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C

Ciara

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2
Hi

I joined this "community" a year ago when I discovered I was pregnant (Previously diagnosed Type 2 diet control only. BMI 23 at the time. I was looking for helpful advice but was soon directed to the gestational diabetes forum - which is NOT the same as Type 2) and to be frank the advice I was given COMPLETELY contradicyed most of what my Healthcare team said. Especially the no carb low carb debate. So I soon stopped visiting this site as some of the information also appeared dangerous. I distinctly remember Hanadr "slagging off" most of her HCP's (maybe because they wouldn't give her the answers she wanted)

However it appears that I may have slow onset Type 1 as diet controlled
hba1c tests showed 5.8 and 6.3. A sudden period of Hyperglycaemia after no diet change made a pre- natal diabetic consultant decide this. Therefore I decided to visit this site again. What a mistake - nothing has changed. I realise that many of you have been diabetic for years and know your own bodies but the first post I read is hanadr on her soapbox again and I think she has an extremely negative effect on newbies! Although it's not just her (some of you were friendly and helpful by the way)

I think that that you need to add to your disclaimer to "not post dangerous information or advice" and to highlight that forum users know to check any changes with their specialist. I am going to stick with the experts I think that is MY healthcare team and diabetes.org.uk and not a bunch of moaning "victims"

I can only imagine what its going to be like over Christmas. Help! I ate the whole tin of quality street and didn't adjust. It's not fair why can't I eat like other people? Blah blah

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing"
 
Caira,

I am sorry that you have had a bad time of late. I believe that it would be appropriate to put a disclaimer in place for all new members to read. My own experience of this site have been good, there is some advice given out which is best ignored, however people should come to these forums with a open mind and cherry-pick information that is relevant to their own needs.

When I post a reply, I try to express that it is my own experience, and if in doubt to consult a doctor or health-care team. You will find that most of the moderators give good sound advice, and do insist where appropriate, that individuals consult professional advice.

Regards

Nigel
 
i think this forum is extremly helpful - if their was only one solution to each issue there would be no need to have a discussion forum - but everyone is a different and multiple options are available - people will disagree but thats the whole point

you might not find the answer here but at least there are a few clues to help you draw your own informed decision on how YOU treat whichever form of diabetes you or your family have
 
I can't think of any group of people less like a group of "victims"! It's quite possible that many people have found their health carer's advice didn't work at all and therefore ended up here - that's not victim mentality but go-getting to find what they want and might work better. You too are go-getting for what you want, as you have found that other people supply your needs better. That's fine. No one minds you making your choices, and, as noblehead says, most people also say in their posts to consult your HCP in any case so that individuals can make up their own minds what they want to pursue and to get expert advice before making up their minds.

Sorry we weren't what you needed in a very difficult period of time – but no real need to **** Hana off, who has been around for those who ask questions in time of need, makes her own stance clear so people can take it or leave it, and shows lots of supportive care for those in need. It's a bit hurtful to pick on one person, really!

Anyway, good luck with your own health, Ciara – it's not been a straight run for you, having different diagnoses at different times. I hope you get it all sorted out to your satisfaction.
DG
 
Hi Caira,
I am sorry that things did not work out for you here.
There are some negative posters and they do sometimes get you down but I think that goes with the territory.
Most of the advice given here is opinions, nothing more and nothing less. I always, like Nigel, make it clear when I post that if in doubt seek professional advice. Perhaps "Ask the Experts" is a misleading title as we are only experts in our own management.
I hope that things are improving for you and am glad that your healthcare team are proactive. I too have a great healthcare team and I think many others do too. It tends to be mostly negative experiences that are posted here. There are good and bad in every profession.
The moderators have a thankless task keeping posts in check and some posters never take the hint and insist that they are right on every occasion. Suppose that could be put down to human nature :?:
Wishing you all the best for the future.

Catherine.
 
Ciara

I find your post rather puzzling. According to records you joined today and have made only two posts, of which this is one. The other post does not match up to your claim of poor advice etc. Whilst we are willing to accept criticism where it is warranted we do not accept unjustified criticism. Perhaps you joined under a different user name ?

I would be interested to know just what advice you were given which has led to this post ? Please pm me or the Senior Moderator with details. We can then investigate further.

cugila
Moderator
 
Ciara
I am not a victim, nor do I "****" anyone off. I just control my diabetes effectively and campaign for others to be able to do the same.
I do often disagree with healthcare professionals, that is because as the wife of a lifelong T1 and being T2 for 6 years myself, I have often found their advice to be unhelpful or even dangerous. I am a scientist and know how to evaluate what I'm told.
I'm sorry that you feel the way you do and would just urge you to question everything you hear and read and take from it that which works for you. Remember most of the medics you meet do not have to take the consequences of their decisions. People like me do.
Hanaa
 
Ciara,

I happened on this forum per chance and thank goodness I did. My health team gave me the usual dont test and eat plenty of fruit and starchy carbs. If I hadnt tested, I would not have realised that following their advice was preventing my BG from lowering and achieving a safe HBA1C. Despite prefering the advice of this forum's members, my diabetic nurse has told me that I am the practice's best diabetic patient and I have been asked to talk to other diabetics at group sessions.
I always maintain that what works for me is not certain to work for others. If you read through the posts, one striking observation is that what spikes one person is fine for another. If someone tells me that a type of food doesnt raise their BG, I simply try it then test. If it is not good for me, I dont turn against the advisor, I use the experience as part of my learning process.
As for Hana, I have found her to be a great source of information and a dedicated supporter of her fellow diabetics.
I would urge you to stay with us as we all have your best interests and health at heart, if you believe we have let you down occasionally, then sincere apologies, but we are human.

Best Regards Steve.
 
I am quite new to the forum and a newly diagnosed diabetic I have found the forum interesting and informative ,but like any advice either profesional or otherwise we need to check it out and see if it works for us .Perhaps I am a sceptic but its my body and my diabetes (unfortunately)! My advice would be read everything, analyse for yourself .Take your diabetes seriously but not yourself.
 
Ciara,

If the health care advice given to diabetics actually worked and was scientifically accurate this forum would have no need for its existance.

At some point, you have either got to delegate responsiblity for your diabetes management plan to others be it your health care team or others or get on with it yourself. I strongly advise you to get to grips with as much as you can as early as you can.

To start with, almost all of us went the conventional route a la NHS. Fat lot of good that did most of us! Because I am an NHS doctor who had actually worked in diabetes clinics I knew that the advice and treatment given to diabetics did not work so did not go down this route when my son was diagnosed (by myself) 5 and half years ago.

Once you have found out for yourself how awful the NHS route is we would be happy to have you back to help you and and for you to share with us what helped you. We would welcome your feedback on the NHS provision good or bad.

Hana is a straight talker. She has a much better sounding in scientific training and life experience than most of us on the forum.

I'm sorry that you don't like what she says, but she is saying it from the heart and mind and I have yet to see a post where she didn't give sensible advice.

Katharine.
 
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