Anyone else feel their Doctor(s) let them down ?

Crackle88 · Jun 13, 2019

Patrick66 said:
I have a really good relationship with my Dr. Great guy who has been very supportive through suicide planning, strokes etc.

But when it comes to my Diabetes I cant help but feel very let down.

Blood test tells him I am pre-diabetic. Doesn't explain what that actually means or what I should do about it.

Second test confirms Diabetes.

Sent to Diabetic nurse. She checks feet, gets me put on medication, weighs me, looks at me critically and tells me I could "lose a few pounds" ( I am 6'4" tall and weighed 15st at the time) ..and that was it.

No advice about diet. No advice about lifestyle. Nothing.

Subsequent visits have seen me told not to eat grapes, my weight, once down at 14st 5lb, has still had the "well you could lose a few pounds" comment and my feet are always fine.

I have asked what I should eat and been told, "No grapes and no sugar..if you can help it!" and that's the extent of any dietary advice.

So, in four years since diagnosis, I have felt woefully unprepared and very let down by a system that gives no guidance, no support and criticises when it goes wrong but is incapable of advice to get you back on track.

Anyone else ?

Agreed! I prompted my doctor to test me for diabetes (symptoms and family history). I got a text message a couple of weeks after tests - "Confirmation of T2 diabetes. Avoid sugar and we will be in touch." I didnt see ANYBODY for two months due to the specialist nurse being on leave/sick. When I finally got an appointment, was told they weren't sure if I was type 1 or 2 so more tests needed. As far as dietary advice is concerned, I'm lucky my mum knows what she is talking about. Left to my own devices, I would still be scoffing carbs at every opportunity!

chrestomanci · Jun 15, 2019

In March 2015 I had a blood test which indicated pre diabetes. Dr sent me away saying there was nothing wrong with me.
I went back several times in the years since then with symptoms which should have been red flags.
Nothing.
In May this year following a blood test which I had to ask for, T2 was diagnosed.
What damage was done to my body in those 4 years, I dont know.
I'm determined to reverse my diabetes.

AloeSvea · Jun 16, 2019

Yes, my heart sinks when I read these sorts of testimonials, and think of my own experience, having had insulin resistance at organ breaking levels basically my whole adult life. (but not a whisper, from anyone medically and scientifically trained - the norm in many of our experiences).

Scientific/medical knowledge of insulin has been around, officially, since 1960, and knowledge about hyperinsulinemia on insulin receptor malfunction since 1976

https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(12)00002-9/abstract

But weirdly, the connection with too high carbs and hyperinsulinemia, therefore insulin and blood glucose malfunction (aka pre/diabetes) and also on some cancers and CVD is still not official, or taught in med school. Or discussed enough to make an impact. It seems. (Hence our silent-on-the-subject doctors and nurses.) There are theories of course about why this is so, which I won't go into here.

The upshot of it for us is we cannot expect the medical (or even the scientific) establishment to know about this, talk about, treat with this knowledge etc etc, except with wonderful but still too few exceptions.

Is it a crying shame? Absolutely!

Especially for us!

Fearless36 · Jun 17, 2019

I am feeling a bit let down by my care providers. I go to a hospital for diabetes care, and my GP is reasonably good (now). However I went on the DAFNE course last year (took time off to attend it) and the primary purpose was to reduce my HB1AC levels. Well its only doubled what it should be (and is now 120). Am not happy about this at all, as have been counting and doing a lot of work on trying to ensure things were good. Am just feeling lost and hopeless about it.

Veryanxious · Jun 19, 2019

Fearless36 said:
I am feeling a bit let down by my care providers. I go to a hospital for diabetes care, and my GP is reasonably good (now). However I went on the DAFNE course last year (took time off to attend it) and the primary purpose was to reduce my HB1AC levels. Well its only doubled what it should be (and is now 120). Am not happy about this at all, as have been counting and doing a lot of work on trying to ensure things were good. Am just feeling lost and hopeless about it.

Yup, always.!! Not just diabetes related.

Listlad · Jun 19, 2019

At our local surgery someone is now filtering out (or should I say filtering in) those with prediabetic symptoms in order to address them. This is happening as we speak.

This has come about as a consequence of me joining our local PPG.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/th...group-meeting-soon.163083/page-3#post-2050772

This is happening at two surgeries in the same town.

