My final endocrinologist appointment of 2012 is in a week or so. I’m hoping that the oft-dreaded blood work will adequately reflect the changes to my diet and exercise routines that I’m trying to stick with. I know that a less-than-stellar A1c doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m on the wrong path, but sometimes it’s nice to get some immediate feedback on things like this. At least that’s how my mind works at times.
I hope to be a few days in to my first Dexcom G4 sensor by the time that appointment comes around too. If you’ve been paying attention lately, I trust you’ve noticed my general excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the impending arrival of my Platinum. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that my excitement may not be shared by my endocrinologist.
I think apathy is the best way to put it. I don’t think it’s a matter of disliking technology. And I know he understands (and hopefully) respects continuous glucose monitoring technology, but something tells me he doesn’t actively campaign for or recommend CGMs to his patients.
Not once in my 10 years with a busted pancreas has he ever mentioned the idea of switching to an insulin pump. Granted, I have no desire to do so, and maybe he’s gathered that from his own observations but you’d think it might have come up over the 40+ meetings we’ve had since diabetes is pretty much the only interest we have in common.
There’s a similar story with my Dexcom. Patients are responsible for bringing the 30-day record of blood glucose readings and the initial paperwork, but prior to meeting Dayle and learning about her CGM experiences and reading about Dexcom on Kerri’s blog, I hadn’t heard anything from my endocrinologist before I brought it up. Not once has he asked for, explicitly requested, or even remotely suggested bringing Dexcom reports to him for our meeting.
If this is how he “feels” about my Seven Plus, is it safe to assume the same ho-hum-ness about my newly acquired G4? I’m not necessarily looking for specific advise on how to interpret the data (yet), but I would kill for a little on-topic back and forth instead of the same basic questions I get every three months.
Should I be disappointed by all of this? If I really want tangible medical feedback outside of anecdotes from the online community, should I just seek out a Certified Diabetes Educator? Is it wrong to wish my diabetes team have a little more passion?
Are any of you dealing with one-sided enthusiasm with your diabetes technology? What have you done to get past it?
A Consequence of Hypoglycemia. 
I switched endos!
#1 – No interest in technology.
#2 – CDE – I started the pump at my request. CDE wasn’t interested in the pump reports. Only wanted 4 specific readings per day for seven days.
#3 – CDE – Great but no longer there.
#4 – Downloads the pump when I arrive. Goes through the printout with me looking for any trends. Has offered to download the Dexcom but I usually bring that with me. I use Diasend to share info with her if I’m having any issues. She’s fascinated with how much I’ve gained/learned from the DOC.
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That’s a lot of really great questions. Ultimately, you’re the only one who can decide the answers, but here’s my two cents.
How do you feel about your endo other than his lack of interest in technology? Sounds like you’ve been with him for a while. What’s he like as a doctor? Does he help you? Does his lack of passion bother you enough that you’d consider switching to a different endo?
My other thought- I LOVE my CDE. She’s the one I talk to when there’s a problem. I only talk to my endo at appointments, otherwise it’s her. And both she and my endo are passionate about their patients. I don’t think I could stay with them if that wasn’t the case.
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Gotta agree with the others here. Think about it, and go with your gut. You’ll make the right decision.
My experience is that medical professionals are usually either all in or all out when it comes to technology. But maybe your endo doesn’t have any patients as tech-savvy as yourself. If anything, I’d say push the envelope and try to get his buy-in. If he’s not interested, it may be time to shop around.
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I don’t know about being disappointed, but be concerned. Be very concerned.
There’s a phrase that says “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone”. Well, the flip-side of that phrase is “you don’t know what you’ve been missing until you’ve got it.” I lived the flip-side for far too long. Like you, I had an endo for a long time who always went through the same routine: ask me to recite my pump settings (same as last time), ask for my logbook (I don’t have any), ask me to see the CDE/dietician (not useful). Seeing him became just a routine procedure to get my scripts refilled. Recommendations never were given much thought, and my questions largely went unanswered.
Then, after I moved, I switched to an endo who’s more “with it”. He knows everything about pumping – even superbolusing. He retrieves my data from my device for me, then sits down with the stack of papers and STUDIES THEM. He suggests things based on patterns and doesn’t get hung up on the isolated high or low. Seriously, he’s a great doctor. The first thing he taught me is what I’d been missing for the last several years.
Take a look around… see what/who you might find.
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