Diagnosis Day
I had two options here. A chat about my own D-day, or some ideas for people reading here who just got the news.
I’ll leave the chat for some other time.
So, you’ve just found out you have type 2 diabetes? Or Impaired Glucose Tolerance? Or Pre-diabetes? Or the doctor said "you’ve got a touch of sugar" or something similar?
And you’re in shock?
Why me?
Well, I don’t really have an answer for that. To me it seemed bloody unfair. Why me? And I railed against the world for a while – but then I decided to get on with it. Because I can’t change the past, and how do I correct the mistake of choosing the wrong grand-parents? Particularly as I liked mine:-)
So my first suggestion to any newly diagnosed person reading this is the most important one of all:
It’s NOT your fault. Take a deep breath, sit back, and relax.
Forget the hype and the TV ads about obesity (10-15% of type 2’s are normal or underweight at diagnosis), lifestyle, whatever – that’s in the past, even if it was relevant, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.
OK – so you’ve got a flawed glucose/insulin system. I don’t care what label they put on it, or what stage you’re at – what matters is what you intend to do about it. So first, the good news. Unless you’ve been diagnosed at a very late stage, this is a slow-moving disease – you have time to learn, time to correct things, and time to improve your health for a long-term future. And there is more good news: nearly every person I’ve met who used this diagnosis as a kick-start to get fitter and healthier has improved all sorts of other aspects of their health at the same time.
What to do next? I’ll give some detailed ideas based on what I did in the next post. But there are some general points first. In everything I say, I assume that anyone reading here will always be seeing their doctor on a regular basis, be taking the medicines prescribed by their doctors, and checking any suggestions here with their doctors.
However, never forget that the person who will be most affected by poor advice from any source will be you – not me, not your doctor, but you. In my opinion, more than nearly any other condition, the success of management of diabetes depends on the diabetic. So, while your medics can advise and prescribe – it’s your decisions and your actions that will decide your future.
In broad terms, this is the plan, in addition to anything the docs prescribe:
1. If you are overweight – lose it. I’ve posted some ideas on what I did as my Weight Loss Cooking and Eating Plan
2. Obtain a blood glucose test meter. Until you do, here are some tips on What to Eat Until You Get Your Meter.
3. Learn how to test your blood glucose (BG). I’ve posted some hints on painless testing methods as Painless Pricks
4. Use those tests to adjust your menu to get those blood glucose numbers into the non-diabetic range. I've given some ideas on how to do that in the next post titled Test, Review, Adjust
5. Add at least half an hour of moderate exercise to your day. That’s a minimum, not a maximum. If that’s a new activity for you, start easy and work up slowly – but do it.
6. Later, as your diet for optimum weight and optimum BG’s starts to work, review it and adjust to ensure you aren’t missing anything vital.
There’s more – but that’s enough to start with. So stop reading, go and have a glass of wine or a diet soda and think about something else for a while:-)
And remember my sig:
Alan, T2, Australia
Everything in Moderation - Except laughter
I had two options here. A chat about my own D-day, or some ideas for people reading here who just got the news.
I’ll leave the chat for some other time.
So, you’ve just found out you have type 2 diabetes? Or Impaired Glucose Tolerance? Or Pre-diabetes? Or the doctor said "you’ve got a touch of sugar" or something similar?
And you’re in shock?
Why me?
Well, I don’t really have an answer for that. To me it seemed bloody unfair. Why me? And I railed against the world for a while – but then I decided to get on with it. Because I can’t change the past, and how do I correct the mistake of choosing the wrong grand-parents? Particularly as I liked mine:-)
So my first suggestion to any newly diagnosed person reading this is the most important one of all:
It’s NOT your fault. Take a deep breath, sit back, and relax.
Forget the hype and the TV ads about obesity (10-15% of type 2’s are normal or underweight at diagnosis), lifestyle, whatever – that’s in the past, even if it was relevant, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.
OK – so you’ve got a flawed glucose/insulin system. I don’t care what label they put on it, or what stage you’re at – what matters is what you intend to do about it. So first, the good news. Unless you’ve been diagnosed at a very late stage, this is a slow-moving disease – you have time to learn, time to correct things, and time to improve your health for a long-term future. And there is more good news: nearly every person I’ve met who used this diagnosis as a kick-start to get fitter and healthier has improved all sorts of other aspects of their health at the same time.
