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Very confused

C

captainlynne

Well-Known Member
Messages
253
Location
Sunny St Ives, Cornwall
Saw GP this morning. After telling me I have gout in my wrist and a cracked rib (long story!) I asked if they would give me a testing kit (after the nurse said it wasn't necessary until later stages). He said it is cheaper to provide medication than the testing equipment. When I said I'd buy one, he said not to - if I insist, they'll give me one when I go back in a month. But doubt they'll prescribe strips etc. Didn't tell him I've already got one coming free from manufacturer.

Said testing individual foods not really worthwhile, better to rely on the HbA1c.

He'd told me his area of interest is diabetes, and he also teaches! Then said that he believes in aggressive treatment, and that 2 or 3 research papers indicate that early intervention in Type 2 with metformin has beneficial long-term effects.

Has anyone else heard this? I'll see what I can find on good old Google, but have never heard anyone else say this. He also said that if he was diagnosed Type 2, he'd want immediate treatment with metformin.

So, they don't want me to test at home at this stage, but will prescribe metformin!

Comments please.

Lynne
 
I have to say that I am stunned by what this doctor has told you ! :evil:
He teaches !! God help all his diabetic patients is all I can say !

Testing is the only way to find out what each food does to your blood sugar levels and , if done regularly during the day ,can help you gain good control over your diabetes.

Metformin will bring down your blood sugar levels by about 1.5-2 mmol/L but will also help, along with a well controlled diet , to bring it down even further. There have been many on here who have started out on Metformin and , by controlling their diet , have actually stopped taking their Metformin after a while.
 
Thanks Sue.

Found some research papers on internet - they seem to relate more to people with higher levels of blood glucose to start with. And really don't fancy taking tablets unless I have to.

So, it looks like I join so many of you on here, get my own kit and buy supplies off internet. Keep diary for my own information. Doesn't seem much point telling GP/nurse.

He was so persuasive, though. Found myself thinking it might be a good idea. But time to think rationally, research what he said, and find out what you guys have to say, brought me back to earth.

Lynne
 
captainlynne said:
......... He also said that if he was diagnosed Type 2, he'd want immediate treatment with metformin......
Click to expand...
Hi Lynne,

The next time you see your GP I suggest that you ask him whether he would test if he was diabetic or what advice he would give to family and friends. Every health professional of any sort that I have asked - and that is a lot of people - has answered that question with a "Yes definitely" - even my against-prescribing-strips-for-me GP answered with a "Yes - definitely".

If he says that he wouldn't test then you will know he's definitely not telling the truth!

Then ask him what action he would take if he found that a particular food - e.g. starchy carbohydrate such as cereal, bread, potatoes, pasta, rice etc - took his blood glucose levels into double figures.

If he says that he would eat even more of that food then - again - you will know that he's definitely not telling the truth!

John
 
If there is a local Diabetes Specialist Nurse, probably attached to your local hospital, it may be worth seeing them and seeing what they recommend.
My experience in the years that I've been diabetic is that some GPs want to deal with all of their diabetic patients, even if they're not really equipped or educated to do so. Others are aware of their limitations and work with them.
Even if the local DSN doesn't see you on a regular basis, they may be able to get your GP to do something re: test strips.
 
Thanks everyone.

Yes, I have signed the petition.

One thing that worries me was that this guy was so plausible. And he teaches other medics. Would have been easy to take him at his word, but I googled to see what the papers said about early treatment with metformin, and they all seem to refer to higher bs than I have anyway.

Forgot to say earlier that he says that although it is in the NICE guidelines for type 2 testing, it refers to later stages of diabetes! After he said he'd want aggressive treatment with metformin, be interesting to see his face when I asked if he'd test! :)

At least he's a locum, not one of the regular docs in the practice!

I'll have to check to see what provision there is for diabetics at the hospital. Only lived here in Devon since beginning of August, so still finding my way around.

Thanks for all your guidance and support.

Lynne
 
Hi Lynne.

This Locum, I use the word advisedly ? Did you ask to see his credentials.... :oops: Maybe he was really just the tea boy ? Doesn't seem to know much to me ?

The first stage treatment for any T2 Diabetic is supposed to be diet, then if that isn't working well after around 3 months then Metformin is the drug of choice. This can be supplemented with other drugs, ususally something like Gliclazide. The doseages should be progressively increased over time. If this doesn't work then there are other drugs if the patient is overweight and meets certain criteria. Byetta/Victoza being two of them. Then, Insulin therapy should be considered. That is what is supposed to happen !!

Some GP's prefer to put a T2 on Insulin straight away for cost reasons. It is the cheapest and also will work but at a cost to your health long term.

See an Endocrinologist at the Hospital if you can, someone who usually knows what they are doing. You need expert advice, not an amateur.
 
The consultant I saw after I was diagnosed 5 years ago said that there was evidence that starting with Metformin from day one had longer term advantages. I kept a food diary for the month before my referral and he was more than happy with what I was eating.

Perhaps your doc is one of the enlightened and not so daft after all.

I now take 2*500 Metformin each day - same as it was 5 years ago. My last HbA1c was 5.2 and it has been below 6 for some considerable time. I don't low carb preferring to use sensible portion control, although I no longer eat pasta or bananas. For 4 or 5 months after being diagnosed I only ever tested before breakfast and before my evening meal. I now test perhaps twice per week when I remember to do so - although I would have no problems in getting additional strips if I wanted them. I am 14 kilos lighter that I was when diagnosed.

As some might say 'keep the heid', let the diabetes live with you on your terms rather than have it rule your life.

Take the Metformin.
 
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