Please Respond

[RobinR]

Hi my name is Robin. I had been in the category of pre-diabetic for about a year. My A1C had been at 6.1 for the last year. At my last testing it came in at 7.4. Not too high but if I have read correctly this puts me in the Diabetes Type II catagory.

I have started eating lower carbs and my blood sugar has come down from over 300 to around 150-180 average.

My question is should I be on medication? I am trying to bring things down through diet. Have not started exercise yet. I am afraid that with the A1C at this number that I might be damaging internal organs. My doctor wants to wait another three months to test again. Should I question this?:confused:

I have been watching what I eat for about three or four weeks now and I am still not getting what would be called good numbers.

I apologize if this is a really stupid question, but any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Robin

[davef]

Robin,

Getting your sugars down from 300 to 150-180 is a good achievement in the time period you mention. I would *guess* that it may be possible lower them further by keeping up what you are doing.

THere are people here who are controlling with diet and exercise.

Keep watching you carbs, get exercising. How often are you testing?

[shutterbug]

Robin,
I'm surprised that you doc asked you to wait for some more time. I guess, since your A1c is not too high, he might have come to that conclusion.

Same question that Dave asked - how often do you check?
Do you know how much your fasting and 2 hr post pandrial is?

[RobinR]

Hi David,

First of all let me say thanks for responding. I have been on other boards and no one replies at all. So it is greatly appreciated.

I test at least 6 times per day. I test when I get up. It is usually in the 150-180 range. I test after breakfast and it is usually about 130-140. I test after lunch and it is in about the same area. I test after dinner and it is usually higher. Only one time did I get below 120.

I am really not interested in taking meds if I don't have to. I just don't want to permanently damage anything if I can avoid it.

I was exercising pretty regularly and then the Dr. put me on meds for cholesterol and high blood pressure which totally threw me off track. I had no energy whatsoever. I will definately try to get back going again.

Once again I appreciate your response.

[RobinR]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for responding. I just posted my testing numbers to David. I know it may be really silly but I don't know what a post pandrial is. I am new to all of this. I read alot but have not read about post pandrial. I have only had the A1C tests and I test with my monitor.

[xMenace]

Does after dinner mean 10 minutes, 1 hour, or two hours after? Our targets are to get near normal by the two hour mark. Everybody spikes after eating. What are your numbers before meals?

Don't wait to exercise. Get walking every day.

My opinion is one should get their sugars down asap and worry about controlling without meds later. You are almost certainly going to get worse over time. This wait until you are too high game is bull-**** IMO. This is one of possibly many times you may go through this.

[RobinR]

Thanks xMenace,

I do wait the two hours to test. My numbers before meals are around 140-150. After lunch they may go up around 10 or 20. I try to eat salads for lunch or lean protein and vegetables. It is not my idea not to go on meds. My Dr. wants to wait three more months. I want to control my numbers now also. I am afraid that in waiting I may be hurting myself. So your opinion is that I should challenge my Dr. and ask to take the meds to get the numbers down while I am working on diet and exercise?

Thanks for replying.

Robin

[jerryn]

It's time to see an endo Robin. An A1C of 7.4 shows some control but it's not tight. When I was diagnosed I was diagnosed around 314 too. The Bayetta + Metformin + excercise + eating low carbs has helped me a lot. But I also go for blood work and checkup every 6 months. Is your chloresterol good? Mine is so I eat eggs for breakfast at least 3 times / week. Limit your bread, pasta. I found that Dreamfields pasta does not spike me. I eat Kaschi frozen dinners for lunch at work, something like that migh help you too.

[RobinR]

Thanks Jerryn,

I will see if I can find an endo in my plan or get referred. My cholesterol has actually went down since my last visit. I do eat eggs fairly often. I sometimes eat peanut butter toast on diet whole wheat bread. This does not raise my blood sugar. I can eat sugar free oatmeal for breakfast also with no problem.

I will try the Dreamfields pasta. I noticed I can also do small amounts of potato and it does not raise my glucose.

