Doctors/Specialists & Lifestyle Prescriptions

[Type-2-Havent-A-Clue]

Does any one else think that GP’s and Specialists have a tendency to take complex chronic medical conditions (such as Diabetes) and complicate them to a point where your made to feel that drug therapy becomes the only logical solution to treat them?

Being sat in Surgeries, Hospital Waiting Rooms or given leaflet after leaflet with jargon we at the time barely understand? Being poked & pricked from every angle?

Have you ever disagreed with the way forward in treating you for your ailments? Such as non-medical remedies before rushing head first into Tablets, Injections, Surgery and further testing?

There seems to be a steady rise in the issuing of “lifestyle prescriptions” from the medical world such as gardening, dancing and social interactions of various types for use in treating mobility and mental health issues.

But other than the physical approach of these tasks and the potential improvement in physical fitness do you think something like this could be beneficial for the use in tackling things like obesity, diabetes etc. Rather than immediately turning to the prescription pad?

As ever fire away!

 

[HSSS]

Of course. And I’d suspect a huge proportion of the people in here would agree. That’s why we’re here. To self educate and self manage, a majority with lifestyle as a first step, if it’s an option, and then wise use of medication as a follow up.

There is an increasing holistic view of people and wellness in the nhs but sadly imo not enough and also some professionals and patients that like the “ take a pill and don’t ask too many questions” approach to “a specific problem” style of medicine that cost cuts can make attractive in the short term.

 

[ally1]

Yes I get meds thrown at me because I feel my gp does that because it saves him trying to find out the cause if things

 

[porl69]

Us type 1's don't really have a choice.....inject insulin or die

 

[Chook]

Sadly many people are happy to give control of their medical conditions to their doctors and can't be bothered to research if an alternative is available or possible. AND if they CAN be bothered to do that research they then find the alternative doesn't fit in with how they have chosen to eat or live their lives.

I firmly believe we, on this forum, are rare. We have chosen to take control of our condition ourselves. At my recent review my DN told me I am the only T2 patient they've ever had in their (big) practice that controls their diet through a low carb diet and I am the only T2 she has ever heard of that reduced their BG enough to come off insulin.

The thing is, we are so rare that GPs think it a waste of their valuable time to try to persuade other patients to take our route, finding it easier to just prescribe the tablets that most patients are happy with.

 

[NicoleC1971]

Glad to see that the NHS is planning to offer more lifestyle prescriptions.
I am involved in setting up something similar - a Diabetes Walk and Talk group in Leatherhead, Surrey if anyone's interetsted!(with the talk being peer support and discussion of options other than medications) however it is very hard work getting the support of those within who are following well trodden and regulated treatment 'pathways' that tend to inexorably lead to medication.
It is a shame because I feel it is depressing for doctors to only have a pharmaceutical tool to manage the condition. Some are doing pioneering work in diet though and their success is inspiring me!
Type 1 do need insulin obviously but we also need to feel well and happy in order to best manage our difficult condition so I am not ruling out being prescibed salsa rather than prozac when the going gets tough!

 

[Hotpepper20000]

I showed my Doctor the data from mySugr app and my A1C average on the last visit.
She thought it was great that I do it because most people don’t want to be bothered with self testing. I asked her then how do they know how what they eat influces their BG?
She didn’t respond.
I do think people here on this forum are different the the gerneral public in that we are hands on with our own health.