Horrible GP !!

mariab

Active Member
Messages
30
Helllo Everyone

I went to my GP today for him to confirm that I've got type 2 (I already had my results). I was so upset by his attitude that I spent most of today in tears! He said he had warned me in the past about my weight so now I'm another statistic and must get into the system. He offered no advice other than lose weight and told me to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse. The first appointment I was offered was 15th July!

I told him that I knew I was likely to have a positive diagnosis and that I had been reading up and looked on this website and he said it was a load of mumbo jumbo and wouldn't get me off the hook (losing weight). My weight has been an issue for the past 18 months and I have continously battled with it.
He also said I didn't need to monitor my own blood. He prescribed metaformin 3 x 500mg per day and said that at least one of the side effects was weight loss! He also offered me anti-depressants and a paper for work!

Has anyone else had this sort of treatment? I feel really low now and can't seem to pick myself up. :(
 

ebony321

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mariab said:
Helllo Everyone

I went to my GP today for him to confirm that I've got type 2 (I already had my results). I was so upset by his attitude that I spent most of today in tears! He said he had warned me in the past about my weight so now I'm another statistic and must get into the system. He offered no advice other than lose weight and told me to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse. The first appointment I was offered was 15th July!

I told him that I knew I was likely to have a positive diagnosis and that I had been reading up and looked on this website and he said it was a load of mumbo jumbo and wouldn't get me off the hook (losing weight). My weight has been an issue for the past 18 months and I have continously battled with it.
He also said I didn't need to monitor my own blood. He prescribed metaformin 3 x 500mg per day and said that at least one of the side effects was weight loss! He also offered me anti-depressants and a paper for work!

Has anyone else had this sort of treatment? I feel really low now and can't seem to pick myself up. :(

Hi Maria,

How terrible. I feel so sorry that you've been treated this way.

Advice number...

1. Get a new doctor.

It doesn't matter whatsoever if your doctor has warned you about your weight, you can't turn back time now, looking back on things might only make you feel worse.

What you can do is look to the future and decide what you can do for yourself. You already did some research and looked into things, i would have hoped you would have been praised for that, because it's great that you've been reading about it all :)

You may be a 'statistic' to that horrible doctor, but your not a statistic here! your a person and deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.

Hopefully Daisy will be along to post you some great info that alot of newly diagnosed people find very useful, you may have seen it if you've looked around but have a good read, there's tips and info about testing your blood glucose and tips on what to ask when you see your diabetes nurse.

Please don't let that doctor make you feel low, in one way your diabetes can be a tool in helping you tackle your weight once and for all. Think how good it would be if you could show that doctor how good you can be with your diabetes.

Keep posting anything you want to get off your chest, have a good look around and ask any questions you like.

Keep positive maria :)
 

anna29

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Hiya maria, you poor woman. I myself was treated and bullied dreadfully by a DSN it affected me deeply was weepy n tearful for 3weeks afterwards. Felt hurt n confused for days afterwards, they have no idea of the damage they do.... You are NOT a statistic your a warm caring human. Ebony is absolutely right you must change your GP and get a far more sympathetic n understanding one, I myself refuse to return to the DSN who last treated me, am seeing her team leader july 6th and will insist on far better patient care for myself. Have reported the DSN too. You must go to another GP n surgery if you have to . He had no right to treat you awfull, you have patient charter rights. Do you feel you can n could do this? Let us know and please DO keep in touch n let us know how you are. Anna.x :D
 

mariab

Active Member
Messages
30
Thank you for your replies - I'm so mad with myself for letting myself get upset, it's not as if I didn't know what was coming! I am going to see a different GP, it's just that I felt so let down as I have been seeing this particular one for some time and just expected a bit more from him.

I'm going to try and stick to a low carb diet and see how that goes and hopefully get this under control. I am so glad I found this forum.

Maria x
 

daisy1

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Hi Maria and welcome to the forum :) I think you have been treated very badly and agree that you should change your GP who sounds like a horrible man. You should know that it is not your fault that you have got diabetes even if you are overweight. Most overweight people don't get diabetes, and lots of thin people do. You have done the right thing joining this forum where you are among friends. It is also not true that you should not monitor your bloods although so many doctors tell their patients this as they don't want to pay for the strips. It is very important that you do test so that you can look after yourself properly by eating the foods that are best for you (which you won't know unless you test) and control your levels as well as you can to reduce the risk of complications.

This is the information that Ebony mentioned which is written by our friends Sue and Ken, the former monitors, and is given to new members. I hope you will find this helpful. Ask as many questions as you like - we are all here for 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.
 

ClaireG 06

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Messages
934
Thats awful. I agree with the others, you need to see a different Dr. Can you see anyone in your practice? There might be another Dr who is more sympathetic if you don't want to change surgeries.
 

benniesmum

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What a horrible experience. Hopefully you'll get support from the great people here!

Ask if you can see the specialist diabetic doctor - they tend to be more knowledgable than a GP. And you should be able to demand to see a dietician who may also help (if you're lucky, ypu'll get a good one).

On the positive side, Metformin does help you lose weight. And losing weight really will help! But eat sensibly - don't try and crash diet.

And remember IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT that you're diabetic. You just got wonky genes.
 

JonBoy

Member
Messages
10
Your doctor sounds awful. I had the same issues with my GP when I was first diagnosed. I was struggling with my weight and no matter what I did I couldn't shift it. My doctor was not sympathetic and told me I was lazy. After changing doctors the new one was very sympathetic and first thing they did was check my thyroid. It was one of worse results he had seen. I got put on high dose of levothyroxine and was able to lose the weight. Just a thought, but worth asking to get your thyroid checked.
 

