Cushings & Diabetes

[Bev]

Hello everyone
On the day of my operation my blood sugar was 19 and I was told that I had type II diabetes. Since then I have attended the diabetic clinic every 6 months & the retinopathy clinic every 12 months. My test results since op have been very consistent and really quite "normal", but the clinic will not discharge me. Does anyone else have this problem? Today my cholesterol result was 6 which nurse said was too high and GP will now prescribe statins to reduce it. Is this normal procedure too?
Thank you x

[Paul Clarke]

Hi Bev,

Can't help you with the sugar levels. A cholesterol level of 6 is a bit on the high side. They reckon 4 is ideal. Apart from lifestyle, high cholesterol can be genetic. My wife and her father had levels of 9 and 11 respectfully however, their levels are both now at 3 with daily tablets.

It took 3 attempts at differant tablets to find the right one for Karen. She suffered no side efffects from any of the tablets. There was one tablet caled lipotor that was very effective but was taken off the market due to having a slightly unwanted side effect - death. All the tablets on the market are completely differant to these tablets so don't worry if you hear rumours.

Karen is on a combination of Crestor and Ezetrol. The main problem with tablets for high cholesterol is remembering to take them as high cholesterol has no symptoms unless it leads to other medical conditions such as stroke or coronary heart disease.

It is good that your high level of cholesterol is known and being treated. Most people only find out that they have high cholesterol when they present in A&E.

One thing to bear in mind, it might be prudent to ask for another test. A few years go, I worked for a large company and we were given free cholesterol tests. We decided amongst ourselves in the IT team to have a competition for the highest reading. While we were supposed to go in fasting, I cheated. A large plate of fried eggs, streaky bacon, sausages and fried pudding all on fried bread (All cooked with animal fat - none of this extra virgin olive oil nonesence)`followed by an early lunch of fried bacon on bread with full fat butter spread half an inch thick ensured I won the prize with a reading of 9.5! (12 inch Pizza`for dinner). A test done in a`more orthadox fashion a week later showed a reading of 5.5. They tend not to treat until the level reaches 6. Fortunately, it was a test for cholesterol and not pregnancy.

Let us know how you get on.

Hope this helps,

Paul

[Bev]

Hi Paul
Thank you for your reply-twice! Yes the nurse said exactly what you did, that levels can be in the genes and a wonderfully balanced diet has no bearing on that. Seems very unfair really as I do eat healthily, but that's life. Shall take a positive attitude to the tablets then as they are preferable to death! (That sentence made me laugh-must have a very warped sense of humour)
She showed me my test results for the last few years and it was rarely below 6 so I think it will be right.
My BMI was 39 when I had Cushings and is now 26, so only another 1.1 somethings to lose!
Thanks again.x

[TCMTCM]

Paul, now you have me worried. Im on 40g Lipitor daily, and have been for years!!!!!! Is there something my doctor should be telling me???
Tina

[Paul Clarke]

Hi TCMTCH,

As I said, I am not a doctor however, I would ask your doctor if you are on the brand that was discontinued due to adverse side effects. These side effects were extremely rare so don't unduly worry but please do check with your doc and let us know.

Regards,

Paul

[mylilcappi]

Hey Bev,
I'm having problems..

In May my ACTH came back 11 and cortisol 12.
In June my ACTH came back 23 and cortisol 25.1..

both taken early am.. blood.
Doctor wants a 24 hour urine cortisol.

What does this look like to you?
thanks,
Mamie

[Bev]

Hi Mamie
Well in one month that seems to be a big increase but have to tell you not to panic. The 24 hour urine collection was always the only indicator with me & with cyclical Cushings this was normal one time & abnormal the next. It is very frustrating I know, but hang on in there, do the urine collection (purchase of a small funnel is very handy!) and then your doctor will have a better idea.
Try not to worry as stress tends to aggravate matters, just keep posting & I will help you as much as I can.
Bev.x

[mylilcappi]

Great minds think alike.. I asked my Dad today, what do i get a funnel????? LOL.... I sent him out. He came back with plastic measuring cups. LOL. They have a pourer on them so that's fine. What's a 92 yr. old man to do.
Does it matter what time I start the test? Does it have to be early morning to next early morning? Or just 24 hours whenever?
geeze, I was on the acromegaly board, I think I'm cleared for that. I hope. I posted my numbers.. So here I am on this one. My body does not want to make up it's mind.. But something is so wrong. I'm sick.. I hear this is hard to detect.. That scares me as well. I have type 2 diabetes as well. BUT, my numbers are pretty good. However, I am peeing all the time. Like every ten to fifteen minutes.. I probably have that vasopressin s$$t too..
Thanks Bev. Write back.
Mamie

[Bev]

Hi again!
Your little measuring cups will be fine! Now you need to start from the first wee of the morning (mine would be about 5.30am) until that time the next day. you need to time it for a day when you don't need to go shopping! lol Then you need to take it back to the clinic right away. (Well not at 6.00am in the morning, but you know what I mean)
I am weeing all the time too but mine is overactive bladder, but you need tests for DI ( I think). Paul will know the answer to that.
Don't be scared. We are here to take care of you.
Bevx

[Bev]

Have just been for my 6 month check & blood sugar was 5.7 which she said was fine, but cholesterol had climbed to 6.7! I have now got to stop eating cheese completely for 3 months (as well as as many other bad fats as possible) and combine this with the Bencol range of products. I will find the cheese loss very hard as I love it, but anything to not have to go back on the statins which nearly killled me!