Clinic Review Tomorrow

[newbs]

Tomorrow I have my review with the consultant. Not looking forward to it at all. He is going to be happy that my HbA1c is higher as he requested and therefore, not be interested in anything I say in wanting to get control and bring it back down. 😡 Maybe he'll be away and I'll see someone with a bit of sense instead!

My Auntie (Type 2) has just had her HbA1c result - 8.5. Her DSN told her she is very happy with that as her BG is mainly in the range of 7-9. Bit confused as to why a DSN would be happy with 8.5.

 

[AlisonM]

I've given up trying to make sense of the medical profession's views on what's good and bad in diabetes management, it seems to depend more on their personal opinion than any researched fact. Good luck with your review.

 

[Northerner]

Hope things go well tomorrow 🙂 How old is your aunt? I think that the DSN has probably been told that it is better for older people to have a higher HbA1c so they are at less risk of lows. Also, it's quite possible that she's used to seeing people with much higher levels so your aunt's may look really good in comparison!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

For some hypos are the real demon. I suspect these are the same people who believe complications are inevitable and D just progresses in its own time anyway so what's the use in trying to fight it. Rather more difficult to be happy with that thinking when it is your retinas/kidneys/feet/dangly bits that are on the line.

Personally I want to know that I've done the very best I can to avoid any D-based nasties while living some semblance of an actual 'life'.

I had a conversation at my last clinic review where it was raised that 6.3 was a bit on the low side and the Registrar worried that I was having too many hypos. I was able to say (with BG printouts to back it up) that I was having around half the hypos that I had been having when my A1c was between 7.2 and 7.8 in previous years.

Since moving to the pump the extremes of highs and lows are being reduced further, and while I'm looking to reduce my A1c (to below 6 if possible) I will also aim to reduce number of hypos still further.

Stick to your guns and go for whatever target you have decided is the appropriate choice for you. Then tell your HCPs what you are going for and why - and ask them to help you achieve that. Too often I think we fall into the trap of accepting criticism from HCPs if in their opinion our levels are too low (hypos) or too high (complications risk). Sometimes I just want to turn the tables and say, this is my life, my body, my targets. I'm the one wrestling with this 24 hours a day - how are you going to help me achieve them.

 

[Steff]

Newbs hope it all goes ok despite your worries, with regards to hbA ive had very up and down ones i.e i had a 8.0, 8.4 and was never told it must be better, but I always knew it was not the figure I wanted so with little encouragement i went off and managed to get it down myself x


Have you ever thought of changing GP to a one who actually has your best interest at heart and has an ouce of sense

 

[newbs]

Have you ever thought of changing GP to a one who actually has your best interest at heart and has an ouce of sense

My GP isn't good at all but in this case my GP actually agrees that my control has slipped and needs to be improved, I see a consultant regarding my diabetes and it is the consultant who is the problem this time.

 

[newbs]

Rather more difficult to be happy with that thinking when it is your retinas/kidneys/feet/dangly bits that are on the line.

Personally I want to know that I've done the very best I can to avoid any D-based nasties while living some semblance of an actual 'life'.

I couldn't agree more. I am going to tell him tomorrow that I am not happy with a higher HbA1c, although I totally agree that the number of hypos I am having is not acceptable either, and plan to achieve something in the middle (hopefully). I am also going to raise the question of a pump but am not hopeful to his reply as he basically laughed out loud when I asked about a CGM. The gastroparesis is obviously not helping at all with my control so I have that to discuss too. Should be interesting! 🙂

 

[newbs]

I've given up trying to make sense of the medical profession's views on what's good and bad in diabetes management, it seems to depend more on their personal opinion than any researched fact. Good luck with your review.

Thank you. 🙂 So true that it is their personal opinion over anything else. Our clinic used to have a brilliant consultant who actually had a great interest in diabetes and knew what he was talking about. He has now retired and nobody since has come even close.

 

[newbs]

Hope things go well tomorrow 🙂 How old is your aunt? I think that the DSN has probably been told that it is better for older people to have a higher HbA1c so they are at less risk of lows. Also, it's quite possible that she's used to seeing people with much higher levels so your aunt's may look really good in comparison!

My aunt is 72. I guess the main thing is that she seems quite happy with her result and that her DSN is pleased with her. She has overcome a needle phobia and after much time and courage now injects herself, I am very proud of her for that. 🙂