Apparently I am wasting my time (according to DN)

[LittleGreyCat]

I had a very dispiriting telephone review with one of the newest DN (not DSN) at the practice.

As a side note I have long had face to face reviews with DSNs with long experience and a proactive approach which allowed me to discuss my last 6 months or year and get good feedback.
A combination of "efficiency improvements" and Covid precautions has removed any face to face discussion.
I now have my feet, weight BP etc. checked at the same time that my blood sample is taken, and then a follow up phone call "if required".
No doubt it improves the metrics at the practice but it doesn't give me the support that I have been used to.

Anyway I asked a question about the disparity between my Libre predictions and my HbA1c.
I was told that I was wasting my time with the Libre. It wasn't adding any value (although it probably wasn't doing any harm).
Followed by the statement that T2s were discouraged from any BG testing because the HbA1c was far more accurate.

I didn't argue because it was apparent there was no intellect behind the parroting of outdated ideas.
With a more enquiring mind at the other end of the phone I might have pointed out that my BG control over the last couple of years was at least partly due to the Libre showing me what was happening 24 hours a day.

Anyway this didn't increase my confidence in any advice from that source.

Fortunately the GP who specialises in diabetes is a really nice person who also is a very helpful and proactive person.
So all is not yet lost.

 

[barrym]

Our local specialist team has gone 'all efficiency' too. No face to face for me for the last couple of years either. But I do have a single point of contact, by phone, and she is very proactive always calls when she says she will, and has an extremely good grasp of the Libreview reports and gives me quite a grilling over them. Positive recommendations and follow-ups where necessary.

So, all is not lost, keep you fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

 

[BravoKilo]

I had a very dispiriting telephone review with one of the newest DN (not DSN) at the practice.

As a side note I have long had face to face reviews with DSNs with long experience and a proactive approach which allowed me to discuss my last 6 months or year and get good feedback.
A combination of "efficiency improvements" and Covid precautions has removed any face to face discussion.
I now have my feet, weight BP etc. checked at the same time that my blood sample is taken, and then a follow up phone call "if required".
No doubt it improves the metrics at the practice but it doesn't give me the support that I have been used to.

Anyway I asked a question about the disparity between my Libre predictions and my HbA1c.
I was told that I was wasting my time with the Libre. It wasn't adding any value (although it probably wasn't doing any harm).
Followed by the statement that T2s were discouraged from any BG testing because the HbA1c was far more accurate.

I didn't argue because it was apparent there was no intellect behind the parroting of outdated ideas.
With a more enquiring mind at the other end of the phone I might have pointed out that my BG control over the last couple of years was at least partly due to the Libre showing me what was happening 24 hours a day.

Anyway this didn't increase my confidence in any advice from that source.

Fortunately the GP who specialises in diabetes is a really nice person who also is a very helpful and proactive person.
So all is not yet lost.

Sorry to hear about your phone call with DN.

But take encouragement from how well you have done (over many years) , and having a supportive GP is a blessing.
Keep on keeping on!

 

[cynetique]

I might have pointed out that my BG control over the last couple of years was at least partly due to the Libre showing me what was happening 24 hours a day.

Exactly. I too have found using Libre really crucial in the progress I have made in the last seven months since I was diagnosed. I have to pay for it but it is really worth it in my opinion.

 

[hankjam]

I had a very dispiriting telephone review with one of the newest DN (not DSN) at the practice.

As a side note I have long had face to face reviews with DSNs with long experience and a proactive approach which allowed me to discuss my last 6 months or year and get good feedback.
A combination of "efficiency improvements" and Covid precautions has removed any face to face discussion.
I now have my feet, weight BP etc. checked at the same time that my blood sample is taken, and then a follow up phone call "if required".
No doubt it improves the metrics at the practice but it doesn't give me the support that I have been used to.

Anyway I asked a question about the disparity between my Libre predictions and my HbA1c.
I was told that I was wasting my time with the Libre. It wasn't adding any value (although it probably wasn't doing any harm).
Followed by the statement that T2s were discouraged from any BG testing because the HbA1c was far more accurate.

I didn't argue because it was apparent there was no intellect behind the parroting of outdated ideas.
With a more enquiring mind at the other end of the phone I might have pointed out that my BG control over the last couple of years was at least partly due to the Libre showing me what was happening 24 hours a day.

Anyway this didn't increase my confidence in any advice from that source.

Fortunately the GP who specialises in diabetes is a really nice person who also is a very helpful and proactive person.
So all is not yet lost.

Clearly not wasting your time.
I would use the opportunity as a time for some gently education. Things do seem to be getting a lot worse for many and on the bright side, low carbers are taking control.
It might not be successful but I think, worth trying.
Crack on.

 

[Resurgam]

I found that my cunning plan to lower Hba1c levels into the normal range did not work.
I was eating no more than 50 gm of carbs a day, so reduced it to no more than 40.
Hba1c had been 42 for three tests by then.
The 4th test, 3650 gm of carbs less in the last year, Hba1c was - 42.
Maybe photosynthesis?
There has to be something interesting going on - but just what I really do not know.