Dougie22

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Messages
319
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
I have a similar problem.

In my case, I'm in a group practice with 5 or 6 doctors so theoretically I should be able to see one who's views are more in line with mine....but the practice have nominated one doctor as the "diabetic specialist" and this is the one you get sent to for T2 appointments. Unfortunately her views on how to manage T2 are almost the opposite of mine (and the majority on this forum). The one mitigation is that the Practice Nurse is excellent and very helpful although she, of course, cannot contradict the doctor in any way.

So I have been seriously considering moving to another surgery. There are plenty in my area.

My question is:

How can I find out before moving that the doctor(s) in another surgery will support my intended regime of diet and exercise, self testing (I don't think anyone in Scotland will prescribe strips so I'm resigned to buying them myself), refusing statins, etc. Can I just ring a surgery that I'm not registered with and ask for an appointment with the T2 specialist? (I can hardly get an appointment with my own surgery!). IS there any way of finding out that a particular surgery works in a particular way? I'm pretty worried about jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Has anyone any experience of the mechanics of this?
 

kareng236

Member
Messages
19
Hello Maria,

I just wanted to say hello and offer my few words of encouragement. I was diagnosed formally at the turn of the year. I too was expecting it as both my parents were diabetic - but I was surprised at my reaction. It totally floored me. I cried for several days. It was a mixture of emotions. I was sorry for me , but I was even sorrier for my parents. Things were not so advanced for them. It was a really awful time for a couple of weeks.

You too will be feeling very low with shock and being overwhelmed by it all - but don't let that hateful GP make you feel even worse. Within about three or four months I would imagine that you will have seen several professionals. You should be referred to a Diabetic Clinic at your local hospital. They will keep tabs on you. Also you will probably see someone for eye-screening again at the hospital. In my case the Practice nurse checked out my feet. There is a course called DESMOND which your GP should offer you, It is a 9.30 - 4.30 day course which is informal and really helpful. You will begin to feel a bit happier as you learn how to take control of your condition.

This forum is brilliant - none of us have to feel alone. Doctors may read the latest journals or articles, but like everything in life - it is one thing to know the theory about something and quite another to experience it.

I will be interested to see what Dougie22 receives as a reply as I am not happy with my GP's attitude. Money and budgets seem to rule her judgement on treatment and that scares me. I hope we all manage to find more understanding GPs.

All best wishes Maria. Let us know how you get on.
 

noblehead

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Time you changed your gp!

Nigel
 

ill3st

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Messages
91
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Awful experience for you Maria. Definitely time to look elsewhere. No one should have experience that!.
 

Serena51

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491
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Tablets (oral)
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Having struggled with ME/CFS for years I could not cope when I was diagnosed as type 2. I cried for six weeks but I was just sooooo lucky to have a supportive gp and dsn at my surgery.

When I moved here I needed a supportive surgery for the ME (as this was still poopooed by many in the medical world at the time) and so I asked around in the local ME group and was recommended to this one by someone who also had it.

I agree with others that you should try to change your gp but also suggest that you report him - maybe when you feel a bit stronger - as he could be doing this to all newly diagnosed diabetics.

You did not make yourself fat intentionally, your body has a problem with insulin and the carby food can be really addic tive - I know that I eat a lot less these days but don't have any hunger - I was definitely a carb addict, never the one biscuit but always the whole packet.

Take heart Maria, you have found this forum and it has plenty to teach you, there is always support and friends here.

Jane
 

louiseb

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Messages
427
you mentioned that your gp doesnt want you to monitor your bg and so wont prescribe any test strips, unfortunatly this is common for most type 2 patients and its down to the price of strips, most type 2 who want to test have to buy there owm strips so have a look at this thread posted by a moderator yesterday viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22052 .
you can get a free meter and the test strips are very reasonably priced.
 

Funky Mum

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Messages
59
Just wanted to offer you a ((hug)) I agree with what's been posted already, don't let one insensitive idiot bring you down!
 

mariab

Active Member
Messages
30
Thank you all for your support and kind words. I feel much more positive today - mad, if I'm honest to allow myself to be treated like that at 50 years of age!! It's really comforting to know there are so many kind people out there who understand. Thank you again.

Maria xx
 

anna29

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Hiya maria, no not mad at all, you probably were that stunned and shocked you couldnt react back quick enough! I was exactly the same with the DSN that reduced me to tears, about 6days later I too was so angry with myself for not dealing with her there n then... I have actually reported her now and meeting her boss july 6th to insist it NEVER must happen again. So I do know how it must have left you feeling. Anna.x
 

Boo boo

Member
Messages
8
Hi maria, just wanted to say hi and as the others have said get a different doctor. I think when tou are first told that you have diabetes it's very scary and you do think is it me,but it's not you and you will find a lot of help and understanding on here. Xxxx keep your chin up :D
 

mariab

Active Member
Messages
30
Thank you all - managed to get an appointment with the practice nurse on Thursday. I've just returned from a weekend in Aberystwyth. Can't say I was brilliant all weekend but NO bread, rice, pasta or potatoes - did have a Sunday lunch but left the potatoes, parnsips & yorkshire pud etc. Just ate meat and rest of the veg & no dessert! I did feel a bit hard done by but I know I've got to get used to it. I feel better knowing that I've got the control. Can't believe how much this has 'floored' me but I know I can cope (it's better than the alternative!). Will let you know how I'm going -

Maria x
 

galgal

Active Member
Messages
31
tell that idiot to take a hike and go and get yourself a nice doctor. They are out there and you deserve better. I wonder does he say that to all his patients. what a plonker.