Tell Us About Great Doctors/Nurses

[Grateful]

We see quite a few accounts here of bad interactions between diabetes patients and their doctors or nurses. However in other cases we are pleasantly surprised by accounts of good, and medically fruitful, relationships with these health-care professionals.

So to cheer us up, I thought it might be fun (and useful) to highlight the "good and highly professional" patient-doctor experiences. A couple of "rules" I will suggest:

1. Not revealing the identities of the health-care professionals.
2. If the experience is "jovial" but does not appear to make medical sense, it doesn't belong here. (Friendly doctors/nurses are not necessarily the best ones. Doc Martin trumps Carry On!)

I will start the ball rolling.

I live on the East Coast of the United States. When I was diagnosed, Dr. K. was warm, sympathetic and said, philosophically, "it is what it is." This is not a phrase that some people would have appreciated, but he seems to know me well enough (because it resonated well with me).

He told me that if my HbA1C had been really high (he joked about "fifteen percent, or something") then he would have put me on drugs immediately. But he preferred to try a diet-only route for two months, and then we would test again. As long as I could get the A1C below 7.0 percent (53) then we could stay on the diet-only regimen.

Fast forward two months. A1C is now below diabetic range. He scribbled on the (snail-mailed) test report: "Excellent job!!"

Another three months later, A1C even lower. Snail-mailed test report has a one-word notation: "Wow!!!"

(There were doctor's appointments coinciding with these test dates, during which he continued to provide helpful advice.)

I cannot sing Dr. K.'s praises enough. It would be an exaggeration to say that he saved my life, but I feel that he definitely saved my quality of life and, to some extent, my sanity. When the crisis came, he was there for me!

 

[Deleted Account]

I was diagnosed with Type 1 15 years ago. Although I was an adult in my 30s, I knew very little about the condition: there was no family history of any type of diabetes.
As most people of this forum will agree, diagnosis is a scary time.
My diabetes nurse said something the first time I met her which has stayed with me every day since then: "diabetes should not stop you doing what you want".
It may be a short, simple statement but for me, it was the best thing to hear. It put everything in context and, before I had a chance to even think it, I knew diabetes is not a death sentence.
This something I have continued to live by.

Reading stories and questions on this forum, I cannot express how glad I started my diabetes journey with this philosophy thanks to the same diabetes nurse as I still have today.

 

[Lamont D]

I owe my life and my health getting a true diagnosis of my condition because of my specialist endocrinologist. He was the only one who recognised the symptoms and put it all together and arranged the tests and also how to start treatment which was mainly dietary but he also used me to find a drug that does help with my condition.

I doubt I would be around now if not. Or not in a good place!

I still have direct contact with him, I email him if I have something to discuss with him. He is such a smashing bloke as well. He makes you welcome and easy to talk to.

This made a great difference to the consultant and doctors and nurses for over a decade, who told me it was the diabetes or my overeating and drinking. It wasn't, I'm not diabetic!

 

[bulkbiker]

Not sure this fits in as he's not "my" doctor as such but I would credit the guy in the picture next to me as making the biggest difference to my health and wellbeing. Lets just call him Dr F.

 

[Diakat]

DSN Claire who sang the Libre's praises.

Consultant Dr. B who is pragmatic and once gave me a prize for best A1c of the day!

 

[Bluetit1802]

I have found nothing but support from my diabetes nurse. I've had the same one since diagnosis nearly 4 years ago. She did give me the Eatwell Plate nonsense at our first meeting, but has listened to me and taken on board my LCHF eating plan. She even had a copy of Trudi Deakin's book "Eat Fat" on her desk, which she offered to lend me - except I already had a copy. She never judges, and is now in full agreement that low carb is the way to go. She always rings me up after my blood tests to give me the news (I don't tell her I already know from on-line results, that would spoil her obvious pleasure in telling me herself). She has to complete a tick list for the computer, including a section on diet. There is no box for LCHF so, bless her, she ticks the "diet good" and high fibre boxes, and then ticks the box "advised re low fat", which is not true!

