Actually it's my own fault. I had a physical before going to Korea and did not get my report in the mail like I usually do, so I figured it was because they screwed up my insurance information and needed more time. Which is a whole other story.
When I returned, I opened the report to see once again my blood sugar was 'elevated'. Something I have been seeing for the past four years. 99 is the normal high range, but they did lower it from 123 or so two years ago. They say because people are not taking diabetes seriously and more people have it nowadays.
Silly me, I went into the doctor's office and brought it up. I said "Well it's not like I have diabetes, just because my levels are a bit elevated". They have been 114, and consistent the past four years. I did not notice the number was 173 on this report. Ooops, my bad. He said "Yes, you have diabetes." His options were try once again eating a well balanced meal, see a dietician, exercise, and attend diabetes workshops. Or...all of this and take an insulin pill.
I opted for the pill and the rest, but made an appointment to be retested. Why? Because in the back of my mind I think I ate something due to my insomnia, after midnight (the fasting cut off time for testing). So I have eaten like a good egg since Friday (seeing the doctor) and have been taking my Metformin. I go today to get retested. No eating after midnight, I was a good patient. However...
I have spoken with two of my nurse friends in Dallas. I have been experiencing repeated hunger, sleepiness, and shaking throughout the day. I have been warned it could be low blood sugar, that I should not be taking this medication.
One of the nurse friends, Joyce said she was surprised he did not tell me to monitor my sugar levels. She is mailing me a sugar level tester. Her boss, a doctor gives them out for free. That will help me see what is going on after meals.
I will talk about it today with the doctor and report back. I am hoping I just majorly screwed myself by eating after midnight. I don't have diabetes and have another chance at changing my diet, meaning eating breakfast and not after seven in the evening. Also, I made the choice to give up alcohol altogether. Its been a long time coming. I am getting older and never really was a party animal. I did not drink until I was over thirty, as I have said before.
I have been saddened to tell hubby 'no more wine' with our meals. He loves his wine, but he also knows he has gained weight from the alcohol with meals. He lost weight from all of our walking and his food poisoning in Korea, we both have. I would rather be able to eat the foods I love than drink calorie laden and sugary alcohol that has no bearing on my happiness. I used it to numb the pain of Anelisa's death before moving to New Jersey, but now it is time to go back to the non-drinker I was before she got very ill sixteen years ago.
A chef who loves cooking and pairing wine with food giving up that passion? I had already begun a no-scotch regime for the past year, so what is a little wine. Scotch is the real culprit in my diet. Sugar filled foods too. My sweet tooth has to go.
Wish me luck on the testing...I have not wanted to ever hear the words "You are a diabetic" like my mom did all those years ago. Because I know how hard it will be to change on a dime, rather than given a chance to make changes at my own pace.
(Photo above- I found this pic in my files thanks to my friend Donna. Me and my son Aaron when I had my Dallas catering company, and working as a chef consultant for assisted living facilities, and was a size fourteen/sixteen. Sure I had a belly already, but I was more fit than I am now. My son had a chili bowl cut, and was around fourteen, he is adorable!)
5 comments:
there's a lot of markers, extra thirst, sleepiness, shakiness. all of which I get and with my dad with diabetes, I should get tested too.
sugary food doesn't cause it, just perhaps, speed up a system with a tendency. I love my sugary food and its hard to get my exercise. that will be different when I move because the neighbhourhood won't be so nasty as here.
exercise and diet can control it but that doesn't mean the diabetes goes away once it blooms. it's like fibryomylagia, avoid taxing the immune system, live right and the body won't flare but there's never a cure. I'm stuck with that sucker for life.
Yes, I feel the pain...so to speak.
Sweets are just my down fall. I can eat them on a binge, feel guilty and then stay away from them. But unfortunately its around the time I have to get tested :)
I went today and it looks like I have to wait to find out any results, then he wants me to wait until January to make final decision on new med and surgery.
I also hate exercise, but love to swim, I am baring with it though.
My sister has fibryomylagia and early arthritis from my grandmother, I have some joint discomfort, but she is worse than I with the diet/right eating and all. Eats horribly processed foods and sugar. I cook almost every night, which helps me in some ways.
The thirst thing gets me when I let the diet go, a good sign your off track for sure...
Oh boy..so many get it. A few
friends didn't know, other than
thirst.
I don't like too much sugar
and I take a cinnamon a day to
improve insulin sensitivity.
Like the fats, though.
Result? Latest test, low glucose,
high triglycerides. The issue
moves downstream Walk 1 mile
a day minimum, pushing to do 2.
LDL/HDL is great: fish oil
and exercise.
They simply declare diabetes
if you go over 120 now. It's
a rubber stamp.
We have an AirDyne bike. I like
the breeze kicked up from the
wheel. It's hard to avoid
over-revving on it, though.
If we get space, an eliptical
would be nice...can listen to
the radio. A health club adds
a lot extra time.
It didn't matter when everyone was
gone by 50.
I know Jim, the big thing now is they lowered the numbers to get people's attention. I feel my number was riding fine at just over 100. I know I am overweight, but I watch my eating so well the past three years.
My parents ate and did things that would normally kill someone and lived long lives. I am not too worried, except diabetes can make the quality of life not so great in the later days.
We shall see...
They slammed the blood pressure
numbers way down and then declared
a epidemic, too. Seems a dite
fishy. It takes huge quantities
of drugs to drag a population below
120 mmHg
The most important measure
is your a1c. Sort of the integration
of all the levels and the damage
done to the proteins. Hopefully
they won't start out drastic or
anything.
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