[brandyelf]

Yeah, some of this is denial, I'll admit it. The diagnosis is probably right. But, he's still a dork.

His nurse left the results of my A1C on my voice mail (can they dothat??). It was 5.3, and she says that's normal.

So, let's see. I had one fasting glucose level of 121, one of 130. At the end of the 2 hour GTT, I was 190. So definitely pre-diabetic, if not diabetic. I can deal with that.

However, his answer was to put me on Starlix, because "obviously diet and exercise alone aren't working." I point out that metformin was a more standard place to start, especially since I believe my problem is more IR than lack of insulin production, and he says he thinks Starlix is better (meaning, newer, apparently). Ok, I said, what were my insulin levels? We didn't test for those. You didn't test for those? Then how do you know I'm not making enough insulin, rather than simply improperly processing what's already being made? Starlix is called for, here's your script. Oh, and here's a script for a meter, strips, and the whole bit. Good luck with that.

No instructions on when to call him (how high is too high? how low is too low?), no questions about my diet, no questions about exercise, just "here, take this pill, bring me some numbers in 6 weeks, test a couple of times a week until then". It takes them 24 hours to return a phone call. Good thing I wasn't in a coma.

So yep, he's a dork. I presented with these same symptoms in December (constantly tired, inability to lose weight, crabbiness, seeing a floater in one eye) and he wrote me a script for an antidepressant. Another "here, take this pill, it's the newest." Getting off of that sucked big time.

Ok, so seeing it laid out like that, I need a new doctor. I have an appointment with an endo on the 21st, but he doesn't take my (crappy) insurance, and seeing him will cost $300. So, that's not going to happen. I don't know what else to do. Whatever name gets put on this, I just want to feel better. I'd also like to have a little more faith in my medical "team".

[seacomp]

Originally Posted by brandyelf

But, he's still a dork.

If we started a thread here entitled "MY doctor is a dork, too." I'm sure we could get contributions from most everyone in this forum. Not that that makes anything better; it doesn't.
Diabetes treatment requires a lot of knowledge on the part of the patients, even in the best of all worlds where the medical system works like we'd want it to..
Most doctors are 1) not capable of providing that information, and 2) so limited by insurance restrictions that they can't afford the time to do it.
In general, you have to take reponsiblity to get up to speed by understanding what this is all about. This forum and other places on the Web are extremely useful for that. Books are even better.
Then you have to put together your own team that generally includes all or some of the following:
a pcp who knows something, or else follows your direction,
an endocrinologist,
a Certaifeid Diabetes Educator (CDE),
and a dietian.
The best to you, you'll get a handle on it all.

[Tokyo Cate]

I love the title of your thread and am really sorry about what you are going through. You may want to talk to the endo and see if he has any pcp that he recommends. That would be a better starting place.

All the best.

[sydneya]

I am so sorry that you have a dork for a Dr. Mine is too but I've had diabetes for 20 years so it is not quite as devistating. I live in the part of the world that does not have wonderful endo's. In fact, I've never found an endo. I'm on the search now and will have to travel 2-3 hours one way to go.
I think Cate had a good suggestions. Maybe the endo you have an appointment has a suggestion. Usually the insurance companies have a list of who they cover, too. I'd go to both of those sources. I know it is exhausting, because you are probably exhausted and feeling crappy anyway.

Good luck finding a doctor more willing to help.

[Cinnabon]

I agree with them, call your insurance, and get a list of the Endos that work with the insurance. Could it be that you need a referral from your PCP?

[rzrbks]

Cinnabon

I agree with them, call your insurance, and get a list of the Endos that work with the insurance. Could it be that you need a referral from your PCP?

That's what I did

PLUS


Most of the really useful and beneficial information and help I've gotten has been from CDEs, they are the BEST, at least the ones I've worked with and armed with information from CDE, I've been able to "Direct" the treatment that Dr. and I agree on...........admittedly, I've had to change Dr.s twice (is Loooong story, first PCP was great) but I've just plugged away until the Dr. and I are on the same wavelength

[Mister Q]

Out of interest all Docs take the Hippocratic Oath brought into being by the so called Father of modern medicene Hippocrates -

Hippocrates was a Greek physician born in 460 BC on the island of Cos, Greece. He became known as the founder of medicine and was regarded as the greatest physician of his time. He based his medical practice on observations and on the study of the human body. He held the belief that illness had a physical and a rational explanation. He rejected the views of his time that considered illness to be caused by superstitions and by possession of evil spirits and disfavor of the gods.

Hippocrates held the belief that the body must be treated as a whole and not just a series of parts. He accurately described disease symptoms and was the first physician to accurately describe the symptoms of pneumonia, as well as epilepsy in children. He believed in the natural healing process of rest, a good diet, fresh air and cleanliness. He noted that there were individual differences in the severity of disease symptoms and that some individuals were better able to cope with their disease and illness than others. He was also the first physician that held the belief that thoughts, ideas, and feelings come from the brain and not the heart as others of him time believed.

