Yesterday I had an appointment with my specialist. (endocronology). I am diabetic with a low thyroid. I have struggled with "control" for some time. I wouldn't say that my sugar is out of control, just not in the normal range. I don't have many ups and downs with it during the day, generally a stable number but just too high! I have had medication changes several times and nothing seemed to be working the way it should. Some medications caused cravings, terrible cravings! Eat through wood to get to the carb behind it cravings!! Another eased the cravings but then I had no energy! Then there was the expense of one, just can't be putting out most of my pay check even if I am reimbursed by my health plan. We finally got a mix of medication that kept me balanced, eased cravings and wasn't breaking the bank finacially but the weight just wasn't budging. So four months ago he told me about yet another medication. It was a little expensive but he had a couple of patients on it and they were having some success with losing weight. It would also help to control my blood sugar as well. I think the weight loss was the side effect actually. So I decided I would try it, the cost didn't really cause concern (truely wasn't as high as a previous one), I just need to plan refills.
So at this point I was on 3 diabetic medications along with two alternating dosages of thyroid medication. I am hoping that I will be able to reduce the thyroid medication again soon. During the trial of this new medication that had been added in I was told to watch for infections (needed to watch my down there health, his words I swear!! sorry boys), mainly because the medication would cause my body to dump sugar into my urine. I had to watch for low blood sugar, not that he told me what that was. At that time a low for me would have been about a 5, my general health care provider told me a true low of 3. Ok now I am armed with the information I needed. I was off and running. This was before christmas I went through all of these changes.
Jump forward to two months later, with several changes that I had made. I have been watching my diet, exercising and taking my medication faithfully. I had to drop one medication that I was taking in the morning because shortly after taking it I would start to feel tired, could put my head down and sleep at my desk tired! I played with the one medication, testing to see if that was it. I finally took it right out and these periods of tiredness stop, my energy began to increase. I talked with my health care professional at my local clinic and she said that if I was feeling ok to leave it as was I was doing but just to watch my blood sugar, if it started to climb I would have to add it back. I followed the advice and continued with the other activities. Healthy diet, adding in more veggies, I actually had to take out some fruit servings because I was over doing it, increase the amount of protein I was eating. In other words, actually eat!! I continued with my aerobics twice a week and as the weather improved (yay, Spring!) began to walk a minimum of three times a week, goal is to get as much of my daily 10000 steps during my walk. I feel great with the changes but the true test of this is my appoinment with the specialist.
Jump forward another two months to appoinment day. I was worried because I hadn't been sleeping well and as we all know sleep is an important factor in this equation, just as important as making the right food choices and exercising. I had done my blood test, no phone call from my local clinic, good news. I kind of drives me crazy when I get that phone call from my local clinic when I am already scheduled to see my specialist. He is the one that ordered the blood work, the clinic is just CC'ed. Day of appointment, I am up early, on the road for the city, a little anxious, scared maybe but excited. I know I have done well with everything, best of my ability. I always have to step on the scale before seeing him, I was down, just not sure how much. Turns out I am down 11 lbs, not bad considering these changes started just as the christmas season did, fasting blood sugar down, and my 30 day A1C is down! yes can you say happy dance?! I was doing one in the chair!! I even did my whole "YES" thing out loud!! I actually saw him smile!!
Verdicte of the appointment: I am off one medication, stepping in the right direction, healthier today than I was four months ago and looking forward to the next change in medication!!
On my way out of his office he said to me "keep up the good work" Specialist, SAY WHAT?!