“Hi David, this is Dr. Wanner. We have the lab results back. Just as I suspected, you have diabetes. I’m calling in a prescription to your pharmacist for Metformin. Take a tablet in the morning and one in the evening. I’ll transfer you to the receptionist to make an appointment to come back in 3 months so I can see how you’re doing.”
This is the phone call I received from my doctor on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 around 10am. This is the moment that I truly faced my mortality. I asked my doctor during this conversation, if you can actually call this a conservation since my doctor was doing all of the talking, could I try controlling it by diet first? He said no, because my glucose levels were too high (313mg/dl). First, he wanted to get it under control by using medication, then we could discuss other options at a later date…
Needless to say, 45 days later I was completely off Metformin and my glucose levels are constantly below 92mg/dl (normal glucose readings are roughly between 70 – 115 mg/dl). This happened not because of my doctor and his advice, but in spite of my doctor’s plan of action. If I would have followed my doctor’s plan of action, I still would be taking Metformin right now, 10 months later.
The purpose for my blog, is to share my struggle with diabetes and how I took control of my health care. Hopefully, this will inspire and assist a community of people to be proactive and take ownership of their health care. Traditionally, everyone would take & follow the advice of their doctor without question. I’m not saying you shouldn’t follow your doctor’s advice, but you should take ownership of your health care and not give it to your doctor.
Have a team approach to your health care, whereas your doctor is a team member, albeit an important team member, maybe the Michael Jordan of the team but you are the coach of this team. Therefore you have the final say on what play will be run and the strategy that will be used to win the game. Other members of your team can consist of your family, pharmacist, friends, specialists, nutritionist, ministers, etc.
As the coach, make sure you assemble a team that will work in your best interest.
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