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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Diabetes / March 2006"Overwhelmed Newbie" ... 4 months later
Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so helpful after my original dx. The first week of December I was diagnosed with type 2. My first weekend of testing showed blood glucose levels above 400 with some above 500. My bloodwork showed a1c of 14.5. I started Metformin ... 850 mg 2x per day ... and tested like crazy all day every day ... and made the changes dictated by my testing ... most of my diet changes involved cutting out as many carbs as possible. I did not need to lose weight so that did not factor in to my eating decisions. Just got some blood results over the phone today with a followup appointment scheduled in a couple days, but good progress has been made: a1c 6.4 LDL 95 For about 3 weeks now my Metformin dose has been reduced to 425 3x per day. I'll be discussing with the Dr on Thursday wether I should start Lipitor. I'm guessing I probably will ... thanks again to the group for your collective willingness to help. regards Paul Paul congratulations for taking charge of your diabetes. This is a process. I think you have achieved great success in the last four months. I know you will continue and hopefully we will welcome you into the five per cent club at your next check up. Loretta -- In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. Paul congratulations for taking charge of your diabetes. This is a process. I think you have achieved great success in the last four months. I know you will continue and hopefully we will welcome you into the five per cent club at your next check up. Loretta -- In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. > Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so > helpful after my original dx. The first week of December [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Paul Hello, agiain, Paul L, Good job on the A1C. But you might already know that 6.4 is still in the danger zone for complications. 5.4 would be alot better if you can get there. Diabetic complications start to increase above 6.0. 5.4 would be 97.2 which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. 100 is another threshold number where some research shows that beta cells are killed off. But you have already made tremendous improvements. Good on you. You still don't mention your excercise program or method. Excercise is vital, as you have been told. It is not a bad idea to walk a few minutes after any main meal to keep down the post prandial spikes, which might or might not be damaging. It certainly does keep them from going as high as they otherwise would, though ,which is generally good. A little building of muscle mass can only help, also; things like regular push ups and sit ups or weight lifting properly done can work wonders with overall bg numbers. It doesn't take a lot of time to get a good result, either. Twelve reps of any excercise is really enough to get a good benefit without tearing things up. I thought you already were on Lipitor? Anyway, I don't know anything about that stuff. I try to eat higher quality foods to do those things, about which I'm also pretty ignorant, so I certainly won't talk anymore about it. But good to see you back, Paul, and good numbers. Keep on striving for those normal numbers. regards, rudy bantista@thuntek.net T2, last A1C 5.9, current bg 116 hello Paul did someone just say that in order for someone to get in the 5% club they have to keep their blood sugars below 100? if so that is sooooo wrong. I have been in the 5% club for 3 years now with no medications. becareful where you get your advice from.  SignatureTom Exercise Today = Life Tomorrow Information you can trust from the diabetes experts... Your American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp the American Diabetes Association's Message Boards http://community.diabetes.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?webtag=amdiabetesz&nav=index ADA's Diabetes Learning Center http://diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp Joslin Center Beginner's Guide. http://www.joslin.org/Beginners_guide.asp Pictures of My motorcycle and I think 2 of my doggies. http://www.adventurseofvtx1300c.com.50megs.com/photo.html > 5.4 would be 97.2 > which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. Sorry to nitpick, but it would (roughly) translate to an *average* reading below 100, not *always* below 100. Priscilla >> 5.4 would be 97.2 >> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Priscilla Hello, Priscilla Quite right. Sorry, I misspoke. Thanks for the catch. regards, rudy bantista@thuntek.net T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 116 >>> 5.4 would be 97.2 >>> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >bantista@thuntek.net >T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 116 Hi bantista You seemed to be confusing A1c and Bgs. While 5.4mmol/L is 97.3 mg/dl, neither can be directly related to a 5.4% A1c. The various formulae quoted for that are guides, at best, in my opinion. Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. d&e, metformin 2x500mg SignatureEverything in Moderation - Except Laughter. >>>> 5.4 would be 97.2 >>>> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. > d&e, metformin 2x500mg Hello, Alan S You are correct. And I am frequently confused about this sort of thing. I do appologise to all for speaking out of turn about things that I don't completely understand. Though I also agree that the whole translation of A1c to and from bg readings seems a little shakey, particularly when we remember that insturmentation on various fronts is involved and is prone to some variance or lack of precision, and particularly in this case, since we don't know the lab Paul has sent his results away to nor his meter. I also think excercise helps overall efficiency of the body or not, and we don't know anything about Paul's routine there either. So, while I'm technically over the edge and and completely off the wall, in actual practice, it might not be such a bad post as all that . But you are right, and I haven't quite discovered a simple enough way to do that theoretical conversion that will satisfy. regards, rudy bantista@thuntek.net T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 121 >But you are right, and I haven't quite discovered a simple enough way to do >that theoretical conversion that will satisfy. > >regards, >rudy Hi Rudy Definitely no need for apologies. The intent of your advice was excellent. I use the simplest conversion of all. I test with my meter as necessary to minimise BG excursions, and I get a path lab A1c every three months (at least). There has been an obvious improvement in A1c as my BGs have dropped - but no specific mathematical relationship. I, personally, don't see the need for one any more than I see a need for a mathematical relationship between triglycerides, HDL and BGs - although one may exist. To me they are all just different, but related, indicators which can be used to make decisions - on food, exercise, lifestyle, medications etc. The reasons for my lack of faith in formal equations relating A1c to BGs are based on Charly Coughran's excellent presentation on A1c in the mhd Faq's. http://www.faqs.org/faqs/diabetes/faq/part2/ Scroll down to "What's HbA1c and what's it mean?" and also the subsequent sections "Why is interpreting HbA1c values tricky?" and "Who determined the HbA1c reaction rates and the consequences?" Those FAQ's are a treasure-trove of information. I thoroughly recommend them to everyone. I don't pretend to understand them all - they were written by some very astute people - so I go back and re-read often. I've yet to find any poor advice there. Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. d&e, metformin 2x500mg SignatureEverything in Moderation - Except Laughter. >> 5.4 would be 97.2 >> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Priscilla Really? I am seldom below 100, yet my last three A1c tests have been below 6.0. In fact my last was 5.3. Also, I seldom have hypo episodes. SignatureGrandpa Chuck -ô¿ô- ~ The following information is given with the utmost respect for the armed forces and civilians who have died in the current war in Iraq. According to http://icasualties.org/oif/ The number of Americans killed in Iraq as of Mar. 05, 2006 is 2,302. Americans wounded = 16,653 United Kingdom = 103 Other = 103 Iraqi deaths in excess of 30,000 - probably many more. Today, March 07, 2006 It has been 1040 days since Bush declared, "Mission Accomplished in Iraq." >>> 5.4 would be 97.2 >>> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Really? I am seldom below 100, yet my last three A1c tests have been > below 6.0. In fact my last was 5.3. Also, I seldom have hypo episodes. Hello, Grandpa Chuck Good job on the 5.3 which is generally considered to be a nondiabetic number in someone who has not been dx'd previously. 5.3 = 95.4 average on your meter weighted, as you know, more heavily toward the last two weeks. So, you must be going lower sometimes, or the difference is within the lab's precision, or the difference is in your meter/strip precision, or some combination of those. If I could get to 5.3, I'd be a very happy man. I'm a pretty happy man anyway, but you know what I mean. Good to hear from you and hope you guys are well and happy. Best regards to you and your wife and thanks for the prayers (I'm sure it helped me), rudy bantista@thuntek.net T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 127 120 min from start spagetti with red chile meat sauce, cheese, onion and red wine 12%. >Hello, Grandpa Chuck > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 127 120 min from start spagetti with red chile >meat sauce, cheese, onion and red wine 12%. I will be getting my lab work and meeting my doctor for my six month diabetes checkup next month. We will see how it comes out after this long, long winter where sometimes the high carb foods have done a sneak attack. On the other hand, even then I at least count the carbs in my head