What to do next? I’ll give some detailed ideas based on what I did in the next post. But there are some general points first. In everything I say, I assume that anyone reading here will always be seeing their doctor on a regular basis, be taking the medicines prescribed by their doctors, and checking any suggestions here with their doctors.
However, never forget that the person who will be most affected by poor advice from any source will be you – not me, not your doctor, but you. In my opinion, more than nearly any other condition, the success of management of diabetes depends on the diabetic. So, while your medics can advise and prescribe – it’s your decisions and your actions that will decide your future.
In broad terms, this is the plan, in addition to anything the docs prescribe:
1. If you are overweight – lose it. I’ve posted some ideas on what I did as my Weight Loss Cooking and Eating Plan
2. Obtain a blood glucose test meter. Until you do, here are some tips on What to Eat Until You Get Your Meter.
3. Learn how to test your blood glucose (BG). I’ve posted some hints on painless testing methods as Painless Pricks
4. Use those tests to adjust your menu to get those blood glucose numbers into the non-diabetic range. I've given some ideas on how to do that in the next post titled Test, Review, Adjust
5. Add at least half an hour of moderate exercise to your day. That’s a minimum, not a maximum. If that’s a new activity for you, start easy and work up slowly – but do it.
6. Later, as your diet for optimum weight and optimum BG’s starts to work, review it and adjust to ensure you aren’t missing anything vital.
There’s more – but that’s enough to start with. So stop reading, go and have a glass of wine or a diet soda and think about something else for a while:-)
And remember my sig:
Alan, T2, Australia
Everything in Moderation - Except laughter
55 comments:
Hi Alan...
I have been an insulin diabetic for about 3 years now, and have not been able to get control or get real answers about what to do, etc. You are a GODSEND, this has helped me so much in just a short time, given me great ideas and tips, ESPECIALLY with a REAL goal to aim for readings wise. I am not up on all the terminology even, but I will be reading your blog frequently, and maybe posting to it with how I am doing.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Thanks for the kind words Vickie, I hope it helps.
I'll just repeat my words of caution from the top of the page - I'm not a doctor, just a patient, so if in doubt check first.
Best wishes, Alan
Hiya Mate
Found this from your postings in the newsgroups. good to see another Aussie being the voice of reason and solid advice.
Great stuff keep it up
Hi,
Great page! I am glad I checked it out. I will be back soon!
Cindy
Great Page Allan. Thanks for all you do to contribute your knowledge. Have a wonderful weekend!
Emily Broccoli :-)
Hi Allan
This sure is a great page with lots of helpful info for the much needy Diabetics. Do keep your spirits going
My best wishes to you.
PremLata
Just had to post. You read Terry Pratchett?!! He is a scream.
Do you have a gold suit (can you tell I'm in the middle of Making Money)
Your diabetes info. is priceless in value. Sorry this diverges.
I adore P. G. Wodehouse as well.
xanthra
(from the ADA D2 board)
G'day xanthra
No gold suit I'm afraid:-)
I caught Terry Pratchett from my son; he started the Terry Pratchett Appreciation Society at Melbourne University about 20 years ago and I've been hooked ever since.
I'm afraid PG Wodehouse whooshed by me...
Thanks for the appreciation. I hope you get some benefit out of the blog.
Oh my gosh, I would hug you if I could. Thank you so much for saying, "It's not your fault, forget the TV ads about obesity. . ." I am overweight and that has been on my mind. Finding your blog is such a blessing!
Leslie
WoW! so very glad I found you! This is new to me and I was just in a spin over it. Who ME! T2 not me!!!...Haven a heck of a time re-thinking my life and how to even start I will be back. thank you for takeing the time to write this stuff. Beth, Upton wyoming
Hi Alan,Thank you for all the positive information.It has given me a boost.I have just spent a week in the hospital,a prob with my heart now,So I've been kind of down in the dumps.Its hard trying to controll my sugar,carbs and salt and cholesteral.I've always been a big eater,so dieting is not easy for me.So again,thx for all the positive thinking,Barb
Much of what was said is beautiful info for a newbie in type 2.
In my own case (unlike wife) I was diagnosed but per docs Im so borderline that my efforts to lose weight are paying off.
Though its been thru 70pds in 11 months I have 100 to go..(was 350 at my worse and 330 at visit to doc 2 months later).
For me it is weight and lifestyle.
But like everybody have the same fustrations and stress's.
Its always good to read what others go thru and learn so that we can learn in addition.
