Saw Diabetes Nurse, feeling very distressed

[mariavontrapp]

Likewise. I developed type 2 diabetes some 20 years ago. Recently, my GP told me I'm among the best controlled type 2s he's encountered. (In marked contrast to the practice nurse's advice, I'm afraid.)

mariavontrapp:
Is it true that more medication will have a greater benefit than any diet/lifestyle changes I make?

IMO, the way a type 2 diabetic eats is more powerful than additional anti-diabetic medicines, other than insulin. All carbohydrates end up in your bloodstream as glucose, which makes your diabetes worse. If you keep to your low carb way of eating then, as your general health picks up, your BG levels should gradually improve.

Well done for taking the initiative and acquiring a Libre 2. It's your body and your decisions are yours to make!

Thank you for these encouraging words. You're right, it is my body. I have the right to make my own decisions

 

[mariavontrapp]

Assuming she's right, I mean we WILL all age, right....?

Many of us try to fight the signs of it in the hope we slow down the damage aging does to our skin, bodies & minds

Oils, lotions & potions.
Gym, exercise & diets
Yoga, meditation & sudoku

Sure your DN hasn't just let themselves 'GO' because aging is inevitable, have there ?

Same thing really, in my eyes.

Checking our bloods is just a part of taking better care of ourselves, and if we can't stop the damage, then at least we can try slowing it down , even if it is just a bit.

That simple fact alone, to my mind, is worth the effort of trying.

Win/Win in my book.


Since reading some extracts from Jenny Ruhr blood #101

Does Type 2 Diabetes Always Get Worse?

Most dctors think all people with Type 2 develop complications but this research shows it isn't true.

www.bloodsugar101.com

I see tackling my BG blood levels, like a journey through a really long corridor.

One with the danger that each bump into the walls creates bruising, leading to damage further down the line

I can stumble along, walking it in the dark, hoping I stay away from the corridor walls, with the risk of daily bumps & bruising..(don't test )
OR
I can take a torch so I can see exactly where I'm going & what lies ahead, hopefully limiting the amount of daily bumps & bruises i get (testing with a meter)

Seems an obvious choice to me, but others are free to make their own way, however they see fit.

Oh wow, I love this analogy! So helpful. Thank you for taking the time to write this.

 

[Lainie71]

I am another who self-funds a CGM and it has been a game-changer, used in conjunction with a glucose meter.
I have a new DN who used to be a carer, visiting people in their home, washing them, giving them their meds etc.
I know her as a customer of mine as well, and I was horrified to see her in her new role. The first thing she did was attempt to put the blood pressure cuff OVER my CGM, despite my asking her to use the other arm.

Then she told me to go back to the NHS Eatwell plate.
No no and no!

@mariavontrapp you are doing so well, and you are definitely not alone on this journey.

Years ago I reluctantly had the flu jab and was very late on the uptake. I was ridiculed by the practice nurse on why I had left it so late (due to mental health issues), she proceeded to just throw the needle in like a dart which absolutely killed my arm. My husband was with me and is usually very mild in manner, but when I saw the look on his face I just knew he was about to explode. I got us out of there as soon as possible and my arm swelled and took 24 hrs to go down. The said practice nurse also deals with my type 2, say no more.....

 

[jjraak]

Oh wow, I love this analogy! So helpful. Thank you for taking the time to write this.

What a lovely response
Thank you .

And so pleased you found it helpful.

We never know when we post how much our words of encouragement can help others.

I know the kindness of members when I arrived was what calmed me & kept me going in those dark early days.

Very happy to know I passed that forward for someone else.

You keep on doing You.
I think you'll do just fine.

Best wishes @mariavontrapp .

 

[AndBreathe]

I really need some encouragement right now. I've been Type 2 for 10 years but have had a worsening of results over the last year (due to a vaccine reaction). I've been on insulin and metformin for the last four months.
A couple of months ago I got myself a Libre 2. I have used it to inform my eating and exercise decisions and have brought my "time in range" up to 88% (the target is 70%+). However, the nurse was not at all pleased, said I was micromanaging and that I would just make myself anxious. The opposite is true, having some control lessens my anxiety. I wasn't sure what the point of the appointment was so I said to her that the goal for me was to lessen my chance of diabetes complications. Her reply was that diabetes is progressive and I will inevitably have complications as time goes on. I felt really sickened by this.
I think her goal is to get me on more and more medication. Is it true that more medication will have a greater benefit than any diet/lifestyle changes I make? I'm feeling completely disheartened and confused.

