You are 20 times more likely to have an amputation...

[nomoredonuts]

...than someone who doesn't have diabetes. This was was the gist of an article in today's Guardian and a statistic which caused me to spray coffee and cream over my keyboard. The whole tenor of the piece seemed design to shock and I have to wonder about the facts behind it. 26,000 limbs removed in three years? Has anyone read the piece? (I haven't found other threads so far). The paragraph about foot tests was especially shocking - if true. I'll post a link if that's helpful.
https://www.theguardian.com/society...ients-a-week-get-diabetes-related-amputations

 

[Resurgam]

when newly diagnosed I was told that baked potatoes and beans were ideal food for any diabetic - by the education team send out by the hospital - with that repeated often enough it is hardly surprising that the high glucose would have consequences for thousands around the country.

 

[Member496333]

Blaming fat people again.

 

[kokhongw]

...than someone who doesn't have diabetes. This was was the gist of an article in today's Guardian and a statistic which caused me to spray coffee and cream over my keyboard. The whole tenor of the piece seemed design to shock and I have to wonder about the facts behind it. 26,000 limbs removed in three years? Has anyone read the piece? (I haven't found other threads so far). The paragraph about foot tests was especially shocking - if true. I'll post a link if that's helpful.
https://www.theguardian.com/society...ients-a-week-get-diabetes-related-amputations

This is the most visible failure of the current treatment protocol and guidelines...the unnecessary loss of limbs due to poor glucose control. All it takes is adequate carbs reduction.

 

[Krystyna23040]

when newly diagnosed I was told that baked potatoes and beans were ideal food for any diabetic - by the education team send out by the hospital - with that repeated often enough it is hardly surprising that the high glucose would have consequences for thousands around the country.

That's exactly what my diabetes educators told me when I was diagnosed. I was told to base every meal on starchy carbs and low fat. The result was that my right foot went from very low risk to moderate risk as I progressively lost the feeling in it. I was too scared to ask 'what was I now at moderate risk of'!!

In desperation I turned to low carb/keto and my right foot is now low risk again and all the feeling has come back. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn't found low carb. Truly a nightmare scenario.

 

[Member496333]

That's exactly what my diabetes educators told me when I was diagnosed. I was told to base every meal on starchy carbs and low fat. The result was that my right foot went from very low risk to moderate risk as I progressively lost the feeling in it. I was too scared to ask 'what was I now at moderate risk of'!!

In desperation I turned to low carb/keto and my right foot is now low risk again and all the feeling has come back. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn't found low carb. Truly a nightmare scenario.

I experienced broadly similar with worsening peripheral neuropathy right up to the point where I decided to go LCHF/keto. Followed shortly thereafter by a miraculous recovery. I also feel like I probably would have lost my feet eventually.

 

[Oldvatr]

That's exactly what my diabetes educators told me when I was diagnosed. I was told to base every meal on starchy carbs and low fat. The result was that my right foot went from very low risk to moderate risk as I progressively lost the feeling in it. I was too scared to ask 'what was I now at moderate risk of'!!

In desperation I turned to low carb/keto and my right foot is now low risk again and all the feeling has come back. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn't found low carb. Truly a nightmare scenario.

Ditto - now low risk again after lowering carb intake and controlling bgl levels again. MSG is my arch enema.

 

[Arab Horse]

I too was given the standard advice of low fat and plenty of carbs but as I was a biochemist I researched and found Prof Roy Taylor and others plus many research papers and went my own way! As I had no symptoms despite a fasting glucose of 18.6 and an HbA1c of 10.4 and was not overweight I had clearly been diabetic for several years without knowing.

I have not been able to get into remission and always have a raised glucose after eating (not as bad as it used to be so maybe one day?) but so far have escaped the symptoms except for "wooly" lower legs after eating if I haven't stuck rigidly to my diet.

It is a disgrace that health professional are still trotting out the same old advice despite proof that it doesn't work and leading to amputations and vast expense to the NHS.

If I had stuck to their advice I would be on insulin by now and probably waiting to have my feet chopped off!!!!

