I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

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  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited April 2012

    I just got a call from my new PCP. She is so nice. I have very mild osteoporosis and Fosomax gave me spasms in my esophagus when I tried it 4 years ago. I was willing to take another biophosphanate if she wanted.She told me to up my calcium and vitamin D and do wieght bearing exercise (the exercise is the part I don't do so much.)

    The only word I can think of to describe her phone call is gentle. If the osteoporosis gets worse I will do the other meds.

    She said,"Have a nice day my dear." She is Indian and has such a beautiful lyrical way of talking.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Rosemary

    that is SO sweet.  I just got a call from my PCP office too - reminding me I have a whole bunch of blood tests to take.  In my case, it's the "blood glucose level" that is, ah, well, "troublesome."  I think it was from the Niacin I was taking to get my cholesteral down ( which it did BIG TIME) - so now we're retesting cholesteral without the Niacin, and also there's a blood test ( think it's called A1C) that gives more definitive information about blood sugar in the tissues.

    Seems the Fasting Blood Glucose is considered only a "snap shot" - which is good, cuz mine was at 121.  Supposed to be under 100.  Tho' learned in Europe it seems 110 is acceptable.

    Docs saying it is NOT a SE of Arimidex, but I still have my suspicions.  Expect all would be much better if I lost weight & exercised more!  HOW DID YOU DO IT , BREN????Wink

  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited April 2012

    Sunflowers - Doc is wrong about high blood sugar not being a se of Arimidex - it certainly is and it is also a se of Femara - that's one of the many, many reasons I got off the AIs - high chloresterol is also an se.- btw the A1C is the test that shows how your blood glucose level has been over the previous three months.

    Sandy

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited April 2012

    I heard Arimidex raises cholesterol but didn't know about blood sugar levels. I'm on Tamoxifen now due to osteoporosis.

    Sunflowers, maybe you'll qualify for Metformin.  I don't know if that interests you as a possible anti-cancer drug.

    Rosemary, I'm not one to exercise much either.  I use a vibration machine and try to do heel drops when I'm standing in the kitchen or outside cleaning up or hanging out washing. I just stand on my toes and let my heels drop, repeating till I have to walk away.  Yes, it gets some funny looks, I just say I'm strengthening my thin bones.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    Sandy - that's really interesting. My blood sugar was really high when I had my last Zometa treatment, but I had just eaten some choc fudge which is almost totally sugar. The onc said he'd write to my GP, so I guess next time I see him we can schedule a fasting test.

    Steve going away early Monday morning for a few days, so I'm looking forward to a bit of a rest :) Still got to assemble his belongings for the trip, so I guess that's what I'll be doing tomorrow.

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited April 2012

    Grrrr, I just got my blood sugar down below 90, but now you are telling me it is going to go up from the femara. A girl can't win.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Momine - what did you do to LOWER blood sugar.  I'm munching ginger, and almost no carbs except for veggies...still high.

    I AGREE with Sandy, I really think it's the AI.  Know Metaformin is the go to drug, but reading of the SE's of it, yuck.  Really want to do it without meds.  

  • Wabbit
    Wabbit Member Posts: 1,592
    edited April 2012

    Interesting info DH got from his doctor last visit.  Blood sugar varies wildly throughout your day.  It is at its highest when you first get up in the morning ... your body creates lot of it when you first get up ... going into overdrive and gearing up for the day.  So ... if you are like him and jump up and go immediately for those fasting blood tests because you think you are going to starve to death if you can't eat breakfast right away ... you are going to test higher than you would if you wait awhile. 

    He takes Metformin and I'm a little surprised at all the 'love' for it on the boards because it has definitely given him stomach issues.   He's barely at Type 2 levels and I can't help but wonder if he would even be on the stuff if he hadn't always been tested during that peak period? 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Metformin is currently in clinical trials for use against breast cancer after it was noticed that diabetic women taking metformin for diabetes who were diagnosed with breast cancer had better outcomes than even non-diabetic women.  Since diabetic women had previously had much worse outcomes than women without diabetes, that was a significant improvement. 

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited April 2012
    Sunflowers -- The only thing I can think of to help with blood sugar levels is cinnamon.  I put a tsp in my fruit smoothie every morning, and if I'm having any other home-made sweet thing (pancakes, cookies etc.) I also add cinnamon to the batter.  Of course it helps that cinnamon is a very favourite flavour of mine!  It mitigates the sugar spike you get from eating sucrose, fructose etc.  Since I started doing that my blood sugar levels have dropped down to normal (they were raised after I started Femara, so yes, AIs DO contribute to high levels!).
  • Wabbit
    Wabbit Member Posts: 1,592
    edited April 2012

    Rosemary ... so happy for you that you found a good, caring doctor! 

    Our family doctor is a real sweetheart too ... but he hooked up with a hospital affliated group a few years ago and that entire hospital medical system is a PITA.  Dealing with his office staff is an exercise in futility sometimes and if it can be screwed up they can do it.  That is if they can be bothered to do anything at all.  And of course, he has no say anymore about who works there. 

    I'm really torn on looking for another doctor but if I were to get seriously sick I do not want to go to the hospital he is affiliated with ... even though it is only a few miles down the road and very convenient. 

    Raining here this morning.  Would have been a good morning to sleep late but Jake dog had other ideas.  He doesn't usually stick his nose in my face when I'm sleeping so I figured he had to go potty. 

    Hope everybody has a nice weekend!  

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited April 2012

    Well said PatMom, Like any drug, it can have unwanted side effects and it's not till they complete the trials in a few years that we'll know if those SE's are worth the advantage, if any.  I could do with some unblocking of the plumbing if that's all it does, but I haven't decided whether to risk it as my weight and blood sugars are normally low.

