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Visit to the nurse

peacetrain

peacetrain

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,405
Location
Lancashire
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I've already documented my HbA1c results but at the risk of sounding boring.

On diagnosis in November 115. Put on 3 x 500mg ordinary metformin

February. 52. March metformin reduced to 2 x 500mg because I was dizzy

12 May. 35. Went to the doctor with some issues and he reduced the metformin to 1 x 500mg but the slow release type.

I've been taking it for 4 days now and notice my bg levels seem lower.

Went to see the nurse today for my update. She said she felt like crying because I had done so well.
Today: weight. 14st 8lb
BP. 110/70
Pulse. 71
She went on to say that my profile looks like that of a normal person (I told her I wasn't normal btw), as if the diabetes had been reversed, but of course she added that I do still have diabetes, which I fully understand. I asked her if other patients don't do the same and she said basically, no. It's hard to understand. She said wherever possible patients are encouraged to control via lifestyle but (as with me) some go straight on to medication and accept it and do nothing.

I might have done that if I hadn't found this forum. Thank you everyone.

I mentioned that I began the reduced dose but SR version of the metformin on Saturday evening and that my bg seemed to have been lower, especially first thing. It's been as low as 4.4. The nurse seemed quite concerned and felt I might be better on the ordinary metformin - 1 dose with evening meal. She even thinks I may not need it at all.
I mentioned that it may be possible that my reduced levels are due to the fact that I'm not at work this week so stress levels may be down.
We've agreed to leave any change until I've monitored my levels between now and the end of next week.
I also explained that the nurse wouldn't take blood for the cholesterol test when she took for my HbA1C because she said the last one at 4.5 was fine. So it's been done today and I'm keeping my fingers crossed and eyes shut because I've been on the LCHF regime.

On advice given here, I asked for a printout of my results and was given everything from 1987!!! Unfortunately the HbA1Cs for November and February appear to have gone AWOL. She couldn't find them.

Some figures on there relating to my liver and blood count, that I'm googling...





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Thank you Andy. I want to see what happens with the dead hands too. Last week the doctor prescribed an anti inflammatory cream for it - to be applied to my elbows (sorry, I'm stifling a laugh). I mentioned it to the nurse and she remarked that particular doctor seems to like that cream. I made some remark about pharmaceutical reps ;-)

I don't want to use the cream until I've ruled out the metformin.


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Blimey Peacetrain. Big clap from me. Your nurse has every reason to be delighted with you. My fingers are crossed for you with the cholesterol results, and hopefully you can come of the medication altogether!

When I was first diagnosed I didn't know a sole with diabetes, but gradually "friends of friends" and nodding aquaintances are coming out of the woodwork. One very noticeable thing is that those on medication who don't research simply believe the meds will sort them out and follow no sort of diet at all. I am appalled at the number I now know of (rather than know well) who continue with their old diets, or maybe just cut out sweets, in the hope/belief they will be fine.

It's not a steroid cream is it?
 
peacetrain said:
I've already documented my HbA1c results but at the risk of sounding boring.

On diagnosis in November 115. Put on 3 x 500mg ordinary metformin

February. 52. March metformin reduced to 2 x 500mg because I was dizzy

12 May. 35. Went to the doctor with some issues and he reduced the metformin to 1 x 500mg but the slow release type.

I've been taking it for 4 days now and notice my bg levels seem lower.

Went to see the nurse today for my update. She said she felt like crying because I had done so well.
Today: weight. 14st 8lb
BP. 110/70
Pulse. 71
She went on to say that my profile looks like that of a normal person (I told her I wasn't normal btw), as if the diabetes had been reversed, but of course she added that I do still have diabetes, which I fully understand. I asked her if other patients don't do the same and she said basically, no. It's hard to understand. She said wherever possible patients are encouraged to control via lifestyle but (as with me) some go straight on to medication and accept it and do nothing.

I might have done that if I hadn't found this forum. Thank you everyone.

