So I just had a bit of a blow out with my Doc. I posted here Sept when I found out I was Diabetic, with an A1C of 13.5. I "negotiated" with my doc to give me 6 months to see what I can do naturally ( diet, exercise, cutting carbs ect.) to address this before they shoved a lifetime of pills and shots
I'm going to play devil's advocate here, since everyone else seems to be supporting you.
You ignored 14 years of pre-diabetic. Then you promised your doctor you would make extreme lifestyle changes instead of taking medication.
I think your doctor was rightly skeptical. And I think it sounds like you have an unnecessary chip on your shoulder.
Yep. I agree. And a grown ass adult "blowing up" at a doctor over a reasonable question is shitty, childish behavior. The doctor should refuse to see OP ever again.
Who is the client here? I would not go back. The Doc should have been real happy. My guess is that it was too much to ask for. Getting a new Doc is the solution.
Why would a doctor be happy with a patient doing something they should have done decades ago? This isn't gold star on the fridge stuff and a sudden change in results after years of doing nothing is going to make anyone sceptical.
If you're ever doing something regarding your own health 'to make your doctor happy' then you really need to look at your mentality regarding your own wellbeing.
This isn't about OP looking for doctor's approval. Op was looking for support from doctor.
Doc lost the perfect opportunity to help reinforce maintaining the positive changes.
Are you kidding me? The main objective of a doctor is to get his patients well. There are different means to achieve this goal. Maybe I shouldn’t use the word happy (I am French) but the word satisfied. Whatever works is a step forward and when it doesn’t work Doc and patient discuss a solution.
Eg: I have neuropathy and hell it hurts. I can’t get rid of the pain with supplements. We tried. He and I are currently trying different meds so far so good it is not working. But he keeps proposing a solution and we try.
A happy (or satisfied) doctor (morally rather than financially) is one that never sees their patients because they all take steps to avoid preventable illness for themselves.
Not doing something you know you should then going to the doctor for them to fix the complications for you is not something anyone should be happy or satisfied with.
For me personally, I found that once I stopped viewing the decisions and inconveniences around managing my diabetes as me being a victim of the disease and started accepting that not doing what I know I should as a form of intentional self-harm, it was a lot easier to take responsibility and do the right thing for my own health and wellbeing.
The main objective of a doctor is to utilize their knowledge and skills to help THE PATIENT achieve the best possible outcome for themselves.
I will never be able to wrap my head around the transactional view that some Americans have of the doctor patient (not client) relationship.
I think it has to do with the fact that a lot Americans have to pay to have doctors. That would make it seem very transactional to me, anyhow. I have an American friend who definitely sees it as a transaction because before she sees her doctor they make her pay for the visit. Makes you feel like a dollar sign instead of a patient but this is just MHO
This Doc is using a confrontational-authoritative management style which is a completely outdated method in Western cultures.
A collaborative approach, with the patient being an integral part of the health care team, has been consistently proven to have better outcomes.
I disagree with you. When a doctor accuses you of lying, you have every right to blow up. Unless you’re guilty in which case you would keep your mouth shut.
No adult should ever be "blowing up." Grow up.
🤣🤣🤣 Okay. Call the White House and let them know. 😂😂😂
I have had 5 appointments scheduled with this doc, I have seen her physically once, she canceled or had a sub for 3 and the last one was video
What does that have to do with how you treat her, tho?
also I didn't "blow up " at her, I had a blow out with her. In other words, we argued after she accused me of getting meds from a different source after turning them down from her.
You're the asshole.
I kinda think they both suck. OP has oppositional defiance issues but that's a pretty severe accusation from a doctor. I have stopped seeing dermatologists over accusations of me picking at spots that I haven't actually touched, and what OP's doctor is alleging is far more serious. If the accusation isn't true, then OP needs to get away from that doctor just as much as the doctor needs to get away from OP.
thanks for the input its possible I am
It’s not a possibility. You are in fact one🤣🤣
Just curious, is this a Physician or an NP?
I don't know why everyone is treating you like this.
NEWS FLASH! Behavioural change is extremely difficult and complex!
NEWS FLASH! That's not an excuse to be an asshole.
I believe it is!
Well. You’re sad. Have you ever seen a psychiatrist or therapist?
A great explanation for why there are so many horrible therapists who do more harm than good.
More importantly, I have trained them.
Then the teacher needs to back to school.
Retired
That's really only going to hurt you in the long-run, I can tell you that for sure. But the world is unfair, it can be comforting to just be upset at all the other people dealing with it too instead of looking inwards. I know I'm guilty of this. I'm trying not to be, though. I'm telling you, with experience you'll learn, it helps you to be nice. Also, ok you're burdened. How do you know the person you're being a jerk to isn't even more burdened than you? You can't actually tell by meeting someone for a minute. Just something to think about, no hate
I have this same take. After 14 years of avoidance, she has to be skeptical to be safe. It sucks to not immediately get credit for something we’ve worked hard on but that happens to all of us at times.
skeptical I understand, but to out right accuse me of seeking another source and secretly taking meds is beyond skeptic, especially when I have provided my detailed my detailed food and glucose log.
They accuse you of things because they see other people do these things.
She didn't accuse you. She asked you. I think you're overreacting quite a bit here. Diabetes is a serious deal and you doctor approached it as such, using proven methods and plans. You want to go it on your own, that's ok, but no need to get into an argument with your doctor over it. Don't fill the script, get a cgm (libre does a free first one still I think, and there are other otc versions that are less than $100/month. Not exactly cheap, but the amount of data you get is invaluable.
I know the VA has a bad rep, but 4 doctors in even a decade seems like a lot to me. Time to start looking at the other half of that relationship.
The other Docs that I have had have all been good, and moved on by their own choices, retirement, relocation ect. Most VA's have a rotating door of GP and nurses. A lot of them are Vets themselves and use it as a transitioning block form military to civilian practice. This is the first doc I have had any issues with.
I’d be angry too. I’m glad you’re getting a new doctor.
Skeptical is one thing. The doctor can ask specifics about a new lifestyle and changes made to make sure it’s safe. That’s what caring doctors do.
Doctors with an ego immediately do what OP’s doctor did because heavens forbid there are safe, more effective ways than what they suggested.
I agree 💯
assuming everything OP said is true, the doctor refused to provide the tools necessary to monitor blood glucose, and then accused OP of lying when their blood sugars dropped drastically. Now frankly, I am extremely skeptical that their blood sugars dropped that much to drop their A1c from 13 to 5 but (again assuming everything stated is correct) then OP absolutely has the right to be pissed off.
Why skeptical? I went from 12 to 5.7 in three months. Once I knew I had it, eating better took care of the problem.
The difference is you found out you had it and immediately took action. OP didn't.
He says he took action immediately after diagnosis.
I dropped mine from 11.8 to 5.3 in 3 months and then down to 5.1 in another 3 months. So in 6 months mine went from 11.8 to 5.1.
Also curious why you’re skeptical. Took a little bit less than 4 months for me to go from 14.1 to sub 6. It was a complete lifestyle change.
