Ostrich Alert

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Limet

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I’m an idiot…a nice one, but undoubtedly an idiot. My excellent ostrich impression of the last 18 months has done me no favours.

Hba1c came back at 89mol 3 weeks ago. 18 months ago it was 55mol so already diabetic. There’s been a heck of a lot of difficult things going on in my life but there isn’t really an excuse. I’ve just ignored it. I actually only went to the Doctors for HRT because I’ve been feeling rubbish and depressed.

So after quite rightly getting a rollicking from the Dr for not engaging with anything or anyone about it. My brain has finally clicked into gear.

He started me on Metaformin and Statins with a follow up next week. Also HRT to stop me being a crazy woman. So far ok, apart from bloating and very interesting wind which I’m enjoying inflicting on my adult kids (well you’ve got to get your fun somewhere…)

Reducing carbs, bought some diabetic cook books. Not perfect but much better than I was.
About 1 and half stone overweight so working on that, 52 so quite an old git too.

I guess what I’m wondering is when I might start to feel more energy. I have a very physical full time job where I’m on my feet 9 hours a day and I manage that ok but have literally nothing left when I get home. And my feet…my poor feet hurt so much. I guess this is neuropathy ?

Does this improve over time and if I finally get my backside into gear and control my Blood sugar. Or have I permanently buggered things up by my idiocy ?

This is a great site and I’m reading as much as I can (a little late I know) but appreciate any replies.
 
Limet said:
I guess what I’m wondering is when I might start to feel more energy. I have a very physical full time job where I’m on my feet 9 hours a day and I manage that ok but have literally nothing left when I get home. And my feet…my poor feet hurt so much. I guess this is neuropathy ?

Does this improve over time and if I finally get my backside into gear and control my Blood sugar. Or have I permanently buggered things up by my idiocy ?
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Welcome to the forum @Limet

Sorry to hear about your diabetes diagnosis, and how your levels have risen over the past 18months.

I have no medical qualifications, but my experience and having read the experiences of others over the years, suggests that diabetes tends to move relatively slowly most of the time, so try not to lose heart. Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.

Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.

Some of the long term studies into living with diabetes long-term tend to suggest that any positive changes in glucose management pay dividends in terms of reducing complication risk, and helping to slow progression.

Making gradual, sustainable changes, that gently improve glucose levels seems to be the easiest on the fine blood vessels. There are forms of temporary nerve damage that can occur when BG levels change too rapidly with altered treatment, so slower steadier improvements seem to be the way to go.

Good luck, and let us know how things go. 🙂
 
@Limet Only 52? The dew is barely off - I had to wait until I was 65 to be diagnosed.
The feet - well - do you have nice soft soles or innersoles to be standing on for so long?
I have bother with my feet on and off for reasons other than diabetes, and I have found that cushioned soles really do help, I also massage my lower legs and feet to get the blood moving and the joints and tendons are kept flexible.
Just watching the carbs will control my blood glucose, but I have lost loads of weight without any effort, and my shape is still altering year on year, so every time I bring out a different set of clothes as the seasons change it is like the Great British Sewing Bee recycle challenge.
I had some real problems with Metformin and Atorvastatin, explosive incontinence, memory problems, aches and pains - in just a few weeks, but as it seems I never really needed the tablets I am doing very well without.
Some people have no trouble with the tablets, I was perhaps unlucky, but just the thought of being pressured to take them again stiffens my resolve wonderfully.
 
Absolutely agree about the shoes, if you are on your feet all day comfy shoes are vital. I swear by Sketchers but you have to find ones which suit your feet.
In addition to the metformin which should help looking at your diet will be needed. Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet, there are some meal plans or you can just follow the principals and do your own planning. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Your post title reminded me we had ostrich burgers the other evening for dinner.
 
Thank you so much for the replies everyone. I’ve been feeling quite alone with this because there’s a niggling sense of shame - that I’ve done it to myself !

Yes I already wear Skechers mostly but also have a long standing (haha) Achilles Tendon injury which means I can’t wear anything totally flat. Bloomin’ concrete floors at work definitely don’t help ! It’s also the tingling and pain at night which kills and wakes me up.

It’s very reassuring to hear from others that you can manage this. Still feels like a bit of a mountain to climb (if my feet will allow it..) and I know that knowledge is power. So I’m going really try to get my head around everything I need to.
 
And I hope you enjoyed your ostrich burgers leadinglights !
 
