Worst GP Appointment I have had…ever

Susikav

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,916
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Diabetes and ulcerative colitis.... :) Rude people... Violence.... and the amount of time I spend away from my beautiful family in the UK...
Been there and had similar problems. One thing you must watch is that you are not over prescribed on any of these drugs. I've just seen a specialist from the hospital for my type 2 which I've had for over 7 years. I have been suffering all this time from many side effects of Metformen and the specialist has taken me off it for a month as she believes that I have been prescribed 4 times the quantity that I need. Make sure that you get some monitoring on your actual requirements. I also take statins but only need half the dose that the GP wanted me to take. I know some people have horrendous joint pain with statins. 12 days after being taken off Metformen I can taste my food again I've lost a kilo in weight my skin problems are improving and the stomach cramp has gone completely. The only thing that hasn't come back to normal is the pain in my legs which I feel is neuropathy but the GP won't own up on that one as having overdosed me for 7 years I think they feel a bit guilty. Good luck and keep your wits about you always.
Hi, sorry, the thread is 'Neuropathic Pain'.... :)
 

Susikav

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,916
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Diabetes and ulcerative colitis.... :) Rude people... Violence.... and the amount of time I spend away from my beautiful family in the UK...
Satanic statins just about did me in on Monday 28th of September 2015, and - hardly able to get out of bed - rang NHS24 for advice. Told to go in to usual surgery as an emergency, which I did that same day. Told that it was one of these things, having back pains shooting down one's leg, and told to take paracetemols: that worked a bit.
Stopped coffees (being a self-confessed addict of da beans!), thinking that it was caffeine overload.
That failed to alleviate pains, which prevented me going out and doing my regular walks and twice-weekly 2-hour badminton sessions. Started losing loads of weight (great!). Saw another GP in my surgery: same diagnosis, but co-codamol recommended... and that worked better. TENS belt that my wife bought also helped with overnight sleeps and pain relief, but only a little.
Then penny dropped... those darn statins... could it be...? Visited third doctor in same surgery (29th October) and she suggested stopping statins for three months and then test my cholesterol, which would also coincide with next blood-sugar test. Stopped taking statins on same day.
Three days later: miracle result... NO PAIN!
Soon afterwards, read this in the Daily Mail, a copy of which I took to my GPs' surgery for their digestion:-
dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3300937/Crippled-statins-Cholesterol-busting-drugs-left-David-wheelchair-doctors-insisted-taking-them.html
This left me in no doubt that the medical profession is behaving irresponsibly (if not naively) on the dispensing of statins in the UK: it needs to be looked in.
How many other folks are going through such pains without need?
Sure, statins are saving many lives by reducing fats in the bloodstream, but there's no excuses for being ignorant of their side-effects.
They bloody-well frightened me, let me tell you.
I am sorry you went through such hell.... I wonder at the 'research' which said that statins can save thousands of lives a year... were the 'scientists' involved being employed by big Pharmaceuticals - those companies which dictate the NHS Diabetes diet; the one that tells us to eat loads of carbs (which are ultimately sugar and harm us)? What about loads of new research which says cholesterol doesn't cause heart attacks? And the research that says that people get D2 then put weight on, not the other way round? Do our doctors do any reading for research once they graduate? I am convinced, after a year, and watching threads on this forum, that low-carbing is the only way for anyone with Diabetes... I have always been pretty slender, so they tell me my D2 must be 'genetic', as they obviously blame people for 'bad diet and over-eating'.... what a load of old tripe - we are all the same - victims of our genetics and the system...
 
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Susikav

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,916
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Diabetes and ulcerative colitis.... :) Rude people... Violence.... and the amount of time I spend away from my beautiful family in the UK...
So sorry to hear about the "jobsworth" doctor. Could I just say that I have been on Metformin and then the SR for many years, and have had all sorts of IBS problems with it. Finally talked the doc (decent chap who really encourages testing), to drop my dosage. Things are so much better! At first I was very wary, and having been checking at one point my blood glucose level went to 20! Yikes!
Jumped on the exercise bike for 20 minutes and (not going at a terrific rate) it was then down to 11.6!!! (An hour and a half after a meal)

My blood sugar levels have actually dropped by halfing the Metformin, and one morning the reading was 4.1. What a shame - had to have a big breakfast.

