The Sad Truth about Doctors and Type II's

Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in
their practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a
lot of their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in
terms of money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today,
endocrinologists are declining in numbers for these very reasons.

Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office
expenses, insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully
support.

Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.

Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take their
meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress down a
well traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move down this
road, the job for the physician gets more difficult having to employ
more expensive and exotic drugs to solve the developing problems while
the patient complains more and their condition worsens. Phew!

So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be
solved including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors
that are almost intractable to change.

I say almost, but not impossible.

We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess. We
can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
condition.

Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the ways
to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that is
manageable if you care to do the work.

You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to
stay healthy

And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.

You can do this.

Now, go do the right thing.

Uncle Enrico wrote:
> Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in
> their practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a
> lot of their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in
> terms of money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today,
> endocrinologists are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds
> that most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office
> expenses, insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully
> support.
>
> Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors
> advise them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a
> diabetic patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely
> to see the patient as someone who will suck up their time to little
> effect.
> Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
> diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take
> their meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress
> down a well traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move
> down this road, the job for the physician gets more difficult having
> to employ more expensive and exotic drugs to solve the developing
> problems while the patient complains more and their condition
> worsens. Phew!
> So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
> greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be
> solved including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors
> that are almost intractable to change.
>
> I say almost, but not impossible.
>
> We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess.
> We can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
> condition.
>
> Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the
> ways to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that
> is manageable if you care to do the work.
>
> You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to
> stay healthy
>
> And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.
>
> You can do this.
>
> Now, go do the right thing.
===========================================
Good post!

Simple truth...if we do not take care of ourselves...
we cannot...should not...expect anyone else...Doctor
or otherwise to do it for us.

--

John Inzer

On Nov 5, 6:29 am, Uncle Enrico <un...@nospam.com> wrote:
> Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in
> their practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a
> lot of their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in
> terms of money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today,
> endocrinologists are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
> most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office
> expenses, insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully
> support.
>
> Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
> them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
> patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
> patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.
>
> Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
> diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take their
> meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress down a
> well traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move down this
> road, the job for the physician gets more difficult having to employ
> more expensive and exotic drugs to solve the developing problems while
> the patient complains more and their condition worsens. Phew!
>
> So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
> greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be
> solved including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors
> that are almost intractable to change.
>
> I say almost, but not impossible.
>
> We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess. We
> can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
> condition.
>
> Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the ways
> to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that is
> manageable if you care to do the work.
>
> You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to
> stay healthy
>
> And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.
>
> You can do this.
>
> Now, go do the right thing.

Amen!

Best regards,
Michelle C., T2
diet & exercise

"Uncle Enrico" <uncle@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:MxHXi.17231$Pv2.2197@newssvr23.news.prodigy.n et...
> Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in their
> practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a lot of
> their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in terms of
> money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today, endocrinologists
> are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
> most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office expenses,
> insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully support.


the doctors we get to see are a very small part of the medical field.
they are basically the mouth piece for the doctors that do have the time
in fact that is what they get trained and paid for.

The American Diabetes Association Research Program supports basic and
clinical diabetes research aimed at preventing, treating, and curing
diabetes. The diabetes research projects we support cover the spectrum from
islet cell biology and transplantation techniques, to studies in education
and behavioral issues. We have increased our support for diabetes research,
from providing $18 million in 1999, to providing $46.4 million in 2006.

The ADA Research Funding program is designed to complement the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) diabetes research program by supporting new
investigators and new research ideas. With support from ADA, investigators
are often able to prove that their ideas are solid enough to get more
substantial funding from the United States federal government.


>
> Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
> them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
> patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
> patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.


in reality how many people diabetic and non diabetic dont do all what
their doctor tells them to do?
If you feel that doctors look at diabetics like that you must also feel
that they look at all not as healthy as they can be people.

>
> Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
> diabetics,

unfortunately there is also alot of misleading information.
the internet is becoming more and more like a commercial every day.
not just use net but all the internet.

