[moorejames]

So I just got back from the endo. Some good news, some not unexpected bad news, and some changes in meds.

First, bad news - My a1c was 6.7 That's the "not unexpected" part. I've been getting cortisone injections in my neck for treatment of a pinched nerve. The cortisone has done wonders for the pain and numbness I was experiencing, but it's played havoc with my BS. I've been running 150's fasting and 160 - 200 post meals. Not good, but not much I can do about it, and the pain relief was worth it. Last aic was 5.7, which I wasn't happy about either. Goal is to get back around 5.3, which is my best ever.

The Good News: compared to a year ago, my HDL cholesterol is up 19 points to 64 and my triglycerides are down 46 points to 69. LDL was about the same - a little over a hundred, so I still need to work on that. All other labs were dead smack in the middle of the normal range.

My post meal numbers had been slowing inching up, so I talked to the endo about switching my meds.

We're adding byetta and backing the metformin down to 1,000 mg /day and switching from glumetza (expensive) to regular 'ol generic ER metformin.

Hopefully, the reduction in the metformin will relieve the intestinal issues and I won't have too many side effects from the byetta.

First byetta shot will be tonight.

Also, my Vit D count was still low, so we're going to do the 8 week mega dose treatment again. I did it earlier in the year, but I still came in at a 24 (normal range is 32 to 100)

So, all in all, not too bad - considering. Hopefully the cortisone effect on my blood sugar will wear out soon (without a reappearance of the pain) and things will get back on track.

And if I drop a few pounds from the byetta, well that will just be icing on the cake.

[beau91]

Hi ,Moorejames ,I know for you 6.7 is a bad A1c being at 5.7 at the last test .(i would be very happy with a 6.7 )And it's not really because you did'nt take care of yourself .Like you said Cortisone shots are bad for the BS. Hope you don't feel any pain again .Good thing your reduction of Metformin hard on the system.And the rest of your results are on track .Keep it going Bye Ricky

[moorejames]

Hey Ricky,

I know, I hate to complain about my a1c when I know other people struggle to get under a 7.

It has been trending up, though - so hopefully these changes will nip that in the bud.

[jps]

James, how did you elevate the HDL so much?

Exercise, Omega Oils, plenty of fish, etc. Hasn't done anything but dropped like a rock for me (but so did the rest of my lipids).

I get my first follow up testing this Wednesday and the only thing I expect to be out of whack is the HDL (fingers crossed) - and that's after having about 10 values out of range.

[moorejames]

Originally Posted by jps

James, how did you elevate the HDL so much?

Exercise, Omega Oils, plenty of fish, etc. Hasn't done anything but dropped like a rock for me (but so did the rest of my lipids).

I get my first follow up testing this Wednesday and the only thing I expect to be out of whack is the HDL (fingers crossed) - and that's after having about 10 values out of range.

Wish I knew

I did start taking fiber every day and I took some mega doses of Vit D over the summer. Those were pretty much the only things I did that were "out of the ordinary". (other than the shots of cortisone in the neck).

I tried all the common ways to increase it before that - with hardly a move...