My starting number is.....

[Lulika]

Hi everyone..today was a big day for me. I went to talk to my doctor about my blood test results after my initial diagnosis on Monday.
I was prepared for the worst as it was suspected I might also have other health problems, so I was not looking forward to it.

Ok..I have to say, my doctor is great. She is kind and courteous and so caring. She knew I was nervous so she got right to it.
Turns out the only medical issue is the diabetes. So that was, in a weird way, a kind of relief!
My A1c is....drum roll......7.1

I am so glad I joined this forum because I now know what that means! Yay! My doctor has put me on Metformin, 500mg every morning. She says its enough as we have caught this early and my result is relatively low.
She didnt give me a test kit because she wants me to just eat really healthy, exercise and take my meds and test again in 3 months...does that sound like a plan to you guys?
I am going to go to her once a week to be weighed.She said tht I should lose weight on the Metformin...does that happen? I hope so that would be great!
She wants me to reach 6.8....again, what's your opinion on that?

I am now resigned to the fact that I have diabetes...but i truly am so glad I found this site because i feel so much better prepared...thanks everyone.

One quick question; I have a diet to follow and I am a little bit confused about carbs...how can you quickly know roughly what one carb portion is? For example, how much is 1 banana? Or a slice of whole wheat bread?
Sorry this has been a long post but its been a big day...

Hugs to all... =)

[davef]

Lulika,

Glad your Doctor visit went well today, it's great to hear that your Doc is so nice.

Your results are not bad at all and you are a nice low dose of Metformin.

The one thing I would be unsure about is not having a meter or testing, I'm sure it is possible to manage with your diet but would (personally) feel that it would be much easier to do with a meter. I would think that it will mean counting your carbs more carefully. Certainly having a meter has made things much easier for me and I believe that my much improved sugars and A1c is down to being able to test. Your questions about the carbs in a banana, bread etc, is where I'm coming from, as with a meter you can work out how different foods effect you BG, etc.

That said I'm a newbie to this so I'm sure others will be able to offer advice from greater experience.

It is "good" news that all you have to deal with is diabetes and it's great to hear you have accepted having diabetes, because now you are in a state of mind to take control.

Keep on keeping on and posting.

[Lulika]

Thanks Dave. I agree I wold prefer to have a test machine, but to be honest, with all the stress of going to the appointment, I was so grateful that things were'nt as bad as I had hoped, I sort of just became a bit dazed and unable to focus! But I am going to go every week to see the doc to get weighed..its the only way I will know how much I have really lost each week..and I intend to ask if I can have a machine to test..I will use your argument for one!

Thanks for your suport.... =)

[xMenace]

I'd shoot for 5.8. Most new type 2's like you seem to achieve that quite easily.

Use Dr. Google for carbs. Type in the food name and carbs
carrot carbs - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?q=carrot+carbs&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1)

banana carbs - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?q=banana+carbs&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1)

whole wheat bread carbs - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?q=whole+wheat+bread+carbs&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1)

You will quickly find good sites you can work with

[Lulika]

Thanks XMenace...yeah I will "shoot" for 5.8!! I have no idea how I am going to do it but I am sure going to try!

Thanks for the carbs google idea..I will get straight to it...

=)

[MJB]

I was diagnosed in October of 2006 with an A1c of 9.8, my latest A1c was 5.7 so yes, you can do it!

Oh, I didn't start out this way but I currently take 1 500mg met daily.

[princesslinda]

Lulika, i'm glad you had a good experience at your doctor visit.

I must take issue with the fact that she didn't encourage you to get a meter. In order to maintain good control, you need to know how different foods affect your blood sugar....and the only way you find out is by testing 2 hrs after the first bite of your meal.

I was told to try to keep my #s as close to normal as possible....110 or less fasting, 140 or less post meal, 110 or less random...how will you know you are keeping your #s in check without a meter?

Metformin may help you with weight loss, as it does help us better utilize the insulin we are making. I remember being CONSTANTLY hungry before diagnosis, which I have read is a sign of diabetes/insulin resistance. If you are less resistant, hopefully, you'll eat less and lose weight. Also, the lifestyle changes most of us make (better diet, more exercise) also contributes to weight loss.

