My endo wants me to take Losartan in addition to Bystolic "to protect my kidneys." Really? I'm 76 years old and he hadn't checked them in over a year and not before he made that remark. I didn't get anywhere with him when I told him I'd been through all the families of BP medications and the only one that worked and did not give me problems (other than diarrhea) was Bystolic. Forget what I said. He insists I take Losatan. I will NOT swallow that pill, but don't know how to deal with my endo about this. The blood work done that day showed no problems with my kidneys. This morning (before taking Bylstolic), my bp was 140/76. The other night it was 123/66. I think I can survive without this additional pill. I have been diagnosed with Spondylitis and can't stand anymore back pain. I don't think he believed the diagnosis.
Yvonne
OMGOSH Yvonne!!! I am SO SICK of God like doctors manipulating their patients. Obviously the 140/76 is due to the stress caused by all this crap! I'm on 2 meds for BP, and though grant you, I don't have the extreme highs I once did....I still manage to get "up in the charts"! I also spike and dip quickly. So frustrating....and of course if you refuse to take it on your own accord, you're labelled as non-compliant...caught between a rock and a rock place. Can you get back up from your PCP??? All the best with all that....I FULLY UNDERSTAND where you're coming from.
Please let me know the outcome.
hugs....linda
Hi Yvonne -
I am probably the least qualified to comment on the diagnosis, BUT, as I read your note the thought running through my head was to check with a different doctor. My view is that you don't have to view your doctor as a friend, but you need to respect and have faith in them--that is not what I heard in your note. When all is said and done, YOU must be in control - good Luck!
It's the same old broken record -- a doctor who thinks he is your boss rather than your adviser and partner. (He's also displaying a few signs of mild incompetence, but let that pass for the moment.) All of the above suggestions are good ones -- try to bring your PCP into the picture, or find a different endo, or both, etc. What you've experienced is an example of my #1 indictment of the medical profession. But don't feel singled out; you have plenty of company -- this kind of behavior is nauseatingly common. It took me some time, effort, and shopping around to find a doctor who doesn't treat patients like retarded children.
I really don't know why Doctors have gotten into the "take a prescription for preventative" pharmaceuticals are for treatment. If you don't want to take it he can't force you!!!!
Then it goes on your record as "non compliant" !!!
But I'd rather that than taking something I know I don't need!
I will jump in and offer a little defense for the doctors.
I listened to the preaching for several years as he tweeked my meds and the numbers went down, I made no changes and the numbers slowly rose again, and on and on, until the only choice was test, calculate and take insulin before every meal.
In 6-9 months my numbers were back in line.
- for the first time in my life I paid attention to what I ate. I now average 100-130 grams of carbs and 1500-1700 calories a day, and 10-units of Lansa at night, which after another good A1c report I'm going to try dropping just to see what happens.
- I've dropped 40-pounds
- I walk about 30-minutes 5-6 days per week
After the second A1c in the mid-5.xx area my doctor patted me on the back and said there's good-news and bad-news here:
The good-news is I have proven that all of the things he nagged me to do for several years really do work.
the bad-news is he and I will have to deal with each other for significantly more years than he thought we would.
I believe the key is to realize this is a "team sport", and we -the patients- must be the team captain. Having information upon which to base decisions, and to measure performance makes the conversation a lot more focused on the goal rather than trying to say the same thing with a little variation in hopes it will have some impact.
And NEVER FORGET - You need to be "The BOSS"! And that is not always a easy job!
Hang in there, don't give up, and don't forget -- YOU ARE THE BOSS!
And if you need record-keeping help, go look at http://www.weloop.com/HATS.html
I wrote it, use it, and it's yours for the taking.
Now for the doc to realize that we ARE a team and that I AM indeed in charge...no easy feat that!
That may be true, and if it truly IS a battle that can't be won, my next move would be a new doctor. And he says that as if it were an easy thing to do :-)
But hang in there, 'cause whether the doc wants to admit it or not, you ARE "the BOSS".
In fact, here's a thought. If the doc insists on being the boss, then as the "underling who was looking for a job when this one was found", tell him/her what you think of his/her performance. You may get fired and that may be a GOOD deal.
Hang in there BOSS, we shall overcome!
I've asked my internal medicine doctor to take over my diabetes and told him I do not want to take Losartan. He's not happy with my decision, but there it is. Thanks for everyone's input.
'ats a girl!
May this be the biggest fight you have to wage. Good Luck!
I’m newly diagnosed with t2 and I’ve been taking Azor for my bp. So far my bp is under control and my A1c is 5.9, but I’m still having bg spikes after meals. I haven’t seen an endo yet, but from what I’m learning, I’ll probably need one sooner than later. My mom, also T2, is on bystolic and diovan for her bp, after having a major cardiac scare. I hope you can come to some kind of understanding with your endo.