diabetes testing

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to thank everyone again, for posting their experiences

with diabetes and testing, etc. I went to my primary doc yesterday

and asked for more pain meds, and to be tested for diabetes. His

question was " why do you want to be tested? " , so I replied with my

concern with the celiac disease and Cp both come with high risks for

developing diabetes. He told me that unless I have HAD a rise in

blood sugar on a previous test (huh?) then there was no reason to

test right now. (??!!) I tried to explain that I haven't had a

glucose intollerant test in about 5-6 years. I don't think he heard

me... So I decided to take matters into my own hands and went to wal-

mart and purchased the ultra one touch blood glucose meter. I paid

30 dollars for it and I will get a 30 dollar rebate. But most

importantly, I will test myself weekly (both fasting and 2 hour post-

meal). Then if I notice any changes I will bring it to my doctors

attention again. So once again, I feel alittle disappointed with my

physician, but that is small potatoes since I have to rely on him to

prescribe me pain meds every month. One other thing I forgot to

mention too, I also asked him if I could get an MRI or CT scan of

the pancreas area to see if any changes have occured since my last

one 6 months ago. He told me that it wouldn't be necessary since my

pain wasn't getting " really bad " suddenly. But, he quickly forgot

that I just finished telling him that I had a really bad attack last

monday night and even with the demerol, I was in severe pain for

about 3 hours!! So he decided to run a pancreatic enzyme panel, and

says that if my enzymes are elevated then we can do an MRI. And I

can hear everyone chiming in " THE ENZYMES AREN'T ALWAYS ELEVATED

DURING AN ATTACK !! " I proceded to remind him of this, but it just

rolled over his head. Oh well, I guess the visit could have been

worse. So I will see what my levels show this week when I go to

pick up a copy of the results. Till next time........

Kris in TN

[Guest guest]

Kris,

I understand your disappointment in your doctor's not seeing the need to test

your blood glucose levels.....I'd be upset, too. He's apparently not pro-active

about your health, but at least YOU are! Getting a glucometer is a step

forward. If you have any problems interpreting your results, don't hesitate to

ask me for advice.

Since this doctor is also your source for pain meds, I can understand why you

don't want to ruffle his feathers. It puts you in a difficult position to

disagree

with anything he says. Same goes for the request for radiology tests. Please

do remember that an MRI doesn't always show all that can be there. I've had

two that weren't correct, so I'm personally reluctant to rely on those for

accuracy.

Good luck to you with both tests.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion

only, and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical

professional.