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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Diabetic Support
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Zacchaeus
Shipmate
# 14454
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pine Marten:
quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Hazzah! I found a nice woman to help me learn to use my meter. And my first test was BG 111! ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
Now, people in the know on Type 2, how long after meals is a good time to test for food spikes when you are taking only Glypizise? (Maybe someone mentioned it and I missed it. ![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif) )
I don't do any testing (never been told to) so do many type 2 peeps do this?
When I was first diagnosed I tested a lot to find out how my body reacted to various foods. As time went on I test less, maybe only when ill or trying out a new food. Sometimes I do a random check to find out how I am doing. If I am going out for a meal I may test so that I can choose off the menu accordingly.
The issue of testing is a bit contentious for T2 – largely I suspect because of the cost, however I found it vital to being able to bring down my levels.
Posts: 1905 | From: the back of beyond | Registered: Jan 2009
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Crazy Cat Lady
Shipmate
# 17616
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Posted
I just got told this week I have Pre-diabetes, so some things have to radically change. I get the message about exercise and am onto that but diet, am at a loss
I have dairy intolerance which limits what I can eat. As I very much need to loose weight, I have to eat less fat. I get a pretty nasty form of Irritable bowel which is kicked off by a high fibre diet, and am I meant to cut carbs too??
I dunno what to eat.
Not looking forward to Metaformin - my weak digestion is bound to respond to that
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'They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me!"
Nathaniel Lee
Posts: 52 | From: Suffolk | Registered: Mar 2013
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
Looks to me as if the medics make it up as they go along, I'm afraid, Crazy Cat Lady, judging by the different solutions posted here.
My regime is much the same as blackbeard's. I was given diet sheets when I was first diagnosed a few years ago as it was diet-controlled (and also to help with high bp and cholesterol) and these were heavy on the recommended wholemeal bread, pasta and rice, fruits, nuts, low fat, low sugar etc. Nobody mentioned home testing of any sort. I am glad I have sorted out regular exercise that is also fun, but the whole thing does seem hit and miss.
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
The Dr has suggested I go for diet controlled rather than medication controlled treatment. What has been suggested is a high protein, low fat, low carb diet. This would involve a very strict regime of living almost entirely on lean red meat and vegetables, one portion of carbohydrates per day (i.e. a portion is what I can hold in my fist), no fat and no fruit (including fruit juice). I have a choice here and I've been given a few days to think about it. I realise that it would improve my health no end, but I suspect I'd die of boredom very soon.
I realise I'm going to have to change my lifestyle and watch what I eat, but this seems a bit extreme. Has anyone else done this diet and, if so, how was it?
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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The5thMary
Shipmate
# 12953
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Crazy Cat Lady:
I just got told this week I have Pre-diabetes, so some things have to radically change. I get the message about exercise and am onto that but diet, am at a loss
I have dairy intolerance which limits what I can eat. As I very much need to loose weight, I have to eat less fat. I get a pretty nasty form of Irritable bowel which is kicked off by a high fibre diet, and am I meant to cut carbs too??
I dunno what to eat.
Not looking forward to Metaformin - my weak digestion is bound to respond to that
Metformin has been a godsend for me! However, oh my god... I spent about a week in the bathroom after I first started taking it. Now, it never bothers me. You should ask your doctor if the Metformin is the fast acting or the extended release. Go for the extended release as it sloooowly works itself into your body and doesn't usually cause the "explosive" reaction that the fast acting version does. I think when I was initially diagnosed back in 2008, my (idiot) doctors put me on the fast-acting stuff. As soon as I knew better, I not only changed doctors but I got the Metformin XR. It's hella scary to be told you have diabetes but the best way to overcome that fear is to educate yourself. Also, DON'T just go along with anything a doctor or registered dietitian tells you because even these folks, supposedly professionals who have vast knowledge of diabetes, don't always know what the hell they're talking about. I was a member of The American Diabetes Association webpage for years. They have a forum for folks who have had diabetes since birth, those who have just gotten the diagnosis, pre-diabetes (which is kind of stupid... either you have it or you don't), and all sorts in between. It's a great resource for figuring out the facts versus the fiction and making friends who are going through the same thing that you are. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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God gave me my face but She let me pick my nose.
Posts: 3451 | From: Tacoma, WA USA | Registered: Aug 2007
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blackbeard
Ship's Pirate
# 10848
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
The Dr has suggested I go for diet controlled rather than medication controlled treatment. .....
