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YES!!!

B

BlindFaith

Well-Known Member
Messages
260
Location
South UK
I have finally found someone that listens to me.

I had spoken with the doctor at my surgery that specializes in diabetes, who palmed me off to the nurse I'm under; who in turn palmed me off with excuses:
"Oh I've not forgotten you at all, I'll call B-DEC and see if they can get a nurse to see you this week. I'll call you tomorrow!"

I of course heard nothing and today I got really pee'd off about it and thought "sod you lot, I'll do it myself". So I did.
I phoned B-DEC who said "someone will call you today" and I thought that I wouldn't hold my breath for that one :lol:

About an hour-ish ago my phone rang. Not only was it a nurse from B-DEC, it was the same nurse that I'd spoken to last time I was in hospital - the ONLY person that's actually listened to me and helped me. Lucky or what?!
He was great (again) and has me in tomorrow morning at 8:30am to talk things over.

He's told me to up the Glimepiride to 6mg in the morning and he is showing me how to inject insulin tomorrow - he mentioned Lantus so if anyone can give me a hint as to what I should expect with that I'd be hugely appreciative.
He's said that with my weight and the possibility that I may also have PCOS I will be on the medication permanently - even if I do lose weight and control things with diet.
And you know what? I'm actually fine with it. I've been so run down, so sad and upset over everything that's happened in the last near-month that having someone tell me "this is how it is, this is what we're going to do for you, this is what you need to do" has just lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders (if it could've lifted a weight off of my stomach I'd be happy, but one thing at a time :lol: )

I just wanted to update you lovely lot because you've listened to me rant and moan on about how rubbish things are - I'm happy that I can share some good news!

Thanks to everyone who's replied to my posts or PM'd me. You're all really kind and it's appreciated.
:D
 
Well thats good, it sounds like you have been treated appallingly. Its rubbish that we are treated like this to be honest.
The only thing that has kept me going is the help from this site. I have never seen a doctor about my diabetes and the nurse just says eat carbs. If I was stupid I would have gone away and done just that and where would I be now!!!
So pleased to hear you are getting the attention you so deserve. So hit and miss the care in this country.
 
dawnmc said:
Well thats good, it sounds like you have been treated appallingly. Its rubbish that we are treated like this to be honest.
The only thing that has kept me going is the help from this site. I have never seen a doctor about my diabetes and the nurse just says eat carbs. If I was stupid I would have gone away and done just that and where would I be now!!!
So pleased to hear you are getting the attention you so deserve. So hit and miss the care in this country.
Click to expand...

The attitude of the people I'd spoken to previously that are meant to be there to help and advice their patients has been disgusting. I was told to eat more carbs too - stupidly I did and my weight crept back up so I've taken the carbs back down again.

If you have a Diabetes & Endocrine Center in your local hospital, I would give them a call and see if they can help - that's what I've had to do.
It says a lot about certain aspects of the health care field that their patients have to chase help themselves, doesn't it?

I'm so sorry you're experiencing the same level (or lack) of care that I have.
 
Fantastic news. But it's a good job that you have the initiative and the energy to try to help yourself, BlindFaith, because I think you would have waited a long time otherwise - sadly.

I wish you all the best with the new meds and the insulin - hopefully the scary stuff will stop now, and you can concentrate on dealing with this, with the proper tools for the job. Also, emotionally it is just so good to have someone on your side ( in the medical profession, I mean).

Take really good care of yourself
xx :thumbup:
 
Sounds like you've cracked it so great news!

Really pleased for you!

:wave:
 
Thanks guys!
Having a celebratory meal cooked by hubby (bless him) tonight.

I admit I'm a bit nervous about the whole insulin thing, but I'm sure I'll get used to it!
 
BlindFaith said:
I have finally found someone that listens to me.

I had spoken with the doctor at my surgery that specializes in diabetes, who palmed me off to the nurse I'm under; who in turn palmed me off with excuses:
"Oh I've not forgotten you at all, I'll call B-DEC and see if they can get a nurse to see you this week. I'll call you tomorrow!"

I of course heard nothing and today I got really pee'd off about it and thought "sod you lot, I'll do it myself". So I did.
I phoned B-DEC who said "someone will call you today" and I thought that I wouldn't hold my breath for that one :lol:

About an hour-ish ago my phone rang. Not only was it a nurse from B-DEC, it was the same nurse that I'd spoken to last time I was in hospital - the ONLY person that's actually listened to me and helped me. Lucky or what?!
He was great (again) and has me in tomorrow morning at 8:30am to talk things over.

