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Finally Seen a Diabetes Nurse Specialist After 19 Months!

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
17,609
Location
Oxford
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I’m not complaining, I was diagnosed 19 months ago and have only ever had diabetic reviews with my GP never a nurse. At my last review of my bloods with my GP last month, he suggested I make an appointment with the nurse. I didn’t ask why but thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about spreading the low carb message.

I attended this morning with a bit of trepidation as I’ve read stories here of DNs stuck in the dark ages as far as type 2 treatment is concerned.

Anyway I needn’t have worried, it turned out she was fairly new in post and was catching up with Type 2s. She firstly marvelled at my non diabetic HbA1cs and my weight loss. She then recorded my BP, weight etc... She skimmed over Statins, I think there must be a note on my records! She said I could have my next HbA1c in six months rather than the twelve the GP had suggested :)

Then she asked if I wanted to say anything, I asked would you like to know how I’ve achieved it all? She suggested diet, so I elaborated and she was interested and open to the low carb way. She then said oh you’re the lady who’s newspaper clipping is on our staff room wall, regulars here will remember I shared my story with the Oxford Mail back in the summer! We continued to chat about my efforts spreading the low carb message and I provided her with links to this forum and Dr Unwin’s research.

She then invited me to have a low carb ‘stall’ at a coffee morning at the surgery she is planning for next Sept. I have already joined the PPG and knew of the planned coffee morning so was hoping I could be involved but it’s lovely that she’s asked me rather than me foisting myself on them.

I came away very happy! :happy:
 
You'll be getting another superstar badge very soon if you keep on like that.. Double Superstar!
 
What a fantastic morning's work! Well done that Lass.
 
Love love love this post. Well done you superstar.

You are such a brilliant resource and they would do well to use you with fellow diabetics. Non of the DN are diabetics (or very few of would seem). Diabetic to diabetic. With the option to speak to one as soon as diagnosed. I was unfortunately left high and dry with only the internet to guide me an a pack of leaflets to read.

Someone who is a little down the road. How good would that be.
 
I’m not complaining, I was diagnosed 19 months ago and have only ever had diabetic reviews with my GP never a nurse. At my last review of my bloods with my GP last month, he suggested I make an appointment with the nurse. I didn’t ask why but thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about spreading the low carb message.

I attended this morning with a bit of trepidation as I’ve read stories here of DNs stuck in the dark ages as far as type 2 treatment is concerned.

Anyway I needn’t have worried, it turned out she was fairly new in post and was catching up with Type 2s. She firstly marvelled at my non diabetic HbA1cs and my weight loss. She then recorded my BP, weight etc... She skimmed over Statins, I think there must be a note on my records! She said I could have my next HbA1c in six months rather than the twelve the GP had suggested :)

Then she asked if I wanted to say anything, I asked would you like to know how I’ve achieved it all? She suggested diet, so I elaborated and she was interested and open to the low carb way. She then said oh you’re the lady who’s newspaper clipping is on our staff room wall, regulars here will remember I shared my story with the Oxford Mail back in the summer! We continued to chat about my efforts spreading the low carb message and I provided her with links to this forum and Dr Unwin’s research.

She then invited me to have a low carb ‘stall’ at a coffee morning at the surgery she is planning for next Sept. I have already joined the PPG and knew of the planned coffee morning so was hoping I could be involved but it’s lovely that she’s asked me rather than me foisting myself on them.

I came away very happy! :happy:
Thankfully there are a few good, knowledgeable DNS' out there. Mine recommended 10% or less of my dinner plate should be carbs, even suggesting to go ultra low carb if my body could tolerate it. Whereas, I recently went through my late mothers paperwork and found advice she was given about managing T2: 50% of her plate should be carbs!
This was info from around 15 years ago and I know it was the advice given back then but I'm still shocked that the top docs are wondering why there's now an obesity and DM epidemic. When I studied DM at uni 20 years ago I thought back then it probably wasn't a good idea to load up on stuff your body can't process but what did I know as I was only a student and thought maybe I was missing some crucial knowledge that would explain it.
Anyway, thankfully times have/are changing and we hopefully shall see more of these open minded diabetes specialists.
Keep plugging the low carb diet and pestering the medics to get the message out.
 
What brilliant news @Rachox you’ve done so well and also sounds like you have a super star DN too one who’s willing to listen.
Did you know your fame was on the staff room wall? So clearly at least one person in surgery felt that staff could learn from your amazing feats.
Thrilled for you let’s hope we all see changes in our practices and at least some acknowledgment to diabetics that low carb could be one of the treatment options out there.......
 
What brilliant news @Rachox
.....Did you know your fame was on the staff room wall? So clearly at least one person in surgery felt that staff could learn from your amazing feats...

I didn’t know I was pinned to the staff room wall! I suspect my GP may have put the clipping there as he mentioned to me at one of my appts that he’d seen the article.
 
That is awesome. I have been under GP care since my DN retired last year, which coincided exactly with when jumped from prediabetes to very high T2 levels, largely due to the addition of many, many biscuits to the system.

I've been very happy with the GP, who has supported LCHF for me (if not for anyone else...), but I had my annual HBA1C last week and I have a follow up with.. a nurse. Who might be a replacement diabetic nurse. So I'm waiting with interest to see what she says at my follow up appointment in two weeks. I wonder whether, if we start having differences in opinion, I'm allowed to refer her to the GP to back me up...?!
 
That is awesome. I have been under GP care since my DN retired last year, which coincided exactly with when jumped from prediabetes to very high T2 levels, largely due to the addition of many, many biscuits to the system.

I've been very happy with the GP, who has supported LCHF for me (if not for anyone else...), but I had my annual HBA1C last week and I have a follow up with.. a nurse. Who might be a replacement diabetic nurse. So I'm waiting with interest to see what she says at my follow up appointment in two weeks. I wonder whether, if we start having differences in opinion, I'm allowed to refer her to the GP to back me up...?!

Best of luck. I hope your nurse comes from the same mould as mine, fingers crossed!
 
Best of luck. I hope your nurse comes from the same mould as mine, fingers crossed!

and mine. She is lovely. She even rang me up today to sort out a date for my blood draw and BP check etc with a health care assistant, and explained it would be the New Year before she could see me for my review. She confirmed I was still using the on-line test results, otherwise she would have rung me with the results as soon as she had them. She supports me all the way.
 
that light at the end of the tunnel might actually be a train!!!
Good work.
:happy:
 
that light at the end of the tunnel might actually be a train!!!
Good work.
:happy:

I really should proof what I write all of the time....

It should have read as such:

"that light at the end of the tunnel might actually NOT be a train!!!"

Holds head in hands and walks towards the corner of the room to find a seat....
 
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