Worst GP Appointment I have had…ever

[Sharon Anne]

It's not a question of allowing someone with a physical disability to use one ( supposing) its a legal requirement to meet everyone's access needs regardless of disability .

 

[Kat100]

I am unable to write quickly enough to take notes due to a stroke.
This is explained to any hCP dealing with me!
If they do not wish me to record the meeting then that is OK, but they will not be dealing with me. No HCP wants to have a complaint against them that they refuse to make adjustment for a patient's condition/disabilty!

I have that same photo as your avatar gunner .. Gt uncle ..respect to all those who lost their lives ..
Sorry not detailing .. Just the photo bought back a memory ..

 

[mark51]

I totally agree with Sharon Anne, using a dictaphone or talking notes should not be seen as anything other than gaining information to digest at you own speed to make informed decisions. Every one has a right to information regarding their health and nothing should come between that no matter what issue there may be. Any disabilities, language or religion should not interfere at all and should be catered for. So electronic devices or paper should be allowed to record the data for later understanding. I personally think if my doctor was offended with the use I'd change doctors. Well that's just my thoughts on the subject as a business trainer who advocates the use of whatever note taking method the learner requires to learn.

 

[abyss01]

Just finished my GP appointment today to follow up on the results of my HbA1c test and Liver Function Test. As discussed on a separate thread, my intention was also to ask to try Metformin.

This wasn’t my normal GP, in our local surgery you wait a week for an appointment and 2 weeks if you want to see a particular doctor. The meeting started off pleasantly enough. She reviewed and then read out my results. My HbA1c has fallen from 79 mmol/mol to 56 mmol/mol. My LFT (Serum ALT) level had also fallen from 95 u/L to 66 u/L. There wasn’t any acknowledgement of the improvement, just a statement that they are below target levels. But actually as wasn’t there for a pat on the back, I knew the results already and was pleased with them.

Then the conversation went something like this:

Me, ‘so I wanted to discuss Metformin’

Doctor, ‘yes I am putting you on Metformin and a statin’….started typing on the computer

Me (after a pause), ‘yes I will try Metformin but, no I am not taking a statin’

Doctor (quite stroppy), ‘You do realise you are a diabetic don’t you. I mean, that was made clear to you. We recommend all diabetics over 40 to take a Statin’

Me, ‘Yes and you also recommend the healthy eating plate and good carbs like wholemeal bread and pasta and you should see what they do to my blood sugar levels.’

OK in retrospect probably not the best response, but I was a bit taken aback by her attitude. It was clear she didn’t expect a debate. And it all got even more frosty when I also politely declined the ‘Spotlight Course’…..I think that was what she called it. I presume it is some sort of Diabetes awareness course although I don’t think I have seen it mentioned on the forum.

We continued the discussions on statins and she asked why I was against them. I said I thought I had read they can increase Type 2 diabetes and cause liver damage. I wanted to know more about them before I committed to taking them for the rest of my life. She said there were known to be moderate side effects but returned to the party line of recommending them for all Type 2 diabetes. She them measured my blood pressure and stated it was ‘high-side of normal’ (I can’t remember the exact figure). The truth is there was a bloody good reason why my blood pressure was high….it was her attitude! Anyway I agreed to do one of the 24hr monitoring exercises over the next few months.

I have rattled on long enough, but a lot of other ground was covered. The ‘highlights’ were….I would be a diabetic for life, reversal just doesn’t happen in practice, complications are inevitable and eventually I would probably be on insulin. The general vibe was also you only have yourself to blame.

Sorry for off-loading guys. But I left feeling probably the worst I have felt since my diagnosis. I have worked very hard in the last 2 months. I am a pretty resilient person (I like to think) but I walked out thinking what’s the point.

Lol. Type 2 diabetes can be managed by sensible logical thinking people with steadfast determination to live as healthy as possible. My grandmother recently just came off her diabetic medication, she had type 2. My lol was not at you btw it was at the Dr who you obviously put in her place and she did not like it! Good on you. Vent some sure but don't let her stinking attitude ruin your day, congrats on lowering your levels.