I mentioned that I began the reduced dose but SR version of the metformin on Saturday evening and that my bg seemed to have been lower, especially first thing. It's been as low as 4.4. The nurse seemed quite concerned and felt I might be better on the ordinary metformin - 1 dose with evening meal. She even thinks I may not need it at all.
I mentioned that it may be possible that my reduced levels are due to the fact that I'm not at work this week so stress levels may be down.
We've agreed to leave any change until I've monitored my levels between now and the end of next week.
I also explained that the nurse wouldn't take blood for the cholesterol test when she took for my HbA1C because she said the last one at 4.5 was fine. So it's been done today and I'm keeping my fingers crossed and eyes shut because I've been on the LCHF regime.

On advice given here, I asked for a printout of my results and was given everything from 1987!!! Unfortunately the HbA1Cs for November and February appear to have gone AWOL. She couldn't find them.

Some figures on there relating to my liver and blood count, that I'm googling...





Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...
That is fantastic peacetrain
So we have both had good news today, and have every right to have been a bit silly on new you in 42 thread. Keep laughing the best medicine.
Pipp
 
Thanks Bluetit.

Yes, the nurse believes the patients simply rely on the medication. I said she should tell them that it's possible to reduce medication.

The nurse is lovely and we get on well together, but I wonder if something is going wrong at the point of diagnosis, regarding advice. (Well of course we, here, already know that)

I don't know anyone in my town who has diabetes but 4 members of staff I work with have other halves or a parent with T2 and none have a meter. The father in law of one colleague ignores everything and eats what he wants and tells her it's ok. Of course my colleague has seen my transformation and now knows different.

I have close turkish friends, one of whom is lifelong T1. Another recently had gestational diabetes and her mother is T2. I'll find out more when I visit in August, but I think they have a more up to date approach than we do. I haven't seen them since the end of October so they will be surprised when they see me.

My T1 friend will get another shock too. For the last 8 years I have been taking supplies of galaxy chocolate because he developed a liking for it whilst on a secondment to Derby with Toyota. I won't be taking it any more!!


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Pipp said:
That is fantastic peacetrain
So we have both had good news today, and have every right to have been a bit silly on new you in 42 thread. Keep laughing the best medicine.
Pipp
Click to expand...
I'm cat sitting for my daughter so I'm not at home. I can't remember the name of the cream. Sorry


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Pipp said:
That is fantastic peacetrain
So we have both had good news today, and have every right to have been a bit silly on new you in 42 thread. Keep laughing the best medicine.
Pipp
Click to expand...
Yes, thank you Pipp. Didn't we do well?

I feel alive at 35! Lol (that's my HbA1c not my age for any strangers looking in ha ha)

The work has only just begun...


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That's brilliant, well done!

On BP, I've got mine down to around 130/70 now, from 160/90, but 110/70? Wow!
 
peacetrain said:
Yes, thank you Pipp. Didn't we do well?

I feel alive at 35! Lol (that's my HbA1c not my age for any strangers looking in ha ha)

The work has only just begun...


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Click to expand...
Yes, I think it is important to consider that even with such success we must not get complacent. Eat like we have diabetes. Keep exercise going. Diabetes can sneak back if we don't
 
sanguine said:
That's brilliant, well done!

On BP, I've got mine down to around 130/70 now, from 160/90, but 110/70? Wow!
Click to expand...
Thanks sanguine and well done to you!

I'm lucky because good blood pressure runs in the family. It was, if I remember rightly, 130/80 which is about normal for my age. My pulse 6 months ago was in the 80s. My daughter is 27 now and I remember my bp was on the lower side when I was pregnant. I played some kind if sport most days back then and jogged between 2 and 4 miles a day.
After being in the wilderness for many years the diagnosis has kicked me up the backside and I'm doing a daily walk. This and the weight loss has probably helped my bp.


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peacetrain said:
Thanks sanguine and well done to you!

I'm lucky because good blood pressure runs in the family. It was, if I remember rightly, 130/80 which is about normal for my age. My pulse 6 months ago was in the 80s.
Click to expand...

My original 160/90 was I suspect a bit high due to white coat syndrome, nonetheless I was told to get a BP meter and provide a week's readings (two in the morning, two at night) to present at my initial DN session. By then it was down to high 140s over 80s on average IIRC, but still with some 150s, but has come down with diet, exercise and weight loss. 120/70 would be fine for me, I just test twice a week now but will do a more detailed pattern again in the week before I next see the GP/DN.
 
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