hey folks - long time no see (plus questions)

[LisaLQ]

Hi guys, so sorry I've not been about in months, it's been a funny year for me. As some of my friends know, my hubby was taken very seriously ill in July, spent 3 weeks in hospital (2 in intensive care, we were told he was going to die), but miraculously he's now home, a long way off better, but getting there slowly.

I've got a few questions about how things are with me at the mo. As some of you know, I have pelvis/back issues from when I had the triplets, but I have been off crutches for over a year now, but recently had a sciatica flare up on my right side, so started physio/hydro again a few weeks ago. While my hubby was ill, I started to lose feeling inbetween my toes on my right foot, I initially thought it was due to the sciatica, but the burning I've had in my feet got worse too, and now I've lost feeling in roughly a quarter of my right foot, as in totally numb - could stab it and feel nothing - but the burning continues.

Last week I had two seperate occasions where my legs gave way - one when I was in town (an old lady loudly said to her hubby that I must have been drinking - was mortified!), once when I took the kids to school - I buckled in the playground and fell into the wall (kids thought it was hilarious!).

My physio advised that I start using a crutch again just to make me feel more secure, but since my last appointment, I've also started having shooting nerve pains through my achilles tendon and up behind my knee on my LEFT leg. I also (embarrassed to say) had one occasion where I briefly lost control of my bladder (very very minor thing - didnt totally wee myself but still got a huge shock!).

Just wondered whether this might actually be neuropathy, or whether it's down to my back issues. I dont think the foot thing is due to my back, I'm fairly certain that's a diabetic thing - my physio agrees and has told me to see my GP (I just dont have time at the mo as I'm caring for my hubby, the kids, and also back at college one day a week).

In all honesty, I am petrified. Mick (hubby) has also been diagnosed with neuropathy in both legs up to the knees (caused by his illness, not diabetes), so he's not very sympathetic, tells me if he can go to the docs and talk about things then I should be able to.

I've not been testing my BG for months, cant afford to do it without prescription, and the docs wont give me one as I'm diet controlled and not medicated. Having said that, with the stress of Mick being so ill, I've been eating c**p, and also started smoking again, so I've brought it on myself.

Anyhoo - just wondered what you thought - anyone else had the same symptoms with neuropathy (sciatica pain, burning in feet, numbness in foot, bladder issues) or am I worrying over nothing and is it purely my back problem?

Love to all - will have to catch up properly, I feel like I use you guys a bit when I need you and dont give anything back - sorry I've not been a good pal.

xxx

 

[Robster65]

Hi Lisa.

Firstly, I think you need to try and get some help with everything you're doing. If you have no time or energy to look after yourself, then you're going to burn out/pass out and there'll be no-one around for any of you then.

So, go see your GP about it all, including the caring issues. They may be able to arrange someone to at least come in and assist with day to day stuff.

I would have thought the bladder and shooting pains/weakness was down to your pelvis. Sciatica nerve problems are notorious for causing bladder & bowel loss of control as far as I know. It would imply that something has got trapped or similar.

Also explain to your GP that you've no idea what your BG is due to everything else and you could do with an occasional test to reassure yourself. If they have an ounce of sense and compassion, they'll let you have at least a box.

Sorry I can't offer anything practical or sensible, but I so think you need to get yourself checked over so you don't end up in a heap on the floor. You're as important as everyone else.🙂

Rob

 

[Caroline]

You have been trhoughthe mill lately. It is nice to see you back and I hope things improve and hubby continues to get better.

Hubby has sciatica and osteoarthritis and always uses a stick. If he is going to be out and about for any ammount of time he has a stick that has a seat on it which helps a bit. He is starting a course soon to hopefully help deal withthe pain, if there are any helpful tips or the course is of any use I'll pass information on.

Sorry I can't offer much in the way of advice.

 

[Caroline]

You have been trhoughthe mill lately. It is nice to see you back and I hope things improve and hubby continues to get better.

Hubby has sciatica and osteoarthritis and always uses a stick. If he is going to be out and about for any ammount of time he has a stick that has a seat on it which helps a bit. He is starting a course soon to hopefully help deal withthe pain, if there are any helpful tips or the course is of any use I'll pass information on.

Sorry I can't offer much in the way of advice.

p.s for self help courses try www.expertpatients.co.uk There are a number of courses for people with long term medical conditions

 

[LisaLQ]

Thanks so much for the messages, I'm just heading out (gah - never stop here!) to get shopping in before people visit tonight, school run to do, eek. I'll reply properly when I get a spare mo.

I also just wanted to add - I've broken my finger pricky thing (one touch lancet device?) just as I've bought 100 new lancets (ebay - marvellous), but cant find anywhere that sells the pricky thing - does anyone have somewhere they can point me? xx

 

[Cate]

Thanks so much for the messages, I'm just heading out (gah - never stop here!) to get shopping in before people visit tonight, school run to do, eek. I'll reply properly when I get a spare mo.

