Diabetics: Your A1C Test Results

[Disney Doll]

Thanks Way to be Debbie Downer Just kidding I realize that, what I meant by my post was that I wasn't going to let Diabetes ruin my life I took control of it right away so that way 10 years from now I am not struggling with it. If I change my lifestyle now I will have way more pancreatic cells left to help me out when I am older so I won't need to increase the metformin dosage or get to the point where I need insulin

My mother-in law passed away at age 43 from not taking care of her Diabetes so I owe it to my DW to not put her through that type of loss at the hands of Diabetes ever again. My DW appreciates my hard work and dedication to staying as healthy as possible, she also knows that I am doing it for her as much as I am myself so that knowledge and the fact that I don't like to lose is driving me to put down the box of oatmeal cream pies and get off the Metformin for good

I wish everyone the best of luck in finding how to manage Diabetes

Sorry. I wasn't trying to be Debbie Downer. I'm a nurse hwo works with tons of diabetics and I've heard too many people say they've "cured" their diabetes by doing exactly what you did and then they "fall off the wagon" because they "cured" it so they don't think they have to watch diet etc. any more.

Smart man to take control now. Keep up the good work!

 

[manning]

Yes, I know that. You don't have to yell at me.

No, seriously when I was first diagnosed I spoke with the hospital's nutritionist and she told me that even though I'm diabetic there is NO food that I can't have. I just have to plan for it. As in, if I know I'm going out for lunch and will want dessert, then have a salad of lettuce and veggies for dinner, stuff like that. And I do try to limit my carbs, but at 7.1 I'm not limiting them enough.

I don't have much of a problem with sweets, I can leave them alone, or if I do have something it's a tiny portion or just a couple of bites to satisfy my craving for it.

Plus I'm gluten intolerant so try to avoid wheat as much as I can, so that limits my food choices even more and it gets so frustrating.

I try not to snack much in the evenings, if I do it's fresh peppers (green, yellow, orange and red) with a little hummus, or an apple or grapes, etc.

And I am drinking more decaf coffee and hot tea in the afternoons when I get that snack craving, to avoid putting more food in my mouth.

So, I'm trying...just need to work at it a wee bit harder to get that number under 7.0, I know. *sigh*

Last night before bed my blood glucose was 78, so I did have about 8 vanilla wafers. This morning at 6:45 it was 88, so was okay. I've also been checking a couple hours after I eat sometimes, to see how a certain food affects me.

Relaxe, I'm not yelling at you, just enlarging text to get everyones attention.

 

[manning]

I just wanted to say I am following this thread closely, and also wanted to say thanks for all the experiences that y'all have posted so far. I found out I am apparently diabetic last month, after having a heart attack and a stent put in at age 45. Also found out I had extremely high blood pressure & high cholesterol. I can't quite remember what the cardiologist said my A1C was... but I want to say 8? I do remember that he said it wasn't "shockingly high." Apparently not as bad as my bp was.

I'm on Metformin now, and am losing weight, and luckily no other interventions at this point. He did tell me that the blocked artery was caused by high blood sugars being uncontrolled for who knows how long, which causes the artery walls to become rough and makes the plaque stick much worse.

I go back in December for another A1C test, and I'm sure hoping I've managed to lower the number at least a bit. The diet thing is hard -- I'm a carb fanatic -- but the results are worth it. I don't want to scare my son like that again!!

Anyways, it is a big help to read about all of your perspectives and experiences!


-gina-

In a way you're lucky. I found out over a year ago...after my stroke and bypass surgery. That is what diabetes can do to you.

 

[manning]

Thanks Way to be Debbie Downer Just kidding I realize that, what I meant by my post was that I wasn't going to let Diabetes ruin my life I took control of it right away so that way 10 years from now I am not struggling with it. If I change my lifestyle now I will have way more pancreatic cells left to help me out when I am older so I won't need to increase the metformin dosage or get to the point where I need insulin

My mother-in law passed away at age 43 from not taking care of her Diabetes so I owe it to my DW to not put her through that type of loss at the hands of Diabetes ever again. My DW appreciates my hard work and dedication to staying as healthy as possible, she also knows that I am doing it for her as much as I am myself so that knowledge and the fact that I don't like to lose is driving me to put down the box of oatmeal cream pies and get off the Metformin for good

I wish everyone the best of luck in finding how to manage Diabetes

Also have your wife watch herself. She carries the gene. She may get it or may not. They have no idea what triggers it. A person can carry the gene and the desease never triggers. Also fat or skinny you can get it.

