[sharona97]

I agree with the other posters, that knowledge is key. And until it happens to you it is then that we really learn from what our patinets have been telling us for years.

I hope your neuropathy diminishes soon, and that you can get some rest and start feeling better very soon.

[Silkiebyrd]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Sometimes it just helps to know others out there understand or have been through things and survived. I was going to give an update. I had been doing really well with monitoring glucoses and taking meds but with no insurance just one insulin (Novolog) was 850$ for a month. I went to see my endocrinologist, she was really good about addressing different questions and starting different meds (cheaper). I was very optimistic....until the time that I was getting ready to leave. I had lost almost 80 pounds this past year, I though due to lifestyle change and exercising (now I know a lot of it was probably due to diabetes) She looked at me and in the midst of everything I had been dealing with...money, pain, new illness with new meds, gaining weight rapidly....she says (direct quote) "maybe you should try putting a lock on the refridgerator door" Needless to say, I was rather upset. I have not gone back to see her or gone to have my labs drawn. I allowed her to make me feel fat and lazy and like I was the one wrong. I know people can't make you feel a certain way unless you let them but that was a little overwhelming to me. I have avoided going to my internist as well because for the last few weeks I have not done anything I was supposed to, I did not even take my meds. I don't know why I haven't, no excuse as I have insurance now. I guess maybe I have hoped that it was all a mistake. I have turned into that noncompliant pt that we all get so angry and frustrated with. I guess that is the bottom line of why I haven't gone, I know that my internist has tried to help me and I turned my back on the life preserver and swam the other way so to speak. I am going to go Friday and am preparing myself for the lecture that I will rightfully get but I am still not going to the endocrinologist ever again.

I have been taking benfontiamine (supplement). We tried Elavil but the dizziness and vision changes were too much. We started low dose and built up. They told me to stop taking it but we haven't tried anything else for the neuropathy...am hoping to get to try to Lyrica or something similar on Friday.

Thanks for listening to the rant and complaining, hopefully soon some relief in site.

[sharona97]

I don't blame you for not wanting to go back to he same endo M.D., but you should see perhaps another group (if insurance permits).

Let the internal med M.D. know about this situation. It will bring some relief,possibly enable you to begin something for depression, if the M.D. agrees. and last but not least, let your mind and body begin to heal. People are weird and say stupid things and may not even realize it.

What is important here is for your body to begin healing in all ways. You deserve that and with working towards that goal hpefully you will begin to want to feel good again and be less sensitive to disrespectful comments. There are diabetic nurse counselors out there and that is what the Endo M.D. should have suggested and set you up with. Ask the IM doc for a good diabetic teacher and I am sure it will be arranged.

Don't give up, please. Take our medicines. One doctor's coment can come crashing upon you, I truly know. It takes strength to continue forward in healing and it is easier said than done. But as a nurse wouldn't you want the best and give the best to your patients? Of course you would. Only this time all the care and attention is for you, be kind to yourself and take it.

Fell free to PM me anytime. I am so glad you are going back to see the IM doc.



(((((((((Sharona)))))))))))

[woody62]

I would like to take the opportunity to invite you to the American Diabetic Association website. There are several of us nurses who are Type 1 and 2 diabetics. You will receive the support that even you, as a nurse, need. I was diagnosed in 1990 as a Type 2 and advised to change my diet and increase my exercise. I ignored my diagnoses for two years before taking control of my life. I was able to control my blood sugar with diet and exercise until 1996 when I was put on an oral medication. In 2001 I was put on NPH for better control of my blood sugars. I have also been on oral steroids for prolonged periods of time, due to my asthma. This also played a role in my developing Type 2. And the fact that my father had this disease and both my maternal and paternal grandfathers had this disease.

I eat approximately 70 to 80 grams of charbohydrates a day and take 35 units of NPH twice a day with 500 mgs of Metformin twice a day. There are those that control their blood sugars with just diet and exercise. There are those that control theirs with diet, exercise and oral medications. And there are those that control theirs with diet, exercise, oral medications and insulin. And we all eta a wide range of carbohdyrates a day from 30 grams to over 140 grams a day.