He's told me to up the Glimepiride to 6mg in the morning and he is showing me how to inject insulin tomorrow - he mentioned Lantus so if anyone can give me a hint as to what I should expect with that I'd be hugely appreciative.
He's said that with my weight and the possibility that I may also have PCOS I will be on the medication permanently - even if I do lose weight and control things with diet.
And you know what? I'm actually fine with it. I've been so run down, so sad and upset over everything that's happened in the last near-month that having someone tell me "this is how it is, this is what we're going to do for you, this is what you need to do" has just lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders (if it could've lifted a weight off of my stomach I'd be happy, but one thing at a time :lol: )

I just wanted to update you lovely lot because you've listened to me rant and moan on about how rubbish things are - I'm happy that I can share some good news!

Thanks to everyone who's replied to my posts or PM'd me. You're all really kind and it's appreciated.
:D
Click to expand...

So Glad that you have found someone to listen and help you BF. I am on Levemir not Lantus but I know that they are both Long acting Insulins designed to cover a 24 hour period. Let us know how you get on.

Lucy xxx
 
Hello,

Pleased to hear that by your determination you found someone to listen to you. Lantus is usually a once a day injection into the legs (thighs). Once you have established the time that you will be injecting, you keep to within an hour of that time each day. I hope you will be given the Solostar ready-filled pen that is a good quality pen. The first injection will probably be into a rubbery toy. When you are happy with sticking needles into a toy you will inject yourself. Remember to wear something that will enable you to bare a thigh and to retain your modesty.

Best wishes and good luck tomorrow.

A
 
Thanks Ambersilva and shop :D

I've actually been given Humulin (I don't know if that's similar to Lantus or the same thing with a different name?) and I have a fairly neat little pen (plus a spare which I thought was nice!) which is a heck of a lot easier to use than I thought.
It goes into my stomach (and I have to remember to do it in different places each time) and I'm starting on 24 units, rising by 2 in three day increments.

We talked about diet and he was really happy that I'm avoiding bread, pasta, potatoes, etc... I asked him about which fruits and vegetables I should avoid and was really pleased with his answer: NONE (except bananas but I avoid them due to my weight anyway)!! So I'm a happy bunny :D :D
I said obviously I wouldn't go crazy with the fruit, but knowing I can have more of a variety is great as I know I get bored really easily if I'm so restricted.
We discussed carb amounts for the day and he said that the usual recommended amount is 40-60g per meal :shock: I laughed - I don't even get that per day at the moment!!! So I'm confident I can allow myself to have a few more carbs per day by eating fruit and increasing the amount of veggies I have at each meal too.

I start the insulin tonight and I'm up to 6mg Glimepiride in the morning so fingers crossed that my blood sugar levels slowly start coming down.

Thank you guys for all the support and encouragement - you're all lovely!!
 
While insulin is something I would really like to avoid if possible, I do understand for some it is a blessed relief. I am so pleased that you feel more confident and happier now. There are others who will be much more use to you re insulin, but I can say that I just hope now things will settle and you will get the control that I know means so much to you!

Good luck - Jo.
 
Hello,

I can't comment on Humalin because I don't know how it works. Perhaps posters on here who use Humalin can advise.

Be sure to have some rescue stuff at your bedside in case you get low blood sugar levels during the night. It can be glucose tablets, sugar, or orange or apple juice, as well as your test kit. The reason for having it on hand at your bedside is so you don't have to go wandering about and possibly fall while being hypoglycaemic.

Good luck,

A
 
Okay so the first night taking insulin was last night.
I was told I might feel a bit nauseous but I was not prepared for the retching and heaving for 3 hours after injecting!!! I'm hoping that settles down as my morning reading was 11mmol/L which is flippin' great for me :lol: :lol:

From what I've learned Humulin is a fast-acting insulin that you take in the same manner as the Lantus (correct if I'm wrong here, but that's usually given once at night to act over a course of 24(ish) hours?) so in two days time I go up another 2 units until I find the dose that brings my morning readings down to a normal level.
The nurse did say I may end up having to have something before meals but I'm really hoping I don't. Once a day is enough, thanks!!

Out of interest, has anyone had any odd reactions the first time they took insulin similar to the one I'm on?
I got a bit freaked out when my right hand and both feet went a bit numb and tingly while I was trying to sleep last night. I got up for a couple of hours in the end to take my mind off of it, lol!!
 
Hello Blindfaith, and well done on getting help at last :clap:

I have been on insulin since 2004 and just last year was changed to Lantus, which I sussed out myself and asked for it. The diabetes nurse at the hospital was happy to change me from levimer to lantus in order to bring my morning BG down. Now, like Levimer Lanutus is a slow acting insulin but, unlike levimer continues t give a steady level of background insulin for 24 hrs, Apparently Levimer tails off. She drew a diagram. So don,t know about Humalin, perhaps someone else does.

