jopar said:
The Something MUST be Done!!!!
Not what you lot think needs to be Done!
Which seems to be, replace the currant mantra with your own mantra and lob meter/test trips at everyone.. Which is yet another blanket one glove fits all mantra!
What NEEDS to be done
Is bringing in INDIVIDUALISM by dumping set mantra and working with the diabetic as an individual with an array of different mantra's...
And it's the lack of individualism which is the main problem... So replacing one mantra with another blanket mantra the problems still exist and the long term impact both on the outcome and cost of treatment will remain the same!
As already said, we've got several very successful T2's of the forum all maintain excellent control with diet alone or minimum medications.. So is somebody like Hana wise to demand that somebody like CC should follow the VLC diet hana follows when CC gets the same control as hana without having to take any medication to achieve!
And those who believe if my team enforced me to follow the VLC diet then they could take my insulin pump back, saving the NHS loads of money! Anybody thinking this, and for those that have suggested this sorry it wouldn't make any difference I would still need an insulin pump... I actually did explored the VLC diet while I was on injections which didn't work for me, it actually created a lot more problems both in control and quality of life...
"You lot"??!! What the heck is that remark all about, I haven't seen any posts on this thread that would warrant that. Please explain who "you lot" actually are.
Everyone on this thread has spoken reasonably about issues that concern us all. Can you tell me what your problem is with the "eat to your meter" advice? There has been plenty of posts on this thread where the different strategies employed by different people have been mentioned and most definitely not sneered at, nor pointlessly argued with. Maybe this is because generally we all have each others welfare at heart, many of us are facing the same problems and know from our OWN experience what needs to be done to help rectify the situation. Yes, NEEDS. MUST BE DONE. IN BIG CAPITALS.
How can the same problems still exist at the same levels if people are educated in managing their own health, am I missing something? Lower bg levels mean less meds and less complications..or am I missing something?
The current NHS strategy is that we as type 2's don't need to test and that we should not even consider a reduction in the very foods that are known to cause higher bg's. Nobody here suggested LC or VLC for the masses but carb reduction should be included in the advice given out at diagnosis..generally it isn't. This leads to higher bg's, more meds, possible depression and confusion.
I am completely sick and tired of seeing petty..yes, petty...arguments just for the sake of it. "Individualism and an array of different mantras"..are you serious? They can't even get it together to deal with what they have got at the moment, do you honestly think they are going to have the time or inclination to sit down and work out personal plans for each diabetic that walks through the door? Of course I am aware that some have HCP's who are really supportive of an individuals choice as long as it has results and that is great.
Those that want to be proactive, want a meter to check their levels and adjust their diet accordingly. Those who low carb use their meters, so does Sid on portion control, so do I (thanks to the generosity of others) a "loweER carber, who has halved my levles of carbs to those I used to eat. I eat according to my meter and am much better for it. So do the majority of people on this forum I should think. their bg's and Hba1c's speak for themselves.
The vast majority also say that lowering carb levels to whatever suits them personally has had a good impact on their health.
This isn't just about a mantra that is meaningless, this is about something that will empower us to look after our diabetes and our broader health. It is not something to be shrugged off and taken lightly. Neither is dietary advice, whatever side of the carb camp one happens to be on. I have yet to see somebody advise a newbie to carry on eating the same level of carbs as they did at diagnosis. Would you recommend this path Jo or perhaps tell them that they should eat whatever they want regardless of what the meter tells them? Most docs have a maximum of ten minutes per consultation so I don't seeing them working out a tailor made plan for each individual. Based on what? Their weight, lifestyle..what exactly? Maybe there should be a master plan.
The current way isn't working as numbers and complications are increasing. The current way needs to change because people are suffering. Plain and simple. Eating to your meter can only help to reduce those numbers and possibly avoid complications.
If you have a better plan Jo or anyone else who objects to this, I would really like to hear your ideas on how to improve the situation. Specific ideas for a newly diagnosed newbie who is scared, confused, angry, who can't process much information and who hasn't got the luxury of a long appt with the doc.
Thank you.