And some of us suffer from neuropathy, some from renal disease, some with eye problems, some with circulatory problems. But we all support each other. And we try not to judge one another.

Woody

[Silkiebyrd]

Update:

Went to Internist today. We are starting Cymbalta for the neuropathy, a short term pain med, and antianxiety med for sleep and anxiety. He is concerned that the acute onset of such severe pain is related to a possible back problem (back really doesn't hurt much but is a little achy...feet are much worse and lower legs). He was very very positive, we are using a new endocrinologist and I am going to a diabetic educator and a counselor to help me deal with all the new things going on from my health to family responsibilities. I did check out the ADA site and it is great and very informative. To be a nurse, I sure am ignorant about the ins and outs of some adult illness even with ER experience. I have been NICU nursing for the last 5 1/2 years. Thanks again for everyone's support and PM's. I am also relieved that today went so well after the last doctor's visit.

[sharona97]

This is great news and I'm so happy you are being led in the right direstion!

(((((((Sharona))))))))

[Nurset1981]

I was daignosed in April of this year with Type II diabetes. I take Glucophage twice a day and watch what I eat. I was so sick for a while...I was up literally every 1/2 hour peeing all night. I felt like crap...sweaty, dizzy, blurred vision. I feel 100% better after starting the Glucophage and diet. I drink a lot of water, eat lots of fruits and veggies. I stick to low carbs and low sugar. I've learned to pay attention to my body. I feel gross when I over eat or eat something too sugary. I was practically in a coma after Christmas Dinner Anyway, if someone like me who has struggled with weight all her life can change her lifestyle anyone can! But I feel for you because I know the toll it can take on one's body. My father is a diabetic, and neither one of us does well on the night shift with it...or working 12-16 hour shifts. Wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year! :hatparty:

[sharona97]

Just an FYI: Pharmaceutical companies have programs to help patients receive free meds if their requiements are met. Some really good nurses get on the process while others drag their feet.

Other instituitions have these programs as well, you may want to check with the local affiliated hospital as well.

[kizzykatlove]

my prayers are with you .. how are you doing? i am sending hugs your way .. please keep me posted on your pain

[dusky1228]

Originally Posted by Silkiebyrd

I just found out that I was diabetic in the last month.............. Sorry to vent, just hoping someone else out there has experienced this or knows of someone with good results. I just don't think I can handle this pain everyday for life, surely something will help. Thank you all for listening

I have the utmost sympathy for you, and I understand most of what you are feeling. I have had severe restless leg syndrome and neuropathy in my feet. I've had that for years, but it got much worse last year. Unfortunately, a treatment for the restless leg syndrome caused a chain-reaction series of events that I almost died from. The side effects caused a change in my body's metabolism of the Lovenox I take, and I hemorrhaged in my hip and legs (4-5 pints of free blood in my hip, actually) Long story-no time for most of it here. The pain from that is like nothing I could have imagined-excruciating. I told my doctor that I would take 10 kidney stones ay day than have that pain again, and I have a history of over 50 kidney stones passed, so I am well aware how bad *that* pain is. The leg pain is worse, and it doesn't go away.
What the 3rd hemorrhage left me with is further nerve damage and worsening neuropathic pain. Pain meds barely scratch the surface of the pain. I am unable to take many of the possible meds for neuropathic pain because of other medical problems.
I recently started Cymbalta (after what happened last year as a result of taking a medication to try and treat the neuropathic pain, I was very loathe to try anything else).. The Cymbalta seems a help noticeably so far, though the effect only lasts a few hours. For me, it's enough, because the pain is so severe that even a few minutes of lesser pain is a wonderful relief. Good luck! I continue to work, and sometimes it's really rought. I have to say that job is great for that, because my job offers me flexibility to develop my own schedule. It's made things possible.