A New Start

[HelenP]

Hi, I've been hanging around these boards for 3+ years now, as I was diagnosed in July 09. For the first 6 months, I was brilliant, taking control of my Diabetes, being very careful what I ate, and bringing my blood sugar level and cholesterol right down. What a clever girl.

However, that was all shortlived, and the last two and a half years, I've totally ignored my diabetes, I've eaten ALL the wrong things, and I'm surprised the world's sugar stocks haven't been totally depleted, with all the sugar I've been shovelling in. The only good thing is that my weight hasn't changed, oddly enough.

I've decided enough's enough. Up til now I've had the "But I feel fine, I'll wait till it comes up and bites me on the bum before I start taking care". But two things have happened - 1) my mum died in the Summer, nothing to do with Diabetes, but a lot to do with her denial and totally ignoring Doctors' advice and symptoms she was suffering; and 2) i've seen a couple of TV programmes featuring people with Diabetes, and how it's the 'silent killer' cos it 'gets' at you from the inside, and you don't realise the damage it's causing until it's too late.

So, here I am, at the end of that sermon, having seen my Diabetic Nurse today, making a new start. My BSL and cholesterol are back through the roof, she's doubled my Metformin (time to buy some fresh air spray??), and wants to put me on Gliclazide (or another similar med that I can't remember), insulin, possibly Byetta and finally a Statin for my cholesterol. EEK!! I've agreed to the extra Metformin, but refused everything else on the grounds that if I 'look after myself' and do everything properly, I might be able to have a pretty profound effect on my levels without taking extra tablets. She's given me 2 months. (to give it a go, not to live!)

If you've got this far into this longwinded post, what is your opinion, should I have agreed to the extra meds, am I being too optimistic to try and do it on my own, or is it worth giving it a try?

But anyway, I'm back!! Might hang around the ACtual diabetes forum a bit more now....................... 😛

Thanks for 'listening' !!

xx

 

[Vicsetter]

Hi Helen, good to see your back taking control of things.
As to the meds, it's important that you go the route you are happy with. It sounds like your nurse gave you a pathway that she was wanting to follow. No way would you be on Metformin, gliclazide, insulin and byetta. Don't forget that Metformin takes a few weeks to properly kick in. Did she give you test strips? The next step after Metformin is usually gliclazide and when that doesn't work then either insulin or byetta (more air freshener needed here as well).
So my personal opinion is you've done the right thing, do the Metformin for 2 months, if you can test then record the result and get another Hba1c next time. I that is still too high then agree to the gliclazide or othe suggestion. Don't forget to do more exercise if you can.

I've previously posted my thoughts on statins (don't take them).
Good luck and come on back (old CB radio talk).

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi Helen,
nope you not crazy by taking control of your condition and on your terms.
Take one day at a time and see how you get on, if you need some extra meds at the end of 2 months then so be it you tried. 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Wishing you all the best Helen - we will all be here to help and support you 🙂 I agree that the best route is to do your best for the next two months and see where you stand. Why not read the Gretchen Becker book again (or for the first time if you didn't read it when diagnosed!)?

 

[HelenP]

Did she give you test strips? Don't forget to do more exercise if you can.

Good luck and come on back (old CB radio talk).

Thanks Vicsetter! No test strips - apparently they no longer prescribe them at my surgery if you're on Metformin. I have 2 or 3 boxes left here but they've just gone out of date, and as it's quite a crucial time, I'd best not use them. Exercise - pah! now THAT, i'm allergic to!! 😛

Hi Helen,
nope you not crazy by taking control of your condition and on your terms.
Take one day at a time and see how you get on, if you need some extra meds at the end of 2 months then so be it you tried. 🙂

Thanks hun.

Wishing you all the best Helen - we will all be here to help and support you 🙂 Why not read the Gretchen Becker book again

Thanks Northey, I know I can rely on you and the other forum members for help and advice. I read about half of GB's book when first diagnosed, before I got bored - shameful, I know, but it didn't have the drama of John Grisham nor the wit of Ben Elton, and it just didn't 'hold me' !! But I will give it another bash, thank you.

xx

 

[trophywench]

I wished you lived round the corner from me. Do you?

I need to take more exercise for several -health - reasons. I only want to walk somewhere not go berserk - and it's so bloody boring on my own.

 

[HelenP]

I wished you lived round the corner from me. Do you?

I need to take more exercise for several -health - reasons. I only want to walk somewhere not go berserk - and it's so bloody boring on my own.

Aww, unfortunately I don't, I'm down in Surrey. Hope you can find a walking buddy near you.

xx