I was told that I needed Metformin, no ifs or buts. Diet and exercise as well, of course, but diet was really just a question of not being stupid, rather than going to extremes.
We all vary, though.
Posts: 823 | From: Hampshire, UK | Registered: Dec 2005
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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
The Dr has suggested I go for diet controlled rather than medication controlled treatment. What has been suggested is a high protein, low fat, low carb diet. This would involve a very strict regime of living almost entirely on lean red meat and vegetables, one portion of carbohydrates per day (i.e. a portion is what I can hold in my fist), no fat and no fruit (including fruit juice). I have a choice here and I've been given a few days to think about it. I realise that it would improve my health no end, but I suspect I'd die of boredom very soon.
I realise I'm going to have to change my lifestyle and watch what I eat, but this seems a bit extreme. Has anyone else done this diet and, if so, how was it?
My dad managed to stay dietary controlled for a good few years (better part of a decade as I recall, then went onto metformin - is on something else now but still hasn't reached insulin. He was diagnosed in his fifties and is in his mid seventies now.) It requires planning but the food doesn't have to be boring.
From what you describe of your recommended diet think of a day:
Breakfast:
Grilled split pork medallions
Grilled mushrooms
Mug of tea/coffee
Elevenses
Mug of tea/coffee
Portion of salted edamame beans (these are really moreish)
Lunch:
Crudities - ie cucumber, celery, raw cauliflower
Aubergine & Almond Dip
Fourzis:
Mug tea/coffee (with a dash of coco powder if you like mocha)
Small portion of pistachios
Dinner:
Steak
Thyme baked carrots
Pud: (using your carb allowance)
Adjusted Chocolate Muffin
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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
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Zacchaeus
Shipmate
# 14454
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Posted
In response to just about everybody’s post here…
The slow release Metformin is given very rarely in the UK as it is much more expensive, it is hard to get it off your doctors because of cost to their prescription budget.
I had a very bad reaction to Metformin too in the beginning it is a lot better now but I cannot take it without food, it has to be after a meal.
I eat a low carb diet (though not as good as I should be) but it is not nearly as strict as suggested to you Spike indeed when I suggested to my doctor that I would low carb I was told in no uncertain terms not too!!
I basically cut out the very starchy carbs and no fruit and fruit juice, but I can’t live without my vegetables. I have a cooked breakfast, and then eat my main meals without rice/spuds etc. I use lots of spices to add flavour and make sauces out of cheese but without flour, by I melting cheese into single cream or use cream cheese. I don’t particularly watch my fat intake but I never eat processed fat I use olive oil etc.
I found that when I cut my carbs then even though I upped my cheese intake my cholesterol came down.
It really is to suck it and see what suits your body, all our bodies will react differently to different foods and what works for one may not help another at all.
I hope that makes sense it is at the end of a very long day and my brain is switching off..
Posts: 1905 | From: the back of beyond | Registered: Jan 2009
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
My sugars are testing these days between 4.5 and 5.5 with spikes sometimes. And this is with a rigourous diet. So I am not too bad, but I am not going to fall into the take pills and eat whatever you please category.
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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The5thMary
Shipmate
# 12953
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Posted
Hey, has anyone else heard of this? I read briefly that Type 2 diabetics have this problem: their immune systems are attacking their own bodies and making the immune system prone to any little bug/virus/infection that exists. I mean, in a major way. The reason I ask is that I have been battling several nasty stomach bugs that I seem to get every other month. This last Friday I had to be hospitalized for about five hours for severe vomiting and, other, less pleasant things of the lower end. I am still sick, just less dramatically so. The doctor I saw in the emergency room said that I had gotten a stomach virus and that because of my Type 2 diabetes, I could look forward to getting any little bug out there in the world that most healthy people could shrug off. I know that folks with Lupus and H.I.V. have to worry about this stuff, too. I'm depressed, though. In the last year, I have gotten a stomach bug about eight-ten times and the sickness lasts up to three days. It's debilitating. What's worse is that my last A1C was 5.4 and my blood glucose level is really good, most of the time. Anyone else have this problem? ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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God gave me my face but She let me pick my nose.
Posts: 3451 | From: Tacoma, WA USA | Registered: Aug 2007
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blackbeard
Ship's Pirate
# 10848
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by The5thMary:
....Type 2 diabetics have this problem: their immune systems ... (
Not heard of this one, various doctors and nurses have warned me about all sorts of things but not this. Nor do I seem to be more vulnerable to sundry lurghies than before being diagnosed Type 2, nor more than other people. Which is not to claim I don't get ill sometimes, but not more than the common lot of man.