My only real gripe is hearing, you can get the meter free, which is true, but its not the meter that matters but the strips.
I could care less about the meter cost as its one time.
Strips for wife & me are what matter and I find decent strips at unbelievably low cost at Walmart.
Meter: $8 strips at most $32 for 100.
Alternative I liked:
Meter free
strips: $125 for 100.
Forget that I would rather buy the meter and manually track stuff (I am a computer buff so pc access would be cool, but Im not paying to get whats needed (not yet).
Alan
I have very much enjoyed reading yous blogs! I commend you for your directness. I am noticing that the writers who are knowledgeable do two things in their initial writings - they make the statement "Its Not Your Fault", and "The Past Can't be Changed". The wording may vary and the order presented, but they are wanting to put the reader at ease. Once this is accomplished, the reader is more likely to absorb what is needed to help them.
Continue the good cause, you have earned my support. I appreciate your inclusion of other writers about diabetes.
Bob (arrived here via your link in dLife) Thanks
Alan
I appreciate finding your site. I too have CLL, high chloestrol, and now have been diagnosed as prediabetes (and I am very active and slender)all compliments of my grandparents. I found some information about those with CLL that get diabetes it is often called diabetes 1.5 or Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LAD). Apparently it mimics type 2 and then turns to type 1. I am in shock and can't believe this keeps happening to me. My cancer Dr. didn't evern tell me what I needed to begin doing. I was a little surprised. Do you suggest to start blood monitoring in the pre-stage as well. I will be following youf blog regularly. Mary
Hello Mary.
You wrote "I found some information about those with CLL that get diabetes it is often called diabetes 1.5 or Latent Autoimmune Diabetes (LAD). Apparently it mimics type 2 and then turns to type 1."
I think that information is flawed. You can read more about LADA here: http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/lada.htm It is actually a late-developing form of type 1; unfortunately some doctors mis-diagnose it as type 2 in the early stages. As far as I am aware there is no link between LADA abd CLL. What was your source?
Ask your doctor for a clear diagnosis of your own diabetes.
Most of the people I met with diabetes on the ACOR CLL list were type 2; some had Prednisone-induced diabetes which is similar to type 2. You might find it valuable to join the CLL list; this is their "Help" page: http://cll.acor.org/help.htm
Another useful CLL source is the CLL Forum: http://www.cllforum.com/
Yes, I do believe you should start applying "Test, test, test" at the pre-diabetes stage. The earlier the better. Just possibly that may mean that you never go past that stage.
I wish to disagree with the notion that regarding Type 2 diabetes "It's not your fault". Reading the history of Type 2 you find little mention of it until sugar and refined flour became widely available to the average person. This happened in the late 19th century, say approximately 125 years ago. Until then Type 2 was seen only among the wealthy who did use copious amounts of sugar and other refined carbs. The same observation is made when Bushmen and other primitives "move to town" and gain access these refined carbs. Diabetes explodes among them.
Now, I guess that you can say its "not their fault" because they were not warned about refined carbs. Or you can say refined carbs do not matter, then include more refined carbs in your diet and see what happens regarding progression. Alan, do you have an opinion regarding this idea?
On "it's not your fault" I have an opinion but I think I'll leave it to a later post to go into a lot more detail.
Suffice to say that I concur with Jenny's assessment in the link I provide and that I consider your historical reference can be seen from both sides of that argument. It becomes a debate about the chicken and the egg. Did obesity cause the diabetes or is there a genetic or similar cause for both obesity and diabetes? Does that gene lead to first a tendency to obesity which may then trigger the other aspects of diabetes? The answer is that nobody knows yet.
I agree that obesity is a growing problem in Western Society (no pun intended); I also agree that the changes in availabilty and promotion of processed carbs over the past century have been part of that problem. But I don't agree that obesity is proven to be causative of diabetes nor do I see diabetes as a self-inflicted condition.
Hi there. I am lost. Just got diagnosed last week. I had a fasting blood sugar (though I told the doc that I had nearly a cup of milk that morning) of 113. She then ran the other test and it was 6.3....just past the 3-6 normal range.
She put me on metaformine 1,000 mg pills times 2 per day (so 2,000 mg). I have not begun them yet. Her nurse called me today asking if I wanted to be on Byetta instead. Threw me for a loop!
I am now researching what I should do, WHAT I should eat to be ok and lose weight, and try and make an informed decision on picking a drug. I sorta wish my Doc didn't give me an option.... I now question the whole thing.