Very helpful, thanks
I agree. I too have ignored warning signs for at least 15 years if not 20. I’m at a point that minor to moderate changes are no longer cutting it. I’m literally at the line of being diabetic with a 6.2 a1c and fasting glucose of 125.
For the last 15 yrs that I have been "pre-diabetic" the only medical advice I was ever given was " Cut back on the sweets, walk a bit more and if you lose 40-50 lbs your risk should go way down" In 2023 I hit a lifetime high of 340 lbs, and it was a wake up call, by the time I had my exam in Aug of 2025 I had lost around 40 lbs, and honestly was feeling good. I had cut way back on soda, dessert was 2-3 times a week instead of every night, hitting my step goals 4-5 days a week and improving. I had already started making the changes before the diagnosis, just a bit to late to stop it. I am currently ( just weighed in this morning) at 235.
Doc has right to be skeptical. Doc has duty to not express it.
Doc should have addressed the difficulty in behavior change.
Yep. OP is totally in the wrong. They need to grow up and face facts or prepare to enjoy a very short future full of misery.
I’m a little confused about the test strip thing. For the VA; mine come in a container of 50. All of this is govt issue so if you ran out you could go to Walmart and buy more.
Well here I go! I was diabetic 10 years ago and did not give a ……. The reason being that my dad had it and took every chance he got to cheat. Never had any issues like neuropathy, eyes etc. So I felt the same way. I took the meds and did not change ANYTHING. Until a couple of months ago felt bad and hurt all over. I was lucky to move to another city and get a new Doc. He took the time and measures to get some tests and based on the results said it is neuropathy.
Looking at OP I find that he is allowed to take the measures that he wants to solve his diabetes and should be treated accordingly. He is the CLIENT and should be treated respectfully. On my end, I went and researched what supplements could help and discussed it with the Doc. Some he new others not but he said
I agree that the doctor should be respectful and that the OP has the right to make their own decisions about how to manage their health. The thing is people do get meds out of pocket from sources their doctors don't know about (and it is their right to do so), but it makes sense the doctor might ask the question. How they ask the question (respectfully or accusingly) is a different issue. It does sound like the OP and this doctor aren't a good match, hopefully the OP's insurance allows them to change doctors.
What??? Are you saying that insurance control who you see. Thank God it’s not the same here. We can choose but are on a waiting list because there is not enough resources. One is not any better than the other lol.
Yes and no.
The insurance provider decides who is in network and who isn't. You can choose to see a doctor out of network but it means that insurance won't pay for it.
What is really great is you can be at a hospital that is in network but end up being seen by a doctor who isn't. They are technically supposed to tell thst the doctor isn't in network so you don't get surprised by a bill but I don't think this happens as often as it should.
I also don't live in the States. I'm in Canada so my understanding of the American system is limited.
I don't know where you are. In the US, health care can vary a lot depending on your insurance and how much you can afford. Some plans require everything go through a primary care doctor, you can change, but that depends on finding another who is taking patients. Some require people to see doctors at specific in-network practices. If someone has the money to pay out of pocket, they have a lot more options.
The OP's health care is a little different since it is through the VA. I am not that familiar with it, other than my stepdad was veteran and he had to see specific doctors that worked for the VA. Sometimes his care was great, other time iffy. He had to travel to another city (an hour away) for specialized care a a VA hospital as well.
He can also get sicker and not properly address his illness by arguing with his doctor.
I am addressing the issue, the argument with the doc was due to the accusation of "secretly taking meds"
The fact that I have a chip is that I spent a large amount of time explaining I wanted to do it without meds, then she accused me of going else where to get the meds she offered me.
You went to a professional to seek medical help you had ignored for 14 years, then told the professional you didn’t want their help. The doctor was rightfully concerned. I’m glad to hear your A1c is down, but as others have pointed out, there are issues to monitor with rapid drops in your A1C. And for the love of god please don’t be one of those “put myself in ketosis” people.
Humm! Can this be compared to obesity. A patient is obese for the last 14 years, sees the doc. Doc wants to give meds. Patient says no, patient does it by himself and goes back to Doc. Patient gets accused of using Ozempic. IMO Doc is wrong.
I could take the same example for a smoker.
I don't care about "ketosis" I care about my glucose being in a healthy range, which it has been since 2 days after I got the news. I asked the Doc for 6 months to prove I could do it, when I am doing it and showing full proof, she accused me of basically cheating the system. To be `be honest the 14 yrs previous my A1C was between a 6 and 6.2, low tier "pre-diabetic" it jumped in one year to 13.5 after I started working out and had dropped about 30 lbs
Again congrats on the A1c. It seems like you didn’t post this question for answers, you have already decided for yourself.
I appreciate others input, I am in no way an expert on this, nor will I ever claim to be. I have been told in the past I have an abrasive personality, in certain situations, but I was more looking to see if the Doc really had a leg to stand on, accusing me of getting my meds somewhere else after refusing to take them from the VA.
I have been told in the past I have an abrasive personality
Yeah.
but I was more looking to see if the Doc really had a leg to stand on, accusing me of getting my meds somewhere else after refusing to take them from the VA.
Sounds like your doc said this facetiously, but either way, this is something most folks move on from quickly.
The A1C change that you described, in a short time, without medical intervention, is rare….even more rare in individuals that have ignored their pre-diabetes for years without any lifestyle changes. (It’s very admirable that you were able to accomplish this).
Instead of getting so personally offended (your MD doesn’t know you well enough to know your character, but they do know you ignored your pre-diabetes warning for years), just accept it as simple information gathering. They want to understand all measures taken to result in your blood work changes.
Also, note your doctor doesn’t set the crappy test strip coverage you have. Your insurance does….they were just informing you. While paying out of pocket long term is not appealing, paying for a cgm for a couple months can be very he
Lots of people lie to or hide things from their doctors, and she’s probably had it happen many times. Her skepticism is understandable from that perspective, and she has a certain amount of liability if she wasn’t reasonably thorough in understanding your process. She may not be the right person for you for any number of reasons, but you do seem to have a bit of an attitude as well. I’d be skeptical too of an “I’ll do it myself” response after 14 years of ignoring the advice, and people do drastic & dangerous things learned on social media all the time. Maybe it’s how she said it; maybe it’s how you heard it. Move on, your relationship is obviously damaged; but be clear about why so you can learn from it.
To be honest, I can't see what everyone's problem with you having your own feelings is, it's like the Dr was pissed at you because you wouldnt choose the only option they were offering you, you got yourself into the position your in and you were willing to put in the work to get yourself back to good health ( imagine anyone ever tried to do things to help themselves )
Your 100% right with your feelings and they aren't unfounded, because what you did was better than what they offerd you could ever have done, she got annoyed because you werent paying money to help yourself, now if it was type 1 then it would be a different story, but you knew what you had to do and you followed through, just because someone has went and got a doctorate in medicine doesn't mean they have your best interests
Very helpful, thanks
Very helpful, thanks
You sound kinda like me 6-8 years ago. I wish someone had slapped some sense into me back then. I'm currently on dialysis 3 times a week and have been waiting for a new kidney and pancreas for about two years.
can you tell me what mistakes to avoid? I mean, staying on top of my numbers and eating healthier seem like the more natural way to work with my body instead of trying to force it. Did you avoid meds too?