Limet said:
Thank you so much for the replies everyone. I’ve been feeling quite alone with this because there’s a niggling sense of shame - that I’ve done it to myself !

Yes I already wear Skechers mostly but also have a long standing (haha) Achilles Tendon injury which means I can’t wear anything totally flat. Bloomin’ concrete floors at work definitely don’t help ! It’s also the tingling and pain at night which kills and wakes me up.

It’s very reassuring to hear from others that you can manage this. Still feels like a bit of a mountain to climb (if my feet will allow it..) and I know that knowledge is power. So I’m going really try to get my head around everything I need to.
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I had problems with my Achilles tendons 40 years ago and had ultrasound treatment on them and have had no issues since. Hard floors are a killer on your feet and joints. Have you tried orthotic insoles for your shoes as that could help.
Magnesium gel rubbed into your legs and feet may help the tingling. It seems to work for cramp.
 
Thank you leadinglights for the tip, I’ve ordered some orthotic inserts and also some orthotic mule thingys (wouldn’t win a award for style) for wearing around the house that are supposed to be good for Achilles tendon problems. We shall see….

Had a doctors appointment today, by phone as they wanted to see how I was getting on with the medication, metaformin 2 x 500mg tablets, statins and HRT which were prescribed 4 weeks ago. I explained I was incredibly bloated, highly constipated, despite taking 3 Sennakot a day, and experiencing left kidney constant ache. But this has all been going on 3-4 months and I assumed because I wasn’t controlling the diabetes (at all) but if anything everything has got worse since being on the tablets and hugely reducing carb intake.

So he wants to physically see me this afternoon and double my metaformin dose to 2000mg per day. Does this sound right ? I’m just slightly reluctant after only a month of upping the dosage without seeing if it’s working. Would the other symptoms, bloating, constipation, kidneys be typical Type 2 symptoms ? Working myself up into a tizzy for some reason. I’m normally horizontally laid back honest !
 
Limet said:
Thank you leadinglights for the tip, I’ve ordered some orthotic inserts and also some orthotic mule thingys (wouldn’t win a award for style) for wearing around the house that are supposed to be good for Achilles tendon problems. We shall see….

Had a doctors appointment today, by phone as they wanted to see how I was getting on with the medication, metaformin 2 x 500mg tablets, statins and HRT which were prescribed 4 weeks ago. I explained I was incredibly bloated, highly constipated, despite taking 3 Sennakot a day, and experiencing left kidney constant ache. But this has all been going on 3-4 months and I assumed because I wasn’t controlling the diabetes (at all) but if anything everything has got worse since being on the tablets and hugely reducing carb intake.

So he wants to physically see me this afternoon and double my metaformin dose to 2000mg per day. Does this sound right ? I’m just slightly reluctant after only a month of upping the dosage without seeing if it’s working. Would the other symptoms, bloating, constipation, kidneys be typical Type 2 symptoms ? Working myself up into a tizzy for some reason. I’m normally horizontally laid back honest !
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Metformin usually causes the opposite of constipation but it is common to increase the dose gradually up to a maximum of 2000mg per day.
The slow release version may cause less issues if you are not on that already.
I would hope they would order blood tests to check for Kidney function eGFR I think they are but depending on how long since your last HbA1C was then that would go some way to seeing if your dietary changes and the existing metformin have had any effect.
My other half found Lactulose very effective for constipation, but increasing fibre and making sure you drink plenty is important. All Bran is reasonable on carbs and is high fibre.
 
Chia seeds and psyllium husk (sometimes known as ispaghula husk) are what I use to keep my gut and bowels happy.

When you go low carb you often lose a lot of fibre from your diet, especially if you previously ate wholemeal and wholegrain products like bread and pasta and breakfast cereal, so using fibre supplements like chia seeds and psyllium husk and drinking plenty can really help. I have them in a glass of flavoured water, give them a good stir and then leave them for 5 mins to absorb some of the water before I drink it down. They don't taste of anything but they do become a bit gelatinous (you can also use them to thicken soups and stews instead of flour because of this property of absorbing water and going thick because they are high in soluble fibre) They effectively form a mass of soft gel which goes through your digestive system pushing everything else through and gently cleans you out. Psyllium husk is the main ingredient of Fibogel which is prescribed to many older people to keep their bowel working well. Chia seeds are high in Omega 3 which is the same as the healthy fats in oily fish, so it has that added benefit. Most importantly both are very low carb.
 
Hi All,

I’m so sorry to be just asking questions at the moment, as yet I don’t feel I have much to offer others on their posts…but if anyone can help with a few queries it would be much appreciated.