 

[Chook]

My original DN was wonderful (apart from recommending the Eatwell plate). When I was prescribed insulin after a long period of denial and Eatwell plate nutrition my BG was sky high (around 34.5) and I felt awful - really, really awful - but adamantly refused to let her call an ambulance and/or be admitted to hospital. My DN (in her own time) dropped by my house twice a day for the first four days then once a day for the following week to make sure I was administering my insulin okay and to find tune the dosage.

 

[ringi]

She has to complete a tick list for the computer, including a section on diet. There is no box for LCHF so, bless her, she ticks the "diet good" and high fibre boxes, and then ticks the box "advised re low fat", which is not true!

Is not "eat fat", "ignore low fat" giving advice re low fat.........

 

[Bluetit1802]

Is not "eat fat", "ignore low fat" giving advice re low fat.........

Yes, I suppose it is!

 

[Brunneria]

After 20+ years of a group of symptoms, and having mentioned them to every healthcare professional I encountered in those 20 years, I turned up to our local Family Planning Clinic to have a coil fitted.

The staff member on duty that day was the senior consultant and BLESS HER BLESS HER BLESS HER she looked at the info I had written on the form and went

'Is this correct? You haven't had a menstrual cycle in 20 years?'
'Yes'
'Has nobody tested you for x, y, z...?'
'Nope. They just say 'lose some weight' '
'That isn't right. I will write some letters.'

And low an behold, a few months later after a raft of tests and scans, I was symptom free with a diagnosis of a prolactinoma and PCOS and medication for the prolactinoma - and an understanding of why I was fat.

Wonderful woman!

 

[ickihun]

I owe my life and my health getting a true diagnosis of my condition because of my specialist endocrinologist. He was the only one who recognised the symptoms and put it all together and arranged the tests and also how to start treatment which was mainly dietary but he also used me to find a drug that does help with my condition.

I doubt I would be around now if not. Or not in a good place!

I still have direct contact with him, I email him if I have something to discuss with him. He is such a smashing bloke as well. He makes you welcome and easy to talk to.

This made a great difference to the consultant and doctors and nurses for over a decade, who told me it was the diabetes or my overeating and drinking. It wasn't, I'm not diabetic!

I have a feeling we have the same consultant as he is as you describe and all other consultants ive seen are straight laced, some have been a nightmare. My private consultant in London was smashing. He diagnosed my polycystic ovaries and got me on the London trials for metformin for pcos. Pre diabetes thou.
My team are absolutely fantastic. My 2 gps are very good too. One mumbles but only after he's been back home to India for a few weeks then hes back in makem land.
I used to be the same when I lived down south. My accent became very strong after visiting my homearea.
I think ive mentioned recently how my gp on south coast was a fantastic gp too.
All brilliant listeners and explain only what I need to know.

 

[ickihun]

Sorry I forgot to mention my 2 brilliant consultants who were present at my first son's birth. One in particular was absolutely fantastic and gave me the guts to have a natural birth and not panic or get my baby panicked. After yrs of unfertility and failed procedures, drugs and ivf metformin got me pregnant! So whichever scientist/s who invented metformin has my whole hearted thanks and admiration.
My life saver.

 

[ickihun]

Oh sorry. I have another one. The locum gp who visited my home in 1985 who diagnosed ruptured appendix and the surgeon who carried out open surgery to remove the mess have the huge praise for saving my life, in earnest.

 

[Bluetit1802]

As we are moving away from doctors/nurses specifically for diabetes, I will mention my GP. I have never seen her for diabetes, but when I was on chemo she visited me twice at home, both times unannounced, because "she was passing". It was only out of concern to see how I was doing, and to offer any support I may have needed. Neither time was I ill or in need of help, she did it out of the goodness of her heart.

 

[Lamont D]

I have a feeling we have the same consultant as he is as you describe and all other consultants ive seen are straight laced, some have been a nightmare. My private consultant in London was smashing. He diagnosed my polycystic ovaries and got me on the London trials for metformin for pcos. Pre diabetes thou.
My team are absolutely fantastic. My 2 gps are very good too. One mumbles but only after he's been back home to India for a few weeks then hes back in makem land.
I used to be the same when I lived down south. My accent became very strong after visiting my homearea.
I think ive mentioned recently how my gp on south coast was a fantastic gp too.
All brilliant listeners and explain only what I need to know.

