I am just impatient?!?

[vulnerable26]

Hello this is my first actual post but I have been a reader for quite some time now. I decided to ask this question because all of you seem to be very educated in this...

I went to the hospital back in December with what I thought was panic attacks..turns out my blood sugar was 365. I had Ivs and insulin and all that. Made a Drs appointment the following day went to have an A1c done. My dr called me back and said I need to go to a specialist. He told me in the mean time check my sugars at home if it went over 500 go to the ER.

So I have been doing that since Dec because today was my first Appointment with the specialist. Since then my blood sugars have been averaging 300 to 500. I have gone to the ER twice since December got Ivs again.

Today I went to the specialist and she had my A1c and it was 11. She said that it was too old to be accurate and I need to take another one and come back in a week. Fine so I did that. So now I am here at work, I'm dizzy all the time, having all the side affects of high blood sugar, and I am mad that it is taking so long to even get any kind of answers. Let alone some kind of medicine to even fix this.

Is there anything I can do in the mean time? I completely cut out most carbs, and sugars.. I have always had a good diet and exercise everyday. Are the side affects all in my head? I think I am going to go crazy! I just feel that my dr is not taking me serious at all! thanks for reading =)

[princesslinda]

Welcome Vulnerable26. I'm sure with your blood sugars that high, that you are feeling quite miserable. I remember how tired and "foggy" I felt all the time just before diagnosis.

Sounds like you're doing all you can do without insulin or some other type medication, esp. since you're watching carbs and sugars.

You mentioned seeing a specialist...was this an endocrinologist? I can't imagine sending someone home with no meds, having blood sugars that high. Longterm levels like that can certainly cause all sorts of complications.

Have they determined whether you are Type I or Type II?

I'd suggest you find a doctor (or go to your local ER)who will see you AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...and demand to be treated for these blood sugars! Regardless of which type you are, you shouldn't be having levels this high for very long.

Keep us posted on how you're doing and let us know you're being treated.

[notme]

Vulnerable, you are not getting the care you should have with blood sugar that high. I am surprised an ER department would send you home without insulin or medication. The whole thing sounds odd. Get to another hospital, get a new PCP and endo. None of this makes sense. 300-500 is way too high for you to be able to keep on this way.

Let us know how you do.

[vulnerable26]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply!

Yes sorry it was an endocrinologist. The Dr has not even said I was a diabetic. She basically said and I am quoting exactly.."I could test my blood sugar and it would be high if I just drank a 2 liter of soda, you need to wait for the second a1c test until I decided if you need meds". My response was I haven't had soda in years!

I just think she thinks I am faking or something, it didn't hit me until work how stupid her response was!

No, I have no idea if it is type 1 or 2.. However both types run in my family, as all my brothers and father is a diabetic.

[Jan B]

Do you mind telling us approximately where you live?

These stories really amaze me. Granted, I was almost comatose when diagnosed, but still . . . it sounds like awful care you have gotten so far.

[notme]

If I were you (and I am not), I would go see another doctor today. Don't wait. Your doctor sounds uniformed and out of touch with diabetes care. There is a blood test that can be done to tell you if you have type one or type two. At this point, it doesn't matter. Your blood sugar is dangerously high and you need to get it down to a level that won't damage your body.

[vulnerable26]

Do you mind telling us approximately where you live?


I live in South Jersey. I am the first to admit the area I live in plays a big part on the care a person gets.

[morrisma]

You had an A1c of 11 and the endo needs confirmation? Of what exactly? That number represents 6 to 12 weeks of high blood sugar. Very dangerous for you long term and short term too - probably you shouldn't be driving when sugars that high. You could be dizzy or tired or both and get in serious trouble.

I'd find another endo ASAP.
Mike

[princesslinda]

Yes sorry it was an endocrinologist. The Dr has not even said I was a diabetic. She basically said and I am quoting exactly.."I could test my blood sugar and it would be high if I just drank a 2 liter of soda, you need to wait for the second a1c test until I decided if you need meds". My response was I haven't had soda in years!



Amazing that a specialist would say something like that. I can test my non-diabetic husband after he has a really high-carb meal and his levels are MUCH lower than mine....if you aren't diabetic, even if you drink a 2 liter of soda, your body will naturally take care of keeping your blood sugars normal...if yours are that high, there is a problem.

I'd suggest you go to another ER and not leave until you speak with a doctor who will listen and treat you...TODAY!

[vulnerable26]

You had an A1c of 11 and the endo needs confirmation? Of what exactly?
Mike

That's exactly what I thought too! I didn't question it at the time, just thought it was the normal thing. But as I said sitting here at work, I have become quite annoyed with the whole process.

