Doctors

[Guest guest]

Subject: Doctors

Lori, what you've said is so very true, we are conditioned to certain patient behavior sadly, and no, we would not let a housekeeper or anyone else offering service for pay treat us in such a manner...not even the vet with our pet.I hope we all gain the strength to change the patient/doctor attitude to a more balanced level of importance, theirs and ours.

Hugs Lori :-) ,

Sheryn

_________________________________

This really hit a cord with me too Sheryn:) Good post!! We have to always remember, WE ARE HIRING THEM! We have been raised with the opinion that the Drs know best. So we put up with practices that are heinous:( We dont deserve that. We need to never put up with that. Hard to crawl out from under that conditioned "patient" behavior, hard not to be the good/passive one we were taught. I think tho, to askkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk WHY?? and everyother Q under the sun and getting involved it a good thing. If your Dr doesnt like it, fire him:) If your maid wasnt cleaning your house right you wouldnt put up with it. This is a bit more important then your house:( ~~ Lowi who is not a patient patient:)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Why are so many against doctors? It is not their fault that we have NF2. If you are not comfortable with your doctor, maybe you should switch!

I will say that I am very pleased with the care I receive at the Mayo Clinic. Without their help, I would not be here today!

Have a good afternoon!

Diane

---- Original Message -----

From: Sheryn

To: NF2_Crew

Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 1:48 PM

Subject: Re: Doctors

Subject: Doctors

Lori, what you've said is so very true, we are conditioned to certain patient behavior sadly, and no, we would not let a housekeeper or anyone else offering service for pay treat us in such a manner...not even the vet with our pet.I hope we all gain the strength to change the patient/doctor attitude to a more balanced level of importance, theirs and ours.

Hugs Lori :-) ,

Sheryn

_________________________________

This really hit a cord with me too Sheryn:) Good post!! We have to always remember, WE ARE HIRING THEM! We have been raised with the opinion that the Drs know best. So we put up with practices that are heinous:( We dont deserve that. We need to never put up with that. Hard to crawl out from under that conditioned "patient" behavior, hard not to be the good/passive one we were taught. I think tho, to askkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk WHY?? and everyother Q under the sun and getting involved it a good thing. If your Dr doesnt like it, fire him:) If your maid wasnt cleaning your house right you wouldnt put up with it. This is a bit more important then your house:( ~~ Lowi who is not a patient patient:)

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki ,

Thank you for all your support I thank all the crew ... I Know you personally know how I feel you have Anne, Many others also have little ones I'm sure . I just keep hoping we as a group can get an awareness going So when we visit a dr or need surgery we are not having to be afraid (there is so much unknown with NF) BUT I feel we need to do something ... Jerry's kids do not worry about having a simple surgery. How many Vicki have we NFers lost this year? I've lost count all I might add SIMPLE every day surgeries ..... WHY?? RESEARCH !!!! Important people that stand up to Represent a disease for public awareness ...TV shows ECT -ECT-ECT It is needed Very much so .... BUT How WHO I've no Idea ... Guess I just Keep pondering Maybe the Lord will enlighten me ... I just feel that is the most important thing we as a group should be doing every thing else we do here is secondary...

Vicki thank you for the vote of confidence I tried with all my heart I'd have given my life for Mike ,I know where you are at with Anne ... hang tough ... we need it ... all of us for it seems we each get our turn eventually... Big Big HUGS Friend Lois

Re: Doctors

Lois,I just read your post about this Dr. Moosey. After that, I'll bet there is a Crew that will never see him!This is terrible to hear. Poor Mike and you, too. Damn, him. You are right. One day, he will get his. I hear lots of anger and I don't blame you at all. What a jerk was this doctor! You know, our internist, is recuperating from surgery and I saw her at a function last weekend. She said this recent surgery and the degree of sickness has made her a better doctor for sure. Maybe this doc needs a really good surgery experience for himself.?????Warm fuzzies for you. Vicki

[Guest guest]

I am all for alternative care, as long as it works. What you need to

do is ask a doctor you are considering what your sugar numbers should

be. If they will be happy with anything above 140 after a meal, find

another doctor. Also ask how often they want you to test. If they

don't want you to test before and after each meal, find another

doctor.

Have you considered an endocrinologist? They specialise in things like

diabetes.

> My name is and I am type 2. My doctor is retiring and I have

been

> searching for another one with the search narrowed down to two

doctors.

> One is a family doctor, while the other is a doctor of internal

> medicine. What is the general difference between these two

categories?

> (Family-Internal medicine}. Is there any difference as far as the

> treatment of diabetes?

>

> The only info on the doctors that I have is that the family one

> believes in traditional medical care, plus alternative methods such

as

> vitamins, stress reduction, yoga, Tai chi, and diet-exercise.