 

[Bittern]

When diagnosed I said to my GP "so as I am carbohydrate intolerant I should reduce my carbohydrate intake". "No" was the reply "carbohydrates are essential". I was referred to a dietician who told me the same story. Glad I took no notice. 20yrs on and no neuropathy, eyes ok and all limbs firmly in place.

 

[Tone E]

Nothing at all to add apart from the fact that this is another one of those days when I love this site.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I was another that was told an ideal lunch would be a baked potato with baked beans, no butter on. As this is what I was already having some lunch times, I was delighted with that information. As soon as I got my meter (about 3 months later) I was no longer delighted. I was horrified.

It is all so sad.

 

[Member496333]

I was another that was told an ideal lunch would be a baked potato with baked beans, no butter on. As this is what I was already having some lunch times, I was delighted with that information. As soon as I got my meter (about 3 months later) I was no longer delighted. I was horrified.

It is all so sad.

Well that’s your own fault. Were you not told to never monitor your own glucose?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Well that’s your own fault. We’re you not told to never monitor your own glucose?

Actually, no. All my nurse said when I asked was that they can't prescribe meters to T2s. She didn't go as far as telling me never to test.

 

[Member496333]

Actually, no. All my nurse said when I asked was that they can't prescribe meters to T2s. She didn't go as far as telling me never to test.

You’re one of the lucky ones then

 

[NicoleC1971]

I was in a recent CCG Diabetes committee meeting led by a GP who specialises in Diabetes and many other clinicians. I was there trying to launch a low Gi and exercise programme (was not explicit about the nutrtional part of this) and hoping to get some support to a) refer patients b) prescribe limited amounts of test strips plus report some baseline blood tests. There are a maximum of 12 patients on each course.
Was inspired to do this by the example set by low carb GPs especially David Unwin.
Anyway apart from the slightly insensitive gian tin of Celebrations that were scoffed in front of me, this GP just said 'Yes, great idea but we do have time or budget to recommend this or order any new tests or strips and besides if you offer any guidance that causes the patient problems etc. we GPs may be liable so it is too risky.' It feels as if we are on our own.
We are going to continue trying to develop the idea in spite of the negativity/realism depending on your viewpoint but it certainly feels like the focus at certain levels of management is on compliance (foot checks, stain prescription etc.) rather than getting better clinical results...

 

[nomoredonuts]

When diagnosed I said to my GP "so as I am carbohydrate intolerant I should reduce my carbohydrate intake". "No" was the reply "carbohydrates are essential". I was referred to a dietician who told me the same story. Glad I took no notice. 20yrs on and no neuropathy, eyes ok and all limbs firmly in place.

I had no idea that particular line was being trotted out so long ago, And since then, do you think the number of diabetics has decreased? No, neither do I!

 

[nomoredonuts]

Actually, no. All my nurse said when I asked was that they can't prescribe meters to T2s. She didn't go as far as telling me never to test.

....and my GP added "what would you do with the numbers if you had them?"

 

[kokhongw]

....and my GP added "what would you do with the numbers if you had them?"

We will reduce the food that spike us...even if they are low fat and plant based. And eat food that doesn't raise glucose, including those that may contain saturated fats. Unfortunately that is not what they like to hear...

My gripe with all the arguments that carbs/fibre has irreplaceable essential nutrients...is that it does little or nothing to prevent these amputation.

How many more limbs does it take for "healthcare" providers to figure that one out?

 

[Arab Horse]

We will reduce the food that spike us...even if they are low fat and plant based. And eat food that doesn't raise glucose, including those that may contain saturated fats. Unfortunately that is not what they like to hear...
My gripe with all the arguments that carbs/fibre has irreplaceable essential nutrients...that does little or nothing to prevent these amputation.
How many more limbs does it take for "healthcare" providers to figure that one out?

And another huge negative is the enormous cost to the NHS for all this surgery and the care people need afterwards. It appears that many diabetic nurses haven't heard of Prof Taylor and all the others we know about.

Shameful.

 

[nomoredonuts]

I would love to know how many NHS doctors and DN's are reading this...