In a pickle

[Hebs]

Hello all,

I've not been around for ages. For several reasons, but one being denial.

Anyhow, I will cut straight to the point....well, points actually.
I'm still on 4x500mg metformin per day.
I'm ignoring my annual review invite from the nurse.
My blood is hitting between 17.9 and 19.4 for the last few nights. I understand one of those as it reflects what I ate, kind of. But I think carbs are knocking me up to this level on other night, which has not really done so before, not that high anyway.
I'm getting very thirsty and physically tired quickly at these numbers.
I'm also having to get up for pees at silly o'clock.

Despite almost five years down the line with this diagnosis I'm....
A) still a rookie
B) scared
C) in denial
D) and many more things.

If anyone has any wise words, advise or a holiday house somewhere quiet, I'd be very grateful
In return I can advise on gallbladders, appendix ops, mother in laws or rescue dogs!
Hebs xx

 

[Northerner]

Hi Hebs, nice to hear from you again, but very sorry to hear that you are having problems

When are you doing the tests? Are you testing first thing in the morning i.e. your fasting level? Remember, you need to test befre and after eating so you can determine the actual rise the meal has caused. However, whenever those readings were taken, then (as I am sure you are aware) they are far too high for comfort, and the cause of your various symptoms. I think you may be in need of more or different medication as it would appear that the metformin alone is not working well enough to keep your levels under control.

Do, please, make that appointment with the nurse to review your situation. I'm afraid it's one of thse situations where the sooner you bite the bullet and deal with things, the sooner you can start feeling well again. When was the last time you went? Are the high levels very recent? It may just be that you are suffering from an infection (possibly without knowing it) and this is causing extra strain on your system.

 

[AJLang]

Hebs big hugs. I know how difficult it is. I'm in the East Mids, and my rescue dog has sadly passed away, so if I can help in any way at all, please let me know.

 

[Copepod]

Welcome back, Hebs. How much carbohydrate are you eating on typical days? Could you reduce carbohydrate intake and / or increase physical activity level? If not, then you probably need extra medication, perhaps an extra tablet. For that, you'll need to make contact with practice nurse for annual review. I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised 🙂

 

[Hebs]

Hi Hebs, nice to hear from you again, but very sorry to hear that you are having problems

When are you doing the tests? Are you testing first thing in the morning i.e. your fasting level? Remember, you need to test befre and after eating so you can determine the actual rise the meal has caused.

Hi Northerner,
Thanku for your reply. I've done a few morning tests which have been between. 8-10.5 ish. Same for pre meal mostly.

When was the last time you went? Are the high levels very recent? It may just be that you are suffering from an infection (possibly without knowing it) and this is causing extra strain on your system.

I can't remember the last time I went - possibly last year when my dose for metformin was increased back up. The GP is horrid, unpredictable and when I scored 26.9 when on steroids she said she couldn't do anything.
I have gained weight and am very ashamed to be weighed so avoiding my appt. I've so much going on in my life that D has been on the back burner. For which I feel bad too. The nurse and GP continually say "you're only type 2..... You don't need to test" and then GP asks me to keep a BG diary!!! Nurse just seems like I'm a statistic.

Hebs big hugs. I know how difficult it is. I'm in the East Mids, and my rescue dog has sadly passed away, so if I can help in any way at all, please let me know.

AJ, words can't express how sorry I am to hear of your loss. If you are anything like me, my dog is my world. Please PM to tell me about your dog's life etc. I'd love to hear. We could swap tales (or tails!) xxx

Welcome back, Hebs. How much carbohydrate are you eating on typical days? Could you reduce carbohydrate intake and / or increase physical activity level? If not, then you probably need extra medication, perhaps an extra tablet. For that, you'll need to make contact with practice nurse for annual review. I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised 🙂

Hi Copepod,
I did try to cut back on carbs, but then I wasn't sure if I should, needed to, where to start. Yes I should also increase my exercise too, so you're right there. It just feels very overwhelming sometimes. But, I will get in the right frame of mind and crack on. Thanku for your help x

 

[KookyCat]

Hey Hebs
How about making the appointment and if their behaviour makes you feel bad in any way, just outright telling them that they are making you want to avoid treatment. I know it's hard but you need them to work with you not against you otherwise you'll end up feeling bad and not getting the care you need and deserve. I think a lot of medical folk just get into "rehearsed" patterns and forget that they have an actual human being there with them. Nobody is perfect, and nobody can be the model patient 100% of the time. They should know that and provide some support. I'm sorry I can't suggest anything much more useful than that, but I do feel these doctors have a lesson or two to learn sometimes 😱

 

[Amigo]

Hi Hebs, I hope you don't mind an absolute newbie responding. I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago with Type 2 so I'm on a steep learning curve and struggling to keep the initial enthusiasm fresh. Truth is it can be such hard work this diabetes thing. I wake up and think 'what can't I have rather than what can I?' and today my levels have been a little higher due I think partly to stress and a bit of a urinary infection.

You admit to being in denial Hebs. Does this mean you know you're cheating and that's why you're avoiding the review? Apologies if you're being mega good but still can't get the levels down. But your post sounds like a bit of a confession and if it is, it's a great start!

