Diabetes Type 2 Support Group
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...
I was diagnosed late November. I've released 23 pounds. My Blood Pressure is the best it's ever been. I'm watching my carbs and testing my BS. I'm exercising at least 5 days a week. So I had my 1st lab tests since being diagnosed.
I have bad news/good news. My A1C was still over 7....It was 7.2. :-( It was 7.9 in November so there has been improvement. My cholesterol numbers though were much better. I went from 206 to 169. My bad cholesterol went from 127 to 96 with 0-100 being normal. My good cholesterol lowered too though. It went from 51 to 43 with normal being 40-60. I'm not sure what Triglycerides are. It was 152 (from 140 the last time) with 0-150 being normal.
With the A1C still being 7.2, I have made an appointment to talk to my doc about the labe results on Tuesday. I'll probably go ahead and start on the Metformin. :-( I'm pretty sure the A1C is still high because of my high fasting Blood Glucose. That is totally related to the liver secreting too much glucose out during the night and I can't control that. That is the only reading I get that is ever high. The Metformin should take care of my fasting BS readings. Maybe I won't have the nasty side effects. It's not supposed to cause dangerous lows and it is actually supposed to help you lose weight. Yee Haw! But it also can cause nausea and diarrhea in some people, although most of those symptoms are resolved within a couple of weeks for a lot of people. I still have about 70 pounds that I want to release so maybe as the weight goes down; I'll be able to stop the metformin.
I'm working on not being too disappointed in the 7.2 A1C. My readings are so good during the day. :-(
I have bad news/good news. My A1C was still over 7....It was 7.2. :-( It was 7.9 in November so there has been improvement. My cholesterol numbers though were much better. I went from 206 to 169. My bad cholesterol went from 127 to 96 with 0-100 being normal. My good cholesterol lowered too though. It went from 51 to 43 with normal being 40-60. I'm not sure what Triglycerides are. It was 152 (from 140 the last time) with 0-150 being normal.
With the A1C still being 7.2, I have made an appointment to talk to my doc about the labe results on Tuesday. I'll probably go ahead and start on the Metformin. :-( I'm pretty sure the A1C is still high because of my high fasting Blood Glucose. That is totally related to the liver secreting too much glucose out during the night and I can't control that. That is the only reading I get that is ever high. The Metformin should take care of my fasting BS readings. Maybe I won't have the nasty side effects. It's not supposed to cause dangerous lows and it is actually supposed to help you lose weight. Yee Haw! But it also can cause nausea and diarrhea in some people, although most of those symptoms are resolved within a couple of weeks for a lot of people. I still have about 70 pounds that I want to release so maybe as the weight goes down; I'll be able to stop the metformin.
I'm working on not being too disappointed in the 7.2 A1C. My readings are so good during the day. :-(
Congrats on lowering your numbers.
Chuck
Your test results are a little weird to me. Your A1c goes down and your Tri's go up? Triglycerides are fats (cholesterol is not) and simple sugars, which are carbs. If you eat more (energy) than what you can use (energy), the fats and the sugars - once in the cells - are converted into triglycerides and stored for later usage. Usually when A1c's go down, so do the triglycerides. I know my doc was surprised that I had diabetes because my cholesterol levels were all "excellent".
I think you have done fabulously for not being on any meds. It is definitely harder to do this without the metformin. You should be proud of yourself, not disappointed!!!!!!!!!
I think the Metoprolol has contributed to not only my blood sugar rising but also the changes I am seeing in my triglycerides and also the lowering of my good HDL cholesterol. See the web-site below on how it affects the triglycerides. Unfortunately, you can't just stop a Beta blocker and it is helping with my blood pressure and also works to cut down anxiety. I feel much better on it even if it is the smallest dose available.
Once I get over the anxiety of adding yet another "med"; I'll be fine. My boss reminded me this morning that the Metformin might just be a temporary measure and as I continue to do well, I may be able to let it go later.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure-medications/AN01805
Maybe your doc will put you on Metformin once a day - before bed, to help with the fasting numbers since your numbers throughout the day are good. Your boss is right ... with your determination, I am sure the metformin will only be needed temporarily. I am off metformin now, but part of me whats back on because it does help! I am really hoping once I lose some more weight, it will not be so difficult.
I think I felt that I had somehow "failed" because I need help. That's silly. I'm always hardest on myself. I don't think anyone else who is on meds "failed" so it stands to reason I didn't either. I need glasses and that doesn't make me feel like a failure. As long as I am doing my part on being healthy, I have nothing to be ashamed about. Thanks everyone for helping to turn my "stinkin thinkin" into positive ones. :-) Linda
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin
Everything I've read about Zocor makes me believe it is a good drug to stick with and I have no side effects with it.