Some Doctor Names Please

[Burmese]

I was thinking that maybe we could share experiences good or bad about doctors and the way they treat patients with Diabeties. I don't think this tread should be used to point fingers at doctors, but rather a way for someone to tell of thier experience. You don't even have to give the name of the doctor.

I think this would help those that are looking for good control (myself included) to see what other doctors are doing and what there own doctor may do to help with your own control.

I have been running highs for almost three years now. When I say highs I mean in the 20 to 29 range. I have taking just about every pill and insulin out there with no good control. I was to the point where I was was getting sicker from all the meds that I just stopped taking everything. My sugars still run high and lately I have been having alot of dizzy spells, and am extremely tired. I am hoping that by others sharing there experiences it will help others like myself.

Thanks
Chris

High And Not Loving It

[rzrbks]

Some Doctor Names Please

Bob, James, Sally, Nancy, Ted, Rick,Marsha, Adrienne-----------is that enough?


Actually, that's probably not the best idea.

1. There would be legal issues that might need to be addressed.
2. What you might consider "Good Doctoring," I might consider being a pain in the @$$.

Much like this wonderful disease, being happy with your Dr. is a Very, Very personal thing.

my $.o2.

[seacomp]

My pcp was both bad and good. I probably would still have lousy control if I followed directions, but I had read up beforehand and knew I wanted an tight-control MDI approach. So my pcp didn't help; but on the other hand the doctor didn't fight me once he knew what I was doing and is supportive.
As a pcp, he doesn't have the time or background to give good instructions for self care, and that's the only real care for a diabetic.

[Penny]

I was thinking that maybe we could share experiences good or bad about doctors and the way they treat patients with Diabeties. I don't think this tread should be used to point fingers at doctors, but rather a way for someone to tell of thier experience. You don't even have to give the name of the doctor.

I think this would help those that are looking for good control (myself included) to see what other doctors are doing and what there own doctor may do to help with your own control.

I have been running highs for almost three years now. When I say highs I mean in the 20 to 29 range. I have taking just about every pill and insulin out there with no good control. I was to the point where I was was getting sicker from all the meds that I just stopped taking everything. My sugars still run high and lately I have been having alot of dizzy spells, and am extremely tired. I am hoping that by others sharing there experiences it will help others like myself.

Thanks
Chris

High And Not Loving It

My GP actually takes very good care of me. If a problem comes up he always sends me to specialists. My diabetes has worsened over the years, but that is probably my fault for not following his instructions completely. He says my disease is progressive, and I would have come to this point anyway, but I know I could have done better and maybe delayed some of it. He always listens to me and is willing to discuss my treatment. Sometimes I think we are limited by my insurance, and he does seem to be aware of those limits. I seem to cycle in my highs, I will go for weeks with great levels, then have a spell when nothing I do helps and I am always high.

[Belinda]

Bob, James, Sally, Nancy, Ted, Rick,Marsha, Adrienne-----------is that enough?


Actually, that's probably not the best idea.

1. There would be legal issues that might need to be addressed.
2. What you might consider "Good Doctoring," I might consider being a pain in the @$$.

Much like this wonderful disease, being happy with your Dr. is a Very, Very personal thing.

my $.o2.


I am with RZR here...it is a personal decision....I love my endo....:cool:

[Tokyo Cate]

I have been running highs for almost three years now. When I say highs I mean in the 20 to 29 range.

Hello, Chris. That sounds terrible. :frown: I am sorry that you have been having such a tough time.

In choosing a doctor, it is essential that you find one you are comfortable with, who takes the time to answer your questions and to explain available treatment alternatives.

In being a good patient, it is essential that you are honest with yourself and your doctor and very important to keep good records so that your doctor has enough information to make good treatment decisions.

I know that my lack of record-keeping has been a hindrance in finding solutions to my hypos and I am working to address that through carb-counting and keeping daily records of carb intake, medication, exercise, stress, etc. that will hopefully help us make more informed decisions and get better A1Cs in the future.

Most important is finding a doctor who you can trust and will take the time to help you manage your health rather than trying to manage your health-care for you.

Best wishes,


Cate

[marked]

Bob, James, Sally, Nancy, Ted, Rick,Marsha, Adrienne-----------is that enough?


Actually, that's probably not the best idea.