Not an effect of Metformin? (not that the stuff affects my digestion, but I have a digestive system which an ostrich would envy.)
My sympathies, anyway.
Posts: 823 | From: Hampshire, UK | Registered: Dec 2005
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Evangeline
Shipmate
# 7002
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Posted
I've not heard it expressed as the immune system attacking your own body. That sounds more like type 1 in which your immune system kills of your islet cells because they mistake them for a virus.
I have heard that high blood sugars suppress the immune system and this is what makes diabetics susceptible to infections and the worse the infection the higher your sugars go so it's a vicious cycle.
Given that you have a virtually normal a1c I'd be seeking a second opinion as to what might be causing the stomach bugs. My 2c is that what you're describing isn't at all normal for diabetes. Emergency drs want to blame everything on diabetes and often it's NOT the diabetes.
Posts: 2871 | From: "A capsule of modernity afloat in a wild sea" | Registered: May 2004
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
I've not heard any of this, either, and I've been (diet-controlled until now) type 2 for about 5 years. Apart from a little - ahem! - which I'm blaming on my new Metformin, I am still pretty robustly healthy. Much more so than Mr Marten, who has been plagued by a raucous cough for months, though it's slowly getting better. Has he seen the dr? Nah....
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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The5thMary
Shipmate
# 12953
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Posted
Thanks for your replies, friends. The e.r. doctor DID say I was extremely dehydrated (I hardly ever drank water until just a few days ago, after the e.r. visit) and asked if I had been getting a good amount of sleep. No, I sure haven't been. I've been burning the candle at both ends for weeks and tend to do this when I get going on a writing or drawing project. Since my latest stomach adventure, I poured out all my diet sodas, have been eating very small meals of good stuff, i.e. no candy, cookies, ice cream, etc. and getting plenty of sleep. I'm going to start exercising (swimming and small weight training) again this week. I'm sipping some iced tea that has caffeine in it but I'm trying to keep my consumption of that to almost nil. I plan to get some yogurt with active cultures and plan my meals accordingly. I think that's better than just waiting for a food-borne attack to grab me...
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God gave me my face but She let me pick my nose.
Posts: 3451 | From: Tacoma, WA USA | Registered: Aug 2007
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blackbeard
Ship's Pirate
# 10848
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Posted
Thanks 5thMary. You will have gathered that Dehydration is Extremely Bad! In my case I combat it with industrial quantities of Tea, though strictly speaking good old-fashioned Adam's Ale is the fluid of choice. Thirst is an ineffective indicator of need, I'm told.
(Apologies for slightly off-topic. And it's Adam's Ale not Adnam's Ale. Regretfully.)
Posts: 823 | From: Hampshire, UK | Registered: Dec 2005
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
I've just received my letter confirming my booking at our local DESMOND group, an all-day session in August. Anyone been to one of these? Are they usually helpful or.... ?
[ 02. July 2013, 10:08: Message edited by: Pine Marten ]
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Evangeline
Shipmate
# 7002
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Posted
With a name like DESMOND you'd have to be suss to start with, surely and it seems like one's worse fears are confirmed..... Doesn't sound good
Posts: 2871 | From: "A capsule of modernity afloat in a wild sea" | Registered: May 2004
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
Oh dear, oh dear, that made me ![[Killing me]](graemlins/killingme.gif) !
I feared the meetings might be like that, and I had turned them down when I was first diagnosed and diet-controlled. We have been told to bring a packed lunch(!) as it's an all-day job, and Mr Marten was going to come with me, as he has a family history of diabetes though he has not so far succumbed. I have learned far more from the Ship and other forums so I might have a prior appointment come August...
This is the Desmond I would prefer to see ![[Smile]](smile.gif) .
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
Well - ! I went to the surgery this morning to get my blood test results and so on, and after a few weeks of a low carb diet and more exercise my blood sugar levels have gone down, my blood pressure has gone *right* down, and I've lost 4 kgs!
Oh yeah !
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Evangeline
Shipmate
# 7002
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Posted
Good for you indeed.
Posts: 2871 | From: "A capsule of modernity afloat in a wild sea" | Registered: May 2004
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Nanny Ogg
Ship's cushion
# 1176
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Posted
I recently had acute pancreatitis which meant a stay in hospital. I was informed that it could have been the result of medication as the common causes did not apply.
I have now found out that in "rare" cases the Victoza (Liraglutide )I was using for Type 2 Diabetes can cause pancreatitis. I have been advised not to continue with it but am worried about the damage that has been done.
