Diabetes Talking

Question:

So how does one go about finding the ‘right’ endo?  I’ looking for a strategy.  I mean, I wouldn’t trust a large bureacracy to refer me to a good barber, and this seems somewhat more important. DW Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

    You might first try getting several recommendations from people you know.     Then try going to http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm to do a search by specialty, or name, etc. to get the background of these doctors  (note, even non ama doctors seem to be listed here.)     After you narrow it down to several that look good, you might go to http://www.docboard.org to see if they have a record of discipline listed there.      Also a bit of luck sometimes helps.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So how does one go about finding the ‘right’ endo?  I’ looking for a strategy.  I mean, I wouldn’t trust a large bureacracy to refer me to a good barber, and this seems somewhat more important. DW Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I escaped too for twenty years but now have lots of problems with my eyes. Take care of yourself. Joe Reardon    

Response:

it.  But should I ask the doctor to refer me to an endocrinologist for the med stabilization process if he doesn’t suggest it?

excuse my terse delivery, i broke my reading glasses, so i am winging this to you in chords from my heart. ask for a referral to an endocrinologist that your family practice clinician would use for himself or his progeny.   love as in agape your doctors.  realise that medical school and internship are arduous both intellectually and physically. take a patient advocate with you to record suggestions in writing. tis easy to become overwhelmed by information you may not anticipate. present a written log of your blood glucose levels in relation to exercise eating stressors including emotional ones congratuations on kicking the smoking habit. with respect, melynda claire flatt aka madame reid melynda reid  who wears hats but does not type caps               as she hates to commit a capital offense i remain a shy and retiring artist without portfolio seriously seeking homeo stasis oh whither art thou homeo??? the over forty wicked wackey mermaid revue has just begun. stay attuned for the next episode..

Response:

I see an internist but there is an endo in the medical group he works with. The views on this subject vary with the knowledge of the doctor and the knowledge of the patient.  You need to be educated and assertive and comfortable with any doctor or specialist. Jack

Response:

Carol … In my opinion, you definitely should get a referral to an endo for the transition onto insulin; thereafter, be guided by what the endo says.  If it were me, there’s no way I would be comfortable being treated for diabetes by an osteopath!!!  My primary physician (my medical insurance is with an HMO … with treatment from a local IPA) is a highly regarded (and board-certified) specialist in internal medicine, and he initiated the referral to an endo to manage my transition from oral meds to insulin … and the HMO peer review approved the referral with no problem.  Again, when I asked my primary physician about the large array of *new* oral meds, he referred me back to the endo, who managed the addition of an oral med (Glucophage) to supplement the insulin injections.  Again the HMO peer review approved the referral.  Diabetes treatment is a specialized and rapidly changing field; most general practitioners just don’t have the time to stay current. Ted Rodrick T2 for 20 years; Insulin and Glucophage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi again — thank you for the replies to my question about mega meds vs insulin.  The consensus seems to be that insulin is not so bad, and preferable for better control. One of my problems is that I’ve been above normal for so long (maybe 20 years, on and off?) with no major damage done so far, that BGs of 135 – 200 don’t scare me enough.  But you all seem to be convinced that really hitting the normal range is essential for long term health, so I guess I’m going to have to be grateful I’ve escaped so far and get my act together Next question — do you all go to endocrinologists?   Or do many of you on insulin continue to work with a general practitioner?  Mine’s an osteopath with a large family practice.   I will probably take one of those educational courses at the local hospital to learn how to deal with the insulin and food timing when I finally decide to go for it.  But should I ask the doctor to refer me to an endocrinologist for the med stabilization process if he doesn’t suggest it? Thanks again in advance, and also for the help you’ve all been giving already without knowing it Carol CarolC Happily smokefree since 11/19/95 "Happiness is a byproduct of making someone else happy."

Response:

Please go to an endocrinologist regularly.  Diabetes is a very complex, chronic disease.  New studies and techniques are coming out all the time. No doctor, no matter how good, can keep up with it and give you the best treatment unless they take care of diabetics full time.  It is the most important thing you can do for your diabetes care. Robert.

Response:

Hi again — thank you for the replies to my question about mega meds vs insulin.  The consensus seems to be that insulin is not so bad, and preferable for better control. One of my problems is that I’ve been above normal for so long (maybe 20 years, on and off?) with no major damage done so far, that BGs of 135 – 200 don’t scare me enough.  But you all seem to be convinced that really hitting the normal range is essential for long term health, so I guess I’m going to have to be grateful I’ve escaped so far and get my act together Next question — do you all go to endocrinologists?   Or do many of you on insulin continue to work with a general practitioner?  Mine’s an osteopath with a large family practice.   I will probably take one of those educational courses at the local hospital to learn how to deal with the insulin and food timing when I finally decide to go for it.  But should I ask the doctor to refer me to an endocrinologist for the med stabilization process if he doesn’t suggest it? Thanks again in advance, and also for the help you’ve all been giving already without knowing it Carol CarolC Happily smokefree since 11/19/95 "Happiness is a byproduct of making someone else happy."

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