1. There would be legal issues that might need to be addressed.
2. What you might consider "Good Doctoring," I might consider being a pain in the @$$.

Oh for pete's sake what legal issues need to be addressed. Chris just wanted to hear about Doctors. I think the question is very legitimate.
The importance of the Doctor/patient relationship can not be talked about enough with this disease. Plenty of Doctors do not see a person in their office they see a disease. This kind of mindset is so detrimental.
I was blown away when I first met my Doctor. I was led to her office and sat on a chair! Not an examining table. In my 38 years with this disease I have never seen such treatment. It made all the differance. She listened to my input and we formed a partnership in my care. My a1c went from a 8 to a 6 in the first 3 months under her care. Keep looking Chris, you will know when you find the right one.
Mark

[Lynpenny]

You know I have a great endo. I know she is smart and she has gotten me to this point, but she doesn't really tell me much. Only answers questions I'm smart enough to ask and never volunteers anything. For this reason I think I will let my pcp take over with the diabetese. She was starting me on care and my endo took over while I was in the hospital for surgery. I really like my pcp and want her to take care of me again. She is a great cheerleader for me and explains everything and tells me about all of the concerns I need to worry about. I talked this over with her and she will take over. Now I will have to talk to the endo next month.

[marked]

While this may be sexist, I think women make much better Doctors than men in general.
Mark

[rzrbks]

Oh for pete's sake what legal issues need to be addressed. Chris just wanted to hear about Doctors. I think the question is very legitimate.
The importance of the Doctor/patient relationship can not be talked about enough with this disease. Plenty of Doctors do not see a person in their office they see a disease. This kind of mindset is so detrimental.

Posting something like

"That Dr. Paul Wolfowitz is an idiot when it comes to plotting a course of action for my Diabetes treatment. All he ever does is........" could be used against someone or this forum in today's over-litigious society.

If nothing else it could come back on Tony and I DO NOT want anything like that to happen. This place is WAY WAY WAY too important to me.

On the other hand, sharing Generic information is not only OK, it's a good thing.

Example:" For me, I know that when a Dr. actually sits down and asks me questions, listens and Truly responds to what I say, I have found a Dr. who I will be able to work with."

marked

While this may be sexist, I think women make much better Doctors than men in general.
Mark

Not sexist at all, prejudiced maybe, but not sexist. I agree with you, BTW.

[Penny]

Maybe if someone wants to know the name of a good doctor to see in a certain area....say the Dayton, Oh. area.....they could post, asking. Then we could PM, about the people we like or dislike. Just a suggestion.:hmmmm:

[liz32]

Chris, I think you need to come up to Halifax and see a doctor up here. It's obvious you're not getting the care you need even if your doctor means well. I have a great doctor and she's very progressive and proactive. On my first visit she listened to me and agreed with me then told me things my other gp had never mentioned but that were very vital to my health. If you want her name and address just pm me and I;ll fill you in. You can't go on like this.
Liz

[Tatermom]

We have gone from an endo who did little more than report A1Cs to us every three months to one who firmly believes in intensive management. Funny thing is that Taylors A1Cs have gone up with this doc. He believes that her
A1C was lower before only because she had such extreme highs and lows that everything tended to balance out and give the appearance of good control. He is more into being consistent and I tend to agree. He is great. His diabetes ed nurse on the other hand....

[marked]

rzrbks,
Oh, I get your meaning. Well said.
Mark

[Linda J717]

well, I love my dr. He is a GP and he has helped me with not just my diabetes. It's so funny, I was there today and asked about a mole removal, but I told him I wouldn't do it unless he could do it. He let me cry in his office when he dx'd me and when I apologized for being so emotional, he assured that I had a right to be emotional and if I had any questions.. he was there for me. He's just a cool dr.

[Burmese]

I guess I did not mean to really name a doctor but rather share your experiences. If you wanted to name your doctor that would be your choice. I figured that those who would name thier doctor would do so on a good note.

I have always said that because a doctor is good for one person does not mean they are good for all.

For example - My wife and kids see on GP and I see another GP. I find him really good with my kids but for me me I just don't like the way he listen when you try to tell him something.

