Your relationship with your endocronologist

[DISCODIABETIC]

Hi All,

How is your relationship with your endocronologist? I have a very tenacious relationship with mine.

any tips on how to improve this most important relationship.

It completely stresses me out having to go see him or any of the diabetic educators/nurses at his clinic.

I did switch endo's over the summer, but went back to him because the other was just useless and was actually quite insulting to me when i tried to explain my financial situation.

B.

[RLK]

Seeing my endo is about like taking a mid-term exam, or visiting a professor for extra help. I study, get my notes and questions in order, and make sure that I'm prepared to make the best use of my limited time with him. But, despite the rush, he generally agrees with my line of thinking and the decisions that I'm making day to day. I walk out of there feeling like I've just ridden a rollercoaster, but not belittled or attacked in any fashion.

Seeing one of his nurse practitioners is generally a more relaxed appointment. They seem to have more time for questions, and discussions. They're also more willing to talk about the emotional facets of diabetes, maybe because they're all women *shrugs*

Can you be more specific about how your endo stresses you out? Folks might be able to give you more tailored advice with that information.

[DISCODIABETIC]

well sometimes, when i see him in the clinic, i don't feel that we connect, that he doesn't stop to listen to me and what I am saying. I resisted taking insulin for almost a year, and that didn't make him to happy.

It is also a teaching clinic so often there are residents who sit in on our appointments and having to meet a new person everytime and go through my history adds to the feeling of stress or uncomfortableness.


I don't feel that way when i see him in his private practice.

B.

[xMenace]

They say hindsight is 20/20. That's why I am very unhappy when one of us decides not to take their insulin or medications *nudge* *nudge* I get the same sense from my endo. If I'm doing the things I need to do, then he's as happy as can be with me regardless of where the numbers are.

Those same feelings you have have crept in on me, but I push them out. I consciously take charge of my health. That also means I assume responsibility for things that might go wrong, so I approach my care team that way. I ask them questions on how I can improve and listen intently to their responses. I typically go in with a list of 6 questions to ask and don't give them a chance to take the initiative. I take a list because they like to ramble on about ****. I guess it takes two to make it work, and I try hard to do so.

My GP on the other hand ... dumb-*** all the way!

[JediSurfer]

I've always found that the younger endo's who have recently been trained are always open to new ideas and can often think 'outside the box' but as time goes on they seem to listern less and will only see the science on which they have been trained. Ican honestly say I have never received any beneficial help from the endo's, always taken my care into my own hands and have done quite well so far.
I have found a good GP at my local surgery who does listen and doesn't seem to be blinded by the science and can see things on a more practicle level. The funny thing is the best understanding of diabetes I have come across has been from paramedics and I think this is because they actually see how the big D affects us in our day to day lives.
I just use the endo to get my blood works done and check for complication.

Rich

[DISCODIABETIC]

now that i am on insulin he is happier, but still feels i am non-compliant. He just makes me feel that no matter what i do, be it going to the gym, eating properly, taking my meds, its just not good enough because my sugars are still hovering over 7. (8.1 this morning) He seems to forget that despite trying and working hard i am still human and i will still fail at certain things, usually food. (**** cadbury cream eggs)

My other issue is that i can't see the same dietician or nurse everytime, its always a new one, so i don't get the sense of actually having a team supporting me, that i'm starting over each time.

I have seen the dietician and asked for help in meal planning, and instead of actually sitting down and helping me to learn how to plan, i got a lot of hoipolloi about setting and achieving goals... well my take on that is that you can't achieve goals unless you have the skills to do so.

[JediSurfer]

I can be very difficult coping with the medics and getting them to understand. For me it has been easy because I have always been diabetic and learned the skills I needed to survive at an early age.

Nutitional therory is an important part of diabetes and can only be learned over time really and can be hit and miss.

Do you have courses in Canada like we have here in the UK? there is a course here called DAFNE which alot of people use to learn how to manage their D better. I have never taken this course because I was using these techniques along time before the docs were.

A result in the 7's isnt too bad at all. some will disagree with this. but take it from me I lived in the 7's and 8's for many years and lived to tell the tale complication free.

