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Chat with nurse re gp confusion

kimbo1962

kimbo1962

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,293
Location
skegness
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
  • Well, after I saw my GP a few weeks ago about my unsettled nights and waking up suddenly hot and heart racing, I booked to see the nurse i have seen for checks since diagnosis just got her advice / opinion and today was the day- overall it was good and I'm glad I saw her.....
She disagreed with the gp verdict that the most likely cause was my diabetes, he suggested I may be going too low but she thought my usual 5 's ok, she did comment that she would be happy with anything from 6-10 (no way would I though!) She agrees with me that more likely to be hormonal (though she had to do a double take at the screen to check my age as apparently I don't look it!!) She thinks it's a good idea to stop my forxiga in a couple weeks when I finish my current strip, given my hba1c late Oct was 38, so, couple of weeks I will be joining the "diet only" amongst us here. I then asked her if I could pop on the scales to see the difference between end of Oct and now.....and it is......and other 1 stone lost!! (No wonder I'm another Jean size down!)
I said I'm not changing my regime but she did say she would prefer only a 1lb or 1 1/2 lb loss per week, but it was up to me!! (Yay!!)
Finally, I am to ring her direct for an appointment end of Jan to see how I'm going without forxiga, really feel more support than with gp ( who was always my favourite but somehow now doesn't seem to be the same!)
So, I'm feeling more clear in my progress and direction again now!
 
Congratulations, sounds like you are doing wonderfully, hopefully that is the last of the forxiga for you and hopefully the hormones settle down soon.
 
Good for you Kim, hope the transition to diet only goes smoothly for you :)
 
Sounds like a plan. And I think the racing heart is probably the change as I get it too and that's what they suggested once I'd had CBT and my sugars under control !! Maybe ask if they will test your hormone levels to see.
 
Hi Kimbo,

Your nurse sounds lovely, and it all sounds very positive. I know its a bit scarey when everything is going well and then the Dr decided to make changes, but I get the feeling you will be absolutely fine. You have done amazing well and should feel very proud of all you have achieved :)

Can I ask you about your weight loss, do you count calories and if so what kind of level do you stick to. I seem to be struggling with loosing weight, initially which I started on LCHF I lost a stone very quickly, now I have been stuck at the same weight for about 8 weeks... so any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sounds like you had a much more productive and comforting meeting this time around.

I'm confident with your approach and ability to "stick with the plan" that your transition off drugs will go well. You may have a couple of emotionally bumpy weeks as your body adjusts, but hopefully they will pass. I'm an all-out anti-meds old bird, and in particular for drugs the "stimulate" anything. If the anything needs stimulating, it suggests working it beyond its natural level, and potentially increases the chances of burning out whatever that organ/system is. Of course, this may be complete nonsense, but that's how my mind works. If I can modify my lifestyle so that my body works better, unaided, I'm much more comfortable.

(For completeness, I'm absolutely not saying all drugs are bad, or don't have a place in treating diabetes, or any other condition. It's just my approach.)
 
AndBreathe said:
Sounds like you had a much more productive and comforting meeting this time around.

I'm confident with your approach and ability to "stick with the plan" that your transition off drugs will go well. You may have a couple of emotionally bumpy weeks as your body adjusts, but hopefully they will pass. I'm an all-out anti-meds old bird, and in particular for drugs the "stimulate" anything. If the anything needs stimulating, it suggests working it beyond its natural level, and potentially increases the chances of burning out whatever that organ/system is. Of course, this may be complete nonsense, but that's how my mind works. If I can modify my lifestyle so that my body works better, unaided, I'm much more comfortable.