Any insight would be helpful!
G'day Anon
I have a feeling I may have replied to you on the ADA forum just now. You gave a bit more detail there, so rather than repeat the reply here I'll give a link back to that thread.
http://community.diabetes.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=19&nav=messages&webtag=adatype2&tid=31060
Alan,
I have a question about drinking a glass of wine. I was diagnosed early this month with a glucose level of 490 and a stay in the hospital. I am still having vision problems, but there may be some slight improvement. The week or more before, I was having cravings for sweets, fruit and fruit juice. Before that I drank alcohol on occasion, a few drinks at a time. If I drank more than that I would get a weird tension, so not sure if it had something to do with BG fluctuations. A similar feeling would happen after eating.
Usually, I have enjoyed a glass of wine in the evening, but after D diagnosis, I have been afraid to try it. Today my BG levels were 105 am and 110 pm, best yet. (Taking Metforman and Glyburide)
I lived in Sydney when I was a kid for about five years, before moving back to U.S.
Paul
Alan,
I have a question about drinking a glass of wine. I was diagnosed early this month with a glucose level of 490 and a stay in the hospital. I am still having vision problems, but there may be some slight improvement. The week or more before, I was having cravings for sweets, fruit and fruit juice. Before that I drank alcohol on occasion, a few drinks at a time. If I drank more than that I would get a weird tension, so not sure if it had something to do with BG fluctuations. A similar feeling would happen after eating.
Usually, I have enjoyed a glass of wine in the evening, but after D diagnosis, I have been afraid to try it. Today my BG levels were 105 am and 110 pm, best yet. (Taking Metforman and Glyburide)
I lived in Sydney when I was a kid for about five years, before moving back to U.S.
Paul
Hello Paul
First, congratulations on your improvement from 490 to the low hundreds.
On wine, with your background I must be absolutely clear. Do not contemplate adding wine to your menu until you have discussed it with your doctor.
If, and only if, your doctor confirms that there is no medical reason for you to abstain from wine then read these two pages that I wrote earlier:
Red, Red Wine
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2007/03/red-red-wine.html
Wine and Serendipity
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2007/04/wine-and-serendipity.html
Cheers, Alan
Alan - I started reading your blog when diagnosed in October 2008. Since them my A1C has dropped from 14.5 to 4.8, dropped 50lbs and have slowly progressed to just diet and exercise for control. I appreciate you and all the other people who have written words of advice/wisdom to share with others. It's been two months without meds, just hope I can keep the numbers down.
Thanks again
Hi Alan--
I was diagnosed with Type 2 just two days ago. I am still in a lot of shock and can't believe this has happened. I find it very difficult to eat at all now. I was prescribed Metformin and instructed to take it every other day for the first week so that I get used to it. I have read your other entries about testing your blood glucose level - my question is: if my blood sugar level is within acceptable range (that is, within the ADA and ACE ranges), should I be taking the metformin? My fear is that the metformin will reduce my blood sugar too much. When I read my blood sugar readings, at what point do I NOT have to take the medicine? For example, this morning my blood glucose was at 118. I did not want to take the metformin because I was afraid my level would drop TOO MUCH. Are there any guidelines you can help me with in terms of when to take my me when I know what my glucose level is? Thank you so much for everything you've shared. I find it very comforting.
Q1. "if my blood sugar level is within acceptable range (that is, within the ADA and ACE ranges), should I be taking the metformin?"
First - follow your doctor's advice and take your metformin. Increase the dose slowly in accordance with your doctor's advice. Your doctor is wisely introducing it gradually to minimise the risk of gastro-intestinal side-effects, not as a precaution against going low.
Metformin is claimed to work in a couple of ways; first by reducing excessive release of glucose from your liver and secondly by improving your insulin resistance. It can take several weeks to become fully effective and will NOT cause low blood glucose levels.
Separate to that, I do not totally agree with the ADA and AACE ranges; see http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2009/04/test-test-test.html and http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/12/hi-all-one-of-things-that-becomes.html for a longer commentary on that.
Q2. "When I read my blood sugar readings, at what point do I NOT have to take the medicine? For example, this morning my blood glucose was at 118."
Well, definitely at a point significantly below that. As to which exact point, only your doctor could answer that because your doctor will be aware of all the other factors.
I wouldn't consider asking the doc until you are a lot closer to 100.
Hi Alan,
musecal said that he has a problem with cravings for things that we are not supposed to have.
