Back again after 2 years - Given Up

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Paul-in-Somerset

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I am 57, probably 23 stone and roughly 6'2"

I do not exercise and the extent of my movement is walking to the car - I have never been able to motivate myself to exercise and always done desk-based roles.

I had a mini-stroke in 2021, but have no affects from it.

A month after the mini-stroke I had a letter out of the blue saying "I'm sorry to say you have Diabetes" - an appointment would have been nice to inform me but getting an appointment is virtually impossible here.

I have tried complaining to the CQC (and another I cant remember) and they say they cannot investigate individual complaints but they will keep a record to use when doing their next review of the practice.

Anyway, it turns out I was pre-diabetic and not "full blown type 2" - some months later I had a blood test and I was under that figure again.

After the stroke and pre-diabetes I was put on "medication for life" (Losartan, Atorvastatin, Clopidogrel, Amlodipine). I also use eye drops to reduce pressure (father had glaucoma). I am also now on low dose medication for depression.

During the past 2 years, it has been impossible to see a Doctor (believe me I have tried) and I've had 2 blood tests after INSISTING they book me in - but I never got any results despite asking - they just said we'll contact you if we need to.

My surgery now uses an app called AskMyGP and its the only way you can make contact with them - its a disgrace.

I did manage to get another blood test 3 months ago and got a text message to state I had an issue with my liver and they were prescribing Metformin - and that was it.

I'm now on 500mg Metformin in addition to the above - buy hey, think positive, I now get free prescriptions 😳

This week, I practically forced them to book me an appointment and was seen by a Locum - given my weight, previous stroke and the diabetes affecting my liver, I asked about the new injections on the NHS and was told (his words) "It aint gonna happen".

I know people will say I need to exercise but if it was that easy Id have been doing it years ago.

I really need help with this but unless I do it myself it isn't going to happen and I'm stuck in that loop.

Not wanting to be too dramatic, if this isn't sorted I think I will be dead by 65 yet I still cannot force myself to do anything.
 
Hi Paul thanks for sharing with us

We know how difficult it is to get seen these days and that can be really frustrating.

What injections specifically were you looking to get?
 
Hi

I am wanting to get the dual use weight-loss and diabetes so Wejovy, Mounjaro etc

I know that each is used in conjunction with diet and exercise and I feel it MIGHT provide a "kick start" in losing weight by tripping a switch in my head to accept that I can do it and see benefits from it.

It may well do nothing for me but I feel with my BMI over 41 even if it helps remove 2 or 3 stone it will be a huge benefit.

My mental health is really bad - I even packed in work last month just so I can be "available" for any doctors appointments. I self-referred for mental health and was due to see someone but they cancelled due to leaving and Ive heard nothing since.
 
Hi @Paul-in-Somerset and welcome to the forum.

From your posts I feel you have done some research on Type 2 Diabetes

Here is a link to the blog post which set me on the road to Type 2 remission (food controlled only, no extra exercise, no diabetes medications, no calorie reduction, normal BG readings in 3 months, verified remission in less than 1yr):
josekalsbeek.blogspot.com

The Nutritional Thingy

There’s a few things you should know. 1. Practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested , so not just straight sugars, but starches...
josekalsbeek.blogspot.com josekalsbeek.blogspot.com
 
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Sorry to hear what a difficult time you have been having @Paul-in-Somerset and how your diabetes has impacted your mental health. It is clear how frustrating you are finding things.

Hopefully you can get MH support soon - sadly it’s another service which is really stretched :(

Have you been signed off work by your Dr? And are you hoping to return once you’ve found your feet a little?
 
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Hang on, why was my post moderated?

Someone posted that it's so easy to sort this out and I replied if it was as easy as he claimed nobody would be obese (and most diabetes patients would be in remission).

Now a STAFF MEMBER puts it on me.

Wow what a great support group this is. NOT
 
Paul-in-Somerset said:
I am wanting to get the dual use weight-loss and diabetes so Wejovy, Mounjaro etc

I know that each is used in conjunction with diet and exercise and I feel it MIGHT provide a "kick start" in losing weight by tripping a switch in my head to accept that I can do it and see benefits from it.
Click to expand...

There was a thread about Mounjaro being approved that was posted a little while ago.

I’ve not read the links, but it may point towards the recommendations (eg NICE) which might help understanding who qualifies, and how you might fit the criteria?

 
Paul-in-Somerset said:
Wow what a great support group this is. NOT
Click to expand...

I’m sorry you were upset by my post Paul. That wasn’t my intention.

Some posts in the thread have been edited as there were reports from members of the forum. We don’t discuss individual moderation actions on the forum, but if you feel you have been moderated unfairly you can email support.forum@diabetes.org.uk and someone else (not involved in the moderation) will review the situation and take any necessary action.
 
Wow. Now you are editing posts which you had already edited and adding to yours in an attempt to hide your appalling "staff member" reply.

Unbelievable !!!!!

Thankfully, I have a copy of the whole discussion pre and post editing.

I repeat WOW what a support group !!
 
Hi @Paul-in-Somerset

Sorry to read how difficult you are finding things at present, and for the way in which you received your initial diagnosis.

I find in our Practice that it is more helpful to see the nurse who specialises in Diabetes rather than a GP. They have far more experience with dealing with patients who have diabetes than the doctors do.. they also get longer appointments than the doctors. That might be worth trying at your Practice. They should log you in for an annual checkup but I still chase if this doesn’t come up, and there has been some drift recently so these may be a bit delayed.

I am in the same area as you. When I have tests done I am able to see the results online. I find this very helpful as I am them forearmed before any appointment that I might have. I am not sure whether all Practices offer this but ours seems to be in the same system as yours.

I hope that you are able to get another appointment with the MH team soon
 
Paul-in-Somerset said:
Wow. Now you are editing posts which you had already edited and adding to yours in an attempt to hide your appalling "staff member" reply.
Click to expand...

It felt fair to remove the part of the post that had upset you along with your response to it. I’m sorry I seem to be upsetting you further. I will back out of the thread now.

Wishing you well.
 
On my first (and only) actual results from blood tests, the surgery sent an A4 sheet detailing what it all meant.

However, I questioned how they were showing those results as they all appeared backward.

After several email, they finally conceded that their system was wrong and changed the layout of that A4 sheet.

Since, they don't give out readings. They say things like "your blood tests were ok but we'll keep an eye on them"

Of course, that means nothing and more so when followup tests are so hard to arrange.
 
Paul-in-Somerset said:
On my first (and only) actual results from blood tests, the surgery sent an A4 sheet detailing what it all meant.

However, I questioned how they were showing those results as they all appeared backward.

After several email, they finally conceded that their system was wrong and changed the layout of that A4 sheet.

Since, they don't give out readings. They say things like "your blood tests were ok but we'll keep an eye on them"

Of course, that means nothing and more so when followup tests are so hard to arrange.
Click to expand...
On the online system I am able to see the actual values rather than just the comments.
I find that helpful as I can then make my own judgements about whether they are okay.

I did have one call where the rec just to,d me my HbA1c was ‘too high’. It was a value that was well in target for someone with T1.
 
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