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- Type of diabetes
- Prediabetes
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- Diet only
Wish me luck, Shelley. I am trying to get in amongst them and address that.
Wish me luck, Shelley. I am trying to get in amongst them and address that.Very sorry to hear this @Chook really unfair and also a stressful phone call too for you to deal with.
Given that you needed test strips at the time and then subsequently reduced your med bill it does seem crazy.
Like many other type twos I’ve had to self fund strips from the start but by doing so have saved money for nhs on diabetic meds, blood pressure meds and depression meds! When think back to my diagnosis at 95 hbaca1 and the advice that it would be progressive and I’d be on insulin etc soon it’s unbelievable that simply changing what I ate and using test strips is regarded as strange and isn’t supported yet as a method. I feel so well and luckily could afford the strips so feel it is worth it but do worry about the fact that many simply can’t afford to self fund.
Hi. I'm left wondering why your GP prescribed insulin so early when further meds beyond Metformin hadn't been tried? I was refused insulin having been on all the tablets which were failing; I eventually got it. It's amazing how variable diabetes treatment is. It's good to hear that you are doing everything right despite an ignorant GP.
I don’t get confrontational with my GP on such matters. No need. He is a LCHF convert / protagonist. Perhaps you need to find the right GP?I suppose we should be glad that he rang you to discuss it, before he arbitrarily cut off your test stip supply.
But I wonder what his next action will be.
I'm actually quite stunned that you have been getting test strips on prescription after you stopped taking the insulin and other meds. Most docs would have stopped that prescription to a T2 at the same time you ceased filling the meds prescriptions.
So frustrating though.
I have had a couple of surreal conversations, one with the doc and one with a nurse along the lines of
'but your HbA1c isn't even pre-diabetic'
'I know, that is because I don't eat the carbs that would raise my blood glucose back to diabetic levels'
Blank look.
Change of subject.
Refusal to discuss it further even when I made a specific appointment to do exactly that, and produced print outs of Libre and prick testing to show them that yes, my blood glucose can reach 15mmol/l, and dip to 1.6mmol/l as shown in black, white and hypo red.
But no, no discussion. Subject closed. The HbA1c proves I am normal. No point in discussing it further.
So now I look after myself, including regular private blood tests, and self funding testing equipment.
I have also changed docs, but this time have wised up.
They have not, in 2 years, called me in for any blood tests, and obviously nothing gets flagged up on the system to remind them of how bad my blood glucose used to be.
So I have decided not to mention T2.
No point getting a reputation as a trouble maker, or someone with health anxiety, or confrontational - until I need to that is
Will carry on as I am for now, feeling better than I have for years, avoiding carbs, gluten, and monitoring my own bg, vitamin deficiencies, supplementing, and tracking insulin resistance via periodic insulin resistance tests via those private blood tests. I have even had a private CAC scan for atherosclerosis, a copy of which was sent to my GP, but they never got in touch to discuss the results, either for myself or my husband - and they REALLY should have done so for him.
I don’t get confrontational with my GP on such matters. No need. He is a LCHF convert / protagonist. Perhaps you need to find the right GP?
@Chook
How are you feeling now?
I am uncomfortably aware that this thread is drifting into sabre rattling, when it started off about you and your phone call.
Bet it has upset you deeply, and I know that your personal journey back from insulin to meds free diet only control has been a hard and variable slog.
Have a hug.
Thanks for the hug @Brunneria. I'm feeling a bit angry, a bit emotional and (strangely) totally worn out.
I've emailed the Practice Manager setting out my concerns about that phone call and pointing out that it was that particular GP and their practice DN that diagnosed the T2, prescribed the insulin, other meds, glucometers and strips over several years after several worsening HbA1c 's and that I was on the insulin for quite a long time before choosing to change to dietary control (which is obviously cheaper for them). I also repeated that key to succeeding with dietary control is knowing exactly how the carbs in my food is affecting my BG and adjusting my carb intake accordingly.
I did say that it would be preferable if, instead of concentrating on my T2 which is under control, they were to focus more on my arthritis which definitely isn't under control.
I'm not expecting a positive outcome but I feel better for having sent that email.
Could you ask to have a glucose tolerance test as evidence that you need testing strips to control your BG levels to avoid spikes that will cause you to have to move onto other medication including insulin? Don't do it yourself, it would have to be done through your GP or specialist where they measure your insulin and glucose over the two hours. My GP and specialist wanted to know about how my response to eating after fasting, phase 1 of phase 2 insulin production was impaired. I have no phase 1 insulin after eating, which suggests beta cell destruction, as well as 2 rising to 4 mmol/l of phase 2 insulin. It was very informative and it's how I manage my diabetes without insulin.@Brunneria
The reason I still get a prescription for the strips (and a nice shiny new glucometer every now and then) is because, according to their records, I'm still being prescribed MDI insulin - even though its been nearly three years since I asked for any and they know i control with low carbing. I get a phone call most months asking if I've forgotten to add it to my repeat script request. The pharmacist has a problem with it too. It seems, in their opinion, that no one comes off insulin once they are on it.
Could you ask to have a glucose tolerance test as evidence that you need testing strips to control your BG levels to avoid spikes that will cause you to have to move onto other medication including insulin?
sending strengthening vibes to you@Brunneria
The reason I still get a prescription for the strips (and a nice shiny new glucometer every now and then) is because, according to their records, I'm still being prescribed MDI insulin - even though its been nearly three years since I asked for any and they know i control with low carbing. I get a phone call most months asking if I've forgotten to add it to my repeat script request. The pharmacist has a problem with it too. It seems, in their opinion, that no one comes off insulin once they are on it.
3.2 mmol/l post-glucose ingestion? Do you have reactive hypoglycemia? Or it must be the accuracy of your glucometer. I'd be surprised to think your blood sugar would be below 3.8 mmol/l without insulin or medication such as Glyburide or running a marathon.I wouldn't want to speak for Chook, and I have done an OGTT myself, without ill-effect, but for some folks with insulin dysregulation - whether faulty first or second phase insulin responses or a likelyhood for a reactive hypo arrangement, it can be quite traumatic and leave them feeling drained for days.
As I say, my own OGTT went fine, although I did bottom out at 3.2 135 minutes post-insulin ingestion.
I do really feel for you @Chook . It must feel like you are utterly unrecognised for the strides forward you have made with your health, but that certainly isn't the case here. When T2 folks ask about the permenance of insulin therapy, I often mention your name as someone who has managed to come off it and be very well.
I do hope the complaint is dealt with properly.
Sorry for the rant - I feel a bit better now.
I feel completely let down by my 'medical team' - I felt like I was being ticked off for using the strips without injecting the insulin.
3.2 mmol/l post-glucose ingestion? Do you have reactive hypoglycemia?
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