I have the same problem. I know it is wrong to give in. My doctor has never tried me on metforim. I am allergic to all of the other medications. In fact, my doctor has given up on me. That is discouraging.
Ruth Brown
Ruth, find a new doctor.
The best way I found to overcome cravings was my meter. The numbers I saw on my meter at my peak after giving in were a reminder to not give in next time. For foods that do not affect my meter the bathroom scales were also useful.
Hi Alan,
You have a great idea, about finding another doctor. However, I live in a small town. It is unfortunate that we have the best doctor in town.
We cannot afford to move. I am trying to stick to my diet. My husband is trying to buy foods that I can eat.
Ruth
Hi Alan,
I do test 3 times a day before meals. I try to exercise in the afternoon. That is when my numbers are the highest. Your idea is great about finding another doctor.
However, she is the best doctor in town. I live in a small town in CA.
I do not need to weigh myself, because I am losing weight even when I overeat. My doctor is worried about that. She will not give me a copy of my lab work, even though I insist on it.
Ruth
Hi Alan, thank you for the e-mail address.
I did read that the final decision is ours. Not the doctors, not my friends or my husband and son. I am going to have to take things into my own hands.
Since I had pneunomia, my doctor, husband and son have not wanted me to do anything. I was very active and now I am going to have to build myself up again.
Ruth
This is a very nice site Alan. I have been reading a lot about your own journey. As you know from ASD, I did not take my own diagnosis very calmly. It really freaked me out. I am a lot more accepting of my condition now and have put in a lot of work to keep my numbers in the normal range. I have still not achieved normal for my morning FBG. These numbers are almost always above 100 and below 130. Lately they have been between 100 and 110. During the day I can easily regulate my BG with diet exercise, and alcohol. I realize that using alcohol to lower BG is pretty controversial. However, I never exceed two beers in a day. Each beer represents 2.6 grams of carbs. I get a 20 point knock down from each beer. One day a drank my beer and it went from 97 to 74.
My wife and I both have type 2. This makes it easy to only have foods in the house that are safe for us. It must be a pain for someone with type 2 to have to eat at the table and watch someone else consume huge quantities of carbohydrates. I think I would find that somewhat difficult.
I took Metformin for a few months and it did nothing to improve my numbers, so I dropped it.
Thanks for the nice Blog site.
Hi Michael,
That is great that you and your wife can work on your diabetes together.
My husband and son do not have diabetes. They try to buy foods that I can have. Lunch and dinner are excellent for my diabetes. It is there desserts that are very tempting. I am not suppose to have them.
Hi Michael
Isn't Alan's blog great? I've learned a lot from it, and he's given me great support in my quest to stay off tablets and insulin as long as possible as well.
I thought I was the only one using alcohol as a medication ;>) I too found that my numbers go down after a pint or two, so have been sticking religiously to that diet.
Unfortunately, though, I can't quite pluck up the courage to try it first thing in the morning, which is when my numbers are stubbornly high.
Alan,
You have certainly helped me over the last two years with my Type 2 diabetes improvement programme - HbA1c down from 9.4% to 5.0% and metformin medication halved recently from 2000mg to 1000mg per day. Hoping to get of it altogether very soon.
Ten years after diagnosis and my blood glucose levels are almost always within normal levels.
I no longer fear diabetic complications!
Your way is the way to go!
Best wishes from England.
John aka Wallycorker
Thanks very much for the feedback John.
Congratulations on your success. I only made some suggestions - you did all the work. Well done.
Cheers, Alan
HI, Recently ID'ed as a Type II. Still working to adjust my food menus to bring the BG down. It feels like a monkey on the back lingering from trouble. Most before readings of the BG is 120 or less now. Taking Janumet 2x a day and reading a lot about this condition. I am already down 8 pounds since OCT at 183# now. Nothing fits but that is good. No longer thristy all the time now. Too bad I do not really live veggies. Thanks for the opening information on this disease.
MLD
Very nice blog Alan. Too many patients never question their doctors advice. Always ask the whys and what fors when speaking to your doctor. When I was diagnosed 2 years ago, my doctor acted as if it were not a big deal. Take the meds and check your level twice a day. So I thought if he didn't think it was a big deal then it must not be. He was not only my doctor but my co-worker as well. He wouldn't steer me wrong. So I swam in De Nile. This time around, I've had vision changes and now he thinks it's a big deal. Still only wanted me to check BG twice a day. I check 5-8 times a day. He is not the one whose eyeglass prescription has doubled. Thanks for all the good information.
