Confusing Consultants

[Andrew2018]

Having had a recent event where I called for an ambulance having experienced chest pain and breathlessness etc, I landed in hospital for a week. During that time I met five different medical teams and thankfully the diabetic specialist nurse. I had one Dr wanting me to go onto the new drug Tirzepatide, saying it would replace my insulin, another had prescribed Dapagliflozin, a drug again intended for type 2, and finally another proscribing Duloxetine anti depressant who told me again I was type 2 !.
Anyone else been through this?. I find it deeply concerning that consultants read my notes see Metformin and immediately assume I am type 2. I have had this out with my diabetic consultants more than once over the years, they say categorically type 1 and always has been, the metformin is used due to insulin resistance. The diabetic nurse confirmed to me that Tirzepatide was absolutely the wrong drug.
My next move seems to be going to my GP to review the medications. anyone else had this? On the face of it two of the drugs are ill advised if not dangerous !

 

[Nicola M]

Having had a recent event where I called for an ambulance having experienced chest pain and breathlessness etc, I landed in hospital for a week. During that time I met five different medical teams and thankfully the diabetic specialist nurse. I had one Dr wanting me to go onto the new drug Tirzepatide, saying it would replace my insulin, another had prescribed Dapagliflozin, a drug again intended for type 2, and finally another proscribing Duloxetine anti depressant who told me again I was type 2 !.
Anyone else been through this?. I find it deeply concerning that consultants read my notes see Metformin and immediately assume I am type 2. I have had this out with my diabetic consultants more than once over the years, they say categorically type 1 and always has been, the metformin is used due to insulin resistance. The diabetic nurse confirmed to me that Tirzepatide was absolutely the wrong drug.
My next move seems to be going to my GP to review the medications. anyone else had this? On the face of it two of the drugs are ill advised if not dangerous !

Unfortunately, it's all too common that unless they specialize in diabetes they aren't well-versed in the subject. I've had many hospital admissions for various reasons and unless I'm specifically put onto the Diabetes ward where a Diabetes Consultant will come and see you I find the General consultants pretty.. useless to say the least. I wouldn't trust them in the slightest to give me advice related to my diabetes.

 

[Andrew2018]

Unfortunately, it's all too common that unless they specialize in diabetes they aren't well-versed in the subject. I've had many hospital admissions for various reasons and unless I'm specifically put onto the Diabetes ward where a Diabetes Consultant will come and see you I find the General consultants pretty.. useless to say the least. I wouldn't trust them in the slightest to give me advice related to my diabetes.

Scary when they clearly don't know type 1 from type two, even worse when they refuse to listen to the patient. Have to say even 24 hours without the two new medications has seen a significant improvement !.

 

[EllieM]

I had one Dr wanting me to go onto the new drug Tirzepatide, saying it would replace my insulin

I would be fuming if anyone said that to me. I'm pretty sure everyone (T1 or T2) need insulin, whatever magic other drug they've been put on. Sounds like ignorance verging on gross incompetence to me.

What did the doctors say when you told them you were T1?

 

[jaywak]

This does sound very frightening doesn't it , at the end of the day our lives are in their hands .

 

[Andrew2018]

I would be fuming if anyone said that to me. I'm pretty sure everyone (T1 or T2) need insulin, whatever magic other drug they've been put on. Sounds like ignorance verging on gross incompetence to me.

What did the doctors say when you told them you were T1?

Stunned pause, and definitely somewhat miffed a patient dared to correct him for the one that claimed because of metformin use I was type 2. The one suggesting the new injection I kept quiet, the diabetic specialist nurse was seething when I told her, it's apparently not uncommon for Consultants etc to get things totally wrong. One ends up with a real lack of faith in medics!