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Taking control

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anitamo

Member
Messages
9
Hello everyone, I am new to the forum although not newly diagnosed with Type 2. I was diagnosed about nine years ago and although at first I controlled things with diet (the wrong one as it turns out) I eventually ended up on ever increasing medication. I was working on permanent night duty at the time. Eventually I changed jobs and went back to my original training in catering, not the best of jobs for a diabetic really. My weight crept up gradually and so did the medication.
I was put on METFORMIN at first and suffered the stomach problems and desperate bloating etc. Although I told the nurse the problem was just pushed on one side and I was told I had to put up with it. When they wanted to increase it even more I refused and GLICLAZIDE was added to the mix and again over time this was increased until I was on the maximum dose. The support was non-existent from the surgery. Next time they decided I needed even more meds PIOGLITAZONE was added to the mix. I then retired at sixty and once again my weight ballooned.

A year later I decided enough was enough and did some general research. I started a sensible diet low carbs, low calorie and since last June I have lost 4 stones and still losing. I also attend the gym a couple of times a week and I feel really good with loads more energy. I insisted that I came off the PIOGLITAZONE after reading about it's possible links with bladder cancer and I now take CHROMIUM supplement. The nurse wasn't happy when I decided what I wanted to do although a doctor I saw for a different problem didn't see there was a problem.

I had to ask for monitor as I had lost quite a bit of weight and was feeling wobbly. I now check my levels and find although it is around 6.3 first thing in a morning, two hours after a meal it can be around 4.0. I am due back at the clinic at the end of Feb and I am waiting with trepidation as to what my HbA1c level is.
 
Hi anitamo
It sounds as though you are going in the right direction .It might be an idea to ask your GP to review your meds after your next Hba1c ,some times they just leave you on the same meds because they seem to be working and dont take into account th3e fact that you are working to lower your BGs.
Taking control is what we all should Well done :D
CAROL
 
Hello Carol,thank you for your reply, I never see my GP about the diabetes only the diabetes nurse and generally like last time it was only the practice nurse and to be honest I knew more about things than she did. I find it quite annoying that they are happy to keep prescribing a large amount of medication without a regular review.

I see there are so many different attitudes by different doctors etc it can be quite confusing. :crazy:
 
Hi Anitamo

As you have lost so much weight (well done :clap: ) and your BGs have come down so well, I think you should ask to see the doctor and have your medication reviewed. I don't know anything about the others - I take Metformin - but if you are on anything that can cause hypos it may well need to be reduced.

It is possible that you may be getting 'false hypos' at otherwise normal BG levels, because your body is used to running with sugars at a much higher level.

Push to see that GP. And keep on with what you're doing :thumbup:

Viv 8)
 
Well, thanks for that OP. I am in the same boat as you were. I was diagnosed with Type2 on Christmas Eve. Put on Metformin and the side effects were horrendous - stomach cramps, sickness, diarrhoea. I have yet to see my GP regarding the diagnosis or had the opportunity to discuss my health. I have only ever seen the nurse. This unacceptable I think. Whenever I've had health problems, i.e. raised blood pressure, polymalgia, being on prednisolone, etc. I have always discussed it with my doctor.
My first visit to the diabetic nurse lasted all of ten minutes. She had told me over the phone on Christmas Eve that I was diabetic. I got an appointment at the beginning of January and was handed a prescription for Metformin and pointed in the direction of this website.
Metformin had made me really ill and I ended up in A&E. The doctor there was appalled that I had not yet seen a doctor and told me to get down there the next day and speak to the doctor. Again, I was pointed in the direction of the diabetic nurse.
Now I'm on slow release Metformin. I've lost half a stone since New Years' Eve, and I just feel that on the one hand I'm trying to manage the situation from my end and co-operating with advice given, that much is being brished under the carpet.
 
dusky said:
My first visit to the diabetic nurse lasted all of ten minutes. She had told me over the phone on Christmas Eve that I was diabetic. I got an appointment at the beginning of January and was handed a prescription for Metformin and pointed in the direction of this website.
Click to expand...

That's funny, most HCP's usually point patients to Diabetes.org which is Diabetes UK. A UK charity. This site is apparently a business Diabetes.co.uk, not connected as far as I am aware. I think the similarity in name confuses some people who think this is the DUK website. Don't know if that is by accident or design. :wink:
 
Most hospital staff are unaware of the extent to which Diabetes "care" is being left to the Nurses in the Practice. I personally, find this unacceptable. Downright dangerous in fact.

I suppose that there is an assumption that the nurse will refer paients to a doctor if appropriate.
This is not the case. Most guard theuir territory jealously and would consider it a faillure to send the patient to a doctor except in extreme cases.

The Practice nurses are not like those in the hospitals. Many have been running baby clinics and giving jabs for holidays for years.

Having attended a few courses on diabetes does not make them equal to the doctor.

This is the dangerous side of downplaying the seriousness of diabetes and labelling it a "lifestyle " disease.
 
Exactly, Unbeliever. This is the feeling I get. Last time I was told to bring in a sampleof urine. Towards the end of the appointment she still hadn't tested it. She was making my next appointment out for me. I had to ask about the results. Her response was 'Oh, now I'll have to bring your details back up on the computer'' - as if it was some kind of chore.
 
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