Hellooooo

[Martin9]

Oh my goodness, where do I start? Metformin has no gastric side-effects and there is no evidence for it? I'm afraid I would be looking for another GP if he truly believes that, and if he doesn't believe it then he is not a very good GP because he is not listening to his patients and making things up - the leaflet with the pills explains the side-effects, maybe take it along next time and make him read it in front of you, then get him to explain why you shouldn't have the modified release version 😱

He also clearly does not understand the benefits of testing for a highly-motivated person such as yourself, and the receptionist should not be conveying this information The logic of understanding the effect of different food choices on your blood sugar levels so you can tailor your diet to one which is helpful in managing your diabetes is undeniable, you don't need to be Socrates to see that. How else does he suggest you manage your diabetes, guesswork? It really is nonsense and it irritates me more when it appears there is little effort to even understand the process

Could you change GP or even (if necessary) surgery? There's no guarantee, of course, that another would be any better, but this one appears to be a non-starter

Are you using the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50? It's the cheapest one I am aware of, in terms of ongoing strip costs. You shouldn't have to buy them anyway, the doctor should listen to the patient and not make blanket decisions about the worth of testing. If you are recording your results then you can show him how they are helping you - often when presented with the evidence many will concur and prescribe - it's hard to argue with clear evidence. You should also explain that intensive testing is only necessary whilst you learn about your food tolerances, once you have established the fundamentals you only need to test when trying new things, or for 'confidence' checks that things are staying on track and not changing 🙂

Good luck! 🙂

The Tee2 meter is free and test strips are only 6p dearer per 50 than the Codefree..

 

[Martin9]

Totally agree! For me personally, testing is merely a means of understanding the process and as we all know, everybody's body works in a very individualistic way. This is why I'm so set against this one size fits all society GP's would have us all abide by. I'm sure, after reading a lot of people's posts that one can count oneself very lucky if you're given the news and then whilst there, given a good explanation on what comes next, who you will see and what appointments to expect. After all you wouldn't give someone the news they have cancer and hold out a script and tell them to just get on with it themselves, so why should we as patients tolerate this when this pops it's head up? For some, the news is no less devastating. You feel like you've been blindfolded, dumped in a forest and told to find your way out oh and change your whole lifestyle while you're at it but nah.... No help will be there.
Is it just me but... Wouldn't you think since diabetes in one form or another is almost an epidemic at the moment, the NHS would put more into helping patients manage it better andaquicker in order to prevent many very long term debilitating and life crippling conditions that will drain the NHS even more in the long run? Or is that too easy?
Anyway, I'm sorry, rant over. How's everyone managing in the heat?
Oh btw... Changing to the meter everone recommends

Well said indeed @Jakki098 ..the NHS needs to help everyone as much as possible with diabetes as it costs much more dealing with the non treated repercussions ..!

 

[Northerner]

Well said indeed @Jakki098 ..the NHS needs to help everyone as much as possible with diabetes as it costs much more dealing with the non treated repercussions ..!

This is glaringly true, unfortunately - the vast bulk of the cost of diabetes is in the treatment of complications, and something like 80% are thought to be avoidable - the cost of all the management paraphernalia, like pills, needles, test strips etc. pales in comparison

 

[SB2015]

This is glaringly true, unfortunately - the vast bulk of the cost of diabetes is in the treatment of complications, and something like 80% are thought to be avoidable - the cost of all the management paraphernalia, like pills, needles, test strips etc. pales in comparison

Again and agin it is the short term saving that is focused on, rather than looking at the overall coasts.
Different sub-pots of money are tapped into for prescriptions compared to cost of treating long term complications. Aaaaaaaagh.

