GP not much use. Help please

[Kevin Mawr]

Dear all,

I had HBA1C of 54 on my initial test followed with one of 48 two weeks after.

I went to see my GP the other day and asked what to do next. The reply was " It's only borderline and we'll test it in 12 months"

I was left a bit confused as I am in the diabetic range yet the GP was not bothered. Am I being silly and just go along with this form of attitude and management or do I make appointment to see diabetic nurse. I am 50 years old and weigh 298lbs (6ft 3 inches) and feel that I have a bad relationship with food. I actually feel like a sugar addict and no different to any alcoholic that should avoid the bottle but can't help themselves.

Had a heart to heart with my partner who is so worried and I must now try. Are there any counsellors as part of the problem is in my head and not physical need.

I live near Bangor in North Wales but would love any help or opinion. I'm currently well in health excluding the obvious diagnosis.

Many thanks

Kevin

 

[Amigo]

Hi Kevin and welcome. I was diagnosed 2 yrs this week so know how hard the diagnosis impacts. My Hba1c was 52 at diagnosis and that's firmly within the Diabetic range which starts at 48 so it's certainly not borderline.

I think you should see the Diabetic nurse and get any help you can. GP's sometimes have a cavalier attitude to this and simply see it as a weight problem. My best advice would be to get yourself a meter and test because the GP probably won't give you a meter. That way you have the evidence in front of you of how your body uniquely reacts to certain foods. It's the carbs in bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and sweets, cakes, crisps, pastry etc. that you need to dramatically reduce. I know it's hard when there's emotional issues attached to food.

In terms of counselling, if you're wanting help on the NHS, it would need to come via your GP otherwise you'd need to privately fund it and it's expensive (anything from £50 @ hr upwards).

There's no need for worry. Make yourself goals and aim to lose weight because that will being your glucose levels down. Best wishes.

 

[Kevin Mawr]

Thank you Amigo for taking the time and effort to reply to my thread. I will take matters into my owns hands by making appointment to see Diabetic nurse. I do have a meter and I accept that I must give up the foods that I love hence why I am in this boat in the first instance. If paying for counselling will help then that is a small price to pay. My partner is worried sick and I have been like the proverbial brick wall.

Thank you so much.

Kevin

 

[Grogg1]

There is no need to panic as your levels are not that high. Just adjust your diet as suggested to reduce carbs and increase good proteins and fats. Be a bit more active. Little things make a difference, use upstairs loo when downstairs, if you work in office block go to loo 2 or 3 floors up -via stairs not lift

 

[grovesy]

Welcome.

 

[Bubbsie]

Dear all,

I had HBA1C of 54 on my initial test followed with one of 48 two weeks after.

I went to see my GP the other day and asked what to do next. The reply was " It's only borderline and we'll test it in 12 months"

I was left a bit confused as I am in the diabetic range yet the GP was not bothered. Am I being silly and just go along with this form of attitude and management or do I make appointment to see diabetic nurse. I am 50 years old and weigh 298lbs (6ft 3 inches) and feel that I have a bad relationship with food. I actually feel like a sugar addict and no different to any alcoholic that should avoid the bottle but can't help themselves.

Had a heart to heart with my partner who is so worried and I must now try. Are there any counsellors as part of the problem is in my head and not physical need.

I live near Bangor in North Wales but would love any help or opinion. I'm currently well in health excluding the obvious diagnosis.

Many thanks

Hi Kevin

disappointing you were not given any advice assistance or support from your GP...however...not surprising it's happened to many of us here...on the numbers you've quoted I would agree with grogg there is no need to panic...those levels are not terribly high...please have a look at the chart below which are the NICE guidelines for assessing diabetic status.
Normal: Below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%)

• Prediabetes: 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0 to 6.4%)

• Diabetes: 48 mmol/mol (6.5% or over

Your initial test of 54% and the subsequent test at 48% put you in diabetic range... I don't believe you are being silly...you have a right to be concerned about your health...it would be beneficial for you to take action now and get your diabetics under control...with a little hard work you should be able to lower your BG levels and get your diabetes under control reasonably soon...do make an appointment with the DSN...you may find you get the same response you got from your GP...or may be lucky to get one who is pro-active and provides the support you need...it is very much a lottery...I suggest you start to look at managing your diabetes now... give yourself a head start before you see the DSN (should you choose to).read as much as you can...when first diagnosed I read Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...herself a diabetic who takes you through her first year month by month after her diagnosis...it will explain what your condition is...and answer many of your questions about the 'how'...'why'...and give good advice for controlling/managing your diabetes.