Fully aware no one is a medical expert but I have a doctors appointment on July 10th and I was hoping all this is just a side effect and I won’t have to go there before that. So I was wondering if anyone had experienced similar.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I’ve been having a dull ache in my back left side, just below my ribs for about 5 months. Also random pain in the front left side at the bottom of ribs…but not all the time. Also very bloated and nauseous. I was thinking this was all because I’d ignored the diabetes for 18 months. I was sent for an ultrasound a week ago and there was a few tiny stones but otherwise all good. I had my gallbladder removed years ago and have had kidney stones before which felt nothing like this anyway.

I was put on normal Metaformin 6 weeks or so ago. But remained highly constipated. So 2 weeks ago the doctor put me on Slow release Metaformin (and that has definitely sorted out the constipation !!).

But the pain in my back (sometimes side) and front, and the nausea is getting worse and worse. But no stomach ache, it’s all higher up. Being an idiot as I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve used Dr Google and was thinking it’s either a pancreas issue or IBS.

Does Metaformin have an effect on any of this. I know, I know, I should ring the Doctors but if it’s a normal problem with the medication I’d really like to wait 2 weeks. I’ve seen so may medical people lately it’s doing me in !
 
Limet said:
I had my gallbladder removed years ago and have had kidney stones before which felt nothing like this anyway.
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What was the ultrasound of and where were the stones? If you had your gall bladder out then clearly not in that. You mention kidney stones but then you say the pain is higher up.

Gall bladder problems can lead to pancreatitis and I am wondering if the pain you are experiencing is chronic pancreatitis as oppose to acute pancreatitis which usually lands people in ICU for days or weeks or occasionally the morgue! eek! Both can lead to damage to the pancreas which can gradually die and lose function, which could cause diabetes and digestive upset. Or if you are feeling bloated, it could possibly be a cyst in your pancreas. I think it would be wise to have those possibilities explored. We have a number of members who have had pancreatitis and cysts. There is a special Type 3c category of diabetes for those whose diabetes is caused by damage to their pancreas either through disease or surgery or trauma or medication. I wonder if @eggyg or @soupdragon or @wendel might relate to the pain and discomfort you are feeling just below your rib cage on the left. I think they had pancreatitis and/or pancreatic cysts.
I am not sure if you can pick up such things with an ultrasound as I think the pancreas hides partially behind the liver. I am not in any way a medical expert, but just suggesting a possible cause which might tie the diabetes and your other symptoms together and make sense as to why your diabetes might have got significantly worse recently.

As you know, burying your head in the sand is no longer an option and unfortunately in this day and age, you do have to be a bit pushy about getting the investigation of symptoms thoroughly checked out.

As regards your foot/leg pain, sometimes people find that they experience more pain as they start to reduce their BG levels and their nerves start to regenerate. Hopefully this is what you are experiencing now that you are taking steps to manage your diabetes, so hopefully it will be transient in nature or at the very least not progress. There are particular medications which can help with neuropathy like Pregabalin and Gabapentin, so if over the counter medication doesn't help, ask your doctor about these.

As regards whether you should wait it out or ask for a more urgent appointment, only you will know how bad you feel. If this has been going on for 18 months then perhaps another couple of weeks won't make much difference, but if you start to feel really ill, then get yourself to A&E.

It would also be wise to start self testing your BG (Blood Glucose) with a BG meter and perhaps get some Ketostix too because if your pancreas is fading then you could be at risk of developing ketones and indeed, ketones can cause nausea and abdominal pain. Bothe BG meter and Ketostix can be purchased relatively cheaply online. Ketostix are about £5 for a pot of 50 and you dip them in your urine when your BG levels are mid teens or above. The BG meters most recommended on the forum by people who self fund as being cost effective and reliable are the Gluco Navii and the Spirit Tee2. Both come with just 10 test strips so you would be well advised to purchase a couple of extra pots of 50 test strips with the meter. Most of us reuse the lancets multiple times although they are supposed to be single use. As long as you only reuse them on yourself and don't go testing friends and family with used ones, it is fine..... but you can purchase an extra box of them if you want to be really scrupulous.

