Comments on: Tale of the “Overly Sweet” Mother-in-Law http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/ Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:05:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: the Wandering Author http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39777 the Wandering Author Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:32:29 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39777 Moof, my wife's father, sister, and cousin all have diabetes. Her father died of it some time ago; she is very afraid of developing it, and has read extensively on the subject. She has no medical training, but she has worked to help her cousin find information on diet, since his doctors have been less than helpful in that regard. Her own opinion is this: if she talked to her cousin on the phone, and he had <i>one</i> reading of 200 or more, we'd be making the two plus hour drive up to see that he got help, even if it was midnight. I suspect she may be leaving a tiny margin for caution there, but not that large a margin. She suggests you call the local emergency room, give them the readings, and ask if your mother-in-law needs to be seen. Also, if your mother-in-law is interested in learning the latest on diet, Google "glycemic index" and give her the results. As far as the doctor, I'd say with the number of stories you've heard, "where there's smoke, there's fire". I hope things work out well for both of you. Moof, my wife’s father, sister, and cousin all have diabetes. Her father died of it some time ago; she is very afraid of developing it, and has read extensively on the subject. She has no medical training, but she has worked to help her cousin find information on diet, since his doctors have been less than helpful in that regard.

Her own opinion is this: if she talked to her cousin on the phone, and he had one reading of 200 or more, we’d be making the two plus hour drive up to see that he got help, even if it was midnight. I suspect she may be leaving a tiny margin for caution there, but not that large a margin. She suggests you call the local emergency room, give them the readings, and ask if your mother-in-law needs to be seen.

Also, if your mother-in-law is interested in learning the latest on diet, Google “glycemic index” and give her the results. As far as the doctor, I’d say with the number of stories you’ve heard, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire”. I hope things work out well for both of you.

]]> By: medrecgal http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39694 medrecgal Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:17:15 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39694 Moof, Sounds to me like your MIL's doc has his head up his butt, IMHO. Why else would he ignore all of these chronic conditions? My advice would be to get her to an ER or an urgent care to get her blood sugar down NOW, and then see about finding her a doc who actually pays proper attention to her various problems, many of which are likely to be interrelated. If you can't convince her to do it, perhaps you should get her nephrologist involved. (Perhaps they know someone and can get her a proper referral.) What is it lately about these doctor horror stories we keep hearing from you? There ARE decent, non-specialist docs out there...you just need to find yourself a couple! Wish I could be of more help... Moof,

Sounds to me like your MIL’s doc has his head up his butt, IMHO. Why else would he ignore all of these chronic conditions? My advice would be to get her to an ER or an urgent care to get her blood sugar down NOW, and then see about finding her a doc who actually pays proper attention to her various problems, many of which are likely to be interrelated. If you can’t convince her to do it, perhaps you should get her nephrologist involved. (Perhaps they know someone and can get her a proper referral.) What is it lately about these doctor horror stories we keep hearing from you? There ARE decent, non-specialist docs out there…you just need to find yourself a couple! Wish I could be of more help…

]]> By: #1 Dinosaur http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39687 #1 Dinosaur Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:28:44 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39687 Moofie: You're a smart lady. You know perfectly well that your MIL is getting substandard care and that it's posing an immediate threat to her health. If you need the reassurance of a bunch of strangers (technically) on the internet reiterating the obvious, then by all means add my voice to the crowd. If what you really want is to say, "OMG, can you believe what this incompetent doc is doing to my poor MIL" (a perfectly valid sentiment that certainly deserves a rant) then I agree wholeheartedly: What a jerk! Since I know you know exactly what you need to do, instead of offering "advice" I'll offer reassurance: Yes, it is appropriate for you to intervene. My prayers (and love) are with you, helping you find the strength to do what has to be done. Moofie:

You’re a smart lady.

You know perfectly well that your MIL is getting substandard care and that it’s posing an immediate threat to her health.

If you need the reassurance of a bunch of strangers (technically) on the internet reiterating the obvious, then by all means add my voice to the crowd.

If what you really want is to say, “OMG, can you believe what this incompetent doc is doing to my poor MIL” (a perfectly valid sentiment that certainly deserves a rant) then I agree wholeheartedly: What a jerk!

Since I know you know exactly what you need to do, instead of offering “advice” I’ll offer reassurance: Yes, it is appropriate for you to intervene. My prayers (and love) are with you, helping you find the strength to do what has to be done.

