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Annoyed with my Dr.

siren6214

siren6214

Member
Messages
16
Location
Hawaii
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Working 17-hour days, being told I can't do something, bigots.
So I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes about 4-years ago during a routine physical.
I got my act together and in the tests since then I was given the "all-clear".
2-weeks ago I went for the annual, but my a1c count was 7.3, when I asked for my previous results they are now "missing"...
My doctor had absolutely 0 bedside manner about this life-changing event.
She told me to take another test the following week, but due to the holidays I couldn't take it for about a week and a half.
My new result was 6.8, I was bummed that it was confirmed diabetes, but hopeful that my low-carb diet had improved something in the time since my first test. I have called/emailed my doctor to find out what next, I went in and purchased my glucose meter but had no idea how to use it.
The pharmacist told me to talk to my doctor, my doctor just emailed me 30-minutes ago (nearly midnight) saying "You officially have diabetes".
I don't need to be coddled, but could you not be so blunt about it! Sheesh... she ignored the 3 questions I had about using the meter.
Told me to come in to get my vision tested.

I took it upon myself to research when I think I was suppose to test.
Woke up today and tested before breakfast (ouch!) -- reading was 103.
Ate a protein shake, tested an hour later (double ouch!) -- reading was 115
Ate my dinner at work later that night and lost track of time at work -- tested about 90 minutes after I ate and was 104.

What do these numbers mean? What should they be?
When is it most important to test?
I am trying to use it to learn which foods are okay for me, but my thumb has already suffered enough today...index finger is up next tomorrow -- ugh :(

I also told my doctor I didn't want to use metformin -- that I wanted to exercise and diet first. She did not seem happy about it but said she would "allow it".

I'm currently 30, 211 pounds, Type 2 so far as everyone can tell me.
 
siren6214 said:
So I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes about 4-years ago during a routine physical.
I got my act together and in the tests since then I was given the "all-clear".
2-weeks ago I went for the annual, but my a1c count was 7.3, when I asked for my previous results they are now "missing"...
My doctor had absolutely 0 bedside manner about this life-changing event.
She told me to take another test the following week, but due to the holidays I couldn't take it for about a week and a half.
My new result was 6.8, I was bummed that it was confirmed diabetes, but hopeful that my low-carb diet had improved something in the time since my first test. I have called/emailed my doctor to find out what next, I went in and purchased my glucose meter but had no idea how to use it.
The pharmacist told me to talk to my doctor, my doctor just emailed me 30-minutes ago (nearly midnight) saying "You officially have diabetes".
I don't need to be coddled, but could you not be so blunt about it! Sheesh... she ignored the 3 questions I had about using the meter.
Told me to come in to get my vision tested.

I took it upon myself to research when I think I was suppose to test.
Woke up today and tested before breakfast (ouch!) -- reading was 103.
Ate a protein shake, tested an hour later (double ouch!) -- reading was 115
Ate my dinner at work later that night and lost track of time at work -- tested about 90 minutes after I ate and was 104.

What do these numbers mean? What should they be?
When is it most important to test?
I am trying to use it to learn which foods are okay for me, but my thumb has already suffered enough today...index finger is up next tomorrow -- ugh :(

I also told my doctor I didn't want to use metformin -- that I wanted to exercise and diet first. She did not seem happy about it but said she would "allow it".

I'm currently 30, 211 pounds, Type 2 so far as everyone can tell me.
Click to expand...
It's possible that the lab still has a record of your blood results. If your results actually are missing, then that is not a good sign about their record keeping skills, and it's potentially a very serious issue for them. But it could be a fob-off tactic. If I were you I would request (in writing) a copy of all my records held by the practice, then go through them and see if the results are there, or maybe a reference to them in the notes.

You can minimise testing pain by choosing the lowest setting on your lancet, usually 1 of 5. Always use the sides of your fingers, not the pad of the fingertip. I do a test each side and move around all the fingers so that by the time I come back to the first one, it is not still sore. I never use my thumbs.

The NICE guidelines allow you to try without meds first, usually for 3 months, so I think she is being a bit heavy handed.

It's best to have a good working relationship with a doctor you can trust to be good at their work and to treat you with respect. If you feel this isn't possible it's ok to change doctors. Your health is the most important thing here, and that includes feeling confident about them.
 
Let me ask you a serious question: did your doctor email you directly or was it through a secure medical "portal?" I ask because in the US, that's a serious violation of privacy and HIPAA.

If I'm interpreting what you're says no correctly, I would absolutely be logging a formal complaint about your experience.


Side note- if you hate lancets, get the accu-chek lancet device. It's leaps and bounce more comfortable than regular lancets. Also, make sure you're not using the 30 gauge lancets that come with the test meter. THEYRE HUGE. The 33 gauge lancets are much more comfortable (the accu-chek device is still the best).
 
