Amen.

Diabetes UK has a lot of really good helpful information. Go to their site to learn more.

The United States has a long way to go in learning to deal with diabetes in a more positive, pro active, and healthier way. When I’ve researched diabetic recipes I am horrified to find the carb counts as high as 50+ per serving. How is that good for a diabetic. I use low carb recipes or keto which have to be tweaked some to lower the fat content. I sometimes feel Drs want us to remain sick as you said because they make more money. If there are side effects to a med they prescribe another med to counter act the side effect. My daughters ex in-laws who are diabetic are on at least 25 different meds. I do not want to ever get there. I too hope that the US follows what the UK is doing. We need to change our thinking and encourage “life style” changes to prevent and control diabetes.

I think it depends on where the patient is mentally and emotionally when they get the diabetes diagnosis as to absorbing what they need to do about it. For many they continue to live in a fog of misinformation for years. Others choose to learn, change their lifestyle and what they eat for the better. Luckily for the person you speak about Graham, they now have someone to ask all their questions without feeling stupid. You have a chance to help them improve their future.

Graham, we have been seeing the doctor for many years and when comes down to health some people just don't want to hear it or maybe just take the medication and not listen to what the doctor is saying. You have to want to take care of yourself for better health than waiting until you're in a medical condition. I've heard the word carbohydrates since my children were young and I decided then of how much food I'm giving them to be comfortable not to put them to sleep which can cause illness and made sure we drank enough water not too much juice or sodas but that we engaged outside at the playground, park or zoo.

On the day , 23 years ago, when I was firsrtdiagnosed, my doctor told me that with diet and exercise, i might be able to control d, which was good advice..

Since then, my interactions with doctors regarding d, has left me with the impression that many doctors(at least those i have seen) are trained to give you medicine to avoid or delay complications( which is important) but are not inclined or trained to work with you, or brainstorm on ways to lessen bs numbers with or without meds.

Case in point, last year, I went to my endo and told her that i would ike to get a handle or whether my problem was more that I was to insulin resistant or was it that after 23 years, the beta cells in my pancreas (which produce natural insulin) was already too burnt out. The answer would have given me better insight into whether or not I absolutely should go on insulin, or whether there were other ways i could lower insulin resistance(more exercise, a good nights sleep, less stress etc.)

My endo said don' t worry about it just go on insulin. I had to research on my on and order a c-pap test(tells you how much NATURAL insulin your body makes) and a homa IR test(lets you know level of insulin resistance you are dealing with.) I'm not suggestion other people go this route, its what i wanted to do.

This is not condemnation of doctors, For the most part, they are hard working , caring, keep us healthy and at times lifesaving. I just wish in medical school that doctors to be, would be given more training on working with patients, getting them more involved in the process and fully explaining what d is, what causes it, what makes it worse and the different options for best treating it.

Sorry for my rant but I feel strongly about this.