I have read on other forums as well as this one that a large amount of diabetics are dissatisfied with their educator and/or Endo. As important as it is to make others aware of issues or negative trends that occur in our treatment, I think it is also important to recognize those that really go out of their way for us.
I was originally diagnosed by my family physician. She is a fantastic general practitioner (actually a D.O.) that treats our entire family. When she saw my HbA1C level at 15.4 she immediately thought type 2 diabetes (as this is what she sees the most with newly diagnosed adults).
Two weeks later she sent me to a diabetes educator, in my case an RN/CDE who happens to have type 1 as well. She spent about 2 hours with me in her office, discussing what this means, different ways to treat it, learning what I needed and what I was feeling. Based on our discussion, she had doubts about my type 2 diagnoses and ordered more blood tests. She was correct, I was actually type 1.
I had another 2 hour session with her, where she spoke with me at length about the advised diet for diabetics and how it is not necessarily what works for everyone. I explained that I was already doing low carb, which she agreed was a great way to eat for a diabetic. She then helped me get an appoinment with a fantastic Endo.
My experience with my Endo has been just as good. My Endo also has type 1 and is also a believer in eating lower carb, no matter which type of diabetes you have.
Just yesterday I was thinking how I needed to send my educator an update on how I was doing. About 15 minutes later I received an email from her asking how I was doing. Thought I would share it.
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Hey Jeremy,
Been wondering how my star patient is doing? What was follow up at U of W like and what information did they add to what we were already doing? Also curious if Benaroya Research had anything you could participate in. I've had two more patients with scenarios similar to yours within the past month and am always wanting to learn more. Adult onset type 1 seems to be a burgeoning field and I'd love to learn how the specialists in the industry are handling your case.
Hope all is well with your family and health,
Best regards,
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I called her and we chatted for about half an hour. I feel truly blessed to have health professionals that really do care and are open to doing what is best for "me" not what the ADA necessarily dictates. I hope many of you have a similar experience over the course of our diabetic lives...if not, I am happy that we have a common place such as this forum to go to for support.
Cheers,
Jeremy
I was originally diagnosed by my family physician. She is a fantastic general practitioner (actually a D.O.) that treats our entire family. When she saw my HbA1C level at 15.4 she immediately thought type 2 diabetes (as this is what she sees the most with newly diagnosed adults).
Two weeks later she sent me to a diabetes educator, in my case an RN/CDE who happens to have type 1 as well. She spent about 2 hours with me in her office, discussing what this means, different ways to treat it, learning what I needed and what I was feeling. Based on our discussion, she had doubts about my type 2 diagnoses and ordered more blood tests. She was correct, I was actually type 1.
I had another 2 hour session with her, where she spoke with me at length about the advised diet for diabetics and how it is not necessarily what works for everyone. I explained that I was already doing low carb, which she agreed was a great way to eat for a diabetic. She then helped me get an appoinment with a fantastic Endo.
My experience with my Endo has been just as good. My Endo also has type 1 and is also a believer in eating lower carb, no matter which type of diabetes you have.
Just yesterday I was thinking how I needed to send my educator an update on how I was doing. About 15 minutes later I received an email from her asking how I was doing. Thought I would share it.
==
Hey Jeremy,
Been wondering how my star patient is doing? What was follow up at U of W like and what information did they add to what we were already doing? Also curious if Benaroya Research had anything you could participate in. I've had two more patients with scenarios similar to yours within the past month and am always wanting to learn more. Adult onset type 1 seems to be a burgeoning field and I'd love to learn how the specialists in the industry are handling your case.
Hope all is well with your family and health,
Best regards,
==
I called her and we chatted for about half an hour. I feel truly blessed to have health professionals that really do care and are open to doing what is best for "me" not what the ADA necessarily dictates. I hope many of you have a similar experience over the course of our diabetic lives...if not, I am happy that we have a common place such as this forum to go to for support.
Cheers,
Jeremy