What might be making you a tad apprehensive, but might not, as it's too soon to tell

[Gravdigr]

[orthodoc]

Love you guys.

Starting today to taper off a med that has played havoc with my mind and mood for the past two years. I finally get to be rid of it! Cancer-related ... Just one more reason to be so grateful for where I am now, and for all of you.

[monster]

daughter's SAT subject test results due today. She wasn't pleased with how one of them went, but it was a one-shot deal to get them taken in time so it is what it is.....

[orthodoc]

I suppose I could start a thread titled 'What are you finding difficult today?', but it seems self-serving. Many of us are finding parts of our lives difficult.

I'm finding it a challenge coming off this med, with its predictable issues of brain zaps, incredibly loud (much louder than my normal) tinnitus, sudden vertigo, sleep disturbance, and irritability. I've gradually reduced doses with predictable effects, and today was my last dose. The next week(s) may be tough. All of this for a med that was only supposed to treat tamoxifen-induced hot flashes, and didn't even do a good job of that.

I will NEVER take another medication without overwhelming evidence of need or benefit. That said, I'm taking Femara instead of anastrozole (which gave me a fracture), but I refuse to take an anti-osteoporosis injection - urged by my onco because of Femara's side effects - that could give me necrosis of the jaw. I will deal with the osteopenia/osteoporosis, and if it becomes too big an issue, I'll stop the Femara (letrozole). Honestly ... the treatment truly can be worse than the disease.

[Clodfobble]

I'm just so tired.

Routine blood test from the neurologist showed relatively high blood sugar. "Probably because you had just eaten," says they. Except I hadn't. So I picked up a test kit at Target and have been monitoring myself. Currently my averages seem to be hanging out in the "pre-diabetic" range, which isn't terrible but on the other hand I don't eat a whole ton of carbs in the first place, so maybe I'm only accidentally/barely keeping it in check. Meh.

But THEN, Minifob sees what I'm doing and asks if we can test his. Sure, why not... Oh look, it's at 147 when he hasn't eaten in four hours. That ain't good at all. More important is the post-meal spike, so I let him eat his normal (pretty high-carb) snack and will test again in 2 hours.

Anyone want to reassure me that I bought a cheapo blood monitor that gives consistently inaccurate readings? Anyone?

[Gravdigr]

Clod, give this page a try. It compares different meters, and has some guidelines for how accurate a meter should be.

Shouldn't you check first thing in the morning, also?

[Clodfobble]

Yeah, first thing in the morning is the next thing to check... thanks for the link, it's actually very reassuring. Ours isn't listed, but the sheer number of products that are wrong more than half the time means I'm not sold on this thing.

[Undertoad]

Welcome! I got my diagnosis Tuesday!

[glatt]

I haven't been tested in about a year, but I'm just across the border into pre-diabetic too.

WTF?

I've considered getting a meter to get a better sense of what's going on, but those results are really discouraging.

[orthodoc]

UT, do you mean that you have just had a diagnosis of Type 2 DM?

And, Clod ... you have so many reasons to be tired, but making sure your blood glucose is where it should be is a major issue to address. I haven't checked out the otc blood glucose meters so can't comment, but if you've had conflicting results, I'd suggest a fasting glucose AND a Hemoglobin A1C through a certified outpatient lab (i.e. ordered by your PCP, I imagine).

And if Minifob has results that are concerning, the same routine for him would give you a better view of things. A certified lab will let you have more confidence regarding test results.

If results say: Type 2 DM, there are ways to deal with it, without resorting to endless meds.

[Undertoad]

Yes, I go back next week to get the complete details

Yes my toe numbness some months ago is figured to be diabetic neuropathy

I'm not too sad about it, and I feel prepared. I was kind of heading towards this kind of diet for some time now. And I don't have any other symptoms so there's that.

[Clodfobble]

Well, two hours after eating he was down to 117. Now I'm thinking maybe I did a bad job washing his finger before testing, and he had leftover raisin sheen on it or something. Still gonna test both of us first thing in the morning... Tony, are they thinking meds for you, or are you going to try to regulate it yourself first?

[Undertoad]

Don't know yet, but they didn't say "get in here as soon as possible", they said "try and make the appointment for a Wednesday because the Pediatrist is here on Wednesdays."

In any case, I got this.

[limey]

Mr Limey was diagnosed type 2 diabetic in July. Since then he has lost 16lbs (mostly through eating half the bread he used to and cutting out sweeties and, uh, sports drinks I think). All the carbohydrates in the house are now wholemeal (yay, I love 'em!) and we're both on strict portion control of those. Even I've lost one pound ( ). He's on metformin, but after two months of changed diet that's down to once a day, not twice.
You'll get loads of advice from everyone - find out what works/makes sense for you is what I say.
Oh, and the most entertaining thing is trying to find food (whether snack, or "fast food meal") that is low in carbs when you're out and about.

[Gravdigr]

This morning, when I took the boy to the vet, we were talking while the receptionist was printing my bill/receipt up at the end, she, my vet's a she, took a piece of paper and wrote down her cell number, saying "If you have any questions, or anything, just give me a call anytime."



I don't get numbers just given to me. Been there a dozen times, never got a number before. Usually there's some light stalking involved with my getting a number.

It's the "or anything", and "anytime", that's making me apprehensive.

But, it may be too soon to tell.