• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

My latest DN appointment feedback

Debandez

Debandez

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,043
Location
Lancashire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I couldn't wait for this appointment. I was feeling so chuffed with myself. According to my home test a1cnow kit my hba1c was down to 37! Non diabetic levels from 62 on 8th December. Just needed this confirming. Also my CHOLESTROL checking as I was doing the LCHF diet. Disappointed to see actual result was 41 .....although still chuffed as almost non diabetic levels!!! She is such a nice person. She was really pleased with my weight loss. Gone from 14st 3lbs to 11st 5lb. She wasn't happy I was low carbing in Feb but said nothing this time about my diet. What she did say was heart warming. She said she has never met anyone like me in over 20 years she has been a DN. She added 'in a good way'. She hasn't obviously been on this forum!!! I did feel sad however. That nobody has challenged the automatic 'take metformin your bloods are over 48' guidelines. That's what she wanted to do. I asked her to bear with me whilst I tried diet. They don't offer metformin under 48 and now I'm 41. End of!!!

What also made me sad was that she told me diabetic clinics are getting busier. They are training the bloods nurses up on testing diabetic's feet to free up time for DN to see more pts. Thats processed foods and carbs for you (and sedatory life styles) i actually said to her. She is supportive of me and I'm happy with that. My cholesterol is up from 5.2 in Feb to 6.8 now so I asked for a fasting test and a break down to find out just what is what and she sorted it straight away. Once I am where I want to be I would love to speak to my gp surgery to offer some time to them to speak to fellow diabetics. Talk to them about my experience. I don't even think the DN realised this disease is not necessarily progressive!!
 
Last edited:
Debandez said:
What also made me sad was that she told me diabetic clinics are getting busier. They are training the bloods nurses up on testing diabetic's feet to free up time for DN to see more pts.
Click to expand...

We see success here so often that we often forget the actual scale of the problem that results from all the misinformation and misguided dietary advice.
 
Debandez said:
I couldn't wait for this appointment. I was feeling so chuffed with myself. According to my home test a1cnow kit my hba1c was down to 37! Non diabetic levels from 62 on 8th December. Just needed this confirming. Also my CHOLESTROL checking as I was doing the LCHF diet. Disappointed to see actual result was 41 .....although still chuffed as almost non diabetic levels!!! She is such a nice person. She was really pleased with my weight loss. Gone from 14st 3lbs to 11st 5lb. She wasn't happy I was low carbing in Feb but said nothing this time about my diet. What she did say was heart warming. She said she has never met anyone like me in over 20 years she has been a DN. She added 'in a good way'. She hasn't obviously been on this forum!!! I did feel sad however. That nobody has challenged the automatic 'take metformin your bloods are over 48' guidelines. That's what she wanted to do. I asked her to bear with me whilst I tried diet. They don't offer metformin under 48 and now I'm 41. End of!!!

What also made me sad was that she told me diabetic clinics are getting busier. They are training the bloods nurses up on testing diabetic's feet to free up time for DN to see more pts. Thats processed foods and carbs for you i actually said to her. She is supportive of me and I'm happy with that. My cholesterol is up from 5.2 in Feb to 6.8 now so I asked for a fasting test and a break down to find out just what is what and she sorted it straight away. Once I am where I want to be I would love to speak to my gp surgery to offer some time to them to speak to fellow diabetics. Talk to them about my experience. I don't even think the DN realised this disease is not necessarily progressive!!
Click to expand...
That's absolutely brilliant. Very pleased you had such a positive experience.
 
Debandez said:
Gone from 14st 3lbs to 11st 5lb.
Click to expand...

Well done! Excellent!

Debandez said:
According to my home test a1cnow kit my hba1c was down to 37! Non diabetic levels from 62 on 8th December.
Click to expand...

Another well done!

Debandez said:
Disappointed to see actual result was 41
Click to expand...

Don't forget, that's only 4 parts in a thousand. Doesn't sound so bad when you say it that way. Also, consider the accuracy of the test, one site I visited said "The A1C test result can be up to half a percent higher or lower than the actual percentage. That means if your A1C is 6, it might indicate a range from 5.5 to 6.5".

Debandez said:
My cholesterol is up from 5.2 in Feb to 6.8
Click to expand...

