21 years ago right about this time of year, in the 5th month of my third, and last pregnancy I was diagnosed with GD. Back then, as far as I know, we weren't given insulin, let alone any oral meds (also as far as I know, taking Metformin during pregnancy is a HUGE NO NO!!). I controlled it with diet. We also didn't have home meters to test with! Instead, I had to go to the hospital every two weeks to be tested. And then in the last month every week. It actually ended up being almost TWO months, because my daughter was 3 weeks late!
That was fun, lemme tell ya!! Be at hospital, 30 miles away, at 8 am. Fasting. After 3 or 4 tries (I gots me some deep, rolly polly veins. Difficult to get blood outta me) get all my blood drawn out of me (or so it seemed! LOL) eat a specific meal of pb and grape jelly, a banana and 8oz of milk. (SAME meal every time - and for breakfast, no less! eW) Two hours later, get all my blood drawn out of me again. I did this for FIVE months!!!
Once I gave birth to my daughter, my BG was back to normal they said. But I was to keep a watch on my BG, since I'd had GD, the risk of Diabetes later in life was greatly increased. During my pregnancy, I learned that Diabetes runs on my dad's side of the family, like wildfire!!
So, finally, seven and a half years later, (Aug. 93) I was tested again. (yea, I didn't listen and keep a check on it) Fasting OGTT of 140. Told I was "Borderline Diabetic" what they NOW call "Pre-Diabetes. These days, that would be considered Diabetes. Period. I was again told to keep a watch on my BG. Get tested every year. yea, ok. in one ear out the other, basically! I already knew that I would eventually have D. It was just a matter of time. Though, I didn't know then, what I know now about D!
Fast forward another 7 years, Fall of 2002, I decide to purchase myself a glucose meter, and began randomly testing my BG. Usually three or four times a day for a few days in a row, then go for some time and then do that again. My BG was consistently over 200, 300 even! I knew then, that I was Diabetic. But still, I didn't do anything about it. Again, I didn't know then what I know now.
Aug 2005, while in the ER for Kidney Stones, I was finally "formally" diagnosed. Fasting BG of 355! NO OGTT, just straight up fasting test. THEN I began to research and began learning what I NOW know!! HOW I don't have any complications is BEYOND me!! The Good Lord must have seen fit that I keep all my stuffs is all I can say!
I started out on oral meds. Then about 18 months in, that wasn't cutting it anymore, and was started on insulin. Been on insulin now for six and a half months.
So, WHEN did I actually "cross the Diabetes line"? Who truly knows, since between 1993 and 2005 the determining numbers have changed. If we go by todays' standards, well then way back in 1993 I was already Diabetic, and I essentially went at least 12 years undiagnosed and untreated.
