If hospital instructs to abstain from insulin, "don't assume hospitals know what they're doing"

[sud5nala]

Passing along a tip, it may jog memories. I recently attended an advice lecture for diabetes, given by a diabetes physician.

This has to do with physical exams done in hospitals, such as endoscopies (including colonoscopies). Staff will sometimes advise patients to abstain from insulin the day before the procedure. The lecturer strenuously counter-advised not to interrupt insulin unless your regular diabetes doctor approves. The lecturer said, "staff in hospitals aren't that familiar with Type 1. Don't assume hospitals know what they're doing when it comes to Type 1."

 

[Mep]

interesting... I'm on MDI and the only advice I get given before hospital procedures is to halve my basal insulin dosage the night before the procedure. I've never been told not to take insulin at all.

 

[Juicyj]

@sud5nala Wise words indeed, I personally feel like I am the expert whenever discussing my type 1 with NHS on the basis they don't live with this condition and only I know how to correctly regulate my BG levels, it should never be a given that someone else should know more about type 1 unless they can validate their knowledge and provide evidence to support this whether professionally or socially. I have encountered both a doctor and a diabetes nurse who have both confirmed my knowledge is greater than theirs which has been refreshing but also confirmed my belief that I should never trust anyone else with my type 1 care.

 

[AndyS]

This kind of goes with "The patient is the expert, the Dr is just the specialist"

/A

 

[lizdeluz]

@sud5nala Wise words indeed, I personally feel like I am the expert whenever discussing my type 1 with NHS on the basis they don't live with this condition and only I know how to correctly regulate my BG levels, it should never be a given that someone else should know more about type 1 unless they can validate their knowledge and provide evidence to support this whether professionally or socially. I have encountered both a doctor and a diabetes nurse who have both confirmed my knowledge is greater than theirs which has been refreshing but also confirmed my belief that I should never trust anyone else with my type 1 care.

I agree with you. Trouble is, this doesn't feel good enough, does it?

 

[Juicyj]

I agree with you. Trouble is, this doesn't feel good enough, does it?

You're right it doesn't feel good enough, but whilst I am of sound mind I will always stick to my guns to ensure I am not mistreated. Unless there is a big overhaul of the NHS and the treatment of type 1 diabetics then I can't envisage this situation ever changing.