Frustrated with daughter's doctor!

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Mon, September 22, 2008

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My daughter was diagnosed as a diabetic Type 2 in 2006 and has been able to control her diabetes by weight loss, diet (low carb) and exercise. She dropped 60 pounds (from 275) and has been able to maintain the weight loss and keep her blood sugar in control. She will be 39 in October.

About eight months ago her family doctor moved from her area and she had to find a new doctor and had her records transferred to the new doctor. She had a check up on Friday. Her blood tests showed her FSB 102 and her A1c as 5.8 and the new doctor told her she didn't have diabetes. She explained that she was controlling her diabetes with weight loss, diet and exercise. He said he was educated in this field and said again she wasn't a diabetic. He asked her if her blood sugar was ever 200 or over and she said not that she knew of. She had a hard time getting a prescription for her blood sugar strips. But he did concede and gave her the prescription.

An A1c of 5.8 is not a normal A1c but an A1c that is in the control range that ADA recommends. I am frustrated that the doctor would think that she is not a diabetic because her blood sugar is in control. How does one combat this with a doctor? I told her to look for a new doctor. I would like to see her go to an endocrinologist. It was the best thing I ever did. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Myself I am doing great:

Cholestrol: 138

FSB: 87

My blood pressure has improved with no change of medication. I am seeing a Cardiologist and he ordered some test to make sure there was no problems with my arteries.
I had a Carotid Ultra Sound and passed the test! Normal

I had a Nuclear Stress Test and passed the test! Normal

I am still holding my weight loss of 45 pounds.

There is a history of diabetes and heart diease in my family. My mother had both diabetes Type 2and heart diease and my father had heart diease. He died in 1963 at the age of 50 from a massive heart attack. My mother had her first stroke at the age of 60 1/2 and died in 2000 at the age of 74 from heart trouble that the hospital missed. I don't want to go there and I have been proactive with my health since I too am diabetic and I turned 60 in August. The biggest breakthrough for me was Byetta. It has been a Godsend!

I now take Byetta 10mcg - 2x a day, Glipizide 2.5 mg - 2x day, 1000 mg -2x day, Benicar HCT 40/25 - once a day and Simivasatin 80 mg once a day. I can remember my mother was taking over 13 medications, I wish I had helped her to be more proactive and had her see an endocrinologist she may still be here with us. But I can't change the past but I can change today.

God Bless,

Monica

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Gretchen Becker

9/22/08 9:05pm

I agree with you that it would be good if your daughter could have an endo treat her diabetes, but if her GP thinks she's not diabetic, she might have difficulty getting a referral if she needs on.

So the next best thing would be to get a new GP.

If that isn't possible, then she will have to tactfully explain the situation again. If asked if her BG ever goes over 200, she could say something like, "It would if I had a doughnut, but I don't eat doughnuts." I know someone in a similar situation who ate a large muffin and jam before an appointment to prove that she was diabetic, and that worked.

My endo says that if she sees an A1c of 5.8, she knows the person is diabetic even though that's supposed to be in the normal range.

Monica Cohee

9/22/08 10:02pm

Gretchen,

Thank you for your reply it does make me feel better to think that I am on the right thought. And I like the idea of the doughut or muffin. I will pass this on.

Thanks again,

Monica

Anonymous

9/25/08 12:27pm

I was diagnosed as diabetic in January of 1991 and for many years was able to control it with diet and exercise (I'm now on oral medication and was threatened with insulin if I didn't have better control by my next visit!) My doctor told me that "once diabetic, always diabetic" when I claimed that I couldn't be diabetic since everything looked so good (that was back in the mid-90's) Your daughter definitely needs a new doctor who is more knowledgable about the disease.

reconcilr

9/25/08 12:38pm

I was diagnosed type 2 less than a year ago. My A1c was 11.5 at the time of my diagnosis. I am also controlling my blood sugar with low carb diet and exercise. My last 2 A1c's were 5.7 and 5.8. The doctor I had told me that an average blood glucose of 85 to 100 was too low! (That's my current average.) It has been about 8 months since my blood sugar was 200 or more, but it is typically at it's highest in the mornings (the dawn phenomenon). At this point I am still shopping for a doctor who wants to help me control my blood sugar with diet and exercise and NOT with medication. I know they are out there.

I am not an expert, but I do very strongly believe that diet and exercise are more of the answer than medication. I will find one that wants to work with me and not against my beliefs.

reconcilr

anomynous

9/25/08 1:56pm

Find a new Doctor who knows what he is talking about quickly - this clown ought to have his license revoked!!

Anonymous

9/25/08 9:15pm

I don't blame you for being angry with your daughter doctor, i would be to, some doctor's don't understand the word diabetes or the word diabetic. I went throw 3 doctors to i finally found the right one, plus they always tell us diet and exerise is good thing for us. Your daughter is doing the right thing she not on any shots or taking pills or on the insuiln pump just diet and exerise i would love to shake your daughter hands not ever one can do that. Ever one different, i was diagnosed with diabetes age of 14 be 38 in october. and i'm on the inuslin pump it will be a yr. in dec. since i been on the pump, lost some weight down to 135. Not all that great but sometimes i still get mad at my doctor about what he wants me to do but i'm doing just fine, and he still wants me to lose weight saying i'm still heavy. Yes it's not easy trying to find the right one, plus money is one thing you have to look at to when it comes to finding doctors, haveing insurance is not easy either not all insurance company cover everything you need. Plus not seeing a doctor for 3 yr. is not good for your body either. If your daughter's other doctor that move should have gave some of his patients another number to call. Some do that weeks invance,but i do hope your daughter fine the right one soon, give her a HI! five for me. WISHING YOU BOTH BRIGHT SKYS AHEAD!

Someone Who Cares

10/ 1/08 2:00pm

It took me yrs to get my husband to the right person but I agree....An endocronologist is the key along with a diabetic educator. We have had such good results working with the diabetic educator you can not believe. My husband sees the dr regularly but truly the oil on the wheel has been the educator. We took classes together as what to eat, portion size and learned so much more. I am a strong believer, that you must control your circumstances not have them control you. If in doubt seek other assistance, get a 2nd opionion and as frustrating as it is, stick with it. Know one knows your body better than you.. I applaud your daughters accomplishments, loosing weight and maintaining good blood sugars...and furthermore she got her determination from her mother....good job, stay strong..............Best of Luck to both of you, and remember take control, do not be controlled

Frustrated with daughter's doctor!

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