• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Dread before appt tomorrow

I

isjoberg

Well-Known Member
Messages
268
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Slightly sad that I always get a sense of dread pre appointments with my team, quite indicative of my less than ideal control I feel. I don't know how others approach appointments, I always feel exceptionally disappointed but then struggle to engage my consultant in a discussion about what a solution to the highs could be. Any advice?
 
Write a list of questions and politely interrupt at an appropriate point if they start reeling things off to,you. I find the appointments are very short, the clinic is usually running late and its best to get those questions in there asap so they have time to respond.
 
totally agree with @azure -- I always go in armed with a list of questions I want to ask , or patterns in my BG's I want to discuss. I find it helps focus their mind that you are the patient and not just a 15 minute "appointment" .

my appointments usually run over my allotted time :D
 
I personally look forward to my appointments except for the inevitable waiting time. If I turn up late i'm still early.

My doctor or anyone in the practice can't teach me anything further about diabetes management or complain about my control. Generally the appointment turns into an exchange of pleasantries and then I'm on my way.

Tight control does have some benefits.
 
The make a list suggestion is an excellent idea, maybe explain to the consultant at the start of the appointment that your apprehensive and would like more time to discuss your difficulties with the highs, they may suggest a follow-up appointment with either them or a DSN.

Good luck and hope it all goes well.
 
I used to get that before a blood pressure test and the stress sent my pressure up. One doctor said incredulously 'Are you scared of us?' My response was 'No, I'm afraid of what you might tell me.' I've since found out it's a well-known phenomenon known as the 'white coat effect'. What you need to tell yourself is that you aren't there to be judged on your performance but to be helped towards better control.
 
Turns out I had the lowest HB1ac that I've had in ages, which unfortunately meant I had about a 3 min appointment, most of which was the doctor being curious about my being diagnosed aged 18 months and wondering if it was to do with my nationality (am Finnish and for some reason we have really high rates of type 1). Not ideal!
 
himtoo said:
totally agree with @azure -- I always go in armed with a list of questions I want to ask , or patterns in my BG's I want to discuss. I find it helps focus their mind that you are the patient and not just a 15 minute "appointment" .

my appointments usually run over my allotted time :D
Click to expand...
Hah! So you are the reason I have waited 90mins beyond my appointment time :)
 
Back
Top