"Gantlet" <Tom@TomsDiabeticDiary.com> wrote in message
news:qPJXi.2684$bm.2609@trndny08...
> unfortunately there is also alot of misleading information.
> the internet is becoming more and more like a commercial every day.
> not just use net but all the internet.
>
>

and if you think about it. before they can get us to buy into their books
and supplements they must first get us to distrust our doctors and the whole
medical field.


--
Tom

www.TomsDiabeticDiary.com

Chat in peace with other diabetes at the American Diabetes Associations Web
Site.
http://community.diabetes.org/n/pfx/...esz&redirCnt=1

Information You Can "Trust" From Your American Diabetes Association
www.diabetes.org

Information on Specific Types of Fat.
http://www.diabetes.org/nutrition-an...cific-fats.jsp

Good post, and much common sense...

I have found that my Battle-cry has become "Does Not Equal.."
Diabetic does not equal stupid, but many doctors will assume that it
does..Femal does not equal ignorant. Fat does not equal self-
destructive. Over forty does not equal over the hill...

A specialist (Rheumatology) treated me like a moron - would not let
me write in my notebook during the consultation (which I always do for
later reference), told me I could not do internet research on my
condition because "Iwouldn't find it" (81,000 hits, folks!) and sent
me for 19 blood tests because he wanted to punish me for "being
difficult". (The nurse told me this..) One of the tests turned up the
huge jump in my blood sugars which told me I had tipped into a not
unexpected diabetes. He didn't send the numbers (bg of 24 / 435) to
my doctor directly, as he didn't expect either of us to care. My GP
is willing and helpful but not well-trained in endocrinology - luckily
he lets me self-managae all my conditions pretty much as I wish,
particularly as he has seen how well I do it... When I was first
diagnosed with Polymyalgia, I researched, did lots of reading (all
technical stuff) and came back to him with 20 or 30 questions. He
couldn't answer all of them, and said that I probably knew more about
the disease than him.. I am not unhappy with this - he has 10,000
diseases to know about, I have only one or two. Just so long as he
doesn't need to be Infallible..

My physio tells me that his compliance rates are very high for the
profession - "maybe a high as 30 percent.."
This seems depressing to me, but then my rate was 100 percent, and I
recovered...

Helen Howes

Gantlet wrote:
> "Gantlet" <Tom@TomsDiabeticDiary.com> wrote in message
> news:qPJXi.2684$bm.2609@trndny08...
>> unfortunately there is also alot of misleading information.
>> the internet is becoming more and more like a commercial every day.
>> not just use net but all the internet.
>>
>>
>
> and if you think about it. before they can get us to buy into their books
> and supplements they must first get us to distrust our doctors and the whole
> medical field.
>
>

I couldn't agree more.

I didn't intend this to be a rant against doctors who are allowed a
scant 15 minutes for each patient by most medical insurers. Diabetics
need much more time than this. Those patients who devote the time to
develop their own knowledge about their disease that their doctor cannot
give them will likely do well. Those patients who don't, won't.

I live in a senior community with many Type II neighbors who are doing
poorly but take their pills and visit their doctor. They're still foggy
on what carbs are. Many are only focusing on sugar. If their doctor's
don't seem worried, they don't worry about themselves. Most don't have
Internet, and if they do, they don't know how to use their browsers to
do research or how to find their way to ASD, MHD or AFD.

None of them attend a support group unless I drag them there.

Those newly diagnosed Type II's who find their way here need to know
that diabetes is a disease that needs constant monitoring the rest of
their lives. They can't simply be a dutiful pill taker and expect their
doctor to do all the worrying and mental work on their behalf. It just
won't happen. The resources are not there.

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:29:04 -0600, Uncle Enrico
<uncle@nospam.com> wrote:

>Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in
>their practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a
>lot of their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in
>terms of money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today,
>endocrinologists are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
>Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
>most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office
>expenses, insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully
>support.
>
>Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
>them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
>patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
>patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.
>
>Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
>diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take their
>meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress down a
>well traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move down this
>road, the job for the physician gets more difficult having to employ
>more expensive and exotic drugs to solve the developing problems while
>the patient complains more and their condition worsens. Phew!
>
>So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
>greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be
>solved including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors
>that are almost intractable to change.
>
>I say almost, but not impossible.
>
>We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess. We
>can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
>condition.
>
>Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the ways
>to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that is
>manageable if you care to do the work.
>
>You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to
>stay healthy
>
>And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.
>
>You can do this.
>
>Now, go do the right thing.
>
>
>
>
Well said.