(For completeness, I'm absolutely not saying all drugs are bad, or don't have a place in treating diabetes, or any other condition. It's just my approach.)
Click to expand...
I guess it's generally better to take less meds if poss - you and I are of the same opinion! I am utterly convinced that weight and diet are key factors. It certainly is for me. My meds are on the minimum met and bp meds possible. Still need to shift 2 to 3 stone as I am meant to be a tiny thing. If I lose another 3 stone, I will have lost half my body weight - scary thought!
 
kimbo1962 said:
  • Well, after I saw my GP a few weeks ago about my unsettled nights and waking up suddenly hot and heart racing, I booked to see the nurse i have seen for checks since diagnosis just got her advice / opinion and today was the day- overall it was good and I'm glad I saw her.....
She disagreed with the gp verdict that the most likely cause was my diabetes, he suggested I may be going too low but she thought my usual 5 's ok, she did comment that she would be happy with anything from 6-10 (no way would I though!) She agrees with me that more likely to be hormonal (though she had to do a double take at the screen to check my age as apparently I don't look it!!) She thinks it's a good idea to stop my forxiga in a couple weeks when I finish my current strip, given my hba1c late Oct was 38, so, couple of weeks I will be joining the "diet only" amongst us here. I then asked her if I could pop on the scales to see the difference between end of Oct and now.....and it is......and other 1 stone lost!! (No wonder I'm another Jean size down!)
I said I'm not changing my regime but she did say she would prefer only a 1lb or 1 1/2 lb loss per week, but it was up to me!! (Yay!!)
Finally, I am to ring her direct for an appointment end of Jan to see how I'm going without forxiga, really feel more support than with gp ( who was always my favourite but somehow now doesn't seem to be the same!)
So, I'm feeling more clear in my progress and direction again now!
Click to expand...
Good news and well done! :-)

I came off my 3 daily doses of metformin gradually between February and the end of May.

About the racing heart. I also experienced something similar, a sort of palpitation? It was at a similar point of my journey to where you are now. I also experienced dead hands in the night, most nights. These symptoms have gone since I stopped my medication. Well that's my analysis. The palpitations (at night when I went to bed most of the time) may have been something to do with dramatic weight loss or diet change... Haven't a clue.
Again ... Well done!
 
Ruth B said:
Congratulations, sounds like you are doing wonderfully, hopefully that is the last of the forxiga for you and hopefully the hormones settle down soon.
Click to expand...
Thank you ruth- I'm now seeing it as a positive to be off meds - just hope my bloods agree!! Won't be changing my lchf so we will see!!
 
cold ethyl said:
Sounds like a plan. And I think the racing heart is probably the change as I get it too and that's what they suggested once I'd had CBT and my sugars under control !! Maybe ask if they will test your hormone levels to see.
Click to expand...
I think it is hormonal too CE....We will see! Now feeling it's a positive and if I can keep good control and lose the rest of the weight meds free then that's the proof that lchf rocks!!
 
Kezzer4321 said:
Hi Kimbo,

Your nurse sounds lovely, and it all sounds very positive. I know its a bit scarey when everything is going well and then the Dr decided to make changes, but I get the feeling you will be absolutely fine. You have done amazing well and should feel very proud of all you have achieved :)

Can I ask you about your weight loss, do you count calories and if so what kind of level do you stick to. I seem to be struggling with loosing weight, initially which I started on LCHF I lost a stone very quickly, now I have been stuck at the same weight for about 8 weeks... so any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Hi Kezza! Of course I don't mind, that's what we in this great group are about!
I started out late June on lchf, told myself to aim for 50gm max per day, never really found need to go that far, usually around 30 on average. Used to have a few nuts in my desk at work to snack on but after a few weeks didn't need them and in the main 3 meals a day, breakfast usually bacon and mushrooms or egg, lunch often cheese and ham or meat and sad, or homemade soup and a bit of cheese, evening usually meat or fish with veg or sale, often berries and cream or sugar free jelly for desert ( strangely mot always lately as don't feel the need!) Bed time I make the virtually carb free hot chocolate with cocoa, canderelle and cream, sometimes have a cheese portion or teaspoon of peanut butter to keep my liver occupied. Up until now I've not really counted calories, think about 1500 max on average. Plan to maybe tighten that up to get the last of the weight down, will see how I so the first few weeks of no meds first though.
 