So, I don't know what that tells you. Or maybe I'm just weird!
Sounds to me as though the exercise is doing it for you, not the Metfomin.. :)
 
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Smoking, noise and drunks.
Well all Ivan say is this. I've complicated multiple medical conditions including Diabetes. From my experience you could go to 10 different doctors who will give you 10 different answers to the same problem. Just look closely at what your body is telling you. Read up on any conditions you know you have and make your own mind up whether your doctor is right. The biggest cause of heart disease is stuff like veg oil and Marg. Stick to natural stuff like butter and whole milk , olive oil ect. Like many other things , I reckon Statins will turn out too be harmful long term like a lot of other things. Just think big business and follow the money. There is a tribe in Africa that lives almost entirely on very high fat milk from their live stock and have no heart disease. Manufactured oils and fats are the problem . Keep natural and enjoy life.
 
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LucySW

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Messages
1,945
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
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seadragon

Well-Known Member
Messages
316
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I
I will ensure my next appointment is with the Doctor in the practice that specialises in Diabetes Care. On the advice of someone on this thread, I have now found out who that is. She it seems is also one of the most senor of the Doctors. I will make my points to her....provided of course that she isn't even worse than my previous Doctor :)

Don't be fooled by the 'diabetic specialist' tag used by some doctors. When I saw the doctor who runs the diabetic clinic (so should know everything there is to know about it) she just wanted to put me straight on metformin and statins and was not open to discussion and not interested in diet and exercise as a therapy/cure whatever. "Well you don't have much weight to lose" she said when I talked about diet and exercise. So she thinks of diet purely in terms of weight loss whereas on the low carb high fat diet it is a lifestyle diet and I feel fantastic on it! :) Haven't been back yet but will report what she says when i do go back and show her my improvements.
 
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pendingo

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Well done you!! Statins aren't for everybody, they affect people in different ways so it's pretty obvious this doctor is in cahoots with the drug companies or at best she hasn't done sufficient research. Change your doctor if you can I know it's hassle but your wellbeing is paramount. xx
 
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Klangley

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Sounds to me as though the exercise is doing it for you, not the Metfomin.. :)

I think you are right. I have only been on the Metformin for a week but have noticed no change whatsoever in my BS. I have been walking 5 miles minimum every day for the last 8 weeks. Frequently after my walks the BS is the 4's. This morning was big milestone as my weight loss reached double figures in Kg. I will be celebrating tonight with a glass of red wine :)
 
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Klangley

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Well done you!! Statins aren't for everybody, they affect people in different ways so it's pretty obvious this doctor is in cahoots with the drug companies or at best she hasn't done sufficient research. Change your doctor if you can I know it's hassle but your wellbeing is paramount. xx

I think like a lot of Doctors she probably hasn't stayed current.
 

Klangley

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
.............whereas on the low carb high fat diet it is a lifestyle diet and I feel fantastic on it! :) Haven't been back yet but will report what she says when i do go back and show her my improvements.

I know exactly what you mean. The Metformin has taken the edge off it, but I feel better than I have in years. I am not doing LCHF until I can eat normal foods for me LCHF is normal foods.....

Thanks to everyone who has added to this thread.
 

LJRC

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
tea, miserable people, swallowing large pills :)
Gosh .. my diabetic nurse is far more patronising and hostile than the Dr !
I feel for you :D We have a new nurse for those with Diabetes. The only thing that has risen a little was my sugar levels, everything else was going down. But, I got told to lose weight, do vigorous exercise, take statins. "When you return in 6 months, I want to see you have lost enough weight to lose you if you turned sideways." I've managed to drop about a stone in a year, now weigh in at 13.4. If my sugar levels are still going up I'll be getting insulin tablets...no proper mention of diet. She has apparently been looking after Diabetics for 12 years. What is it with some of these so-called "experts".??
 

4ratbags

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,334
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Klangley your wife sounds like a genius. Her quote definately put a smile on my face, I will be putting that one on my fridge, it reminds me of quite a few people :D
 
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Just finished my GP appointment today to follow up on the results of my HbA1c test and Liver Function Test. As discussed on a separate thread, my intention was also to ask to try Metformin.

This wasn’t my normal GP, in our local surgery you wait a week for an appointment and 2 weeks if you want to see a particular doctor. The meeting started off pleasantly enough. She reviewed and then read out my results. My HbA1c has fallen from 79 mmol/mol to 56 mmol/mol. My LFT (Serum ALT) level had also fallen from 95 u/L to 66 u/L. There wasn’t any acknowledgement of the improvement, just a statement that they are below target levels. But actually as wasn’t there for a pat on the back, I knew the results already and was pleased with them.

Then the conversation went something like this:

Me, ‘so I wanted to discuss Metformin’

Doctor, ‘yes I am putting you on Metformin and a statin’….started typing on the computer

Me (after a pause), ‘yes I will try Metformin but, no I am not taking a statin’

Doctor (quite stroppy), ‘You do realise you are a diabetic don’t you. I mean, that was made clear to you. We recommend all diabetics over 40 to take a Statin’

Me, ‘Yes and you also recommend the healthy eating plate and good carbs like wholemeal bread and pasta and you should see what they do to my blood sugar levels.’

