Argh I'm a hypochondriac!!

[Emmaathome]

I am 4 - 5 weeks into taking Metformin, now up to 4 x 500mg per day (as of last week).

Overnight last night I was hot, wide awake, felt ridiculously thirsty etc - that had all started to calm down but was back with a vengance last night. Finally back to sleep around 5 this morning, for an hour before the alarm went off.

Thought I might settle today but have emptied the water cooler at work, and am still thirsty, been to the loo loads but assume thats cos i have drunk enough to sink a ship!

I haven't eaten anything "different" to what I have before but just feel generally a bit spaced out today along with the ridiculous thirst. Anyone any ideas what could have caused it or what I can do to sort myself? Coming up to the weekend so a bit concerned that I am going to feel like this all weekend. Should I check with the docs? Should I accept I'm just going to feel like this sometimes going forward?

Sorry - just concerned I feel like I did way back at diagnosis which I really thought I was past!

 

[AJLang]

Emma those are the signs of a very high blood sugar. Please phone the doctors ASAP and ask to see someone. If this is not possible please phone NHS direct ASAP or see the out of hours doctor/go to the walk in centre

 

[Northerner]

I agree, you need to get your blood sugars checked. You may be sickening for something and this can cause your levels to go high even before you get any symptoms of an illness, so best to get things checked out before the weekend. Hope everything settles down for you soon.

 

[AlisonM]

Are you able to test to see what's happening? I agree, it sounds like very high BGs to me too and you should either go to A&E or, call NHS Direct asap.

 

[Emmaathome]

Have spoken with the nurse (same one who said I didnt need to test my bloods last night).

She asked me if I could test my bloods as it sounds like I need more medication 😡

She has booked me in for blood tests first thing Monday, and a Dr appointment late Monday afternoon. Apparently if I carry on feeling ill over the weekend I should go to A&E. What a palarver!!!

 

[AJLang]

Hi Emma

Are you able to go to a chemist to buy a blood testing machine then you would know exactly what is happening with your blood sugars. It would help you to know if it is staying steady or if it is getting worse over the weekend so you know if you need to go to A&E.

 

[Emmaathome]

Going to call at the chemist tonight and see what they say.....

Thank you all for your help. You make me feel less stupid!!!

 

[Northerner]

Going to call at the chemist tonight and see what they say.....

Thank you all for your help. You make me feel less stupid!!!

You should be able to pick up a meter for around ?10 so don't pay much more, and they usually come with 10 or 25 strips so you might not need to buy any extra (they are around ?25-?30 for 50 strips from the chemists)

 

[AJLang]

You're not being stupid at all - in fact the total opposite. You are being extremely sensible trying to find out what is wrong. I really hope that this gets sorted out fast for you and that you feel much better over the weekend x

 

[AlisonM]

Don't hang about Emma, go get a meter now! And you're far from stupid, you had the sense to ask for help when you knew something was wrong.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Pop in the chemist as they do free blood sugar tests so you have an instant there and then result.
Hope you are ok.

 

[Emmaathome]

Well, that was painful! Called at the Lloyds chemist - asked for help in what to look at to purchase a monitor. They offered to test my blood sugar. Great I thought!!

Several finger pricks later she finally decided the monitor she was using wasnt working. I gave up, and left covered in blood / cotton wool!! Not my favourite part of today!

Called at Boots, but they dont offer the testing. Ended up purchasing a monitor that was in the sale for ?10 including 50 test strips.

Got home, finally managed to test at 6.45pm which was 6 hours after food / drink (apart from water), level was only 7.5 which I thought was OK. I was feeling less woosy too, which was good. Looks like it was either coming back down of its own accord, or it wasnt that high in the first place.

I won't test it again unless I have another "funny turn" until I've been on the Xpert course. I think I feel happy that I know the monitor is there for emergencies, rather than starting to test every 10 mins!!!

Thanks again for all your support and advice. It really is good to know you guys are here for everyone!! 😉

 

[Northerner]

Glad to hear you are feeling a little better 🙂 What meter is it? At that price it would almost have been worth buying a few meters if they came with 50 strips! 😱

I hope that you get a peaceful night's sleep, with no more discomfort 🙂

 

[Emmaathome]

Accu Check Mobile.

Even if the doc ends up supplying me with one, this one is perfect to take with me when we go away in our camper as its all in one and was dead easy to use!!!

 

[Northerner]

Accu Check Mobile.

Even if the doc ends up supplying me with one, this one is perfect to take with me when we go away in our camper as its all in one and was dead easy to use!!!

Ah, is that the one with the strips on a sort of reel in the machine? Bargain! 🙂 If you register it with Roche then you can get free batteries and blood testing diaries from them 🙂

 

[Emmaathome]

Yep thats the one. Sounded like a bargain - although what do I know!!! If it costs a tenner or less, I always think its a bargain, whatever it is! Easily suckered in to stuff!!!

 

[Northerner]

Yep thats the one. Sounded like a bargain - although what do I know!!! If it costs a tenner or less, I always think its a bargain, whatever it is! Easily suckered in to stuff!!!

The strips alone would cost around ?30!

 

[Tina63]

Hi Emma

Accu-chek Mobie - brilliant piece of kit - BUT - testing cassette expires 3 months after first use. We have found this out a couple of times, and the first time I thought we must have a faulty cassette. When it happened a second time I actually thought to check the notes that came with the meter, and lo and behold, it's there in black and white.

So if you aren't going to be using it on a regular basis, it would just be worth making a note somewhere for 3 months time to purchase a new cassette and leave it unopened until you may need to use it again. For a T1, it's idea, but if you are T2 and only testing occasionally, I'm afraid in the long run it may not be such a bargain.

Tina

 

[Northerner]

Hi Emma

Accu-chek Mobie - brilliant piece of kit - BUT - testing cassette expires 3 months after first use. We have found this out a couple of times, and the first time I thought we must have a faulty cassette. When it happened a second time I actually thought to check the notes that came with the meter, and lo and behold, it's there in black and white.

So if you aren't going to be using it on a regular basis, it would just be worth making a note somewhere for 3 months time to purchase a new cassette and leave it unopened until you may need to use it again. For a T1, it's idea, but if you are T2 and only testing occasionally, I'm afraid in the long run it may not be such a bargain.

Tina

Well, I never knew that, thanks Tina 🙂 I suppose it makes sense - my pots of strips have to be used within a certain amount of time after opening (I think it's a month) but then I always finish a pot in about a week anyway.

 

[Tina63]

Well I confess I couldn't fathom why we got this message 'cassette expired' so commented on here, and someone came on here and told me. I then looked at the small print on the leaflet and there it was in black and white.