"Would it be possible to explain the above to the physician? Do you think he'd be receptive?"

From the way the conversation went today, I don't think so. Maybe I can run this by him next month WHEN I WILL DEFINITELY GO WITH ALAN TO HIS APPOINTMENT.

Is a C-reactive protein a special test. I can't remember if he ever had this.

I have the blood test results right in front of me. Can't find it on the test.

Oh, his PSA was 2.73 (it went down), all that tomato sauce I guess

And is B-12 serum was 607. And mine was 2000 lol

But I do think it's the plavix and aspirin.

We'll find out more next month.

Two of my friends are on Crestor by the way.

I do thank all of you for all this good info.

I really don't know what I would do without you people.

Melody

Consistent!
Didn't you recently say that Alan had had Infusions? Like in the last 7-14 days?
Please read this web site about 'prescribing information' or another brand's for information about the fact that IVIG CAN AND DOES distort many blood tests!
http://www.baxter.com/products/bioph...gardliquid.com
I have gone the gauntlet of many more blood tests than I care to have had recently because some blood tests [taken the week after infusion] were even more weird than the tests I've been having which are taken by a lab the DAY BEFORE I receive my next infusions.
The last time it was done? I had soo many false positives and negatives for the strangest things that it would boggle any mind. It is hard for doctors to 'register', but, the best time for ANY AND ALL BLOOD TESTS - IF you are on IVIG, is the DAY before your next infusion.
That is when the IVIG is at it's almost lowest effect and the more 'normal' aspects of YOU in your bloodwork shows true. To do otherwise is a total waste of time, efforts and everyone's money. I don't know about Alan? But, I for one want to make all "pokes" into me really count! Hope this helps? - j

Alan's last IVIG was May 2nd. He had the blood test this past Wednesday.

His next infusion is June 2nd. His next blood test is scheduled for June 16th. (or thereabouts).

I would think that the doctor knows that Alan is undergoing IVIG.

I also read that people are given IVIG for low platelet count.j

I don't think having IVIG would LOWER his platelet count, but what do I know?

But I really do think it's a side effect from the Plavix and Aspirin.

All the other results (except for the lipids) were perfectly fine.

We shall see next month what the next blood tests will reveal.

I'll run the whole IVIG thing with Dr. Fred.

Thanks much.

Mel there's ton's of information on what your looking for..Joan and Glen you are Brllliant...Really love Alan ,you have your hands busy or is Alan like like Bob .computer messed up. Your right to go with him,has he fallen with out telling you and hit himself in the Spleen and i'm not kidding..

I wish to announce,my Scan I got Monday shows my Cancer is doing well.
Sorry for butting in but i'm doing so well except for the cold I'm fighting right
now..Thank you good friends for caring so much..I know you will, but go with our friend Alan. Since my children are spread all over I have been lucky to have a DEAR friend and her husband and Bobtake me to Barnes in St. Louis and there great Cancer Hospital it was wonderfull for my dear
Neurotalk family to answer my guestions,relieve my fears,your all the best
and to be able to kiss my little 1 yr old OZZY every night,he so wonderful,
I.m not DaDa any more i' Gmama...For all of you who said speak up well I think
I just did...Thank you all and hugs to you all Sue

Hi Sue:

No, Alan has not fallen on his spleen. I read on the internet that when people have very severe low platelet disorders, they remove the spleen.

That (at least I hope), that this is NOT what is going on with Alan.

He doesn't fall because he rarely goes anywhere without me. And because he really can't be on his feet, the only places he goes are to doctor appointments. Then he comes home and stays on the couch. Where I serve him. Isn't he a lucky man? I just gave him some fresh blackberries and some cantelope.

I'm glad you are feeling better.

Melody

I'm so sorry...I seemed to have missed something somewhere (duh! huh?). Did you say cancer and a cancer hospital? Can you PM me and bring me up to date or someone please do.

Billye

Hi Melody, I just read this rather complex thread and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

First, I don't think you need worry about the platelet count of 130. It's very near normal, and it's a test that is easily technically off a bit. As a rule, it's a good idea not to stress yourself with investigating all the causes of and potential problems of a blood test that is abnormal ONCE. I'd not worry at all unless it was abnormal on repeat, and MORE abnormal than this.

Next, on your diabetes: Melody, do you work with a nutritionist? Most diabetes I know have a diabetic nutritionist who they report to regularly with charts of what they've eaten, when they've taken their insulin, and what their blood sugar is. Then both insulin and diet can be adjusted appropriately for that individual. But it's hard to say there's any one rule that solves the problem of a person who is on one dose of insulin a day. To keep it in range, you really ought to be seeing a nutritionist weekly until it's stablized. While I agree with Mrs D that the A1c is an important indicator, having glucoses as high as 150 is not good for you. Glucoses of 120 and above have been associated with complications, which is why doctors more and more are aiming patients at tighter control. But it might be surprising how much you can affect the numbers with dietary counselling.

