Feeling sorry for myself when I Should be happy....

[Newtothis]

Was on a downer yesterday; although I had a fantastic drop in my HbA1c my slight increase in cholesterol took the enjoyment and satisfaction of all the hard work away......

Had a heart to heart with my brother who is also type 2 and his advice put things into perspective... GP/DN not too concerned about the slight increase and I hope if they we're overly concerned that would have advised some form of action... I am right aren't I?? I guess I'm just looking for a little re-assurance.

 

[margie]

I thought that they had given you the opportunity to reduce the cholesterol without meds. That sound to me like they are keeping an eye on you. Did you find out your ratios of good to bad cholesterol that may be informing their advice.

If they were worried about you they would have suggested meds so try not to worry.

 

[Northerner]

I agree with margie, if they had been concerned then tey would have put you straight onto meds for the cholesterol. It strikes me that they have seen what a brilliant job you have done to get your blood sugars under control and are confident that you can achieve something similar with the cholesterol. I am confident too 🙂

 

[slipper]

I think you are worrying unnecessarily Amanda, I agree that they want to give you a little longer to see if your exercise etc gets your cholesterol down.

Seems a little odd that I too was on a downer after my first appraisal, despite having, like you , a good result. Perhaps as Northerner said in another thread, its an emotional thing this review business, especially our first, and maybe we pick on something to be down about.

Even so, if you wait, no harm will be done, and if in 3 months you decide to take some meds, then go ahead. If it niggles away at you now, wait another week or two, and see how you feel then.

For what its worth, my cholesterol was 4.7, but my LDL was high, so I am trying Provastatin 10mg, reluctantly.🙂

 

[Katieb]

Hi Amanda

So sorry you've been feeling down, particularly after such a good HbA1c result. Can't agree more with what the others have said in that if the DN/Dr were at all concerned, they would have told you and perhaps considered meds. The slight raise is just that, slight. You have achieved incredible results so far and like Alan, I feel sure that your cholesterol will remain under control because you are such a determined, committed fighter! Keep smiling, Amanda, cos you are absolutely fab!! Love and hugs, Katiexxx {{{{}}}} Ps. Have pm'd my mobile number should you need me too!!!!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope your cholesterol blues pass quickly. You should feel pleased with yourself, and if your chol were at a troublesome level they would have gone for meds straight away.

 

[Newtothis]

Thanks guys; I'm feeling slightly better as time goes by; my DN as per her usual happy self finished our session with 'now don't go worrying or you'll give yourself a stroke'...

The GP (who is only young & relatively new) said that medicine isn't all about popping pills and that we do encourage patients to try and reduce numbers by themselves..hence giving me the 3 months to try and see if I can reduce my cholsterol. My concerns are:-

1. He would know I'm diabetic wouldn't he?
2. DN showed me my patient screen and it said in relation to Cholesterol - aim for 4. As it's gone to 5 - new GP would know this wouldn't he?
3. I'm not putting myself at immediate risk by not taking statins now am I?
4. Is a cholsterol check normally done as a 'fasting' test?

I did ask the DN & GP question 3 before I left the surgery and both said 'no' you don't have high cholesterol just raised.

I haven't been able to get a breakdown - infact, when I had my bloodtest I was told that they we're not doing a cholesterol check.

I know no-one is medically trained to answer the below but I'm worried about becoming over anxious...did try and speak to DN today just to let her know how GP appointment went but she was seeing patients all day.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks guys; I'm feeling slightly better as time goes by; my DN as per her usual happy self finished our session with 'now don't go worrying or you'll give yourself a stroke'...

The GP (who is only young & relatively new) said that medicine isn't all about popping pills and that we do encourage patients to try and reduce numbers by themselves..hence giving me the 3 months to try and see if I can reduce my cholsterol. My concerns are:-

1. He would know I'm diabetic wouldn't he?
2. DN showed me my patient screen and it said in relation to Cholesterol - aim for 4. As it's gone to 5 - new GP would know this wouldn't he?
3. I'm not putting myself at immediate risk by not taking statins now am I?
4. Is a cholsterol check normally done as a 'fasting' test?

I did ask the DN & GP question 3 before I left the surgery and both said 'no' you don't have high cholesterol just raised.

I haven't been able to get a breakdown - infact, when I had my bloodtest I was told that they we're not doing a cholesterol check.

I know no-one is medically trained to answer the below but I'm worried about becoming over anxious...did try and speak to DN today just to let her know how GP appointment went but she was seeing patients all day.

Yes, he would know you had diabetes 🙂 They say that 4 is what people with diabetes should aim for, but it does depend on the breakdown - as I said earlier, mine was 4.8 the time before last and the consultant didn't bat an eyelid. 5.0 is considered fine for a non-diabetic.

There is debate over whether you need to fast at all for a cholesterol check. If you don't fast then they can't determine the LDL ('bad') cholesterol, but the total and the HDL ratio goves them a very good indication of whether you are doing OK or not. At 5.1 you are in no immediate danger of anything that would be caused by high cholesterol.

Furthermore, you musn't get the idea that cholesterol is bad for you - every cell in your body needs it, so it's not some kind of horrible fat that should ideally be reduced to zero, but it has suffered a lot of bad press and like diabetes there are now a lot of misconceptions about it and it's a much more complex story than the media would have you believe.

 

[Newtothis]

Yes, he would know you had diabetes 🙂 They say that 4 is what people with diabetes should aim for, but it does depend on the breakdown - as I said earlier, mine was 4.8 the time before last and the consultant didn't bat an eyelid. 5.0 is considered fine for a non-diabetic.

There is debate over whether you need to fast at all for a cholesterol check. If you don't fast then they can't determine the LDL ('bad') cholesterol, but the total and the HDL ratio goves them a very good indication of whether you are doing OK or not. At 5.1 you are in no immediate danger of anything that would be caused by high cholesterol.

Furthermore, you musn't get the idea that cholesterol is bad for you - every cell in your body needs it, so it's not some kind of horrible fat that should ideally be reduced to zero, but it has suffered a lot of bad press and like diabetes there are now a lot of misconceptions about it and it's a much more complex story than the media would have you believe.

Thanks Alan x ; I'm just worried he didn't know and has sent me away to fend for myself..get these daft idea's in my head. He did say its 'slightly raised' but 5.1 is nothing to be concerned about as I've only just been diagnosed with diabetes - just need to modify my diet and we'll check again. Hubby thinks its better to see new doctor's especially younger because they are up on all new procedures/techniques etc... as opposed to someone who qualified 40 years ago - don't know if he is saying that to make me feel better... I'm just going to try and relax...breath..breath...

DN gave me permission to treat myself to something bad at Xmas; think this is because I lost the weight - from 13stone to 9stone 13....

Thank you again...you always seem to say the right thing...🙂

 

[FM001]

As far as I'm aware you do still need to fast for a cholesterol test despite some reporting in the press suggesting otherwise, consuming food and any drink except water can interfere with the lipid results so I was told.

 

[Northerner]

As far as I'm aware you do still need to fast for a cholesterol test despite some reporting in the press suggesting otherwise, consuming food and any drink except water can interfere with the lipid results so I was told.

Only if you want the HDL/LDL split Toby, not for Total/HDL ratio 🙂 I've never had a fasting cholesterol test.