I wish I had wise words but I suspect 5 yrs down the line I might be writing the same things. But it's a blip that can be reversed so please go for your appointment because we can hide from everything but ourselves. Hope you can get back on the good track I'm sure you've been on before. Regards,

Edit: just read your other answers...medics sound horrible! Have you ever considered or been offered counselling because there sounds like lots of competing issues for you at the moment Hebs.

amigo 🙂

 

[Hebs]

Hey Hebs
How about making the appointment and if their behaviour makes you feel bad in any way, just outright telling them that they are making you want to avoid treatment. I know it's hard but you need them to work with you not against you otherwise you'll end up feeling bad and not getting the care you need and deserve. I think a lot of medical folk just get into "rehearsed" patterns and forget that they have an actual human being there with them. Nobody is perfect, and nobody can be the model patient 100% of the time. They should know that and provide some support. I'm sorry I can't suggest anything much more useful than that, but I do feel these doctors have a lesson or two to learn sometimes 😱

Hello KC,
That's exactly it - rehearsed. Thanks for putting it into one word. But yes, I could have a go at saying it outright. I'm very grateful of your wisdom! Xx

You admit to being in denial Hebs. Does this mean you know you're cheating and that's why you're avoiding the review? Apologies if you're being mega good but still can't get the levels down. But your post sounds like a bit of a confession and if it is, it's a great start!

Hi Amigo
Bit of both really - cheating and good D behaviour. It's just good to be able to say stuff on here that daily peeps in my life don't understand.

Edit: just read your other answers...medics sound horrible! Have you ever considered or been offered counselling because there sounds like lots of competing issues for you at the moment Hebs.

Indeed there is, and yes, I'm onto that too. But again, thanku very much for your advice. There is a huge amount going on

amigo 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Any hope of changing to a different doctor/surgery?

 

[Hebs]

Any hope of changing to a different doctor/surgery?

That's what hubby suggests. Perhaps it's time to do that.

 

[Northerner]

That's what hubby suggests. Perhaps it's time to do that.

I would, it doesn't sound like you have much to lose and there are some GOOD doctors and nurses out there who would hopefully treat you with more respect! 🙂

 

[Amigo]

I should have been diagnosed years ago...all the signs were there but it wasn't pursued medically. The way the diagnosis was broken to me was shockingly insensitive but I suppose everyone has heard these things before. So I told my GP. I told him I felt he had let me down and he has responded positively to that criticism. It takes a lot to confront medics but I won't sacrifice my health to bolster inflated professional egos.

Hope you can confront these insensitive medics and get the help you need to motivate you and help you over these hurdles.

 

[Bloden]

It seems to me Hebs that you need a fresh start. Let your rubbish GP know how he makes you feel before changing to a different practice. It takes a lot of confidence and support to look after yourself with diabetes. It sounds like your current practice do everything not to build your confidence - they should be ashamed of themselves!😡

I also felt utterly overwhelmed by my diabetes, and unsupported by my team and GP, until I found this forum. Just by lurking, reading posts, learning from real diabetes experts I've gradually managed to turn things around. You can do the same. 😱

For me, small changes have really helped. Why not start a food diary, e.g.? I found this really useful for spotting other small changes I could make.

Good luck,...let us know how you're getting on.🙂

 

[pippaandben]

Hebs thank goodness you found the courage to confess your feelings on here. That was the first of many little steps to managing the diabetes fairy!
Many of us have had mega battles with Drs and nurses. However you never know you may be pleasantly surprised as I was when I eventually saw a DSN who actually WAS a DSN and not a practice nurse with half a day training. What a difference - and this has been reflected in my latest BG figures. Down from 66 to 49 whoopee!!
Try to find out which Dr is designated for diabetes- it might not be the one you usually see or staff might have changed since your last visit.
When I was not getting the support I needed when my levels were high initially- I went to the Diabetes Centre at the hospital and asked for all the free leaflet information explaining my situation. They made an appt for me and then sought retrospective referral from my surgery!!
There will be a way round your problem and hubby sounds very supportive so take him with you.

However for yourself find out which

 

[Copepod]

I can't remember the last time I went - possibly last year when my dose for metformin was increased back up. The GP is horrid, unpredictable and when I scored 26.9 when on steroids she said she couldn't do anything.
I have gained weight and am very ashamed to be weighed so avoiding my appt. I've so much going on in my life that D has been on the back burner. For which I feel bad too. The nurse and GP continually say "you're only type 2..... You don't need to test" and then GP asks me to keep a BG diary!!! Nurse just seems like I'm a statistic.



AJ, words can't express how sorry I am to hear of your loss. If you are anything like me, my dog is my world. Please PM to tell me about your dog's life etc. I'd love to hear. We could swap tales (or tails!) xxx



Hi Copepod,
I did try to cut back on carbs, but then I wasn't sure if I should, needed to, where to start. Yes I should also increase my exercise too, so you're right there. It just feels very overwhelming sometimes. But, I will get in the right frame of mind and crack on. Thanku for your help x

Hi Hebs
Can I suggest making a list of things to do, breaking things down into stages eg
- changing GP surgery - research other local surgeries, ask around about staff there, appointment times etc, then choose and change
- getting referred to hospital clinic - once you are registered with new surgery, explain your problems and ask for referral for advice / education / guidance
- increasing exercise levels - decide what you'd like to do, set your own targets eg walking on 5 days per week, covering 10 miles on a single day by end of summer, building up to running 5km [eg aim for Race for Life or free Saturday morning parkrun - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events/ ] by following a couch to 5km programme eg http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx or just go to parkrun and alternate walking / jogging / running, building up to more running each time.

You'll get there - identification of your issues / needs is the first stage 🙂

 

[AJLang]

Thank you Hebs. I will be in touch soon via pm to share doggy tails🙂