Shiney Sue: Congrats! Good news is always great to hear.

Thanks Liza Jane:

Alan and I both went to the nutritionist who put us on a good sensible diet, with no refined carbs, plenty of fruits and vegetables (not so much fruit for me), and no red meat. We didn't find this hard at all because we had mainly been eating this way for 5 or so years.

Alan lost over 75 lbs and I lost close to 100 from when I was REALLY OBESE. It's been a long long time to lose the weight. I had to change my whole attitude of food.

What confused me was that I hear different things from different people (including the nutritionist) She had said 'many diabetics have to eat something before bedtime so as to not get hypo during the night".

I stopped eating after 7 p.m. and had no adverse reactions whatsoever. I got good control and my a1c really was improved.

Then someone told me "you must, as a diabetic eat something before you go to bed". So I did that, and in the a.m., my sugar went up. I went to Cornell and told them and they said :"why are you listening to anyone else", keep doing what you've been doing".

So I went back to not eating after 7 p.m. Well, for some reason, my sugar would get various readings. One morning it was 120, then the next it was 118, then one day it was 190. I dont' eat anything white, I don't cheat (maybe a brownie on the weekend (but as I said, my brownie days are over).

I have the neuropathy at bay with the B-12, so that's a good thing.

I worry a lot about Alan's feet and now they want to give him a $1200 CROW foot boot. All this stress, well, I have no idea if this raises my sugar.

And the stuff with my son, well Mother's Day just passed. That was not a good day for me. I deal with stress very diffently than a lot of my friends. I do not cry, I just accept. It's what I do and I don't think I can do it any differently. I have had to make a lot of adjustments in my head over my son, and this is not easy when you have a sick man to take care of and no family.

But as I said, I adapt and I accept. I've questioned various diabetic nutritionists and everybody has different theories, but they all agree that one has to find a good balance.

Years ago, my sugar never went below 265. I used to weigh 300 lbs.

So now I have my a1c is a better range and each day my sugar is getting better. I don't want to increase the Lantus, but when I go to Cornell on May 30, they will tell me what to do.

I was kind of hoping (I know this is a long shot), but I was hoping for a miracle that SOMEDAY I might even be able to go off of insulin completely. Is this foolish of me?

I mean, I watch the Biggest Loser, and these people lose 100 lbs and they go "I don't have diabetes any more, and I'm off all my blood pressure meds".

I think this is a stretch for someone my age, but I have to try.

I'm taking Glenn's advice and doing the small meals . Giving this a try.

I eat correctly, this I know. I just want to be off of insulin.

I really don't think I have a shot. But I'll try.

I go to Cornell on May 30 and I'll try and speak to their nutritionist at that time. Every single nutritionist I've spoken to tells me "no white stuff", no pasta, no potatoes, no bread, no red meat, eat small meals, no sugar, no rice cakes, no popcorn, no chips, plenty of fish, plenty of veggies, etc.

You know, a good healthy diet.

What confuses me is the fact that every healthy diet says "eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables". Then I'm told "no fruit".

Now if I treat my body with good stuff, isn't it supposed to heal and let me eat fruits and vegetables. I don't understand this.

If I'm good to my body, why can't I eat the recommended allowance of fresh fruit? I know about the glycemic index and that some fruit is allowed but I just thought that SOMEDAY, I might be able to eat fruit like Alan can eat fruit.

Not doing that yet. Sticking to greens. And colors in the salad.

I think if I could just knock off the last 30 lbs that is stuck in my body, I just might be able to be off all insulin.

Not sure, but I'm going to do my darndest.

thanks for all the good info.

This past Mom's day was very hard for me. I'm not sure, but doesn't stress reach havoc with the body, and doesn't that raise sugar levels??

Melody

By the time someone is diagnosed with Type II diabetes,
1/2 of the pancreas is no longer working.

Had that in one of my CE's. No one knows if it is capable of coming
back, but that is why they are now switching to using insulin instead
of oral meds for Type II's.

The net has lots of diabetic dessert recipes so you can still have some treats.
Seems to me if one can never "go back" that injecting a bit more insulin daily
in order to have a quality of life --fun with food-- might be worth it.
http://www.lifeclinic.com/whatsnew/c...escookbook.asp

Research shows that it is NOT only the pancreas dying however that causes diabetes type II.
There is some factor blocking insulin at the cell level affecting glucose that way.

So sensitizing insulin is important, not just having MORE.

Things that sensitize insulin
chromium
http://www.thenutritionsolution.com/...ndDiabetes.htm

r-lipoic acid
http://www.advance-health.com/rlipoicacid.html

cinnamon
http://www.rxreview.info/columns/1.html

taurine
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...00003/art00003