 

[manning]

Sorry. I wasn't trying to be Debbie Downer. I'm a nurse hwo works with tons of diabetics and I've heard too many people say they've "cured" their diabetes by doing exactly what you did and then they "fall off the wagon" because they "cured" it so they don't think they have to watch diet etc. any more.

Smart man to take control now. Keep up the good work!

That's the problem, it's not reversible....controlable yes.

 

[Gina]

In a way you're lucky. I found out over a year ago...after my stroke and bypass surgery. That is what diabetes can do to you.

Oh, I consider myself *very* lucky, believe me. And very stupid! I have always been one of those "if I feel fine, then I must be fine" sort of people, and I felt fine, no issues at all. I am not generally a fan of doctors, because pretty much every one I had met was a pompous a$$, and since nothing was wrong why bother?

But everything I had/have wrong with me was silent, and that was the big mistake I made. I could have likely avoided all I went through last month had I just been getting check-ups like a grown adult should. *Especially* since my father has dealt with diabetes his whole life and has both lost his sight and recently gained a donor kidney because of it. Last month was a biiiiig wake up call, and I am happy to say that both my new cardiologist and my new internist are completely awesome.

Here's wishing for better and better health and continued motivation for all of us!


-gina-

 

[Bilberry]

A little bit different from what everyone is talking about, but saw these articles about needing help from diabetics. Looks like a neat project.

"The Patient’s Voice Project: Real Life Stories From Diabetics Needed"

http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/...real-life-stories-from-diabetics-needed/12105

&

"Diabetics: Make Your Voice Heard"

http://www.fathead-movie.com/index.php/2011/10/26/diabetics-make-your-voice-heard/

As part of an ongoing effort to convince doctors and policymakers to (imagine this!) consider the real-life experiences of diabetics when giving out dietary advice to diabetics, a group of researchers including Dr. Richard Feinman have created The Patient’s Voice Project. My good buddy Jimmy Moore is involved as well. Here’s an announcement they’d like to share:

The Patient’s Voice Project is an effort to collect first hand accounts of the experience of people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) with different diets. If you would be willing to share your experiences with diet as a therapy for diabetes, please send information to Michael Turchiano (mturchiano.pvp@gmail.com) and a copy to Jimmy Moore (livinlowcarbman@charter.net). Please include details of your diets and duration.

Indicate if you saw a physician or other health provider, what their attitudes were and whether you be willing to share medical records. We are particularly interested in people who have switched diets and had different outcomes.

Finally, please indicate which factors influenced your choices (physician or nutritionist recommendations, information on popular or scientific publications, etc.)

Thanks for your help. The Patient’s Voice Project will analyze and publish conclusions in popular and scientific journals.

Michael Turchiano
Scientific Coordinator

 

[dngnb8]

First of all, I'm very sorry your wife has all of these problems, I really am.

Thank you. I dont mention that for sympathy, but so you know my perspective

But so far I do not have any of those problems.

You dont get it. Its too late when those problems show up.

I see my eye doctor twice a year, my physican twice a year too and get all the blood tests, kidney, etc. If I were to start having problems like that, then yes, I would be more willing to start insulin but since I'm not, and my A1C's are getting better and not worse I do not want to.

Either youre choosing not to understand, or youre stubborn. Long term high A1Cs will cause those problems. Not today, probably not tomorrow, but a year from now. It will be too late.

I am determined to get it under 7 on my own with diet and exercise and the oral medication I'm already taking.

Determined or stubborn? You are exposing yourself to long term high A1Cs by choice. Damage is not reversible.

 

[Savanah'sMom]

It generally shouldn't take 3 diabetes pills and a shot of Victoza to control one's sugars. Insulin is not the end of the world...for many folks, it makes their lives much, much easier,their control much better, their possibility of complications further down the road much less.

It was the endo that eventually put me on all of this. The think I'm learning with my system is that, I get to a certain point and the meds aren't as effective anymore and we have to change things up a bit. I have no problem going back on insulin and have asked about it. My endo wasn't ready to put me back on it. I'm not sure at what point if I should insist going back on insulin. I'm a food person, I love to eat and I have very little will power. I struggle everyday with watching what I eat.

I read further down that you are a nurse, right? Any advice on whether or not going strictly to insulin would be better than what I'm on right now??