    With my rotten odds I could do with any help to avoid progression which is always the bottom line for me.

  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited April 2012

    Joy

    That sounds like my kind of exercise.

    i am so proud of my SIL. He and my daughter and kids are in Boston for the marathon. He qualified at his first marathon EVER.

  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited April 2012

    Happy Saturday pals! Linda, I must try cinnamon for my slightly elevated sugar levels. Glad you found a caring doc Rosemary!

    It has been so long since I have been here I had to skip 10 pages! Y'all sure are chatty! Missed everyone. Hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel soon.

    Waving hi and bye!

  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited April 2012

    Hi Barbara

    It is good to see you.

    I am going to make soup for dinner and so I had better get my buns in gear. Today is just supposed to be a lazy day. The weather is supposed to be warm but wet. I am going to plant some flowers. They will be in containers because then I can bring them in if it is cold. We have had some crazy weather.

  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited April 2012

    Hi Barbara! So good to see you! Any news on the job front?

    Waving to everyone else as well! It's a beautiful sunny day here in Seattle. Maybe I can talk my husband into doing some yard work? Tongue out

    Mary 

  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited April 2012

    Hi Everyone!

    Mary .. You made me laugh ... I can't even shame Tim into doing yard work!

    Barbara .. I've been thinking about you ... so glad to see a note from you today.

    Sunflowers ... Trust me, you don't want to lose weight the way I have.  It's taken me a long time and my eating habits aren't that great.  But I'm down 37 pounds and 50 is my goal.  I feel so much better two sizes smaller.

    Rabbit .. We might get some of your rain ... at least its warmed up to the mid 70's.  I haven't planted my flowers yet.  I was afraid of the cold temps at night, plus I want to wait until my mom gets here the end of the month.  It's a project we can do together.  She needs to be kept busy!

    Rosemary .. I have lots of hanging pots and containers that need to be filled.  The front porch looks so cute when I have all the flowers potted.  I'll take a pic of when I get down.

    Hope everyone is having a good day,

    Bren

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited April 2012

    Sunflowers, I have cut out all white carbs, all sweets and alcohol. I have lost about 15 pounds and I make sure to walk a minimum of 45 minutes every day (about 2 miles). Anytime I can, I walk more.

  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited April 2012

    Momine ... that's wonderful .. and no easy feat to lose that much weight.  I walk (actually hike) my dogs every day for exercise.  Walking is so good for you.  I also lost the weight by counting calories and being very aware of what and how much I was eating.

    hugs,

    Bren

  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited April 2012
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited April 2012

    BinVA, for me I think the BC had made me gain weight, so once the tumor went down, so did my weight. But cutting out fries and red wine helped too ;)

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 3,091
    edited April 2012

    Momine I am so jealous about the weight loss. I've gained about the same as you lost since this whole thing began.  I've been really working hard to lose it, but so far only about 5 of it has come off. I think the Femara isn't helping.

    Barbara so good to see you! Hope things are improving with work.

    BinVa I agree with the dogs they are taking me for a hike!Smile I do love them though without them I would never walk so far!

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited April 2012

    Kira, I do feel much better being a bit lighter.

  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    Barb - good to see you

    I've put back on the wieght I lost from treatment since I switched from Arimidex to Aromasin. Not getting any exercise also has a lot ot do with it. Can't walk because my knees are shot and it really has been too hot to go for rides. Hoping the cooler weather will get me back on my bike but nottoday, it's raining here too.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    WR

    Fasting blood glucose really is NOT definitive.  Surprised anyone would be given Metaformin without first having the A1C blood test.  It goes back 3 months ( don't ask how, I can't wrap my head around it) and tests ( so I'm told) the blood glucose in bofy tissues.  Much more accurate a test.  It's what my oncologist asked me to have when heard what my fasting blood sugar was ( 121)

    Hi, Barbara - hope a really GOOD NEW JOB is on the near horizon.

    Yikes - do we kow anyone in western Kansas - weather looking really GRIM!

  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited April 2012

    Sunflowers - Agree with you about the A1C and Metformin - I volunteer at a diabetic centre and it is always the A1C before drugs are prescribed.  Also the Metformin studies are not definitive and when I asked about it I was told to wait until the studies are done as there can be some nasty se's at first.

  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited April 2012
    I miss thenewme. It is a shame when women are driven from these boards. Somebody is using the Big Pharma Shill gambit on another thread.
  • kad2kar
    kad2kar Member Posts: 336
    edited April 2012

    HI!  My DH has been on metformin for several years along with immodium!  It has several uses for "off the charts",cant think of the proper term. He is type 2 weighs 300lbs. He takes 2 kinds of insulin,metformin and a couple of other things. He was diagnosed 15yrs ago, dr called said Get him to ER NOW!!!. He sugar count was 600 high or what?  Anyhoo he keeps asking the dr why he cant lower his meds. The dr says ok just DIET AND EXERCISE. Doughnuts in the am white rice, red meat, corn, baked beans. 2 or 3 minute ride around the block. there is your diet and exercise!!!!!!. Always in our cases, and any medical we Know that Proper diet and exercise is always key.   -----Everyone have a great Sunday--------kad2kar

  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited April 2012

    Raising paw meekly to wave hello.

    Been under the weather with comorbidity lately - barely able to get out of bed on some days. Today may look like progress if I am able to get myself out into the streets to shop for much needed clothes. When a shopping lover has to force herself to shop, you know something is wrong.... 

    Wish to feel like a lioness again, and not just an "asexual" lion.

    Putting paw back down.

  • Ang7
    Ang7 Member Posts: 1,261
    edited April 2012

    Hugs to you Athena...

    from one shopping lover to another.

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