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GP isnt being very helpful, has anyone got any suggestions

S

SydnieO

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic in March 2016 aged 24. They said I was type 2 because I am overweight. Diabetic Nurse at gp surgery put me on Metformin, 2xtablets twice daily and gliclizide 2xtablets twice daily. I spent the last year trying my hardest to lose weight, changed my diet, started exercising (went from very little to 5x1 hour sessions a week).
However my levels have worsened and I so they have been messing with my medication, they took me off gliclizide as suffering hypo but hba1c is high. So I was put on a new tablet and had to top that because it was awful, got every side effect going off it.

Spoke to gp a couple of weeks ago on the phone who said he believed I may be type 1 because of my age and the fact that I am not massively overweight (to look at me I'm a nice size but bmi states different)
So I've been into the surgery today to discuss everything and is answer was simply that we need to wait for my insulin reserves to run out to determine if I'm type 1 or not. I am at the point where it is effecting my day to day life, I am a driving instructor and suffering hypos and hypers on lessons which is effecting my reactions and thought process'. Ive been told I cant be suffering hypos with metformin but just 2 weeks ago I had a 2.8 reading.

I guess my question is, has anybody else ever had anything like this? Why wont the GP look into this more? I have suffered deep depression for the last year blaming myself for this. Thinking I was extremely unhealthy etc and now they are telling me it may not be something I could have controlled. They are kind of leaving me hanging. I currently have a couple of skin infections and they aren't treating those either.

Not sure if anyone will have had anything similar but I guess its worth a try and any sort of advice will surely make me feel better
 
Hi and welcome!

I would ask for an urgent referral to your local diabetes clinic (are you in the UK?)

It is dangerous to drive while hypo, and here in the UK there are rules about minimum blood glucose levels when driving. Since this is your livelihood, you need to be taken seriously. And given the tools to test your own blood glucose as often as necessary. There are tests to determine whether people are type 1 or not. They are not infallible, but they are actually based on fact, not on some vague idea that 'we have to wait until your insulin runs out'.

Please go back to your doctor and ask for an urgent referral to someone who specialises in Diabetes, so that you can get the treatment you need. This may be further testing, a change in tablets, a move to insulin - whatever is decided it will be done by someone who knows more about diabetes than your general practitioner.

The depression should also be addressed. Many diabetics experience depression, either at diagnosis or later, and it is something that can often be treated, making a huge difference to quality of life.

I really wish you well with this. It is an uphill struggle sometimes getting our doctors to treat us seriously, and give us the referrals we need, and having depression on top of this makes it seem even more difficult.

Please come back and tell us how you get on?
 
When you changed your diet - were you told to use the Eatwell plate with all those 'healthy' carbs?
Type 2s are encouraged to think that they are at fault, but all my adult life I have been blamed for putting on weight when eating what is considered a normal diet - I just can't do it as it makes me feel absolutely dreadful, and I put on weight.
The only thing I ever found to help was eating low carb.
My doctor is totally uninterested - I've not seen him since diagnosis. I really think that diabetics have to do what they can for themselves rather than rely on outside help.
If you are only taking Metformin then going low carb is not so fraught with problems as if you are on more active medication, but low carb eating is very effective at lowering blood glucose levels. Do test your BG levels regularly, and maybe carry glucose drink or tablets with you - and do contact 111 if you feel you need medical advice.
 
Hi @SydnieO

I can totally understand why you're upset by this. It does sound like you should have received better trestment.

I strongly second @Brunneria 's advice to insist on a referral to a Diabetes Consultant.

There are tests that can help determine your diabetes type. You dont have to wait until 'your insulin reserves run out'. There are antibody tests they can do (Type 1 is an auto immune disease) and they can be done now.

You may be Type 2 or you may be Type 1, but if your doctor doesn't know, you should get some expert input. Type 1 can come on more slowly in adults, so it should be ruled out.

Don't be afraid about pushing for a referral or be palmed off. Be polite but do push.
 
I agree with @Brunneria too.

By the way I am on metformin and have been for a number of years and I have had several hypos while on it.

Is there another GP you could see?
 
Hi all,

Thank you so much for your replies. It's reassuring to know that others have had issues with help from their gp.
My husband was not happy with what had happened at the gp so he went into the surgery to lodge a complaint on Friday. The Dr rang us and has asked us to go in for an appointment to discuss everything that is going on. I have been falling asleep on the couch on an afternoon over the weekend and feeling generally awful. Back tomorrow with my husband to discuss and he says we aren't leaving until I have a referral.

In regards to diet change I have tried lowering carbs and cutting out sugar. I have a personal trainer who has training in diet and even she is at a loss now.
I'll update again after tomorrow
 
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