©Jenny Harrod 2019

Taking back some control!

So, yet again I found myself in tears with my lovely Diabetic Practice Nurse, Helen. I have built up a special bond with her since I moved here. I found it very difficult to surrender myself to the role of a patient, having always been the one 'dishing out information and performing Practice Room treatments' (Even now I still have the Door sign with my name on - well its no good for anyone else, and is now on my bedroom door!) At that point I was scared that I would be patronised by some young 'graduate' and 'told' I must lose weight when I already knew that! Helen listened to me and said that I could always see her for my diabetes and even email her if I had any concerns with it - she even gave me a hug as I was leaving. 

Anyway, as Boris has seen fit to play merry hell with my blood sugar levels, sending up to 24 mmols at one point and never below 10 mmols for goodness knows how long - I will admit I haven't checked it very often as I believed that the weight loss and Metformin would have given me at least moderate control. The ideal range should be 4 - 6 mmols so you can see the size of the problem. 

Helen assured me that it was nothing I was doing wrong, and by eating as sensibly as I am able (with my appetite as it is), it is  better than it could have been, and even if I didn't think it was doing any good swimming will help control it. 

Anyway, as per the oncologist's instructions we agreed that commencing insulin was the best idea, and I was prescribed my first insulin pen, needles and a sharps bin. Yet more injections. Our fridge is beginning to resemble a pharmacy what with my Rebif (MS), Ron's Praluent (Cholesterol lowering) and now my Insulin, there is less and less room for actual food! 

Helen, explained how to use the pen, screw on the needle to pierce the seal, remove both caps (keeping hold of the larger one), setting it to 2 units and press the button to do an 'air shot', this primes the needle. Then turn the dial to the required number of units (my starting dose is 8 units), choose a site somewhere on my flabby belly but avoiding around the umbilical area, hold the pen like a dagger and insert the needle slowly at a 90 degree angle, press and hold the button down until it resets to 0 and then for a further 5 seconds (Are you Ok reading this, you've gone a funny colour?). Then resheath the pen and remove the needle putting it in the sharps bin. The pen in use can be kept at room temperature with the spares kept in the fridge (just like my Rebif). Depending on my readings I can titrate by 2 - 4 units every 2-3 days or so, as long as I keep Helen updated by email.

So, last night I gave my first dose, pretty simple for someone trained in the art! - we are aiming to get my waking blood sugar down initially. Amazingly even today it was 9.8, and hasn't been below 10 for I don't know how long, so even that small amount is making a difference. I hate not being in control of my body, but if insulin is one way of me taking back some of it at least, then that has to be a good thing right?

It is going to remember to do it every night that will be the problem - plus of course on Sun/Tue/Thur evenings I will have the Rebif as well so I will be a double pin cushion then! 

Hopefully when the blood sugars come down I will feel better - the Fatigue which I have been blaming on the MS, and it's true that does cause very debilitating fatigue at times, is undoubtedly worse due to my uncontrolled Diabetes. It is also putting me at increased risk of damage to my eyes, kidneys and extremities though peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes can be extremely serious.

Oh, and of course, now I have got my 3 year driving licence renewal back at last (they have just had it 3 months), I will have to contact the DVLA again to tell them I am on insulin. Deep joy! 

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