'd expect her just to get me get on with it.
(Mine did ask me why I test, as all my results have been normal for years, that is actually a hard one to justify)

JohnEGreen · Jun 29, 2017

@douglas99 Maybe it's because you would like to keep it that way..

@amgrundy For diabetic nurse read diabolical nurse wrong on so many counts Just keep your own council and carry on with what you have been doing as it's worked so well for you and congrats on that.

douglas99 · Jun 29, 2017

JohnEGreen said:
@douglas99 Maybe it's because you would like to keep it that way..

@amgrundy For diabetic nurse read diabolical nurse wrong on so many counts Just keep your own council and carry on with what you have been doing as it's worked so well for you and congrats on that.

I think it's because we worked jointly from the start.
I listened to what she said, then we changed it as time went on.
But you are right, I do like to keep a good relationship going.

JohnEGreen · Jun 29, 2017

It is better if you can establish a good relationship from the start.

Guzzler · Jun 29, 2017

Typicaltwo said:
The NHS, medical professionals, nutritionists, dietitians, school staff et al have all been influenced (indoctrinated) by the government's Eatwell guide (formerly the Eatwell Plate) since 1994. This is produced on the governments behalf by The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF). This is the governments 'go to' organisation for dietary advice. Just follow this link to see who the BNF's members are. Not the best advertisement for healthy eating.
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/aboutbnf/supporters/memberorganisations.html

@Typicaltwo
Wow! Greggs? Heinz? It actually hurt my eyes reading that list.

Oldvatr · Jun 29, 2017

Guzzler said:
@Typicaltwo
Wow! Greggs? Heinz? It actually hurt my eyes reading that list.

Also, the other diabetes site, Diabetes UK [not this site but diabetes.org] who also get consulted for diabetes advice, have a similar list of sponsors, the main one being ASDA. They do not support any LC diet approach, but are fully behind Eatwell#2 as well as High Carb, LOW FAT.

I went to one of their Diabetes roadshows which was holding a raffle where the first prize was a luxury hamper of carb laden goodies and was held in the ASDA store that supplied the prizes. There was the ususal displays of diet goodies being recommended such as low fat pasta ready meals and low fat crisps at discounted prices and Bogoffs. At the time I had not heard of LC diets, so I was open to their advances.

serenity648 · Jun 29, 2017

douglas99 said:
I think it's because we worked jointly from the start.
I listened to what she said, then we changed it as time went on.
But you are right, I do like to keep a good relationship going.

It takes two to make a relationship work. And two to listen. If only one will listen and work with the other person, its not going to work.

I am glad your relationship with your DSN is good. Mine wont listen to me, believe me, and talks to me like I am a naughty child.

She talks over me, asks me how I got my bs levels down, then spend 10 mins hectoring me in a sharp voice on how much damage I am storing up for my body by continuing to low carb, and why I should take Metformin, as it wont do me any harm.

edited to add: I do not have a choice of DSN - she is the only one.

I am not the only one who finds her offensive and rude. The previous DSN was lovely. No amount of me being charming and polite works on this one.

MikeTurin · Jun 29, 2017

Oldvatr said:
They do not support any LC diet approach, but are fully behind Eatwell#2 as well as High Carb, LOW FAT.

Maybe my English isn't too good but this seems to me a low-carb diet.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Enjoy-food/Eating-with-diabetes/Meal-plans-/Low-carb/
At the end of the diet there are some advices about the risks of taking an LCHF diet especially in one takes insulin.

the main one being ASDA.

Here supermarkets are quite happy to sell you food for a low-carb high-fat diet or a Mediterranean diet.

NoCrbs4Me · Jun 29, 2017

MikeTurin said:
Maybe my English isn't too good but this seems to me a low-carb diet.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Enjoy-food/Eating-with-diabetes/Meal-plans-/Low-carb/
At the end of the diet there are some advices about the risks of taking an LCHF diet especially in one takes insulin.

Here supermarkets are quite happy to sell you food for a low-carb high-fat diet or a Mediterranean diet.

From their low-carb meal plan:
Breakfast: Scrambled egg with smoked salmon on granary toast
Lunch: Ham, leek and Parmesan frittata with avocado, celery, cucumber and lettuce
Dinner: Roast chicken, roast potatoes, green beans and gravy
Pudding: Greek yogurt with rapsberries
Choose from snacks including olives, nuts, dried fruit and oatcakes with light cream cheese.

And this is from the roast chicken recipe: "Remove the skin, carve, and serve with plenty of vegetables and potatoes."

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