I avoided the meds, including insulin. I had always heard taking insulin would lead to insulin resistance, that's shat all the naturalists said while hawking their all natural supplements. Insulin resistance comes from not watching your diet and taking more and more insulin to make up for it. You need to be very strict with your diet, don't eat that extra piece of cake while thinking you can just take extra insulin to make up for it. My endo has told me he has patients on 200+ units of insulin a day, and they're whales, with diabetic numbers. I'm taking 8 units a day and my lady a1c was 5.6. Sounds great, but the damage has already been done. I can't speak to other meds, by the time I started taking it seriously (already stage 4 kidney failure) it was too late for other meds, they're tough
Thank you so much for the insight, I went into my lab tests and looked at all the numbers, not just the A1C. The only one that showed any concern I looked up what each test should read and discovered the numbers are different for diabetics, another thing I wish the doc had told me) was my LDL, it was about 15 points above range, but also has dropped 36 points since Sept. My kidney, liver and triglycerides are all showing healthy. s I have not seen an "endo" yet, just my primary care, a pharmacist and a nutritionist. I have increased my exercise, cut way down on my carbs, the "extra slice of cake" isn't an issue cause I don't have the first one anymore, I will allow myself a small serving (1/4 cup) of low carb ice cream, that hasn't shown to spike my blood at 15 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours,
go see an endocrinologist
You're allowed to fire a doctor if they're not working out for you.
One thing to note is that dropping glucose rapidly like that does have the potential to cause serious side effects:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8315201/
That's a risk, not a guarantee. Your doctor should have told you about this and encouraged a steady and gentle reduction.
Thank you for this link! I am T2, taking Metformin, and have made lifestyle changes. In the first 3 months, I went from HA1C of 10 to 5.5. Definitely had the postural hypotension, but I didn't realize I could cause more damage! Amazed I got away with it.
I am currently about a year post-diagnosis and was at 5.1 at my 9 month bloodwork. I have cut my Metformin in half and am pretty much in remission, according to my doctor.
That's great to hear!
And yeah, a lot of people think going back to 'normal' from being really elevated on the short term is the healthiest option, but our bodies aren't designed to handle that usually. I really wish more people knew taking it slow is better with this.
Thank you 🙂 I definitely think the first month was more gradual, but I was pretty sick with fatigue, and basically Christmas was canceled for me last year!
I am now doing up to an hour of cardio at a time and lost almost 40 lbs. Metformin was a game changer for me. I feel like I needed it all my life, even though I went from 5.5 to 10 in only 18 months - skipped right over the prediabetic phase altogether.
My hba1c was 11.5 at the start of 2025 and now it's 7, that drop happend in a matter of months from being on an insulin pump.
Obviously people have to be cautious depending on a lot of different things, everyone is different, I haven't seen OP mention that they have had any adverse effects from their hba1c dropping so quickly.
That's an umbrella caution that everyone is made aware of, not everyone will get problems.
Of course, I never said otherwise.
I know, but there's a lot of people here berating OP for having their own feelings by being called a liar by their GP.
I was never warned of this by my doctor or endocrinologist, so saying that everyone gets told this is false. I dropped my HA1C by 4.5 points in 3 months. I definitely had the postural hypotension (still do sometimes).
They did mention DKA as Keto is so popular, but nothing about too rapid of a drop. Mind you, my doctor was shocked at how fast I got things under control. I was at 5.1 in September, so a further drop. He rarely sees this, apparently.
I didnt say everyone was told it, I said everyone is made aware and there are obviously exceptions :)
That is awesome, the type of results I am hoping to show in 3 months, 6 months and 15 yrs from now .
Thank you - I feel amazing, especially compared to a year ago. My doctor referred me to a free online program called LifestyleRX - it's available in parts of Canada and the USA. It provided a lot of helpful information and motivation.
I also got a Fitbit and use an app called Track, by Nutritionix, to log my food, macros, and calorie deficit. It's free in the Google Play store if you're on Android.
Same here. FWIW, the article states that the risk seems mainly to be higher for type 1 patients. Not that this means there’s no risk at all to type 2s, of course. And it especially sucks for type 1 patients who are keen to get their blood glucose down ASAP.
I get the impression the doctor didn't have a chance to tell op too much.
Probably not, but this should be discussed with all newly diagnosed diabetics who have a pretty high A1C level at the time of diagnosis. Which didn't happen, OP's doctor didn't mention this until after the fact.
I had no idea, no mention of this to me at all, just "That could be dangerous"
That's literally her mentioning it.
To be fair they told op after the fact. This stuff should be talked about before someone goes to make drastic changes.
That’s a conversation that should have happened earlier don’t you think?
I did say that, yes.
No I meant your doctor should have told you beforehand if it was dangerous to drop your A1C so quickly, which doesn’t seem to make sense if the same thing happens when you take medication.
I'm not the OP
She mentioned (it could be dangerous, but never gave specifics and quickly moved to the whole " are you taking meds secretly ?" thing
A drop that large without medication is not impossible, but incredibly improbable, especially with a patient that has ignored medical advice for so long.
Your doctor is doing the right thing by questioning it. People can do drastic things when faced with such situations. There could be concerns about drug use (both legal and illegal), eating disorders, hyperactivity/insomnia, undiagnosed mental health issues.
You’re not paying your doctor to trust you, you’re paying them for medical advice. They are showing concern where it is potentially warranted.
And if you blew up at them as much as you’re fighting in the comments here, then that probably made them even more suspicious. “He doth protest too much”
I understand your point, and I was raised that if you ask for advice, then make sure you acknowledge it even if you don't take it. I have kept a detailed food and glucose log since 2 days after my diagnosis, and shared it with the Doc a few days before my appointment so thy could see the changes I have made, with the idea that I wanted them to know I was trying to do it right, and possibly even giving me notes on where I can make improvements or notice patterns or trends I may have missed. There is even a note in my medical file stating "Does not want meds unless it is %100 necessary" I know its there cause the ER Doc made a comment about it last visit there. I don't hold any moral high ground, religious or political beliefs as to why I don't like meds, I just don't and it could be my ego
Meds can stop the progress of the damage done, btw.
I got a facial palsy and feet issues.
Don't fuck around with the meds thing.
I don't know if this will mean much, but I lost my ability to whistle and speak the way I normally do.
I got my whistle back after 1 month [of meds and diet change] I still don't speak the way I used to though.
she's seen dozens of patients adopt extreme diet change only to regress. good luck. not sure what test strips have to do with it, though.
The test strip comment was basically cause I was told I need to monitor my blood sugar, so we are going to give you the supplies to test it 2x a week. With something like blood sugar that changes 100 times thru the day, 2 tests a week can not give you a clear picture, plus being that I was new into this I would need to find what foods, drinks and even activities had effects on my blood sugar. Its like a cop telling you to watch your speed, then blocking your speedometer.
nah, you need to check once in a while just to get an idea of where you are. not hundreds of $$s. you're not on drugs or insulin, you're not going low. you've blown this thing up way bigger than it needs be.
also, try paragraphs.
