Shouldn’t be testing my BG!

I keep getting told the same BS every single time I speak to them. But if I wasn't testing at home they wouldn't have agreed to redoing my HbA1c and seeing it had risen from 41 to 96 in the space of 6mth. My dietitian is an absolute joke also. I explain time and time again that there is certain stuff I can or will not eat anymore as I can't get my levels back down before my next meal. But hey they know best. And completely forget I had gestational diabetes where I was insulin dependent so know how rough it can all get.

ianf0ster said:

It sometimes feels good to have a rant. But we should be thankful that at least we know the value of testing- no matter what our HCP's say!

I feel so sorry for those who never get the correct message about testing and so just go from HbA1C test to next and next steadily getting worse due to all the bad advice they have been given!

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I’ve had similar conversations with various DNs over the 12/13 years since being diagnosed with T2 from ‘there’s no need for you to test as 6 monthly hba1c is sufficient’ to ‘you’ll only get sore fingers’ - my response to that little gem was that I’d rather have sore fingers rather than no fingers! I just ignore them and test anyway and don’t tell them anymore. However my brother, who was diagnosed 2 years before me does not test despite me trying to persuade him, and has just gone onto Metformin as his diabetes has progressed. He was told it’s not worth testing and, unfortunately, he believed them. My ability to persuade him to cut down carbs is, again, sadly lacking as he was ‘told everything in moderation is ok’.

The old say prevention is cheaper than the cure. If I had been given the means to test I would not have ended up on medication. I would have descovered what increases my glusose. Would not not need to see the nurse as often, then add appointments with dietitians, consultants ect. NHS is spending way more on all the other stuff rather than people testing and learning what they can and can not tolerate. It drives me mad I will stick to been £50 to £100 out of pocket monthly so I can at least continue to learn how to look after myself

MissMuffett said:

“And why do you think you know better than the doctor?”

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What do you say in response to that?

Point out that when your condition 'progresses' and you go onto insulin therapy, then you will get the test strips or CGM free on the NHS anyway.

I have a GP who is able to provide me as T2D on orals with test strips on scrip because NICE NG28 says that drivers on glucose lowering medication and evidence of hypos should be supported with self monitoring. I am on gliclazide, so I qualify, and surprisingly I still hold a valid driving licence.

MissMuffett said:

This morning my GP told me I shouldn’t be testing my BG at home and should wait for the hba1c test that I have every 3-4 months! I told him that’s ridiculous and how am I going to know what food is spikes my BC and in the meantime I could be damaging my kidneys, liver and eyes.
I phoned him because I don’t think my Sitagliptin is working and the pharmacist agreed when she phoned to ask how I was getting on with it. But the GP says I haven’t given it long enough even though I’ve been on it 10 days and my BG hasn’t been below 6.7mmol/l, hardly eating any carbs. I’m so angry and that won’t be helpful either. He’s suggested making an appointment with the diabetic dietician so that’s another argument that I’m envisioning as they promote eating porridge for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and pasta, rice or potatoes for dinner!
Apologies for the rant and long post

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You may hopefully, be surprised. My (young) diabetic dietitian advised lowering carbs (10% of Cals approx) & for me to aim for 140-160g & put me onto the carbs & Cals app. So his advice was very useful & I’ve reduced my HbAc1 from 105 in June to 44 now. I self fund a Libre2 & use Shuggah on my Apple Watch so can see immediately if anything start’s spiking me or am going too low & work out what I can eat, what combinations & when. This has been a game changer & the DD said he’d put everyone on them if he could. The nutritionist (older) was less helpful but still low(ish) carbs but also Eatwell plate. She also recommended carbs & Cals. Her best recommendation was weighing my portions to calculate what I was actually eating. Both recommended full fat & higher protein & did warn me off bread, potatoes (except with skins & small portions), cereals, pasta, rice (basmati ok) etc but good suggestions on how to try & see what spikes as we are all different. I can’t eat bread for example but pasta OK (especially if rewarmed).