Absolutely. Your blood sugar didn't get that high overnight, so you can
get used to feeling pretty crappy. So, it's not at all unusual for T2
diabetics to start with a number like that.

Yeah, readings do come down as your medication kicks in and as you start
making dietary changes in response to what you see on your meter.

Hopefully, the dietician will work with your food and life-style
preferences (if your food preference is pizza for every meal, that's
another story!). But be prepared to pay attention to your meter as well.
for instance, your breakfast raised your blood sugar 60 mg/dl. You may
find that other potential breakfast menus will have less of an impact.

Others will point you to Jennifer's newby advice. And that's an
excellent road map to success in controlling blood sugar. But, I'd like
to add one thing. It's totally natural to think of all the things you
can't eat now, or can't eat in a large enough portion to make it
worthwhile. However, it's important to identify some things you *can*
eat that you consider treats. For me, the food item that filled that
bill was avocado. When I read that avocado was low-carb, I started
eating a lot of avocado, especially putting it my dinner salads. For
you, it might be olives or grilled mushrooms.

Good luck, and stick around.

I presume you have made dietary changes as well?

Your numbers should come down, provided you've changed your diet.  If you
haven't, then those pills aren't going to do much good.

In the meantime, eat less carbs.

It can take a month of so to get the kinks worked out of the diet.  Just
take it one day at a time.

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but it's not the end of the world.
Diabetes is a very controllable disease and with a little work you can
live a very long life.

I'll keep my advice simple.

1) Find an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes

2) Realize you have plenty of time and don't rush to be perfect

3) Learn the basics of diabetes and controlling it from sources you
can trust.  Here are two great places to learn...

www.diabetes.org (they have some great message boards there)

www.joslin.org

Best wishes on your journey to good health.

Kurt

Hi Phil,
I am married, mother of two adult children, early sixties and
disabled.  My grandmother, my mother amd I too am a diabetic.  A few
years ago my A1C was over 12.  Nondiabetics usually are 4 to 6.
Generally if your A1C is under 7, most doctors are pleased.  Currently
mine runs aroun 6.3. (I'm pleased)

I took both of the medicatioms you listed, but am now on Lantus
insulin and Metformin  I am also on regular insulin for when my
glucose is up.  I have not used the regular for over six months.

Unfortunately my exercise is minimal since i am short of breath when I
do too much. Also I  take Lyrica for diabetic neuropathy tgat tends to
make me tired.

The morning readings on your glucometer should be lower and two hours
after eating the docter usuallt wants normal levels.  Your levels will
probably fall once you are in better control.

Hopo I have helped you.       Carole

I was diagnosed in June 2005 with similar numbers. An A1C in the range of
about 4.2-4.7 is 'normal' for a healthy non-diabetic. I'm going to suggest
you do some reading - not on the internet. I suggest you start with two
books: "Diabetes for Dummies" and Dr. Richard Bernstein's "Diabetes
Solution" - your library should have them both. After you have read at
least one of them then you may want to read some 'diet books' on glycemic
index.

Those are still pretty high numbers. There are some docs who will advise
that you not lower the numbers too fast. The numbers I strive for are in
the 80-110 range - it takes lots of work and discipline, both diet and
exercise are important.

When I was diagnosed the doc started me on metformin 3x500; I changed my
diet to greatly reduce carbs and I started getting a lot more exercise. My
numbers came down to 'normal' range almost immediately. I can't say how it
works for others.

In my experience, a lot of what the dieticians will tell you will be
wrong. I believe that the general trend is to recommend too many carbs. I
do not have any set number of carbs I try for daily, but it's far fewer
than I used to consume. Once you get your numbers normalized, then you'll
be able to figure out what you can handle. It will take some time, and
some diligence. One quote I've heard that made a lot of sense to me: there
are essential proteins, and there are essential fats. At this time no one
knows of any essential carbs, though you need to keep a BG level around 70
or up for proper brain function.

BTW - I'm also 61, and living in Pocatello (well Chubbuck, actually).
During the summer I routinely bicycle at least 14 miles per day three days
per week. I try to do evening dumbbell exercises (the 'Diabetes for
Dummies' book has some good ones) every other day. In the winter I do as
much snowshoeing as I can fit in and use an exercise bike - having a
reasonable amount of exercise makes a huge difference.

I wish you luck. Listen to what the docs and educators say, but read books
as well - there's always the off chance they may be wrong ;)

Hi Phil,

Welcome to our ever growing family. Just in case no one else has
mentioned it, I highly recommend you check out
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm
for some of the best information you will ever get on handling this
life changing disease.

Keep us informed of your progress. We care.

--

Grandpa Chuck
  -ô¿ô-
    ~

Americans killed in Iraq as of April 15, 2007 is 3,298.
United Kingdom = 140 Other = 124.