I may be blowing it out of proportion, but I am also new to it so I "need" as much data as I can get. I am down to 2 tests a day now, feeling like I am in a Maintenance Cycle, rather than a Repair one. I am doubtful as of right now that I will drop below 2 a day for at least another 6 months, but that can change as I gather more info
You can get OTC monitoring devices and supplies out of your own pocket as well.
Yeah, you are - but we already told you so, so I'm not sure what you're expecting now. Going off on medications to a community who owes their life to them is some really wretched abelist shit. And I highly recommend getting over that mindset because that day will come for you, most likely.
You're a non-compliant diabetic, who went on a crash course to correct a major health problem you ignored for over a decade. Take that in a minute.
Your doctor HAD to ask if you are medicating elsewhere, given the big decrease as the VA may not have civilian records.
You've done amazing work on your health. And while laudable, it can cause very dangerous health concerns, including anorexia, kidney damage, etc.
At this point, you seem more interested in being insulted than getting support managin
I am open to taking the meds if it is needed, that was part of the "negotiations" with my doc. I have kept detailed logs of food, glucose testing, activity logs all showing I am doing the work and creating sustainable changes. I am hoping that I can maintain a <6 A1C on my own for the rest of my life, but I am also aware that is a large order to fill. I had also began to lose weight through cutting back on portions, more movement daily, less soda more water ect before the diagnosis, dropping what I thought was the 40-50 pounds that I was told would make significant changes in my A1C and reduce the chances of this happening. I told doc that if I was not able to gain control and make corrections on my numbers with out meds then I will submit to the full regiment she suggests at the time. My
Great job on getting it done, especially after 14 years of ignoring it!! The next step is to sustain it.
The test strip limits can be set by your insurance, especially since you are not on insulin. However, 2 strips per week is awful. At a minimum, it would be 1 strip per day.
I think so too, I am now testing 2x a day instead of 6-8. I now just test fasting and 2 hours post dinner, the idea is to save my poor fingers and still keep a close eye on it
You can also try an over the counter continuous glucose monitor, like the Stelo.
Why do you even go to the doctor?
The initial visit was the yearly check up required by the VA, I was expecting, "Here are your tests results , getting a referral for my 2 yr eye exam as I need new glasses and see you next year." I don't have an inherit distrust or hatred for Doctors, and I believe that in drastic situations they are amazing at saving or improving lives. My diagnosis was presented to me when I mentioned to her during that visit that I had been extremely thirsty the last few months, and wasn't sure why. Her response, not looking away from the computer screen was "Oh? That probably your diabetes" flat tone... I was stunned and said "No, wrong chart, I'm not diabetic" or something to that effect, her response was something along the lines of "You are now". I'm not going to lie, the next 5-7 minutes of what
All other comments aside if you're paying out of pocket for testing blood sugar go to your local pharmacy and look for their brand generic meters and test strips. Calculate how much you'll be paying out of pocket based more on the test strip cost than the meter cost. It can be a drastic price difference compared to the one that the doctor pushes or the only one that the insurance will approve.
You can even get an A1C test.
Where would I go to get that done? any idea on the price?
Walmart edit seems sells home tests.
My local pharmacy has one. I have not used it, just that I've seen it there. I think it was around $20.
I have looked into it, the savings are not huge now that I am testing 2x a day, but I mentioned it mainly because I felt like there was no support being given for proper monitoring. Thank you for the good suggestion tho
If I buy strips for my Vario One Touch it's about $1 a strip. If I go with True Metrix it's about 33¢ a strip. This is for buying 100 strip at a time.
edit: These strips do not work in the machine they were not designed for. You have to buy the little machine but the true cost is the strips if you're testing more than once a day.
yeah you’re wrong. You’re working hard and that’s excellent! Not every doctor is a great cheerleader in general, and everyone can have an off day. The guidelines are for that high of an A1C to start medication right away. Not try the 3 month lifestyle change.
If you’re not on insulin or a glucose lowering agent, most type 2 diabetics don’t need to check their sugars very often. Unless you feel unwell. But especially on a diet and exercise plan only, that would be excessive and expensive for no reason. People with high blood pressure who are trying diet and exercise don’t check their blood pressures constantly.
Your excessive thirst was most certainly due to the high sugars. And could still be that way depending on how long your A1C was elevated.
Dm2 is a genetic and age disease, at s
Why in the actual hockey puck are you making an enemy out of your doctor? Great progress but holy shit, your doctor literally doesn’t care about the emotions involved in this procedure, especially since you didn’t either for 14 years. Your doctor will have food on the table regardless of whether or not they asked to verify if you’ve been sneaking pills. Also, just buy your testing strips from Amazon Germany or something, get a little bit creative at least instead of being naive. You only get one body. Finally, just put your ego aside and listen to the person who spent decades training just to have the right to ask you “if you snuck your pills”. Sorry OP, that’s the truth, our diabetic doctors do not sugarcoat, insulin is expensive.
This wasn't a Diabetic Doc, this was a GP, the primary care doc assigned by the VA. If I was going to take the meds, why would I deny them from her and go to a secondary source to get them? Doc wasn't asking if I took a few extra, or a higher dose, basically accused me of lying about my aversion to meds if it can be handled naturally and the then accused me of going behind her back to get the meds anyways, and for a point of clarification, this was said with a slight accusatory tone, as this doc has 3 basic tones, robot, your lying and it was great to see you.
Nobody likes being called a liar. Your feelings are valid.
Imagine you told the Dr their doctorate was fake, you reckon they would be happy about that ? .
Get relion strips from Walmart or cheap ones from Amazon. It should not be hundreds of dollars a month without a script
test strips are cheap. just buy them yourself.
I’ve literally never used insurance. 😂 I have a Countour Next One. I but strips from Walmart and it’s like 70 for $25.
Chances are, you will not sustain a good A1C well into the future without proper medication support.
Doctors deal with patients that claim they check their glucose levels as directed, which most endocrinologists expect is 4 times a day. Many insurance companies will not pay for supplies for 4 times a day. It sucks.
Diabetes WILL likely be what leads to your death as it does with most diabetics. Fighting with your doctor is one thing, but I'd suggest a better attitude because you literally ignored it for over a decade and likely did damage to your organs because of it. Why would a doctor believe you achieved a low A1C without medication when you did nothing to help yourself for literal years?
Do what you want and find a different doctor, but do you really blame the doctor for not belie
Yeah, you wrong
You can get a whole set up of strips and monitor thing at Walmart for like, super cheap. Pretty sure strips are less than $10. Which yes it's not free, but it's also no where near 100s
Go to walgreens, and get the Contour Next glucometer, and the the corresponding Contour Next teststrips. The strips are 37 for 70. Over the counter. There is always an affordable option. If you want cheaper, walgreens has their own store brand meters and strips. But the Countout Next stuff is my go to. You will have to get a lancet device if you need one. But those, and the lancets are also cheap. I have the Accu-Check FastClix device. It uses drum lancets which hold 6 individual lancets. The lancets are usually 22 to 25 for a box of 102. So that is extremely cost effective. I went without insurance for a while, so I know a few this pain in the ass dosorder when it comes to managing it on a budget.