OK in retrospect probably not the best response, but I was a bit taken aback by her attitude. It was clear she didn’t expect a debate. And it all got even more frosty when I also politely declined the ‘Spotlight Course’…..I think that was what she called it. I presume it is some sort of Diabetes awareness course although I don’t think I have seen it mentioned on the forum.

We continued the discussions on statins and she asked why I was against them. I said I thought I had read they can increase Type 2 diabetes and cause liver damage. I wanted to know more about them before I committed to taking them for the rest of my life. She said there were known to be moderate side effects but returned to the party line of recommending them for all Type 2 diabetes. She them measured my blood pressure and stated it was ‘high-side of normal’ (I can’t remember the exact figure). The truth is there was a bloody good reason why my blood pressure was high….it was her attitude! Anyway I agreed to do one of the 24hr monitoring exercises over the next few months.

I have rattled on long enough, but a lot of other ground was covered. The ‘highlights’ were….I would be a diabetic for life, reversal just doesn’t happen in practice, complications are inevitable and eventually I would probably be on insulin. The general vibe was also you only have yourself to blame.

Sorry for off-loading guys. But I left feeling probably the worst I have felt since my diagnosis. I have worked very hard in the last 2 months. I am a pretty resilient person (I like to think) but I walked out thinking what’s the point.


Hello Klangley

I have just seen your post. Over a week has passed since you wrote, how do you feel now?
I am sorry that it sounded like your GP didn't listen to you, nor ask you your opinion considering you are the only one who knows how you feel about taking any medicines she suggests. The GP seems to forget that it is in their best interest to work with a person instead of dictate.

I am pleasantly amazed at how well you have done not only with your weight and also your HbA1c - just half of one of them would be a fabulous result in such short time, but to have done all that is truly admirable. It is all a lot to take on in the beginning and pretty overwhelming too, so you have coped incredibly well even though I imagine it must have been really hard.

How do you feel about your diabetes more recently?

Hope to hear more about how you are feeling.
Very Best Wishes
P.
 
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Klangley

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello Klangley

I have just seen your post. Over a week has passed since you wrote, how do you feel now?
I am sorry that it sounded like your GP didn't listen to you, nor ask you your opinion considering you are the only one who knows how you feel about taking any medicines she suggests. The GP seems to forget that it is in their best interest to work with a person instead of dictate.

I am pleasantly amazed at how well you have done not only with your weight and also your HbA1c - just half of one of them would be a fabulous result in such short time, but to have done all that is truly admirable. It is all a lot to take on in the beginning and pretty overwhelming too, so you have coped incredibly well even though I imagine it must have been really hard.

How do you feel about your diabetes more recently?

Hope to hear more about how you are feeling.
Very Best Wishes
P.

To be honest I managed to quickly put it behind me......thanks in so small part to the positive messages on the Forum. It is clear, I am far from the only one who has experienced this. I have not totally given up on the NHS. The first two experiences I had (one a GP the other a very senior consultant) were very positive. But equally I am even more determined to follow my own plan to manage my blood sugars and ultimately this disease:

1. Low Carb High Fat Diet....introducing Cider Vinegar, Cinnamon and turmeric.
2. Continual Blood Sugar Monitoring......eat, test, adjust where necessary
3. Lose weight (my target is another 12kg).....that is sort of related to number 1 but actually LCHF is for life......I will use intermittent fasting if the LCHF diet stalls.
4. Exercise.....walk a minimum of 10000 step every day.
5. For now, Metformin....although this is on trial and will be stopped as early as possible (or if it continues to prove ineffective)
Not a very unique plan. I have drawn it from the experience of the forum members, what will work for me (I think) and from what I have read from Dr Jason Fung and Professor Taylor. Certainly this is what I will be doing for the next 6 months regardless of what any random GP says.....sorry of that offends the very good GPs that are out there. At worse at the end of that time I will be a fitter and slimmer diabetic :)

How do I feel about my diabetes? Well at the minute I am obsessing a little bit on the subject. I am still embarrassed about it and have only told my wife and best friend. I fully understand there is nothing to feel embarrassed about, but the other thing is I don't want to worry the kids. I don't like skulking around taking my blood readings or making excuses not to order in Pizza, but look generally I am positive. It is a potentially extremely serious disease for sure, but I don't accept it means a steady progression to progressive ill-health or premature death. My Father has had T2 diabetes for 20 years but I suspect longer. He has never properly controlled it (or his weight) and as a consequence had to stop driving this year because of his vision and his mobility is limited. Mind you he is 85 and smoked very heavily for 50 years. So if he can manage that with poor control, why cant I do better?