According to my lab, "normal" A1C is between 4 and 6, so shoot for numbers somewhere in this range. An A1C of 7.1 is a 90 day average blood sugar of 175, meaning some days you were higher than this, some days lower. 6.8 would be an average of 165. I'd encourage you to strive for lower than this....it is doable on the metformin if you watch your carbs.

I had an A1C of 9.6 at diagnosis, 3 months later 6.2. Since then, i've luckily been able to stay in the 5 range (albeit with medication).

Hang in there. It seems you did catch your diabetes early, so you should do well. Ask lots of questions and read and learn all you can about it....and you'll do well.

[Lulika]

Thanks for all that great info Princess Linda...where would I be without you all?!
As I said earlier, I was a bit spaced out at my appointment but I will definately take issue and get a meter to test.
One thing is, living in China, its not like a "normal" place to live. We have to go to private hospitals and clinics as we are foreigners here and they don't always have specialists like endo docs etc...for now I will do as I am told but hope to see an endo doc this summer when I go home for a visit.
I appreciate your info about numbers...and to think I was a complete diabetes ignoramus last week!

=)

[princesslinda]

Most of us knew very little about diabetes until it became part of our lives. Then, we totally obsess and worry about every part of it the first year or so, after that, we make peace with it for the most part (though I still have my moments;) )

I think one of the reasons support from a group such as this forum is so important....you see people of all ages, from all different parts of the world, at all different stages in their diabetic lives....its very encouraging to me...makes me feel like "if they can do it, I can do it."

I'm sure living outside the states makes it difficult on many levels. If you have family in the states, perhaps someone could send off for a free meter for you, or you could have them buy one of the "generic" brands at Walmart with less expensive strips and mail them to you. I really think regular testing will be the best thing for you control-wise.

[davef]

Metformin may help you with weight loss, as it does help us better utilize the insulin we are making. I remember being CONSTANTLY hungry before diagnosis, which I have read is a sign of diabetes/insulin resistance.

I can completely relate to that, I was constantly hungry, I nearly got hungry while I was eating ;) and I do feel that the Metformin has helped me as I don't actually very hungry anymore, most of the time I eat cause it's meal time.

[Lulika]

I don't have family in the US as I am from the UK. But I can certainly get a meter here in China, its a private clinic so you can get anything and our insurance pays for it which is great.
I want to be in control so this is essential.

[Cyborg]

Not bad for a noob. ;)

Congratulations :congrats:

[Lulika]

Thank you...it almost sounds like an achievement! =)

[Jan B]

You are a delight Lulika. Many doctors must have the feeling that diabetics shouldn't be troubled to get their A1c under 7. Or they don't think it will help us enough to be worth the trouble. However, most of us here know that we can do better, and believe the common sense that says we want to be as close to the "normal/non-diabetic" range as possible . . . which is an A1c between 4 and 6. The only reason I see to not get really low is the danger of having "bad" lows (severe hypoglycemia). But if you don't have dangerous lows and can have an A1c of 4.5, for example . . . that would be awesome in my opinion. I'm hoping like crazy to have an A1c of 6 or lower the next time I go to the doctor. My last one was 8 (I'm cringing and embarrased, but I have a story! ha -- don't we all!). My doc told me (he's opposite of laying a guilt trip on people) that I might have too many lows if my next A1c is under 7.5. I highly disagree -- I'm been testing a LOT, and hope to definitely be under 7 and hopefully much better.

You need a meter!!

[Lulika]

Thanks Jan for that.
My doctor is a family medicine doctor and I am not sure how much experience she has with D, although she is very confident in her wisdom. She told me that as long as I got to 6.8 then that would be fine, but I don't want to be just fine, I want to do as well as I can.
I am taking great comfort from your wisdom; I am sure I can get lower that 6.8 and I will certainly try. I will keep my fingers crossed for you to get your desired results next time too!
And I WILL have a meter! Also I just ordered the book that everyone has said I should read..the Gretchen Baker one..
You know what is really odd? I am usually a worrier..I worry like its an Olympic sport about everything. Yet I am not stressed or worried by my new status. I feel like its a challenge that I must try to overcome and that's all due to the great back up I have found here...thats amazing!

=)

[davef]

You know what is really odd? I am usually a worrier..I worry like its an Olympic sport about everything. Yet I am not stressed or worried by my new status. I feel like its a challenge that I must try to overcome and that's all due to the great back up I have found here...thats amazing!

=)

That's really great and a positive attitude to tackle this as challenge will really stand to you.