I know some will misunderstand your meaning. I read this to
be a post urging patients to be pro-active, not a post
abusing the medical profession.


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
Psyllium, Fibre, Muesli and Nuts

On Nov 5, 11:04?am, "Gantlet" <T...@TomsDiabeticDiary.com> wrote:
> "Uncle Enrico" <un...@nospam.com> wrote in message
>
> news:MxHXi.17231$Pv2.2197@newssvr23.news.prodigy.n et...
>
> > Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in their
> > practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a lot of
> > their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in terms of
> > money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today, endocrinologists
> > are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> > Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
> > most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office expenses,
> > insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully support.
>
> the doctors we get to see are a very small part of the medical field.
> they are basically the mouth piece for the doctors that do have the time
> in fact that is what they get trained and paid for.
>
> The American Diabetes Association Research Program supports basic and
> clinical diabetes research aimed at preventing, treating, and curing
> diabetes. The diabetes research projects we support cover the spectrum from
> islet cell biology and transplantation techniques, to studies in education
> and behavioral issues. We have increased our support for diabetes research,
> from providing $18 million in 1999, to providing $46.4 million in 2006.
>
> The ADA Research Funding program is designed to complement the National
> Institutes of Health (NIH) diabetes research program by supporting new
> investigators and new research ideas. With support from ADA, investigators
> are often able to prove that their ideas are solid enough to get more
> substantial funding from the United States federal government.
>
>
>
> > Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
> > them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
> > patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
> > patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.
>
> in reality how many people diabetic and non diabetic dont do all what
> their doctor tells them to do?
> If you feel that doctors look at diabetics like that you must also feel
> that they look at all not as healthy as they can be people.

This is at the root of what I believe to be the major problem. Making
healthy food choices, combined with exercise, will make a huge
improvement to the general population (and also pay big dividends to
those of us with diabetes.) The people in this newsgroup are not a
good example of the general public yet so much time in here is spent
blaming the medical profession for the lack of control and the non-
compliance of the people who choose to live an unhealthy life. Whether
you low carb or low fat, if you are making a conscious decision about
what you put in your pie-hole and actually think even a little about
nutrition...and you are active instead of sedentary...then you are not
the problem, but you are a part of a very very small minority.

The thread could be titled "The Sad Truth about People"...it is up to
the individual to work "with" a medical professional and take
responsibility for the choices they make. The blame game is a lame
game.

Kurt

helen@raindropkites.co.uk wrote:
> ... would not let
> me write in my notebook during the consultation ....

How did he stop you? If a doctor ever said something that
stupid to me, I would stand up, walk out, and at the most
pay for the percentage of the scheduled visit that had occurred.

> me for 19 blood tests because he wanted to punish me for "being
> difficult". (The nurse told me this..)

And I would have passed that information on to the
insurance company. And if he was stupid enough to
come after me for the resultant non-payment, the
licensing authorities would get full details.
No, wait, they'd get the full details any way.


--
Wes Groleau

"There ain't nothin' in this world that's worth being a snot over."
-- Larry Wall

"Gantlet" <Tom@TomsDiabeticDiary.com> wrote in message news:qPJXi.2684

> unfortunately there is also alot of misleading information.
> the internet is becoming more and more like a commercial every day.
> not just use net but all the internet.

So true, on every page of the ADA website is an ad to buy a book or three!
Very sad.

Kurt <kurtwheeling1965@hotmail.com> wrote:
: > If you feel that doctors look at diabetics like that you must also feel
: > that they look at all not as healthy as they can be people.

