Type 2 Need advice please

[simplysarah]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in 2008 (on my 40th birthday, yay me) and started on Metformin pretty much straight away. Up until Autumn 2014 things seemed to be going reasonably well, I'd managed to lose 60kg and was maintaining an acceptable (my doctors word not mine) BG level. Alongside the diabetes I have a pre-existing kidney condition, underactive thyroid, iron deficiency anaemia and bi-polar affective disorder.

In the last year I have regained the weight, but I don't think i'm eating any differently, apart from having cut out bread and pasta. My Metformin is unchanged at 500mg twice a day, medications for the thyroid and bi-polar have both been altered. Late last year I went to see my GP as my left hand was numb and felt fuzzy and tingly, he gave me Gabapentin which seemed to help. In January I saw a new GP (my usual one having retired) as the numbness and tingling had spread to both my feet and was becoming a real problem. He ignored me and would not issue a script for more Gabapentin. On Friday I saw another GP from the same practice as the results of my latest blood tests were a bit screwy, she told me I was Diabetic and that she wanted to start me on Metformin!!! She was a little put out when I told her I was already on it and her diagnosis was a few years late. I mentioned the pain in my hand and feet (much worse by now, walking is very uncomfy, just having shoes on my feet is painful), and she didn't even make a note of it on the computer! I don't see a Diabetic nurse.

Is there anything I can do to help with the pain? I don't feel I can trust my GP surgery for help now, I think I need to see someone who specialises in Diabetes, any idea how I can arrange that? I don't routinely test my blood - I was told it wasn't needed. Also need advice on how to eat I think, my renal consultant warned me years ago not to go on the Atkins diet as ketoacidosis would be a strain on my kidneys, yet that seems to be what is recommended now.

I'm very confused and getting really upset about it all. Any advice would be really great

 

[Osidge]

Not a GP practice I would feel confident in. Given your other health issues, it agree that would be helpful to ask to be referred to a consultant. Your GP would have to make the referral. In the longer term, you might want to think about changing your GP practice.

Take care

 

[Mike d]

Dump them .... useless..

 

[Finsky]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in 2008 (on my 40th birthday, yay me) and started on Metformin pretty much straight away. Up until Autumn 2014 things seemed to be going reasonably well, I'd managed to lose 60kg and was maintaining an acceptable (my doctors word not mine) BG level. Alongside the diabetes I have a pre-existing kidney condition, underactive thyroid, iron deficiency anaemia and bi-polar affective disorder.

In the last year I have regained the weight, but I don't think i'm eating any differently, apart from having cut out bread and pasta. My Metformin is unchanged at 500mg twice a day, medications for the thyroid and bi-polar have both been altered. Late last year I went to see my GP as my left hand was numb and felt fuzzy and tingly, he gave me Gabapentin which seemed to help. In January I saw a new GP (my usual one having retired) as the numbness and tingling had spread to both my feet and was becoming a real problem. He ignored me and would not issue a script for more Gabapentin. On Friday I saw another GP from the same practice as the results of my latest blood tests were a bit screwy, she told me I was Diabetic and that she wanted to start me on Metformin!!! She was a little put out when I told her I was already on it and her diagnosis was a few years late. I mentioned the pain in my hand and feet (much worse by now, walking is very uncomfy, just having shoes on my feet is painful), and she didn't even make a note of it on the computer! I don't see a Diabetic nurse.

Is there anything I can do to help with the pain? I don't feel I can trust my GP surgery for help now, I think I need to see someone who specialises in Diabetes, any idea how I can arrange that? I don't routinely test my blood - I was told it wasn't needed. Also need advice on how to eat I think, my renal consultant warned me years ago not to go on the Atkins diet as ketoacidosis would be a strain on my kidneys, yet that seems to be what is recommended now.

I'm very confused and getting really upset about it all. Any advice would be really great

I agree with previous posts...you need to change your doctors.
As for the 'ketoacidosis'..well, that certainly is something nobody wants to happen..but either you have been given wrong info or you have misunderstood it a little. There is metabolic state where body uses its own body fat as fuel..ketosis..that is something that is very useful tool to loose weight.. it can bring some drastic results. Because with your other issues, I would not recommend any really drastic changes. If anything..you could do some basic info that @daisy can provide you with. Doing some safe gentle dietary changes will/can help you start loosing some weight again AND help you bringing your blood sugars under control..which would help your other issues too!
It is now about learning about your body and how YOU can help it to get better...slow process but worth in the long run.
But get that new doctor situation sorted ASAP.