I change my lancet once a year on St Swithin's day.....It is a little standing joke here on the forum.... we have a little club who subscribe to an annual lancet change on 15th July and we post a thread to remind each other on the day. I haven't had an infection in my fingers in 5 years of being a member of the St Swithin's day club and often I don't have washing facilities up at my stables, so I have to choose the least dirty finger to lance and draw blood from! 🙄

Anyway, I hope my post has given you a little bit of reassurance but in your situation I would want to have more knowledge of what my BG levels were doing and be able to test for ketones to keep myself safe..... or to help me decide if I needed to get a more urgent appointment or seek help at A&E in a crisis. High BG levels (mid teens or above) and ketones are a very serious combination and can lead to the blood becoming toxic and damaging organs. In extreme situations it can lead to coma and even death if medical attention is not sought, so being able to test for ketones can be very helpful and reassuring.
 
Thank you so much for the reply. It’s made me slightly emotional that you’ve been kind enough to take the time to post such detailed response. Though that could be the HRT…

It was a urinary tract ultrasound as both the doctor and I assumed from positioning of the pain in my back, it was kidney related. To be honest I forgot to mention the occasional pain in the front (idiot). That has definitely worsened over the last week or so and now also getting an ache and the odd stabbing pain in my side as well. It doesn’t seem to correlate to when I eat or drink anything though just comes and goes.

I think i will see if I feel any worse in the next few days and ring the Dr’s if it does. In the meantime I will gratefully take your advice re the ketostix and monitor and order tonight.

Thank you so much again. I will reread your post a few times to take it all in.
 
Limet said:
Thank you so much for the reply. It’s made me slightly emotional that you’ve been kind enough to take the time to post such detailed response. Though that could be the HRT…

It was a urinary tract ultrasound as both the doctor and I assumed from positioning of the pain in my back, it was kidney related. To be honest I forgot to mention the occasional pain in the front (idiot). That has definitely worsened over the last week or so and now also getting an ache and the odd stabbing pain in my side as well. It doesn’t seem to correlate to when I eat or drink anything though just comes and goes.

I think i will see if I feel any worse in the next few days and ring the Dr’s if it does. In the meantime I will gratefully take your advice re the ketostix and monitor and order tonight.

Thank you so much again. I will reread your post a few times to take it all in.
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Has anything gynaecological been ruled out.
 
Pleased my post helped a bit. Also pleased you've got HRT. I would be lost without it!!

The forum has a great way of helping you feel less alone and confused and worried. It is easy to start thinking the worst when you have a pain or you feel unwell. For me, knowledge is power, so being able to check my BG and ketones if they go high helps me make a plan for what I need to do in a worst case scenario and when I need to get outside help. Having that testing and protocol for if things are too high, just takes some of the uncertainty out of the situation and makes you feel more in control. None of us want to bother the doctors or hospital unnecessarily, but sometimes it can be a fine line for us to decide. If you are testing and have numerical results that you can base those decisions on, it is less subjective and people are here on the forum a lot of the time to reach out if you are unsure of anything so do please ask questions anytime you are feeling concerned.
I have gained a huge amount of knowledge and reassurance and confidence from using the forum and I am happy to pay a bit of that forwards if I can.
 
Doh, sorry I pressed too soon !
Last year I had a womb biopsy and CT scan, all ok except lots of fibroids. The doctor suggested a few weeks back one could be pressing on my bowel hence the constipation so I suspect there will more investigating there too.
 
Limet said:
Doh, sorry I pressed too soon !
Last year I had a womb biopsy and CT scan, all ok except lots of fibroids. The doctor suggested a few weeks back one could be pressing on my bowel hence the constipation so I suspect there will more investigating there too.
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It was just that I had a ovarian cyst and your symptoms sound similar, I had an ultrasound and it was the size of a tennis ball but by the time I had surgery about 6 weeks later it was the size of a large grapefruit so pretty fast growing. This was 40 years ago.
 
@rebrascora absolutely the mind plays tricks. The problem is as a lifelong ostrich I’m not overly used to listening to my body, more of a close your eyes and hope for the best kind of person. Hence why I normally reach crisis point before seeing a doctor !
But I’m trying…

I was just worrying today because my job is very physical, lots of lifting and carrying etc. and bending over or resting anything against my upper abdomen is pretty uncomfortable / tender.

But knowledge is power and knowing the numbers can only help.
 
Leadinglights said:
It was just that I had a ovarian cyst and your symptoms sound similar, I had an ultrasound and it was the size of a tennis ball but by the time I had surgery about 6 weeks later it was the size of a large grapefruit so pretty fast growing. This was 40 years ago.
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That’s interesting (and I imagine fairly scary !). I didn’t realise cysts could grow that fast.
Was your pain that high up too ?
 
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