Not fun news from the doc

B

Blessed

Well-known Member
Got a call from the nurse, A1C at 6.7. diabetic. They are calling in a script and want me back for blood work in 3 months. Heck,, I don't know what this means but I just can't do it anymore. I have given up so much already, I have not strength to confront anything else.

Husband died, Mom died, best friend died. Son married but I have come to realize that will not be giving me a grandchild from my son. Yes, she has a son prior whom has been great gift, in my life from 6 months old.

Stop smoking, done, stop drinking, done, adjust to being without my son, done. Now they will want me to give up foods that I enjoy, not done, next give up breathing. I am ready for that, I just can't do without any pleasures in my life, what is the point?

I am so tired.... can;t sleep like a normal person, struggle to take care of the house, don't like to have repair people in. I am afraid all the time, is this all there is left, just a struggle everyday, to get by, to put on the brave face like nothing is wrong when everything is wrong. I have been in chronic pain for 14 years now, doctors are not allowed to prescribe pain meds, pain management does not exist, I have tried everything they say to no avail, so I just do my best to bear it. I am done pretending to brave, there will be a total nervous breakdown soon.

My husband made me feel safe, protected, at ease. I lived a full life because of him, he put up with my anxiety, panic attacks, pulled me forward with love. I give up, I just give up, I just don't want to do it anymore.
 

This news isn't good, but it isn't so bad. Many of us are there with you, some have even reversed it with some effort but controlling it isn't so hard.

Sure, we have to give up more things. I hear that. But do a little research, ask the doc questions. Often they can even provide or refer you to a nutritionist with expertise in this aspect of health care.
 
Blessed, you need to join a group of people who are also dealing with the same illness. It's amazing how much better we humans feel with a bit of support. I bet there are diabetics on this site who can give you information. Or ask you doctor or county medical officials. You are certainly not alone in dealing with this disease. I would find a group that meets in person from time to time, but if you can't find an online one.
 
I'm so sorry about the blood test. @dilettante knows more about diabetes than most. He might be able to offer you some guidance there.

As for the rest, a lot of people have turned to marijuana products for pain relief. You might want to consider them if your doctors' recommendations aren't helping.

Hoping for the best for you. Please keep us posted. 🤗
 
@Blessed, your post is filled with a lot of can'ts. Is there anything you can still do that you enjoy? Think about this in coming days. Right now you're very emotional from the news. Maybe in three months things will be better. We never know. All we can do is our best and enjoying life as much as we can is most important. Why can't you sleep like a normal person? How do picture "normal"people sleeping? Can you possibly get someone to help with the housework? Maybe it won't be as dark as you fear right now.

Sending hugs from @chic

hugs dog.jpg
 
chic said:
@Blessed, your post is filled with a lot of can'ts. Is there anything you can still do that you enjoy? Think about this in coming days. Right now you're very emotional from the news. Maybe in three months things will be better. We never know. All we can do is our best and enjoying life as much as we can is most important. Why can't you sleep like a normal person? How do picture "normal"people sleeping? Can you possibly get someone to help with the housework? Maybe it won't be as dark as you fear right now.
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This is excellent advice.
 
Okay, had a good cry, but I still don't feel any better. @chic, I can't sleep at night. I am up all night an sleep all day. Even with Ambien, it still does not knock me out. I have tried others but they don't help either.

Yes, I can afford to have help but I just don't trust people anymore. I will not have a stranger in my home. My son comes to help when he can but I don't like to bother him. He has his own family, home to take care of and that is how it should be. I hate it but the truth is, for the most part once your son marries he needs to focus on that relationship.

It is hard to adjust, my husband always put his Mom first when his Dad died. He was there every other day, to take care of the house and make sure she didn't feel alone. Of course, he came from a different breed of family than what we have today. He always understood the same of me, taking care of my Mom. We both loved and honored out parents, that is just not the case now. Young families have to work so hard and long now to even afford a home so it is hard for them to find the time. Also, my husband and I both willingly took on those roles as our siblings would not.
 
@StarSong, marijuana is not legal in our state so that is not an option. Also, every doctor I go to makes me sign a document, I will not share or sell any drug I am prescribed, that I will not use any street drugs for pain. Now, my question is why I would do that when I need them for my own care. It is apparently a problem, that many people do that so the rest of us have to suffer for the actions of others. The reason for pain is proven by CT scans, MRIs of my neck and brain. I have used the same doctors for years, I am not out there doctor shopping for docs for pain meds.

I have no problem with that except they refuse to take action to give me something to take as needed when the pain is overwhelming. I have done PT, I went through 10 years of botox treatment for migraines only to learn that the problem is my neck is messed up, compressing nerves to my head, face, neck and shoulders.....then a too bad, deal with it.