I am currently sourcing mine from Amazon, I get 100 strips for $70-$75 on the Freestyle Freedom Light
My insurance covers a decent amount of strips (touching wood, they made some changes I need to look into). I have heard from others that Walmart's generic meter and strips are among the more affordable for people paying out of pocket.
Walmart is 30 minutes from me, and Walgreens is about 10. I'm not picky about my overall spending at this point as I have insurance, and I have a CGM and only have strips and a glucometer as a backup for sensor failures, or to make sure I don't have false lows when it yells at me in crisis mode. I currently don't pay anything for my diabetic supplies. It's fully covered by my insurance; my CGMs, my insulin, and my pump supplies. And that's for a month each.
The Dexcom Stelo CGM is available OTC and runs about $90 for 2 monitors. They last about 15 days per sensor.
I have the Libre 3+ as my insurance doesn't cover Dexcom, and Libre is completely covered. But it's a trade off I'll take over paying 180 a month even though I miss using G7. I get insulin and pump supplies completely covered.
Those are some of the most expensive strips you can get... there are cheaper (and just as accurate) options.
You could even opt for a Stelo or Lingo and still likely come out ahead.
They're one of the better options where I live. And I got them via what prior insurance would cover forever ago. So I just buy the strips for what I have. But I only have them as a backup since I have Libre 3+. I hardly ever need to buy them. I bought this one two canister pack of 35 each a few weeks ago after 3 or so months. So the cost for me, overall is cheaper currently.
LOL!!! I was reading this not understanding, but then I got to the part where you mentioned the VA. I completely understand. Their care is really hit or miss.
those strips are very cheap on Amazon compared to your worry of $100s of dollars cost - I think I get 100 for about $30
the hundreds of dollars was when I was testing 6-10 times a day, I am down to 2 tests a day now. What is the testing kit you use for 100 at $30, I may switch
TrueMetrix
You can get test strips online pretty cheap. No prescription needed .
you could have went to any store that has a pharmacy and either A) looked to see if they have any drugstore meters and strips on the shelves or B) asked them if they carry any and if not can they call another pharmacy.
my meter? $25. my strips per box that contains i think 100 test strips.. $4.
I dont knownwhere you are but I am SURE there is a drugstore around you that has test strips and a meter to go with those specific ones.
sincerely a type one of 22 years whos bought so many meters its insane
I have heard this too about dropping A1C too fast is not healthy? You made a very dramatic change and it will help you live longer but perhaps they are a doctor for a reason
You can get a meter and test strips very reasonably at Amazon or probably your neighborhood drugstore. It does not require a prescription. I would probably find a different doctor too.
That being said, I manage my diabetes by watching what I eat, and just walking and other exercise has made a HUGE difference. Also I somehow lost weight , maybe because I am getting older?
ANYWAY. I used to take Metformin ER 500mg and it helped keep my numbers reasonable then. It's a relatively benign and inexpensive drug with a long history. I hope you are able to get those numbers down because uncontrolled diabetes will take your legs, your eyesight, and eventually kill yo
Jeeze how much are you paying for strips, here I get 50 accucheck guide strips for 750 bhat, or about 22 dollars. 50 is a month and a half.
Not if you check 5-10 times a day... which you can need to do if it's not under control, possibly even more if taking insulin or something.
If you are testing that much you would be better (and cheaper) getting a CGM.
I mostly agree, but a CGM is easily $50/week, and you can get test strips for under $0.25. Even if you did 10x a day that is under $20/week.
I feel bad for my docs having to constantly deal with non compliant patients. Skeptical is right. They hear the same thing over and over. That said if you don’t connect at all with this doctor it’s better if you find another.
I understood her being a skeptic at the beginning, when I was fighting full on denial and she tested my blood on the spot. However I have been keeping a strict food and glucose log ( btw I never really realized how much coffee I drink until this) and sent it to her 3 days prior to our meeting. She claimed to have reviewed it, even with a quick glance you can see that my carb intake is way down, my glucose numbers started a steady trend down and I have changed my eating habits that I admitted were horrible in the beginning. I was eating a small sugary snack for breakfast, then a huge dinner late at night and snacks just before bed. Now I am eating 3-5 meals a day, all much smaller and making sure I do 15- 25 minutes of movement after every one. I have also lost @ 30 lbs between visits.
See! being able to monitor blood sugars more closely would have allowed you to thoroughly explain WHEN and what positively impacted your BS. But it can still be briefly described. If this is a 3 month follow up that is a HUGE change forsure but all it’s saying it that you been eating dangerously unhealthy mixed with lack of exercise. The screams extreme life change.
How much of a lifestyle change did you make? And what were those changes ? Was that discussed at all?
I know it suck to be accused of something you didn’t do and want to be congratulated but give her some grace and understanding either she never seen that before or that she was never told it’s possible. Regardless if she makes you uncomfortable, fair enough switch doctors.
I have cut my sugar or carb intake down to about 40-70 g a day, I have found a lot of simple recipe changes like almond/ coconut flour, a lot of home cooking, I changed out potatoes for rutabaga, and pork rinds for chips. I constantly make myself move 15-25 minutes after every meal. Simple things like walking in place, side step, taking the dog out ect. Also I now eat 3-5 small meals a day instead of a donut with coffee for breakfast and a 2000 cal dinner followed by snacking just before bed. I try not to eat after 8 pm and I end every day with a 30 gram cheese stick and a glass of Apple Cider Vinegar with mothers water.
Good for you op!!!! 🤍
someone posted :
You should def be concerned about ketosis. It can literally kill you. Trust me, it almost killed me. You literally burn from the inside out.
Do you know what it is? If not, here's a crash course. It's enough sugar in your blood to become acidic because there's not enough insulin to absorb the sugar, so the body breaks down fats instead, which becomes acidic ketones. Don't take this disorder lightly. It can easily kill you, and people have died from it. I've come close several times. Try listening and giving a shit when you ask for advice and there are several of us extremely experienced in proper management. Especially listen to your medical. "
I tried to respond , but it got deleted, so here is my response
what are some of the signs or symptoms I should be on the
This person was referring to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which is extremely dangerous and is due to lack of insulin and your body producing acidic ketones that build up in your blood. Symptoms can be a combo of the following, extreme thirst, frequent urination, fruity breath, vomiting, loss of consciousness/deliriousness. It is more common in T1D than T2D (not saying it can’t happen with T2D).
We use a blood ketone meter to check ketone levels if any of the Symptoms above are present along with high blood sugars. They also sell Urine ketone strips, that can be used to identify ketone levels in the urine.
That is a little ironic for me, not trying to be disrespectful, but since I have been making the changes my extreme thirst and frequent urination has disappeared, and I feel like a brain fog has been lifted. I am not sure about the fruity breath ( I consume about 8 cups of black coffee a day, and my breath reflects that). I haven't vomited in 3 yrs, and that was due to kidney stones. Are there any subtle signs I should be on the look out for, or are these them? Does it always have to be with High Blood Sugar to this ( My highest reading since 2 days after is 148, and hasn't been over 135 in 4 weeks with a monthly average of 114 for Dec)
Yes that’s because those symptoms are also associated with high blood sugar. If your blood sugar is in normal range you won’t have those symptoms.