TerriH · Jul 5, 2019

I continue to be amazed at how little so-called medical professionals know about diabetes in all its forms. My Annual Review is conducted by the practice nurse who knows nothing about the condition - I had 5 out of the 15 checks - and this has been going on for years. My GP knows even less and even my optician has written to the practice saying that I am anaemic when in fact I was going hypo. during my eye test. I now have to book an appointment to see someone who has not a clue about what life with diabetes is like.
We have been urging medical professionals to be trained about at least the basics of diabetes but without any success whatsoever.
I can only say that after 54 years of type 1, I trust myself far more than any of the medical people. Use the Forum to help learn about diabetes of all types and do as much research as you possibly can and above all rely on your instincts - how you feel physically etc. - unless you have the condition, you can NEVER know what it is like. Good luck to All diabetics.

malcs90 · Jul 5, 2019

TerriH said:
I continue to be amazed at how little so-called medical professionals know about diabetes in all its forms. My Annual Review is conducted by the practice nurse who knows nothing about the condition - I had 5 out of the 15 checks - and this has been going on for years. My GP knows even less and even my optician has written to the practice saying that I am anaemic when in fact I was going hypo. during my eye test. I now have to book an appointment to see someone who has not a clue about what life with diabetes is like.
We have been urging medical professionals to be trained about at least the basics of diabetes but without any success whatsoever.
I can only say that after 54 years of type 1, I trust myself far more than any of the medical people. Use the Forum to help learn about diabetes of all types and do as much research as you possibly can and above all rely on your instincts - how you feel physically etc. - unless you have the condition, you can NEVER know what it is like. Good luck to All diabetics.

My nurse was brilliant. Recommended the low carb diet and directed me to the diabetes UK web site and gave me print outs of information from the site. My doctor backed up the nurse saying she had some good successes.
The nurse and trainer om my Desmond course hadnt got a clue and even advised to ignore my nurse. Needless to say I told her I would not be changing as my last blood test showed me to be I remission at the time of the test.

nanny12345 · Jul 6, 2019

Robinredbreast said:
Hi, my new GP ( 2 years ago) whom I had never met, changed my diabetes type from Type 1, to ' late onset type 2' this was said to me at my diabetes check up with DSN at my surgery and she said my GP was very knowledgeable about diabetes and then nurse said type 1 only happens in children and adolescents !!
My latest results weren't great last week, so I rang the diabetes nurses at my hospital asking for help and advice and 9 days later still nothing. I wonder what the point is at times and feeling worthless and invisible.
30 years type 1 and it's hard going

Patrick66 said:
I have a really good relationship with my Dr. Great guy who has been very supportive through suicide planning, strokes etc.

But when it comes to my Diabetes I cant help but feel very let down.

Blood test tells him I am pre-diabetic. Doesn't explain what that actually means or what I should do about it.

Second test confirms Diabetes.

Sent to Diabetic nurse. She checks feet, gets me put on medication, weighs me, looks at me critically and tells me I could "lose a few pounds" ( I am 6'4" tall and weighed 15st at the time) ..and that was it.

No advice about diet. No advice about lifestyle. Nothing.

Subsequent visits have seen me told not to eat grapes, my weight, once down at 14st 5lb, has still had the "well you could lose a few pounds" comment and my feet are always fine.

I have asked what I should eat and been told, "No grapes and no sugar..if you can help it!" and that's the extent of any dietary advice.

So, in four years since diagnosis, I have felt woefully unprepared and very let down by a system that gives no guidance, no support and criticises when it goes wrong but is incapable of advice to get you back on track.

Anyone else ?

I had to complain at my surgery after seeing a doctor who told me I should go to slimming world and loose a few pounds and then I could perhaps come off my medication .I have always been the same weight about 9.10 my diabetes is genetic diagnosed about 13yrs and have just started insulin i have very low b12 low folate very low iron and high white cells feel like **** and nobody cares.I understand just how you feel

Bluetit1802 · Jul 6, 2019

nanny12345 said:
I had to complain at my surgery after seeing a doctor who told me I should go to slimming world and loose a few pounds and then I could perhaps come off my medication .I have always been the same weight about 9.10 my diabetes is genetic diagnosed about 13yrs and have just started insulin i have very low b12 low folate very low iron and high white cells feel like **** and nobody cares.I understand just how you feel

Are your HbA1c results higher than you expect from your finger prick tests? I only ask because HbA1c can be elevated due to iron deficiency anaemia.

nanny12345 · Jul 6, 2019

Bluetit1802 said:
Are your HbA1c results higher than you expect from your finger prick tests? I only ask because HbA1c can be elevated due to iron deficiency anaemia.

yes they are .I didn't know that everything I eat seems to end up with higher than expected finger prick results except a bowl of lettuce I just don't know what to eat any more started insulin with my evening meal 14units of insulin +metformin so morning and evening

bulkbiker · Jul 6, 2019

nanny12345 said:
yes they are .I didn't know that everything I eat seems to end up with higher than expected finger prick results except a bowl of lettuce I just don't know what to eat any more started insulin with my evening meal 14units of insulin +metformin so morning and evening

Meats, fish, eggs are usually fine blood sugar wise...

Anyone else feel their Doctor(s) let them down ?

Crackle88

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chrestomanci

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