Thanks for the insight. I've read day 1 ands will confine to come back. Seriously Thank you
Thanks Alan!!!
Hi,I was just diagnosed yesterday with type 2 diabetes.I'm glad that you said it wasn't my fault..I've been feeling like I failed some big test..which is weird since i have been out of school for a long time now (lol) I am the first to say life isn't fair and I am well aware that life isn't fair but even with that knowledge I am still thinking to myself...This isn't fair! My ex-boyfriend was over 400 pounds(!) and didn't have diabetes..I weight 218 and I get diabetes..wth!?
I know I need a support system but I don't want to tell any one--I don't know why...that is what brought me to find this page and this group. I am having some difficulties with it--I am an open book so by nature I am one to "spill the beans' but I know if I tell my Mom...not only will it trouble her..she will tell EVERYONE...AND i Don't want to tell any one...at least not right now.
G'day Anonymous. I suggest you drop in on the ADA type 2 forum where you can chat to me and others in more detail without revealing your identity: http://community.diabetes.org/t5/Adults-Living-with-Type-2/bd-p/Adults-Living-with-Type-2
Hi Alan great page Im glad I checked it out very helpful thank you
Thank you for providing this link Allen. I wanted to reply to you on the ADA communities page but I couldn't figure out how to do it!
I am still so in denial. I have never had any of the symptoms like excessive thirst, etc. So I have actually concluded that the A1C thing is flawed. I don't think I have diabetes. Seriously. Isn't that positively crazy?
So again thank you for providing this link. You have pushed me out of denial and into the now-get-off-your-butt-and-do-something-about-it phase.
I've read Act I of GETTING STARTED and I'm eager to read Act II.
Alan,
Thank you, so much, for all you do here! I was diagnosed in March 2016 with an A1c of 8.9. I eschewed the metformin, off the bat, and chose to look at this diagnosis as a wake-up call about my sedentary lifestyle. With only 45 minutes a day of exercise, I reduced my A1c to 6 in less than 3 months. Certainly, we are all victims of our genetics, in the case of diabetes, but we, as diabetics, are in a unique position to take control of the outcome of many aspects of this disease. Many people, suffering from many other diseases, don't have this chance. I just came across your blog after reading more and more glowing reviews of metformin as a "preventative" measure for so many people, that doctors feel it should be a regimen for a lot of the folks here in the U.S. I was always worried about its gateway potential to lead to insulin use, and the literature is still a little spotty on that. Anyway, I'm glad there are people out there, like you, giving people incentive to take this thing we call "diabetes" by the horns and live our lives more healthily and more fully! Thanks, again!
Hi Alan,
I started having troubles with my Blood Sugar about 8 months ago. My primary physician told me to take my blood sugar 2 times a day. My morning blood sugars have been high. My doctor would just tell me my 3 month averages were fine.
About a 2 months ago I started having more problems with my blood sugars and my doctor would still say my 3 month averages where fine even though my blood sugars where higher. I started trying to change my diet with help through friends and online. My doctor would spend most of his time typing on his computer, even though I would go in with a list of my concerns, I don't think he heard most of what I was saying. I have not gotten any real help managing my blood sugars.
I started having more problem and took my blood sugar a lot to try to find out what was going on. Made an appointment to see my doctor. I took my list with me and told him we need to talk. He left his computer alone and looked at the blood sugars I was getting and listening to my concerns. He put me on a trial of Farxiga and told me to test my blood sugar twice a day. He also thought it had some thing to do with hormones and put me on a low dose.
I bought a box of strips at full price, this was suggested by pharmacist. Put an x on the box and only use when I need extra strips. He told me a lot of his clients do this.
As I have been alone on my diet except through friends and online I have been working on really changing my diet. I have also started exercising almost everyday after Christmas. I need to loose about 50 lbs. So far I have lost around 5 lbs. I have to really watch my exercising because I have Plantar Fasciitis. I do low impact exercing.I started increasing my time and intensity to fast and my feet started bothering me, so I had to slow down and slowly increase my exercise. My feet are doing better.
I want to thank you for for article on getting started. It has really given me some ideas on how to change my diet, and use my meter to figure out what works and what does not work.
If I keep having problems I plan on seeing a specialist.
Tammie
Best wishes Tammie. I hope my ideas help a little. It may be time to seek a doctor who listens more and types less.
