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Testing your blood sugar, leads to depression!

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G

Greymouser

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
At least that is what my consultant endocrinologist told me today. Evidently the conclusion was reached after extensive studies...

She was in fact a nice person and seemed a little baffled as to why I had been referred to her. I just cannot help wondering if I would have got a prescribed meter and strips, if I had answered her better...

So what do you guys think, are all you testers depressed then? 😉
 
Greymouser said:
At least that is what my consultant endocrinologist told me today. Evidently the conclusion was reached after extensive studies...

She was in fact a nice person and seemed a little baffled as to why I had been referred to her. I just cannot help wondering if I would have got a prescribed meter and strips, if I had answered her better...

So what do you guys think, are all you testers depressed then? 😉
Click to expand...
Hmm, one study, I think, and the testers weren't allowed to change anything, when they found they'd got high numbers. No wonder they got depressed! Funnily enough, as a Type 1, the same consultants tell me I must test all the time!
 
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If I got depressed all the time with testing, I would be in serious trouble :D

What I get fed up is when ever there is a change in DN the thinking and policy changes from your testing to much, until I point out DVLA guidelines, then another it was remember to test and re read DVLA guidelines, then it's ignore testing and break DVLA guidelines as you don't have to test before driving even though I am on Hypo causing meds. Yet to see what the new practices DN's policy is.

It's not standing up against the docs years ago and relying on them which has partly lead to the complication I have, brassed off at that but that's history and one can't turn back the clock.
 
In other words Ignorance is Bliss. Head in sand and it will all go away. At least with testing you have an opportunity to set things right immediately and not have to wait for three (which normally turns out to be six) months of high BG. That would be more depressing in my opinion.
 
This applies to HbA1c as much as self testing, and they're never a question of having that test done. Though they are difficult about letting you know the results, witch leaves you frustrated and depressed.
Not testing leaves you scared, depressed and demotivated because you are unable to manage your condition and have no idea what's going on.
 
Those same studies mention 'a specific subgroup' of people on non-hypo inducing meds or diet and exercise for whom testing is beneficial, and supports BG management and improves outcomes. I'm not sure how large the 'subgroup' is thought to be, but it seems to include pretty much anyone who joins the forum and gets the support and advice here!
 
Ralph-YK said:
This applies to HbA1c as much as self testing, and they're never a question of having that test done. Though they are difficult about letting you know the results, witch leaves you frustrated and depressed.
Not testing leaves you scared, depressed and demotivated because you are unable to manage your condition and have no idea what's going on.
Click to expand...

Well today I was told my first HbA1c result, which was 95! Which I am told is quite shocking? It only took them two months to get around to telling me! I think I need to get a bit more pushy... :confused:

I was also told that I was almost certainly type 2, which does not inspire confidence, when the professionals are not 100 %.
 
I would be depressed if I could not test as it is the only what that I have of finding out what is going on. My experience at the surgery where I go is that you have to stick up for yourself and try to come to an agreement with the medical people that you want to manage this condition and that it should be a partnership between you and them. Sometimes they are confused about which type of diabetes it is. That is how it started out for me although I seem to be T2 and have got it under control. Be glad that they take notice. 🙂 I always ask for the exact numbers and give them a stamped addressed envelope for them to post them to me if they try to fob me off by saying that the printer is broken (when they have just printed something else off, yes it really happened). I feel strongly that this is our disorder, we will get the complications if we don't act so it is up to us to help to manage it and they should be prepared to co-operate.
 
Greymouser said:
So what do you guys think, are all you testers depressed then? 😉
Click to expand...
That did make me
IMG_0455.JPG .
Imo what she told you was a pile of po* err brown stuff . Yes studies have been done but from what I have read , they were done in such a way as to ensure they proved testing was not suitable for us T2s.

Ps. I forgot to say that I agree with everyone above.
 
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Diabetes and everything that goes with it depresses me! A study should involve every diabetic. Then true results would be revealed. Bit like those adverts 9 out of 10 cats prefer whiskers. Only because they haven't been fed all week.
 
Ljc said:
That did make me
View attachment 4577 .
Imo what she told you was a pile of po* err brown stuff . Yes studies have been done but from what I have read , they were done in such a way as to ensure they proved testing was not suitable for us T2s.

