4 months in as Type 2

[Beno76]

Evening,
Hope I've put this in the right place !! I was diagnosed middle of May this year with an HBA1C 12.8, given Metformin 1 twice a day, no support or appointments since, left to it, just to add was 17.5stone. I called the surgery once to ask if I could get test strips on perscription, to be advised to double my medication by the diabetic nurse, she had never met me or check my meter for my blood sugar results or anything.
Until last week I had a letter asking me to go to my annual diabetic appointment, I duely went, although not annual since diagnosis. Had bloods taken, Flu jab?!, foot check, blood pressure. Got a call today with my results, now HBA1C of 7.2, cholesterol is lower too. Also now 16 stone and 4 pounds, was told on the phone I am obviously under control and to make an appointment should I have any trouble......... Surely this can't be right.... No follow up appointment ?? No explanation of my results, what else I need to do or could do better..!? All very much " right your diabetic, off you go, call if there's any trouble"
Is this normal ?
Thanks
Ben

 

[Squire Fulwood]

Is this normal ?
Thanks
Ben

This is not normal according to the accounts given by other forum members although treatment does vary quite a bit. You seem to have set a new low limit.

Congratulations on your improvement.

 

[Kat100]

Hello , here is what I would do ...
I would make a double appointment to see a GP
I would take a list of questions ...etc ...things you need clarity on ...
The nurse you see is the nurse a practice nurse or a specialist nurse ...
You should , this is what I understand be having hba1c tests every 3 months for the first two years at least of being diagnosed...
Ask about your hba1c tests ...
Ask to be referred to a dietician, you are entitled to ask ...
Ask for a care plan to,work out what your goals are ....medication etc ....
It is very early days but a plan of action is needed so you don't feel lost and on your own ...
No that was not an annual review at all , sounds like a few blips in the system ...
Become empowered , but stay calm and manage what you need to for your own health ....
Good luck ...best wishes

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi Ben and welcome.

You should be having HbA1c tests initially every 3 months. When your nurse feels your diabetes is well controlled and you are on the appropriate medication, she will change this to 6 months. After each test you should have a face to face review with either your GP or your nurse. A phone call is very unsatisfactory. Your nurse clearly thinks your HbA1c of 7.2 (55 in the new measurement units) is under control. Personally, I would disagree. Your nurse should have discussed a suitable target for you, with your agreement, given you some basic information, leaflets or booklets, and explained what will happen next.

Do you feel your levels are under control? Definitely ask for a face to face review. Your levels need to come down some more.

I would imagine you will get a letter in 3 or 6 months time arranging your next HbA1c, and if you do nothing in the meantime, neither will they.

By the way, well done on your HbA1c reduction, also the improved cholesterol and weight loss. You have done well.

 

[jack412]

this is what I did and with metformin got my Bg within normal range.
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf it’s a long page and a video
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbliving/a/Food-Cravings.htm because carbs don’t give up easy.
testing
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php
food count
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

Yes, that sounds n

Evening,
Hope I've put this in the right place !! I was diagnosed middle of May this year with an HBA1C 12.8, given Metformin 1 twice a day, no support or appointments since, left to it, just to add was 17.5stone. I called the surgery once to ask if I could get test strips on perscription, to be advised to double my medication by the diabetic nurse, she had never met me or check my meter for my blood sugar results or anything.
Until last week I had a letter asking me to go to my annual diabetic appointment, I duely went, although not annual since diagnosis. Had bloods taken, Flu jab?!, foot check, blood pressure. Got a call today with my results, now HBA1C of 7.2, cholesterol is lower too. Also now 16 stone and 4 pounds, was told on the phone I am obviously under control and to make an appointment should I have any trouble......... Surely this can't be right.... No follow up appointment ?? No explanation of my results, what else I need to do or could do better..!? All very much " right your diabetic, off you go, call if there's any trouble"
Is this normal ?
Thanks
Ben

I wouldn't say 'normal', more like 'typical'. At least your doctor correctly diagnosed you. Mine didn't at first.
By the time I got a new doctor I had gotten a blood glucose meter on my own and figured out how to get my blood glucose under control with no help what-so-ever from the health care system, except a nice pharmacist who showed me how to use the meter. It's not really much better now. My new doctor is not interested in my own blood glucose testing results. I've given up on getting any useful advice from the government run health care system (I'm in Canada and private health care is illegal), but still need a doctor to get lab tests done. Sorry for the rant, but unless you get very lucky with an excellent doctor, you need to educate yourself and not blindly follow what the doctors and nurses tell you.