so I know where I may be going. Right now I am still in the process of going through this darned cold. The fever is long gone, but I am still being bothered by fatigue, a little scratchiness in the upper chest and having to blow my nose every once in awhile. At least being retired I can nap when the sleepiness gets too strong. I'm at ten days and counting, so hopefully within a few days I will have my energy back. We are looking for highs in the 50s later this week and rain. If it isn't raining hard that is walking weather to me. Goodness knows I need it. SignatureGrandpa Chuck -ô¿ô- ~ The following information is given with the utmost respect for the armed forces and civilians who have died in the current war in Iraq. According to http://icasualties.org/oif/ The number of Americans killed in Iraq as of Mar. 05, 2006 is 2,302. Americans wounded = 16,653 United Kingdom = 103 Other = 103 Iraqi deaths in excess of 30,000 - probably many more. Today, March 07, 2006 It has been 1040 days since Bush declared, "Mission Accomplished in Iraq." >>>> 5.4 would be 97.2 >>>> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 127 120 min from start spagetti with red chile >meat sauce, cheese, onion and red wine 12%. bantista, I don't know where you are getting your numbers, but an *average* bg (and there is no true average without 24/7 bg monitoring) of 100 would yield an *approximate* A1c number of 5.0. And that number is pure conjecture. Very few here attain an A1c of 5.0. Sleepy ------------------------------------------------------------------ It is easier to make a saint out of a libertine than out of a prig. -George Santayana (1863-1952) ------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> 5.4 would be 97.2 >>> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >Really? I am seldom below 100, yet my last three A1c tests have been >below 6.0. In fact my last was 5.3. Also, I seldom have hypo episodes. I get leg cramps frequently in my right leg. Had one last night. Hurts like a bitch. >>>> 5.4 would be 97.2 >>>> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >I get leg cramps frequently in my right leg. Had one last night. >Hurts like a bitch. Are you able to get up and walk them out? That's the only thing I ever found that really worked. Laurie gets them in her calves every once in a great while. She gets out of bed, bounced up and down on the ball of that foot and then walks back and forth to the bathroom making sure to put her full weight (all 145 pounds, lucky lady) on the foot of the offending leg. She usually eats a banana on her evening break at least 3 or 4 times a week. SignatureGrandpa Chuck -ô¿ô- ~ The following information is given with the utmost respect for the armed forces and civilians who have died in the current war in Iraq. According to http://icasualties.org/oif/ The number of Americans killed in Iraq as of Mar. 05, 2006 is 2,302. Americans wounded = 16,653 United Kingdom = 103 Other = 103 Iraqi deaths in excess of 30,000 - probably many more. Today, March 07, 2006 It has been 1040 days since Bush declared, "Mission Accomplished in Iraq." >>>>> 5.4 would be 97.2 >>>>> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >offending leg. She usually eats a banana on her evening break at least >3 or 4 times a week. No, I do not walk it out, no need to. In my case, the pain is a total bitch for a few seconds, and then recedes. In some cases, the burning lasts for maybe a half a minute before subsiding. In the extreme case, the calf muscles are sore for a day or two. I wonder if the pinched nerve in my back is the cause or just adds fuel to the fire? >On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 22:52:53 GMT, Grandpa Chuck <Grandpa >>>I get leg cramps frequently in my right leg. Had one last night. >>>Hurts like a bitch. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >case, the calf muscles are sore for a day or two. I wonder if the >pinched nerve in my back is the cause or just adds fuel to the fire? You can bet that it exacerbates the pain whether it causes it or not. For many years if I have to stand in one spot for more than a few minutes I get a burning sensation down the front of my left thigh - once in awhile the right one or both. If I just walk around it goes away. I mentioned it to my doctor once and he said it is probably the beginning of neuropathy. I said if that is true then why have I had this going for at least ten years longer than I have had diabetes. Then he said, "Oh. You have a pinched nerve in your back." He told me if it gets worse or if I start getting it frequently we should talk again and he will probably refer me to a specialist. SignatureGrandpa Chuck -ô¿ô- ~ The following information is given with the utmost respect for the armed forces and civilians who have died in the current war in Iraq. According to http://icasualties.org/oif/ The number of Americans killed in Iraq as of Mar. 07, 2006 is 2,304. Americans wounded = 16,653 United Kingdom = 103 Other = 103 Iraqi deaths in excess of 30,000 - probably many more. Today, March 08, 2006 It