 

[pete whyatt]

This is straight from the NICE guidelines, they might recommend but I don't see a mention of "over 40", it's possible I missed it, or . . . . . . . .

Offer atorvastatin 20 mg for the primary prevention of CVD to people with type 2 diabetes who have a 10% or greater 10‑year risk of developing CVD. Estimate the level of risk using the QRISK2 assessment tool.

So, NICE actually say that you should be given a risk assessment, you can do one for yourself, http://qrisk.org/ is the one they mention. The next step before prescribing is that the patient should be consulted, having said all that, you've probably seen the statin thread.



I say that was bang on the money, that was thinking on your feet, RESPECT. I always think of a good answer . . . . . . on the way home.



Not such a bad thing, my GP now knows that white coat syndrome comes into play whenever she takes my BP and so long as I remember to take my own BP 3 or 4 times a week, she's more than happy to take that into account, especially as I bought the same machine as they use in the surgery.



If my 88 year old father who has poor BG control can get to his age with just a toe missing (his own fault for not seeing GP soon enough) I think the future is bright. I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't take things seriously but with good BG control and sensibly getting issues sorted when they arise the jobs a good'n.



No problems offloading, that's what it's all about. Try not to feel too bad, feel very fortunate that you have done well on your own, hopefully Metformin will help a bit more. Ask for a c-peptide test, see what they say. You are showing the results of your hard work and deserve a big pat on the back, well done you. As for Dr. Death, try and forget her. I'd like to think that going to a Dr shouldn't end up being a battle of wits, I've told my GP that I'm fully aware that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's easier than ever to get a little knowledge. I think she's just grateful that I don't walk in with The Daily Mail or The Express demanding this, that and the other, like some elderly patients do.

On the statin question I told my GP that I'd read my wife's copy of the BMJ (she's has a working interest in medical matters) and saw the straw done where 500 GPs were asked if they would prescribe statins for themselves or a family member, 60% had replied "NO". My GP just grinned cheekily and said "I can think of one of my family". She's on my side about not taking them . . . . I hope.

All the best, keep up the good work and don't let that particular GP get you down, see another one.

Found the graph http://biohackyourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Mortality-v-Chol1.pdf

Then here's something that shows that as cholesterol levels have fallen the incidence of CVD hasn't.

.

 

[pete whyatt]

Just finished my GP appointment today to follow up on the results of my HbA1c test and Liver Function Test. As discussed on a separate thread, my intention was also to ask to try Metformin.

This wasn’t my normal GP, in our local surgery you wait a week for an appointment and 2 weeks if you want to see a particular doctor. The meeting started off pleasantly enough. She reviewed and then read out my results. My HbA1c has fallen from 79 mmol/mol to 56 mmol/mol. My LFT (Serum ALT) level had also fallen from 95 u/L to 66 u/L. There wasn’t any acknowledgement of the improvement, just a statement that they are below target levels. But actually as wasn’t there for a pat on the back, I knew the results already and was pleased with them.

Then the conversation went something like this:

Me, ‘so I wanted to discuss Metformin’

Doctor, ‘yes I am putting you on Metformin and a statin’….started typing on the computer

Me (after a pause), ‘yes I will try Metformin but, no I am not taking a statin’

Doctor (quite stroppy), ‘You do realise you are a diabetic don’t you. I mean, that was made clear to you. We recommend all diabetics over 40 to take a Statin’

Me, ‘Yes and you also recommend the healthy eating plate and good carbs like wholemeal bread and pasta and you should see what they do to my blood sugar levels.’

OK in retrospect probably not the best response, but I was a bit taken aback by her attitude. It was clear she didn’t expect a debate. And it all got even more frosty when I also politely declined the ‘Spotlight Course’…..I think that was what she called it. I presume it is some sort of Diabetes awareness course although I don’t think I have seen it mentioned on the forum.

We continued the discussions on statins and she asked why I was against them. I said I thought I had read they can increase Type 2 diabetes and cause liver damage. I wanted to know more about them before I committed to taking them for the rest of my life. She said there were known to be moderate side effects but returned to the party line of recommending them for all Type 2 diabetes. She them measured my blood pressure and stated it was ‘high-side of normal’ (I can’t remember the exact figure). The truth is there was a bloody good reason why my blood pressure was high….it was her attitude! Anyway I agreed to do one of the 24hr monitoring exercises over the next few months.