 

[Dave R]

@jackie098 I am new to the forum can i ask how long did you have trying to control diet. Were you told straight away you were type 2 or were you pre-diabetic. I am wondering how long I will be able to stay pre-diabetic. Thank you

 

[Maz2]

Hi Northerner, I'm very much considering changing surgeries. I've long since had a big issue with receptionists conveying so called GP's words, especially in front of the people in the waiting room for all to hear. Very unprofessional imo. I do have an app that clearly shows how I've gone from all days in the red, to days with green, amber and red readings to mainly amber and green now, but it's a long learning process. It's not just what to eat but how much of each good type is right for me. Aiming for all green each day is the optimum I know but I also know not to expect it all the time, that's an impossible situation to try to maintain and I'm happy with that.
Yes, I have the information leaflet with the tablets and have highlighted the text which clearly states they can and do upset the tum. Diarrhoea between 6 & 12 times a day I'd say is more than reason enough to switch to the modified release version.
If he still says no, thatll be it for me! I'll walk, well my hubby will push my wheelchair straight to the new GP surgery!
I'm using safe accu meter atm, because it was only £3 more to get a whole new kit as the strips for safe AQ was £12 for 50 but this kit... £15 for lancets, strips, meter pain free pricker and case. However, I can't afford to keep doing this and my GP is reluctant to give me one and the strips as he's all about saving money it seems, not lives.
I'm trying hard to do my part and keep myself as healthy as I can, but with severe arthritis in all joints excercise is mostly impossible so testing is the only way I have to take control.
The more I say all this, the more I'm wondering why I'm still with this GP. Just because I've been there 20 plus years does not mean I have to be for the next 20!
Just a little help and support from him is all I ask.,

Not only unprofessional but if she is talking about your medical condition in the hearing of others it is actually breach of Data Protection which is absolutely disgraceful. Before my retirement I worked in the NHS for 38 years and that behaviour beggars belief quite honestly.

 

[Maz2]

Welcome to the Forum. I cannot really add anything to what others on here have already said. You will receive a great deal of help and advice here. I am pre-diabetic and am so glad I found these lovely people.

 

[Maz2]

Again and agin it is the short term saving that is focused on, rather than looking at the overall coasts.
Different sub-pots of money are tapped into for prescriptions compared to cost of treating long term complications. Aaaaaaaagh.

Having worked in the NHS for 38 years short-termish is, I am afraid, the order of the day. That is why it has so many problems. Coupled with the fact that it is top heavy with managers.

 

[Jakki098]

Looks like I'm leaving once again, I've been told via his receptionist!!! That Metformin does NOT upset the stomach, and there's no such thing as a modified release version. If several pharmacist say it can and does, and to ask for the slower realease version, many people here say the same and have had the same or very similar problems with the standard version then I cannot understand why he says different even if it is via his receptionist.

 

[SB2015]

Looks like I'm leaving once again, I've been told via his receptionist!!! That Metformin does NOT upset the stomach, and there's no such thing as a modified release version. If several pharmacist say it can and does, and to ask for the slower realease version, many people here say the same and have had the same or very similar problems with the standard version then I cannot understand why he says different even if it is via his receptionist.

Time to find a new GP,,,
He must be very out of date, however I am aware that in many Pratices it is the Nurses that deal with all the patients and just tell the GP what is needed. Have you seen the nurse? Are they any better?

 

[Northerner]

Looks like I'm leaving once again, I've been told via his receptionist!!! That Metformin does NOT upset the stomach, and there's no such thing as a modified release version. If several pharmacist say it can and does, and to ask for the slower realease version, many people here say the same and have had the same or very similar problems with the standard version then I cannot understand why he says different even if it is via his receptionist.

What qualifications does the receptionist have? She may be misinterpreting something she has been told. Enough is enough, however, it's either sanctioned by the doctor that the receptionist can discuss things, or ignored - either way, it sounds like a poorly run practice

 

[Ralph-YK]

Looks like I'm leaving once again, I've been told via his receptionist!!! That Metformin does NOT upset the stomach, and there's no such thing as a modified release version. If several pharmacist say it can and does, and to ask for the slower realease version, many people here say the same and have had the same or very similar problems with the standard version then I cannot understand why he says different even if it is via his receptionist.

Personally I'd be putting a complaint. I did to my old practice, to the practice manager. (I'm not good at confrontation though. So didn't deal with things face to face.)

