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

Newly diagnosed and a little deflated

P

Pev58

Newbie
Messages
1
I was diagnosed after a routine blood test in August with an horrendous hba1c of 107 but not symptomatic. I started Metformin but had terrible gastric side effects even on slow release. This resulted in me having to increase the dose very slowly and only in late October managed the full dose. Had my first review and next hba1c blood test on 24/11/21. Finally got a call from the today saying my sugar is still at 107 and she wants me to take an additional medication. I was genuinely so shocked as I had modified my diet and am eating mindfully and increased exercise. I have been finger prick testing and logging on ‘my sugar’ app so was expecting a drop in readings and was predicted at 53 on the app which I was happy with at this stage in the proceedings. My aim is to continue with my plan and drop the number further. However, i must have told the GP 6 times during the conversation I was shocked by and didnt understand how my blood sugar hadnt decreased. All she was interested in was getting me on more medication. Eventually after me not accepting the situation she confessed she was looking at the original hba1c and in fact the November one was 54. So I had in fact halved it. There was no apology or explanation and she launched straight into “well, I would like to see it at 48”. I honestly could have cried. Does anyone else find their GP to be pompous and judgemental about Diabetes? I dont want a medal just the correct information, an acknowledgement that you have worked hard and friendly encouragement to continue and achieve further. This just made me want cry and eat a cream cake!
 
Pev58 said:
Eventually after me not accepting the situation she confessed she was looking at the original hba1c and in fact the November one was 54. So I had in fact halved it.
Click to expand...

Well, let me be the first to congratulate you on an awesome result. I guess GPs are only human, and some people prefer to never admit that they've made a mistake.
 
Oh, and welcome to the forums.
 
107 to 54 wow! What a fantastic result, give yourself a pat on the back and if you really want that cream cake you have earned it.
I think I can say with some certainty that your dietary changes will have made the biggest contribution to your improvement. So just the one cake then back to your diet, I bet the next time you see your Dr you will be down to non diabetic levels
 
Welcome to the forum. Well done on reducing your hba1c so much, and in such a short time. If you haven't already got access to your blood test results online, you might want to consider doing that, then at least if anyone makes a mistake in future you can refer them to the online result. You get results quicker too which is always useful.
 
Wow - well done @Pev58. That's a fantastic achievement to get your hba1c down that far.

I guess GP's are only human, and mistakes happen, but I agree that some acknowledgement of what you've managed so far and encouragement for the next steps would have been good.

But you'll find bundles of both on here.
 
I know EXACTLY how you would have felt at your great results almost being a put down to you @Pev58 because that was me last August! I had been out of control for two years but found the strength to cut out an enormous amount of carbs, then presented at my diabetes clinic with a result of 37 ... so in none diabetic numbers for the first time in the five years of having Type2. I got no congratulations whatsoever and felt totally deflated, but I had moved house the year previous so it was a new practice. However that shouldn't have stopped them showing some approval since they did have my medical notes! But you are doing massively well despite their disinterest, and don't ever think otherwise. Keep on and you will also be on top of it completely! Great job x
 
Well done for reducing you reading to half, have a big pat on the back for that, and keep up the good work. I second the suggestion to get your results on line. I find it very useful.
 
Well done @Pev58 , that's that's great result...
And an éclair or choux type cream cake can even be allowed on low carb, very occasionally if there's loads of cream and onlya little pastry and dark chocolate on top. Go enjoy one, you've earned it.
 
Congratulations on your result
Doctors are human and some are arrogant and don’t admit errors, sone are amazing. Just like all of us

I have had amazing doctors who have praised me and supported me and others who have said every medical issue I presented must be mental and need therapy (his specialism)

Try not to let it get you down and not to be disheartened if you aren’t praised. You did it for you, not them. We on the forums can congratulate and share your journey but don’t do it to expect praise but to feel better for you

I can word things bluntly so not meaning to if it’s read that way, more that you shouldn’t let anyone bring you down, it’s their issue, not your

Well done!
 
You have done brilliantly - congratulations - all power to you!

It's a pity your Dr. couldn't have the grace to acknowledge your progress, but as has been said, they are human, and some of them have not had the character-building training that would help them and their patients to work together in a positive manner. I've got one like that too. What does that mean in real terms? That all the progress is yours, and you can rightly feel a warm glow of achievement.
 
Pev58 said:
the November one was 54. So I had in fact halved it. There was no apology or explanation and she launched straight into “well, I would like to see it at 48”.
Click to expand...
Pah, I'd be so angry at that! Doctors being human and all that is all true of course, but best not choose to become a GP if you cannot relate to other peoples feelings. It's no problem she looked at the wrong numbers, we all make mistakes, but after telling someone bad news at least take a moment to asess how your patient takes it. Same goes for making that mistake.

Apart from all that, brilliant results, and if you went from 107 to 54 in three months your next one will be below 48 next time anyway if you keep doing what you're doing, congratulations!
 
Fantastic well done.

Keep up the great work.

I had the same issues with Metformin and had to stop it & go with an eating plan.

I find my GP is of very little help I don’t even get to speak to him about my results.

The receptionist gives them out and even at that I was told the results were ok and the GP was happy with them.

I had to push to be told the numbers. Not helpful when this is a key factor in the ongoing management of my condition.
 
Pev58 said:
48”. Does anyone else find their GP to be pompous and judgemental about Diabetes?
Click to expand...

Oh, YES. Not all of them of course and I am generally very supportive of our NHS...but, some individual GPs are horrendously patronising and there is one of them at my surgery! Past conversations are like 'You need to get your cholesterol down, you're eating too much saturated fat', me, 'I don't eat saturated fat, I eat good fats' (not that it's about what I eat anyway). Her, 'You'd be surprised what foods contain saturated fats', me, 'No I wouldn't', her, 'Oh...wait, you're right, your trigs are low', (which she followed up on purpose by writing on my record 'Advised re low fat diet'). She also wrote 'moderately inactive' on my record when she knew I was an avid runner & exerciser and had a job where I hardly ever sat down.

Same person, 'Oh, I see you had gestational diabetes with your children', (all grown up now). Me, 'No I didn't', her 'Well yes you did', me, 'Well I think I'd know', her 'Oh wait, I've got the wrong records up'.


That's two of many similar interactions. At first it would enrage me but now I could not care less, if I'm due to see her I simply repeat my strategy and if she suggest anything else I stop her very politely in her tracks.
 
Superb result, well done. Rates of BG decrease tended to vary - it wasn't a steady decline, more like bumping down steps, so it was tricky to try to predict where I would be next time. Having said that, I bet you'll be out of the official diabetic range next time.
 
Absolutely amazing results. Give yourself a huge pat on the back. Massive congratulations from me, keep up the good work
 
Sorry to butt I on OP's post but how do you get access to your results online please?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…