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Oh My Word! Feedback Received From My Dn

I would let your GP, have a read of the success stories forum.

I went through the same scenario with my surgery for many years, until my endocrinologist initially and his dietician suggested I look at this website to give me an idea, what I had to do to gain some control on my BG.

After losing six stone and regaining my health, I always look forward to my yearly review. It is my review next month, and, of course, my last two visits, have been asked how I can manage my condition, my surgery has adopted a lower carb intake for all their T2 patients including the wife.

The word is out there, but there is still great opposition despite the success of so many that have changed their dietary regime.
 
Do you know what, when I get home from my holiday, I’m going to write/email someone at my surgery the same question, ask how many of their Type 2s have reversed/controlled/got into remission, whatever you want to call it. I don’t think there is a Diabetes nurse at our surgery (well I’ve never seen one!). I’ve always seen my GP, there is a GP there who specialises in Diabetes but I was told I could stick with my own GP if I wanted. I’m going to look into the PPG aswell, I feel the need to convert them! I left my GP last time with a copy of Dr Unwins paper which I link above, in post #3, looking forward to seeing him in a couple of months to see what he thought about it.
 
Hi @Debandez

What a shocking reply. I will be seeing the practice nurse that was recently so positive at my annual review about an entirely unrelated matter on Thursday, but will mention this to her and see what the position is in our surgery. Will also ask if she is interested in the success stories and recipe booklet to share with other Type 2s.

While health practitioners may have a point that not everyone will be up for major life changes, that is not a reason to withhold information from them that may help them to significantly improve their health.
 
Went to the PPG meeting at my surgery today and apparently there will be a discussion about Type 2 treatment in the near future... !
No idea how it will go but recently heard that the new head of the practise will be the doc who "admitted" to me that she was a closet low carber so we might be onto something.. just need to get rid of the ill informed dinosaur who is currently in charge of diabetes care and we may have some success.
 

I think that's a great idea. In fact we should all try and do it and compare notes!
 
Brilliant move @Goonergal. As you say they should be given the choice. The possible complications should be explained thoroughly, they weren't to me. I was at a bbq Sunday where a friends mum (an ex nurse) just had toe amputated. T2d. She is under the impression eating a jacket potato without butter is good for her. My heart sinks. The success stories booklet is a very powerful tool. The same theme runs through every story. Good move to pass to your surgery....And ask for feedback ;-)
 

A light at the end of the tunnel @bulkbiker
 
I have just had a telephone conversation with my doctor regarding my request for a repeat prescription for blood testing strips. He wasn't happy, as he prescribed 50 'only a month ago', and I was 'only on Metformin'
My father died due to diabetic complications, so I am very aware of how important checking my BS levels is. It was too late for my father by the time I discovered that, instead of teaching him how to regulate his insulin to fit his diet, they told him to eat more potatoes and bread!
How long is it going to take before the NHS trains it's diabetic nurses and GP's in the correct treatment of T2?
BTW............he did finally, grudgingly agree to give me another prescription.
 
It beggars belief. In the age of Google where everything is at our finger Tips (including the strips!) we are still battling for our lives!
 
Firstly, well done for asking the question. We should all do the same.
Secondly, now come on Deb. Be honest, you are not as surprised and shocked by the answer as you are making out, are you?
You didn't really expect to uncover a treasure trove of secret T2's successfully reversing their condition in a fortnight on diet of weetabix and mashed potato did you?
It is a reminder of the scale of the challenge at hand.
Frankly I am shocked and surprised that they were willing to give you such a candid response - fair play to the surgery for its openness.
If enough of us get similar responses, maybe can collate them (via DCUK) and send them to the Sec of State for Health.
 

I didn't know whether to hit funny, winner or like button. I opted for winner as I think it's a great suggestion. I know you are entitled to stats info. We should all do it and compare the results.
 
I've also asked my cousin who is a Dr and this is her reply for info:

'Yes we have a number of them who have the code 'diabetes in remission'. We use that when hba1c <48 twice, 6 months apart.
Most of them probably only just fit the criteria for diagnosis originally and with a bit of weight loss got their hba1c to below 48. I can't think of any off hand who reduced as much as you'
 
Brilliant idea about the booklet, I think I am going to see if my DN would like a copy.
 
Or you can fill a mind with knowledge but you cannot make it think !! Best Wishes with performing a mind transplant !! I would hope that the success stories, including your own plus the research out there like about the Newcastle diet plus the endorsement now of low carb diets by NHS would all prove persuasive. And we do not wish the proponents of gastric stapling growing unnecessarily fat on the back of ignorance.
 
I had conversations with 3 doctors in my town, one of them was my uncle, and told them how I managed to reverse my diabetes and put my HBA1C onto normal levels within 6 months. It was clear that non of them was aware regarding the terms "Diabetes Remission" and low carb diet. Moreover, non of them believed that, after checking my numbers, diabetics can manage to get their numbers this low and they told me to do more tests at another hospitals and change my glucose test device. One of them insisted that I should go back on medical plan again since this is chronic disease not something that can be reversed and controlled using diet only.
I think there is awareness problem and a very large gap to fill. I hope you can make difference on this track.
 
When I go to have a check of my blood pressure I get a similar reaction - normal blood pressure is not the thing they expect in someone both old and fat - I have had HCPs go off to find another tester, suggest that I take something anyway, just in case, haul on the cuff so it is strangling my arm - because they know what they know, and so it must be wrong.
 
I sometimes wonder if medical students are allowed to think. Are they taught Diabetes in a progressive disease and you will be lucky if it doesnt get you in the end? End of. Or are they encouraged, even allowed, to think maybe there are ways of living which will allow long term control of diabetes. I do wonder.
 
Of course not... they are taught that the rules of NICE say prescribe first metformin then stronger drugs then eventually insulin (even though that might not be very effective for people who already overproduce their own). That is the safest option. Even Dr Unwin didn't come up with dietary treatment himself it was a patient of his who was a member here who turned him onto it. (At least that is his story when I have heard him relay it). Thinking for yourself seems to be actively discouraged in most education these days. It is all learn by rote and regurgitate as necessary. Or at least that's my impression.
 
I always heard you had to be very clever to do medicine and its a long road so what a waste of those fine young brains if thats the case. I just hope some of them are thinkers.
 
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