I also just wanted to add - I've broken my finger pricky thing (one touch lancet device?) just as I've bought 100 new lancets (ebay - marvellous), but cant find anywhere that sells the pricky thing - does anyone have somewhere they can point me? xx

What sort is it? I've got a couple of spare ones, if one of them fits your new lancets you're welcome to it.

 

[Copepod]

Lisa - regarding your broken finger pricking device - it's worth phoning the manufacturer, as many will post a replacement without charge.

 

[Catwoman76]

Hi guys, so sorry I've not been about in months, it's been a funny year for me. As some of my friends know, my hubby was taken very seriously ill in July, spent 3 weeks in hospital (2 in intensive care, we were told he was going to die), but miraculously he's now home, a long way off better, but getting there slowly.

I've got a few questions about how things are with me at the mo. As some of you know, I have pelvis/back issues from when I had the triplets, but I have been off crutches for over a year now, but recently had a sciatica flare up on my right side, so started physio/hydro again a few weeks ago. While my hubby was ill, I started to lose feeling inbetween my toes on my right foot, I initially thought it was due to the sciatica, but the burning I've had in my feet got worse too, and now I've lost feeling in roughly a quarter of my right foot, as in totally numb - could stab it and feel nothing - but the burning continues.

Last week I had two seperate occasions where my legs gave way - one when I was in town (an old lady loudly said to her hubby that I must have been drinking - was mortified!), once when I took the kids to school - I buckled in the playground and fell into the wall (kids thought it was hilarious!).

My physio advised that I start using a crutch again just to make me feel more secure, but since my last appointment, I've also started having shooting nerve pains through my achilles tendon and up behind my knee on my LEFT leg. I also (embarrassed to say) had one occasion where I briefly lost control of my bladder (very very minor thing - didnt totally wee myself but still got a huge shock!).

Just wondered whether this might actually be neuropathy, or whether it's down to my back issues. I dont think the foot thing is due to my back, I'm fairly certain that's a diabetic thing - my physio agrees and has told me to see my GP (I just dont have time at the mo as I'm caring for my hubby, the kids, and also back at college one day a week).

In all honesty, I am petrified. Mick (hubby) has also been diagnosed with neuropathy in both legs up to the knees (caused by his illness, not diabetes), so he's not very sympathetic, tells me if he can go to the docs and talk about things then I should be able to.

I've not been testing my BG for months, cant afford to do it without prescription, and the docs wont give me one as I'm diet controlled and not medicated. Having said that, with the stress of Mick being so ill, I've been eating c**p, and also started smoking again, so I've brought it on myself.

Anyhoo - just wondered what you thought - anyone else had the same symptoms with neuropathy (sciatica pain, burning in feet, numbness in foot, bladder issues) or am I worrying over nothing and is it purely my back problem?

Love to all - will have to catch up properly, I feel like I use you guys a bit when I need you and dont give anything back - sorry I've not been a good pal.

xxx

OMG what you have been through is unbelievable. I'm not surprised you are feeling the way you do. Please talk to your doctor about EVERYTHING that has been happening, it probably sounds like a mountain to climb to you, but he will be able to help/advise/support you, which is what you need. Try and take care of your self, your family needs you so much. This forum is for everyone, those that give a lot and those that are in the background a bit more, don't you put yourself down. You are a wonderful giving person 🙂 Take care, lots of love and best wishes to you Sheena x

 

[imtrying]

Hi Lisa,

I'm afraid I can't offer any medial advice, but I just wanted to pass on my support and admire everything you have been through - I am surprised you're still standing!!

But Rob is right - you need to make sure you take care of yourself, so you can do what you are by taking care of others. Even if it's just someone who comes round once a week or does some of the things on your manic to-do list. Any help will help.

Good luck and don't forget we're all here if you need to rant, rave, cry, despair or celebrate 🙂

 

[margie]

Sorry about the horrible time you have had but at least your husband is on the mend.

You do need to see your Dr - only the Dr will be able to tell you what is going on, I think the almost collapsing is a sign to you that you need to seek help. Why not see if you can get a Drs appointment first thing in the morning - you may have to wait for a few days to get one - but at least you wouldn't be thinking of how much time you were wasting sitting in the surgery when you could be doing other things.

Could you delegate any of the things you have to your triplets? - I don't know their age but their are probably some small things they could do to help.

But do take some time for yourself even if its just a bath or reading your favourite book.

 

[LisaLQ]

Hi folks - sorry I didn't reply sooner, been so busy here, the builders have been in ripping our kitchen out, so the house is all over the place (literally!).

I saw the doc, who thinks that the numbness is possibly the sciatica or possibly neuropathy, but the pain/burning is almost certainly neuropathy. The giving way and the weeing are my body reacting to the pain from my pelvis/back.

