Why does LCHF feel like another term for axe murderer?

[Scandichic]

I have just returned from the doctors where I was asked if I was "still following that silly diet." Knowing that I was going to face some resistance, I have been keeping a diary of what I eat. Not for me but to show what I do eat to the doctor/diabetic nurse. However, due to the copious, negative notes she made from the last time we met (hopefully the one and only time), I don't think I'll be meeting her anytime soon. I was told that I don't need to test regularly as it can lead to anxiety and depression which completely contradicts the advice to experiment and see what works for me. How can I know what the effect is if I don't test before and after eating? Bearing in mind that he asked to see me, he did no tests, wasn't interested in my diary or bs readings and told me I needed to relax and not let diabetes rule my life. The upside is that he reluctantly agreed to give me a new monitor and strips but only for the short term as there isn't enough money for it in their budget. All I'm doing is not eating rice, potatoes, bread or pasta and avoiding sugar. Isn't it a good thing, that I want to lose weight, manage my bs and eat what I consider to be a sensible (not silly) diet? I feel so angry about the lack of support (apparently no one needs to check my feet and I just need to have a fasting blood test at the end of April and ring 2 days later to get the results from the receptionist). The diabetic nurse made an appointment for me in March at the hospital and the doctor told me it's because I had been upset (in tears after having a hyper at work, being told off for my dangerous diet, sent home and told to sort myself out - drove straight to doctors all within a week of being diagnosed) when I spoke to the nurse. I could not get a straight answer as to whether I should cancel this appointment. Apparently the only way to lower cholestrol is by statins. 6.9 at last check when diabetes was diagnosed. Am even more determined that I will lose more weight after today. 1 stone 2lbs gone - 3 stone 13lbs to go!

 

[douglas99]

I have just returned from the doctors where I was asked if I was "still following that silly diet." ..................!

Doesn't sound very good from your doctors.
If it's working, stick to it.
And it sounds like it is, so hang on in there.

 

[Beachbag]

How frustrating!! Well done Sandi.. Stay with it
Geri x

 

[Robbity]

It's too bad that they are making diabetic life more difficult for you when you're are obviously doing a very good job to sort your own health and wellbeing out.

I think I've been very lucky with my doctor having read what others are having to put up with. He actually mentioned the Atkins diet to me when he announced that I was diabetic and was in dire need of losing a large amount of weight, although the bumph that both he and the diabetic nurse printed off for me was recommending the usual high carb "healthy" plate type diet; she told me too that I didn't need a meter. I was back this Monday to get my recent HbA1c tests, and he was well pleased with me and quite happy that I'm following a low carb (rather than the actual atkins) diet - happy enough too that I was funding my own meter to agree I could have a repeat prescription for my test strips.

It's a great shame that the right sort of support we need seems to be the luck of the draw rather than standard over the country.

Robbity

 

[FatGenes999]

Scandichic, I thought that considering the circumstances you might like to see our little friend again.

Glad that you are not buckling under. Just keep remembering that it is your health, not theirs.

 

[Scandichic]

Thank you all for your support! I definitely am in need of the gif - lol! My husband thinks I should go for the hospital appointment in the hope that I can get some strips out of them although from the diet lipped response from the diabetic nurse, who appears to have washed her hands of me, I suspect it's where they send their most recalcitrant patients so that I can get my wrists slapped. Bring it on - I teach teenagers! Told my mum who was incensed about the cholestrol remarks as she has used her diet on several occasions to bring her cholestrol down, at the advice of her doctor. Does anyone else get their feet checked? Just soo glad I discovered this forum! Fasting bloods 6.8. Really wish I could get this to go lower. Take my meds at 7:45, 3pm and 11pm but still to no avail! Think it might be fruit at lunchtimes as I didn't eat it during half term hols but am worried that I need my 50g of berries to keep to a balanced diet!

 

[Truffle]

I feel really sorry for you and others who struggle with their doctors / diabetic nurses etc...
When I was diagnosed I was told that I had to see the 'diabetic doctor' at the practice. She and I fell out within 2 minutes and by mutual agreement I see my own doctor at the practice. She is great! I told her 3 months ago that I wanted to try the Newcastle diet as my HbAic had gone up to 6.8 from 5.1 and I wanted to lower it - she immediately said to go ahead and she would do the test again at the end of Feb - I am waiting for the results at the moment. She agrees with cutting the carbs and is willing to go along with anything that I want to try. I have my feet checked once a year by the diabetic nurse who tuts at my diet but won't contradict my doctor and I have my eyes tested once a year. I haven't asked for strips as I don't want to push my luck but if these results are good I might just chance it.
Keep going and do what you feel is right - they don't live with your body, you do.

