Help! I have so much weight to lose

Thanks for that Gudrun. For me talking about something isn't easy, I am quite shy and find it hard to express myself verbally. Simply keying in the words is much easier. I know I've said this before, but well done on the walking! I am really impressed with you and what you have achieved so quickly. I know how draining exercise can be when you have ME so don't overdo it. I had to push so hard to do anything at all some days. Now exercise energises me again so I am feeling young again....until I look in the mirror.

 

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?

 

Hi, Avocado.

Yes, I read that Metformin was cheap and I am happy to try the standard version first because I read that the SR one is more expensive. I'll ask for that later if I need it.

I haven't even opened the Slimming World books! I am only going to keep my doctor happy and to get an 'official weigh-in' every week so I can tell you guys my progress. I am turning up, weighing then leaving. I am following LCHF, though not as strictly as I have done previously. The first week of SW was enough to put me off, with talk like 'We don't want butter do we?' and 'Pasta is our friend'. It's fine while it's still free, but I think I'll still go when I have to pay, because very occasionally my scales at home have weighed wrong in the past, causing me to give up/binge/kill the cat. (No, we don't and never have had a cat, but you know what I mean.

No my doctor didn't actually mention kidneys, it was just something.... I don't know, I just felt he said some thing and it wasn't the full story. When I went for the blood tests last week I asked the nurse which was she was doing and she said 'Normal diabetic ones, kidney function and Vitamin D'

Yes you are right there are lots of clever peeps on here. I 'm just not sure many of them will want to read my drivel.

 

Hi Sammy, thanks for the reply. Yes I have done Weight Watchers a couple of times. Once when I was only 9st 12lbs to start with. I know I may sound a bit crazy, but I'm actually only going to SW to be weighed as I know LCHF is the right diet for me, so it doesn't really matter which one I go to. Thanks for input though, I am storing all replies in my brain in case I need to change tack later on.

 

Good Morning Scandi.

How's the sunburn, have you woken up with a gorgeous tan yet?

Yes I'm weighing weekly at SW, but am nipping onto the scales here occasionally when no-one is looking. I know I shouldn't but the weekly one is the official one if you see what I mean. I have only been going for a couple of weeks and have lost 3 1/2 pounds so far. I'll let you all know the update tomorrow because Tuesday is Weighday.

Now this is different for me, I used to reward myself when I had lost some. Now I don't feel the need. The reward I suppose is giving you guys the update. That's all I need to motivate me now.

No, I don't do a food diary yet. I will later when things get a bit tougher. I am not eating between meals at all and am having 2 or 3 meals a day when required. The thing I really need to do is a fluid intake diary, so perhaps I will start that today....... I will start that today.

 

Hi Jack,

Yes I am in UK. It's just that I am aware of the penny pinching in the NHS and I'm quite happy to try the cheaper one first to keep 'them' happy. I am just so desperate to get my hands on some. If all else fails I do have a cousin in Australia who I could visit..........

 

Thanks for this Gudrun it's going to be my 'giggle for the day'

 

lol !!!!!

 

That's amazingly funny and much more use to me than the SW sessions!