When I was diagnosed, I asked the nurse what I should do. Her response was “Nothing, we’ll manage it for you.”

The response in my head is not for writing down, but I did explain that MY life was for ME to manage. ok, from time to time, I might need some help with that, but decisions would be my own.

I’m now nearing 10 years in remission, but still use that response as motivation to keep moving forward.

Bravo to you @mariavontrapp . Your condition, you manage it as you see fit.

 

[JanniB]

Hi there - diagnosed type 2 just into Lockdown 2020 and decided (after much research) to use low carbs plus intermittent fasting AND self funding test meter! I lost over 7 stone and am still maintaining reasonable weight (size 16/18 at 5’10”) AND still choose to test each morning (as still need to know readings!) Occasionally eat “naughty” food and lately morning readings slightly higher, but seeing our local diabetic nurse is difficult, so l just do what l feel is correct? But this nurse does NOT agree self testing each day and wasn’t really supportive my chosen life style! However my GP was very pleased that diabetes now into remission (as was my Consultant before a major op!) so do what YOU think works best for your body! Now into my 4th year and (so far) my chosen life style works fine! A shame NHS seems be unaware about low carbs tho - eating in hospital extremely difficult! So well done you!

 

[jjraak]

Hi there - diagnosed type 2 just into Lockdown 2020 and decided (after much research) to use low carbs plus intermittent fasting AND self funding test meter! I lost over 7 stone and am still maintaining reasonable weight (size 16/18 at 5’10”) AND still choose to test each morning (as still need to know readings!) Occasionally eat “naughty” food and lately morning readings slightly higher, but seeing our local diabetic nurse is difficult, so l just do what l feel is correct? But this nurse does NOT agree self testing each day and wasn’t really supportive my chosen life style! However my GP was very pleased that diabetes now into remission (as was my Consultant before a major op!) so do what YOU think works best for your body! Now into my 4th year and (so far) my chosen life style works fine! A shame NHS seems be unaware about low carbs tho - eating in hospital extremely difficult! So well done you!

Cracking post .

Fully agree


Especially on hospital food

Why not at least one diabetic choice each meal ..

 

[JanniB]

Hi there - diagnosed type 2 just into Lockdown 2020 and decided (after much research) to use low carbs plus intermittent fasting AND self funding test meter! I lost over 7 stone and am still maintaining reasonable weight (size 16/18 at 5’10”) AND still choose to test each morning (as still need to know readings!) Occasionally eat “naughty” food and lately morning readings slightly higher, but seeing our local diabetic nurse is difficult, so l just do what l feel is correct? But this nurse does NOT agree self testing each day and wasn’t really supportive my chosen life style! However my GP was very pleased that diabetes now into remission (as was my Consultant before a major op!) so do what YOU think works best for your body! Now into my 4th year and (so far) my chosen life style works fine! A shame NHS seems be unaware about low carbs tho - eating in hospital extremely difficult! So well done you!

 

[AndBreathe]

Cracking post .

Fully agree


Especially on hospital food

Why not at least one diabetic choice each meal ..

Yes, but what is a diabetic choice? Everyone eats differently. Even we low carvers all eat differently.

I agree hospital menus are not the most nutritionally dense, but “diabetic”, or even “healthy” foods are a bit like the unicorn. As ever, one size doesn’t fit all.

 

[Antje77]

Yes, but what is a diabetic choice? Everyone eats differently. Even we low carvers all eat differently.

I agree hospital menus are not the most nutritionally dense, but “diabetic”, or even “healthy” foods are a bit like the unicorn. As ever, one size doesn’t fit all.

Agree.
But it wouldn't be that difficult to offer a larger portion of proteins and veggies, would it? Or a larger portion of potatoes for who likes that.

 

[AndBreathe]

Agree.
But it wouldn't be that difficult to offer a larger portion of proteins and veggies, would it? Or a larger portion of potatoes for who likes that.

I think it is assumed in hospital that if you're not too well, your appetite could be less, and furthermore your calorific requirements lower. Of course nutritional content could be a different thing.

I think all I'm saying is labeling anything "diabetic" is really unhelpful, knowing how differently we all approach our individual conditions.