My current doctor will do anything he can to treat my Diabeties, the problem is that I am not so sure of his knowledge on Diabeties. He listens, he advises, he refers, he even offers samples. The problem I have is the people he refers don't seem to know what they are doing. I just don't understand why a GP, Diabeties Educator, an Internal Medicine Doctor cannot find the reason for my continued high sugars.

I am so confused now as what to do. I was taking so many needles and pills each day that I think just the stress of taking all this stuff was making my sugars stay high.

I was taking 170 units of Levemir
60 units of Nova Rapid
2000 mgs of Metformin
Gluanorm with each meal

The problem was, the more I was taking the worse the sugars, the sicker I was feeling. I decided that I would stop everything, sit back for awhile and think this over. The problem now is that my sugars are extremly high now running in the mid 20's all the time.

I was hoping the by others sharing thier experience with doctors and there treatment might have others like myself. Maybe there is something out there that some have not tried and would work better. Maybe there are questions that could be asked that have not and should be ask. Maybe some are missing a small pieace of the big puzzle and there GP does not no about it. For whatever reason I am sure this would be helpfull to everyone.

I hope you don't consider this a rant and if you do I am sorry but it is not meant to be.

Thanks
Chris

Still Running High, and Still Not Liking It

[Lynne1]

I have a great endo in Livingston, NJ. Please let me know if you want his name.

[seacomp]

I was taking 170 units of Levemir
60 units of Nova Rapid
2000 mgs of Metformin
Gluanorm with each meal

If that's 60 units of rapid per meal, your total insulin intake is 350 units a day!
That's a huge amount amount of insulin. A vial every 3 days!
I don't mean to be offensive but to take that much insulin you must be very large and eat large quantities of carb every meal.
Have you tried a very low carb diet to see what that does to your BG?

[Burmese]

Here is an update to what I was taking.

I was taking 170 units of Levemir
60 units of Nova Rapid
2000 mgs of Metformin
Gluanorm with each meal

Breakfast:
60 Units Breakfast
20 Units Nova Rapid
2000 mgs Metformin
Glucanorm

Lunch:
20 Units Nova Rapid
Glucanorm

Mid Afternoon:
50 Units Leveimir
Nova Rapid if snacking

Super:
20 Units Leveimir
Glucanorm

BedTime:
60 Units Leveimir
2000mgs Metformin

I am 42 years old, 235lbs. I stick to as close a diet as suggested by the Diabeties Educator. I recently starting looking into Carb Counting. But for now I felt the need to stop all meds in hopes to rethinks this.

Thanks
Chris

[seacomp]

60 Units Breakfast

I assume this is Levemir also. I am very confused by what you are taking. Levemir is a long-acting insulin like Lantus that is normally taken once or twice a day. You are taking it 4 times with meals. The Glucanorm is a pancreas "kicker", its not something that you would take if you are insulin dependant. You take metformin at bedtime, it should be taken with meals if it is to work correctly.
No wonder you are confused!
You said you stopped all meds for now. What are your BG readings?

Is there another doctor you could see and sort of start over?

[Burmese]

My BG reading always run high. By high I mean in the 20 to 25 range. The doctors are telling me that I am extremely Insulin Resistant and they cannot figure out a way to lesson the resistance. They have tried numerous drugs but all attempts to date only seem to make it worse.

I am going back to the Doctor this week and asking for a referral to a specialist and maybe a diferent opinion might help.

Thanks
Chris

[seacomp]

I am going back to the Doctor this week and asking for a referral to a specialist and maybe a diferent opinion might help.
That's good, I hope you can get to see someone who can really help you.

[nancyaw]

I've only seen my new Endo once....just yesterday. however, he was highly recommended by the people running the diabetes info classes I took, and my initial visit with him was so very, very, positive. He is in the Sacramento, Ca. area, and i'd be glad to share his name with anyone! Just PM me! Nancy

[Tokyo Cate]

well, I love my dr. He is a GP and he has helped me with not just my diabetes. It's so funny, I was there today and asked about a mole removal, but I told him I wouldn't do it unless he could do it. He let me cry in his office when he dx'd me and when I apologized for being so emotional, he assured that I had a right to be emotional and if I had any questions.. he was there for me. He's just a cool dr.

He sounds like a fabulous GP and I am happy you have him on your team. I hope things have been going well since your diagnosis and you are feeling peppier and more confident with your management.

All the best!

Cate