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First meeting with DN

D

Damien

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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Had my first meeting with DN and I have come out a bit deflated.

She definitely gave me wrong advice and my partner even tried to quiz her on it.

She told me there is carbs in sugar free redbull and I can’t be addicted to it because it’s impossible. It’s got caffeine in it and it’s a drug……

I got the impression she just wanted me to take as many drugs as possible and as quickly as possible.

I can’t even pronounce the name but essentially it will look after my heart and kidney and I need to drink a lot of water to start off with.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not knocking the NHS as I think it’s a good service but I just got the impression it’s all about ticking boxes and following protocol. She even said I need to take XYZ drugs as that’s what the guidelines are.

The whole experience has very much been, get on with it and little to no information.

She even said I can’t eat cake again. That was an example she gave. I don’t think any food is off the table for me BUT it’s about potion size.

Can I go to Pizza Hut and do the all you can eat? No! Can I go to Pizza Hut and have two slices and salad. Yes! I don’t know if it’s 1 slice btw!

I’m learning far more from books and this website.

She almost seemed angry I was testing my bloods and I didnt need to. Testing my bloods has made the first week easy. I can see numbers coming down! I’ve had my first ever normal result after eating a meal deal sandwich. Admittedly the snack and drink are not what I would normally choose but the drink was bloody lovely 10carbs and was a green tea type drink.

I’m ok now but without my own research and reading/listening to books I can see how people don’t tackle their T2 as best as they can!

Like i say im grateful for the NHS but it’s not what I was expecting at all.
 
I don't know why DNs are so against testing. It's the only way I learned what I could and couldn't eat! I have a lovely DN who talks sense, but if I hadn't I'd just be relying on information from this forum. Luckily my DN would agree with all the lovely supportive advice on here.
Re cake, I didn't eat any for a couple of years. Now I have a small slice on rare occasions, so you are right, there is no food off limits as long as you know what you are doing. And my DN agrees with me!
 
Vonny said:
I don't know why DNs are so against testing. It's the only way I learned what I could and couldn't eat! I have a lovely DN who talks sense, but if I hadn't I'd just be relying on information from this forum. Luckily my DN would agree with all the lovely supportive advice on here.
Re cake, I didn't eat any for a couple of years. Now I have a small slice on rare occasions, so you are right, there is no food off limits as long as you know what you are doing. And my DN agrees with me!
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Not really a massive cake fan but I’d eat it obviously. If I was to eat it. Small and one piece.
 
@Damian I found my first appointment with a DN bewildering. I hadn't joined the forum and wasn't sure what to ask. She wasn't sure what meds to put me on as she was liaising with the HCP who had seen me when I had first test then when I had the second test. I had no meds until after 6 weeks. He wanted to put me on an SGLT2 and she wasn't sure if this was instead of metformin or to be added later. I took metformin for 3 weeks then metformin reduced and the SGLT2 was added and metformin reduced to two. It is supposed to be beneficial for cardiovascular health and I have high blood pressure. It is fairly new and the hcp seemed keen on it. I pee a lot which is a nuisance and had mixed messages about how many carbs I now need to eat. It means if I'm out I have a sandwich. I was given ketostix to check my urine if unwell though haven't been unwell yet.
I have surprisingly been given another appointment with the DN so may now get a sense of direction.
 
It is possible to make low carb cake - lots of almond flour, chocolate and cream are often involved.
To stay out of the diabetes range of HbA1c I don't eat grains, easy option, though some people maintain that they just can't do without them.
There are exactly no carbs in sugar free Red Bull - by the way.
Using a meter to test and check is what helped me to get normal numbers very quickly after diagnosis, I was in remission very quickly.
 
I don’t want to come across as ungrateful as I’m honestly not at all, it felt very scripted and I’ve got a yearly meeting apparently. I should have another appt in 6 months. Then what lol.

I’m obviously going to take the medication but I think this site and my own research will help me.

She said all zero drinks are bad and i should stop them all. I’ve done from 5-10 to drinks a day to maybe 1 a day max. I can’t stop completely just yet as they have caffeine in them.
 
Damien said:
I don’t want to come across as ungrateful as I’m honestly not at all, it felt very scripted and I’ve got a yearly meeting apparently. I should have another appt in 6 months. Then what lol.

I’m obviously going to take the medication but I think this site and my own research will help me.

She said all zero drinks are bad and i should stop them all. I’ve done from 5-10 to drinks a day to maybe 1 a day max. I can’t stop completely just yet as they have caffeine in them.
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If that is the attitude that she has with all her patients then no wonder people make no progress, to be discourages for using the tools they have, like a monitor to help and be dismissive of foods and drinks that will be absolutely fine. There are some people who are sensitive to artificial sweeteners but being sensible and not overdoing it by drinking gallons is usually fine.
It is important to stay hydrated and essential depending on some medications.
It really sounds as if the dietary advise was worse than useless.
Perhaps if you say what medication you have been prescribed then we can suggest if there is any particular things you need to consider about carb intake as there are some medications where too low carb is not recommended.
 
At the moment it’s just metaformin. I need to up this to 2000mg as was given wrong advice.
 
@Damien
Have you said what your HbA1c was at diagnosis? Mine was in three figures and I was able to deal with them by (a strict) diet without taking Metformin. My point is pay attention to diet, not drop Metformin. AFAIK diet (and exercise) is the only way you will get back to normal. That's assuming you don't have any complicatons which preclude it.

In case you haven't seen them I suggest you look at Dr Kim Andrews' simple meal planner and food lists and Dr David Unwin's diet sheet.

You won't go far wrong if you set yourself a weight target and follow them while you discover what works best for you.
 
JITR said:
@Damien
Have you said what your HbA1c was at diagnosis? Mine was in three figures and I was able to deal with them by (a strict) diet without taking Metformin. My point is pay attention to diet, not drop Metformin. AFAIK diet (and exercise) is the only way you will get back to normal. That's assuming you don't have any complicatons which preclude it.

In case you haven't seen them I suggest you look at Dr Kim Andrews' simple meal planner and food lists and Dr David Unwin's diet sheet.

You won't go far wrong if you set yourself a weight target and follow them while you discover what works best for you.
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Private test was 89, 3 days later NHS test 95
 
Keep testing I say, as it will help you understand what foods do what to your BG - and the nutritional advice you have been furnished with is very questionable to say the least - I can't comment on the medication aspect I'm afraid but knowledge is power and you are doing all the right things - learning and reading about it all helped me immensely (albeit for a different type) - and this forum is fantastic for that (as I'm sure others will agree) - try not to feel deflated - we're all here to help and support as much as we can
 
Damien said:
Private test was 89, 3 days later NHS test 95
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Well, your GP/DN are only trying to protect you from the damage high glucose can do. So will eating things on Kim Andrews' Green List and Dr Unwin's advice.

My diet was basically plenty of protein and (non-starchy) vegetables. Worked a treat. I had two weight loss targets, 15 kg to get into remission and 22 kg to get back into the trousers I used to wear. Both on the recommendation of Professor Roy Taylor. Google for him at Newcastle University and on YouTube.
 
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