There are many reasons why these patients have uncontrolled diabetes. Some are just not on high enough doses. Others unknowingly take their pre-meal insulin after they eat. A few will have times when their blood sugar drops too low and then their body reacts with the stress response driving the blood sugar back up (and usually too high).
But most are uncontrolled because they aren't with the program. They don't check their blood sugars regularly. Or they don't take their insulin shots regularly. Or they don't follow a diabetic diet--which does NOT include doughnuts.
And it is amazing how many show up to the diabetic clinic without their glucometer or any record of their blood sugar readings. They are surprised when I ask for these things. More than one has been offended when I say that I can't help them control their sugar without knowing how their blood sugars are running. Sorry, but otherwise I'm shooting in the dark here.
Don't get me wrong. Diabetes is a huge pain. But diabetics have to deal with checking their blood sugars regularly and taking insulin on a regular basis if they want their diabetes treated.
And please remember to bring a record of your blood sugars to clinic.