As Amigo says the benefits of testing are a great resource for understanding how different foods affect our BG...it's a simple process...and well worth the effort...there is no easy introduction to diabetes...however I feel our health care professionals could do so much more to allay concerns the newly diagnosed have...and give the appropriate advice...ask as many questions here as you need to...we all have different experiences with our control...ideas and tips are freely available without any judgement or disapproval...good luck...and keep us updated.

 

[Ljc]

Hi Kevin. Welcome. I am sorry to hear this about your gp. Though your Hb1ac is not terribly high, according to the NICE guidelines posted above you are Diabetic.
Fortunately diabetes with the right help, info, support and work by yourself is a condition that can be well controlled. Though when your first told it is scary.
We can help with the info and cyber support, So ask us as many questions as you need to.
I hope you don't have to wait long for an appointment with the diabetes nurse at your gp practice . S/he may be able to help with referring you for counselling.

 

[trophywench]

Hi Kevin

It's like this - carbohydrates are virtually the only things your body doesn't deal with very well - that's the same for all diabetics whatever 'Type' they are. But, you shouldn't assume you have to throw them all out - even lettuce has a tiny amount of them! Currently - you have absolutely no idea whatsoever, which particular ones your body has difficulty with!

Let's imagine that you are particularly addicted to bananas - even if we can guarantee that a whole bunch will send your BG into the stratosphere - we don't know what ONE will do. If that proves to be equally ridiculous - try one small one - or share one with your partner and see what that does. It's a process of elimination - not a 'got to bin everything edible in our house' thing! So next - see if apples do the same thing as bananas.

Meanwhile - all protein (eggs, cheese, any meat, any fish including shellfish) and almost all veg except certain root veg including spuds - are absolutely fine. There are breads with lower carb values than others and things you can swap for bread. Some fruit will be fine (berries usually are) and some won't - eg oranges and bananas, ripe juicy pears, ripe juicy nectarines and cherries can be troublesome - but might not. Oh - and I can guarantee grapes will be troublesome - my Type 2 ma in law used to describe them as 'little, individual bags of sugar!'

Don't panic, Captain Mainwaring!

 

[Kevin Mawr]

Dear Bubbsie, Grogg1, trophywench, Ljc, grovesy,

Can I thank you all very much for taking the time, effort and help in replying to my post. I can assure you that i'm not panicking but was more dismayed with the lack of GP support which is in stark contrast to the help from you all. The work starts now and your input is very much valued. Warm wishes, Kevin

 

[Bubbsie]

Dear Bubbsie, Grogg1, trophywench, Ljc, grovesy,
fortunately
Can I thank you all very much for taking the time, effort and help in replying to my post. I can assure you that i'm not panicking but was more dismayed with the lack of GP support which is in stark contrast to the help from you all. The work starts now and your input is very much valued. Warm wishes, Kevin

Kevin a natural response that many of us here can appreciate...fortunately once you decide what regime suits you best...you can move forward and get your diabetes firmly under control...good luck...be interested to hear of your progress.

 

[Pine Marten]

Dear Bubbsie, Grogg1, trophywench, Ljc, grovesy,

Can I thank you all very much for taking the time, effort and help in replying to my post. I can assure you that i'm not panicking but was more dismayed with the lack of GP support which is in stark contrast to the help from you all. The work starts now and your input is very much valued. Warm wishes, Kevin

Sadly, Kevin, most of us can tell stories of how unhelpful GPs can be. It wasn't until I found this forum about 6 years after I was diagnosed that I actually found the information I should have had! But as others have said you're not terribly high, and with a few changes to your diet and lifestyle you can get a good handle on this.

There are lots of lovely threads you can read here about all sorts of things, including different recipes, ideas, and most of all support and encouragement. You've made a good start so do come back and let us know how you get on 🙂

 

[James 048]

Dear all,

I had HBA1C of 54 on my initial test followed with one of 48 two weeks after.

I went to see my GP the other day and asked what to do next. The reply was " It's only borderline and we'll test it in 12 months"

I was left a bit confused as I am in the diabetic range yet the GP was not bothered. Am I being silly and just go along with this form of attitude and management or do I make appointment to see diabetic nurse. I am 50 years old and weigh 298lbs (6ft 3 inches) and feel that I have a bad relationship with food. I actually feel like a sugar addict and no different to any alcoholic that should avoid the bottle but can't help themselves.