[SueM]

It is also a teaching clinic so often there are residents who sit in on our appointments and having to meet a new person everytime and go through my history adds to the feeling of stress or uncomfortableness.


I don't feel that way when i see him in his private practice.

B.

Well the answer to that is ask the students to leave :D
They can only stay with your permission.
I went to a clinic once and found 5 students sitting in with the consultant.
I just asked them all to leave.

[DISCODIABETIC]

i don't think i have that option. It isn't a private clinic, its a publicly funded hospital and my Endo is the head professor in the department.

The one person I have a good relationship with at the clinic is the receptionist, I will ask her if I can see him without the underlings.

[DISCODIABETIC]

[QUOTE=JediSurfer;298359]I

Nutitional therory is an important part of diabetes and can only be learned over time really and can be hit and miss.

Do you have courses in Canada like we have here in the UK? there is a course here called DAFNE which alot of people use to learn how to manage their D better. I have never taken this course because I was using these techniques along time before the docs were.

QUOTE]


no courses that I know of, do you have a link to DAFNE, it might be something i could look into on line.

[JediSurfer]

Welcome To The Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) Website (http://www.dafne.uk.com/)

There must surely be a Canadian version of this but I can't find a link. Any Canadians have a better idea?

[SueM]

i don't think i have that option. It isn't a private clinic, its a publicly funded hospital and my Endo is the head professor in the department.

The one person I have a good relationship with at the clinic is the receptionist, I will ask her if I can see him without the underlings.

Yes you do have the option of seeing your endo without the students.
In the UK we have the good old NHS and we have the choice as to whether students sit in or not.

[jeggeman31]

Hi All,

How is your relationship with your endocronologist? I have a very tenacious relationship with mine.

any tips on how to improve this most important relationship.


I love my Endo. I found that younger female Dr's are the way to go. My family Dr is in her mid 30's and my Endo is also in her mid 30's and female.

Go Young, Go Female and keep looking until you find the right one.

[parrotletzoo]

Being in the room with my endocrinologist is like being inside a pinball machine where I'm the bumper and he's the ball. bing bing bing bing bing! He's hyper. I like him, he's a good endocrinologist but if I don't smack him upside the head with a list of question already written down I won't get my questions answered because by the time I think of what I wanted to ask he's already out the door. He now knows I'm going to have a list and towards the end will sit and let me ask them.

I've found that, with all of my doctors they tend to take my questions more seriously if they see I've taken the time to think about what I want to ask and write it down. At first they're usually thrown back by it. Eventually, they learn to expect it. I've found it also helps with the dr/patient rapport to bring a printed list of my other medical doctors (w/ phone numbers) and any medications they've prescribed with me. It makes it easier for me to remember and the drs and staff appreciate the time it saves them. I keep said list on the computer and update it after each dr appointment. so I know when changes were last made.

If pinning your doctor down and making him realize that you are serious about health care (and time with him) doesn't help its time to find a different doctor. imo even if it means traveling further then you'd like to see them.

[JediSkipdogg]

I personally have zero relationship with my endo. When I go in I pretty much just want to see my test results and what she thinks and any prescription refills that I need. I have found I can learn 1000 times more on my own via research than I can from her. My #1 problem everytime I see her is that I just don't have the motivation to make the changes she suggests.

[kgm0612]

I LOVE my endo!

Karen

[markr]

The relationship I want with my endo is the same is with all my doctors: first a mench, (In Yiddish, it means "a good person". A mench is a particularly good person with the qualities one would hope for in a dear friend or trusted colleague.), then a doctor like the TV character House.

[grace girl]

I don't really have a relationship with my endo. I've been through two, hoping to find one who would actually listen, and neither one did. I've educated myself, mostly by coming here.
And I have a young female...I really had high hopes for her. I can show her weeks of consistant data where my numbers are concerned and if what I am telling her hasn't been thoroughly documented as to something that always happens to all diabetics, then she doesn't believe it.
I politely listen to her, wait for my scripts, and leave. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but at this point I often think I know more than she does.

[Alice]

I don't know...the young, female endo wasn't my favorite. She was very throrough (and a bit overboard) in ordering expensive tests to find a problem...she really had a hard time believing that I've gone 42 years without heart, kidney, eye or feet problems. (I have a hard time believing it sometimes, too!)

