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U. S. Doctors won't say cured

P

Pat_Ann

Member
Messages
15
Type of diabetes
Type 2
In reading posts here, I see the word cured is used. In the U. S. most doctors don't (or won't) use the word cured. What is the criteria for being pronounced cured? I had one test above diabetic level and 3 months later one below the level. Would love to be considered cured. Please help me understand.
 
i would say that either you were "sailing close to" diabetic levels and hence need to be careful in your diet, or that you have started to control your diabetes.
What was your "one test"?
my attitude is that the diabetic/non diabetic border is not a hard line, but a continuum so you shouddn't say wow, I'm a smidgen below the line, I'm cured, It's a miracle.Rather say "Great I'm a step closer to remission, lets keep doing it!"
 
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I never use the word cure, and I dislike it when anyone does.
Much happier with 'reversed' or even 'in remission' though I recognise issues with both of those! lol

We must have had 20 threads debating the issue til people were blue in the face, and I think we will never all agree!

But from your doctor's point of view, the idea of claiming a cure has all sorts of implications that go FAR beyond you and your medical history. Just think how many wacky 'Cures' and snake oil merchants there are out there on the internet... no way would a professional doctor, whose livlihood depends on actually treating people for actual illnesses, want to be associated with anything that hasn't been firmly established by largescale and reputable research.

Have you read about the Newcastle Diet? Even Professor Taylor uses 'reversal' and is currently finding about a 43% success rate after (I think) 6 months. His professional reputation depends on not making wild unsubstantiated claims.
 
Do you want to be told that you are "cured" which might mean that you go back to your old eating habits? I don't so being told I have reversed it or it is in remission is fine because I will keep eating healthily.
 
@Pat_Ann I'd personally consider I was probably pre-diabetic if I was given similar inconclusive results.

I'm not sure that we should ever be told we're definitely cured, because doctors can never predict the future, and since we are (for the want of a better phrase) prone to be diabetic, we can't know for sure that our symptoms will never return. The best we can say is that our diabetes has currently been reversed, or is in remission, or possibly is very well controlled.

Robbity
 
I will never consider myself cured, nor even reversed or in remission, as I can spike to double figures after a single plum or a bread roll. I wouldn't stay cured very long if I continued to eat these things. As long as I don't eat these things, I am very well controlled.
 
Pat_Ann said:
In reading posts here, I see the word cured is used. In the U. S. most doctors don't (or won't) use the word cured. What is the criteria for being pronounced cured? I had one test above diabetic level and 3 months later one below the level. Would love to be considered cured. Please help me understand.
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"Cured" is a term used by lay people. No-one in the medical profession in the UK will use it either. The terms that are usually used are "in remission" or "reversed" leaving the distinct impression that if you don't keep at it, they won't stay that way.
 
They don't use the word 'cured' here in Australia either that I've heard. But they do use the words 'controlled' and 'reversed' a lot. Personally I've never experienced anything but controlled because if I eat too much carb I know about it. Equally if I get stressed for whatever reason (sickness, temperature, pain, emotions) my sugar levels spike too. I'm not convinced with what I view as optimistic terms because most likely to achieve it they have changed their eating habits, etc to do so.
 
Dr Sarah Halberg, one of the many who specialise in this area uses the word "resolved" and explains that this is as close as she can get to "cured". In other words it is fully resolved providing a person's new lifestyle continues, but don' expect it to continue being resolved, if the person reverts to the patterns of a previous life style.


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I can tell you of one case of being cured!


The bacon in my Brekkie this morning:cool:



Sorry..I'll Get me coat!!
 
Pat_Ann said:
In reading posts here, I see the word cured is used. In the U. S. most doctors don't (or won't) use the word cured. What is the criteria for being pronounced cured? I had one test above diabetic level and 3 months later one below the level. Would love to be considered cured. Please help me understand.
Click to expand...

In my observation, very few British doctors use the term cured either. As @Brunneria suggests there are potential implications.

Personally, I also had one test at diabetic levels, then every other test well below the threshold for diabetes diagnosis in UK (48 for diabetes, prediabetes being 42).

In December 2014, my medical record said this:

upload_2016-5-20_15-54-2.png

I have also been removed from the practise diabetic register, but in so doing, I have agreed (very willingly) to continue to have annual HbA1c tests, due to increased risk of "un-resolving". I have also had two rounds of retinal screening since this action was taken; the latest being yesterday.