Has anyone else had any problems with this drug?
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Buy me a beer and I'm you friend forever
Posts: 4137 | From: Away with the fairies | Registered: Aug 2001
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
I'm going for my retinal screening at the hospital tomorrow. What should I expect?
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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mertide
Shipmate
# 4500
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Posted
You should expect photos to be taken of the back of your eyes. If you have small pupils, or if you have cataract or anything else that makes the image less clear, you may need dilating drops, to make your pupils bigger. Take some sunglasses in case you need to be dilated, and if that happens it's not advisable to drive for a few hours after. If you don't have a dilation, it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes or so, but who knows what the waiting times will be at the hospital. The camera doesn't touch your eyes, and it's painless, except for a few seconds of mild stinging if you have drops. Good luck!
Posts: 382 | From: Brisbane | Registered: May 2003
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
Thanks. I know about the non driving thing so I've already decided I'll be getting a taxi home from the hospital. How long is it before I can drive again?
With regard to sunglasses, my normal glasses have reactorlight (sp?) lenses. Hopefully that should be sufficient.
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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mertide
Shipmate
# 4500
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Posted
3 hours should be safe. Unless it's very sunny, I think photochromic lenses should be enough. Occasionally people's pupils may take up to 24 hours to completely come back to normal, but that's very rare. It's not likely that a Type 2 on their first visit will have any retinal changes, it's mostly baselines. Then, it's annual checks from now on.
Posts: 382 | From: Brisbane | Registered: May 2003
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
When I had this done (not for diabetes, though) they warned me that it could take longer. I was done in the morning and it took until night before the effects wore off. It may not take you as long but on my second occasion it took about 5-6 hours so be prepared to lose a day.
You will still have some focus-ability left but not very much.
You will find normal daylight very bright afterwards if your pupils have been dilated. Photochromic glasses will presume that your eyes are able to cope with the ordinary amount of daylight, which after dilation they are likely to find a bit of a trial. An ordinary pair of non-reactive sunglasses may be more helpful. But it really depends on the individual.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
I needed pretty heavy sunspecs when I had it done and Himself kindly got me the adjustable ones with sides which I could wear over my normal specs. I suggest you have somebody with you to lead you from place to place in case you need it, though the nurses might do it.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
I'm surprised to hear of dilation having such a marked effect. I've had it several times and noticed little beyond a slight blurring. Maybe because the daylight in Scotland is set at Louring Gloom.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
It was a bright and sunny day at 10 degrees north and, because Ophthalmology was in the process of shifting buildings I had to go outside, even if only for about 30 metres, after the drops!
Hopefully Spike won't need them as not everybody does.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
I had to find my own way out of the hospital and walk home afterwards. Everything was out of focus after about the first 3" so not as far off normal as I'd expected, though the light on an overcast day was bright enough to be almost painful. To my relief I could still make out the shapes of oncoming cars etc which is what I'd been worried about, and I knew the route well enough to know about uneven paving stones.
When I got home I looked at myself in the mirror (close up) and found I looked like a creature of the twilight with huge black pupils. I couldn't read or really do anything except listen to the radio. The second time was easier but there was still no way I could have gone to work during the rest of the day.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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Amanda B. Reckondwythe
Dressed for Church
# 5521
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Posted
Over here, ophthalmologists generally give the patient a pair of ultra-dark disposable sunglasses to wear outdoors while the pupils are still dilated. (I call them geezer goggles.) Is that not the case over there?
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"I take prayer too seriously to use it as an excuse for avoiding work and responsibility." -- The Revd Martin Luther King Jr.
Posts: 10542 | From: The Great Southwest | Registered: Feb 2004
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Heavenly Anarchist
Shipmate
# 13313
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Posted
I used to be an ophthalmic nurse. How long dilating drops last depend on which type of drop is used; doctors use different dilators for different purposes. Some dilators last about 2 hours, some 24 hours (atropine, made from Belladonna and seldom used these days, can last weeks). Most doctors prefer to use a combo of drops to give a more sustained effect, especially on diabetic patients who need a thorough examination and can be resistant to dilation. One of the most common drops used is cyclopentolate which can last up to 24 hours.
The no driving rule is not only because your vision might be blurred and lights bright but your insurance might not cover you if you have an accident.