But, my point was that she wasn't very "positive" with me. I would have like a friendly "slap on the back" everynow and then like I used to get from my older/wiser endo's who've seen it all. It was getting a little friendlier just as I had to move...oh well.

This sounds soppy, but I'd like my endo to be a "friend" who is good with honest advice. Of course, friends tend to not be totally honest...so maybe it's wishful thinking.

I just get the feeling that these endo's get burned out by diabetics just as we get burned out by our own disease.

[markr]

By a friend, I meant a Doctor you can talk to on a one-to-one basis. If I think he/she is wrong I will say so. I always come with a list of questions, facts, and figures. I am not looking to date my Doctor. :D

[DISCODIABETIC]

LOL, markr, did I mention that my endo is a tall, handsome austrailian with an accent to die for.

[amccrazgrl]

I love my endo!! She is the best and is always amazed at how great I keep in check with my diabetes. Shes the one who said try a pump and if you don't like it you can go back to MDI. Well I tried my pump and have loved it since 7-05. She also rotates my blood work tests to check so each test is every other time with the exception of A1C each time.

Now out of the 3 last visits I have seen her once. Theres a new "older" lady who works with her. At first I didn't like this lady but then I realize going to someone else is good cause they might as different things or say something else that the other Dr hasn't mentioned.

Both are great ladies and I'd recomend them.

[nicole]

Seeing my endocronologist is like the end of the world for me. I hate going to see her. Only because she is very blunt and she doesn't care what she says to you. Its like her goal is to upset you. And she accomplishes that goal everytime I go to see her, I leave the office crying, wishing I wasn't here half the time.

[markr]

Seeing my endocronologist is like the end of the world for me. I hate going to see her. Only because she is very blunt and she doesn't care what she says to you. Its like her goal is to upset you. And she accomplishes that goal everytime I go to see her, I leave the office crying, wishing I wasn't here half the time.

That sucks! Can't you switch to a different endro? Your blood sugar is probably worse after you walk out of her office.

[cheryl]

I have never met a gp or a endo, that i truely liked. At first it was because I was stubborn, and did things, my own way to a path of close destruction....Now it's like I do things my way to make me healthy....I have gone so far to three endo's down here........they all suck....I am ok with my GP....he know's I am in control with the diabetes aspect, and doesn't bother me one bit....but he does want me on med's.......whatever....so I just nod him to death, wrong I know, but I just want my scripts and my labs.....and no one to dare say anything about my diabetes....cause unless the endo is a diabetic...they honestly do not know....how to deal with it on a personal level....

hoping when insurance kicks in, I am last resort, there is an endo, that is pumping and is a type one, he is in another county, but I would still be covered to see him....he is my last attempt of this tiny god forsaken, blind town....in hopes to have a good relationship with an endo. If that fails i give up LOL....

Cheryl

[jeggeman31]

I think we had a board member start dating his endo. I tried looking for the thread, but must have not been putting in the correct key words to find it.

[DISCODIABETIC]

Seeing my endocronologist is like the end of the world for me. I hate going to see her. Only because she is very blunt and she doesn't care what she says to you. Its like her goal is to upset you. And she accomplishes that goal everytime I go to see her, I leave the office crying, wishing I wasn't here half the time.

I know exactly how that feels like, It is just so frustrating, my endo is completely blunt as well, but what he doesn't seem to understand is that I don't understand what he is talking about have the time and i don't know how to communicate that to him, so i just end up leaving my appointments in tears of frustration too.

[Bunkins]

I dont care for mine, but I like her better than the others.. Going to my endo, I hate it.. Doesnt listen, never happy, and makes ya feel stupid.. Tell her something, and she always looks at ya like your lieing... And for some reason, she has it in her mind that everyone works in a office, and life is easy.. But really, I take care of my own stuff, I go in there to get my blood work done to make sure everything is ok.. I have to say though that once I finally get something through her head, she acts on it.. I was complaining that with the bottles, in the conditions I work in, sometimes they end up freezing, or getting way to hot, even though I try my best to protect them from things like that... After a few visits of me complaining about it, she put me on the pens, so that I dont have to throw away so much insulin because of the conditions. Same with not being able to test during some parts of the day because of the conditions. Although her remark of " well, if your really in those conditions.....", still eats on me ( that thing of thinking your lieing ).. The odd thing is, most of her patients are T-2's, never seen anyone under the age of 60 except once.. And the endo weights about 300 LBS herself, I just find that odd..

