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Hi. In 2007 my a1c was 6.0 so a doctor i was seeing but me on a low dose of Metformin 500 mg per day. my a1c in 2008 went down to 5.6, then rose up a bit to 5.9 at the end of '08 but my doctor took me off it
in the fall of 09 i started an exercise program and stuck faithfully to it tho i didn't lose any weight.
at the end of 09 a1c rose to 6.3 so i went back on metformin this time 1000 mg per day. i also was taking paxil 25 mg but tapered off it because my doctor told me the Paxil may have caused weight gain so i could lose weight if i went off it. so i went off it
then i got called to jury duty and had to spend 2 weeks disrupted from my schedule. i took public transit and ate larger breakfasts to tie me over until 1PM for lunch. I was too tired to go to the gym despite the fact that the bus dropped me off right by the gym
after jury service was done i had to catch up on my work missed from jury service. i worked 6 days a week for 2 months and again just felt too tired to go to the gym
after an 82 year old retired co-worker who had come to visit us commented to me about how much weight i gained(this guy is like a father/uncle to me and i respect his opinion), i ran to the doctor. my a1c went up to 6.7, my triglycerides went to 390 from 170, my liver enzymes doubled (I have these things taken care of by a doctor BTW) and i was noted to have a vitamin D deficiency
my doctor added amaryl to the metformin regimen and my last glucose reading was 75(before amaryl it was 129) and i am getting normal fingerstick readings(say mid 80's to hi 90's) when i come home from work
however, i notice i am thirsty often (but it could be due to the water pill i am taking for my bp) and my right foot seems numb (tho it could be due to the heavy varicose veins in my right leg) and there is an odd cold sensation in both feet that comes and goes, something i had noticed 5 years ago before the glucose even became an issue
also i notice i am even hungrier despite the metf and amaryl medications which are supposed to supress the appetite, and sometimes i feel weak before a meal, but not always
today i had my eyes checked and the doctor told me there's no sign of diabetes in the eyes and i just needed stronger lenses as it's been 4 years
my bp has been stable and was 120/70 due to the water pills and Diovan
I have never had any dangerously elevated readings on my home glucometer, worst case was before the amaryl my readings were maybe 10 points higher than before (like instead of 90 normally before dinner it was 100)
so i guess what i am trying to ask is can one still suffer damage to nerves eyes etc even if your readings are decent and controlled by medication? i know i have some protein in the urine but it's being controlled by the diovan
in other words, can one develop complications even if you are under good control?
Sounds like diabetes is in your future and what you are getting now is the early warning signs, your only option to postpone the inevitable is to strictly adhere to a healthy diet and make sure you are at the right weight for your size..
I am surprised your doctor chose to prescribe you medicine first before giving you a chance to change your living habits. I guess they are all different.
In December of 2009 my A1C was 6.1. With a glucose tolerance reading of 247 my doctor's diagnosis was diabetes. Instead of prescribing me medicine he decided to allow me to change my lifestyle which, at the time, was devoted to consuming large amounts of carbohydrates. He enrolled me in a diabetes management class ... this helped immensely because a dietician set goals for carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and the nurse taught everything about managing the disease. A food journal helps. I increased my activity level by jogging, riding bikes, and yard work.
Since December, I have lost 58 pounds by eating a carbohydrate restricted diet (180 g per day) with an ultimate goal of losing 20 more pounds. That will get me to 180 pounds. My jogging distance is up to a mile and a quarter (I couldn't even run an 8th of a mile at the beginning).
My most recent A1C dropped to 5.3. My blood sugar readings are all normal, and I feel great. All of this done without medicine.
There's no secret to it, whether or not you are taking medicine you have to live by healthy habits. If you let yourself go this disease will hit you like a tsunami. It takes hard work, discipline, and moderation to live with diabetes.
Simple carbs--the white kind found in white flour (white bread, biscuits, hamburger buns, cakes, cookies, pizza crusts, pretzels) and potatoes
and
refined sugar (and high fructose corn syrup)--common delivery systems are soft drinks, sports drinks candy and some fruit drinks--are the two main food culprits that lead to diabetes. Sugar destroys the adrenals...our bodies aren't designed to handle the 120 pounds of sugar Americans eat (on average) each year.
nor a machine food eater, i don't drink or smoke. my "sweet cravings" are not for cakes or cookies but for watermelon, fruits, too many fruit juices(tho i studiously avoid the hi fructose corn syrup)
i cut out home fries as i usually go out for breakfast once or twice a week on my off days. no more home fries, i am sure those were doing it. love white potatoes
i eat too many eggs because my cholesterol(good total, hdl and ldl) is low but my triglcerides are high. i find eggs are the only thing that sustains me, if i have oatmeal i will be hungry in no time and have headaches and feel cranky
I would take out the fruit juice--it's a blood sugar nightmare. Sorry, I know you probably love it but I had a friend who made iced tea and just added a bit of fruit juice for flavor. You never did say how your wt is but I'm guessing you're overweight?
can tell you is that my glucose was just now 75 thanks to amaryl and metformin and i have eliminated home fries from my breakfast which i have had once or twice a week
this past week i have felt a little thinner and have felt better, hope it continues tho
Well I didn't ask you what you weigh, but you're right, nuff said. LOL.
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i am not a dessert eater