Hippocrates traveled throughout Greece practicing his medicine. He founded a medical school on the island of Cos, Greece and began teaching his ideas. He soon developed an Oath of Medical Ethics for physicians to follow. This Oath is taken by physicians today as they begin their medical practice. He died in 377 BC. Today Hippocrates is known as the "Father of Medicine"

The Oath

By Hippocrates

Written 400 B.C.

I SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation- to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!

Wonder how many of them recall it, let alone practice it, to balance things up I will start a thread on good medics and examples of how they have helped us.

[Ritehsedad]

Originally Posted by brandyelf

Ok, so seeing it laid out like that, I need a new doctor. I have an appointment with an endo on the 21st, but he doesn't take my (crappy) insurance, and seeing him will cost $300. So, that's not going to happen. I don't know what else to do. Whatever name gets put on this, I just want to feel better. I'd also like to have a little more faith in my medical "team".

Fire his ummm, butt!!! You are in charge of your treatment.

Yup, I check with the insurance to see who their preferred providers are.

I'd also recommend the book, "The First Year, Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker. It will be helpful whether your pre or T2.

No, you are not clueless. You'll figure it out, you'll feel better and we'll be here for moral support.

[brandyelf]

Yeah, the first thing I did when my doctor even talked about the GTT was buy books. I bought the Becker book, Dr. Atkins' diabetes book, Dr. Bernstein's book, both Schwartzbein principle books, and a couple of others (I tend to overresearch a little when I feel out of control) I've read most of them. That's why I got so annoyed when I kept trying to ask questions and Dr. Dork's main answer was "because I said so". That doesn't fly well with me

I called the local endo, he doesn't take my insurance and doesn't intend to. (He'd be happy to see me for $300 cash, though.) There are a couple about 60 miles away, but I can't afford to miss work more than once or twice as it is. My time off is spent taking care of my daughter when her asthma flares up. I can't afford to be sick, too!

I just had this whole other paragraph of stuff written out, but the editor ate it, and I can't for the life of me remember what I wrote. Oh well, foggy brain!

[brandyelf]

I got a lead on a new doc today from my pastor, of all people. She runs the office of a medical group, and she told me a good bit about their docs. She and her daughters both go there, and they have dealt with some metabolic issues and she was pretty happy with them. She said they also can't stand my docs office, for pretty much the reasons I outlined, and that if her office doesn't take my insurance, she'll make sure they correct that. Best of all, it's about 3 feet away from where I work. (Ok, more like a mile, but still!)

So, I'm pleased. I'll call tomorrow and see what I can get accomplished. It's not an endo, but a better GP is in order, regardless. Yay! I like it when good things happen unexpectedly, or at least things that make me feel more in control.

Speaking of control, I ate some sugar free jello last night. I know we're not supposed to because of something the powdered form contains (maladextrose? Something like that, I forget) but anyway, my blood sugar level was still up 10 points this morning (it was 120). I had some again this afternoon, and it raised my BS (heh, I'm 12) 10 points at 1 hour (110), but it was down below average at 2 hours (96).

So, my question is... is that too much? I recognize that this is something I should not eat all the time, or eat in huge qualities, but as an occasional treat that's probably not bad, is it?

(You know, I read all these books, but I still feel completely clueless and out of control. It's frustrating!!)

[seacomp]

Originally Posted by brandyelf

(You know, I read all these books, but I still feel completely clueless and out of control. It's frustrating!!)

That's good news on the doctor.
I'm sure someone can help on the Jello - I don't touch the stuff, it wiggles.
As lost as you think you still are, you've already picked up a lot. This kind of stuff takes a while to "settle in" not matter how hard you may concentrate.
One thing I suggest, is to read those books, or some of them again. You'll be surprised by how much more you will get out of them.
Sooner or later you feel confortable and in control.

[McKryton]

So your doctor's a dork, hey aren't they all, but you need to cut them some slack, someone's got to deliver the bad news. Anger at the diagnosis and treatment is part of diabetes 101 and we've all been there. Learn as much as you can about the condition and take responsibility for your own treatment. At the end of the day, you know what it feels like to live with the condition 24/7, they read some books about it.

edited for bad spelling

[sydneya]

"His nurse left the results of my A1C on my voice mail (can they dothat??). It was 5.3, and she says that's normal."

No, according to the HIPPA laws, they can't leave confidential info on an answering machine or give it to anyone but you. Besides, I feel, they shouldn't because you would have questions that need answering. That is the least of your problems though. Finding a doctor that you can click with is probably the biggest challenge you have. Good luck with that one. There really are good doctors out there that want to help. At times I still feel clueless, only because we need to constantly keep up on new info and learn how to use it. But it is obvious that you are getting more secure and the cluelessness is leaving. Just keep reading and re-reading and post with questions often. I love this site because there is lots of info and understanding here.