has been 1041 days since Bush declared, "Mission Accomplished in Iraq." Without a care in the world, Binky the wonder-dog read in the paper that on Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:28:57 -0600, Hi_Therre <Bruce35@Rosebud.com> wrote: >I get leg cramps frequently in my right leg. Had one last night. >Hurts like a bitch. Low potassium levels. Eat a quarter of a banana 4x a day for a few days and see if it helps. >Without a care in the world, Binky the wonder-dog read in the paper >that on Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:28:57 -0600, Hi_Therre [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >Low potassium levels. Eat a quarter of a banana 4x a day for a few >days and see if it helps. I take a vitamin supplement daily. Wouldn't the potassium level in the pill do the same thing? > >Without a care in the world, Binky the wonder-dog read in the paper > >that on Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:28:57 -0600, Hi_Therre [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I take a vitamin supplement daily. Wouldn't the potassium level in > the pill do the same thing? Depends on whether the supplement maker added potassium (which is not a vitamin). > Without a care in the world, Binky the wonder-dog read in the paper > that on Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:28:57 -0600, Hi_Therre [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Low potassium levels. Eat a quarter of a banana 4x a day for a few > days and see if it helps. Try tonic water. A little bit at bedtime really does help in many cases. My wife's leg cramps respond very well to a PM tonic guzzle ... it's the quinine. Paul > I get leg cramps frequently in my right leg. Had one last night. > Hurts like a bitch. My problem with cramps disappeared after I read low calcium ion levels can cause cramps. Low calcium ion level was the problem in my case. Drinking a glass of milk and my cramps would disappear amazingly fast, starting within a minute or two. YMMV. >> I get leg cramps frequently in my right leg. Had one last night. >> Hurts like a bitch. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >milk and my cramps would disappear amazingly fast, starting within a >minute or two. YMMV. I take a calcium supplement daily. >> 5.4 would be 97.2 >> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. > > Sorry to nitpick, but it would (roughly) translate to an *average* > reading below 100, not *always* below 100. Actually, a 5.4% A1c translates to an average of 115 mg/dl using the formula derived from DCCT data and published here: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/2/275 --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control > >> 5.4 would be 97.2 > >> which translates to always below 100 on bg meter readings. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/2/275 Thanks. My focus was on "average" vs "always." I didn't doublecheck the conversion. Yours looks high to me, though. Priscilla >>Jenny wrote: >> Actually, a 5.4% A1c translates to an average of 115 mg/dl using the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Thanks. My focus was on "average" vs "always." I didn't doublecheck > the conversion. Yours looks high to me, though. It is the formula most commonly used, and I paid it more attention after listening to Bernstein's recent teleconference where he said he was going to be putting that formula in his next book. It sounded high to me too, since it put my average with the 5.7% a1c at 125. I wasn't seeing that as a fasting, but I was going over it in the first hour to hour and a half after eating, and I found out later I was missing a lot of highs later at night. --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control >>> 5.4 would be 97.2 which translates to always below 100 on bg meter >>> readings. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood > Sugar Under Control Hello, Jenny I'm sure you are correct. And I'm not at all sure I understand the formula myself. It seems to me though that that the one of the first things they do is convert from capilary to venous blood which most meters do already. And the issue of lab insturmentation variability is assumed to be constant. And meter/strip variability as well. It is very possible that both our numbers are the same number. With that in mind, I would prefer to suggest a lower range of goals rather than a higher one. Nonetheless, you are certainly the better source of information and I always have learned much from your efforts and greatly appreciate your guidance. A simpler conversion would be appreciated, though that probably isn't possible. Thank you for the correction. Best regards, rudy bantista@thuntek.net T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg > Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so > helpful after my original dx. The first week of December > I was diagnosed with type 2. My first weekend of testing > showed blood glucose levels above 400 with some above > 500. My bloodwork showed a1c of 14.5. <snip> Current readings: > a1c 6.4 > > LDL 95 That is wonderful improvement for four months! You give your LDL, but it would be nice to know what your HDL and triglycerides were, and even better if you had a breakdown for VLDL. LDL by itself isn't all that informative. If your tryglicerides are low (under 100)and if your HDL is high enough that the LDL/HDL ratio is good (under 3?) there's no reason to panic or take meds. --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control Good job! Looks like you're headed down the right track. SignatureJoe W T2 Nov '05 30mg Actos, 3gr(1/2 tsp or 500mg pill) Cinnamon, Diet(>100 carbs) & 30 minute walk(everyday) & BowFlex 3x/week *****Diabetes, be proactive, not reactive.***** > Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so > helpful after my original dx. The first week of December [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Paul Paul, Wonderful turnaround in a short period of time. Good job and congrats! Michelle Much congratulations Paul!!! That's wonderful progress. Jennifer > Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so > helpful after my original dx. The first week of December [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Paul Gratulations Paul - excellent work getting your A1c down so well! > LDL 95 [snip] > I'll be discussing with the Dr on Thursday > wether I should start Lipitor. Why??? > I'm guessing I probably will ... Why other unneccessary medication are you planning on starting? >Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so >helpful after my original dx. The first week of December [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > >Paul Hi Paul C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!! Wow! Just two points - post all of your lipid results for some comment while thinking about statins, and make sure you set up some specialist appointments now that you've stabilised things: Ophthalmologist - ask Chris J why - you've had a pretty rapid improvement. Podiatrist. Heart Specialist. Hopefully all those are to set baselines, not for treatment. But don't delay too long. Don't let that reduce my admiration for the hard work you've done - brilliant. Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. d&e, metformin 2x500mg SignatureEverything in Moderation - Except Laughter. >Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so >helpful after my original dx. The first week of December [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >LDL 95 Paul, that is wonderful! Great work!!! However, I do advise you, if you have not done so, to get to an ophthalmologist for a retinal exam ASAP. My BG was 625 at Dx, and I was placed on insulin for a short time. My A1c was 12.5, and I lowered it to 5.4 within three months. However, I'm now dealing with what is probably a complication of doing so. It might be rare, but it is quite real, and it's called normoglycemic re-entry phenomenon (Or early worsening retinopathy). I went from having no retinopathy to having retinopathy and macular edemas in both eyes. I'll probably be ok, but had this gone undetected I might well have major vision loss. I was on insulin for a short while after Dx, and insulin seems to be a trigger for this, but no one knows for sure. So, when I saw your post, it sounded to me like you might have a similar profile, and be at risk yourself. So, please, do yourself a favor and get to an ophthalmologist (not an optometrist) for a full retinal exam (painless, no touching, just some eyedrops) pronto. You may have been told, even by a doctor, to wait for six months or more before getting your eyes checked, as you glasses prescription is likely to change. It is true that the glasses prescription may change, so holding off on new glasses is a good idea, but if anyone (including a doc) tells you to wait on the retinal exam, ignore them. Get the exam. Had I taken my Doc's advice on this, I may well have lost my vision. Some symptoms to look out for: photosensitivity; are your eyes more sensitive to bright light? dazzle spots or "cotton wool spots": Do you get places in your vision where it's hard to see, like the dazzle you get from a bright point source of light, but lasting hours or days? Finally, have a look at this online eye test. It takes about 20 seconds. http://www.eyesight.org/Eye_Test/eye_test.html Please be aware that having no symptoms is not proof you don't have a problem. I have none in my left eye, yet still have trouble there too. But, if you have any symptoms, don't walk, run, to an ophthalmologist. This post not CC'd by email On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 02:30:23 -0700, Chris J. <chris@noadress.com> wrote: >So, when I saw your post, it sounded to me like you might have a >similar profile, and be at risk yourself. So, please, do yourself a >favor and get to an ophthalmologist (not an optometrist) for a full >retinal exam (painless, no touching, just some eyedrops) pronto. G'day G'day Chris J, If they have a digital camera then often they don't even need drops. If they do need to have drops then it pays to remember to