I need to lose weight. I have dieted and exercised to no avail. I simply cannot lose. I was on the Atkins diet a few years ago for over a year and lost about 60 pounds. When my mother was dying I gave up dieting and regained all the weight. Until then my blood sugar was normal. I tryed low carbing again and could not lose a pound. Is this due to Insulin resistance?

Robin

[davef]

Robin,

Your high Blood Glucose could in part be the cause of your lack of energy, certainly before I was diagnosed it is something I suffered from, I would recommend that if you are not going to talk to your doctor about meds that you get exercising now, even a small amount will help. In relation to watching your carbs, what are you doing? I find I need to stay away from the likes of pasta, potatoes, rice and white bread as they cause me to spike. As you are testing frequently you should be able to work out which foods you can tolerate best.

I would also recommend getting a book called "The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker, it's informative and easy to read.

It's good that you are tackling your diabetes head on and want to take control, as tight control will reduce the risks of complications.

I can understand not wanting to take meds unless you have to, I would be the same, however look on them as a tool in your arsenal to control your Diabetes, if you need them then use them if not great. When you discuss meds with your Doctor did (s)he or you suggest not using meds at the moment?

[Achilles]

Hi Robin,
Is it your doctor's understanding that you are low carb dieting and also exercising? But you say you haven't been exercising. I've found that exercising has really helped me a lot. Supposedly makes you less insulin resistant.

I'm probably too new to give advice but they say if exercise were a "pill" it would be the first thing that a doctor would prescribe. Definitely get walking or whatever as soon as you can.

I'm currently on Metformin. I'm hoping I can get off of it with low carb and exercise alone but that is probably wishful thinking but I will give it a shot.

[RobinR]

David,

It was her idea to wait. I got my results over the phone by the dr. assistant. She said the Dr. wanted to wait and test again in three months. I think maybe I did not state my opinion correctly. It was the Dr's idea to wait. I questioned that decision because I realize the dangers of high BS.

I think I will either call or make an appointment with my doctor to discuss why she wants me to wait.

Robin

[Achilles]

Yes that would be a good thing to talk with your Dr.

An A1c of 7.4 is roughly a BG of 187. That does seem to be a bit high. I've read that it is recommended to average closer to 125 or less.

Good that you are testing regularly and know how foods affect you. You should mention this too.

Avg BG A1C Result
100 mg/dL 5%
135 mg/dL 6%
170 mg/dL 7%
205 mg/dL 8%
240 mg/dL 9%
275 mg/dL 10%
310 mg/dL 11%
345 mg/dL 12%

[RobinR]

Hi Achilles,

I agree that exercise is really what I need. A few months back on went on low carb and exercised but could not lose. I do know that exercise did lower my blood sugar. Not to the normal range though. When I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes I joined the gym, bought a treadmill and got kind of disgusted when I could not lose and went back to my regular lazy self as of late. Also with my heart medicines or high blood sugar it kind of depleted my energy levels. I appreciate the advice and good luck with getting off your meds. I am sure you will do well.

[davef]

I think I will either call or make an appointment with my doctor to discuss why she wants me to wait.


I think that's a sensible idea.

[shutterbug]

Robin,
I think you have received enough feedback here to make a positive move. My a1c was 10.1 when I was diagnosed. I think you are in a better position now and it would be better to take control of you blood sugar sooner than later.

Please keep us in loop and I'd love to hear how you are doing.

[RobinR]

Thanks Chris,

I think you are correct. I have gotten great feedback. This is a wonderful sight. I have been reading for a few days. You are all so very nice and it is greatly appreciated. Not all boards or forums are the same. I plan to come here often because I really need the help and I really value all of your feedback.

I am calling my Dr. in the morning. If I don't like her answer I will go to an endo. My friend who goes to the same dr. was just diagnosed with an A1C of 11.4. She is on the Glucophage. It has helped her tremendously. She is already get lower numbers than anything I can get. She has not been referred to an endo either. Should going to an endo be part of the process?

