Just had horrible GP on the phone!

[Jaybee2021]

Hi all. I had a blood test done as haven’t had one done for 18mths. Ok my hba1c is sky high at 107/11.9 depending on what you use. She wants to increase my metformin from 1000mg daily to 2000. She was curt in telling me this has to change and my BMI is 31 which also needs to change as she told me this could all lead to heart issues, amputations and eye problems.
I asked how my kidneys and liver are and her reply was “they’re ok for now”. I told her I had sought help from a nutritionist and was taking blood sugars and her reply was “there’s no point, the readers raise your hopes”. She told me she’d get her dietician to call me and have a half hour session on weds.

I am honestly disgusted and shocked by her attitude. The truth is that my situation is awful and scary and I need to step up and stop snacking but her delivery was unkind and there is no need for that. I will be calling to complain about her tomorrow. if I was depressed, she’d have sent me over the edge as she came across as uncaring and judgmental.

I have thrown out all carby snacks and will get my act together but just needed to share this awful and hurtful experience.

 

[PattiEvans]

I know exactly how you feel. I had to complain about a Doctor who rang me telling me to stick to the Eatwell plate. I said very politely that being diabetic I prefer to stick to lowish carb. She went demented and into a rant without asking me what I did eat. She went on and on about how I didn't eat fruit or veg (nothing further from the truth). I complained and got an official apology. Who were you thinking of reporting this doctor to? In the first place, if it is a GP you need to send your complaint (I suggest in writing) to the Practice Manager.

However, good luck with your new found determination and throwing the carby snacks out... well done!

 

[Jaybee2021]

Sorry to hear about your experience too, just awful and no nothing about high fat low carb eating.
I’ll be calling the practice manager tomorrow. Although she was rude in my experience, I did need to hear the information.

 

[Leadinglights]

My daughter had a bad experience when she registered with a new GP, she had a health check with the nurse but asked to see the doctor as she had hearing problems and had been going to be referred to a consultant by her previous GP. He launched an attack on her saying I don't expect new patients to come in demanding a referral. He then looked at her notes and realised she worked for the NHS and was immediately full of apologies, the next day he had sent her some flowers and rang to apologise yet again. I think he was terrified she would report him.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear about your difficult conversation with your GP.

I don’t know if this tactic would ever work with anyone? Perhaps there are some people who would respond to such scare tactics, but I’ve yet to meet anyone. For many more people it seems have the opposite effect - demotivating and causing upset and anxiety.

Hopefully you can channel your frustration into positive action.

One of the biggest questions when trying to get to grips with your diabetes is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will want to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

The really tricky thing is that blood glucose responses to various foods are highly individual, and it can be impossible to say which types and amounts of carbohydrate will ‘spike’ your BG without checking for yourself.

You can use your BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking your BG (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them).

Once you can see how you respond to different meals you can begin experimenting with reducing portion sizes of carbs and trying different types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). Ideally you might aim for a rise of 2-3mmol/L or less. If you find a meal gives you a bigger rise experiment with swaps or portions, with a continual process of ‘test review adjust’

If you are interested in this approach you may find test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.

Good luck, and keep us updated with how you are getting on. 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Sorry to read of your conversation with your GP @Jaybee2021
That is a difficult start to your Diabetes journey.

Many people on here find testing useful, and it is surprising to read various reasons given by HCPs for why not to. The important thing is to decide for yourself what is useful to you in manageing your condition. Many find it helps them identify which foods/ and what portion sizes cause them spikes. Testing before and after and recording this alongside a food diary can help to make informed decisions about changes to your diet.

I hope that you get an appropriate response from the Practice in your follow up, and that they can help you focus on your day to day management.

 

[Jaybee2021]

Thank you all for your responses. I know exactly what I need to do. I need to stick to what I know and not get bored. I tend to do really well and then desire a sugary snack and then it’s a vicious cycle.

I don’t eat any rice potatoes etc, the odd slice of brown bread which has 11g carbs. Consistency is the key and that’s my overall struggle. However as nasty as my GP was, I do want to change things and started last night after that phone call. I will still be putting in a complaint because I can’t bear the thought of her talking to someone else like that.

J

 

[chaoticcar]

I agree with reporting your GP but to put a positive slant on this .Do it your way ,ignore her advice,and prove her WRONG (na-na-na - nah )
Carol

 

[Jaybee2021]

Thanks Carol, yes intend to do this!