take your sunglasses with you for afterwards. Best wishes, SignatureQuentin Grady ^ ^ / New Zealand, >#,#< [ / \ /\ "... and the blind dog was leading." http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin >This post not CC'd by email > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > If they have a digital camera then often they don't even need drops. If they don't have a digital camera, it might be worth finding one that does, at least if you need follow-ups: The digital pictures make a great reference point for finding changes. In my case, both direct exam and digital photos were used, so I had the drops. >If they do need to have drops then it pays to remember to take your >sunglasses with you for afterwards. Absolutely!!! I'd also advise against driving in traffic, or driving at all if both you and your Doc are not comfortable with it with dialated eyes. The effect lasts a few hours. In my case, it merely blurred my close vision, my distance vision was fine, so I drove (and the Doc was fine with it). However, I wouldn't have wanted to try that in a city. This might also be worse if you need eyeglasses for driving. >>This post not CC'd by email >> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > >This might also be worse if you need eyeglasses for driving. I planned it to ensure that I didn't need to drive for several hours afterwards. I'm glad I did. It was a bright, sunny day and even with polarised glasses it was painful and difficult to focus for quite while. Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. d&e, metformin 2x500mg SignatureEverything in Moderation - Except Laughter. >>>If they do need to have drops then it pays to remember to take your >>>sunglasses with you for afterwards. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. > d&e, metformin 2x500mg I'm lucky in that I go to an eye doc that I can walk to -- *and* that gets in that day's exercise! I take my old pair of prescription sunglasses (a very old pair from maybe the early 80's at the latest, distance-only so I can't read with them now anyway) with those *enormous* lenses, and in addition I put them on over one of those throwaway Polaroid "sunglasses" thingies -- really just a strip of what looks like dark film, with a nose-cutout. The glasses keep the strip in place & I've doubled-up on the sun-protection. And a floppy hat & I'm fine, even if I do look a bit strange, especially if it's a bit cloudy out! bj > I'm lucky in that I go to an eye doc that I can walk to -- *and* that gets > in that day's exercise! I take my old pair of prescription sunglasses (a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > thingies -- really just a strip of what looks like dark film, with a > nose-cutout. I have to drive 35 minutes to my eye doctor. So I schedule my appointments before lunch. My Sweetie goes with me to drive and afterwards we head for a restaurant nearby which is in a basement and so dark you can barely read the menu. They have killer chicken wings and brew their own beer. It works for us. <g> --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control >> I'm lucky in that I go to an eye doc that I can walk to -- *and* that >> gets in that day's exercise! I take my old pair of prescription [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > the menu. They have killer chicken wings and brew their own beer. It works > for us. <g> You are having *way* more fun doing it your way! :) I do admit <confess?>, however, to stopping at the upmarket deli next door & getting a chocolate muffin to munch on during the walk home. bj >>In my case, it merely blurred my close vision, my distance vision was >>fine, so I drove (and the Doc was fine with it). However, I wouldn't [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >sunny day and even with polarised glasses it was painful and >difficult to focus for quite while. It seems to affect different people in different ways. I was definitely light-sensitive, but wore very dark glasses. I couldn't change focus, so couldn't read the dashboard instruments easily, and sure couldn't read the small print on street signs, but other than that I was ok. However, I most strongly advise anyone to not put themselves in a situation where they have to drive, if they aren't used to the procedure. As I say, it can vary widely in it's after-effects from person to person. >>>In my case, it merely blurred my close vision, my distance vision was >>>fine, so I drove (and the Doc was fine with it). However, I wouldn't [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >procedure. As I say, it can vary widely in it's after-effects from >person to person. not to mention the fact that if you get pulled over by the cops or have an accident you will get charged for Driving While Impaired. You can face suspension of your license and fines and an insurance rate hike if you don't lose the license. Use some common sense people. SignatureMâck©® Deltec CoZmore Pumper Type 1 since 1975 http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org http://www.diabetic-talk.org