: This is at the root of what I believe to be the major problem. Making
: healthy food choices, combined with exercise, will make a huge
: improvement to the general population (and also pay big dividends to
: those of us with diabetes.) The people in this newsgroup are not a
: good example of the general public yet so much time in here is spent
: blaming the medical profession for the lack of control and the non-
: compliance of the people who choose to live an unhealthy life. Whether
: you low carb or low fat, if you are making a conscious decision about
: what you put in your pie-hole and actually think even a little about
: nutrition...and you are active instead of sedentary...then you are not
: the problem, but you are a part of a very very small minority.

: The thread could be titled "The Sad Truth about People"...it is up to
: the individual to work "with" a medical professional and take
: responsibility for the choices they make. The blame game is a lame
: game.

: Kurt

Kurt,

I don't think that most of us here think that doctor s are th ecause of
type 2's not being compliant, but many have found doctors who wee unable
or unwilling to help THEM becauseof , either insuffient up to date
knowledge or assumptions of density in all patients. I think that if most
type 2's followed, even the insufficient advice of some of the doctors
reported on here, they would be better off than those that ignore dietary
advice of any sort or "forget" to take meds adn don't exercise(the
non-compliant). We. as a self-selected group are looking for more from
our doctors than they often can or atre willing to give. You andI an
dmany others have found physicians that are helpful and with whom we can
work, but many others have not been so fortunate and live in smaller areas
where there is little choice.

We are not blaming noncompliance on the doctors, but wish that everyone
could get the great help we , with our good doctors get.

Wendy

On Nov 5, 1:42?pm, Alan S <loralgtweightandca...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:29:04 -0600, Uncle Enrico
>
>
>
>
>
> <un...@nospam.com> wrote:
> >Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in
> >their practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a
> >lot of their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in
> >terms of money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today,
> >endocrinologists are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> >Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
> >most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office
> >expenses, insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully
> >support.
>
> >Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
> >them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
> >patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
> >patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.
>
> >Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
> >diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take their
> >meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress down a
> >well traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move down this
> >road, the job for the physician gets more difficult having to employ
> >more expensive and exotic drugs to solve the developing problems while
> >the patient complains more and their condition worsens. Phew!
>
> >So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
> >greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be
> >solved including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors
> >that are almost intractable to change.
>
> >I say almost, but not impossible.
>
> >We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess. We
> >can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
> >condition.
>
> >Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the ways
> >to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that is
> >manageable if you care to do the work.
>
> >You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to
> >stay healthy
>
> >And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.
>
> >You can do this.
>
> >Now, go do the right thing.
>
> Well said.
>
> I know some will misunderstand your meaning. I read this to
> be a post urging patients to be pro-active, not a post
> abusing the medical profession.
>
> Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
> d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
> Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
> --http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
> Psyllium, Fibre, Muesli and Nuts- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Alan: I had breakfast with a pretty healthy 96 yr old diabetic the
other day at a nice buffet cafe. He indulged in pancakes, sweet rolls,
eggs, etc... He went back for 3rds. Not even overweight. This was a
special treat I suspect. He had no reason to do otherwise and I didn't
say a word. Being proactive sometimes is a function of age. I bet you
agree.

Larry

"Larry" <boelkowj@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1194321258.274072.267000@q5g2000prf.googlegro ups.com...

> Alan: I had breakfast with a pretty healthy 96 yr old diabetic the
> other day at a nice buffet cafe. He indulged in pancakes, sweet rolls,
> eggs, etc... He went back for 3rds. Not even overweight. This was a
> special treat I suspect. He had no reason to do otherwise and I didn't
> say a word. Being proactive sometimes is a function of age. I bet you
> agree.

My MIL is in a nursing home and for a time had an elderly roommate. Several
times I brought her boxes of candy for Xmas and other holidays. Then I saw
them testing her blood. They told her she was a little high and gave her
some insulin. I then apologized for having brought in the candy and said I
didn't realize she was diabetic. They said it didn't matter. They just let
her eat whatever she wanted. She didn't eat a lot to begin with, was very
underweight and pretty much on death's door anyway. She is no longer with
us. But she saw her 100th birthday.