AndBreathe said:
Sounds like you had a much more productive and comforting meeting this time around.

I'm confident with your approach and ability to "stick with the plan" that your transition off drugs will go well. You may have a couple of emotionally bumpy weeks as your body adjusts, but hopefully they will pass. I'm an all-out anti-meds old bird, and in particular for drugs the "stimulate" anything. If the anything needs stimulating, it suggests working it beyond its natural level, and potentially increases the chances of burning out whatever that organ/system is. Of course, this may be complete nonsense, but that's how my mind works. If I can modify my lifestyle so that my body works better, unaided, I'm much more comfortable.

(For completeness, I'm absolutely not saying all drugs are bad, or don't have a place in treating diabetes, or any other condition. It's just my approach.)
Click to expand...
I think now it's a more positive "plus" to be without meds andbreathe and looking for to it in a way, my nurse said it's due to how pro active I've been so I guess by continuing as I am it shouldn't really alter much. Apart from the occasional Lansaprazole for indigestion I won't be taking anything (don't even get indigestion much these days either!!)
So, all in all- feeling just as focused and determined, certainly seem to get more clarity and encouraging opinion from this nurse than the gp.
Also, I know my knowledge, enthusiasm and determination comes from being part of this fab group!!
 
peacetrain said:
Good news and well done! :)

I came off my 3 daily doses of metformin gradually between February and the end of May.

About the racing heart. I also experienced something similar, a sort of palpitation? It was at a similar point of my journey to where you are now. I also experienced dead hands in the night, most nights. These symptoms have gone since I stopped my medication. Well that's my analysis. The palpitations (at night when I went to bed most of the time) may have been something to do with dramatic weight loss or diet change... Haven't a clue.
Again ... Well done!
Click to expand...
Thank you peacetrain- will be interesting to see what happens in the weeks ahead! It's encouraging to know you have gone through the same too, it's the waking suddenly so hot and racing that's awful!!
 
kimbo1962 said:
Hi Kezza! Of course I don't mind, that's what we in this great group are about!
I started out late June on lchf, told myself to aim for 50gm max per day, never really found need to go that far, usually around 30 on average. Used to have a few nuts in my desk at work to snack on but after a few weeks didn't need them and in the main 3 meals a day, breakfast usually bacon and mushrooms or egg, lunch often cheese and ham or meat and sad, or homemade soup and a bit of cheese, evening usually meat or fish with veg or sale, often berries and cream or sugar free jelly for desert ( strangely mot always lately as don't feel the need!) Bed time I make the virtually carb free hot chocolate with cocoa, canderelle and cream, sometimes have a cheese portion or teaspoon of peanut butter to keep my liver occupied. Up until now I've not really counted calories, think about 1500 max on average. Plan to maybe tighten that up to get the last of the weight down, will see how I so the first few weeks of no meds first though.
Click to expand...
Thanks Kimbo, I think I might be going overboard on the fat part - having been low fat all my life I think I'm enjoying the fat bit too much. I will make some adjustments and hopefully reap the rewards :)
 
Kezzer4321 said:
Thanks Kimbo, I think I might be going overboard on the fat part - having been low fat all my life I think I'm enjoying the fat bit too much. I will make some adjustments and hopefully reap the rewards :)
Click to expand...
It felt strange to me to avoid low fat after many years too! I don't go overboard really, bacon at breakfast, cheese sone days for lunch, 2 or 3 coffees maximum per day with cream, if evening meal is meat and veg then a knob of real butter on greens etc, if it's salad based then a portion of full fat luxe coleslaw, some nights it could just be steamed fish so a knob of butter on that
 
What a lovely nurse you have. I'm another anti-med person. If I can feel healthy and well, have good blood results, good liver and kidney functions, good calcium levels and bone density, good blood pressure and good cholesterol without meds then I am happy. A good healthy diet is the key, with some exercise thrown in. Good luck with your transition Kim, I'm sure with your positive attitude you won't have any problems. Throw that crutch away.
 
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