Having any of those symptoms doesn’t mean you’re in DKA. My son had all but the vomiting upon his diagnosis, as well as a severe weight loss, but his blood test didn’t show large ketones so they didn’t declare DKA. High blood sugar that isn’t coming down, vomiting and large blood ketones are usually an indicator - as well as people going into a coma (extreme case but lots of kids are extremely sick when diagnosed). For reference my son’s blood sugar was 576 at diagnosis - an example of the high blood sugar I was talking about.
Also, T2D still produce insulin, as opposed to T1D who can’t, so the lack of insulin issue and leading to DKA is not
No , someone can have normal blood sugar and still have dangerously high ketones. Euglycemic DKA.
You can have euglycemic DKA. Normal sugars and still almost /actually die. Need to check ketones if extreme changes or if feeling unwell
how often should I check?
For diet and exercise only? Most I wouldn’t have check unless they feel unwell or maybe a few times over the month to get an estimate of how you’re doing. The A1C is the true marker of progress for diet controlled t2 typically. Obligatory note, I’m not your doctor and this is medical discussion/education not advice, but there are some things that can cause a falsely high A1C, though it would be more rare - some blood disorders can cause unreliable A1C , iron deficient anemia can as well as liver or kidney disease. If your lifestyle change meant that you stopped drinking or started eating healthier and therefore corrected a nutrient deficiency that can cause iron deficiency anemia. This type of anemia can cause artificially high A1C. It would be interesting to know your hemoglobin CBC res
Wow, I generally like to give people the benefit of the doubt so I can kind of see what your doctor may have been asking. But I don't understand why she didn't explain it better to you. She can't expect you to know what you don't yet know. That's one area where I think this doctor did wrong. I can see why she would want to confirm whether you are taking meds (like gray market glp-1) she doesn't know about or even some supplements (like berberine). But she could preface the question with an explanation, of course, she needs to know what meds and supplements you are using. And there are risks with rapid drop in A1C, but I feel she should have walked you through that when you said you wanted to spend six months seeing how much you can improve with lifestyle.
One of the protocols the VA has is that they ask you a series of "form questions" during your check in while getting your vitals, like height weight, blood pressure ect. they ask the standard depression questions, are you in pain today ect, and there are the questions about tobacco, alcohol, meds and supplements. Those answers are given to the Doc before they call you in for the main visit, Thats why I feel like she was basically calling me a liar by accusing me of taking meds from another source.
Yeah, I can see why you would feel that way in that case. There's so much to learn and changes to make with a new diagnosis like this, it doesn't help if you feel like your doctor isn't on your side.
You are very much not in the wrong. There is no point in continuing to see a doctor who's going to accuse you of taking unprescribed medication!
In your docs defense, that drop without meds is prob like pinnacle of her career level amazing. Kudos to you on doing that. That is astonishing.
Get a CGM. I think you can get a free freestyle libre 3 for15 days. Probably not good enough long term, but if you use that along with test strips. Also, you can get strips pretty cheap off of ebay and amazon. You don't need a prescription for test strips or CGM, but you probably do for insurance. Thirst could be from it being high, or could be from dropping fast. If you are stable, your thirst should be more normal, and make sure you drink mostly water and less diet pop to quench your thirst until it's stable.
Did you give blood anytime in about 3 months prior to your blood work? That can artificially lower your A1C as it's based on the coating of the red blood cells, and giving blood makes your body replace those cells quicker bringing the average amount of sugar seen by each ce
Walmart relion strips are very affordable. Much less them 100 a month.
Problem solved.
yes.
Please explain why you think I am wrong, I am not trying to argue, but would like your full point of view so we can have a proper discussion
other have covered it very well. i am not your dancing monkey. you asked, i answered.
No harm in trying all options before jumping on the medication train. Having enough strips to test properly would have helped, but you could pick up relion strips @ Walmart for cheap. VA doesn’t give many strips anyhow, they’re pushing us all to CGM which is actually great. I buy my own strips. In any case, I find it easier to try and get along with my primary care provider… and also do what I know works for me.
I think your reaction to your doctor is just you still being in denial. It doesn’t matter what tone she talked to you with, whatever she said is nothing but the truth and her question absolutely valid.
You need to let your doctor help you. You have to remember that it is because of her diagnosis that you finally decided to put an effort into changing your lifestyle.
And that nonchalance you say? That is experience showing. She see cases like yours everyday. And she was right. And this is why you need to trust her. Meds are only going to save your life, not take it away from you.
I had actually began making changes prior to, lost almost 40 lbs, as directed by my doc and wife. I was told that 40-50 lbs would make a significant change in my A1C, which it did, from a 6.2 to a 13.5. I admit it may have been a little to late, but still accusing me of taking meds in secret was uncalled for IMO
I've been reading all of this and kind of relating to it. I've been type ll for 20 years+. My doctor at the time started me on metformin, 500mg 2x per day. At some point my sugars started spiking into the 200's with no change in diet. We added ozempic and it was controlled very well. My a1c was usually around 5.5 with a fbs in the upper 90's to low 100's. Then I moved to a new city. My doctor seems completely uninterested. My sugars started to climb into the 200's again. I asked about increasing metformin. His response was "well you are diabetic". He finally complied and we increased to 1500 mg per day. I asked about a cgm and he said "you just want to see how certain foods affect you". I said correct. After about 3 months he finally prescribed the cgm. The past couple of
I don't think you are at all, its your life and your support team should be just that a support team, if the doc doesn't care, then they are not going to do good work, never mind their best to help you.
You can easily order test strips from Amazon. They are fairly cheap with no RX needed. Here’s one with monitor & everything needed.
I am type 1, but have a lot of close family members with Type 2. I would say it is safer and easier to start meds, esp. to help lose weight or at least increase insulin sensitivity. It is very hard on your entire body to have an A1C of 13.5, it is incredibly abnormal and weight loss takes time and isn’t 100% effective in that state. You do not have time on your side, and medication gives you time. It is easier to reduce meds vs. trying to do it cold turkey, and actually meds like Ozempic and wegovy can have a falling off point, so changing your lifestyle will be easier with the meds. You could transition off of them. Muscle resistance needs to be built while using the meds, so you can still do your lifestyle changes.
Insulin resistance makes weight loss incredibly hard, and weight loss i
The doctor is right to question how this changed so quickly after 14 years of avoidance.
As for test strips, most insurance companies only approve three most expensive brands and a minimum number. Walmart Relion glucometer and test steps are cheap and reliable. So it's Contour brand. I get 50 test strips for under $40.
Good on you for getting your numbers down. It CAN be done for type 2 with proper diet and exercise, but it takes dedication.
Keep monitoring though. It's easier to get your numbers up than it is to keep them down.
