Its amazing how hospitals can have such different “boundaries” and target ranges for what is “healthy” for us diabetics. I suppose being just under 300 is considered by some to be an accomplishment. When I was out of surgery, for the first (about) 7 days, I couldn’t wear my pump at all bc I couldn’t bend over enough to attach it, so I was totally in the hands of these absurd nurses orders. My endo is associated with the same hospital I had my surgery in so he was, thankfully, on top of the entire situation and pushing the staff to get me off MDI and back on my pump ASAP. And just as soon as I was able to hook up again, I took most of that power back from the nurses and just did my own thing. All they asked for was that I tell them how many units I was giving myself for each meal. (and that was easy peezy )
But, like you mentioned, self care in a hospital environment is a challenge and I was there an entire month. And, btw, the food was excellent, which didnt help matters anyway bc I needed anything at that point to look forward to during my days .
I would very much like to say that once I got home everything D returned to normal status quo, but 5 months post op and I am still not there yet. I think a lot of it has to do with the stress that the surgery and recovery has had of my body, as well as all these funky medications (mostly pain relievers, which are things like Oxycodone, etc). I am taking it one day at a time, but, for instance, the last week, no matter how much I am adjusting my basal rates, I am up about 3-4 times a night with BGs in the 40s. and I dont wear a Dexcom, so I have to set my alarm next to my bed to wake me up several times during the night so I can test just to b safe. (and my poor dear husband gets woken up too, which I feel terrible about, but hey, what else can I do besides sleep on the sofa every night. Crazy solution, especially considering the state my back is in! so that aint gonna happen !)
anyway, just thought it was worth posting. Maybe this will be helpful to someone at some point. Especially those who have gotten very attached to their pump and have had, for whatever reason, to return to long lost and almost forgotten MDIs.
Finally saw my 6th month mark with the surgeon (post op). After a ga-zillion X-rays, and careful observation from my surgeon, I am doing very very well. All is still in place, and my back/spine are healing in line with no complications…other than the fact that I am a very very slow healer and still experiencing pain.
OUTRAGE:
my pain management doctor, who has been prescribing me my opioids for the past 2 years, left his NYC practice for Vermont with giving me only 3 weeks notice to find a replacement doctor who deals in opiod pain medications, and not just pain “management” (ie, anesthesia , epidurals, PT, etc). DO you have ANY idea how challenging it is to find a prescribing doctor (at least in NY State)?? I have gone through the gambit from #s of different hospitals which have followed and have access to my case, and have either been refused for treatment, or just told flat out that they would not prescribe medications (other than things like Gabapentin and Ibuprofen .) Obviously not helpful.
Well, I have a week and one half to go before I am completely out of my oxycodone and in terrible fear of going into a seizure bc I have not slowly detoxed. The slow detoc requires just shy of 3 months, slowly lowering my dosage by 1 tablet every 2 weeks until I am med free.
I am seeing “DR NICK” ( Simpsons reference) next week, who is suposeably, connected with Lennox Hill Hospital. She does prescribe opioids but on a very very strict basis. I am certain, especially bc I wish to detox off of them, she will be emendable to my situation. I am praying so.
Concerrently, I awaiting to hear bk from NYU Langone Pain Management Center of doctors who DO specialize in opioids. The hospital is trying to match me up with a doctor and get me the earliest (emergency) appointment with them. Fingers crossed. Much praying involved.
Thats the news, and please please continue praying for me.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Our physicians are so severely intimidated by the drugs police that they can no longer give proper care to those who actually require strong pain treatment.
@daisymae BIG congratulations to the excellent six month milestones! You have gotten yourself to a great spot!
This pain mgmt / medication issue is rotten and your dr should have connected you with a specific dr or practice that would be appropriate for you. I wonder what the story is behind him departing so quickly. Hoping that Dr. Nick will be the right fit (am confident there is a joke in there, but I’m not a Simpsons watcher!). xoxo - Jessica
“Dr Nick” is a fictitious curb-side quack of a doctor who will claim to b able to repair or fix anything from a broken tire to an allergic rash ( and PS: I am not much of a Simpsons watcher either, but I had a friend who was obsessed with the show and that happened to b one of the ones that we watched together. I will always remember it bc I never laughed so hard at a cartoon in my life!)
Thanks for comment to you and BKH, bc it is really becoming a Bi*tch about finding a prescribing doctor, and I am getting really close to the wire of running out of meds (1 1/2 weeks till I am out of them completely!).
Sorry, that is almost as terrible as running out of insulin. Did your old physician lose their prescribing ability in NY? Wondering why they didn’t renew your scrip before they left, if not, perhaps they could give you a scrip to slowly come off.
Man, Daisy Mae, what an ordeal. Can your Dr not prescribe from Vermont?? He must still be registered a Dr in NY. Can’t he just simply write a prescription at least 'til you find a local Dr? This is very peculiar. I’ve used a Dr who lived in Hawaii for many years. He was a registered Dr in NY, so legally could write prescriptions for filling in NY despite no longer practicing in NY. Any chance you can contact him in Vermont, or NYU Langone can contact him. It is an emergency! Praying all is resolved already as your posting was from a few days ago,
)
.
