As some of you know, I’ve had diabetes for almost 10 years. Well, since I was diagnosed almost 10 years ago, I’ve probably had it for at least that long. And I’ve had a rocky relationship with the management issues.
I started out full of determination to keep it under ‘tight control’ and the first 3 months did great. I got my HA1c down to the 5 range and for about 1/2 a second was thrilled. But, there was something funny about the protein levels (I don’t remember anymore which number was ‘off’) and I had to have more tests (a 24 hour urine test, which isn’t fun). And the discouraged me so much, I ‘lost my momentum.’
I didn’t manage to forget I had diabetes, but I didn’t obsess the way I thought I would when I was first diagnosed. I’d check my blood closer to once a month rather than once, or more a day. It wasn’t the smart thing to do, but even worse — I wasn’t really watching what I ate or getting enough exercise. Especially since I was supposedly controlling my blood sugar through diet and exercise.
Then almost exactly 2 years ago something reminded me (after months, maybe even years) to test my blood sugar. And it was nearly 300! Of course that brilliant idea came to me right before I went to bed one night, so I was terrified to sleep. And first thing in the morning found a doctor who could fit me in that day for an appointment. They put me on medication right away (my HA1c at this time was over 9) and my blood sugar readings gradually came down. And after 6 weeks or so, they were back to normal-ish levels.
And I had another great HA1c. And things went so well, I relaxed and thought I could eat pretty much what I wanted as long as I was taking this medication. Which was stupid — but I don’t learn anything the easy way. And I stopped going in every 3 months for blood tests and instead dragged things out until they wouldn’t renew my perscription until I came in. And that happened a time or two (with the HA1c creeping steadily up again). (This is pretty bad, isn’t it?)
In the end, it wasn’t really the diabetes that snapped me into focus. The damage from diabetes develops pretty slowly. But it isn’t fun once it shows up, here’s Ductape’s story about that: What is Diabetic Neuropathy? (Warning – not for sensitive readers) I wish I could say that it was a determination to get the diabetes under control that inspired The Commitment. But it wasn’t. It was the throwing up all the time. I just couldn’t keep eating the way I was.
It doesn’t matter, though, because the diabetes responded immediately to my new lifestyle. And last week, my latest HA1c was 5.6 (a totally normal range) and all the protein levels were within normal range and everything looks good for now.
In fact, until I read the article about the possible relationship between Diabetes and Alzheimer’s (Diabetes/Alzheimer’s connection? And what does it mean to us?), I was hoping that I could get off the medication soon. Instead, I think I’ll be visiting my Endochronologist to see if she knows a little more about this issue than showed up in the article I quoted.
With these self-help diseases, it’s always something.
5 Comments
I saw that about Avandia last week, and saw it as a positive sign: – people who take it are less likely to be as troubled by Alzheimer symptoms.
You are right to go talk to your endocrinologist, especially if your protein issue was not resolved.
It wasn’t resolved exactly, it just hasn’t reappeared. So it might have been a fluke.
But now it seems that I have signs of very early osteoporosis. So now I’ve got to see two different doctors on Monday afternoon.
The thrills never stop.
And Ductape, it would be great if Avandia is found to help slow or stop Alzheimer’s. But, considering how many diabetes patients are undiagnosed or uncontrolled, it seems like this news is almost an announcement of doom.
Also, just because you’re in control, it doesn’t mean you’re getting Avandia. I’m not.
you are right, that was the unspoken meaning of “people who take it.”
We have no idea how many people ought to be taking it who are not, either because they are undiagnosed or because their shamans consider them to be in such control that they don’t need it.
My personal opinion, and admittedly I am not a doctor, is that if you have diabetes you should be taking Avandia, period. If not together with Metformin, at least by iteself.
Having diabetes means that your body is not processing sugar like it should. Avandia helps that.
And if it also helps Alzheimer’s symptoms, all the more reason to take it, since no one knows who will or won’t get that, and the fact that Avandia helps both suggests some sort of connection there that should be studied more, but in the meantime, shamans should just give the people their Avandia if they have diabetes.
And those people should just take it, it’s a small pill. But you know there are people who have worked their butts off to get control without pills, and they will BEG their shamans to please let them NOT take it. I think the shamans should tell them to shut up and take their Avandia, and rejoice in their control when they read their meters.
Not sure when it goes generic, but of course if I were Emperor they would all be generic and every human being would have their blood sugar tested every six months. Oh, and treated if it is elevated.
I’ve been thinking that I’d rather be taking Avandia rather than Metformin. Doesn’t Avandia make the insulin more effective and Metformin force the liver to make more insulin?
That’s another thing I want to ask the endocrinologist.