I saw my GP yesterday as I needed more 1 mg prednisolone as now on 4 reducing to 3.5. She said the pre diabetic result on my blood test was caused by the steroids and that I should stop taking them She didn t put ESR or CRP on blood test. Then she asked what I was taking them for......I despair!
Hi Whisper. I am rather new to my diagnoses. However my Rheu speacialist has been doing this for many years. Which now gives her the luxury of avoiding the cold weather for three months of the year. My last appointment, she warned me that when I would see my GP, he might try to change my meds, as I am pre-diabetic also. Interestly my sugar levels have declined which is contrary to one of the misgivings of taking pred. I asked my Rheu about this, and she said I am proving one of her many observations in all her years of practice. That is: if your body needs a med, your other medical conditions will not be affected. Other previous dealings with spealist and GP's I have found that GP's are often in conflict. I have had one of my spealist actually tell my GP to let them treat the medical condition I was seeing them for, as often their interferring by perscribing another med or changing a med for the same issues conflicts with the spealist monitoring/results. I certainly understand the frustration. Maybe this is something you also need to discuss with your Rheu. I know that it is not uncommon when Dr's egos get in the way, one often needs to find a mediator between the two. Hope my answer helps.
Sheila
Were you pre diabetic before or just since the steroids? I'm seeing Rheumy nurse soon and will ask her. I'm also hoping she can give me some blood test requests for inflammatory markers as GP is really not listening to me. Still having some bilateral pain but bearable. The worst thing at the moment is fatigue.
Oh, for goodness sake!!!!! Do they earn anything at uni? You are PRE-diabetic, and yes, it probably IS due to the steroids but you don't just stop taking them when you need them to manage something else. Does she think you LIKE taking the darn stuff?
I don't suppose there is a brighter option in the practice? Who does understand and who could take her by the hand and educate her?
The fatigue is possibly the level of dose and your adrenals are still picking up - so keep it slow! Does the numpty GP know what would happen if you just stopped taking pred cold turkey?
I do get so mad as she just seems totally distracted and only interested in other irrelevancies. Never wants to know how I feel or even checks anything - weight, blood pressure etc. I think the whole practice is in crisis as the doctors keep leaving. Impossible to get appointments.
Hi Whisper, You could also discuss this with your pharmacist who would make sure your dr. knows not to go off cold turkey, and maybe tell your dr. a few more things. My doctor seems to listen to my pharmacist if not another dr. They know more about medication than the drs do. Don't despair yet. Hope you get this straightened out very soon. hugs
It's so frustrating - and it is only going to get worse I'm afraid. I think you are probably right - and you and the other patients are piggy in the middle.
I'd say it was time to see a Rheumatologist. ESR and CRP rates are madatory on Blood Tests when you are combatting PMR. The results PLUS your symptoms are good markers as far as your treatment goes.
Yes Such a shame. It didn't used to be like this.
I do have a Rheumy, albeit not avery good one but still better than GP. As it all started with GCA and very high inflammatory markers I do tend to use CRP and head/jaw pain as my guide to reduction. Seeing Rheumy nurse soon. Fingers crossed she will be supportive. Unfortunately at my last appointment she gave me a script for Leflunomide which I haven't used due to lack of confidence in support and correct bloods from GP!
I was pre before starting pred. My numbers blood sugar levels were a lot higher than now, and I have a fasting bs level checked every four months, and do monitor ar home daily in the AM.
A specialist will always be more knowledgeable than a GP. Correct blood? I am confused, it is your blood, and first test is generally your base line compared correctly to a general population of people in your age bracket, and not over all results of different ages. Even those spealized in monitoring blood sugar levels don't consider anyone pre-diabetic at the age of 50 unless those levels are close to 225, which is actually consider high borderline, where preventive measure usually are considered. (meds/diet/weight loss/excersice).
I still think that the introduction of all appointments was a bad idea - you used to turn up and wait and if you were ill enough to be at the doctor you accepted it - we still do here. No appointments at all and they even have time to do house calls! It really does put off the "I sneezed twice so I must be dying" people who really don't need to take up a doctor's time. The A&E departments used to be free - but there were so many people going to them instead of the GP (sound familiar???) that they introduced a 15 euro charge. You don't pay it if you are ill enough to be admitted. You also have to pay a deposit to get crutches! Reminds you to take them back - and I know the NHS spends a lot on crutches that then get chucked in the tip.
You cannot take certain drugs without baseline tests (for liver and renal function usually). So Whisper's GP probably hasn't bothered to read and digest the instructions...
Thank you for explaining that so clearly Eileen.I just read what I wrote and it was a bit messy!
I've just looked at my GP practice on line and they are doing a project on diabetes for a national diabetes audit so that explains their tunnel vision on the subject.
Haha!!!!! Funny that, eh????
OMG!!! find a new GP!!!