Diabetes

[ArlyA]

They did not. I’ve been around people with diabetes all my life so I’m aware of going low and what it’s like. That doesn’t mean I’ll know it when it’s happening.

A CGM is not just about knowing when you are going low, but what foods are actually doing to your BG (blood glycogen). For example, i found eating 1/2 a banana made my BG do through the the roof, while apples do nothing to raise it. You might not be the same, but the CGM showed me what's happening 24-7. It improved my enjoyment of life, foods, my personal safety and lowered my a1c. I will not go without one today.

 

[ponytug]

A CGM is not just about knowing when you are going low, but what foods are actually doing to your BG (blood glycogen). For example, i found bananas make my BG do through the the roof, while apples do nothing to raise it. You might not be the same, but the CGM showed me what's happening 24-7. It improved my enjoyment of life, foods, my personal safety and lowered my a1c. I will not go without one today.

I think that this is a great point. There a general nutrition recommendations, but we are all different, and can eat the same ingredients in different ways all of which can, and does, add up to very different blood glucose responses to food.

I think that the personalized feedback on what does, and doesn't push around your BG can make a big difference if you act on the information, like @ArlyA and bananas vs apples.

All the best,

Peter

 

[t1kilo]

I weigh about 236 now. My ideal weight would be 180 on the low end and 220 on the high end. I used to weigh about 280 but I lost that weight over 5 years ago. I get at least a moderate amount of exercise every day, I’m often surprised when I check my phone I’ve walked over two miles. I bike ride when the weather allows.

They started me on Metformin today, a statin and BP med so I’m set on the meds. I’ve been on the BP meds for a few days and so far no side affects, I’m hoping the new meds don’t cause any.

I appreciate the responses. We just got back from the store and bought some things that should help.

Research water loving versus fat loving statins. If your doctor prescribed a fat loving drug, you might want to have him switch you to water loving. I’ve been on simvastatin for 13 years. Aches & pains are real, but fat loving statins are linked to the onset of diabetes for some. I believe that is my case. I am 5’9” and 170 lbs. I was at 205 three years ago with a1c of 7.7. A1c is now 5.8 but I have to monitor closely. Never used a CGM. oh, and my new doctor will most likely be prescribing a water loving statin the next time I see him.

 

[dodge man]

My doctor is a she and she prescribed simvastatin also. It didn’t have anything to do with the diabetes since she prescribed it the same day she prescribed the metformin. I’ve only been on those two days now and the be med a couple of days longer. So far no side affects but it’s pretty early to say.

 

[ArlyA]

As stated in this thread previously, we all need to move around more to take charge of our type I or II. I'd suggest a bear minimum of 5 miles of steps per day.

 

[NorTracNY]

I remember a doctor talking about exercise will only help in 4 of the 8 metabolic processes. You can't out run the fork. Yes, exercise. weights, cardio, isometric weights, stretching. It's all important in different ways, but you can't out exercise a bad diet.

 

[daugen]

I just got enough exercise with my snowblower to earn a piece of apple pie tonight.
Arly, those are quality steps if you are on skis. And what a view

 

[ArlyA]

Insulin is a necessity for human metabolic control, but its also is a killer. By that I mean, the more you require the more quickly complications will arise that will lame and/or kill us. I knew folks who were taking like 80 units, twice a day and there a1c was reasonably good but they passed to young, from varuis complications. Insulin or humalin in my case is good, but to much of it is not. When we went on a all day bike ride, or working on trails all day, I'd take 1/2 or even less, of my normal input. Than that evening and eating dinner (we call supper), my insulin regiment is still be reduced. So the more we move around all day, the less we need and that's a good thing.

Many years ago I seen a new doctor who told me "exercise is not yet been proven to help diabetics". I got a new one who specialized in diabetes care and he was the best ever. He skied as well and recomended staying active.

 

[daugen]

I sure got plenty of exercise yesterday and kinda sore this morning
what I found interesting is I seem to be thirstier than normal.
Thirsty is an indicator of high blood sugar which pretty sure I don't have but
caught my attention. I drink a lot of coffee daily, so am pretty well hydrated despite
regular trips to bathroom. Need to focus on drinking more plain water.

before I started this snowblowing, doubled up on my hydrocortisone, which I take post cancer.
Doc told me any time I hurt myself or stressed myself, to double up on that and it seems to work.

Another item like insulin...both are amazingly effective yet require care in use

 

[dodge man]

Coffee also is a diuretic which can actually dehydrate you some. I drink coffee though.

 

[dodge man]

I had a follow up visit with my doctor last Friday. Blood pressure is now good and I think I was more worried about my blood sugar than she was. I asked her if I needed to test it and she said no. My A1C was 6.7 and glucose 146 on my original blood test. I told her my insurance company sent me a glucose monitor and she said if you start feeling bad check it and my blood pressure. I’m definitely eating a lot better and I don’t have another appointment until next January.

 

[ArlyA]

Coffee also is a diuretic which can actually dehydrate you some. I drink coffee though.

Coffee is but its also comes in water and makes drinking it a "wash". Of course we all need to be peeing now and then. Dehydration is a bad thing.

 

[daugen]

my doc said frequent urination but if you keep the liquids coming, no issues with dehydration.
what you surely don't want is trying to get by on just two cups of coffee a day.
I consume more than that plus other things to drink.

 

[NorTracNY]

I had a follow up visit with my doctor last Friday. Blood pressure is now good and I think I was more worried about my blood sugar than she was. I asked her if I needed to test it and she said no. My A1C was 6.7 and glucose 146 on my original blood test. I told her my insurance company sent me a glucose monitor and she said if you start feeling bad check it and my blood pressure. I’m definitely eating a lot better and I don’t have another appointment until next January.

I'd consider a new doctor. She's just waiting for you to be "sick enough" for another medication. A 6.7 and FBG of 146 is not healthy. If finding a new doctor isn't in the cards, get a CGM. Find ways to lower that FBG/A1c.

 

[ponytug]

@daugen Being out in the cold, dry air, you can lose a fair amount of water just by breathing via water loss from your lungs. It gets even worse at higher altitudes.

Great snow pictures!

All the best, Peter

 

[ArlyA]

I had a follow up visit with my doctor last Friday. Blood pressure is now good and I think I was more worried about my blood sugar than she was. I asked her if I needed to test it and she said no. My A1C was 6.7 and glucose 146 on my original blood test. I told her my insurance company sent me a glucose monitor and she said if you start feeling bad check it and my blood pressure. I’m definitely eating a lot better and I don’t have another appointment until next January.

I agree and maybe a new doctor should be sought after. 6.7 is on the high side. I am a bit surprised she didn't talk about that more.

 

[dodge man]

I am taking Metformin for the high blood sugar.

 

[t1kilo]

I am taking Metformin for the high blood sugar.

Brother, do yourself a favor and drastically modify your diet so you can get off of that. Eat LOTS of veggies, and eat them either with or before you eat your protein, followed by your carbs. Only one plate of food, no seconds. If it doesn’t fit on the first plate, you really don’t need it. Small amount of dessert only on the weekend. Watch your numbers and waist size fall. Good luck!

 

[RayIN]

I agree and maybe a new doctor should be sought after. 6.7 is on the high side. I am a bit surprised she didn't talk about that more.

That A1C number depends on age, normal for over 80 is 7.

https://www.carepatron.com/files/a1c-goals-by-age.pdf

 

[daugen]

That A1C number depends on age, normal for over 80 is 7.

https://www.carepatron.com/files/a1c-goals-by-age.pdf

I just looked that up, wow, yes it is, range of 7 to 8.
so maybe my 6.1 isn't so terrible at age 75