This post not CC'd by email
On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:48:26 -0800, helen@raindropkites.co.uk wrote:

>Good post, and much common sense...
>
>I have found that my Battle-cry has become "Does Not Equal.."
>Diabetic does not equal stupid, but many doctors will assume that it
>does..Femal does not equal ignorant. Fat does not equal self-
>destructive. Over forty does not equal over the hill...

G'day G'day Helen,

Your post reminds me of how lucky I am. My GP doesn't treat me as
stupid. Perhaps being male helps though my professional occupation
surely also helps. Most importantly though he happens to be one of
those remarkable men who treats all of his patients (that I've heard
from) with respect. The same is true with my oncologist. Luckily
I'm not fat. After diagnosis I lost 20 kg and kept it off for five or
so years.

What has surprised me somewhat though is the attitude of one of the
nurses. Since being diagnosed with a terminal cancer one of them
asked me in all seriousness if I wanted to keep up with the diabetes
specialist appointments eg having a retinal scan. You can see her
point. With so much else to contend with why bother. My only point
in mentioning it is to draw attention to the possibility that it could
happen to someone else without them being aware of it.

> A specialist (Rheumatology) treated me like a moron - would not let
>me write in my notebook during the consultation (which I always do for
>later reference), told me I could not do internet research on my
>condition because "Iwouldn't find it" (81,000 hits, folks!) and sent
>me for 19 blood tests because he wanted to punish me for "being
>difficult". (The nurse told me this..) One of the tests turned up the
>huge jump in my blood sugars which told me I had tipped into a not
>unexpected diabetes. He didn't send the numbers (bg of 24 / 435) to
>my doctor directly, as he didn't expect either of us to care. My GP
>is willing and helpful but not well-trained in endocrinology - luckily
>he lets me self-managae all my conditions pretty much as I wish,
>particularly as he has seen how well I do it... When I was first
>diagnosed with Polymyalgia, I researched, did lots of reading (all
>technical stuff) and came back to him with 20 or 30 questions. He
>couldn't answer all of them, and said that I probably knew more about
>the disease than him.. I am not unhappy with this - he has 10,000
>diseases to know about, I have only one or two. Just so long as he
>doesn't need to be Infallible..
>
>My physio tells me that his compliance rates are very high for the
>profession - "maybe a high as 30 percent.."

It is something most of us here would find hard to accept, it being so
contrary to our attitudes. Given that we are unusual it is important
for us to treat the medical professionals with respect. Acknowledge
that they have a tough existence and often will treat us as "normal"
whatever passes for "normal" in their profession.

Quite how one shows understanding for someone who is doing a pretty
good imitation of treating one as a moron I don't know but I do know
it is so important. How about asking some well chosen questions with a
pleasant smile, pausing and nodding thoughtfully when one receives a
reply. A thank you might not go amiss.

Not sure how that works for a woman dealing with male professionals.

With at least one professional I established a long term rapport by
remembering a humorous comment he made about asking for my money back
in consequence of the side affects of the drug I was prescribed.

>This seems depressing to me, but then my rate was 100 percent, and I
>recovered...

The good news is you genuinely have a choice and from reading your
post I sense you have the intelligence to deal with most any situation
that comes your way.

>Helen Howes

Best wishes, Helen, and thank you for highlighting some of prevalent
knee jerk equations one might have to deal with.
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

On Nov 6, 2:17 am, Wes Groleau <groleau+n...@freeshell.org> wrote:
> he...@raindropkites.co.uk wrote:
> > ... would not let
> > me write in my notebook during the consultation ....
>
> How did he stop you? If a doctor ever said something that
> stupid to me, I would stand up, walk out, and at the most
> pay for the percentage of the scheduled visit that had occurred.

I'm in the UK. We have a "free" Health Service. I don't have to pay,
but I don't get the choices that I might if I did. The rheumatologist
has a high reputation, but was arrogant to the point of parody..He
stopped me by taking the book to his side of the desk to write a
"difficult" word (without my permission). I took the book back and
carried on writing for myself. I'm not easily cowed...
>
> > me for 19 blood tests because he wanted to punish me for "being
> > difficult". (The nurse told me this..)

