Know thy body

In the main, I have great respect for the medical profession.
I admit to having the occasional differences of opinion with certain GPs, but I do not bury my head in the sand regarding health issues for myself, Hubby and of course, the dog.

I was diagnosed with ‘borderline’ type 2 diabetes in 2011.
As such, I am entitled to free eye tests plus I am now eligible for an annual flu jab.
I am lucky insomuch as I am able to control it with diet and do not need medication.

The doctor’s surgery in Lincolnshire always thought otherwise.
The results of my first ‘diabetes’ blood test showed high cholesterol, and it was THE RECEPTIONIST who told me I would have to go on statins.
I dutifully made an appointment to see a GP (locum by the way) who explained things to me and was eager to write a prescription.
I said No.

Every 6 months, I would have my check up with the nurse and a fasting blood test.
Every 6 months and one week I would be called into the surgery to see whatever GP was flavour of the day to discuss my cholesterol.
Every 6 months, one week and one hour I would emphatically tell them that I did not want to take statins having read many unfavourable reports, plus spoken to several people who were experiencing other health problems since taking them.
I believed that my high cholesterol (more or less the same as it was 20 odd years ago) was hereditary, and as everything else was OK and going in the right direction, I would carry on as I was.

The next six monthly check would come around, and it would all start again, like some kind of video loop. It was a shame that nobody bothered to read my notes or my wishes and views on my own health.

We are now signed on with a new surgery.
How NICE to be treated as an individual and not a statistic in a tick box.
How LOVELY to have a routine blood test for them to use as a base line
for comparisons at a later date.
How absolutely WONDERFUL to see the diabetes nurse today and come out feeling on top of the world.

My weight is down by over four pounds (2 kilos).
My blood pressure is down at 130/70 compared to 140/80 in January.
My sugar is down from 4 to 3.8
My cholesterol is down from 7 to 5.3
Now, the previous GPs all said my cholesterol level should be less than 4.
The above chart suggests otherwise and I’m not that far away, without their precious statins.
It has taken years to sort my body out after the abuse I subjected it to with fad dieting, lack of exercise, smoking, stress and anxiety. I did not want medication to screw it up again.

The nurse today asked what I had been doing differently since my last check up.
Apart from selling the house, living in a tent, with friends and now on a boat, not much.
Yes, our diet went awry for a while, but we are back to a routine of eating less with more pasta and rice, and more fresh produce (no freezer).
The dog is being exercised for almost the same distance, but in shorter and more frequent intervals.
We are eating more crisps, chocolate and doughnuts (just thought I’d throw that in for light relief, though it is actually true)!

I told the nurse that these results were definitely one in the eye for my previous GP.

I repeat, I am lucky.
I realise that diabetes is a progressive condition, and there will come a time when I will have to take medication of some description.
The nurse said that whatever I’m doing to keep it up, as I do not need any prescribed assistance at the moment.
Like I said, I came out of the surgery feeling on top of the world.

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