Hi, looking for more guidance please.

[lily87]

Hi everyone.

I have been a diabetic for 13 years now. I am the worst diabetic ever and am trying so hard to make a change. 5 years ago I became disabled due to DKA and various other infections that came along with the DKA issue. I really am trying but I feel like I am climbing up an endless mountain.

Talking to medical people feels like it's just a case of talking numbers with little help but I really am struggling to keep things stable. I know for a fact I had a few burnout and I just don't know what else to do now.

I was recently given the Freestyle Libre which, truth be told, made a huge difference for me. It's only been week 2 but I am hoping this will make a huge difference. The main issue is I have noticed I have been getting Edema (water retention) in my ankles and my waist for a few days now. Is this something anyone else experience?

I was given the pump as an option but the issue is I am worried it will be ripped out when I am asleep (the sensor on the other hand is just a small flat coin, but anything with cable or lines usually gets ripped off when I am asleep....was such a nightmare for hospital staff when I was in). Also I am on Levemir and Novorapid so rather stick the needle in and not worry about faulty pump.

I guess I am just here to basically ask for advise from more experienced members on dealing with burnout.

If you read this long, thank you for your time and patience.

 

[trophywench]

Hi lily 87!

Can I firstly enquire if you are on any other drugs because eg some common BP drugs can often cause water retention - I had to try quite a number of different ones before my GP and I found one that seems to suit me better, other types of drug can do it too.

Does stuff get ripped off because whatever it is doesn't actually stick very well (there are easily available on prescription things which make pump cannulas stick tighter if needed) - or what?

My pump cannulas don't protrude very far - just been and exactly measured one - 4mm is the answer. My pump roams free in bed cos we both sleep in the nude (TMI LOL) so loose on the end of its 60cm tubing I very often turn over onto it but unless it happens to dig into/under/between something(s) bony and I go Oww, it doesn't wake me. The irresistible force meeting the immoveable object happens perhaps once every 3 or 4 months - not at all regularly. It's not 'trapped' anywhere so it can't 'tug'

Any time I've been in hospital attached to something eg drips, sliding scales, heart monitors, BP monitor, whatever, the thing I've been attached to has always been absolutely fixed at the side of my bed and at my end to a cannula going straight into a vein. Makes turning over and free movement in bed, virtually out of the question. Insulin pumps themselves are quite small - mine's roughly 5cm wide, 12.5 cm long and ,3cm high, all lovely rounded corners and bevels so there's nowt pointy to dig in.

Years ago I was told - Don't knock it, till you've tried it ! - regarding something entirely different - but it certainly applies here!

 

[lily87]

Hi,

I'm not on any BP meds and the other medications I am on, I have been on it for at least 5 years.

I went to my GP last night and he said my BP and heart rate was very high. He noticed the retention goes all the way from my foot to my hips. So am on strict instruction I need to get blood drawn and Xray today at 9am when the small hospital near me opens. Apparently it's a concern as I mentioned my chest gets a bit tight and sore too.

As for things coming off, I seem to take it out in my sleep (I am a trasher with sleep). Can't even sleep with an ECG meter so ended up at one point sleeping in hospital supervised. Also I sweat a lot in my sleep which causes plasters and dressings to peel off.