[shutterbug]

Robin,
I'm not sure if you need a referral to go to an endo (most insurance companies might need you to be referred by your PCP to any specialist docs)

As you planned, call your dr and find out why she wants to wait another 3 months. There could be a good reason. But, at least ask to be referred to a nutrionist so that you can start control by diet (to start with). If you can control it with your diet, you might be able to manage without meds. (called 'Diet controlled Type 2 diabetic) :D

Good luck!

[jerryn]

The Bayetta will help you loose weight that's for sure.
After you get used to it. Weight loss from the drug happens if you inject bayetta 30 minutes before you eat.

[jerryn]

Robin,

If you can get an Elliptical this Fall, get that. You will get a better burn than on the treadmill. Good luck!

[RobinR]

Thank you all so much. I regret I need to go to sleep now. You all are wonderful. I will research the Bayetta Jerryn. Thanks for the idea. I need help. Weight will not budge. Good night all. I hope good morning numbers and all numbers for you all.

[slipperyelm]

RobinR, it is possible for exercise to help even if it is not enough calories burned to cause weight loss! Just ordinary walking can bring blood glucose down immediately. And quickly, exercise helps your muscle cells to become less insulin resistant. So yeah, try to lose weight, but no, don't give it up if you think it isn't helping with weight loss. It can still be helping with insulin resistance.

[JBUD]

Welcome Robin just comeing here will help you everyone is the best!

[jacobsam622]

Thank you all so much. I regret I need to go to sleep now. You all are wonderful. I will research the Bayetta Jerryn. Thanks for the idea. I need help. Weight will not budge. Good night all. I hope good morning numbers and all numbers for you all.

Hi Robin Instead of low carb you need to get on a diet that is healthy and works well for diabetics. No matter what else you learn take this to heart humans need carbs to live Its how our cells eat that is why the liver stands guard against lack of glucose in your system. Us Type 2s not only fight with our cells and our pancreas we wage a never ending battle with our liver. Right now I take Amaryl in the morning and at night, if I don't eat carbs my bg will drop at night and my good old liver will drop a load of glucose into my system I will wake up with bg in the 130 -160 range. Another thing you should learn is the difference between simple carbs like rice and complex carbs like brown rice.

You were asking about if the high numbers are causing you to gain weight I personally believe the impairment causes the weight gain then when your bg get above the 300 level you start dumping sugar into your urine and the weight starts coming off and it will not stop until you get your bg below 300 or take drugs to help your cell eat

here are few tips to get you over the hump.


There are several diets you can follow south-beach, sugar-busters, etc, etc. The only ones I don’t recommend is the one created by the ADA and one that cut all carbs. The ADA idea of bg control is out of date and designed to get more people to follow it and not to make people healthy.

To determine carbs subtract fiber from the total carbs. You can also subtract artificial sweeteners.

Traditional wisdom says = Portion control is a must and do not get seconds. I like my way better get small portions that way you can get seconds It is an old Jedi Mind trick

Foods you can eat:

Meat = Beef well trimmed, chicken, fish broiled or baked, eggs, hot-dogs without bun.

Nuts - most nuts are low in carbs, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, and almonds any that have total carbs of less then 10g.

spreads buy no sugar added jelly or try one of several reduced sugar brands , no sugar added Peanut butter – good for cholesterol

vegetables = almost anything but corn If you eat corn stick
with the small kernel corn on the cob. Eat lots of Green beans it raises good cholesterol.

Sugar free ice cream or no sugar added, sugar free jell-o

Chocolate that has a cocoa % >= 60% or low carb chocolate

Breads = whole grain or low carb whole grain.

Pasta = whole grain: Dream-fields, Wal-Mart has good brand

rice = brown rice, wild rice

sodas = diet only

Alcohol should be consumed with caution = Low carb beer, brands like Michelob ultra, Miller-Lite, there is at least two others. Red wine or wine that is at least 13% alcohol
tequila, Vodka, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo, Johnny Walker

avoid anything with a lot of refined sugar or white flour

Fruit = try different ones to see how they effect your BS. Remember a sugar is sugar no matter how big or how small. Avoid fruit high in fructose

A lot of people with high bg numbers develop stomach issue's because of the high amount of sugars being dumped into the stomach.