Ps. I forgot to say that I agree with everyone above.
Click to expand...
Well said Ljc...believe one 'study' in question went like this...type 2's all placed on the same diet for a set period...(no testing)...later provided with meters & testing equipment...monitored...but not allowed to change their diet in any way...at the conclusion there was no improvement in their blood sugar levels...what did they expect...doesn't take a genius to appreciate in those circumstances the results were all too predictable...that's what I find depressing.
 
happydog said:
I would be depressed if I could not test as it is the only what that I have of finding out what is going on. My experience at the surgery where I go is that you have to stick up for yourself and try to come to an agreement with the medical people that you want to manage this condition and that it should be a partnership between you and them. Sometimes they are confused about which type of diabetes it is. That is how it started out for me although I seem to be T2 and have got it under control. Be glad that they take notice. 🙂 I always ask for the exact numbers and give them a stamped addressed envelope for them to post them to me if they try to fob me off by saying that the printer is broken (when they have just printed something else off, yes it really happened). I feel strongly that this is our disorder, we will get the complications if we don't act so it is up to us to help to manage it and they should be prepared to co-operate.
Click to expand...
Agree with every word you've said happydog...the approach from many of our GPs/DSNs is hugely frustrating/depressing...but...have to say the SAE anecdote did make me smile...good for you.
 
Greymouser said:
At least that is what my consultant endocrinologist told me today. Evidently the conclusion was reached after extensive studies...

She was in fact a nice person and seemed a little baffled as to why I had been referred to her. I just cannot help wondering if I would have got a prescribed meter and strips, if I had answered her better...

So what do you guys think, are all you testers depressed then? 😉
Click to expand...
Doesn't exactly inspire confidence when they have no idea why you're there GM...as for the 'studies'...no doubt in the local library...under the heading 'Fiction'.
 
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Apologies for the snip
Bubbsie said:
as for the 'studies'...no doubt in the local library...under the heading 'Fiction'.
Click to expand...
It's only 5 40 am , I've not even had brekkie yet and I'm peeing myself with laughter .
 
Bubbsie said:
Well said Ljc...believe one 'study' in question went like this...type 2's all placed on the same diet for a set period...(no testing)...later provided with meters & testing equipment...monitored...but not allowed to change their diet in any way...at the conclusion there was no improvement in their blood sugar levels...what did they expect...doesn't take a genius to appreciate in those circumstances the results were all too predictable...that's what I find depressing.
Click to expand...
Yes that the one I was thinking of
Very depressing
 
Ljc said:
Apologies for the snip

It's only 5 40 am , I've not even had brekkie yet and I'm peeing myself with laughter .
Click to expand...
Apologies Lin...but when I read the 'study'...wasn't sure whether I wanted to laugh or cry...perhaps we should set up our own 'study group'...give them some real competition.
 
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Hepato-pancreato said:
Diabetes and everything that goes with it depresses me! A study should involve every diabetic. Then true results would be revealed. Bit like those adverts 9 out of 10 cats prefer whiskers. Only because they haven't been fed all week.
Click to expand...
Love the analogy HP...couldn't have put it better.
 
Greymouser said:
Well today I was told my first HbA1c result, which was 95! Which I am told is quite shocking? It only took them two months to get around to telling me! I think I need to get a bit more pushy... :confused:

I was also told that I was almost certainly type 2, which does not inspire confidence, when the professionals are not 100 %.
Click to expand...
It's not an ideal result GM...however if they found it 'shocking'...why on earth did they take two months to give you the results...surely they would want you working on those levels ASAP...honestly...that is depressing...95 is high... by my calculations that's roughly equivalent to 10.8 in percentages...likely you've reduced those numbers since then...with testing regularly you'd be able to see whether you had or not...so why on earth would 'they' claim testing is of no benefit...makes no sense at all.
 
Bubbsie said:
It's not an ideal result GM...however if they found it 'shocking'...why on earth did they take two months to give you the results...surely they would want you working on those levels ASAP...honestly...that is depressing...95 is high... by my calculations that's roughly equivalent to 10.8 in percentages...likely you've reduced those numbers since then...with testing regularly you'd be able to see whether you had or not...so why on earth would 'they' claim testing is of no benefit...makes no sense at all.
Click to expand...

Indeed, makes no sense at all. I seem to be coming to the conclusion that the whole of my experience with the NHS and Diabetes, makes little sense all together. :confused: All I can do is do my best, which would be easier with testing I think, but I just cannot justify the expense at the moment. Not helped by my pharmacist telling me that the cheaper tester and strips off Amazon, are not much use really, unreliable. At least I am still losing weight, slowly, but surely, a stone and a half so far. The consultant is giving me a new HbA1c blood test next week so I will see... I think I will use it to encourage my GP to fund my testing, if it is less than ideal, even though it is less than three months since the last such test. The whole thing is definitely feeling more like the start of a marathon, than a sprint! Good job that I can be very stubborn at times... 🙂
 
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