That happens to me if I introduce yogurt and cream into my diet.

Debandez said:
I would love to speak to my gp surgery to offer some time to them to speak to fellow diabetics.
Click to expand...

A noble idea and I wish you all the best. My limited experience talking one to one with other diabetics, including friends and even fellow patients (met in the waiting room), is that a lot of people are very set in their "just take the tablets" attitude. It's a mind set that I don't understand, but that's what makes us humans a weird bunch, we're all so very different.

The idea has to come from GPs and DNs and if they just dish out the pills and stand by their customary training, it's going to be an uphill struggle. Even when I mention that low carb (I don't mention fat because every one is anti) enabled me to throw away Gliclazide, Januvia and Atorvastatin, people just look at me as if I'm stupid.
 
T
DavidGrahamJones said:
Well done! Excellent!



Another well done!



Don't forget, that's only 4 parts in a thousand. Doesn't sound so bad when you say it that way. Also, consider the accuracy of the test, one site I visited said "The A1C test result can be up to half a percent higher or lower than the actual percentage. That means if your A1C is 6, it might indicate a range from 5.5 to 6.5".



That happens to me if I introduce yogurt and cream into my diet.



A noble idea and I wish you all the best. My limited experience talking one to one with other diabetics, including friends and even fellow patients (met in the waiting room), is that a lot of people are very set in their "just take the tablets" attitude. It's a mind set that I don't understand, but that's what makes us humans a weird bunch, we're all so very different.

The idea has to come from GPs and DNs and if they just dish out the pills and stand by their customary training, it's going to be an uphill struggle. Even when I mention that low carb (I don't mention fat because every one is anti) enabled me to throw away Gliclazide, Januvia and Atorvastatin, people just look at me as if I'm stupid.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for this. It explains a lot re a1cnow! I hadn't thought about it that way. I suppose it does give just a rough guideline. I have 2 tests left and will bear this info in mind when using them.

The uphill struggle I would probably call mountainous terrain. I can see how it works. If the Dr and DN just dish out meds (sticking plasters someone on here called them and that has stuck with me although I do know some benefit and I'm not disputing that) and give the well persons dietary advice then it's only going to get worse. When I went to her initially and she drew the plate and sliced it up. Over 1 third carbs/starchy food. Fruit/veg over 1 third and small amounts of protein/ fats and sugars and dairy and milk I presumed that was what she was recommending for me. At this last apptment she said not! Apparently as a diabetic I should have been taking out if it what wasn't good for me. That wasn't explained!! My DN has indeed had her eyes opened and hasn't met one patient who has taken their health into their own hands. She said that she is their guide. They only look to her for advice. Now she has seen what can be done and in a relatively short space of time. But it's going to be hard. It's a drop in a very large Ocean.
 
Debandez said:
When I went to her initially and she drew the plate and sliced it up. Over 1 third carbs/starchy food. Fruit/veg over 1 third and small amounts of protein/ fats and sugars and dairy and milk I presumed that was what she was recommending for me.
Click to expand...

I think the major problem is that they are all taught a certain way and they can't be reprimanded if they stick to what they've been taught, even if it's inaccurate. The advice is OK, so long as you're not carbohydrate intolerant. Some people, fat and thin, can eat carbs to their hearts content without the slightest sign of high blood glucose, then there's us. It's a theory, but seems to reflect what happens.

However, there is type of nurse who is willing to tailor their advice to the patient they are talking to.

http://diabetestimes.co.uk/low-carb-nurse-advocate-up-for-top-health-award/ being a good example. Perhaps your DN would be interested in reading about her.
 
DavidGrahamJones said:
I think the major problem is that they are all taught a certain way and they can't be reprimanded if they stick to what they've been taught, even if it's inaccurate. The advice is OK, so long as you're not carbohydrate intolerant. Some people, fat and thin, can eat carbs to their hearts content without the slightest sign of high blood glucose, then there's us. It's a theory, but seems to reflect what happens.

However, there is type of nurse who is willing to tailor their advice to the patient they are talking to.

http://diabetestimes.co.uk/low-carb-nurse-advocate-up-for-top-health-award/ being a good example. Perhaps your DN would be interested in reading about her.
Click to expand...
Brilliant! I've shared that on social media. This message just has to get out!!! Thanks again.
 
Back
Top