MrB has his orders, should I ever be incarcerated, and of course, I'd take him food parcels too.

 

[jjraak]

I think it is assumed in hospital that if you're not too well, your appetite could be less, and furthermore your calorific requirements lower. Of course nutritional content could be a different thing.

I think all I'm saying is labeling anything "diabetic" is really unhelpful, knowing how differently we all approach our individual conditions.

MrB has his orders, should I ever be incarcerated, and of course, I'd take him food parcels too.

So NO option for food a diabetic MIGHT find more suitable ..mmmhh.

Splitting hairs slightly.

If we can have vegan options or vegetarian options, not too sure at least one option of higher protein, lower carbs, etc might not be such a bad idea.

Veteran of the hospital wars,
Dec 2021-jan 2022..

Hoo Rah.

 

[zand]

When my daughter-in-law was in hospital after the birth of our granddaughter there wasn't even a gluten free option. I had to go to a garage nearby and buy a couple of packs of gluten free sandwiches and snacks for her.

 

[AndBreathe]

So NO option for food a diabetic MIGHT find more suitable ..mmmhh.

Splitting hairs slightly.

If we can have vegan options or vegetarian options, not too sure at least one option of higher protein, lower carbs, etc might not be such a bad idea.

Veteran of the hospital wars,
Dec 2021-jan 2022..

Hoo Rah.

I’m sure if all hospitals are like my local bunch, there is an option to select food for those living with diabetes. Of course, that food will be based on the Eat Well Plate.

Given this fits with NICE and other guidelines, I can understand, if not support why they do as they do.

The prospect of hospitalisation for more than a day or two horrifies me, but I’d just have to get on with it, and hope MrB would bring in food parcels to me.

Sometimes picking the best of a bad bunch is all we could do.

 

[Margarettt]

My experience in November was unusually good. There were lots of meals that my family provided and there really wasn't a breakfast option but the nurses did try their very best to accommodate me.
They would phone down to the kitchen and arrange plates with just whatever protein and veg/salad that was on offer. They also kept my sugar free almond milk in the ward fridge and brought it with the tea trolley every time.

 

[Outlier]

Mine was NOT a suitable experience for diabetics. Breakfast consisted of a choice of cereals or toast, which I never normally ate even in my pre-diabetic days. And I had to eat because I had to take a pile of pills, and also because I was being injected with insulin without being told (though I could work it out). Lunch and dinner did offer the option of salads, though I could have cried when one was peas, carrots and sweetcorn. One of us here on the Board sneaked off to the hospital cafe and had a fry-up, and I might well do that myself if I ever have to stay in again (I do hope not).

 

[oldgreymare]

My only experience of NHS hospital food was about 10 years ago. I had been admitted for severe DKA the day before, BG stabilised fairly quickly but was kept overnight as my ketones were still elevated - breakfast options were cereal or toast...but a kind nurse indicated that if I was gluten intolerant scrambled eggs could be provided - so took this option. Thankfully discharged before lunch.

 

[coby]

I really need some encouragement right now. I've been Type 2 for 10 years but have had a worsening of results over the last year (due to a vaccine reaction). I've been on insulin and metformin for the last four months.
A couple of months ago I got myself a Libre 2. I have used it to inform my eating and exercise decisions and have brought my "time in range" up to 88% (the target is 70%+). However, the nurse was not at all pleased, said I was micromanaging and that I would just make myself anxious. The opposite is true, having some control lessens my anxiety. I wasn't sure what the point of the appointment was so I said to her that the goal for me was to lessen my chance of diabetes complications. Her reply was that diabetes is progressive and I will inevitably have complications as time goes on. I felt really sickened by this.
I think her goal is to get me on more and more medication. Is it true that more medication will have a greater benefit than any diet/lifestyle changes I make? I'm feeling completely disheartened and confused.

@mariavontrapp oh dear, she is totally 'old school' as are a lot of gp's and nurses, but ... try googling Dr David Unwin who is a practicing gp in Southport England. He also uses a Libre by the way and he has put the majority of his diabetic patients into remission! He is such an inspiration. When you've time to relax just sit down and listen to one of his videos on youtube. x

 

[EricStembr]

That sounds really frustrating. You're not alone in feeling like this after an appointment. Many of us have had similar experiences. Trust yourself, and take things one step at a time.