I have rattled on long enough, but a lot of other ground was covered. The ‘highlights’ were….I would be a diabetic for life, reversal just doesn’t happen in practice, complications are inevitable and eventually I would probably be on insulin. The general vibe was also you only have yourself to blame.

Sorry for off-loading guys. But I left feeling probably the worst I have felt since my diagnosis. I have worked very hard in the last 2 months. I am a pretty resilient person (I like to think) but I walked out thinking what’s the point.

Just finished my GP appointment today to follow up on the results of my HbA1c test and Liver Function Test. As discussed on a separate thread, my intention was also to ask to try Metformin.

This wasn’t my normal GP, in our local surgery you wait a week for an appointment and 2 weeks if you want to see a particular doctor. The meeting started off pleasantly enough. She reviewed and then read out my results. My HbA1c has fallen from 79 mmol/mol to 56 mmol/mol. My LFT (Serum ALT) level had also fallen from 95 u/L to 66 u/L. There wasn’t any acknowledgement of the improvement, just a statement that they are below target levels. But actually as wasn’t there for a pat on the back, I knew the results already and was pleased with them.

Then the conversation went something like this:

Me, ‘so I wanted to discuss Metformin’

Doctor, ‘yes I am putting you on Metformin and a statin’….started typing on the computer

Me (after a pause), ‘yes I will try Metformin but, no I am not taking a statin’

Doctor (quite stroppy), ‘You do realise you are a diabetic don’t you. I mean, that was made clear to you. We recommend all diabetics over 40 to take a Statin’

Me, ‘Yes and you also recommend the healthy eating plate and good carbs like wholemeal bread and pasta and you should see what they do to my blood sugar levels.’

OK in retrospect probably not the best response, but I was a bit taken aback by her attitude. It was clear she didn’t expect a debate. And it all got even more frosty when I also politely declined the ‘Spotlight Course’…..I think that was what she called it. I presume it is some sort of Diabetes awareness course although I don’t think I have seen it mentioned on the forum.

We continued the discussions on statins and she asked why I was against them. I said I thought I had read they can increase Type 2 diabetes and cause liver damage. I wanted to know more about them before I committed to taking them for the rest of my life. She said there were known to be moderate side effects but returned to the party line of recommending them for all Type 2 diabetes. She them measured my blood pressure and stated it was ‘high-side of normal’ (I can’t remember the exact figure). The truth is there was a bloody good reason why my blood pressure was high….it was her attitude! Anyway I agreed to do one of the 24hr monitoring exercises over the next few months.

I have rattled on long enough, but a lot of other ground was covered. The ‘highlights’ were….I would be a diabetic for life, reversal just doesn’t happen in practice, complications are inevitable and eventually I would probably be on insulin. The general vibe was also you only have yourself to blame.

Sorry for off-loading guys. But I left feeling probably the worst I have felt since my diagnosis. I have worked very hard in the last 2 months. I am a pretty resilient person (I like to think) but I walked out thinking what’s the point.

Hi,
Have been a type one diabetic for some 52 years this December. Also suffer from some related and some unrelated health issues, and recently have had tests for a aortic valve that is narrowing in my heart and will soon need surgery. Recently saw a heart specialist who seemed to find it difficult to understand the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, so decided to ask to see a different specialist who can only be described as fantastic. Over the years I have found that when dealing with the medical profession, they sometimes have difficulty in distinguishing between text book diabetes and a patient that lives every day with the complaint. I am fortunate to have an excellent G.P. diabetes team who listen to me and we come to an agreement over my care, and I can well understand feelings towards statins, which although effective, have some unpleasant side effects.
A diabetic specialist once summed it up when he said, " I see you for about 10 minutes every 6 weeks, the rest of the time you are the Doctor " Living with diabetes is so very much different from text book diabetes, and some of the medical profession need to come to terms with this. Good luck with your diabetic condition.