If you have acid reflux avoid eating fruit at meal time. because fruit is digested in the small intestines and will sit in your stomach stirring up the acid.

General rule if it’s brown then its OK for diabetes

[BrianSCohen]

Robin,

I am really impressed with your questions. Many people simply go through life accepting what they are told by supposedly authority figures like Drs. In truth, you have Diabetes. You may very well be able to change your diet, exercise and lose weight and achieve normal blood sugars for many years. However, you still have some impairment and if it gets worse or your diligence drops off, your blood sugar will rise.

In fact, you caught it at an early stage (relatively). You can do something about it and steer yourself away from suffering complications. That is great news! I think everyone should primary responsibility for their health care decisions related to Diabetes. The Dr. is your advisor, find one who gives you advice you can be confident about. It is entirely reasonable to use medication to help you normalize blood sugars. Metformin is the most common first medication. I take it and it has helped.

You will get varied dietary advice. Most everyone would agree that the ADA is out of date. I follow a very low carb diet. You don't actually need any carbs. It really helps keep my blood sugar load low. Others elect higher carb diets. Whatever you choose, you will need to learn about carbs in your diet and how they effect your blood sugar. Everyone is different. You should learn to eat to your meter, use your meter to monitor your blood sugar, but also to learn all your individual responses to different foods.

Best of luck finding an Endo and working with your dr.

[Scrabblechick]

Robin, I'm glad you're calling your doctor. When I was diagnosed in February, my A1C was the same as yours. My doc put me on Metformin right then. My levels have come down quite a bit since, then (see my signature for my last A1C).

I walk between 20-30 minutes a day, more if I feel like it. I hate to walk. I hate exercising, but I do it. Let me give you an example why. When I checked my BG (blood glucose) before I went walking last night, it was 110. When I got home, it was 83. True example. That's how much exercise can help you. My hubby and I walk up to the church at the corner and walk around their parking lot. If you just start out at 15 minutes and add 5 minutes every two weeks, you'll see a big difference.

Keep taking care of yourself and keep asking questions! :)

[RobinR]

Thank you all so very much for all of the information and support, and suggestions. I will use all of them. This is a great board with people who respond. It is greatly appreciated. I do want to take control. I don't always take my doctors word as gospel. I do analyze the information that I get from those with the same problems and then fit it into my lifestyle as I see fit. I got too busy at work to call today but I will call her tomorrow.

You all have great advice and I just want to thank you again. I will let you know how it goes.

[jerryn]

You read your results right. You are no longer "pre-diabetic". they say once you jump the fence you never come back. But it's manageable. You are on a "newbie" med. I started on Metformin
3 years ago, after I got used to it the doc increased my dosage.
I wasn't happy with my A1C of 7.1 so Bayetta was added. Now I inject bayetta and take metformin. Plus I make time to excercise now.

So Excercise! Eat low carbs. it takes time but the A1C will come down. I was diagnosed when I was 42 and my A1C was 10.8, Now I'm drifting between 6.8 and 7.1.

Good Luck and yeah.. be sure to let your Dr. know your concerned.

[RobinR]

Thanks Jerryn for the advice. I am currently taking 500 mg of the Met. That is what my doctor prescribed for me. My numbers are coming down some. I have read that sometimes it takes about 6 weeks to see the optimal results of the Metformin. If I don't see the results I would like I will probably ask my dr. to increase it.

Tell me about the Byetta injections. It is an injection pen or is it an actual shot?

[Holly]

Hi Robin,
I was in the same position as you. My MD wanted me to wait for two A1C's to be above normal. I didn't want to wait. A couple of weeks later after the first A1C came back at 8.0, he decided to start treatment. I wasn't content with waiting either. I'm doing better - walking a "borrowed" dog daily and have a little more energy but still not nearly normal level. My A1C has gone down to 6.0. The tingling in my "paws" has disappeared.