My stats are in my signature.

To be honest, as I suggested before, I doubt your doctor would be willing to change your status as yet, and I feel pretty certain they will never be willing to remove the diagnosis from your record.

I would urge you to be happy with your non-diabetic levels and keep up the good work.
 
AndBreathe said:
In my observation, very few British doctors use the term cured either. As @Brunneria suggests there are potential implications.

Personally, I also had one test at diabetic levels, then every other test well below the threshold for diabetes diagnosis in UK (48 for diabetes, prediabetes being 42).

In December 2014, my medical record said this:

View attachment 19047

I have also been removed from the practise diabetic register, but in so doing, I have agreed (very willingly) to continue to have annual HbA1c tests, due to increased risk of "un-resolving". I have also had two rounds of retinal screening since this action was taken; the latest being yesterday.

My stats are in my signature.

To be honest, as I suggested before, I doubt your doctor would be willing to change your status as yet, and I feel pretty certain they will never be willing to remove the diagnosis from your record.

I would urge you to be happy with your non-diabetic levels and keep up the good work.
Click to expand...

It's great to see an example of "resolved" in your notes. Very interesting.


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Hi, MEP, I feel very fortunate, my HbA1c was 43 recently. But January I was 11stone 3lb . This is when I just stopped having Potatoes, Bread, Pasta & Rice. I am now 10stone 5lb. I have not lost any weight recently. Have stopped my daily meal Novorapid insulin but continued to take my night Lantus. This I have done without counting the calories. I will be moving to WA hopefully at the beginning of July I have been back in the UK since August 2015 Do they have anything like this forum on Australia?. as Im only just getting my head round this, but think it very helpful. I have been on insulin 20 years couldnt tolerate Metformin. If I am able to get to 9 1/2 stone I am hopeful of being able to control my BS but would Never say Cure it.
 
That's within touching distance of a stone....fantastic. I know there are a number of community members are based in Australia, so I see no reason why you cannot continue with this happy band:)


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MargaretKeegan said:
Hi, MEP, I feel very fortunate, my HbA1c was 43 recently. But January I was 11stone 3lb . This is when I just stopped having Potatoes, Bread, Pasta & Rice. I am now 10stone 5lb. I have not lost any weight recently. Have stopped my daily meal Novorapid insulin but continued to take my night Lantus. This I have done without counting the calories. I will be moving to WA hopefully at the beginning of July I have been back in the UK since August 2015 Do they have anything like this forum on Australia?. as Im only just getting my head round this, but think it very helpful. I have been on insulin 20 years couldnt tolerate Metformin. If I am able to get to 9 1/2 stone I am hopeful of being able to control my BS but would Never say Cure it.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is the internet. I think they have such a thing in Australia? ;)
We have members on here from all over the world. Everyone is welcome.
 
Being "cured" goes a lot further than having a good a1c. My last a1c was 5.4% (or 35 depending on which unit you use) which puts me in the "Normal" range based on the ADA standards (I'm on the US like you). Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I'm cured. It just means my results reflect my hard work which often includes 6-10 insulin injections a day.

To truly be "Cured" you would have to effectively remove the fat around your liver and any excess visceral fat that may be contributing to ANY insulin resistance you might have. Unfortunately, they haven't figured out an easy way to do that just yet.
 
TorqPenderloin said:
Being "cured" goes a lot further than having a good a1c. My last a1c was 5.4% (or 35 depending on which unit you use) which puts me in the "Normal" range based on the ADA standards (I'm on the US like you). Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I'm cured. It just means my results reflect my hard work which often includes 6-10 insulin injections a day.

To truly be "Cured" you would have to effectively remove the fat around your liver and any excess visceral fat that may be contributing to ANY insulin resistance you might have. Unfortunately, they haven't figured out an easy way to do that just yet.
Click to expand...

That lesson came crashing through my door with my FBG this morning at 7.2. I know I should be fine with this, but it's the worst by 2.0 for nearly 6 weeks. And the reason....Mr I've tackled it and I'm sorted ate way too much protein, 3 squares of chockie and a bowl of berries at my BBQ last night. Suitably repentant this morning. :)


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So not even resolved yet...


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