Hello to all

[Archemedes]

I am male and 70 years of age. I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes about a year ago after a routine blood test.
I was not at all happy by the sudden off-handed method that my doctor announced that I was now a Diabetic (almost as if it was a joke), as I had suspected for many years that there was a problem, but they had paid little attention to my pleading in the past, and generally shrugged-off the issue.
It was almost as if previously they were not interested in Diabetics, but all of a sudden this had changed and they had a drive on weeding us out.
After diagnosis they initially they asked me to regulate my diabetes by diet alone (which I understood to be part of the course), but after a few repeated HBA1c tests finally suggested that I might need to go onto insulin. I declined insulin and asked to be put onto oral medication, so they suggested Metformin, which I found difficult to believe as I also suffer from Pernicious Anaemia.
Anyone suffering from PA coupled with Diabetes will already know that Metformin further reduces the B12 in the body, which is the very essential item that you are short of with PA.
So as a stop-gap the doctor prescribed Linagliptin which I have now been taking for about 6 months.
Unfortunately this has made little difference to my BG levels, and it has not now taken long for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy to set-in and attack my feet. This coupled with the onset of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis in my head, neck and shoulder region, and severe and punishing daytime fatigue (and strangely sleepless nights) are combining to make my life an absolute misery.
I realise that there are many people out there who have suffered for a lot longer and a great deal worse than I have, but sadly this is no consolation to me as I simply cannot cope with my own present circumstances.

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum, Archemedes, but sorry you have to be here. This is rushed because I need to get up at 0615 for work. I'm sure that others will give more welcomes and more detailed responses, if not overnight, then in the morning.

 

[stephknits]

Welcome, Archemedes. Sorry to hear you are struggling. Do you test your blood sugars? What sort of readings do you get? What is your HbA1c? It may be that insulin could be right for you - what put you off? Without knowing more, we obviously couldn't say, but it could be the very thing to turn around how you feel. I was on oral medications for 7 months after diagnosis (due to being wrongly diagnosed) and when finally moved onto insulin, I can't tell you how much better I felt. Whilst my circumstances are, of course, very different from your own, it might be worth exploring all the options. There are plenty of type 2s here who are on insulin who could advise. All the best 🙂

 

[Mark T]

Welcome to the forum Archemedes 🙂

When they advised you about diet did they remember to tell you that any food containing carbohydrate will cause you blood glucose levels to raise - or did they tell you to eat carb's with everything?

 

[Archemedes]

Thanks for the welcome

When I was first diagnosed I had to meet the Dietician and the Diabetes Nurse on separate occasions. The Dietician went to great lengths to explain what I should and should not eat, specifically to cut-back on Carbohydrates but not completely.
The nurse explained that I should also take regular exercise, to which I replied that she should read my notes properly. If she had taken the time and trouble to do so then she would have realised that I also suffer with a Spinal Stenosis which makes walking any distance torturous.
The first HBA1c came back as 59 and it has remained at that level despite me now taking Linagliptin.
During my initial discussions with my doctor I declined any suggestion of Insulin as I had previously been informed that people with Diabetes who take insulin need to advise the DVLA accordingly. Because I am now over 70 years of age and have to reapply for my licence every three years, I did not want to attract any further complications in that respect, as I need to be able to drive when called upon to do so.
The Neuropathy in my feet and legs started to bite within 3 months of the initial diagnosis, and the Seborrheic Dermatitis appeared after a further 3 months.
I suspect that my many sleepless nights and exhausted days have a direct relationship to these conditions.
They initially prescribed Pregabalin for the Neuropathy, but I had to stop taking this after a short while because of various side-effects, meaning that I now have no medication at all for that problem.
The Dermatitis has been getting much worse as the time passes, so now they have prescribed Ketopine Shampoo and 1% Hydrocortisone Cream.
I am told that until such time as my Diabetes becomes more stable I need to continue with three-monthy HBA1c tests
I know that I should really shut up and stop complaining because there are people who suffer much worse than me, but to be frank with you this condition with its many side-effects is driving me mad.
Oh yes, I regularly test my BG levels with my own One Touch meter and strips supplied on prescription from my doctor. This morning, after taking Linaglipton but before breakfast the reading was 10.9.
The saga continues........

 

[HOBIE]

Welcome Archimedes. That is why I became a "Risk Assessor" for Duk. The earlier you find out the better long term. Am sorry you had to find out in the way you did & I know it would not happen in my Drs (he is T1 & good). Hope you get put on the right track & good luck 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Archie (I feel we ought to shorten it LOL)

I am not being nasty or anything here, getting older and the DVLA muscling in on everyone isn't easy, especially if we want to retain our ability to tow certain trailers or drive bigger stuff over 3.5 tonnes, and many over 70s do like to cos they have caravans and motorhomes etc. Especially if they are disabled and need to cart mobility scooters round with them cos they ain't light. And keeping the C1 involves a medical which you yourself have to foot the bill for, every flipping year from age 70 - so every 3 really isn't all that bad in comparison ! And you'd still have to do that from age 70 even if you were as fit as a flea and able to run marathons with 20.20 vision and all the rest of it.

