A1C and... surgery

[mg_2204]

Hello!

I was very happy and proud to have yet again lowered my A1c and from 6.6 to 6.2 this time. Always getting lower and lower...

But it seems it's not low enough to have surgery. I will have a hysterectomy and need to bring my A1C down to... 5!! I don't know how I'll ever be able to achieve that to be honest... Six to eight weeks prior to surgery my sugars must be maintained under 6, and I must have the same tight control for at least 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. To allow a speedy recovery. That is my main concern; I don't heal that well and quickly. And I'm ever so scared of MRSA, the super bug. I believe I would stand no chance.

The specialist doesn't recommend embo (http://www.fibroidworld.com/UAE.htm) because I have diabetes. He says at least 5 women died in UK from complications after this procedure. No thanks, don't want to become another statistics. So my options are now limited as this fibroid is quite large and causing much problems... And because of diabetes, it makes things more complicated, and leaves me with far less options. Did I ever tell you I hate this disease?

A question...

It is possible to lower my A1C from 6.2 to 5 in a few weeks? And how??!?

By the way, Metformin Slow Release isn't very good in my case. Sugars are higher than usual. Fasting sugars are always above 8. I'm fuming...!!

Thanks!

[lgvincent]

I've never heard of that. I had surgery on my nose several years ago and there was never any mention of my HbA1c. I was told that the doctor wanted it a little higher during the surgery so I wouldn't go into insulin shock. Of course, I didn't eat breakfast or take insulin the morning of the surgery.

[Belinda]

Marie that is bullsh@#. Your A1C does not have to be that low for surgery. It helps your recovery if however you BS are tight and in control but it should not hamper the reason to have surgery. I went into surgery once with my BS being over 500, the nurse wanted to wait, since I was on the pump etc...increase insulin. They said they needed to call the doctor..well low and behold he told them what I told them...it was the stress of surgery and if they gave me more insulin now then I was sure to have a hypo on the table. He told them to check my BS once I was out and call him back with instruction on what to do if anything....need I say it was under 200 and it dropped to the 100's by the time they were done. He had them check it every 15 mins during the procedure. Once again.....I knew and he did too on how my body or that of many diabetics react to stress. I am so glad that I refused to do anything until they had him on the phone (that is allow them to give me insulin). I question every syringe they try to stick me with at the hospital and even the IV bags...never can ask tooo many questions

[Mark C]

A question...

It is possible to lower my A1C from 6.2 to 5 in a few weeks? And how??!?

By the way, Metformin Slow Release isn't very good in my case. Sugars are higher than usual. Fasting sugars are always above 8. I'm fuming...!!

Thanks!

Insulin, but not in a couple of weeks to the degree you are required to accomplish.

[daddyo]

MY thought's get a second opion.

[am1977]

It would make sense to keep your blood sugars in control, but to bring it down to 5 is quite a challenge. Does your doc think that you wouldn't heal well unless it's that' low or what? It's great and all that he gave you that advice, but did he tell you how to go about getting it down that low? I agree that you might want to get a second opinon, b/c that's really asking a lot and not very realistic.

Keep us posted ;)

[mg_2204]

Thank you all for your responses.

I do not heal very quickly, it's a fact. Low levels or not. Perhaps it's just me, the way I am and will always be?

Your posts made me think a lot... Indeed going from 6.2 to 5 is quite unrealistic, especially in a very short period of time. It seems that ever since I was told I will most probably face a hysterectomy I am devastated and scared and out the window common sense went.

That specialist is perhaps the best gynecologist in the area, top of the notch and all that, but he's not a diabetes' specialist. Will get in touch with my diabetic team today. My health care team and the gynecologist should work together and undergoing such a radical and serious op certainly deserves it.

Questions: Do you think it's too much to ask to want my diabetes' doctor to work in collaboration with the gynecologist. Would the latter allow and welcome this? Is that usually the way it works anyway?

(I'm scared as ****) ...

But in the mean time, I am working (again) extra hard on my levels and not only that... but keeping fit. I hear exercise can boost your immune system.

To my horror, I've realized yesterday morning I can feel the fibroid just by touching my tummy and it's easy to outline the contour of it.

Needed that as much as a hole in my head...

Thank you everyone!

[Middle Aged Man]

Marie - What you were told doesn't even make sense. I was told that a diabetic can't get an A1C below 6. I guess I'll learn more tomorrow . . . I go for a preop appointment. My A1Cs have been 6.2-6.3.

[mg_2204]

Preop appointment? Oh! Please let me know what they say about your A1C. I'm very curious now!!

[Mario]

Ils sont malades !!!! :hmmmm2: Sorry for this short french interruption.

I don't think that a A1C of 5 is realist for a diabetic. It means that you'll do a lot of hypo to bring you A1C to that. A A1C for a non-diabetic person is between 4.5 and 6.0 Many diabetics have surgery and I don't know any diabetic with a low A1C as they ask you to reach. My lowest A1C was 5.9 about 3 month after the diagnose, because I was on my honeymoon. After that, I was always between 6.5 and 7.5. Below 6.5 is very good for my opinion :top:

[YouthIncJr]

THis all seems a little suspect to me as well, a year ago I had open heart surgery, Not once was anyone concerned about my HbA1C. Which had been around 7.5. in fact they told my my BG would run high for some time after the surgery, due to the stress you body is under from the healing process.

I think you need your endo and ob/gyn talking on this one.

[mg_2204]

:dancing: Saw my doc today... and he said I should be proud of my A1c (6.2) and would it be only 5, it would mean having hypos.

I do have the odd peak at 10 and 11 sometimes. That is on what I should work on. Otherwise, he thinks I'm doing very well.

Yay!!! :thumbsup:

[am1977]

:dancing: Saw my doc today... and he said I should be proud of my A1c (6.2) and would it be only 5, it would mean having hypos.

I do have the odd peak at 10 and 11 sometimes. That is on what I should work on. Otherwise, he thinks I'm doing very well.

Yay!!! :thumbsup:


Well, Marie, we could have told you that! :biggrin: :top: :smile:

[Lee73]

Yay! Marie, it does sound like you are doing great. I understand that impending surgery is frightening and stressful, which is probably why you don't need any added stress from the pressure of having to achieve almost unachievable numbers. Give yourself a pat on the back and a hug (from me). Hang in there and please keep us all posted.

Lee

[mg_2204]

... I was scheduled to have a hysterectomy done July 26th but I have decided to put the op on hold for a while. We have to move house (again!) and my husband won't be able to cope with everything.

But I am confident that when I do go under the knife, it will go well. Since Glucophage Slow Release has been increased to 1000mg a day, I have low blood sugars. Yay! And no headaches!! I have no anemia, thyroid function is normal and no cancer. Just this big stupid fibroid. :hmpf: - Surgeon is confident everything will go well after the op. He will keep me in hospital an extra day and will make sure he's not off or on holidays after my surgery, just in case something comes up. I will be given a special IV too, and probably insulin straight after surgery. I will be monitored closely. It is a relief when a doc takes the time to explain absolutely everything. It's sad to say but if you don't go private these days... I'm afraid you are treated differently.

[Littlebit63_99]

Marie,

You poor dear!!!!!!

I had to have one in '95. Big fibroid also. Actually, repetitive. You'll be happy to know the op solved the problem. Blood sugars no longer go on menstral roller coaster. Best thing I ever had done. I hope that it does that much for you also!!!!! :flowers:

But, recovery is tough. Hopefully, they will use the least invasive procedure, and you will be up and around soon.

Prayers for you dear.