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'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams
Dog Activity Monitor
My shop
Posts: 2831 | From: Trumpington | Registered: Jan 2008
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Zacchaeus
Shipmate
# 14454
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
I used to be an ophthalmic nurse. How long dilating drops last depend on which type of drop is used; doctors use different dilators for different purposes. Some dilators last about 2 hours, some 24 hours (atropine, made from Belladonna and seldom used these days, can last weeks). Most doctors prefer to use a combo of drops to give a more sustained effect, especially on diabetic patients who need a thorough examination and can be resistant to dilation. One of the most common drops used is cyclopentolate which can last up to 24 hours.
The no driving rule is not only because your vision might be blurred and lights bright but your insurance might not cover you if you have an accident.
Which explains why I have had different reactions on different occasions..
Posts: 1905 | From: the back of beyond | Registered: Jan 2009
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Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe:
Over here, ophthalmologists generally give the patient a pair of ultra-dark disposable sunglasses to wear outdoors while the pupils are still dilated. (I call them geezer goggles.) Is that not the case over there?
You probably had to pay for your appointment. The NHS is free, but the trade-off is no frills.
Incidentally, and I don't know how true this is, one of the opticians said that people with lighter-coloured eyes like blue or grey will usually take longer to shake off the effect of dilation drops than people with brown eyes.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
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Heavenly Anarchist
Shipmate
# 13313
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Posted
Eye colour can affect dilation, brown pigmentation seems to make eyes more resistant to dilation and we often had to use stronger/more drops on patients with darker eyes.
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'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams
Dog Activity Monitor
My shop
Posts: 2831 | From: Trumpington | Registered: Jan 2008
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Darllenwr
Shipmate
# 14520
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Posted
For my sins, I underwent the procedure this afternoon. Around here, the drops are applied as a matter of course. They sting a bit, and your eyes will water for a few minutes, but it wears off quickly enough. You are advised to blink rapidly after the drops have been applied, as this helps to stop the sting.
I had the drops in at about 15:15, went in for photography at 15:30 (last session of the day). My eyes have not fully recovered yet (21:25), but have got to the point that, whilst typing is a little troublesome, most distance-vision tasks are OK.
Unfortunately, it was a brightly sunny afternoon (by South Wales standards) when I emerged from the session, so I had to wait for my glasses to darken before it was comfortable to walk home. The first few yards saw me walking with screwed-up eyes, but after that it was OK. Reactolites (which is what I have) will compensate for the brightness, but it will take a minute or so before it is comfortable.
Your eyes should be back to normal by the following day.
The photography itself is painless, but does involve setting off a photoflash into the eyes (one at a time) - the resulting after-images are quite bright(!) but not painful.
You will probably be faced with one of the devices with a chin rest to hold your head steady whilst the pictures are taken. You will initially be told to look at a coloured spot within the camera (first shot) then at a small LED to one side of the camera (second shot). This will be repeated for the other eye. These are the retinal shots. You will then be asked to rest your chin on the edge of the rest and up to four more shots will be taken of the surface of the eye. And that should be that. Assuming that your health authority follow the same methods mine do.
Hope this helps.
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If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: I do not exaggerate!
Posts: 1101 | From: The catbox | Registered: Jan 2009
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mertide
Shipmate
# 4500
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Posted
I'm an optometrist, and for the retinal screenings we always use the minimal drops to get the desired effect, so tropicamide, 0.5% for blue eyed patients or kids, and 1% for dark eyed. Different drugs for treatment, but not for the screenings. We always tell our patients to have sunglasses, but I remember my year in the UK as the year without a shadow, so it was never that bright. Anyway, hope it all went well for Spike.
Posts: 382 | From: Brisbane | Registered: May 2003
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Heavenly Anarchist
Shipmate
# 13313
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Posted
Yes, tropicamide was my drop of choice when I was a nurse practitioner doing diabetic screening, nice and short acting with few side effects But in clinic many doctors prefer a phenylephrine and cyclopentolate combo as their different actions give a better dilation for viewing the edges of the retina and the patients are often around for a few hours having various tests as well. But patients do occasionally ask for shorter acting ones instead.
I hope all went well Spike.
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'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams
Dog Activity Monitor
My shop
Posts: 2831 | From: Trumpington | Registered: Jan 2008
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
Well that was relatively painful. Yes the drops stung a bit, but only for a few seconds. I was in and out in 10 minutes. I'm glad I opted to get a cab home because I don't think I'd have like the short walk to the bus stop in bright sunlight.
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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mertide
Shipmate
# 4500
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Posted
Congrats, Spike. Did you see your pictures straight away? All clear?