She stated it was to old to be accurate. I felt that if it measures it for 3 months then what does it matter when I last had it. I took the test in the hospital December 17th. A little more than a month ago.

[UpNorth]

Hello and welcome to the forums :)


Sounds to me like you should go and find yourself another doctor! With bloodsugars that high, you need insulin to bring it down! Have you checked for ketones? Lost weight lately?

I feel totally out of it if i reach those high numbers these days... I can't believe doctors let you go through all this, they should know better!:mad: I suggest you go to the closest ER and demand having insulin prescribed... IV's only help for the time being but you'll rocket up again as soon as you get out of hospital unless given medication to bring home... And that endo should go hiding under an old blanket! It's NEVER good to go around with high sugars, and since you're averaging that high... Should be enough to have medication...

[vulnerable26]

Hello and welcome to the forums :)

Have you checked for ketones? Lost weight lately?


Well I went to the ER over the weekend, and I am pretty sure they said I needed an IV for ketones. I could be wrong, but I think that is why they put me on the IVs. And yes since all this started I lost over 20 pounds since December. The Er said they can not write an RX out, that is why I needed to see the endo.

Thanks to all who responded. You all made me feel that I m not going crazy!

[morrisma]

I live in South Jersey. I am the first to admit the area I live in plays a big part on the care a person gets.

University of Pennsylvania has the best care around if you live close to one of the bridges. They will at least get you evaluated and on your way - not brush you off for another test!
Mike

[JadeMonkey]

I'd find a new primary and a new endo. I was in the hosptial for 4 days with severe DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Lots of ketones, acidic blood, not good times) back in Nov. when I found out I was diabetic and my #s were not as high as yours. I also had lost a bunch of weight and was feeling crappy all around for awhile then one day things went downhill and it was off to the doctor and the ER. Apparently I was very close to a coma. I'm not trying to scare you, just don't want you to have to go through what I did and am confused why your docs aren't giving you the care you seem to need.

I'm in NJ as well but up in Central NJ. I do know some docs down in South Jersey and could probably ask for the name of a good endo if you need one.

-Jade

[UpNorth]

Well I went to the ER over the weekend, and I am pretty sure they said I needed an IV for ketones. I could be wrong, but I think that is why they put me on the IVs. And yes since all this started I lost over 20 pounds since December. The Er said they can not write an RX out, that is why I needed to see the endo.

Thanks to all who responded. You all made me feel that I m not going crazy!

If you're having ketones and have lost so much weight in such a short time, you're most likely type1 and that needs insulin as soon as possible! Your endo should wake up! It should be enough for that endo to see your current bloodsugar level, and your history of recent bloodsugar and hospitalvisits to get you onto insulin! I can't believe this is happening in 2008:mad:
Blaming it on soda you haven't had, is really a lame excuse...

When i was diagnosed in 2004, i just went to my local doctor's office for a test because i had been feeling out of it for a week or so, i was "just" ~450-500, only low ketones and was diagnosed as type1 minutes later due to the fact i got sick rather fast and had ketones in my system... Glad it was caught early though... Didn't even need an IV, just got the prescriptions needed, a day's lesson about how to use the pens and some other good-to-know things, and then i was back home. I must admit, the doctor did want to admit me to hospital, but i refused to go unless i really HAD to:rolleyes:

[susique333]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply!

Yes sorry it was an endocrinologist. The Dr has not even said I was a diabetic. She basically said and I am quoting exactly.."I could test my blood sugar and it would be high if I just drank a 2 liter of soda, you need to wait for the second a1c test until I decided if you need meds". My response was I haven't had soda in years!

I just think she thinks I am faking or something, it didn't hit me until work how stupid her response was!

No, I have no idea if it is type 1 or 2.. However both types run in my family, as all my brothers and father is a diabetic.

The statement about the soda is downright spooky, that endo got her education out of a Cracker Jack Box if she doesnt know that the A1c tracks the glucose that has gotten stuck to the blood cells over WEEKS and WEEKS of high blood sugars. Most of us get our Ac1 done quarterly, they do not get old after a week? I wish you the best!! Please let us know as soon as you get to another Dr. ok?

[UpNorth]

That soda statement sure is stupid! I didn't go that high even after a lot of soda AND glucose tabs before i was diagnosed (tested once on a friend's meter, just for fun, to see how high i could go, i reached 10mmol/l and shortly after i was back down to 6 something...)

Only a diabetic can go that high, with or without soda...

[LowkonXC]

Listen to the advice you get here because these people are in the know and can help. It sounds like your medical needs are being ignored and time is of the most importance. I agree that it sounds like you are Type 1 as I am. Your sugars are too high and you need insulin as soon as possible.If you go to the University Medical Center they will not brush you off with the bulls___ you have been getting. Take care and test often. Good luck.