 

[zand]

Your 'silly diet' is the one I use too. After my last blood test (HbA1c 41), the doctor told me that I had the best results of all his diabetic patients. He said 'I don't know how you are doing it' I started to tell him but he wasn't interested. He said drinking only water/sparkling water and unsweetened tea was boring. My nurse also told me that following 'extreme diets' like this one is dangerous, (giving up bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and sugar is extreme?!!)So, I go along to appointments, get my eyes checked and listen to what they have to say and then follow any advice which I consider to be sensible, and ignore the rest. They do check my feet once a year though.

I managed to get my fasting bg level lower by giving up the lunch time fruit for just as long as it takes to reach lower readings. I found that when I reintroduced the fruit, the levels stayed lower. This might not work for you, but it's all trial and error until we eventually find what works for us.

Well done on losing the weight and finding what works for you

zand

 

[Yorksman]

Why does LCHF feel like another term for axe murderer?

Guilt?

 

[Yorksman]

All I'm doing is not eating rice, potatoes, bread or pasta and avoiding sugar. Isn't it a good thing, that I want to lose weight, manage my bs and eat what I consider to be a sensible (not silly) diet? I feel so angry about the lack of support

My previous GP and DN were both forced out of the surgery. My current GP said that 25 test strips per month were not enough and increased them to 50. Yesterday the new DN said I don't need to test at all.

Don't assume that they all sing from the same hymn sheet, know what they are doing or have your interests at heart.

 

[Yorksman]

I managed to get my fasting bg level lower by giving up the lunch time fruit for just as long as it takes to reach lower readings. I found that when I reintroduced the fruit, the levels stayed lower. This might not work for you, but it's all trial and error until we eventually find what works for us.

I found this with certain foods too. It took me two or three months before I could eat porridge without getting a spike.

 

[AndBreathe]

In answer to your header, Scandichic, I think it's because people like other people to be main stream and not deviate from what they perceive to be “normal”. I also think that labelling conditions can be unhelpful. Tell someone you have diabetes and they have already decided what they think about that. Tell them your body doesn't handle some foods very well and they tend to be a little more thoughtful in their responses.

In dealing with my own diagnosis and lifestyle changes I used the “my body doesn't cope with some foods too well these days” approach to telling others. If they ask for more information, I would explain that I am exploring exactly which foods adversely affect me, then I'll know, longer term, what I have to avoid.

Once I had lost a few pounds, the feedback was almost wholly positive; after all I looked trim and felt great. They don't need labels. In my view, they are better knowing I have to make lifestyle changes, and I'm better for it, than them knowing I have diabetes and immediately bringing their prejudices and opinions about my condition or my approach to it, to the table. That doesn't help them, and it certainly doesn't help me.

I don't lie to people; I just don't invite them to “auto-disapprove”.

Incidentally, I only pro-actively told those closest to me - OH, brother and best friend. Who else really needs to know? If I had been T1, or been in danger of true hypos, I would probably dealt with it differently.

 

[Scandichic]

Guilt?

No psychosis!

 

[paul-1976]

No psychosis!

"We all go a little mad sometimes..." Said Norman Bates in 'Psycho' 1960

 

[FatGenes999]

Thank you all for your support! I definitely am in need of the gif - lol! My husband thinks I should go for the hospital appointment in the hope that I can get some strips out of them although from the diet lipped response from the diabetic nurse, who appears to have washed her hands of me, I suspect it's where they send their most recalcitrant patients so that I can get my wrists slapped. Bring it on - I teach teenagers! Told my mum who was incensed about the cholestrol remarks as she has used her diet on several occasions to bring her cholestrol down, at the advice of her doctor. Does anyone else get their feet checked? Just soo glad I discovered this forum! Fasting bloods 6.8. Really wish I could get this to go lower. Take my meds at 7:45, 3pm and 11pm but still to no avail! Think it might be fruit at lunchtimes as I didn't eat it during half term hols but am worried that I need my 50g of berries to keep to a balanced diet!