Plus, as everyone (I mean your HCPs) seem to think your diabetes would be more in control on insulin it seems to me you are making a conscious choice - to risk the chances of losing the use of your legs/feet entirely (plus your eyes, kidneys, heart etc etc etc) against going onto insulin that might stop em getting any worse?

Of course, you can always have a hand throttle, buy an automatic or whatever you might need to do.

Nobody wanted diabetes, whichever Type it is and however old or young you are and everyone's own situation is different from any other person's.

The main thing is though surely, is to make the best of your own situation?

 

[Copepod]

Just picking up on a couple of issues raised by Archemedes:

Firstly, exercise. Not good that nurse didn't recognise that your Spinal Stenosis makes walking tortuous. Are there any forms of exercise you can do eg cycling on road or exercise bike / swimming / gym etc? Some areas have "exercise on prescription" giving free or cheap access to gyms, exercise classes etc with specially trained exercise intructors or could you get hydrotherapy in a warm pool in physiotherapy department? Apologies if none of these suggesions are appropriate, but walk or nothing doesn't sound right.

Secondly, you mention sleeping is a specific problem, leading to exhausted days, have you asked about referral to a sleep clinic? I'm not sure about your weight, but sleep apnoea is associated with being overweight or obese, so tackling weight, while difficult, might have a double benefit.

 

[Archemedes]

Thanks for the input

Just taking-up on the comments made by Trophywench and Copeod, yes I agree that the three year reapplication for my driving licence is not in itself a major issue. What concerns me is that once I medicate with Insulin there is an obligation to register that information with the DVLA which is not obligatory with Oral medication, and I do not want to focus attention on myself, nor do I want to give my insurance company any excuse to put up my motor insurance premiums.
Up to the age of 70 I used to tow a large caravan with a 4 x 4, but realising that after that age I would need to take a medical in order to retain my C1, I elected to leave the caravan in one place, and went on to sell the 4 x 4 in favour of a much smaller car, so towing is something that I no longer do.
I suppose the main issue here is information, or more to the point lack of it from my medical professionals who have so far failed to fill me with confidence.
What I didn't say before was that two people attempted to incorrectly prescribe Metformin for me, the first being my doctor, and the second being the Diabetes nurse. In both case I had to refer them to my history of PA.
As for exercise, yes they are fully aware that I suffer with a Spinal Stenosis and cannot walk far without significant problems, nevertheless no alternative method of exercise has been suggested or offered.
It appears to me that the surgery has taken the view that in the case Diabetics one hat fits all, and clearly it doesn't.
Another problem that I have encountered which on the face of it seems insignificant but is just the opposite, is my ability to cut my own toe nails. With my spine being the way that it is I have great difficulty in getting down to do the job. In the last 12 months on those occasions that I have attempted to do it myself I struggled, and ended-up with two bleeding toes. I mentioned this to my doctor who said that I should privately arrange to see a Podiatrist. When I asked if this facility was available on the National Health he said that he would arrange something - but that was six months ago, and still nothing has happened.
I think I am going to have to face the reality that when people get into my age group the medical profession generally takes less interest in them - end of.
Post Script. It is now 23.15 and have just taken a reading of my BG which is now 14.7!!

 

[Redkite]

Sorry to hear you're feeling unsupported by your doctor and DSN, but to be frank if I were in your place I would certainly take up the suggested insulin treatment. You will get much better control of your blood glucose on insulin, and surely your health is the no.1 priority? Hassles with the DVLA shouldn't be a reason to turn down the most appropriate treatment, and in any case, starting insulin doesn't mean losing your driving licence, just more hoops to jump through. I'm not au fait with all the type 2 meds, but any which have the potential to induce a hypo would need the DVLA to be notified, not just insulin.

 

[Archemedes]

Thanks

I have just recognised that I need to stop moaning about my problems on this forum and actually start complaining to my doctor, who I feel needs to wake up, and quickly.
I am not well, not happy, and very tired too.
If my doctor tries to fob me off I am going elsewhere.
Thanks to all those who have tried to be supportive.

 

[trophywench]

LOL - my intention this morning was to suggest it might be an idea to change your doctor !

 

[Bloden]

I have just recognised that I need to stop moaning about my problems on this forum and actually start complaining to my doctor, who I feel needs to wake up, and quickly.
I am not well, not happy, and very tired too.
If my doctor tries to fob me off I am going elsewhere.
Thanks to all those who have tried to be supportive.

Hello Archie and welcome.🙂 Sorry to hear you're having such a difficult time. It sounds like you need to give your doctor a good (verbal) shake. And if s/he doesn't give you the help you need, find a doctor that can. And don't feel you can't have a good moan here - the people on this forum genuinely want to help!😱 Let us know how you get on...🙂