Referring back to doctors

[Rodjackwill]

Hi everyone, I’ve now been living with cirrhosis due to alcohol in which I am now nearly 2 years sober. After having my latest fibroscan and ultrasound sound my gastroenterologist has suggested that I now get referred back to my doctor for my 6monthly ultrasounds and blood tests, my doctor is not happy at all, I’ve got my next appointment on Tuesday next week where he is likely to do this. Shall I just accept what he says as I’ve also got heart disease and diabetes, I’m 41 and feel about 101 lol. Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Rodjackwill, I have a couple of questions if you don't mind asking for me please, just in order to clarify a few things. When you say 2-years sober, does that mean still drinking, but not getting drunk, or does it mean no drinking of alcohol for two years?

The second questions is about your diabetes, I this type 2 diabetes and if so, what medication are you taking for it?

[Rodjackwill in reply to Hidden]

Hi since being diagnosed with cirrhosis I’ve not touched a drop of alcohol and I’m a type 2 and take metformin, glycazide and 40 units of insulin

[Hidden in reply to Rodjackwill]

Hi again, I tried to reply to you yesterday, but half way through my story, my internet crashed and I lost everything. So here goes again.

About 4-months after my variceal bleed, I developed type-2 diabetes. When I asked my then nurse why this had suddenly just started, she just said it was my pancreas not producing enough insulin. She put me on Gliclazide and said no more about it. Even though I was no longer drinking, the damage to my liver was so severe, that I went on to develop tumours.

After about 5-months of taken the Gliclazide I happened by chance one day to read the information sheet that came with the tablets. It read:

GLICLAZIDE WARNINGS

Gliclazide should be used with caution in: the elderly, those with mild to moderate liver or kidney disease, pregnancy, people with glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency, people at risk of hypoglycaemia (e.g. those on a low-calorie diet, malnourished, fasting, skipping meals, eating at irregular intervals, exercising excessively).

It should not be used in: people who have an allergy to gliclazide or any of the other ingredients in the medicine; type 1 diabetes; severe liver or kidney disease; breastfeeding; diabetes complicated by keto-acidosis (ketone bodies and sugar in urine); diabetic pre-coma and coma; diabetics undergoing surgery, after severe trauma or during infections; with medicines to treat fungal infections (miconazole); patients suffering from particular hormone-induced disorders (functional disorders of the thyroid gland, of the pituitary gland or adrenal cortex).

We don't always read these labels do we, we just put our faith in the healthcare professionals and leave it to that. The trouble is that in this case, was that the diabetic nurse was just looking at the diabetes, and not looking at the bigger picture. It turned out that my liver had become insulin resistant and had nothing to do with the pancreas. In fact my poor pancreas was having to work twice as hard. Once I happen to mention this I was taken off Gliclazide and put on insulin twice a day.

Since I've had my transplant my diabetes has really settled down a lot as this liver is working well. I came off the insulin soon after my transplant and was put on Metformin. I happen to see a diabetic doctor yesterday up at the QE. He was talking about lowering my Metformin, and putting me back on to Gliclazide again as he felt that this liver should be able to take it. I went on to point out a moral dilemma here. When I had my transplant, I made a promise to myself, that I would never do anything to harm this liver. To that end, I have refuse to go on Gliclazide. Why risk taking something that might cause more harm than good, especially if it can be avoided.

If I was you, I would question the use of this drug as it could be doing more harm than good. As you'll know, I'm not medically qualified, but it won't do any harm just to check.

Good Luck

Richard

[jojokarak]

Are your results improving? Is that the reason for the consultant saying the GP can take over arrangements for bloods and scan? If your not comfortable you should inform your GP and maybe he will refer you to a different hospital/consultant

[Rodjackwill in reply to jojokarak]

Yes he said my latest blood tests and ultrasound were remarkable and that he’d be looking to refer me back to my GP but when I told my GP this she mentioned that she would rather me be under the specialist. Thanks for reply

[jojokarak in reply to Rodjackwill]

Great news that your results are improving your doctor must just be a nervous nelly then if you're consultant confident ... Good luck with everything x

[Rodjackwill in reply to Rodjackwill]

Thanks and the same to you to x