Posts: 382 | From: Brisbane | Registered: May 2003
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
Apparently I've got a mole on the back of one of my eyeballs, but she assured me that it's nothing to worry about
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Well they do have trouble seeing, so obviously needed to borrow one of yours... ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
Glad it's not as bad as it sounds.
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Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
Yes the drops stung a bit, but only for a few seconds. I was in and out in 10 minutes....
I've had it done a few times and I really don't like the drops, but yes, it's ok and pretty quick if there isn't a queue. Mr Marten usually comes with me just in case, as we use the Tube. Next one's in October...
Yesterday I attended the DESMOND course, about which I had heard a lot of negative comments, some of them on here. However it was better than I feared and I did find out quite a bit of new stuff. Mr Marten also came as he has a family history of diabetes, and is himself teetering on the edge, according to his GP.
The advice given was pretty sensible, and we had a friendly and chatty group - there wasn't one person who dominated discussions, so it was good, and I'm glad I went, the only downside being that at 9.30-4.30 with lunch & tea breaks it was quite a long day.
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
Further musings:
I think that the one thing I shall really take away from the course and concentrate on is the importance of 'waist circumference' - ie. don't have a fat belly! I noticed that all of us in the group could do with losing weight in this area, but the good news is that I have already noticed a difference in recent weeks in my own flab, so exercise and eating sensibly does of course work.
Here's to a fitter future!
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
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Posted
The reason I initially visited the doctor prior to diagnosis was because I'd inexplicably lost a lot of weight in short space of time without trying to. It turns out that the weight loss was due to the excessively high blood sugar, which also accounted for all the other symptoms that had crept up on me unnoticed like chronic fatigue and frequent peeing.
I could still lose some weight though, but I'm pleased that I'm now merely overweight rather than obese as I was previously!
[ 29. August 2013, 13:12: Message edited by: Spike ]
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"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
I am diet controlled, but test my blood sugar regularly. My doctor has, among other things, noted that my urine sugar has increased. Up to yesterday, my blood sugar has spiked at numbers that, frankly, scare me, yet, as far as I know, I have not varied my diet at all. Introduced no new foods, changed no vegetables, or anything. I monitor sugar content in packaged foods (i.e. milk) religiously. And still I spike.
Ah, well, it's a mystery. Other things concern me more.
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Pine Marten
Shipmate
# 11068
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Posted
It's weird, innit? Oh well, I am certainly feeling better, less sluggish and so on, so I'm going to keep on eating more healthily, exercising and (hopefully) lose more weight. I have noticed too that my knees don't hurt as much as they did, so I must be doing something right...
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Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. - Oscar Wilde
Posts: 1731 | From: Isle of Albion | Registered: Feb 2006
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Himself is Type 2 [diet uncontrolled] and has just come back from the hospital with some nasty figures from his two blood tests. He has also been having chronic headaches so had a CT scan of his brain this morning - I'm not sure if they found anything at all there as he doesn't see the Dr until tomorrow. He had a fertility check thing done earlier in the year and the chances of Herself getting pregnant from him were remote with his then blood sugar levels. He has had an eye test but the ophthalmic guy hasn't given his a new prescription yet, waiting on all this other stuff.
Add to that that his M-i-L is in hospital in the city with a series of some sort of diabetic seizures going on.
My pancreas is fine, thank you very much.
Worried of India.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Campbellite
Ut unum sint
# 1202
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Posted
Given this holiday season and all the sweets abounding, how is everyone doing?
I confess that I have not been as careful as I should. My fasting glucose level was a scarey 237 yesterday. I am usually around 175 - 180 first thing in the morning.
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I upped mine. Up yours.
Suffering for Jesus since 1966.
WTFWED?
Posts: 12001 | From: between keyboard and chair | Registered: Aug 2001
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
Much better, actually. I have trod new ground and currently use THREE insulins. I am a furious dawn-riser, that is I can be 6.0 at bedtime and 16.0 at breakfast without eating anything. It's a hormonal thing in my sleep cycle, it starts about 4AM and I have always had to take a hefty dose of Novorapid in the morning (ratio of 1 unit per 2 grams of carbohydrate, by contrast it's 1:9 at Lunch).
With NPH injected at 9PM I can regularly pull 6.0 in the mornings and I finally have some control over morning sugars, which I didn't before. To much Levemir will just pull me down for the rest of the day, I needed a more precise tool.
Anyway, I usually do a test before bed on "feast days" and I don't hesitate to give myself some insulin to bring me back down.
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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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