Thank you for your kind comments. I am genuinely touched that so many people took time to reply.
 
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pensionistamike

Well-Known Member
Messages
78
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have become an "Ex-Pat" and now reside in Spain..As a "Pensionista" (Aged 77) I qualify for
the same benefits health-wise as the Spanish OAPs.....The letter from Klangley regarding the
spat with the "Doctor·reminded me of what my UK Doctor told me when I informed him I was
off to live abroad in Spain.
He said Spain had one of the best Health services in Europe ..especially for Diabetics...he
was right.....Out here you are assigned your own Doctor (I have a Lady) and your own Diabetic
nurse (Also a Lady).....and the point I would like to make is "They Listen"....and dont dictate
or chastise......they want to help......If only all Doctors in all Countries would treat Diabetics
with a touch more sympathy...after all.....we didn't become Diabetic deliberately.
 
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Klangley

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I have become an "Ex-Pat" and now reside in Spain..As a "Pensionista" (Aged 77) I qualify for
the same benefits health-wise as the Spanish OAPs.....The letter from Klangley regarding the
spat with the "Doctor·reminded me of what my UK Doctor told me when I informed him I was
off to live abroad in Spain.
He said Spain had one of the best Health services in Europe ..especially for Diabetics...he
was right.....Out here you are assigned your own Doctor (I have a Lady) and your own Diabetic
nurse (Also a Lady).....and the point I would like to make is "They Listen"....and dont dictate
or chastise......they want to help......If only all Doctors in all Countries would treat Diabetics
with a touch more sympathy...after all.....we didn't become Diabetic deliberately.

Three years ago I returned to the UK after spending 7 years living in Germany. There GPs wouldn't make a call on anything....everything was referred straight to a consultant who genuinely specialises in that field. I went in with a mole once and was given a referral 'just to be sure' and actually saw a consultant 2 days later. And that wasn't private...it was their equivalent of the NHS. I could always get a GP appointment the same day and the surgery was open Saturday mornings. It is true that if you did needed to see a doctor you did have to pay 10 euros, but that covered up to 3 months further consultations. Prescriptions also cost about what they cost in the UK. But their health services in my experience were fantastic.

People in the UK have a generally high opinion of the NHS, sadly though it has not moved forward in line with some of the medical services in other EU Countries.
 
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Tarabas

Active Member
Messages
39
Type of diabetes
Type 2
The 10€ "Praxisgebühr" isn't any more in Germany. JFTR.

And yes, our system is quite good, but as a diabetic you have similar problems with getting enough test stripes as well.
 
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Klangley

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
The 10€ "Praxisgebühr" isn't any more in Germany. JFTR.

And yes, our system is quite good, but as a diabetic you have similar problems with getting enough test stripes as well.

Thanks @Tarabas personally I didn't mind paying the 10 Euro, given the quality of the service I received. They have talked about introducing something like that it the UK......
 

cocacola

Well-Known Member
Messages
330
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
celery, not eating chocolate
Firstly congratulations on your results. Keep it up. If I had my time again, I would not go on Metformin. Even the slow release ones have caused me irreversible bowel problems.
I'm now almost back on the straight and narrow after ditching the drugs, I was virtually house bound.
I'm down from 71 to 50 mmol with just diet and exercise. Still not perfect, but heading in the right direction. I had been on an increasing amount of meds over the past 8 years.
I too was offered statins which I refused. I got that "look" and I was going to die of a heart attack really soon. My heart has been given an all clear.
Keep up the good work
 
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Klangley

Well-Known Member
Messages
153
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Firstly congratulations on your results. Keep it up. If I had my time again, I would not go on Metformin. Even the slow release ones have caused me irreversible bowel problems.
I'm now almost back on the straight and narrow after ditching the drugs, I was virtually house bound.
I'm down from 71 to 50 mmol with just diet and exercise. Still not perfect, but heading in the right direction. I had been on an increasing amount of meds over the past 8 years.
I too was offered statins which I refused. I got that "look" and I was going to die of a heart attack really soon. My heart has been given an all clear.
Keep up the good work

Thanks @cocacola. Congratulations also on your achievement of 50 mmol/l. I am still some way North of that but hopefully I will get there eventually. After the initial couple of weeks my body seems to be now coping well with the Metformin. I am not planning to use it long term. For now though I have got to say it seems to be having a positive effect.