I went to see my endocrinologist today, yes, the same one who was immortalized in my show! She was as great as ever.
I was nervous. I had a feeling that my A1C levels had increased. I knew this because my fasting and random blood levels have been up. We went through reasons why this might be so, and they were pretty obvious: menopause and stress. O boy!! And it turns out to be true: my levels had increased from 5.9 last time, to 6.0 now. It’s not TERRIBLE by any means (I was 6.8 when I was first diagnosed) but I’d love to get sub-6 again.
I know I’ve been stressed. This is no secret. But I am not going to ditch my job(s) at this point. It’s going to let up after one of my jobs decreases significantly in July, and hopefully by then my other job will be easier. And unfortunately there is not much I can do about menopause (sigh). I had my first night sweats about a month ago. FUN!
I am pretty much exercising at maximum level, given my schedule. I’m doing as well as I can, eating wise. I haven’t gained weight, give or take a pound or two, since six months ago. So what else is there to do?
I’m increasing my Metformin dose, from 500 to 2000mg. This was actually a huge relief to me. As long as it wasn’t insulin! She reassured me that I am a looooooooooong ways off from that step. She also reminded me that my dose was virtually one step above a placebo, ie not very much.
She also said that overall I am doing “excellent” and that my other blood tests (triglycerides, cholesterol, liver and kidney function) were “perfect.” She said that I am in the “top 3%” of all of her diabetic patients. Which made me wag my tail. Good me!
Some people are very anti-medication. And I do not think they should be used excessively. But I am happy to use them if they are going to help my health.
foodfoodbodybody 
June 1, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I think you are doing brilliantly!
I’m not anti medication – heck, I’m asthmatic and I’d be dead without my daily medication. I’ve tried weaning off entirely and I decided that I liked breathing and living instead. I keep the meds down to the lowest dose possible as you do, just because I’d rather have somewhere to go in case it gets worse and I’d like my body to do as much as possible itself.
Well done on the gold star report. And here’s to your stress reducing in July.
June 1, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I love that you wagged your tail! That is so awesome!
I watched some Dr. last night on channel 9. Dr. Neal Barnard, he was talking about taking control of Diabetes. And I thought about you, but I am sure you know all of the stuff he was saying. I just think he did it in an awesome way. He was a great speaker. His points were easy and simple to remember.
Yay for you, Top 3%er!
June 1, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Sounds like basically good news. And my lord, blood sugar meds are the ones you really want to take. I was thinking about metformin myself even though I am not diabetic– yet. And that, as I understand it, is a well-studied, well tolerated drug. Sorry you’re under so much stress with work. A rich life can also be a stressful one…
June 1, 2010 at 10:30 pm
(((Hug)))! You are doing fantastic! I bet it was good to get that extra validation from your doctor, tho. From what I’ve read, too, diabetes can change over time, especially with menopause. 😛 Oh joy.
June 1, 2010 at 10:41 pm
500 mg of metformin was BARELY ANYTHING! I’m on 2000 mg metformin/day. Doesn’t bother me
June 2, 2010 at 6:46 am
Im not antimedication at all.
There are more than a few I think my LUCKY being alive on the 2000’s that they are even avail.
an option.
I rarely turn there first but for MANY THINGS they are a savior.
xo xo
June 3, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I’m a big fan of doing what you can without meds (which it sounds like you are too), but if they’re going to save my life, then yeah, I’m for them. I worry about some of those meds that are for preventable by diet-and-exercise conditions with side effects that are almost worse than what you’re taking the medication for – heh.