Diabetes ????

[carrob]

OK....I've sat down with my Internist about the big "D" word. She says that my last A1C was 6.6 and that's diabetes. But, I was reading on the American Diabetes Assoc website and it claims 7.0 is considered diabetes. So, I'm confused. My doc admitted to being "very aggressive" when it comes to treating this disease and SHE wants to start me on medication.....but she's willing to leave it up to me right now. I have to believe that it's not that SERIOUS if she's giving me a choice. I stressed to her how frustrated I am that I've lost 22 lbs and EVERYTHING is out of whack. She told me that I probably wouldn't be on meds forever, that as I continue to lose weight, it would all even out.

Any thoughts.....and is this "truly" full-blown diabetes?

[tabs]

Carla,

It is up to you if you want to take the medication. While you may be under the level you are in a zone where most docs would want to treat aggressively to see if you can be prevented from going any further.

Are you currently following a diabetic diet? If not, I would suggest that you follow one even if you do not have diabetes per say.

Diabetes itself is not that bad....it is the effect of the blood sugar swings that cause all the systemic problems. That is the legacy of diabetes. I would suggest that you make a decision about the meds and make all the lifestyle changes you can (even if you don't take the meds).

Good luck,
Twilah

[Junny]

Hi Carla,
I live with my husband who has Juvenille Diabetes known as Type 1 I guess but anywho if you feel crummy and loosing that much weight would it hurt to start the medicine early? I mean it's just a question to ask yourself, if you can control the disease early why not do it? It's a hard decision but if it's an option I would probably take it if I was in your shoes. After all, it's your body you know it better than anyone else, so if it's bothersome maybe you should take the medicine at a early stage if its not then don't. Just an opinion not a statement. I have Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics in my family on both sides so I know it's not a fun thing to go through. I will pray for you and hope you make the decision that you think and believe in your heart is right for you. Don't let others tell you what to do either, like I said you know your body better than anyone else.
-Junny

[Karen T]

I had been feeling lousy for quite a while, always attributed it to PPCM, but the fatigue was becoming harder and harder to handle and still function. Most days I would feel weak, nauseated, exhausted and feel like I had to sit down before I fell down. I had annual blood work about 6mths before and my A1C was 5.9 (within the normal range). After months of my own investigating, i was able to determine that I felt worse most every day, mid afternoon, so I started paying attention to what meds I took when, what I was eating, etc. (I had joined WW and lost about 20lbs) A friend let me borrow a glucometer for a few weeks and I found out that I was having high blood sugars (250+) and it was when my blood sugar was dropping rapidly, that is when I felt worse. I went back to my PCP, told her what I found and she ordered a glucose tolerance test, which I failed. Depending on the numbers is how they diagnose "true type II diabetes" My numbers were in the 'gray' area which they are now calling Pre-diabetes. Typically with weight loss, activity, it can be completely controlled, but because I was having such fluctuations in my blood sugars, my PCP put me on metformin (glucophage) and that helped stabilize my sugars. Even though my numbers are Pre-diabetic, because I'm on meds, I'm treated as if I had type II diabetes. The goal for me is continued weight loss (I'm at 32lbs now) and eventually come off my metformin. I do believe this will happen as all my blood sugars are now in the normal range. Fastings 85-95 and 2 hrs PP 120 or less. I was at the point where I didn't care if I took another pill or not, I just wanted to feel better and I do. If I have to take it for longer than originally planned, that is OK with me, as long as I feel well. (FYI....it turns out my blood pressure was too low....74/40....and it was a combination of the high blood sugars and low blood pressure that caused most of my problems. My ACE was eventually stopped all together.)
Carla....you may not have full blown diabetes, but if you continue down the same road, its very likely you will end up with it and all the complications that go along with it. Keep your chin up, congrats on the weight loss and think about taking the meds.
Karen