Not Good Doctor's visit

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Not Good Doctor's visit
25
Sat, 01-31-2004 - 12:14am

I am so glad that I can finally post because I need your support as much as you need mine.


I went to the doctor for my regular appointment and things didn't turn out so well. Unfortunately my A1c has been rising above acceptible norms. He increased all my meds back in October and I started exercising and managed to lose 6 pounds over the holidays. But my A1C didn't come down and so he told me today to think about either going on actos or insulin. I have to tell him on Monday. '


While I know that diabetes is a progressive disease that I have had for almost 15 years I have been trying so hard to keep from having to go on insulin. I know I am not a failure but is sure feels like it. I did tell my doctor that I would only go on Lantus. I normally have elevated liver enzymes and so I don't want to go on actos. Plus the main complaint with actos is weight gain and I certainly don't want to gain any weight. I also don't want to deal with NPH insulin because it causes hypoglycemia. So I am trying to get over my tears and get my arms around this new wrinkle in my disease. I have a new diabetic to counsel at church (remember I am also a parish nurse) and I have to put on a brave face fer her.


Hugs to everybody,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

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Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Sat, 01-31-2004 - 12:23am

Wow!

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Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 01-31-2004 - 12:59am

Thank you, Cheryl.


I just talked to my sister and she said I may be a success and not know it. If you look at that way, that is true. Because it was predicted when I was diagnosed that I would immediately need insulin and that was almost 15 years ago. What I hope is that I can lose some more weight and be able to stop the insulin or at least take a very small dose. I just have to take it one day at a time.


Mary Frances

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2001
Sat, 01-31-2004 - 10:32am
Well as Cheryl said I know you make the right decision for you. And I know you will put on that brave face when you meet with the new diabetic. HUGS and holler if you need us:)

Lynn

-85lbs and 72 inches gone 1/28/03

 

Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Sat, 01-31-2004 - 1:09pm

Mary Frances....

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Avatar for happyscrapper40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 01-31-2004 - 7:20pm
What difficult news to recieve Mary Frances! But your sister is right, you have been very sucessful with combating this disease and avoiding the need for insulin for 15 years. Imagine where you would be now if you hadn't battled it, but ignored it for 15 years! Remember too, the real reasons why you want to take on this new challenge. You really want to minimize the damage this disease does to your body. Insulin will stabilize your bs, so your A1c can return to a desirable reading. You know you have been doing everything HUMANLY possible to reduce the a1c. I was just thinking, thank god for the invention of insulin so we at least have a choice. Maybe we will see a cure in the next ten or twenty years, but we need to do the best we can to take care of ourselves until there is a cure.

Let us know how we can help and support you- you have been so extremely helpful and supportive of us! Did I tell you I got a 100% on my PRETEST when I took my diabetes class in December? I knew all of the answers before I started, mostly because of you and the others on this board. Of course, that gave me a lot of pressure on the POSTTEST, b/c I needed another 100%! LOL

Take care!

Michele H.
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 02-01-2004 - 3:29pm

Thank you for your wonderful supportive comments. I love and appreciate all of you. One of things that has been a side effect of moderating this board is that it has made me try harder to manage my disease and keep it under control.


Intellectually I know certain thing but emotionally I feel others. The bottom line is that I need my eyes, feet and kidneys and I will do what is necessary to protect them from the ravages of this disease. This is just another challange which will make it a little harder to live my life as I want but I will make it work. There are times with this disease when you are afraid to eat anything because of what it does to your blood sugar readings. While I could take the

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Sun, 02-01-2004 - 10:17pm
Maryfrances,

I have had to go on insulin starting last month after being diagnosted almost 6 years ago and on meds since then. I recently found that I have GAD 65 proteins, a marker for Type 1 diabetes. My doctor believes that though I responded to diabetes meds initially, I am actually a Type 1 diabetic (slow onset) and not resistent to insulin--I just don't make much and am making less day by day. So, the only avenue left for me is insulin.

I was VERY scared and am still adjusting, but is getting easier. I'm not so afraid. I just want to add my support to the others. I, too, felt like a failure for having to go on insulin, and I didn't want it to be a part of my life. I wish you care and patience as you deal with this issue. I'm still adjusting and have good days and bad days.

Hang in there. You are not alone.

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 02-01-2004 - 10:51pm
Mary Frances, good to see you back on the board. You were missed and I know we are all glad to have you post again.

I'm sorry to hear that things aren't too well with your A1c, but it really isn't the end of the world. Dealing with insulin isn't that much fun, especially since it can be unpredictable, but it can help you. I wouldn't be surprised if you saw good numbers right away, since I know that you really do take care of yourself and this just might be the extra push you need. I am confident that you will do just fine and you will see good results, so try not to worry too much.

Anyway, good to have you back.

take care,

Andrea

Avatar for happyscrapper40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 02-02-2004 - 9:11pm
Mary Frances,

I have had you in my thoughts and prayers today as you are making this difficult decision. Let us know what you decided, and anything we can do to help and support you through this difficult time. Michele H.
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 02-03-2004 - 11:56pm

Alison,


Thank you for understanding. That is interesting about GAD 65 protein. I am going to the course soon that I take at UC Davis and hopefully they will talk about that. There is so much research going on right now it is hard to keep up with all of it. There may be a group of diabetics that are type 1a's. Who are neither type 1 or type 2.


I have been thinking about all the things that I will have to consider with insulin. Such as what time do

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