>

> Any advice would be appreciated.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Your advice is good, , but unrealistic. From what I've seen and

heard in my 7+ years as a diabetic, I don't think there ARE any doctors

out there who recommends testing before and after meals -- although

that's the best way to gain control, IMHO (and making appropriate

changes in diet based on those results, of course).

, have you read my " newby letter " ? I post it about once a week and

if you weren't around the last time I posted it, there's information

that may be helpful to you.

Well, I'll just post it anyway, FYI. Here goes. Please do check out

the links, too -- there's a lot of good information there, too.

First of all, let me refer you to two of the best books about diabetes.

Read 'em and you'll learn a lot:

The first one is called

" The First Year, Type Two Diabetes, An Essential Guide for the Newly

Diagnosed " by Gretchen Becker. Gretchen is a list member and her book

is an excellent guide. It's in paperback and available online from

Amazon if your local bookstore doesn't have it.

The second book is called

" Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions " by K. Bernstein, M.D. You

can get it from the library but it's such a good reference that you

really should have it in your home library. Dr. Bernstein is a longtime

type 1 who controls his diabetes using a lowcarb diet as well as

insulin.. Many of us - both type 1 and 2 -- on this list have found

great success using his plan or a modified version thereof.

.

And here's the URL to Dr. Bernstein's website, where there's lots of

good stuff:

http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/index.shtml

These two books will give you good basic information on the ins and

outs of diabetes management.

I would further refer you to an excellent informational website titled "

" What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes "

http://www.geocities.com/lottadata4u/

If it isn't there for some reason, let me know and I can email you the

contents -- I have it in my archives now.

I would also refer you to Mendosa's website, where

there's a wealth of diabetic information and good links. He also has

an online diabetes newsletter which is very good. It's also an

excellent source for information about the GI index (glycemic index).

www.mendosa.com

There's one thing that's sure to make BGs rise and that's carbohydrates.

Cutting out high GI carbs is an excellent way to control your BGs and

the more you cut, the better. Most of us find that the " whites " --

breads, cereals and pastas, in fact anything made with grain - will

raise our BGs. Also, rice and potatoes will do the same. And of course,

cakes and cookies and sweets of all kinds, including fruits and fruit

juices.

Watch out for " low calorie " foods; often they're higher in carbs. Learn

to read food labels.

Dr. Bernstein recommends about 40 carbs a day total. This is really only

for the dedictated low carber and IMHO hard to maintain over the long

run. However, I've read that the average American eats about 300 carbs a

day, so the truth is somewhere in between. The best thing you can do

for yourself (if you haven't already) is buy a meter and use it

FREQUENTLY. At the beginning you want to learn how different foods

affect your BG and to do this you need to eat one food at a time,

testing first...then test one and two hours afterwards. Weigh out the

amounts and keep good notes. You'll use up a lot of strips in the

beginning but the rewards are definitely worth the expense and bother

because in the end, you'll know what foods to avoid and which are okay.

Diabetes is a very individual disease and we often say YMMV - " your

mileage may vary " -- what works for one may not work for another.

You want to aim for postprandial (two hours after meal) BG of 120.

Keeping your BGs between 70 and 140 are your goals. If you can do this

longterm, you can probably avoid the dreaded consequences of longterm

poor BG control...and I'm sure I don't have to list those for you. (I

will if you want, though).

Here's my own list of pretty lowcarb veggies:

Spinach

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Summer squash (zucchini, crookneck)

Spaghetti squash

Mushrooms

Asparagus

Greenbeans

Cabbage

Sauerkraut

And of course lettuce and avocados which aren't a veggie but a

fruit .but they're definitely lowcarb. I have a large mixed lettuce

salad with avocado every night with dinner.

You can eat a reasonable portion (4-6 ounces) of meat, chicken, fish

without problem; it's all protein, no carbs.

Berries are the lowest carb fruit but even so, you should eat them very

sparingly. Here's the website of the USDA, which you'll find very

helpful. It has carbs, calories, protein, etc.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

It's helpful to have a food scale. A cup measure isn't nearly so

accurate. I use a Salter scale. It weighs in both grams and ounces and

cost me somewhere around $35. I got mine at a local gourmet shop but

they're available online too. Just do a Google search for " Salter food

scales " .

The A1C is a test that measures your average BG for a three-month period

with slightly more weight given to the latest month. All diabetics

should have this test every three months. And you should ask for, and

keep, copies of all your lab reports.

Good luck. And keep those questions coming. There's a really steep

learning curve at the beginning of your diabetes education but hang in

there -- it will all make sense eventually. And remember -- the only

stupid question is the one you didn't ask.

