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New diabetic nurse appointment this Tuesday

Thank you all. I will think of you during my appointment. The whole bit about not being believed and blamed unfairly is triggering a cascade of stuff in my head. Taking my partner with me is counterproductive. I will update you later.
 
Dr Snoddy said:
I'm with Oldvatr on this one. Take along a friend who can ride shotgun and intervene if necessary. Just knowing that you have someone in your corner can make all the difference to how you feel and can also make a DN modify their behaviour. Warn the surgery in advance that you are bringing a friend and be prepared to insist that your friend stays with you. Brief your friend in advance as to what outcomes you expect and try to get in first!
I have been both the friend and the befriended with good effect. All the best for tomorrow - it is your appointment and it is about you and what you want.
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DrSnoddy, if Lucy's surgery is anything like ours at the moment, getting inside the building is harder than Fort Knox, and certainly only patients are allowed (when they're allowed).

Even when you get in, you don't leave by the same door. It's a one-way system, so if follow-up appointments are necessary, it's back to queueing on the phone lines (online booking was removed when the pandemic hit and hasn't returned).
 
Go for it, @lucylocket61 . If it all spills out, sometimes that is good. I honestly think some HCPs have lost touch with who their patients are and how life can impact them.

If only we all fitted the stereotypical boxes.

(Actually, that'd a be a different nightmare of it's onw, but you know what I mean!)

Strong vibes incoming to Wales.
 
Anything to stop you recording the conversation, so you can can go over the advice later;)
 
It went better than I thought, but then, my bar was low. I dont feel heard about my weight and how little I eat, although she did acknowledge that I must be doing something right to be diet controlled for 10 years. She wanted me to take bp tablets, saying that diabetics need to be under 120/80. I declined. She wanted me to take empaglifozin or Ozempic as my Hba1c is a bit high at 52. I have some time to think about it. I was not heard about how exercise affects me, she simply wouldnt accept how i get wiped out after even short walks. The surgery have no record of my covid in April 2020 or how ill I felt for the next 14 months. It was before testing so it isnt recorded, apparently, as I cant prove it. She looked like she didnt believe I have been eating 1200 cals or less a day for 5-6 years, but said nothing. I go back in 6 months, after my liver tests are finished and I have seen the liver consultant. My liver and kidney functions are normal again, thank goodness. I managed to keep calm, but am left feeling unbelieved and as if I should be trying harder somehow, to avoid medications. I had to ask several times, but left with a print out of all my test results. My surgery is still not online. I am in Wales. Phew!!!

Cholesterol (fasting) 5.7
trigs 1.6
HDL 1.57
Ratio: 3.6
LDL 4.1

cant remember if that is good or bad.

HbA1c 52

Kidney function great, liver function back to normal

Average bp 155/85 (apparently it should be under 120/80

: )))
 
lucylocket61 said:
Average bp 155/85 (apparently it should be under 120/80
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This bp reading is worthless, as you were stressed (to put it mildly) by the consultation. To ask you to start a bp lowering med on the basis of that test is insanity! The white coat effect in raising bp readings is well known and acknowledged in main stream medical literature.
For a more accurate reading you might want to get your own bp monitor to use at home.
Congratulations on surviving the consultation and keeping your cool!
 
Alexandra100 said:
This bp reading is worthless, as you were stressed (to put it mildly) by the consultation. To ask you to start a bp lowering med on the basis of that test is insanity! The white coat effect in raising bp readings is well known and acknowledged in main stream medical literature.
For a more accurate reading you might want to get your own bp monitor to use at home.
Congratulations on surviving the consultation and keeping your cool!
Click to expand...
When my husband's bp was high, they gave him a 24-hr monitor to wear and the average reading was fine. As you say, one shouldn't be put on bp lowering meds after one reading, especially when stressed!
 
lucylocket61 said:
It wasnt one blood pressure reading, it was my average from taking two readings a day, at home, for a week.
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Still, I daresay you were feeling quite stressed when you took those readings, knowing you were going to be "judged" on them? I don't think there is great urgency to start bg lowering meds. I would take my time, research possible side effects, ask around.
PS How mingey of them not to lend out bp monitors, but good that you now have your own to test any time and as often as you like. No strips to buy!
 
lucylocket61 said:
It wasnt one blood pressure reading, it was my average from taking two readings a day, at home, for a week. They dont lend out blood pressure monitors, so I had to buy one.
@Alexandra100 and @pre-predb
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You got through it! And you didn’t lose your temper or hit her!! So extremely well done. I know from experience how hard this must have been. In 6 months time you can always agree to the meds and then not take them Or ask for the lowest dose possible. It’s your choice. My aunt does similar with statins, she takes them every other day! No one has noticed! I would be very pleased with HbA1c of 52 after long COVID and you were obviously politely assertive enough to get a print out of your test results. Fantastic results for kidneys and liver. I think you’re a winner. Xxx
 
Just a thought to the long covid aspect of this, is it possible to get an antibody test. The nhs we’re doing them a while back as I did one. I’ll look for the link. Or you can pay for one if that’s an option. About £40. Two types. One for antibodies against the virus and one in response to the vaccine so pick carefully. The only issue is after all this time they may no longer show up, but it is possible. @Debandez still has them from nov/dec 2019.

Have you seen a dr about it? Do you think that referral to a long covid clinic would be of benefit? I understood they weren’t requiring “proof” anyway as so many from the first wave simply don’t have it.

Edit. The nhs link is here but the criteria is much more limited than when I did it back in July last year. It might still help someone. https://www.gov.uk/register-coronavirus-antibody-test
 
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lucylocket61 said:
It went better than I thought, but then, my bar was low. I dont feel heard about my weight and how little I eat, although she did acknowledge that I must be doing something right to be diet controlled for 10 years. She wanted me to take bp tablets, saying that diabetics need to be under 120/80. I declined. She wanted me to take empaglifozin or Ozempic as my Hba1c is a bit high at 52. I have some time to think about it. I was not heard about how exercise affects me, she simply wouldnt accept how i get wiped out after even short walks. The surgery have no record of my covid in April 2020 or how ill I felt for the next 14 months. It was before testing so it isnt recorded, apparently, as I cant prove it. She looked like she didnt believe I have been eating 1200 cals or less a day for 5-6 years, but said nothing. I go back in 6 months, after my liver tests are finished and I have seen the liver consultant. My liver and kidney functions are normal again, thank goodness. I managed to keep calm, but am left feeling unbelieved and as if I should be trying harder somehow, to avoid medications. I had to ask several times, but left with a print out of all my test results. My surgery is still not online. I am in Wales. Phew!!!

Cholesterol (fasting) 5.7
trigs 1.6
HDL 1.57
Ratio: 3.6
LDL 4.1

cant remember if that is good or bad.

HbA1c 52

Kidney function great, liver function back to normal

Average bp 155/85 (apparently it should be under 120/80

: )))
Click to expand...
Well done on your kidney and liver function I have only had 1 appointment so for and I couldn't understand my doctor ps love your picture
 
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