 

[JasminDolly]

Just finished my GP appointment today to follow up on the results of my HbA1c test and Liver Function Test. As discussed on a separate thread, my intention was also to ask to try Metformin.

This wasn’t my normal GP, in our local surgery you wait a week for an appointment and 2 weeks if you want to see a particular doctor. The meeting started off pleasantly enough. She reviewed and then read out my results. My HbA1c has fallen from 79 mmol/mol to 56 mmol/mol. My LFT (Serum ALT) level had also fallen from 95 u/L to 66 u/L. There wasn’t any acknowledgement of the improvement, just a statement that they are below target levels. But actually as wasn’t there for a pat on the back, I knew the results already and was pleased with them.

Then the conversation went something like this:

Me, ‘so I wanted to discuss Metformin’

Doctor, ‘yes I am putting you on Metformin and a statin’….started typing on the computer

Me (after a pause), ‘yes I will try Metformin but, no I am not taking a statin’

Doctor (quite stroppy), ‘You do realise you are a diabetic don’t you. I mean, that was made clear to you. We recommend all diabetics over 40 to take a Statin’

Me, ‘Yes and you also recommend the healthy eating plate and good carbs like wholemeal bread and pasta and you should see what they do to my blood sugar levels.’

OK in retrospect probably not the best response, but I was a bit taken aback by her attitude. It was clear she didn’t expect a debate. And it all got even more frosty when I also politely declined the ‘Spotlight Course’…..I think that was what she called it. I presume it is some sort of Diabetes awareness course although I don’t think I have seen it mentioned on the forum.

We continued the discussions on statins and she asked why I was against them. I said I thought I had read they can increase Type 2 diabetes and cause liver damage. I wanted to know more about them before I committed to taking them for the rest of my life. She said there were known to be moderate side effects but returned to the party line of recommending them for all Type 2 diabetes. She them measured my blood pressure and stated it was ‘high-side of normal’ (I can’t remember the exact figure). The truth is there was a bloody good reason why my blood pressure was high….it was her attitude! Anyway I agreed to do one of the 24hr monitoring exercises over the next few months.

I have rattled on long enough, but a lot of other ground was covered. The ‘highlights’ were….I would be a diabetic for life, reversal just doesn’t happen in practice, complications are inevitable and eventually I would probably be on insulin. The general vibe was also you only have yourself to blame.

Sorry for off-loading guys. But I left feeling probably the worst I have felt since my diagnosis. I have worked very hard in the last 2 months. I am a pretty resilient person (I like to think) but I walked out thinking what’s the point.

 

[JasminDolly]

Pharmaceutical companies are trying to get as many people as possible on their medications they bribe and pay Drs We should all check anything we have been prescribed before actually taking it!

 

[fletchweb]

Pharmaceutical companies are trying to get as many people as possible on their medications they bribe and pay Drs We should all check anything we have been prescribed before actually taking it!

I couldn't agree with you more JasminDolly, living with type 1 for 50 years I try to avoid health professionals as they seem to be driven by the mis-information of pharma marketing. This just isn't in relation to diabetes but to all things in my opinion. Case in point - a news story in the media today suggests there is no medical advantage to flossing ones teeth and the belief that there is began in 1979 when the companies that make floss started a major marketing campaign to increase their volume of sales. That's just one example, I suspect there are many others if one was willing to take the time to explore it further.
As well, as a kid visiting the doctor there was no "you got to take this or you got to take that" pressure in my diabetes management but today, if you don;t have anxiety or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder going in to the doctor's office you have it going out.
Biggest trend in in diabetes management at this time is prescribing statins, and of course if you prescribe a statin you also need blood pressure meds to protect the kidneys from the statins. I have zero trust in the Big Pharma health sciences.

 

[noblehead]

Case in point - a news story in the media today suggests there is no medical advantage to flossing ones teeth and the belief that there is began in 1979 when the companies that make floss started a major marketing campaign to increase their volume of sales.

Flossing is good oral hygiene despite what's said in the papers today, I floss every night before bed and couldn't think of anything worse than having decaying food stuck between my teeth...........

 

[fletchweb]

Flossing is good oral hygiene despite what's said in the papers today, I floss every night before bed and couldn't think of anything worse than having decaying food stuck between my teeth...........