"Does anyone else get their feet checked?"
Yes, and my Podiatrist said that I was doing a good job of monitoring and preventing any further foot problems.
I get a toenail fungus and some neuropathy sometimes. See my signature below for my daily regimen.
I also started a thread on this site on cheap ways to deal with toenail fungus, which diabetes-people are prone to.
My Podiatrist said that the oral Rx meds that he could write a script for has been known to cause liver damage, so he recommends topical OTC cream for the overall fungus. I have a condition of both feet which, aside from the toenail problem, makes the skin thicker than normal and causes dryness, cracking and flakiness. Just loverly stuff.
I will be seeing a Neurologist for the foot (and sometimes hand) Neuropathy in about two weeks.

 

[Robbity]

Yes I've had my feet checked twice in the last month or so - first time as a routine diabetes check by my nurse who poked and prodded, tested my big toe with a tuning fork and listened to my ankle with a stethoscope to my blood pressure. The second time was at the hospital by a podiatrist to look at an ingrowing toenail. She also did the same tests as the nurse as well as sorting out my toe, and I can go directly back to her if I continue to have a problem.

I've also had an eye check this month which involved taking photos of the back of my eyes to check for signs of diabetic retinopathy; I'm awaiting the results of this test. As I also get 6 monthly checks at the hospital for a previous long term, but non diabetic related, eye issue, I doubt if they'll find anything new!

Both these checks are supposed to be a routine part of our diabetic treatment and should be done annually.

The one thing I've not been offered is a consultation with a dietician, which I'm not too worried about as I think I'm managing fairly well on my own with this aspect.

And to change topic slightly, it seems to me that many diabetic nurses need rather urgent education in two areas:
1. they need to understand that if you aren't given the facilities to test, you are never going to be able to discover what is or is not a problem for you food-wise, and if you can't get this information, then you'll not be able to sort yourself out
2. they need to understand that if your body can't (properly) manage your carbohydrate intake, then feeding it even more of the same is only going make things worse

Robbity

 

[Mud Island Dweller]

Well my poddy was fine that l barefoot, all my tests were clear and l have her number for any problems.

My DN said we have to work as a team so what's the point of getting upset, she wished all her patients were as determined as me she loves my results and is gobsmacked at my weight loss, Hba1c and lowering blood pressure she said we have to work as a team.
The majority of her patients are elderly or older folks who look at her as mad if she says adjust diet and refuse.

Statins not forced on me, she was interested in all the info l took in and will place it on my records. As she said at least she is covered if there is any problems
For you I would say best for you to google tons there hence my refusing statins. Use the following terms....
cholesterol and high fat low carbohydrate diet
scientific papers cholesterol and high fat low carbohydrate diet

Ask your drs for the numbers for your cholesterol (all of them) so you can keep a track of them also your blood pressure and blood test results

On the other hand everyone else here has a bright side to look at... We can tell folks that its great we have a psychotic axe murderer on the forum

 

[FatGenes999]

I also saw the eye doctor and there is no diabetic retinopathy.
I am procrastinating seeing the "Diabetes Team" because I don't want to be discouraged from doing what I am doing, although i've noticed that there seems to be a bit more intelligent understanding amongst medical practitioners about the best way to deal with diabetes, here, in the States. But, I would rather not see the "Team", regardless. I'll only check in with my GP again in April, and whatever other specialists I need.

Psycohotic Axe Murderers are we!!!!
The P.A.M. Club - Founded by Scandichic - February 2014​

 

[Scandichic]

I also saw the eye doctor and there is no diabetic retinopathy.
I am procrastinating seeing the "Diabetes Team" because I don't want to be discouraged from doing what I am doing, although i've noticed that there seems to be a bit more intelligent understanding amongst medical practitioners about the best way to deal with diabetes, here, in the States. But, I would rather not see the "Team", regardless. I'll only check in with my GP again in April, and whatever other specialists I need.

Psycohotic Axe Murderers are we!!!!
The P.A.M. Club - Founded by Scandichic - February 2014​

Free axe provided after 2 week trial completed! Lol!

 

[JustDomUK]

Hi well done on persevering. If it's working for you it's working for you.

You don't say whether this is with your diabetes specialist team under the hospital or with your GP practice. Either way you don't have to put up with this kind of care, you can switch GP and or specialists. You don't have to put up with it, I can't stress this enough. If you had a plumber giving you a bad time he would probably end up on Watchdog and you wouldn't use them again. Drs are no different. Some are good some are not. Don't settle for those that aren't good.