She said that I have to have a hba1c (done today) to see if my sugars are under control, I have to give up smoking and get back on my healthy diet in order to keep them under control too. I asked about the possibility of test strips and, as I predicted, she had a million reasons why I dont need them. Firstly, she said that self testing affects your mental health and causes depression, I said not with me, as it made me feel like I had control over things, she said well yes but most people who test only test in the morning and not after meals, I said I tested at 1hr and/or 2hrs post meal. She then said that everybody's glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day and people may misinterpret that. I said I used the test to show which foods I could eat and how much of, she said only those who are on medication need to test, as the only reason they need to is because they're testing to work out what dose of medication they need so they can go to their doc and let them know. At this point I just said ok - I would have spoken out more but I dont have any fight in me at the mo, I'm so tired.

Anyhoo, I have to go back for the test results in a week. I think I'll see a different doctor...

Ps. I found my spare finger pricker, it's too big to fit in my little carry case, but it'll make do! Thanks for the info and offers xxxx

PPs. Thank you for all the lovely messages, must say though that I'm not superwoman and it's not been too hellish here, just a bit...wurgh. My hubby's illness was due to alcohol, he's been off the booze since he went into hospital in July, and wont be returning to it, he's a lovely bloke but at the mo he's very hard work to be around! Worst patient ever, no idea how close he came to dying and how it'll take a long time to get better - he hates not being able to do anything!🙄

 

[Northerner]

Hi Lisa, lovely to hear from you 🙂 I'm sorry that you are having problems,and to hear about Mick - I hope he is fully recovered soon 🙂

Hope the HbA1c goes well. Your past results have been excellent, but it may be that the (potential) neuropathy has been triggered by higher levels than you have been used to. You do need to stop smoking too (nag nag nag!), it will be one of the best and most important things you can do bothe fr your general health, but also your diabetes. Let us know how things go!

 

[LisaLQ]

Thank you so much Northerner and everyone else who has replied and pmed!

Today I had a funny do - I was shaking and shivering and have had a horrendous headache all day. Tested to see if I was high (had a midnight feast in bed last night - including peanut butter fudge, bad Lisa), and I was only 4.1! I've never been that low before, not even fasting. I had eaten earlier too (brekkie at 6am, tested because of shaking at 10ish). Tested an hour later after a trip to town (no food) and it was 4.8 (better).

Headache was so bad I went back to bed this aft (Mick watched the kids and they were reasonably behaved for him lol), woke up with a thick head (in the snot kind of way, not the doh-no-brain kind of way!).

Hey ho - hope all of you are having good days - I really appreciate the advice and support from all of you *hugs all round*

xx

 

[LisaLQ]

Hi guys, my hba1c came back at 5.5, so my doc was pleased with that.

I would have replied sooner but I've got yet another kidney/bladder infection, 5 days into a week long course of macrodantin and not feeling any better. I dont expect it to work, as my last one took two courses (one of 5 or 7 days and one of 14 days) so we'll see. I have to take another wee sample in a week to see if it cleared it, as they think it's the same infection coming back over and over again (must be at least my 5th infection this year).

I'm so unbelievably tired, hubby not sympathetic at all, thank god for the kids, they've been fab.

 

[Northerner]

Hi Lisa, that really is a terrific HbA1c result - well done! 🙂 I hope that the infection clears soon and you can get your energy back - I suppose hubby is still feeling he's the invalid in the house, is he? 😉 Take care, and don't be a stranger, we miss you around here 🙂

 

[LisaLQ]

Oh yes, if I even mention feeling poorly - he complains that he's the poorliest person that ever walked the planet...etc etc. Sounds just like his hypochondriac dad 🙄

I will keep checking in more, sorry it's been so fleeting lately, for someone who doesn't work, I always seem to be doing something!

On a side note, I go to smoking cessation for the first time on Monday....

 

[Northerner]

Haha! Poor man! 🙂 I know you have your hands pretty full with your kids, so pop in when you can. Good luck with the smoking cessation - you can do it! 🙂

 

[Robster65]

Well done on the Hb result. None too shabby at all 🙂

Hope your infection clears quickly. I doubt you need a good reason to be poorly. Especially with your OH being the poorliest man in the world (I suspect it's hereditary 🙄)

Get well soon and don't carry the weight of the world. Concentrate on getting yourself better too.🙂

Rob

 

[Steff]

Hi guys, my hba1c came back at 5.5, so my doc was pleased with that.

I would have replied sooner but I've got yet another kidney/bladder infection, 5 days into a week long course of macrodantin and not feeling any better. I dont expect it to work, as my last one took two courses (one of 5 or 7 days and one of 14 days) so we'll see. I have to take another wee sample in a week to see if it cleared it, as they think it's the same infection coming back over and over again (must be at least my 5th infection this year).

I'm so unbelievably tired, hubby not sympathetic at all, thank god for the kids, they've been fab.

Great results Lisa well done