You ignored the diabetes for so long that you could be causing very real damage. Taking metformin genuinely isn't a big deal, having complications from diabetes is. I would just accept the help where it is being given, I know it's not favourable but the possible negatives are worth taking a couple of tablets
Yes. If the doctor is unhappy about your a1c dropping from 13.5 to 5.9 then definitely change doctors. Priorities completely warped.
Your results are cause for celebration and encouragement and the sort of results a doctor should be exhilarated to see.
You should be their poster child at their clinic!
There are many other doctors that would be very excited at your results!
You are missing exercise in your routine. Very important to get that blood flowing. And you need to drink lots of water. Im type 2. I always ate ok. But got a bit lazy. My vision started getting blurry and thats when I went to get checked out. My sugar levels were at 320 . That was 4yrs ago. Meds are very important but they affect different organs in your body. And if I skipped a day on my meds I'd get paranoid. Modifying my diet, exercising and staying hydrated has brought my sugar down to 90-140. I know it should be 60-90 . But I'm good and my vision has improved. These doctors want to push the meds. They're licensed drug traffickers. Don't go crazy with the diet thing. And dont forget your push-ups and either walk or jog atleast 3 times a week. Stay 💪
I have a timer set on my phone, I do 15-25 minutes after every meal, marching in place, squats, Tai Chi movements, kettle bells ect. I also do at least 2 hikes a week, around 2-5 miles depending. I have had 5 knee surgeries since my time in the Marines ( one of the reasons I started losing weight before my diagnosis) so jogging has lost any and all appeal.
Remember Metmorfin effects the liver.
Don't even use the VA for diabetes, they are federal and everyone gets treated the same way.
Im T1 have had it my entire life and jave been through times that it got out of control and ive seen more then my share of doctors and i think your right to ask for another doc so far as blowing up im not gonna judge bc i wasnt there to see or hear what actually happened but if your doctor isnt giving you the support you need its time to change and i dont just mean u should look for a doctor who agrees with whatever u say they are literally paid to be smarter than average person in the subjects thats why we go to them but if they are making choices and assumptions based off of anything other then scientific and or provable facts they shouldnt be practicing medicine in my opinion
Hi, thanks for sharing your story. It's an inspiration to see folks make progress on diet, exercise and cutting carbs. Was wondering if you ever did experience any of the potential side effects of dropping A1C rapidly?
the 2 "side effects" I have noticed ( not counting a drop in my A1C) is the loss of about 33 lbs in 3 months and I am no longer perpetually thirsty.
10 pounds a month is not bad at all. I commend you, op. It's wild to me that your doctor doesn't believe you since their mantra is usually diet and exercise will change your diabetes. It's kind of crazy. And no one here knows your level of pancreatic function, we are all different.
To be honest when she first told me I was diabetic it was like she was telling me I had 2 feet, matter of fact, no follow up info except "here are the meds I have already written up for you"
I've told friends who were prediabetic to stop drinking sugary soda. Sometimes it's just a simple lifestyle change if your pancreas is still good that brings your numbers down. The VA is the VA though. So much easier to throw pills at everyone.
I know that in US due to the private enterprise "medical system" meds etc are stupidly expensive but the hundreds of dollars for test strips was, I thought, a bit of an exaggeration. Here they are £15 to £29 a hundred and that inclde the lancets. However the best way to monitor blood glucose is by CGM. Being T2 I can't get them on prescription but I buy them 2 at a time £100 for the 2 postage included and a quick check on google shows they are an equivalent sort of price there. You get the readings and graphs on you mobile and within days you can work out what portion size of what things you can eat. So effectively you can get away with just 1 cgm every couple of months
When I first started I wanted all the data points I could get, what foods, drinks and activities had effects. I was testing 6-10 times a day for 3 months, at 100 strips for $70-$75. I since established a large pocket of comfortable foods and drinks, and know which activities are the most helpful I am now testing 2x a day ( fasting and 2 hours after dinner), with the plan to test 1 hour after new foods to ensure they are not spiking me. As well as my distrust for meds, I hate tech tracking my vital info. ( big surprise here, I am a 50 yr old male, I drive a 94 truck that my son and I have basically re-built)
Definitely not in the wrong. Your doctor is should be a partner in your journey not someone who questions you. Also if you'd like, there are continuous glucose monitoring sensors that constantly track your glucose levels. A bit pricier but good to help you understand which foods spike you.
for the first 3 months I was testing before I ate, 15 minutes after and 2 hours after. After getting my new A1C and having, what I consider, a good grip on the foods to avoid and the ones to stick with, I have gone down to fasting number and 2 hours after dinner. If I try a new food that could be questionable I will test 2 hours after that specific one. I am keeping a detailed food log and reading log for this purpose, that I shared with that Doc 3 days prior to my last appointment.
I’m curious about your list of foods to avoid? Can you provide a complete list? I understand “carbs” but I’m looking for specifics.
Unfortunately, everyone is different and we all react to different foods differently.
Often times what one person can tolerate another can't.
The best way to figure out what foods work for you is to test and see what happens.
Test you blood sugar before you eat and then again at 1hr and then 2hrs after. You want your blood glucose to be no higher than 10mmol (180 mg) at the 2 hr mark after eating.
Adjust foods and/or portion sizes based on your results.
Yes, that's what I wrote lol! A
Look up the Glycemic Index on foods. You want to stick with low to mid range. People respond differently to different foods, so what works for 1 might be different for another- but this index is a good guide. Also important to include protein and healthy fats with carbs to slow digestion and reduce spikes.
The glycemic index can be misleading due to the way the amounts of foods needed to arrive at the required carb amount (15g) and only gives part of the picture. It's outdated now and hasn't really seen any significant research (that I know about) in 3-4 decades, since some time in the 80s. It is also not reflective of typical serving sizes that are consumed.
As an example: watermelon has a glycemic index of 75 as snickers bar has a glycemic index of 51. Looking at this data alone, the snickers bar seems the better choice.
Looking at glycemic load however, watermelon is 5 and snickers is 18. Here watermelon is the better choice.
If you are going to use an index, glycemic load isna much better option to choose. It will tell you how a food may potentially affect you. How quickly it may sp
Glycemic index / load
for me was HUGE in this battle, my wife found that term and I latched on like a prize bass lol. I checked every food for like 6 weeks, then I started checking just new ones. This was how I found out a small handful of blueberries or strawberries were ok and cruciferous vegs were excellent. I can't tell you how much broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower I have eaten. Also substituting rutabaga for potato has been a game changer for me as it has very little to no effect on my glucose levels.
Nicely done! That’s a great way to do it
thank you.
Just going by the original post, it sounds like both the doctor and OP are wrong in different ways.
OP, I am sorry it sounds frustrating and is a lot to take in. I am impressed you were able to go from 13.5 A1C to 5.9 A1C. I can't even imagine! Mine was around 7.5 at diagnosis and was 5 last time I checked and I was a little paranoid about damaging my eyes. A very rapid drop is associated with risks of eye damage and possibly other things. If your eyes are fine, good for you! That's a decent A1C, and it reflects that you made some real changes.
The accusation of using secret meds is super weird, especially if your insurance requires seeing a primary care doctor. But, I kind of get why she might ask, some people use telehealth services to get glp-1 or even metformin (one of the big tele
You have a right to change doctors at the VA. You have every right to change doctors if what they advise goes against your beliefs.
