GP initially refused to give me painkillers as she wanted me to use the pain as an incentive

[OvO]

to sort out my diabetes.

I have Type 2 diabetes, I know I need to do better and eat better etc. My last GP was really helping and I lost 2.5 stone so it’s not like I’m not trying. But still loads of room for improvement, I know that.

So I have had nerve damage pain in my foot for a few years (caused by poorly controlled diabetes) and I finally decided to see my new doctor (have moved house) to get painkillers.

The pains so bad I can’t sleep, I already have high dose co-codamol for back pain but it doesn’t do a thing for the pain in my foot.

But the GP said over and over again that she didn’t want to give me anything for the pain as it would just mask it and I needed to understand that it was a symptom I needed to pay attention to and I should use the pain as an incentive to get my diabetes under better control.

Then followed the Type 2 Diabetes Is Curable If You Try Lecture which is fair enough, it’s her job. But am I wrong to think that leaving me in pain is a pretty shitty way to try to force me to make the changes?

I honestly had to beg her before she’d prescribe gabapentin (so?). I explained over and over I was in agony and unable to sleep but she just kept saying to use it as an incentive.

I’m not sure if I’m being too sensitive. I’m pretty anxious about doctors and will go to great lengths to avoid them so can look for any excuse to not go back. I WILL go back as I know I need help with my diabetes but I’m NOT going back to see her.

So am I being too sensitive? Is she right and I should stay in pain as a way to incentivise myself? I can’t see how that works. I’m in agony and exhausted so hows that going to translate to making good choices?

This is my longest post ever, bloody hell. I’ll inderstand if you just skimmed it!

In answer to the poster above, I wish there were more pictures made available to diabetics to see the effects of foot damage. Not to beat them with but just for general education. It's so massively common & completely hideous. The feet rot & die. No one wants that.

OP - I'm sorry, you sound almost beside yourself.

I have diabetes & pcos and really struggle to lose weight. It sounds like you've done very well so far (especially with your health issues) but may need to see a specialist dietician to move forward. In your shoes I'd be asking the nurse about that tomorrow.

If you're in that amount of pain you should be getting pain killers. That pain will not suddenly go by you starting a new diet. You need something now, then to taper things down, but you're not going to able to function in that pain.

Is there another GP you can see? It can you be referred to the hospital!

Victoria, I hadn’t even consider that it could be connected to my SB. That’s definitely something I’ll mention to the next GP I see. Best to cover all bases!

My other leg is what I believe doctors would call Fucked Up (because of the SB, it’s deformed and just rubbish at doing leg stuff!) so I really need my other leg to behave and stay The Good One. So I won’t be letting this get any worse.

OP I know little about this so won't comment either way, but just wanted to give you some

Sounds like you're really stuck. As a pp said, please keep posting or even start a new thread related to the weight loss for support etc.

Sounds awful. Op sleep deprivation is the worst. It's amazing you've lost weight. Please don't think too much about this GP now. Be proud you are going forwards and you have been brave. I have confidence in you op. Hopefully you can get some pain relief to sleep.

It sounds inhumane to me personally-I'm stuck between they're your doctor so they know best, but then not all doctors do know best and your lack of sleep won't be helping anything either. I also did find some of the first comments harsh. Take care OP, I hope you get some help tomorrow

Thank you, the harsh posts are a kick I need and the gentler posts are soothing, iykwim. Guess I need a bit of both.

I’m going to start walking after dinner that a previous poster suggested. I hate not having a destination or a proper reason for walking. What sort of challenge or aim can I give myself to make the walk more purposeful?

People do the Fitbit thing, or you could just make sure you go somewhere beautiful if you can? It being Autumn. No other suggestions I'm afraid-when I first moved near town Id walk to Boots and reward myself with wandering about looking at stuff!!!

Hello, just randomly chipping in with possible walking purposes:

– you're not walking without a proper reason, you're walking for your health and well-being!!!
– you'll feel better after the walk, physically and psychologically
– walking in the sun will boost your vitamin D levels and that again can help with low mood
– do you like dogs? Could you help someone walk their dog?
– combine the walking with a trip to the shops if there's any in walking distance and you need anything
– pokemon go?
– you said you just moved, walking is a good way to explore your new area
– make a playlist with new music and use the walk to listen to it. Or use the time to listen to an audio book?
– go walking with a friend if you have any close and use it to catch up?