It is good oral hygiene particularly for those whose teeth are very close together. Fortunately my teeth have enough space between them that it's seldom an issue, and when it is I floss. I think the point of the article is that the marketing states if you don't floss your going to have medical issues and yet there's been no evidence to suggest that's the case and the manufacturers of the floss who are behind the marketing never actually did a formal documented study. It's a good example how marketing suddenly becomes conventional wisdom over time without any scientific evidence behind it. I think it's important that we question such things. Most marketing tries to leverage the fear factor and such a strategy has been very successful in the past.

 

[noblehead]

@fletchweb, nearly all dentists will advise their patients to floss whether there's a link to medical issues or not, to me it's like brushing your teeth before going to bed.

But get what you mean about questioning things, to a large extent common sense tells us what is and isn't good for us.

 

[ChrisWilky]

Oh dear, our sympathies. You got one of "them".

It's quite ironic how one minute we're being told how diabetics are going to bankrupt the nhs yet all our GPs want to do is prescribe drugs.

Just under two years ago I was diagnosed as having type 2. My hbac1c result was 65 and I was told I would have to go on medication if I couldn't get this level to 48.

At the time it was a shock as I thought I ate well and trained 5 days a week. I hydrated well and my choice of hydration drink was Lucosade sport, they sell it on the telly so it must be good stuff.

3 months later I managed to get my sugar down to 48 without really understanding my condition. I expected my results to be treated positively by my doctor.

I spoke to the practice nurse instead who gave me my results and said I needed to go on statins. That was her first statement. I wasn't expecting a drum roll and chocolate bar to celebrate but this was a bit much. My response was perhaps a bit strong too asking if "statins were the new anti-biotics" but I would have expected the news to come from my doctor. Needless to say I kindly refused their offer

Since then I follow the Teachings of Dr David Cavan. My life style changes have been significant especially around my treatment of carbs. Gym work is supplemented with cardio, mainly through dog walking and the garmin device I've recently bought.

If eventually I need medication then so be it but I'm going to put up a fight first. Will my first choice of drug be a statin then I would hope not.

So sadly I don't think your story is unique and I fully understand your deflation but perhaps they've done you a good turn. I'm no longer fighting an ailment now but I'm going to prove my practice nurse wrong. It's like a Rocky movie now that I can't picture my foe. I know it's dramatic but prove them wrong and please get that book.

I wish you all the best

 

[Sharon Anne]

It's quite ironic how one minute we're being told how diabetics are going to bankrupt the nhs yet all our GPs want to do is prescribe drugs.

Just under two years ago I was diagnosed as having type 2. My hbac1c result was 65 and I was told I would have to go on medication if I couldn't get this level to 48.

At the time it was a shock as I thought I ate well and trained 5 days a week. I hydrated well and my choice of hydration drink was Lucosade sport, they sell it on the telly so it must be good stuff.

3 months later I managed to get my sugar down to 48 without really understanding my condition. I expected my results to be treated positively by my doctor.

I spoke to the practice nurse instead who gave me my results and said I needed to go on statins. That was her first statement. I wasn't expecting a drum roll and chocolate bar to celebrate but this was a bit much. My response was perhaps a bit strong too asking if "statins were the new anti-biotics" but I would have expected the news to come from my doctor. Needless to say I kindly refused their offer

Since then I follow the Teachings of Dr David Cavan. My life style changes have been significant especially around my treatment of carbs. Gym work is supplemented with cardio, mainly through dog walking and the garmin device I've recently bought.

If eventually I need medication then so be it but I'm going to put up a fight first. Will my first choice of drug be a statin then I would hope not.

So sadly I don't think your story is unique and I fully understand your deflation but perhaps they've done you a good turn. I'm no longer fighting an ailment now but I'm going to prove my practice nurse wrong. It's like a Rocky movie now that I can't picture my foe. I know it's dramatic but prove them wrong and please get that book.

I wish you all the best

Great story well done and thank you for sharing .

 

[TorqPenderloin]

I see nothing wrong with suggesting to a doctor that I want to make sure to take their advice and that I'd like some reinforcement. Transparency is a glorious thing.