Unless you see him in greater Manchester, then he isn't!

My endocrinologist is of Indian descent but born and studied in this country.

His specialty is metabolic conditions and gestational diabetes.
That's how he knew that the symptoms I was describing and subsequent tests provided the true diagnosis. Because it is rare but not unknown for men to have reactive hypoglycaemic but more common in females especially in gestational diabetes.

Best wishes

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I have never had a problem with medical staff. In fact my DN is about the best you could wish for but she did start with the pill pushing and diet sheets typed by someone with no evidence and bad advice.

One thing I always remember is that they have rules they must abide by and if they don't then they can be accused of malpractice. That is at the top of my mind when I talk to DN.

 

[Antje77]

I love my DN. She's a bit chaotic and doesn't know everything but is always interested when I've read something somewhere (usually here) and she trusts me. If I tell her the hypo's on my libre aren't hypo's but just the libre reading low, she believes me. If I tell her I want Fiasp, which she doesn't know, she splutters a bit about prescribing something she never heard of, but after my explanation prescribes it anyway, and reads up about it afterwards and calls me back to ask if it works as good as I hoped. And she likes that I bring her eggs that my chickens lay with extra love for her!

 

[elsalisa]

Our daughter was diagnosed this year, we spent 5 days in hospital and we saw so much care from nurses and doctors! They were so friendly, helpful, and - what is very important too - they were very optimistic and supporting. Diabetes didn't look that scary any more in just a couple of days, thanks to them.

 

[EllsKBells]

I had to have a cystoscopy today, which is up there on the list of least dignified procedures ever. But the doctor and nurse were really, really wonderful. it was lovely to hear them chatting and laughing; they did a fabulous job of taking my mind off of it. I didn't feel embarrassed or self-conscious at all, and they did a fabulous job of finding the balance between friendly and professional. Thanks to them, what could have been a fairly horrible experience wasn't.

 

[phdiabetic]

Great idea! I have had lots of positive experiences with doctors and nurses during my time as a type 1.

1) When I was first diagnosed I went to the local diabetes centre. I'd heard mixed reviews of the educators there but every single one I saw as a new type 1 was compassionate and helpful. I was very confused about everything - I was supposed to take four injections a day, but due to a miscommunication earlier I was only taking two, I checked my blood sugar at random times and had no idea what anything meant. (My first conversation with my doctor: "your blood sugar is 19.4" "...is that ok?") I learnt so much during my first appointment there, and was always treated with understanding and kindness.

2) My endocrinologist. When I was first diagnosed I was put on fixed doses. Over time she taught me how diabetes works and how adjust insulin myself. Now she lets me make my own decisions about everything. She is open to discussing different methods of treatment, up to date with the latest goings-on in the diabetes world, and she never judges me for bad numbers. When I was about to get my pump, the pump educators told me that I couldn't pick my own starting basal rates and they would have to contact my endo about it. She emailed them back that "phdiabetic is the perfect candidate for a pump" and that I could pick my own doses! I'm always excited for my appointments with her!

3) Recently had an ECG. I thought I would have to undress the top half completely, but I only had to remove some of my clothes, and was given a sheet to cover myself. The nurse then somehow managed to put the stickers etc on seemingly without either looking at me or feeling where she was putting them! I was stunned, and made sure to tell the doctors at the practice about how well she had done the procedure.

4) I've had some terrible experiences at pathology places (both incompetence and unprofessional behaviour). I'm always told that I have thin veins or I'm dehydrated and they have trouble hitting a vein (none of this is true - I'm a healthy teenager with normal arms and I drink plenty). My last blood test, we had to rush because the collection van had just arrived. Despite the hurry, the nurses were friendly and pleasant and performed the procedure perfectly (and without complaints about my arms). They were also the only people to correctly infer from either my medical wristbands or the blood form that I have type 1 diabetes! (It says 'T1DM progress' on the sheet, plus the various tests to be performed obviously indicate diabetes). They were really fun and even drew a smiley face on my bandaid when we finished.