T2#Me
Well-Known Member
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- 136
... but I see many people here are let down by their doctors.
My own experience was first of all to be abruptly informed by my usual doctor that I was now a "pre-diabetic" and given a leaflet. Advised to lose weight and take more exercise. This from a doctor who has been treating me for years for heart disease (two heart attacks and a mini stroke, age 73). When I asked if this meant I would later become fully diabetic, her reply was "Yes, but not like having to take insulin or any thing". This said over her shoulder, eyes glued to her computer screen. So reassuring ...
Then she referred me to a "prediabetic information seminar" (two months later) and that was that. I was stunned.
I duly attended said 2 day seminar, only to find them handing out outdated and proven-to-be-wrong ancient NHS advice about eating fibre (regardless of sugar) and taking long walks. etc etc. , fill up on bread, eat low fat food (regardless of sugar), fruit (regardless of fructose) etc etc etc. - the same glorious low fat advice that caused the world wide obesity crisis in the first place.
Came away thoroughly confused and upset, and did nothing.
Next, I was called in to tell me I had now been promoted to Diabetes 2, due to Hba1c result of 84, twice in a row. This time I was told to attend a "Diabetes Clinic" where I would receive information and treatment instructions. And that was that. Took that doctor off my Christmas Card list ...
Two weeks later, I attended the "Diabetes Clinic" where I met a terrific friendly helpful non-patronising doctor who sat me down, explained what T2 actually is, answered my questions fully, advised me about the protocol to keep checks on my blood sugar, cholesterol, liver functions, weight, blood pressure - also special tests on my eyes and feet - advised me to take my flu jab this year, as flu can be nasty for those with diabetes. She even managed to advise me without embarrassment nor discomfort that in the event of the diabetes giving me erectile dysfunction, there was assistance available ... what a doctor!
(Incidentally, she fell firmly into the camp of "diabetes, once diagnosed by being over 84 twice, can not be reversed, but can be described as in remission if blood sugar goes below 84). At least she was crystal clear in her definition.
She advised they would set up an eye test and foot examination, and test my hba1c in 3 months, to keep an eye on the situation.
(I had already told her I was already on a low carb diet for years, after reading a book by Gary Taubes, but admittedly had relaxed in recent months ... and I agreed that more gentle exercise was in order. Big news for my dog!) Presumably the insulin resistance expected in old age has now clicked in and is throwing its weight about?
She did not mention blood monitoring, presumably she is following the Try Diet And Exercise First method ... fair enough.
I am so pleased to find this forum, and intend to scour the posts for information and advice, which (despite the last delightful doctor) I felt was sadly lacking, and frightening, in the NHS treatment so far.
Apologies for the wall of text, which is partly just venting and partly to show others that it is unfortunately not so unusual when the initial shock of a diabetes diagnosis is not always treated in a sensitive and helpful manner by busy GPs., even those who have known and treated you for years. Maybe they don't know how to handle it?
Looking forward to the forum ...
My own experience was first of all to be abruptly informed by my usual doctor that I was now a "pre-diabetic" and given a leaflet. Advised to lose weight and take more exercise. This from a doctor who has been treating me for years for heart disease (two heart attacks and a mini stroke, age 73). When I asked if this meant I would later become fully diabetic, her reply was "Yes, but not like having to take insulin or any thing". This said over her shoulder, eyes glued to her computer screen. So reassuring ...
Then she referred me to a "prediabetic information seminar" (two months later) and that was that. I was stunned.
I duly attended said 2 day seminar, only to find them handing out outdated and proven-to-be-wrong ancient NHS advice about eating fibre (regardless of sugar) and taking long walks. etc etc. , fill up on bread, eat low fat food (regardless of sugar), fruit (regardless of fructose) etc etc etc. - the same glorious low fat advice that caused the world wide obesity crisis in the first place.
Came away thoroughly confused and upset, and did nothing.
Next, I was called in to tell me I had now been promoted to Diabetes 2, due to Hba1c result of 84, twice in a row. This time I was told to attend a "Diabetes Clinic" where I would receive information and treatment instructions. And that was that. Took that doctor off my Christmas Card list ...
Two weeks later, I attended the "Diabetes Clinic" where I met a terrific friendly helpful non-patronising doctor who sat me down, explained what T2 actually is, answered my questions fully, advised me about the protocol to keep checks on my blood sugar, cholesterol, liver functions, weight, blood pressure - also special tests on my eyes and feet - advised me to take my flu jab this year, as flu can be nasty for those with diabetes. She even managed to advise me without embarrassment nor discomfort that in the event of the diabetes giving me erectile dysfunction, there was assistance available ... what a doctor!
(Incidentally, she fell firmly into the camp of "diabetes, once diagnosed by being over 84 twice, can not be reversed, but can be described as in remission if blood sugar goes below 84). At least she was crystal clear in her definition.
She advised they would set up an eye test and foot examination, and test my hba1c in 3 months, to keep an eye on the situation.
(I had already told her I was already on a low carb diet for years, after reading a book by Gary Taubes, but admittedly had relaxed in recent months ... and I agreed that more gentle exercise was in order. Big news for my dog!) Presumably the insulin resistance expected in old age has now clicked in and is throwing its weight about?
She did not mention blood monitoring, presumably she is following the Try Diet And Exercise First method ... fair enough.
I am so pleased to find this forum, and intend to scour the posts for information and advice, which (despite the last delightful doctor) I felt was sadly lacking, and frightening, in the NHS treatment so far.
Apologies for the wall of text, which is partly just venting and partly to show others that it is unfortunately not so unusual when the initial shock of a diabetes diagnosis is not always treated in a sensitive and helpful manner by busy GPs., even those who have known and treated you for years. Maybe they don't know how to handle it?
Looking forward to the forum ...
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