Had a heart to heart with my partner who is so worried and I must now try. Are there any counsellors as part of the problem is in my head and not physical need.

I live near Bangor in North Wales but would love any help or opinion. I'm currently well in health excluding the obvious diagnosis.

Many thanks

Kevin

Hi Kevin
Warm welcome to the forum.

 

[Martin Canty]

Hi Kevin, welcome

As has been said, 54 is not particularly high (but does put you firmly in the diabetic range).... a few adjustment to your diet will work wonders, cutting or reducing the carb sources like Bread, pasta, rice, cereals & starchy vegetables.... Instead replacing them with green leafy vegetables

 

[SadhbhFiadh]

Hi Kevin. Welcome.
It can feel overwhelming. You will gain confidence and support on the forum.

 

[mikeyB]

Hi Kevin, welcome to the forum. To be fair to GPs, the amount of information that's already been given on this thread doesn't fit neatly into a ten-minute consultation in a busy surgery. That said, he might have taken the trouble to refer you the nurse in the practice who deals with diabetes, because there almost certainly is one. You could ask- she might be someone for you locally who just might be on the ball. It's also possible that there's a local group of people with diabetes who have regular meetings. Have a look on the DUK homepage.

 

[Kevin Mawr]

Big thank you again for the help and general welcome found in this thread.
I will definitely take on board your comments, suggestions and general viewpoints.
Went to supermarket and my trolley was worth seeing.
Have a lovely week.
Warm wishes and thanks to you all.
Kevin

 

[trophywench]

I happened to be talking to this psychologist only this afternoon and said to him, the one thing no GP ever seems to tell T2s is, the truth!

ie that 'I cannot treat your diabetes - YOU have to do that!'

- this would lead to questions of course eg 'How the hell do I do that?' and thus the learning curve starts going sharply upwards ......

 

[Bryan Osborne]

Hi Kevin

There is a lot of great advice on these forums from people living daily with diabetes. I was diagnosed three weeks back although I have probably been hovering pre-diabetes for YEARS. My BG at the surgery was 16.6!

I am 5ft 10" and 95kg.

My first reaction was a meltdown and panic, fear of eating anything. This group has brought me down to earth with two things. First its a lifetime commitment to managing yourself with the advice of others. Second, that with a careful study of your own needs, you can eat sensibly a lot of good stuff.

The first thing is to get a BG meter and test before meals and two hours after noting the food and portion sizes you consume. I have for two weeks and I now know what fires up my sugar and what portions I can eat of certain foods. TBH I feel GREAT!

Google the GI Index and you will get a list of foods Low, Mid, High on the index.

You need Carbs and Proteins of course and calories to stay healthy. I like most went into deficiency out of worry when I was first diagnosed.

The trick is to have a good diet and to spread the daily "loading" so as NOT to spike your BG level. it will take a few weeks to get a basic list of food you like in a variety and portion sizes. I find that if there is "fun" to be had as a diabetic, its probably in the investigation, planning and eating FOOD. The other key element is EXERCISE. Something that being self employed and a retired sportsman, I have been woefully short of.

It IS important. I now walk 2 miles a day at 3mph. It reduces my BG by about 1.5. So a mile in the morning after breakfast and one early evening or the two at lunch and it helps a lot on BG and of course Cardio!
I am getting my road bike out this week and starting to cycle where I can.

As for general "help" if you wobble a bit. Is there a diabetes group near you? Often there are groups at local hospital etc.

Well after that tome, STAY plugged into here, it has helped me no end!

Bryan

 

[Kevin Mawr]

Cheers Bryan,
Love the hat in your profile photo. heee.

Great input and comments. I'm a scientist by profession and therefore may enjoy the exploring and investigating part of my condition.
The main message is 'balance' which can get lost over years of career, children and pressures which takes it's toll.
The GP may have been lacking advice or management but I've really had great and sound advice in the thread.
Thanks to you and others Bryan.

Best wishes
Kevin

 

[pav]

Welcome Kevin, unfortunately the position you are in is not uncommon espec with type 2's as a lot of doctors don't know much about diabetes. Added to that is one of the most valuable aids to help us is denied to most type 2's is that the docs won't prescribe test strips for meters which help us to identify what foods effect us and in what way.