Her words "you must have offended Dr X.."
>
> And I would have passed that information on to the
> insurance company. And if he was stupid enough to
> come after me for the resultant non-payment, the
> licensing authorities would get full details.
> No, wait, they'd get the full details any way.


My GP is a good one, available, writes my prescriptions like a lamb,
but not a spaecialist. One of the local (Norfolk UK) GP practices has
a policy of not allowing diabetics to test ANYTHING!

Helen Howes

On Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:54:18 -0800, Larry <boelkowj@aol.com>
wrote:

>
>Alan: I had breakfast with a pretty healthy 96 yr old diabetic the
>other day at a nice buffet cafe. He indulged in pancakes, sweet rolls,
>eggs, etc... He went back for 3rds. Not even overweight. This was a
>special treat I suspect. He had no reason to do otherwise and I didn't
>say a word. Being proactive sometimes is a function of age. I bet you
>agree.
>
>Larry

A few years back I met an old Digger on his way to Sydney
for Anzac Day when I was having a nostalgic trip on a train
before they closed my line. I wrote about it here:
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/20...t-railway.html

We had a lot of time to talk, sharing a two-berth sleeper
for an overnight trip. He was 90 years old and diagnosed
type 2 two months earlier. He was slim as a rake handle,
spry and active, and after marching in Sydney on Anzac Day
he was heading off to his property to work with his cattle
and horses. Alone.

I didn't even bother mentioning Jennifer's advice (although
I did to the younger woman I met on the return trip:-). He
will probably get his letter from the Queen when he turns
100. That encounter, and several similar ones with over 80's
since, plus some occasional references here and elsewhere to
BG's increasing in many people over 80 have convinced me
that some of these geriatric cases are not actually diabetes
as we know it but just examples of natural ageing.

My mum has fasting BG's that would lead to diagnosis as
pre-diabetic by today's standards - but her trigs and lipids
are perfect and she has no signs of any complications. I see
no reason to alarm her in those circumstances or to suggest
that she restrict her diet or activity in any way. She will
be 84 tomorrow; home between wanders around other parts of
Oz in her motorhome as a solo.

We are all individuals and every factor, including age and
expectations, should be taken into account by those treating
us and also by ourselves when setting targets. YMMV again.

However, that doesn't excuse those medical professionals who
casually treat their patients in the way Uncle Enrico
described. I met my share of those before I encountered my
present doc; one who I respect partly because he also
respected me as a thinking person - long before he diagnosed
me.


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
Psyllium, Fibre, Muesli and Nuts

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:52:24 -0800, helen@raindropkites.co.uk wrote:

>My GP is a good one, available, writes my prescriptions like a lamb,
>but not a spaecialist. One of the local (Norfolk UK) GP practices has
>a policy of not allowing diabetics to test ANYTHING!

Not one. Many! There's a South African mate of mine who's part of the
DUK local group in Norwich, she quite often gets mad enough about that
to curse in Afrikaans Lovely and guttural...

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

"Uncle Enrico" <uncle@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:MxHXi.17231$Pv2.2197@newssvr23.news.prodigy.n et...
> Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in their
> practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a lot of
> their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in terms of
> money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today, endocrinologists
> are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
> most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office expenses,
> insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully support.
>
> Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
> them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
> patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
> patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.
>
> Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
> diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take their
> meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress down a well
> traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move down this road, the
> job for the physician gets more difficult having to employ more expensive
> and exotic drugs to solve the developing problems while the patient
> complains more and their condition worsens. Phew!
>
> So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
> greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be solved
> including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors that are
> almost intractable to change.
>
> I say almost, but not impossible.
>
> We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess. We
> can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
> condition.
>
> Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the ways
> to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that is
> manageable if you care to do the work.
>
> You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to stay
> healthy
>
> And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.
>
> You can do this.
>
> Now, go do the right thing.
>
>
Your letter should be sent to every diabetic; it should be printed in every
newspaper. I would gladly have it become one of those "please send it to all
your friends" chain emails.