http://www.insulin-pumpers.org "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." ...Theodore Roosevelt (o ô) --ooO-(_)-Ooo-------------------- "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." ....Bilbo Baggins Jesus never hated anyone. >>However, I most strongly advise anyone to not put themselves in a >>situation where they have to drive, if they aren't used to the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >can face suspension of your license and fines and an insurance rate >hike if you don't lose the license. Use some common sense people. Mack is very right about this exposure to charges, especially in S.E. Virginia, where we both live. Will, T2 >>>However, I most strongly advise anyone to not put themselves in a >>>situation where they have to drive, if they aren't used to the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Will, T2 Hello, Chris J, Mack, and Will When I did this they warned me to have a driver with me when the appointment was made and asked if I had a driver with me on the day before the test was done. I had the impression that they were unwilling to allow the test to proceed without making sure I had a driver. As it turns out, the test profoundly affected the way I was seeing for the rest of the day, and I could hardly walk around by myself, much less drive. I don't know if this is usual, but it hurt quite a bit, both the bright light they used and having my pupils snapped open for hours and hours. Not fun. My wife was able to take care of me, but I wonder what others do who don't have a helper available. Clearly, we need to get these tests done. I would have found it difficult to make my way onto a city bus by myself on that day. best regards to you all, rudy bantista@thuntek.net T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 132 two hours after soy bar, one hour after two strawberries. > My bloodwork showed a1c of 14.5. > a1c 6.4 Wow!! > LDL 95 What's the trend on that? (and your other lipids) Nicky. SignatureA1c 10.5/5.4/<6 T2 DX 05/2004 1g Metformin, 100ug Thyroxine 95/74/72Kg >Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so >helpful after my original dx. The first week of December [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > >Paul Keep working at it Paul. You are making great progress. Do not let yourself become discouraged. Will, T2 Good show, Paul. You've come a long way in a short time, and made the life changes that will improve your life. Congratulations on your speed and determination. Listen to Alan; listen to Chris. Those of us in the club have to be more careful of our bodies and watch out for possible problems. We all hope that by better blood glucose control we can dodge the lurking damage, but we still have to let the doctors check for any signs of trouble. And, of course, when they find none we can congratualtion ourselves on a job well done. Susan Adair > Howdy Folks. Thanks again to all of you that were so > helpful after my original dx. The first week of December [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > thanks again to the group for your collective willingness to help. Congratulations on your excellent progress! I don't understand why you may be starting lipitor, though. That's a relatively low LDL level. How are your other numbers, like HDL and triglycerides? Priscilla Thanks again for all the great replies ! Some additional points and to answer some questions: I don't think of my a1c results (6.4) as a sign that I've reached any sort of goal. My goal is to have the lowest reading possible ... so there is ALWAYS more work to be done. In addition to diet changes I have been exercising 3 or 4 times per week. I have an appointment with my MD on Thursday am ... that's when I'll get my full bloodwork results and will share them with this group for opinions and comment. I will have a full eye exam shortly. My Doc wanted me to start Lipitor at the time of the original diagnosis, about 4 months ago. I told him I wanted to do the diet and exercise thing first to see what results I could get on my own. I say I will "probably" start Lipitor after my Thursday appointment ... I say this not because I plan on starting "unnecessary" drugs but because I understand that the goals for a diabetic on blood readings can be lower than for a "normal" person and that it is often not possible to get to those levels with diet and exercise alone. We shall see. Many thanks to all ... I will follow up after my next appointment later in the week. Paul > My Doc wanted me to start Lipitor at > the time of the original diagnosis, about [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > goals for a diabetic on blood readings > can be lower than for a "normal" person Maybe the goals are wrong. http://www.thincs.org/ I don't believe with everything they say, but that but lowering LDL using statins for a person with a already low reading is not really warranted, IMHO. > and that it is often not possible to get to > those levels with diet and exercise alone. > We shall see. |
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