OP, I'm astonished that the GP has left you in such pain, and that so many holier-than-thous on here believe you deserve it. Utterly barbaric to leave you in pain when there is pain relief that could help you, no matter her apparent motivation.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I gather the damage to the nerves is irreversible? I.e. the damage that has already been done cannot be cured? While it would be prudent to avoid any further damage to your nerves, and it is of course sensible to continue your weight-loss effort (which you have done stunningly well on so far), it is not as though leaving you in so much pain that you can't sleep will have the effect of regenerating the damaged nerves in your feet.

The GP should not be playing God/taking such a paternalistic approach to this. She is going beyond her remit, and overstepping the bounds of your autonomy as an adult patient with full competence. Do the NICE guidelines state that pain relief should be withheld from T2 diabetics, so that they have a greater sense of urgency in controlling their weight/blood sugar? No matter the pain that leaves them in? I very much doubt it.

I would see another GP, and consider a complaint about this one. Absolutely shocking that this has happened in 2018.

I'm the same about needing a purpose for walking zzzzz.

I end up walking to the local petrol station and buying a cucumber or something!

Shoving, from what I understand it’s very likely the damage isn’t curable. I can prevent worsening but it’s unlikely to reverse.

Artio, I think Pokemon Go is my favourite from that list! Great excuse to get my teen to walk with me as I don’t have a phone!

Marcie, I used to live close to Ikea so could walk there and just mooch around then buy the obligatory candles. That was great! Nowhere near now sadly.

I’m going to hit up google maps for landmarks to aim for!

OvO have you considered you might be addicted to the codeine in the cocodamol and that's why you're itching for more? The codeine will not make your foot better *personal e experience here&

I’m not itching for more, wherever have you got that idea? I’ve posted up thread that I’m very careful NOT to take the cocodamol a lot.

I get given 1 weeks worth of pills at a time (that’s how long they’d last if I took them on 6 hourly basis) but they last MONTHS as I only take them when the pain is unbearable. I’m so so conscious of having a lifetime of painkillers and I don’t need an addiction on top of everything else.

Oh and the cocodamol isn’t even for my foot pain!

Could you consider getting a small dog OP? Something to help give you an incentive to walk?

I can’t get a dog as it wouldn’t be fair. There’s times when I’ve not so much as set foot outside for 2 weeks due to my disability and that’s no life for a dog.

My DH absolutely doesn’t want one so I couldn’t fairly expect him to do all the work. We did discuss getting one but ended up with guinea pigs instead!

Please don’t think I’m throwing up barriers to all suggestions. I just have to be realistic as my health problems are more than just diabetes.

I’m googling stuff, will ask nurse tomorrow for more diabetic help, and will definitely start the after meal walk!

Is your weight only 10.5 now OP? That's not an unreasonable weight at all.

walking - look out for helloween decorations. then christmas ones, then find something else like the nicest front garden....
possibly get a couple of weights (as christmas present?) for some indoor exercises.

op, you have a great drive for change. you can do it

How are you today OP.

I understand how you feel OP.

Sadly anyone with chronic pain is being treated like this now. The current trend is to offer mindfullness training, some physio and exercise. I have osteo and inflammatory arthritis. I need joint replacement surgery.

Sitting listening to bird song isn't a treatment for my pain!!!

I see what your GP is saying - that your pain is a symptom of a serious illness and you need to take it seriously but at the same time chronic pain is debilitating. If they control the pain hopefully you will be more active, lose weight and control the diabetes.

Is the nerve damage permanent or will it improve once the diabetes is under control?

OP, what’s your bmi because at 10.5 stone even if you’re short surely it can’t be that bad? Though I appreciate especially with diabetes if it’s affecting your health then even being a bit overweight can’t help.

I know you say you struggle exercising but they do say weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. So maybe focus on the diet which you can do.

Have you got Pinterest? I find that really inspirational for healthy meal ideas.

I walk after every meal as I am pre diabetic and need to lose weight. I walk for 20 mins after breakfast and lunch. Then after dinner I walk for 45 mins with an audio book. I do this for my health. To start off with it was really really hard to get myself out the door but now its routine.

Your gp is trying to help you, yes they probably handled it wrong but the intention was good. What does your diabetic nurse say? Low carbing works well for me and kept my gestational diabetes under control.
Only you can solve this, change is hard and losing weight is hard but worth it. Good luck

The more i read the more shit i think it is.
Womens pain is often dismissed.
How the fuck are you supposed to make any positive changes if you cant even sleep .
Its one thing not giving too much painkillers. Its another not giving any and expecting somebody to exist like that.
Is there anyway you can self medicate

Just an idea for the walk: Perhaps a number of really great tunes to listen to on headphones that exactly fills the length of walk? Or motivational talks/short stories/histories etc. There's so much interesting stuff to listen to. I 2nd the other poster who mentioned Pinterest for food ideas too.