Best questions to ask your Gp?

[choccy72]

Thanks so much Caroline, i really have learnt lots since joining, many things you'd never even think of. And I shall be mentioning this forum to my GP!

 

[choccy72]

1. Does having diabetes mean that I am at higher risk for other medical problems?

2. Should I start seeing other doctors regularly, such as an eye doctor?

3. How often should I test my blood sugar and what should I do if it is too high or too low?

4. Are there any new medications that could be used to help manage my diabetes?

5. Does diabetes mean I have to stop eating the foods I like best?

6. How can exercise make a difference in my diabetes?

7. If I'm overweight, how many pounds do I have to lose to make a difference in my health?

8. Are my children at increased risk for the disease?

9. What is the importance of diet in diabetes?

10. Do I need to take my medications even on days that I feel fine?

hope they help you x

Right, went to see the Gp this morning who has an interest in diabetes (have to book 4 weeks ahead so that'll be handy....NOT!)

Questions more or less answered so heres the results....

1) Having done a bit of research and being in the 'business' i kinda knew the answer to this one but she did show me some % of what i could achieve if i lose all the weight and stop smoking......down to 3% risk for CHD etc so definately gotta make those changes.

2)Asked about retinal screening and she's on to it. Gave me a handy list of local opticians so very helpful and saves having to phone around!

3)Her feelings about testing were that clinical trials had showed no difference in 2 test groups (those who tested v's those who didn't)....in fact she added that those who tested in that group had become quite depressed (her words not mine) She did admit that the test strips were expensive so at least she wasn't copping outta that one. When i told her about my concerns for post exercise and nightshifts she just reiterated the above.

4)Re new medications she actually said SHE wouldn't have started me on metformin as the other Gp had but believed exercise, diet and smoking cessation were what i needed most.....however she's kept me on it for now(so we'll wait and see i suppose)

5, 6, 7 & 9)Asked about a dietician referral but she told me dieticians weren't there for weight loss programmes....when i said i had concerns about carbs etc she just told me to follow a healthy diet but also increasing exercise. Mentioned weightwatchers if i wanted to get motivation from a group.

8) Due to parents and myself all having Type 2 it obviously puts son more at risk but she advised that we all adopt a healthy lifestyle (OH ignored my comments on the phone!!) At present kiddo who is 10 borderlines on being underweight and has severe allergies so will just have to watch things as he gets older.

10) As mentioned before she suggested keeping on the metformin and as no side effects from simvastatin to keep taking those aswell.

she has arranged for me to have a repeat Hba1c at end of march (2 months after taking metformin) and then to see her again afterwards. She printed me off loads of info which is helpful but i do admit i came away slightly miffed....suppose thats how GP's differ in their opinions eh

weight was the same...grrrrr

so after 1 month (and as mentioned waiting 4 weeks to speak to her) and only through MY research in books and on here i finally have some more answers. I suggested to her that maybe the other gp should be a bit more sympathetic when giving the diagnosis....ok for me at 37 who works in healthcare to go research but if i was 70......i certainly would have felt helpless and unable to take it all in.

so thanks all for a bit of guidance xxx

 

[Steff]

Hi choccy glad all the questions came in handy looks like she was preety good then, dont worry about the weight just keep going with it, you will get the rewards soon enough x

 

[wallycorker]

Hi Choccy72,

It sounds very much like most of us who have been there before you would have expected to be said. Unfortunately, it's all likely to make your situation worsen rather than get better.

My advice would be to keep coming to these forums. Also, acquire a test meter - you can get them for free if you look around and contact the manufacturers. Then, if you can afford them buy yourself a few strips from eBay - you'll get them around half price from there - around ?10 to ?15 for fifty.

After that test to see what different foods do to your blood glucose levels and then adjust your diet to take account of what you learn from your testing.

Best wishes - John

 

[Northerner]

...3)Her feelings about testing were that clinical trials had showed no difference in 2 test groups (those who tested v's those who didn't)....in fact she added that those who tested in that group had become quite depressed (her words not mine) She did admit that the test strips were expensive so at least she wasn't copping outta that one. When i told her about my concerns for post exercise and nightshifts she just reiterated the above.
...

This trial she mentioned is the one they always bring up and has since been largely discredited as a reason for denying test strips. In fact, the researcher on those trials, Dr Andrew Farmer, is currently involved in much more up to date studies that actually support self-testing - read about the new recommendations here : http://smbg-iwg.org/

The earlier trials she was talking about involved over 65s and the group who were testing got depressed because they weren't allowed to make adjustments according to the readings!