All that said, I will try gummies if they are ever made available, legal in my state. I used to drink to help with the pain and that just led to a bone disease that is called AVN, so more pain and a hip replacement. That gives you an idea why I am done, I have tried, I have tried and crap just keeps coming. Anyone should try a hip replacement and quitting smoking at the same time. Everyone would put on weight.
 
Activity is essential for both physical and mental health. Don't hole up and to "say to heck with it" and load up on carbs.

I'm not talking about a gym membership or running, but slowly and gradually pushing yourself to climb those stairs, walk (even if just around your home), sweep those floors, etc. Heck, even "baby pushups" leaning forward into a kitchen counter on your feet is something. Take it gradually, ramping up little by little. A lot depends on what your joints and such can take.

When I went on Metformin the first week or two were rough. Some get gas, diarrhea, cramps, feeling cruddy generally... but it passes. Once I added more exercise I dropped a lot of weight more quickly than I expected before that tapered off.

I really try to avoid sugary stuff and even most baked goods. I struggle with portion control with those things, so I try to keep them out of the house entirely. Don't worry much about vegetables aside from things like potatoes. Fruits are good but be moderate. My Doc said "no bananas" but opinions vary.

Fiber is good, and even prunes are fine. Eating too many for their sugar content tends to... self regulate. 😛

Point being, there are things you can do that don't mean the end of the world.
 
You can do this! Right now limiting carbs is more important than limiting sugar. Eat lots of protein. Learn to read labels. Give up sugar-after three days you won’t really miss it and remember that you are able to have a treat now and then. Get used to KETO bread-it’s better toasted or grilled. If you love potatoes, eat the peel and the extra fiber helps. Of course, sweet potatoes are better for you than white but having an order of fries now and then will be okay…just eat more protein to make up for them. Don’t be discouraged. You’re going to rock this!!
 
((((Blessed)))) 6.7 is not bad for a first elevated HgA1c especially considering everything else you're dealing with. Stress and depression impact blood sugar levels and you've definitely got plenty of that.

I know it sounds like a chore to add something else when you're hit with so much, but I can't encourage therapy enough. I started this past year to help deal with living with several autoimmune disorders and cannot begin to describe the benefit I've gotten. I spent some time reading Psychology Today profiles, even read BetterHelp ones (though I don't recommend that service). I specifically looked for 50+ female therapists, talked with several on the phone and love the one I decided on. Living with chronic illness is very unfun and you're grieving on top of that.
 
The most important part of @chic 's post is "Maybe in three months things will be better."

That A1C number fluctuates all the time. And 6.7 is at the lower end for diagnosing diabetes, which ranges from 6.5 to 10.0.

IMO, there's nothing wrong with sleeping during the day and being awake at night, except it can be boring. I'd recommend melatonin rather than Rx sleep aids. It's an OTC, non-narcotic, it's effective for most, and it's pretty cheap. But you can ask your doc to prescribe it. Your insurance probably covers it. Look it up, if you want to know how it works.

As for pain...well, you know I can relate. I don't like the way your doc is handling it. Thing is, the FDA now asks doctors to fill out a ton of forms whenever they Rx opioids and other controlled substances, and they have to do it every quarter, and in some states, every single month. If you ask me, your doc's avoiding a lot of paperwork and scrutiny from the FDA. It sucks for him or her, but it's unfair to you.

My doc goes the extra miles(s) for me. And CVS gives her a hard time every time I request a refill.
I appreciate her so much. I'm really lucky.
 
Blessed, I do not know you. I do know your pain, constant for years as I have RA. I am 78 yrs old and 5 yrs ago stopped being able to walk. Couldn't clean. Found someone reccomened and she is still with me every Monday. GIVE yourself that GIFT. It makes life to much easier. Get busy and look. No more pity parties. Every day when you wake up spend a few minutes thinking about what you will do that day. Get up, use the bathrm. brush your teeth and all that. Then I go for my one cuppa coffee of the day and my breakfast.

All 5 of my brothers are passed and my one sister, cousins so I am all alone in the world. I know this part is hard to hear, but stop thinking of yourself and start thinking and giving to others in only a way you can do. I can still knit and so I knit hats for the homeless and give them away. Find something to do like that. You absolutely must push yourself!


I spent my adult years saving human and animal lives. I am not going to let you get away without trying harder. It is NOT easy!!! Find a good Dr that can help with your depression and follow his advice. Also move as much as you can, it is going to take time but you will get into the swing of things.

As for sleep, I sleep late at nite and get up when I feel like it. That's it and it's ok. Sleeping pills make trying to sleep worse. I usually stay in bed till noon. What's the difference? Accept yourself and do what you feel good doing.

