What No One Told You About Diabetes Doctor Visits

Managing diabetes care works best when it’s a true partnership.

This is why you are the most important member of your own care team. Your healthcare provider is your trusted guide, but you hold the key to sharing the real-life details that make your treatment plan successful.

🩵 Why Honesty Matters

You are the center of your care team, and your doctor is there to help you navigate your health journey. Being open about what’s working (and what isn’t) allows your doctor to make recommendations that truly fit your real life.

Remember, your provider isn’t a judge. If you hold back details about missed doses, high blood sugar readings, or feeling burnt out, they might assume a treatment is working when it’s not. Open, honest conversations make it possible to make adjustments that support your success, not an unrealistic ideal of perfection.

🤔 What Should I Share with My Provider?

Many people feel embarrassed talking about struggles with diabetes, but these details are essential for good care. Being honest helps your provider tailor treatment and offer meaningful support.

Examples of things worth sharing include:

• Trouble remembering medications
• Fear of low blood sugar
• Stress, burnout, or feeling overwhelmed
• Goals and priorities in your diabetes care

These conversations can open the door to better tools, education, or changes in therapy that make diabetes feel more manageable.

 🙋🏻‍♂️ Questions to Ask at Your Next Visit:

Preparing questions ahead of time can make visits more productive and less overwhelming.

Consider asking about:

• • Alternative medication options
  • Ways to simplify your routine
  • How to manage highs or lows during daily life
  • Re-education on your medications and devices
  • Refills on your expired devices
  • Clarifying your diabetes goals

🩵 Engaging in Honest and Effective Conversations with Your Diabetes Care Team

To maximize the value of your appointments and ensure your diabetes management plan is working best for you, it’s essential to come prepared with thoughtful questions. These conversations should go beyond routine checks and delve into personalized strategies.

Consider opening up discussions about the following key areas:

📌 Exploring Alternative Treatment and Medication Pathways:

 If your current regimen is causing intolerable side effects, proving too complex, or not achieving the desired glucose control, ask about all available alternatives.

• What are the pros and cons of switching from my current medication to a different class of drug?
• Are there newer technologies or different insulin delivery methods I should consider?
• How would these changes impact my overall health and other co-existing conditions?

📌 Strategies for Simplifying Your Daily Management Routine:

Diabetes management can feel overwhelming. Discuss ways to streamline your daily tasks to prevent burnout and improve adherence.

• Can we consolidate or reduce the number of injections or tests I need to perform daily?
• Are there ways to integrate my device usage (e.g., pump and CGM) more seamlessly into my daily life?
• What time-saving tips do you recommend for meal planning or physical activity tracking?

📌 Proactive Management of Hypo- and Hyperglycemia in Daily Life:

Discuss real-world scenarios and create a clear action plan for managing blood sugar fluctuations during routine and unexpected events.

• What specific steps should I take to prevent lows during or after intense exercise?
• How should I adjust my insulin when I’m sick with a cold or the flu?
• What are the immediate danger signs for severe highs or lows, and when should I seek emergency care?
• Are my current correction factors and insulin-to-carb ratios still accurate, or do they need to be re-evaluated?

📌 Comprehensive Re-education and Device Refresher Training:

Technology and best practices evolve quickly. Don’t hesitate to request a review of your current medications and devices to ensure correct usage.

• Can you walk me through the proper injection technique or pump site rotation again?
• I’ve forgotten some functions of my continuous glucose monitor (CGM)—can we review them?
• What are the signs that my medication is no longer effective or that I’m not using it correctly?

📌 Ensuring Timely Refills and Device Replacements:

To avoid gaps in care, always confirm the status of necessary prescriptions and supplies, especially those that expire or need periodic replacement.

• Can we check my chart to ensure all necessary prescriptions for my test strips, sensors, and insulin pens are current?
• My insulin pump warranty is nearing its end—what is the process for ordering a replacement?
• What is the best way to handle urgent refill requests outside of a scheduled appointment?

📌 Clarifying and Aligning Your Personal Diabetes Goals:

Discussing your specific aims ensures your treatment plan is tailored to your lifestyle and priorities.

• Beyond my A1C target, what are realistic goals for my time-in-range (TIR)?
• How can we adjust my plan to accommodate a specific life event, like a long trip or a new, demanding work schedule?
• What steps can I take to prioritize my mental health and address diabetes-related distress or burnout?

Using questions as conversation starters encourages shared decision-making and helps ensure your care plan aligns with your goals.

Disclaimer: Any information provided is not intended as medical advice. Iowa Diabetes is not responsible for any information from third parties.