After resent events trying to get my pump, I think I'll be finding another pretty soon unless a few things are resolved...

Come to think of it, the only doctor I have that I like is my eye doctor.. The rest, I dont get along with at all..

[gettingby]

I like my endo now. I didn't the first time I saw him. I guess that's why I just went once and then continued to see the CDE at my PCP's office. My first ever visit to him, he spent a total of 5-10 mins on my diabetes, the rest of the time on another condition that I wasn't seeing him for. When I decided to go for the pump, my CDE said I would have to go back and see him. Well, I decided to give him another shot (lol) and I'm still seeing him for my diabetes and thyroid. :)
Funny thing. 2 years had passed from the first visit to the next one. He still remembered me. Guess I left an unforgettable impression. :) In fact, after that second visit, he said "I'm not gonna have to wait 2 more years for you to come back, am I?"
I left the exam room laughing.

[DISCODIABETIC]

i've been encountering another issue but not with the endo, with my co-workers and there never-ending stream of chocolate in the office. Inconsiderate B******s

[DISCODIABETIC]

well, I see my endo on tuesday, and I am already starting to feel anxiety. My average right now is at 7.6. I have been consistently testing my morning sugars between 5 and 7. I actually had a low bs on thursday afternoon 3.6 i couldn't believe it.)

I still have not heard word one about this clinical trial I'm supposed to be doing. I've been completely stressed out about work and my financial situation due to inadequate insurance coverage and trying to get them to change it and I've only been making it to the gym twice a week.

Its not going to be good, i just know he's going to get all in my face about food and my wieght.

b.

[Dewey]

I miss my old endo, because we seemed to be on the same page in terms of care & the like. My current endo's ok, but he & I have very different views on things.

Sometimes, going to the endo can feel like more of a hassle than a help, especially when there's worry of possible confrontation. Here's hoping that things go better than expected & that he'll treat you with the dignity & respect that you deserve. (((Hugs)))

[beau91]

Hi I have a good relation with my endo Sure sometimes I don't really like to see him when I know my numbers are high. But it's is job to tell me .Has for Diabetes courses in Canada ,we do have them in each regional part of Canada
[/url]
Here's the link for your region Discodiabetic ,but you'l have to ask your doctor for a reference .It does'nt have to be you're endo.And for the students in the office, it is your right if you don't want them in the office .I go in a ChUM in montreal ,it's a university hospital .they ask me if I want the inters.
[url=http://www.diabetes.ca/]Canadian Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.ca/files/Diabetes_Education_Centres_BC_Yukon_november_2007. pdf)
That's the link for the Canadian diabetes Association.
Where I found the program for the Pacific region.
Hope you have a good RV with your endo .Bye Ricky

[beau91]

Discodiabetic I'll have to send you the link as an attachment it's a pdf file. That's for the education center Bye Ricky

[DISCODIABETIC]

Thanks but my endo won't do referals other than to his own clinic's dietician and i've been through both of them. plus the courses all seem to cost money I DON'T HAVE., sure courses are great but when you're down to living on less than $200 a month they just ain't gonna happen.

[markr]

The more I read this thread about how many of you get so ticked off after seeing your endo, the more pissed off I get. :banghead: I am the first to admit that I have a sick (pardon the pun) sense of humor, but I use it to my advantage. My doctor remembers me because of this, and like you said gettingby, it works.

[DISCODIABETIC]

well, i saw him. what a waste of time and energy to get there on time only to have to wait. No Student today so that was okay. He seemed pleased with my numbers over all but still wants me to keep upping my dose of insulin, (i'm already at 120 units a day) and since i am having such money issuses gave me 2 weeks of nph for free. Still overall just not conecting. oh and the clinical trial is a no go.