As of April 15, 2007 it has been 1463 days since Bush
while standing in front of the banner which was sent
to the ship by the White House saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
declared,"In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our
allies have prevailed." IOW MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, and carrying a cross." --Sinclair
Lewis

Hi Phil, welcome to the group. I'll look forward to your posts and
your progress with getting your numbers down. :-)

Cheri

Philski wrote in message
<1176664904.006647.36120@d57g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>...

Phil, welcome to our group.  what is normal for you might not be normal
for anyone else.  your numbers are certainly high, but you have just
been diagnosed.  If you take your meds and exercise and watch your
carbs, you will absolutely see a decrease in your bgs .  It doesnt take
a day so just look for that downward spiral.

Again welcome to our group.  It would seem to me that you were
genetically predisposed to having diabetes and that there was nothing
you could have done to stop it from happening.  

But stay with us,  We here are probably the most controlled diabetics
there are.  This is for support and information so please whatever you
need, dont hesitate to ask.

Loretta

[snip]

Welcome to the group no one wants to join.

Readings usually come down as your treatment progresses.

Hi Phil

Welcome to the group. You didn't want to qualify to join our
club, but now that you have stick around for a while. There
are a lot of experienced people here.

I wrote a "Getting Started" entry here in my blog:
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/d-day.html

I'm just a patient, not a doctor, so read it with that
knowledge. I noticed others have mentioned Jennifer's test,
test, test advice so I'll simply reinforce that - it was the
single most important and effective advice I received after
diagnosis. Here it is again:
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

Good luck, come back often with lots of questions.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Athens and The Adriatic

My a1c was same as yours a year ago, now i run about 6%.  Please read a
couple of books on the subject.  My favorites on these.

1.  The First Year Type 2 Diabetes, an Essential Guide to the Newly
Diagnosed.  by Gretchen Becker.  This book will teach you a lot. It
helped me get through the start of all this one year ago.

2.  Atkins Diabetes Book.  Excellent review of drugs available. How it
affects other body functions like lipids, Recipes for low carb eating
and the reasons why a low carb approach is best.  You can get this on
Amazon for about 50 cents plus shipping.

Good luck and stay tuned here.
Ed

Philski used his keyboard to write :

Hello Phil.. welcome and sorry you had to join us.

Yep, having an A1C of 12 at diagnosis is pretty common for most.  The
A1C is basically a snapshot of what's being going on over the past 3mon
to 4 weeks such as how much glucose has built up in your blood.

Those are pretty high readings but as you learn what you can and can't
eat and giving the medication you're on time to start working... and with
exercise, your readings will begin to reduce.  You didn't become diabetic
overnight.. it will take a wee bit of time to learn whats needed for
yourself
to get your glucose back into non-diabetic range.

What was your meal for those readings?

I'd like to remind you Phil, none of us are doctors here and can only pass
on
our own experience.  You should always check with your doctor before making
any changes in your diabetic care.  You should be the head of your diabetic
team
and work closely with your doctor.  Never be afraid to ask them questions
and if
they aren't willing to take the time to help you.. then find one that will.
You might
have to go through a few to get to one that will work with you.
Unfortunately but
true.

As for testing and your diet, it's great you have an appointment already
with a
dietician.  I would suggest that you test often in the beginning to learn
what foods
work for you and which you need to limit.  Remember, there are no forbidden
foods
you'll just need to learn to modify and moderate what you eat.  Testing
before and
2hrs after you eat will help you get a better idea of what's going on.
Some suggest
testing at 1hr after you've eaten, but since most folks glucose peak around
90mins
after they've eaten, it's a waste and invalid testing at 1hr.  Reason I say
this is because
fast acting Insulin is designed to peak at around 90mins-2hrs because T1's
have no
natural insulin left and we rely on injected insulin which is made to mimic
the bodies
natural pancreas effects.  If most peaked at 1hr, then injected insulin
would have been
made to peak at that time as well to cover the peak..

I would also suggest that if after a few more weeks you can't get your
glucose lower
then what you've stated above, you discuss with your doctor a short round
of Insulin
to help you reduce your glucose.  For a T2, you can use Insulin to help
reduce your
glucose for a short time and once you're in control you can stop the
insulin.

Best of luck and keep asking questions.. you seem to be headed in the right
direction.

"I was just diagnosed w/ diabetes. Got my first
meter and stuff and was told that my a1c was 12"

I just got diagnosed last month and my A1c was 12.6.  That meant that my
blood sugar was averaging 371 for at least 3 months.  I am on 2 meds, and
have completely changed my diet, and starting to exercise.  I have been
testing about 2 weeks, and my BS has dropped into the 100's.  Keep
reading...this is a good group, and they have helped me alot.
-Kris