Tovah update 3,000

[Tovah]

I'm sure you're all pretty sick of me right now, however, the hits just keep on coming.

When my husband was in rehab, he cut his finger. It never seemed to heal, so he went to the doc and got some antibiotics. It was still bad, so he got another round of antibiotics.

During this time, he realized his blood sugar was really high, so his doctor added METFORMIN.

Shortly after this, he realized something felt wrong when he was urinating, it was very painful,etc.

So, now he has a urinary tract infection.

He's sleeping about 17 hours a day now and I can't seem to get a grip on all of this.

What have been your experiences with Metformin? It seems that I'd read alot of people couldn't tolerate it.

I feel like I need a full team of doctors to get his system back in order.

Have any of you had such a difficult time after surgery?

He is now 1 day short of 10 weeks since surgery.

 

[ElectLive]

There are always folks here to listen and try to help, so just keep asking. You may not need a full team of doctors, but it definitely sounds like he may need an endocrinologist. Metformin is a very common "go-to" drug for Type 2 diabetes, and while it may be appropriate in this case, it may also not be the best or certainly only choice for your husband. Has he just had the one blood test or is he monitoring his glucose levels since? Was there any suggestion of Type 2 diabetes prior to the surgery? Even if Metformin is the right choice, they only way you'll know it is to monitor. UTI is also a complication of diabetes, but it could just be a coincidence.

If the high blood glucose levels continue, there's a possibility he might also need insulin, but just a possibility, no reason to think that's necessarily true. Whatever the case, getting it resolved may just help some of the other situations as well, so important to stay on top of. As I alluded to in an earlier post, the "shock" to the body of open heart surgery can really mess with the body's own insulin balance system. It can take months to resolve, but even so, I can attest in my experience that it will return to normal. Continued best wishes...

 

[Jkm7]

Reading this makes me think you need a 'manager'...... someone who coordinates your DH's care among all the various specialists. Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing/prescribing and why?

If you had a really good PCP to be the person in charge of his care, hopefully all these various issues could be sorted out, all his medications could be reviewed in terms of his tolerance for the various medications, the need for them, the seeming usefulness or not of each medication.

Just throwing pill after pill does not seem like a great idea. I have no medical education but I have an instinct no one is looking at your DH as a whole person with various conditions. Each specialist is focusing only on their particular issue.

Maybe I'm all wrong about this but it might be worth a try to approach his PCP and ask for him/her to oversee all this care.

As always, sending all best wishes.

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Sorry i can't help, but just wanted to let you know i think of you and your husband often & i hope his ride becomes smooth soon
Love Sarah xxxxx

 

[AgilityDog]

It makes some sense that your DH's blood sugar is off. Diabetes can cause a wound not to heal properly. OHS can, and usually does mess with blood sugar short term. I see no reason why the effect might not last in someone who is taking longer to recover.
I like the idea of a care manager/coordinator, although I'm not sure a gp is the right practitioner.

 

[escargome]

Tovah,
As a type 2 diabetic, I have taken Metformin and it didn't seem to agree with me (huge stomach pain), but that isn't to say it is a bad drug and that it couldn't help your husband. There are other oral diabetes medications on the market you could try with a doctors prescription. As ElectLive asked has your husband or you been monitoring his glucose levels? If not I believe there are some pretty inexpensive glucose monitors and strips available over the counter. Then take his readings to either his primary or an endocrinologist for reference and treatment. Like valve problems, diabetes if not addressed can have some pretty bad effects on a body. So keep us posted.

 

[Tovah]

I thank all my friends here again.

We just got a call from the ER for the culture test for UTI. It came back negative.

My husband continues to have problems and we made an emergency appointment with a urologist, as he has to pee about every 40 minutes and is woken every night repeatedly.

I feel we are getting the diabetes under control. we're watching food, etc. and his numbers are now in the normal range.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your replies and concern.

It's been a sort of bumpy ride and don't know what I'd do without you.

Thank you.

 

[escargome]

Tovah,
Not doubting you but what have his numbers been? Cause frequent urination, blurry vision, lack of energy can be signs of high blood glucose levels (been there, done that). However, I am sure the urologist will be able to help straighten this out. Best wishes to you both. Please keep us updated.

 

[Greg a]

There are plenty of great responses here but I really feel Jkm7 nailed it in that your PCP / GP should quarterback your team and be aware of every move I see an Endocronologist every six months and a report is generated to my GP, I see a EP every twelve months and a report goes to my GP, I see a nephrologist (6month) and a report goes to YES my GP, my opthamologist (annual), my cardiologist (6month), my SDS (annual), the three clinics (diabetic,renal failure and heart function) that I attend all send reports, even my podiatrist sends a report, then when I go to my GP every 4 months he dedicates a full hour appointment to reviewing these and any concerns I have

keep asking questions and advocating on hubbies behalf