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Hello! and Help!!! Problems with GP

N

Nippitutti

Newbie
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Hello! I was diagnosed in 2006 as a type 2 diabetic and was put on metformin and more recently glicliside was added. I do suffer from hypos (2.9 /3.1 etc)if I have a more active morning and lunchtimes have to be spot on time or I start to feel the usual rotten symptoms. I know to carry snacks etc etc and I check my blood sugars regularly and record some readings in my record book to show the GP.
On Friday, at my annual full diabetic review, I discussed this with the practice nurse...fine...but the GP totally rejected what I was telling him. He said type 2`s couldn`t get hypos; that I shouldn`t be feeling hypo symptoms; that nothing could happen to me; that A NORMAL blood sugar was 2.8!!!!!!!!!!!!! and that my meter must be wrong. He said that I was the only type 2 diabetic he had that was like this, inferring I was making it up or something!!!! He also wants to increase the gliciside. I rang the diabetes careline and they were horrified and told me the GP was giving dangerous advice not just to me butprobably also to other patients and I should report him to PALS Patient Advice Liaison Service and change my GP.
How do I know changing GP will ensure correct diabetic care? I have no confidence in him now and can`t believe he talked such rubbish.
 
Hi Nippitutti and welcome to the forum :) T2s can have hypos but it isn't very frequent. Even non diabetics can have them. It sounds like a good idea to change GP but how would you know if they were any good? Do you know anyone with diabetes who can recommend someone? That would be the best way. I know you have had diabetes for some time now but the Forum Monitors usually give some basic information to new members and you might find something in here that is useful to you.

Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091



Sue/Ken.
Click to expand...
 
I agree 100% with whoever you spoke to on the careline ! Your GP may be great at some things but he has little or no knowledge of Diabetes and hypos. Anything below 4 mmol/l is hypo for a Diabetic. The figures he/she is quoting are for a non-Diabetic !

Either see another GP in the practice or change your GP. I would certainly complain to the Practice Manager regarding his dangerous advice. The mind boggles at what else he/she tells Patients ??

Upping your Gliclazide will only compound the problem with low BG levels !
 
Most definitely time to change your gp! :shock:

Nigel
 
If you would like some 'evidence' I found this NHS leaflet from Halton and St Helens but there are actually loads of very similar ones, maybe one from your area (They have the NHS logo so have credibility if you print them out) Just google 'gliclazide hypoglycemia NHS'
Why use Gliclazide?
Gliclazide makes your pancreas produce more insulin, which lowers the blood glucose
Gliclazide can sometimes cause weight gain. It can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose), which may be severe and prolonged. If you feel hungry, shaky, sweaty, confused or have a headache, then check your blood glucose. If in doubt, eat some sugary food
Click to expand...
http://www.haltonandsthelenspct.nhs.uk/ ... geId=10133
 
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