]]> By: rdlrdl http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39686 rdlrdl Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:19:21 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39686 You should definitely encourage(talk her into) changing primary docs. tell her the horror stories, point out he is not giving her even adequate care. I went thru this with my Dad before I moved him here from Fla. His doctor was horrid, told me he had failure to thrive and there are alot of stories i could share about him also. He was like a new man once he got some decent care up North here, where we found a careing doc. he was like a new man. ok done with my mini rant here. Good luck! You should definitely encourage(talk her into) changing primary docs. tell her the horror stories, point out he is not giving her even adequate care. I went thru this with my Dad before I moved him here from Fla. His doctor was horrid, told me he had failure to thrive and there are alot of stories i could share about him also. He was like a new man once he got some decent care up North here, where we found a careing doc. he was like a new man. ok done with my mini rant here.
Good luck!

]]> By: Parameddan http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39677 Parameddan Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:51:21 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39677 This is an unfortunate story. Yes, I agree the doctor is coming close to being negligent,but your mother-in-law's health is in her hands. Another physician may or may not be beneficial but more vigilance on her part will most assuredly help. Good luck. This is an unfortunate story. Yes, I agree the doctor is coming close to being negligent,but your mother-in-law’s health is in her hands. Another physician may or may not be beneficial but more vigilance on her part will most assuredly help. Good luck.

]]> By: Dawn http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39650 Dawn Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:54:06 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39650 Moof...as a nurse and CNM I am APPALLED at your MIL's doctor ignoring blood sugar levels that high! Please, take her to an urgent care center or ER NOW! Sugars that high can cause several problems all alone, and your lovely MIL has enough problems. After the sugars get under control, please have her see a diatician. Medicare (which I assume she is on) covers diabetic counseling. Let us know what happens, please. Moof…as a nurse and CNM I am APPALLED at your MIL’s doctor ignoring blood sugar levels that high! Please, take her to an urgent care center or ER NOW! Sugars that high can cause several problems all alone, and your lovely MIL has enough problems. After the sugars get under control, please have her see a diatician. Medicare (which I assume she is on) covers diabetic counseling. Let us know what happens, please.

]]> By: Peggikaye http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39624 Peggikaye Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:57:58 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39624 if this was MY diabetic mom (and my mom is diabetic ... I'd take her to an urgent care or an ER ... seriously. if this was MY diabetic mom (and my mom is diabetic … I’d take her to an urgent care or an ER … seriously.

]]> By: Cathy http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39594 Cathy Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:22:52 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39594 Moof, those numbers would scare me to death. I would call that Doc. and ask about her seeing a diabetes conselor. My mom had one, and this woman was great. She set her insulin and talked and talked to her about nutrition. She kept a close eye on her and we could call any time her numbers wern't right. I hope this all works out and I feel bad for her knowing how bad she must feel. Moof, those numbers would scare me to death. I would call that Doc. and ask about her seeing a diabetes conselor. My mom had one, and this woman was great. She set her insulin and talked and talked to her about nutrition. She kept a close eye on her and we could call any time her numbers wern’t right.

I hope this all works out and I feel bad for her knowing how bad she must feel.

]]> By: wolfbaby http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39547 wolfbaby Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:09:15 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39547 I agree with the above said. My PCP sent me to a dietician before I reached diabetes when I was preggers cause she didn't want me to get there because the risk was higher for having it later in life. To this day she still has me check my blood sugar every so often. Go with her help her find a good diet and try and talk to her about what regular PCP's do. This is not normal. the doctor treating her this way I mean. This is not accectable. The number are to dangerously high. My husbands grandfather died from diebieties. Being this uncontrolled is very very bad. Push the issue Moof. Find her a new doctor. I agree with the above said. My PCP sent me to a dietician before I reached diabetes when I was preggers cause she didn’t want me to get there because the risk was higher for having it later in life. To this day she still has me check my blood sugar every so often. Go with her help her find a good diet and try and talk to her about what regular PCP’s do. This is not normal. the doctor treating her this way I mean. This is not accectable. The number are to dangerously high. My husbands grandfather died from diebieties. Being this uncontrolled is very very bad. Push the issue Moof. Find her a new doctor.

]]> By: Psyche http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39516 Psyche Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:28:02 +0000 http://moof.blogsplot.net/2007/07/03/tale-of-the-overly-sweet-mother-in-law/#comment-39516 With numbers like that I would take her to an urgent care and tell them that her PCP is blowing her off. Ask for a referral to an endocrinologist, if possible. My mom, who had end stage renal disease, DIED because her primary care doctor blew her off in the same way. Don't let it happen to your lovely MIL. With numbers like that I would take her to an urgent care and tell them that her PCP is blowing her off. Ask for a referral to an endocrinologist, if possible.

My mom, who had end stage renal disease, DIED because her primary care doctor blew her off in the same way. Don’t let it happen to your lovely MIL.

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