I cannot shut down this computer tonight without trying to help you. If I were there, you'd be up and moving and taking better care. I wish I could help more.

Just know that my hugs and prayers are with you.
 
Blessed said:
Okay, had a good cry, but I still don't feel any better. @chic, I can't sleep at night. I am up all night an sleep all day. Even with Ambien, it still does not knock me out. I have tried others but they don't help either.

Yes, I can afford to have help but I just don't trust people anymore. I will not have a stranger in my home. My son comes to help when he can but I don't like to bother him. He has his own family, home to take care of and that is how it should be. I hate it but the truth is, for the most part once your son marries he needs to focus on that relationship.

It is hard to adjust, my husband always put his Mom first when his Dad died. He was there every other day, to take care of the house and make sure she didn't feel alone. Of course, he came from a different breed of family than what we have today. He always understood the same of me, taking care of my Mom. We both loved and honored out parents, that is just not the case now. Young families have to work so hard and long now to even afford a home so it is hard for them to find the time. Also, my husband and I both willingly took on those roles as our siblings would not.
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You're missing your husband right now a lot aren't you. I understand. Sleep is a great healer. I wish you could find a medicine that works well for you. Ativan helps beautifully with pain so you can sleep. I wonder if your doctor could prescribe that? It's tough the way they make patients run through hoops to get sleeping meds these days.

Forgive me for asking such a silly question, but do you enjoy reading or anything that can take your mind somewhere else for awhile?
 
Blessed said:
Got a call from the nurse, A1C at 6.7. diabetic. They are calling in a script and want me back for blood work in 3 months. Heck,, I don't know what this means but I just can't do it anymore. I have given up so much already, I have not strength to confront anything else.

Husband died, Mom died, best friend died. Son married but I have come to realize that will not be giving me a grandchild from my son. Yes, she has a son prior whom has been great gift, in my life from 6 months old.

Stop smoking, done, stop drinking, done, adjust to being without my son, done. Now they will want me to give up foods that I enjoy, not done, next give up breathing. I am ready for that, I just can't do without any pleasures in my life, what is the point?

I am so tired.... can;t sleep like a normal person, struggle to take care of the house, don't like to have repair people in. I am afraid all the time, is this all there is left, just a struggle everyday, to get by, to put on the brave face like nothing is wrong when everything is wrong. I have been in chronic pain for 14 years now, doctors are not allowed to prescribe pain meds, pain management does not exist, I have tried everything they say to no avail, so I just do my best to bear it. I am done pretending to brave, there will be a total nervous breakdown soon.

My husband made me feel safe, protected, at ease. I lived a full life because of him, he put up with my anxiety, panic attacks, pulled me forward with love. I give up, I just give up, I just don't want to do it anymore.
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Blessed: 6.7 is not that high. When I first found out I had Diabetes my sugar read 25. Doctor said he had seen some people around 70. Worrying about it only makes things worse. Get in touch with someone from the Diabetic Association, here in Sydney they were there to help me with Diet and exercise, walking was my saviour. I didn't like it at first and bought myself a step counter and went from puffing and blowing walking but
that soon stopped as I tried to better my distance every day. The weight started to slowly come off and after a couple of years I had lost 25kgs. That was
15 years ago, I still have Diabetes, but it is well under control. You can do it!!!!!
 
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Oh dear, Blessed, this is very upsetting news indeed,
especially when you are on your own, but we are all
here to help you as much as we can, mentally.

Try to stop worrying about stuff that you cannot change,
talk to the Diabetes, tell it to go away and leave you alone,
there is no room in your life for it, that you are sorry, but it
can't stay with you!

I am too far away to be any real help, but I am here if you
need me, just send a message and I will answer.

Try to cheer up.

Mike.
 
I beat diabetes by cutting carbs ..lost 26 kg in weight …I used to eat carbs breakfast / lunch and tea ….
Now days I eat yoghurt inplace of carbs for breakfast …..and I’ve kept the weight off ..gained about 5 kg of the 26 kg I lost .

I’m happy with that and no diabetes shows up in yearly blood tests I have
 
I've been diabetic all my adult life. For the first ten years I didn't even know it. When I did find out I ignored it for another ten years till I couldn't ignore it anymore, began to have effects. It runs on the maternal side of my family, all Type 1's. The old ones, my great grandparents, died of it as well as most of their family. Heard sad story as a child of young man in family who starved to death because of it. Anyway, 6.7, I know it's a shock to you but diabetes, while pesky, is no big deal to keep in control. You'll be okay @Blessed. I've been having orgies of Halloween candy and my blood sugars are all right, you learn to compensate
 

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