I have officially asked for a new PC, they have told me it could take a few months, I said i don't care, I don't want to see her again.
Just stick with your routine, too!
Keep track of her name in case you wish to provide her with further reference of how well you have been doing. My GP claims that doctors do pay attention to results that are otherwise dismissed as being anecdotal.
My opinion is you show an excellent grasp of what is advisable to do to improve your health. I can give some more ideas gained from my own experience since 1981. Even though I am a complete T1D since 2011, I feel sure I wasn't even diabetic for the first 19 years. So that's why I respect someone who wants to do things like you are doing them. More power to you and that's why my suggestions could help. I am not promoting anything. I could suggest some books that were helpful in my learning over the decades.
any tools I can put in the box that are not medicine based are extremely welcome. I don't like meds of any sort, I have no real reason other than its my ego to try and do it natural instead of pills or shots.
However what about supplements? How much do you appreciate vegetables?
Were you aware of the importance of potassium to balance the sodium potassium pump system in the body?
Which country are you in as I don't memorize everything as I read people's accounts. The reason I mention "country" is I am going to find a way to import from Spain a supplement for potassium that would mean only one per day. Currently I have been taking 4 tiny tablets and still found out that is way too little even so.
Learning about the sodium potassium pump system from Dr Eric Berg suddenly solved a problem I have had for so long.
I have increased my veggie intake, mainly the cruciferous ones to help regulate my glycemic index. This is the first time anyone has mentioned potassium to me as far as helping controlling the blood sugar. I will try to look it up, thank you!! If you don't min me asking, what was the issue it solved ?
I used to have the opposite leg swell on the right, but that has been solved with one course of antibiotics years ago, so 4 years ago the left leg became a problem so my GP sent me for ultrasound analysis of arteries and the technician said there wasn't any problem anywhere.
So as of just about 1 month my legs look similar again. I feel certain it's a result of more potassium, but as of the last 6 weeks when the greatest improvement happened I also started to add about 2 spoons of Moringa Leaf powder to my 750 g container of plain yogurt that I mix up with several supplements and then keep in the fridge to have a few spoonfuls if my Freestyle Libre 2 sensor gives a low alarm.
That container then equals about 7 servings and I also add in more protein powder to it.
The Moringa Leaf pow
Not only are you not wrong, you are advocating for yourself in a way a lot of people are scared to. It's not like you're drug shopping. You're doing the opposite, in fact. If your doctor was concerned, there are many other ways it could have been said, even without sugar coating it.
I don't agree those doctors get a kickback from big pharma and its a big scam because all they go to school for is to treat the symptoms and not provide a cure. Not that I blame them its almost not there choice. I had a doctor a long time ago who gave me prescriptions by going in a room in his office and giving me the meds. He had these salesmen come in with brief cases and give him samples so he had a stock pile of medications. I think taking a more holistic approach is something I would do. His doctor has a shit bedside manor.
No support from medical professionals is a huge problem for diabetics and overweight people. Doctors are now drug pushers so when a patient wants to try a dietary/lifestyle change the standard response is you won’t be able to sustain. They pop your bubble before you even start
I’ve learned not to ask questions of my doc. Listen to podcasts and YouTube for motivation and, as bad as it sounds, advice
Medical schools in the US teach approximately zero hours on nutrition and exercise, even though these are massive contributors to almost every chronic health condition. Just something to think about…
Congratulations on some outstanding progress.
You're absolutely within your rights to fire this PCP or even the entire care team. You want to speak to the patient advocate or ombudsman and make your concerns clear there. There was no excuse for your doctor to bully you or accuse you of lying, and I think you need to make those statements by the doctor clear to the patient advocate.
You should also specifically ask for a referral to endocrinology.
You should also pull your medical records via My HealtheVet and the blue dot export system and make sure you haven't been marked non-compliant.
I'm a vet and I get all of my medical care through the VA. I'll come back to this later today to add some more information as I think about it.
have actually checked that before in the past, right after my first meeting. She wrote a note to the effect of "Patient wants to try the "no-med" approach, will test again in 3 months and have prescriptions ready"
Nope. You have the right to choose a new doc if you and the current one don’t see eye to eye. Remember, doctors are human and like the rest of the human race, they come with all kinds of personality shortcomings too.
Buy lingo cgm month supply is 90$ and if they fall off early they’ll send an entire new sensor. Works far better then a test strip in giving you a full picture of your blood sugar health rather then just a snapshot
Everyone bickering about what’s not important and discoursing about their opinions
Give real advice and who cares if you agree with or don’t agree with the op
Get a new doc.
Same situation here. Doc just wanted to throw meds at me. I wanted to try it my way first. She however believed me when I said I didn’t take them
You are not wrong! I just change doctors and feel he is interested in my issues and tries to find a solution.
Can you help me understand why can’t you purchase strips on your own. I am not familiar with VA. Thank you.
I have been purchasing them on my own, I have spent a few hundred dollars in doing so due to my almost obsessive monitoring regiment for the 1st 3 months. I just feel 2 a week is not sufficient if they really want to help me reverse this
TY
I feel you have done very well in controlling your hba1c without taking meds and by lifestyle congrats , by taking meds you had been doing the same thing bringing hba1c to this range . Bravo. I feel meds cause more side effects even hba1c is managed by it.
I worry about side effects too, and I am only 1/2 through my 6 months. I am trying to created sustainable changes so I can control it naturally for years to come.
I had my hba1c 10.3 when diagnosed in year 2021 managed it through diet and walk keeping my hba1c in range from 5.6 to 6.6 without med yes it is very difficult to do it u need lot of lifestyle discipline yes some time after meal blood do spike but after 2hrs it gets mostly in normal range but I feel by taking med same is the target to be achieved by the doc
One thing my wife and I did was to join a local walking group. lol I told her we are officially old because of this
Nope. Kiss the doc. Goodbye. There are too many docs out there that believe way too much in their egos. That the only way is what they prescribe, and when you go against that, it makes them look bad to their staff and other customers. Yes, I said customers and not patients. There are still good docs out there with lots of experience, but you will have to wade thru a few to find a good one and hope you can keep them for a while.
get a better physician. I know this can be tough in some areas but you need a physician who yu can work with reasonably.
Sometimes we can fire our doctors, we've done that and feel better for it. Even though we have insurance we buy test strips and needles out of pocket. Long story short hubby started with oral meds and progressed to insulin, lost 100 pounds and went off insulin. Doctor was flabbergasted and wasn't happy either. Ended up off all meds for a few years and then back on oral meds and now on insulin & possibly from T2D to T1D due to immunotherapy. YES IT CAN HAPPEN because the medication can essentially fry the pancreas. The medical professionals aren't always the greatest, so research helps, ask questions and if you're not happy then look for another doctor
No youre not wrong. I dont have the time to explain why youre not wrong. Youre justified in any part of your personal healthcare decisions because its your life. Take care 🙂 💕
Any word on availability for under-18?
You MUST feel comfortable with your doctor. If not, change them!