 

[Jakki098]

@jackie098 I am new to the forum can i ask how long did you have trying to control diet. Were you told straight away you were type 2 or were you pre-diabetic. I am wondering how long I will be able to stay pre-diabetic. Thank you

Hi Dave, I was told a mere 4 months ago that I was essentially diabetic, but to try diet changes first and excercise. My GP knows - obviously that I am wheelchair bound due to the arthritis in all of my joints, so when I glared at him and said "how do I go for walks? How do I join a gym and do the aerobics you're telling me to do?" His answer was and I quote... " Well move what you can then". . He thoroughly believes that I sit eating myself stupid all day everyday despite blood tests showing that my thyroid isn't working as it should either, but he's ... And again I quote his exact words "I'm not bothered about that". I actually eat very little. Pain and the inability to cook or to get into my kitchen in the wheelchair I currently have stops any of that, and has for years. I'm very reliant on my hubby who works from 8 am to 7 pm to cook dinner, and he knows my favourite is baked cod loin with fresh salad and 2 to 3 jersey jersey royal potatoes. Breakfast atm is a no goer as there isn't the time in a morning and lunch is usually a sandwich or tin of soup. After two further blood tests showing my average hbA1c was 9.4 mmol ( 55 on his scale and 43 is the upper limit he said ) it was a locum who told me this silly constant retesting had to stop and medication started. My GP is clearly unhappy at this as he and his receptionist keep telling me - and the rest of the world listening and no doubt everyone they speak to too. It's just been a nightmare for me and still is, I'm still shocked by him, angry at him and very frustrated by him. It's only thanks to the kindness I've been shown here, the support from my hubby and my own tenacity that I've got a good idea where I'm at and what I need to do next.
I may have a little rebellion in me when I say there's enough diabetics of one type of another to band together and challenge the nhs to do better by us all. Support in the first 12 months at least is - in my opinion essential in helping people understand what's happened to them and why, and in giving them all they need in terms of equipment, help and support free on prescription and a 24hr help line for when problems occur and a newbie has doubts on what to do. In order to prevent long term potentially devastating life changing consequences. If they can give smokers this in of help why not us?

 

[Jakki098]

Personally I'd be putting a complaint. I did to my old practice, to the practice manager. (I'm not good at confrontation though. So didn't deal with things face to face.)

Hi Ralph, I would if she wasn't a friend of his ant therefore hardly impartial. His son also works there. Think there is a GP complaints commission though!

 

[Jakki098]

Time to find a new GP,,,
He must be very out of date, however I am aware that in many Pratices it is the Nurses that deal with all the patients and just tell the GP what is needed. Have you seen the nurse? Are they any better?

Hi, SB2015, he doesn't even have a nurse atm, as she is off work with a back problem I'm told. It's a locum general nurse that's different each time at the minute. No specialist nurse and I haven't been referred to one either.

 

[Jakki098]

Welcome to the Forum. I cannot really add anything to what others on here have already said. You will receive a great deal of help and advice here. I am pre-diabetic and am so glad I found these lovely people.

Hi Maz2 and a warm welcome from me too!
I've been amazed at the wealth of information people have shared with me and totally agree, we help each other. I'm very very grateful for everyone's advice and help. I no longer feel alone and that's huge! I can't recommend this site enough. I also totally agree, what goes on at my GPs is diabolical and should be stopped.

 

[Martin9]

Hi @Jakki098
I'm utterly gobsmacked at your GP, he is at best incompetent and possibly criminally negligent, I would seriously consider changing your GP here's how, it's important he doesn't add to your problems by his incompetence..!

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/how-do-i-change-my-gp/

 

[Jakki098]

Martin, thank you! I really appreciate that.

 

[Dave R]

Jackie one thing I can say is before my practice mentioned raised glucose in my blood I didn't appreciate how much misery diabetis could cause. I didn't understand how many different people arr affected and how poor support is in relation to other medical conditions. I am pleased the nhs has set up the healthier you program and I'm pleased I have been given a place. I wished that 10 months ago somebody had explained diabetis to me as I have lost 10 months. I hope you get the support you need and hopefully you can find a better medical practice. Keep you chin up.

 

[SB2015]

Hi, SB2015, he doesn't even have a nurse atm, as she is off work with a back problem I'm told. It's a locum general nurse that's different each time at the minute. No specialist nurse and I haven't been referred to one either.

So it sounds like a new Practice is needed.
Keep asking any questions you have on here as well.