Re: Doctors

>I am all for alternative care, as long as it works. What you need to

> do is ask a doctor you are considering what your sugar numbers should

> be. If they will be happy with anything above 140 after a meal, find

> another doctor. Also ask how often they want you to test. If they

> don't want you to test before and after each meal, find another

> doctor.

>

> Have you considered an endocrinologist? They specialise in things like

> diabetes.

>

>

>

>> My name is and I am type 2. My doctor is retiring and I have

> been

>> searching for another one with the search narrowed down to two

> doctors.

>> One is a family doctor, while the other is a doctor of internal

>> medicine. What is the general difference between these two

> categories?

>> (Family-Internal medicine}. Is there any difference as far as the

>> treatment of diabetes?

>>

>> The only info on the doctors that I have is that the family one

>> believes in traditional medical care, plus alternative methods such

> as

>> vitamins, stress reduction, yoga, Tai chi, and diet-exercise.

>>

>> Any advice would be appreciated.

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

, if I had the opportunity to find a doctor with an open mind about

alternative/complementary medicine, I would grab on with both hands.

As you read the archives, you will see that we have discussed various

supplements for bg control as well as methods for stress relief. The

impact can be enormous.

All my doctors are not even interested in getting a list from me of what

I take. Part of this is just plain conservative attitude; however, I am

convinced that the rest is just plain ignorance.

When you speak with the doctor touch both sides of diabetic care. Ask

the questions mentions, express the desire to do extensive

testing, at least at the beginning. I have now settled into a four test

a day routine, unless something is happening. Talk about goals such as

tight control, A1c under 6, and avoidance of complications. Then get

into alternative methods such as supplements, meditation, and diet.

Good luck and let us know about your progress.

Helen

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone.

I would like to ask our honorable panel of experts to come up with a list of

questions to ask doctors at the first visit. Interview questions. I am expecting

an avalanche of responses. (smile).

Thank you.

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------

Reply-To: diabetes_int

Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 17:45:21 -0000

>I am all for alternative care, as long as it works. What you need to

>do is ask a doctor you are considering what your sugar numbers should

>be. If they will be happy with anything above 140 after a meal, find

>another doctor. Also ask how often they want you to test. If they

>don't want you to test before and after each meal, find another

>doctor.

>

>Have you considered an endocrinologist? They specialise in things like

>diabetes.

>

>

>

>> My name is and I am type 2. My doctor is retiring and I have

>been

>> searching for another one with the search narrowed down to two

>doctors.

>> One is a family doctor, while the other is a doctor of internal

>> medicine. What is the general difference between these two

>categories?

>> (Family-Internal medicine}. Is there any difference as far as the

>> treatment of diabetes?

>>

>> The only info on the doctors that I have is that the family one

>> believes in traditional medical care, plus alternative methods such

>as

>> vitamins, stress reduction, yoga, Tai chi, and diet-exercise.

>>

>> Any advice would be appreciated.

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________

Sent via the WebMail system at phreego.com

[Guest guest]

Interview questions:

1 - What do you consider tight control?

2 - Are you willing to consider treatment, including diet, that does not

follow ADA protocols?

3 - What tests do you recommend for a diabetic? This would include eye

exams by an opthamologist, exams by a podiatrist, a visit with a CDE who

does not espouse the ADA diet, various blood tests, including kidney and

liver panels, electrolytes, etc.

4 - Do you work closely with other doctors such as the ones mentioned above?

5 - How do you feel about alternative methods? Dead set against them is

hard to work around, Donna. Even don't care is better.

6 - What system do you have for emergency care?

7 - Is it possible to contact you by e-mail if I have a question?

I am sure others will have more suggestions.

Helen

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen

My original prescription was for 50 strips, so at the last meeting with the

doctor I got him to double it to a 100.

As I was testing on Friday I realised that 100 strips would last 10 days roughly

- not near long enough. I would have to get a new prescription every 2 weeks.

So I asked for a double prescription of 200 - 20 days worth still not really

enough, but I think the doctor would have had a heart attack if I had asked for

a triple, which is really what I need to last a month.

What I need to do is get them to realise that the control I have gained is due

to the fact that I do keep such a close check on my BG and that the only way

that I can continue is if they provide me with the test strips I need.

They are not going to talk me out of it, it is my life and I am in charge of it

and intend to stay that way if I have to fight them tooth and nail.

Blessed Be

Rob

Re: Re: Doctors

So, Rob, how many strips are in a double prescription and for how long?

When the doctor comments, as I surely hope he does!, on how well you are

doing, you can tell him it was with the help of " double " testing with

that double prescription.

Loved Alan's suggestion.