Whatever your profession is, you should be encouraging fully engaged and informed clientele. Trust is not something that comes from being dictated to; it comes from understanding and assent.

I agree with everything you just said. However, I think you can have a trusting and transparent professional relationship with someone, yet still feel uncomfortable with being recorded. I'll leave it at that

 

[MichaelaWalker]

When my diabetes was first noted I saw the senior doctor. I had asked for a fasting blood test to get the level so I knew where I was starting from. He was furious and accused me of not taking it seriously!! I said that is why i want the test. He was verbally abusive when I said I had done some research and that I was concerned my severe lack of sleep,high stress level and likely lack of vitamin D could all have a bearing on the diabetes and asked what help there was and for a D level blood test. He said they do not do a D test,I insisted. He got angry that he believed I was trying to deny the problem. Well I was almost in tears. I was waiting for an operation which had just been postponed,he said I could not have it as it would never heal and would be a severe risk. Eventually he agreed to the bloods. I was so upset he was telling me it is a death sentence. I am a single mum.
I did have the bloods done but they got ruined so had another done but not fasting. The operation went ahead before medication and has healed with no problem (so much for it would fail). Yes the level was high but it also proved my D was very low.
My next bloods had come down dramatically,yes I had fasted! I have also been taking D and other supplements. I was given Metformin which was introduced gradually. The GP when asked if I could reduce dose at any stage looked at me and said without you losing weight no chance (I am physically disabled and pushing for treatment to gain mobility). I found that depressing when no support is given. The only one was the nurse last time who said she had never seen such a dramatic drop in the reading.
I was offered Xpert patient course but it was too far from me. Also I cannot commit to every week as my health varies so much I can be very poorly. I got the book and have been trying to adjust my diet,sadly as my hands are affected having freshly prepared meals is really difficult.
I was told to take statins,I refused. I was also told about blood pressure,well if a nurse makes a comment about me not being happy about having diabetes what do you expect!! When I saw another who understood my level was normal (as it had been for the surgery). I also told her I have a condition where my pressure can drop,she said definately avoid the tablets then.
So I can sympathise with all who have had problems.

 

[Trachet]

When my diabetes was first noted I saw the senior doctor. I had asked for a fasting blood test to get the level so I knew where I was starting from. He was furious and accused me of not taking it seriously!! I said that is why i want the test. He was verbally abusive when I said I had done some research and that I was concerned my severe lack of sleep,high stress level and likely lack of vitamin D could all have a bearing on the diabetes and asked what help there was and for a D level blood test. He said they do not do a D test,I insisted. He got angry that he believed I was trying to deny the problem. Well I was almost in tears. I was waiting for an operation which had just been postponed,he said I could not have it as it would never heal and would be a severe risk. Eventually he agreed to the bloods. I was so upset he was telling me it is a death sentence. I am a single mum.
I did have the bloods done but they got ruined so had another done but not fasting. The operation went ahead before medication and has healed with no problem (so much for it would fail). Yes the level was high but it also proved my D was very low.
My next bloods had come down dramatically,yes I had fasted! I have also been taking D and other supplements. I was given Metformin which was introduced gradually. The GP when asked if I could reduce dose at any stage looked at me and said without you losing weight no chance (I am physically disabled and pushing for treatment to gain mobility). I found that depressing when no support is given. The only one was the nurse last time who said she had never seen such a dramatic drop in the reading.
I was offered Xpert patient course but it was too far from me. Also I cannot commit to every week as my health varies so much I can be very poorly. I got the book and have been trying to adjust my diet,sadly as my hands are affected having freshly prepared meals is really difficult.
I was told to take statins,I refused. I was also told about blood pressure,well if a nurse makes a comment about me not being happy about having diabetes what do you expect!! When I saw another who understood my level was normal (as it had been for the surgery). I also told her I have a condition where my pressure can drop,she said definately avoid the tablets then.
So I can sympathise with all who have had problems.

I think this forum should be made compulsory reading for medical students, newly qualified Drs or Drs who think they know it all! Your situation is a good example how us patients who when we read into our condition gets grief from the medical community. Keep strong!