Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3...
Okay, you've not really had a "personal" post from me in a while, so time for a catch-up on the health front.
Why "Testing, Testing..." for a title? Because I've had 3 lots of blood tests over the last week & a half or so.
You know I've been going back & fore to the nurses with a sore bit on my leg all summer? Well, they suddenly started to wonder if maybe I was diabetic, or had circulation problems to my lower legs, that was slowing down healing of what they are now calling the ulcer...
So, first of all, a couple of weeks ago, I had a random blood test (ie, without fasting first) to test my blood sugar levels... and that came back at 6.9 whatevers... a bit high, they said, but they'd like to do a fasted blood sugar test...
A few days later, I had to go from 10pm one night without eating or drinking, and then come for a blood test first thing in the morning... and the result was 7 whatevers...
At that same time, I had a doppler test on both arms & legs, to check circulation. It took about an hour altogether, and the worst part was that they had to put the blood pressure cuff thing RIGHT ON TOP of the "ulcer"... and of course, they pump it up and it squeezes like buggery... and my fuck, it hurt! And - to make matters worse - they had to take something like 4 pulses... so they had to pump it up - yep, you got it, 4 times!
Then they informed me that the blood test was still inconclusive, so I needed a "glucose tolerance test". Basically, fasting from 10pm again, then into the nurse first thing for a blood test... then a glass of lucozade... sit in the nurse's waiting room, twiddling my thumbs, surrounded by sick folk, for 2 hours, and back in for another blood test to see how my body has metabolised the glucose.
Got a phone call this morning to say that the doctor wanted to discuss the results with me... so, in I went...
The upshot is, I'm not diabetic - yet! After 2 hours, my blood glucose level was 9.5, and diabetes diagnosis is usually made at 11. So, I'm "glucose intolerant", which the doctor said is kinda pre-diabetic. But it is reversible.
Basically:
Cut down on sugary foods & drinks
Cut down on starchy & fatty foods
Exercise a bit more
Lose weight
Do all that (does he want me to tap-dance too? or turn water into wine?), and I should be able to avoid medication, or insulin, in the future.
I've also got to go back for ANOTHER blood test on Friday (that'll be the 7th lot of blood they've taken... anybody got any they can spare me?) - this time to check for polycystic ovary syndrome, as this could be a factor in weight problems... he asked about "womanly problems" (and I don't mean do my shoes match my outfit), and decided that I might have this.
So that's me... not as healthy as I should be, but not as unhealthy as I could have been.
Looks like I'll be making some early New Year's Resolutions!
Why "Testing, Testing..." for a title? Because I've had 3 lots of blood tests over the last week & a half or so.
You know I've been going back & fore to the nurses with a sore bit on my leg all summer? Well, they suddenly started to wonder if maybe I was diabetic, or had circulation problems to my lower legs, that was slowing down healing of what they are now calling the ulcer...
So, first of all, a couple of weeks ago, I had a random blood test (ie, without fasting first) to test my blood sugar levels... and that came back at 6.9 whatevers... a bit high, they said, but they'd like to do a fasted blood sugar test...
A few days later, I had to go from 10pm one night without eating or drinking, and then come for a blood test first thing in the morning... and the result was 7 whatevers...
At that same time, I had a doppler test on both arms & legs, to check circulation. It took about an hour altogether, and the worst part was that they had to put the blood pressure cuff thing RIGHT ON TOP of the "ulcer"... and of course, they pump it up and it squeezes like buggery... and my fuck, it hurt! And - to make matters worse - they had to take something like 4 pulses... so they had to pump it up - yep, you got it, 4 times!
Then they informed me that the blood test was still inconclusive, so I needed a "glucose tolerance test". Basically, fasting from 10pm again, then into the nurse first thing for a blood test... then a glass of lucozade... sit in the nurse's waiting room, twiddling my thumbs, surrounded by sick folk, for 2 hours, and back in for another blood test to see how my body has metabolised the glucose.
Got a phone call this morning to say that the doctor wanted to discuss the results with me... so, in I went...
The upshot is, I'm not diabetic - yet! After 2 hours, my blood glucose level was 9.5, and diabetes diagnosis is usually made at 11. So, I'm "glucose intolerant", which the doctor said is kinda pre-diabetic. But it is reversible.
Basically:
Cut down on sugary foods & drinks
Cut down on starchy & fatty foods
Exercise a bit more
Lose weight
Do all that (does he want me to tap-dance too? or turn water into wine?), and I should be able to avoid medication, or insulin, in the future.
I've also got to go back for ANOTHER blood test on Friday (that'll be the 7th lot of blood they've taken... anybody got any they can spare me?) - this time to check for polycystic ovary syndrome, as this could be a factor in weight problems... he asked about "womanly problems" (and I don't mean do my shoes match my outfit), and decided that I might have this.
So that's me... not as healthy as I should be, but not as unhealthy as I could have been.
Looks like I'll be making some early New Year's Resolutions!
4 comments:
Good luck Ally, I've had loads of blood tests recently too. Somethings not right with my liver doc thinks it's 'fatty liver' and I've also had the lecture from the doctor to start exercising more and basically cut out the crap from my diet. I've managed so far so I'm sure you can do it too.
BTW I'd love to see what you could do with the pic of Floss I just put on my blog for LOL Cats!
Best of British luck to you Ally! I hope the change in lifestyle is not too traumatic! Will you keep up your visits to Starbucks?
A message from OZ...Brian says to tell you he sends his love and is thinking of you. as we both are...anytime you need to talk...drop us an email...both of us are tehre for you...it;s a topic close to bri's heart as well.
Thank you, all. It's good to know I've got friends out there... some further out than others, and one that won't be so far out in about 18 days!
Lou - I had a shot capshuning your (very cute) photo of Floss!
Nev - I'm still managing the odd trip to Starbucks... albeit I've swapped the flavoured (syrup, loaded with sugar) latte with cream for a skinny latte, no cream, and usually only one a week as a treat on a Saturday...
Julie & Brian - Thank you... and thank you, Julie, for your lovely email (which I will reply to, promise) - I'm off to the chemist later for garlic AND ginger (phew!).
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