Whilst I empathise that sometimes these diagnosis could be handled better, what would you have preferred him to say, bearing in mind the second test was to confirm a strongly held suspicion you already knew about?

Just trying to understand.
 
Hi. From the readings you give I assume you are in the USA or not in the UK anyway as they are in mg/dL. The readings are actually quite good so don't panic. If you have excess weight then a low-carb diet should bring your blood sugar into the normal range. Metformin can help if you have excess weight, but I suspect you won't need it.
 
Hi :-) I would certainly be refusing meds if your sugar levels are only minimally raised .Low carbing and cutting all sugars should sort it :-)
 
AndBreathe said:
Whilst I empathise that sometimes these diagnosis could be handled better, what would you have preferred him to say, bearing in mind the second test was to confirm a strongly held suspicion you already knew about?

Just trying to understand.
Click to expand...
Well, I was very proud of my progress and there were other tests she had done on me that greatly improved... I had already conceded in my email that I had diabetes and included several questions I had... Her only reply was "it's official you have diabetes, schedule a vision exam" just seemed like she wasn't paying attention -- and furthers the image I have of her being well, a robot. (And yes the emails were on the hospital's private portal). The day I was diagnosed no one called me, I received the very confusing results through the portal and had to call and leave a message for someone to tell me wth was going on. When she did call, I was a sobbing mess that day and she told me every wrong thing that could and would likely happen to me. I was scared out of my mind -- maybe that's her tactic to get you revved up for change, but it felt more hopeless than encouraging. Much of what I'm reading tells me to plan with my doctor, consult my doctor -- and it takes days for her to get back to me, her profile for the hospital says she is against pills, however after my initial test she instantly prescribed metformin. I asked about diet and exercise and she did not have an optimistic attitude about that being an option for me. I am heavy, I work 2 jobs from 6 am to 12 am and one of them requires me to sit for long periods but I was a former college athlete so I have been healthy and active most of my life. I guess I just wanted more support from someone who I pay a large chunk of my paycheck to every month -- to 'be there' during the 2 appointments that I really needed hope and education. I feel I am getting 0 hope and 50% education. In fact, I spoke with my husband and I am going to be switching doctors tomorrow, and will continue to do so for as long as I must until I find someone who gets me.
 
Susiespearish said:
Hi :) I would certainly be refusing meds if your sugar levels are only minimally raised .Low carbing and cutting all sugars should sort it :)
Click to expand...
Thanks Susie, So minimally raised? Does that mean subtracting the 115 from the 103? From what I've gathered through the provided websites, my fasting glucose should be under 100 and my 1-hour glucose should be under 140 to be in the "normal range"... not sure how to find out what raised means? Sorry if I'm not making sense, this is all so confusing. I really hope my meeting with a nutritionist will sort things out better but it's still a week away and I'm trying to make changes immediately.
 
Daibell said:
Hi. From the readings you give I assume you are in the USA or not in the UK anyway as they are in mg/dL. The readings are actually quite good so don't panic. If you have excess weight then a low-carb diet should bring your blood sugar into the normal range. Metformin can help if you have excess weight, but I suspect you won't need it.
Click to expand...
Yes USA! Sorry, I signed onto this website for help the day I was diagnosed in an emotional tangle and neglected to see the giant .uk at the top of the page lol. I must say however, this crowd has been fantastic -- so I'm staying :D
 
@siren6214
Welcome.
The different ways of expressing BG on either side opf the pond are quite easy to convert between, our BG figures are 1/18th of your ones, so our 5mmol/l is (18x5=90)mg/dL and your 100mg/dL would be ~ 5.6mmol/l
The HbA1c is slightly harder so a converter is at http://www.diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-units-converter.html
 
103 and 100 on a meter are the same. All meter have a tolerance (error level) which will be stated with the strips you purchased. Normally 15% above a certain level and lower than that below a threshold. So I would say your fasting is fine and all your numbers are looking good.

When you eat food your body converts the carbs and excess protein to glucose and that raises your BG levels (that is what you measure). The rate that is rises depends on what you eat and how much. You body then reduces this level back into a normal zone. You normally want to aim at keeping your levels below 140 at all times as a target and then you would be cooking on gas. Don't worry if you can't achieve it but the longer below this threshold the better.

Good luck for the future
 
siren6214 said:
My philosophy is to rely on medical skills, not pills, to reach optimal health.
Click to expand...
Oh dear, lol. Is she a qualified medical doctor, and/or does she have some "integrative" or "functional" medicine strings to her bow?

Relying on medical skills includes using medications to treat conditions, where the benefits outweigh the risks. She has a strange way of communicating what she is meant to be doing.
 
Good on you for changing Dr's. There's nothing worse than feeling like you're being fobbed off or you're just a number. It's great you found this forum as I'm sure you will find a wealth of information from its many knowledgable members. If you have any questions just ask, we are a helpful bunch. :)
 
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