 

[jack412]

Ben, at 16 stone, you could consider going hard core.
Newcastle diet aims to mimic the gastric surgery ~80% diabetic remission
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2010/mar/weight-loss-surgery-and-type-2-diabetes.html

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

Ben, at 16 stone, you could consider going hard core.
Newcastle diet aims to mimic the gastric surgery ~80% diabetic remission
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2010/mar/weight-loss-surgery-and-type-2-diabetes.html

Should really be done under some kind of medical supervision, though.

 

[jack412]

yes, I think it says that it in the link, they even have a letter to take to your Dr
any diet should be under medical supervision, especially with reduced calories and the Newcastle is no different there

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

yes, I think it says that it in the link, they even have a letter to take to your Dr
any diet should be under medical supervision, especially with reduced calories and the Newcastle is no different there

Oddly, my doctor has never asked me what I eat. They'd have a conniption if I told her what I eat these days.

 

[sueky01]

Hi Ben and welcome.

You should be having HbA1c tests initially every 3 months. When your nurse feels your diabetes is well controlled and you are on the appropriate medication, she will change this to 6 months. After each test you should have a face to face review with either your GP or your nurse. A phone call is very unsatisfactory. Your nurse clearly thinks your HbA1c of 7.2 (55 in the new measurement units) is under control. Personally, I would disagree. Your nurse should have discussed a suitable target for you, with your agreement, given you some basic information, leaflets or booklets, and explained what will happen next.

Do you feel your levels are under control? Definitely ask for a face to face review. Your levels need to come down some more.

I would imagine you will get a letter in 3 or 6 months time arranging your next HbA1c, and if you do nothing in the meantime, neither will they.

By the way, well done on your HbA1c reduction, also the improved cholesterol and weight loss. You have done well.

Hello. My last appointment with DN readings were 55 HbA1c 7.2 and she put me on metabet SR 100mg as she said my readings were creeping up. I have been going to the gym and lost nearly a stone and watching what I eat. very confused.

 

[sanguine]

Hello. My last appointment with DN readings were 55 HbA1c 7.2 and she put me on metabet SR 100mg as she said my readings were creeping up. I have been going to the gym and lost nearly a stone and watching what I eat. very confused.

Hi Sueky - so what do you eat?

 

[sueky01]

I usually have scambled egg for breakfast or porridge Lunch soup or chicken or jacket with tuna and salad and a cooked dinner of fish, salad vegetables or a cooked meat with veg. I have been going to the gym since beginning of September Pilates 2 session of spinning, yoga and the gym.

 

[sanguine]

Do you have a meter Sueky? That would enable you to see what was happening between HbA1c tests and check specific meals. From the above I know that the porridge and jacket potato would spike me badly.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Any HBa1C over 7 definitely needs attention. The first priority is diet and I suspect your BMI is too high. Reduce the carb daily total to something like 150gm and see how it goes. Get a glucose meter and you will be able to check whether the carbs can be moved up or down. I wouldn't bother to see a dietician as so many haven't a clue; have a look around the forums here for guidance relevant to diabetics. Arrange an appointment yourself with the surgery in, say, 6 months and ask for a blood test form so that you can have your bloods taken 2 weeks before the GP or DN appointment and then discuss the results face to face. The GP or DN should always advise you when the next appointment should be and it is up to you to set it up. Don't leave the next appointment without guidance on the next date and a blood test form.