OK guys, I am looking for advice again please.
I have had my mind set on asking my GP for Metformin for many weeks now. I initially put it off because I was due to have a minor op and felt it was best to wait until afterwards. When I finally asked him a couple of weeks ago he said something which I am worrying about now. No, that's not quite true. He didn't actually say it. I have this habit of listening to what people say and then hearing what I think they mean....you know a bit like Mock the Week, Hugh Dennis on what Andy Murray really means, that sort of thing.
So I asked him if I could have Metformin and he said 'Yes, but your BG's have been really good, why do you want it?'
'Because I need help now, I can't do this on my own anymore, I am losing the battle'
'How do you know this?'
Deep breath...'I have bought myself a meter'
Slight hesitation 'Ok, what are your readings like?'
'My fasting one has crept up to around 8.5, it used to be 5.3'
'I'll check on my chart.....it's still OK...your average will still probably be OK'
'I prefer it to be 5.3 and I don't seem to be able to stick to such a good diet nowadays . I would like Metformin because I have read that it helps improve insulin sensitivity'
'Is it your weight that's bothering you?'
'Yes, of course, and if I can lose weight it will help improve my insulin sensitivity''
'Have you ever considered Slimming World? I can refer you so that the first 3 months are free'
'No, but I've joined Weight Watchers twice, it didn't help much, Can I have Metformin please?' What I am actually thinking here is.....'fine I'll join SW if it gets you brownie points for the referral and proves to you that I'll do anything I can to help myself.' You can lead a zand to Slimming World but you can't make her follow their diet.
Now this is the bit of the conversation which I feel uneasy about.
Dr...'OK, Here's the referral letter...I'd like to do the usual diabetic blood tests before we do anything else, it's good to have them as reference as to how we are doing...and I am away on holiday now, until after Easter, so make an appointment for tests about a week before then and then come back to discuss it further'
What I heard was 'I am fobbing you off with the SW letter because I don't think your kidney function is very good and you can't have Metformin.'
What I thought was '****!'
What I said was 'Can I have a vitamin D test too please.'
So thoughts please. Yes, I know I have to wait and see what the tests say; I may be worrying about nothing. But if it's not nothing then I want to be armed with the facts to plead my case, because I think I still want Metformin. When My blood pressure was extremely high several years ago (240/180) there was protein in my urine. I can't find any of my old blood test results, but I am looking for them. I have never bothered looking at the kidney ones much before, thinking only 'if my kidneys are damaged, they are damaged, there's no point worrying about it'. ( I have largely concentrated on improving my BG's and liver counts.) What do I need to look for?
I have read and printed out a few articles from the internet...eg....
Metformin and Fatal Lactic Acidosis
Could Metformin Actually Protect Kidneys? ( concludes Yes. but only healthy ones)
Use of Metformin in the Setting of Mild-to-Moderate Renal Insufficiency
Other factors:
I notice dehydration is a problem. I will have to be more disciplined with the amount of water I drink if I take Metformin.
I have had problems with AF over past few years, though not since Nov 2012, otherwise my heart is fine.
I am mildly asthmatic.
Anything else I need to know?