Alan,
Your idea's have all ready been helping. Learning how to use my glucose meter to find out how my blood sugars act to different things.
The other day after doing a lot of physical work in the house I did not feel to good. So yesterday I took my blood sugar before my daily exercise and after. My blood sugar had gone up after my exercise. Thinking this is the rebound effect. I have decided to to have a small snack before I do anything that is going to take a lot of physical activity.
I have been thinking about this for awhile. But after your remark it is putting a fire under me. I have decided I am going to change doctors. My insurance company had sent me a list of doctors. I have spent a lot of time going over the list this morning. I found one Board Certified in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, and is accepting new patients. As with many specialized doctors in this area he is over an hour away. I plan on calling to make an appointment on Monday morning. Right now just getting use to the idea of adding another doctor over an hour away. But I think it will be worth the travel.
Relion prime strips Walmart are 9.00 for 50 strips
I was diagnosed at the age of 17, 38 now. I never wanted anyone to know either. It was shameful, like I was damaged. I especially never told close family members or those I loved at the time, boyfriends. If there is one thing I regret, it's not telling. Tell anyone and everyone. It will show who truly is there for you. Afraid some friends, family, loved one may walk away. It will happen. Let them. The ones left behind are the ones that will be there for you. Start building a support system. Do not be the ostrich that buries its head. I did for many, many years and at 38 have had a heart attack, stints put in my arteries. Diabetes is no joke. It will slowly affect every part of your body. When I was 17 diabetes was not in the forefront of my mind. Now that I wish to have a baby and realizing I probably can't due to severe damage done to myself. I try not to cry. The pain of neuropathy and muscle loss are all due to not caring for myself for over 20 years. Now, I am trying to reverse and repair.
I am really learning a great deal from you. Thank you for sharing your experience. Everything I have read is helpful and beneficial. I live in a rural area and not much around here. I've had to look online for a diabetes support group. I will keep on reading your posts to learn. Thank you for everything and its much appreciated. Vpurple
This blog has been a Godsend. I was feeling like I was the only wife having to deal with this, and very much alone. I thank all the remarkable, strong, and courageous wives for their honesty, transparency, and willingness to share their stories. God Bless them, and you too Alan. I will repost soon. My family and I are just beginning a long physically and emotionally challenging journey onto a road we are forced to travel on..
idrsinindrsininmey and I are just beginning a long physically and emotionally draining journey down a road filled with unanswered and conflicting answers to our many concerns...Thank you to all the wives for their candor, and willingness to share their stories...much appreciated beyond what my words can spell out here...Also, thank you, Alan,for starting your Blog, and giving us all a forum to share...
Hi alan,
My husband height is 5.7 and weight is 56 and ge is pretty active and exercise regularly and play tennis 3 days a week but still he got his hba1c 6.3. He is losing weight if he does diet. Please suggest what to do to reduce hba1c level.
Note - accucheck glocose fasting test is 103 and after 2 hrs of meal is 90
Ramani, it looks like he is doing well but the figure for his weight looks low even if it is kg. Please clarify. An A1c of 6.3% is not bad at all in his circumstances. All I can suggest is to get him to read the information I posted above. If his weight is normal or low ignore the advice to lose weight.
Alan,
Just found your great posts, just top notch mate.
I have a question, I live here in the USA now and have been testing my mg/dl now, but my doc was using these Glucose numbers as I hit a 7.5, he said i needed to be under 6 and I was basically diabetic and wanted me on drugs. Im holding off on that and have been on a lifetyle change myself and wanted to retest without the complications of visit him everytime. I think its an H1ABc test or something like that I need.
Ive been researching trying to find something and wondered if you had any advice? Money isnt the issue, but being able to monitor myself is the goal.
thanks again for all you do
Duncan
G'day Duncan. To understand the difference between mg/dl and mmol/l please go to this link: http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2007/04/millimoles-and-milligrams.html
HbA1c is a different measure of the glycation of your blood over time. In the USA that is a percentage. The diagnostic thresholds used by doctors are over 5.7% for pre-diabetes and over 6.5% for type 2 diabetes. In some other countries mmol/mol are used. The Equivalent diagnostic thresholds are approximately 39 and 48 mmol/mol respectively.
Only a doctor can diagnose you. This might help you decide whether you need to see the doctor for professional testing: https://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2015/09/i-think-i-may-have-diabetes.html
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