The dangerous thing about Diabetes is that the sufferer doesn't feel there's
anything wrong - right up until they get those "complications" - go blind,
suffer renal failure, lose limbs, have a stroke, etc. etc. Then it's often
too late.

I'd like to send your post far and wide.

Henry Mydlarz.

Brother Enrico wrote:
> Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in
> their practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a
> lot of their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in
> terms of money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today,
> endocrinologists are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
> most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office
> expenses, insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully
> support.
>
> Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
> them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
> patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
> patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.
>
> Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
> diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take their
> meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress down a
> well traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move down this
> road, the job for the physician gets more difficult having to employ
> more expensive and exotic drugs to solve the developing problems while
> the patient complains more and their condition worsens. Phew!
>
> So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
> greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be
> solved including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors
> that are almost intractable to change.
>
> I say almost, but not impossible.
>
> We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess. We
> can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
> condition.
>
> Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the ways
> to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that is
> manageable if you care to do the work.
>
> You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to
> stay healthy
>
> And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.
>
> You can do this.
>
> Now, go do the right thing.

Writing as a cardiologist who provides cardiac care for many type-2
diabetics, they remain a joy for me :-)

Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be blessed:

http://TheWellnessFoundation.com/PressRelease

Prayerfully in the infinite power and might of the Holy Spirit,

Andrew <><
--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Lawful steward of http://EmoryCardiology.com
Bondservant to the KING of kings and LORD of lords.

On Nov 7, 5:54 am, "Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD"
<heartd...@emorycardiology.com> wrote:
> Brother Enrico wrote:
> > Historically, most doctors have not especially enjoyed diabetics in
> > their practice. Why? Diabetics are labor intensive for them, eat up a
> > lot of their time and produce little in the way of payoff--either in
> > terms of money or in terms of professional satisfaction. Today,
> > endocrinologists are declining in numbers for these very reasons.
>
> > Diabetics require a lot of information on diet, lifestyle and meds that
> > most busy doctors with high overhead costs (educ. loans, office
> > expenses, insurance and continuing education) cannot afford to fully
> > support.
>
> > Then, about 70% of diabetic patients don't do what their doctors advise
> > them to do: diet, exercise and take their meds. So, when a diabetic
> > patient presents himself to the doctor, the doctor is likely to see the
> > patient as someone who will suck up their time to little effect.
>
> > Fortunately, there are many alternate sources of information for
> > diabetics, but, too often, diabetics simply do the minimum--take their
> > meds, eat like they always did, exercise little, and progress down a
> > well traveled road of misfortune. As 70% of diabetics move down this
> > road, the job for the physician gets more difficult having to employ
> > more expensive and exotic drugs to solve the developing problems while
> > the patient complains more and their condition worsens. Phew!
>
> > So, it's really up to us, particularly we Type II's who present the
> > greatest problems numerically, and the more difficult issues to be
> > solved including insulin resistance, obesity, and a set of behaviors
> > that are almost intractable to change.
>
> > I say almost, but not impossible.
>
> > We can change, dammit. We all have to find our way out of this mess. We
> > can't depend on doctors, we have to be the primary managers of our
> > condition.
>
> > Be active, not passive. Read and learn about your condition and the ways
> > to manage it. Realize that you are lucky to have a disease that is
> > manageable if you care to do the work.
>
> > You owe it to yourself, your family and people who care about you to
> > stay healthy
>
> > And never give up--no matter how many times you blow it.
>
> > You can do this.
>
> > Now, go do the right thing.
>
> Writing as a cardiologist who provides cardiac care for many type-2
> diabetics, they remain a joy for me :-)
>
> Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be blessed:
>
> http://TheWellnessFoundation.com/PressRelease
>
> Prayerfully in the infinite power and might of the Holy Spirit,
>
> Andrew <><
> --
> Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
> Lawful steward ofhttp://EmoryCardiology.com
> Bondservant to the KING of kings and LORD of lords.


Let us follow Dr Chung, our Moses, to lead us through this vast
waistland and bring us safely to the promised land of 2 pounds of milk
and honey.