I think you will see a big difference now that you'll be using insulin and you get used to injecting, although it's a bit daunting at first. but you'll be fine :thumbup:

Good luck, and let us know how you get on, Kate x :wink:
 
My first insulin was while I was in hospital being treated for Ketoacidosis with a Sliding Scale followed by Lantus and Humalog on discharge from hospital. No sickness, but I had no appetite and was eating little. I occasionally suffer with gastroparesis and have the stomach contents returned looking exactly the same as they were when consumed.

I inject Lantus once a day and Humalog before each meal and snack. Sometimes need to make correction doses of Humalog if I have underestimated the pre-meal dose!

In the early days of insulin treatment at home, a goose bump rash appeared all over my arms and torso. I also felt as though my flesh had been removed and replaced with putty!

Best wishes.

A
 
Third A&E stay last night.
Apparently I'm allergic to Humulin - started itching like mad, felt like I wanted to take a cheese grater to my skin, lips tingling, slightly tight chest; tongue swollen, etc...

A&E doctor put me back on both Metformin and Sitagliptin despite being told they haven't worked thus far, hence the insulin.
So now I have to talk to my doctor again on Monday and the whole being passed off from pillar to post will start again.

Feeling very despondent, useless and generally really low.
I just want this to stop.
 
Oh goodness you are in a pickle. Up and down, not nice, I'm sure you will get it sorted although it may not seem so just yet.
 
BF, I can't offer any practical help but I wanted to offer my support.
What you are going through is quite simply, sh!tty and I admire your tenacity and strength. Use that anger and experience and do some serious foot stamping. Tell them you are terrified of the same thing happening and insist on proper expert care.
You had a serious reaction to that insulin and the main problem with that is that each time we take something we react to, the reaction gets worse. It's impossible to know what was in that insulin that made you react so it may happen with another. I can only tell you what I would do and that would be to insist on an immediate hospital admission so you have immediate treatment should the same thing happen.

My message may be a little scary and I do apologise for that but the fact you are being ignored and fobbed of is absolutely disgraceful and they are playing with your health. If, at any time, you have ketones in your wee and a vaguely high BS, go back to A&E.

Good on you for the determination you have in wanting to beat this. If I could send you some more strength to fight, you know I would.

Libby
 
Thanks you two.

Libby - the hospital booted me out at 6:45 this morning, apparently the registrar had said they can't do anything to help me so I have to go back to my GP and try a different insulin; perhaps doing it in a clinic.
I tried explaining that that's fine but I didn't react until the second dose so what if that happens again?

I know if I phone my GP, she'll faff about and get the nurse to call me back who will tell me she "hasn't forgotten me" and she'll call B-DEC.....and I'll end up chasing about for my treatment which is what I've done from day one.
If the people that are meant to help me, support me and care for me can't be bothered to do anything then why should I?

Even if they do admit me to hospital my husband has been told that if he takes any more time off due to me being in hospital or needing to get to appointments then he's very likely to lose his job.
I also know that his depression has gotten worse over the last few weeks and he said that a lot of it is worry about me and my health.

I feel like a burden, a liabilty.... and I don't have the strength to keep doing this.
 
Anaphylatic reactions or other allergic reactions like you had often occur at the 2nd try of something instead of the first time. The first time your body does not like it so it learns to attack it, then the 2nd time, all of that machinery kicks into action. It would be a good idea to make sure you are monitored for the first 2-3 injections, indeed.

Compared to all the hassle of above (poor you :( ) I would say insist on it, and take that day and a half as it comes - just be sure you're in the right spot.

Good luck - and remember, you are not to blame. Things are ******. But nothing you have done or not done, could have changed that - you've fought for what you need. Noone should really have to fight so hard for something that they're entitled to - proper treatment of a serious illness. Sometimes I wonder what people do who don't have the energy...

Hang in there!
 
Well I spoke to BDEC this morning and was told I'm definitely NOT allergic to the insulin as it's impossible to be allergic to something that occurs in my body (or doesn't in my case) otherwise when I did produce insulin I'd be itching all the time.

I asked why I'd had such a bad reaction and was told that it's probably my high blood sugar reacting with the insulin and not liking it.
So I'm being put on Lantus. At some point.
Because my hubby doesn't finish work until 5pm today and tomorrow BDEC said that they'll have to write to my doctor to get them to generate the prescription and I just take it as I took the Humulin.
So that will probably take about a week/10 days as my surgery are slow to deal with things.

I have asked if they can just fax it to my surgery/pharmacy and hubby can pick it up on his way home later. I'm waiting for them to call me back to say yes or no.

I've not been told I need to come in to take the insulin with someone there with me, I've not been told I need to be observed for a few days to make sure I don't react; I'm just meant to take it and get on with it.
 
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