Helen

[Guest guest]

Hi Christy

I am the one who posted about the double prescription. The doctor had initially

only prescribed 50 strips for me, I got him to double that on my records to 100

when I started full testing after reading of the benefits on this site. But that

only lasts about 10 days if I have had a long day,so I needed more.

I got him to do 2 prescriptions for me, actually I expected him to put both lots

on 1 prescription but he didn't.

I really need between 250 - 300 per month if I continue to do this sort of

testing.

Unlike you I am on 1500 mg Metformin per day and Glimepiride some dosage I can't

remember once a day.

So I like to check before and after meals as I am definitely still learning at

the moment and probably will for te rest of my life, which I hope will be long

and problem free.

Blessed Be

Rob UK T2 dxd 06/05 Met Glim

Re: Doctors

Actually, I started out testing about 8 times a day, on average, and

kept it up for the first couple of years. But now I only spot check

and test when I'm eating new foods or something is disrupting my usual

schedule in some way. Like Gretchen, I found that frequent testing

wasn't giving me any new information and I could pretty much predict

what my blood glucose would be. I do stay under 120 for the most part,

with very occasional short visits to the 130s, and my A1cs for the past

3 years are consistently in the high 4s or low 5s. Most of my readings

two hours after meals are in the 100-110 range, and pre meals I'm

almost always in the 80s. I control with diet and exercise, so now

that my BG is stable I rarely have highs or lows. I still have a

prescription for 200 strips per month, but I don't have to fill it

nearly that often and am using much less than that now. Still, I like

the freedom to use lots of strips to test out new things if I want to,

without worrying about running short. Of course, if I were on insulin

or even medication, I'd be testing much more often.

Christy

[Guest guest]

Problem is Vicky he is a good doctor in other ways, he is prepared to spend time

with his patients and actually listens to them.

He always runs late on his appointments because he does care, I don't have a

problem with him running late because of that.

So mostly he is a good doctor I just have to educate him about diabetes and what

it means to the people who have it. He is only viewing it from an external

viewpoint.

Blessed Be

Rob

Re: Re: Doctors

Good for you, Rob!

I fail to understand why doctors are so stingy with the prescription for

strips. It's no skin off their back. Both in Great Britain and here in

the U.S.

I wonder if it's NHS policy? I think we have a couple of other members

living in Great Britain - can any of you answer this question? Do you

have any problem getting enough strips?

If others in your part of the world don't have this problem, Rob, maybe

you could switch doctors?

Vicki

[Guest guest]

At 09:30 AM 9/21/05, whimsy2 wrote:

>I fail to understand why doctors are so stingy with the prescription for

>strips. It's no skin off their back. Both in Great Britain and here in

>the U.S.

I think it's the insurance companies. I mentioned to my nurse practitioner

that the endo I saw gave me a sample Humalog pen and maybe since I was

going to start using it the insurance company would allow more than three

strips per day. She said she doubted it because my use was going to be once

a day and only when I went out to eat with friends. I suggested that maybe

she could indicate that I used it three times a day and she said she'd try.

Of course I don't have the initial prescription for the pen yet...will have

to arrange for that through the endo, I guess. Or maybe the NP can do it.

It'd be easier, actually, than calling the endo's office and leaving a

message. I can contact the NP by email or cell phone.

My NP seemed shocked when I was telling her about that sinful dessert I had

with the meal and that if I added up the initial pre-meal 4 units of

humalog and all of the correcting I did afterwards it came to 20u of

insulin. I pointed out that I as a type 2 diabetic I WAS insulin resistant,

but she still thought it was a lot. Heck, the 20 didn't take care of the

problem! I was still at 160-something. The dessert was called " death by

chocolate " . Yummy but I think I won't do that again any time soon.

The thing I've noticed is that restaurants don't seem to have any simple

desserts anymore. You used to be able to get a scoop of sherbert or

something, but now they're all huge sugar bombs.

sky

[Guest guest]

When I renew my prescription for metformin and the other goodies that I take I

automatically also request more strips, regardless if I need them or not. So I

get about 100 a month. I haven't renewed my 'script for the lancets in ages coz

I use them more than once.

I fail to understand why doctors are so stingy with the prescription

for

strips. It's no skin off their back. Both in Great Britain and here in

the U.S.

I wonder if it's NHS policy? I think we have a couple of other members

living in Great Britain - can any of you answer this question? Do you

have any problem getting enough strips?

If others in your part of the world don't have this problem, Rob, maybe

you could switch doctors?

Vicki

Carol(England)

Type 2

Dx: 19 May 2004

Metformin 500mg x 3

Irbesartan 150mg a day

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

I am sick of paying doctors that say SORRY CAN"T HELP YOU, then you get a bill for 250 bucks.T

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