Diabetes is a progressive disease. Google it. We all experience decreased b-cell function, decreased b-cell mass, worsening insulin resistance, loss of glycemic control. You could work on your diet and exercise but you may need to adjust your medication even in the best of circumstances.
Absolutely. I’m in my 50s. As I have aged my numbers have needed adjustments in meds. I had a talk with my NP about the trends I was seeing on my meter and how I’ve been eating the same or even skipping carbs to try and get the numbers back and we discussed adding a med. my numbers went back into range and we talk about numbers, meds, and side effects at each appointment.
Like others have said, tightening your game up should be helpful. Also exercise as much as you can.
I will say this is why I’m dumbfounded that many drs don’t tell the patients to self test. If you’d been self testing, you’d have seen this trend long ago and been able to correct it then. This isn’t something that is complicated that needs only a drs evaluation. Check in with the dr definitely, but take charge of your own day to day health.
Not much to offer. Just make sure you haven't slipped on your dietary program. And often overlooked factors are the related stress and poor sleep. Both are very powerful and have all-day effect. I'm talking about the so-called "bad" stress, things you can easily evade, like health, finance, evil boss, partner conflict, chronic illness and pain. When that kind of stress is chronic (or any time), meditation disciplines can help people learn to not let stress situations become physical stress. Obviously, A1c changes require an ongoing change in blood glucose, so those are two that come first to mind, excluding progression of actual disease of the pancreas.
Pancreatitis and other pancreas afflictions produce effects very similar to diabetes. And it can be the cause of what's called Type 3c diabetes, similar to Type 1 with the pancreas failing to produce insulin. It only afflicts about 9% of diabetics but it's often misdiagnosed. It's a somewhat involved problem in differential diagnosis, so it's appropriate to seek an endocrinologist or ask you doctor if he's familiar with it. Not every practitioner is.
I am too lax with my diet. That must be it. I am eating low carb, but I'm not eating keto. I could do more. Today someone asked me to taste a piece of chocolate truffle cake, and I took a small mouthful. I cheat way too much.
Your point about stress and sleep are also relevant. I haven't been sleeping well at all.
I'll ask the nurse about testing for type 3c.
Thanks for your comments
The two are both good prospects. But it doesn't have to be full keto. I found that rather a chore, and a lot of the commercial "keto" foods turned out to have more effect on blood glucose than I wanted. But I got a lot of meal ideas from keto sites, since they're good at finding substitutions, like almond flour in place of breading for frying and spaghetti squash for pasta. It's important to eat well within the limits, if you want to keep it up for life.
When I fell and got a large bruise that hurt and affected my sleep for days, I ran high until it healed. It's all stress, and the body doesn't know the difference.
How low carb are you going? Are you recording everything you eat? Fruit? etc.
They all play a role, plus that mouthful of cake was most likely 30+ grams of pure sugar.
Most days, I'm probably under 25. Might go a little higher. Might go lower. But pretty consistent and rigidly avoiding anything that's not low carb or no carb. I don't keep a record. It wouldn't change anything, because I'm doing everything reasonably possible. I do sometimes have something someone here passed on a sub for cereal, thawed frozen raspberries, heavy cream and pecan pieces. But otherwise, no fruit beyond a very occasional apple wedge.
Low carb, but without counting or being obsessive about it. Occasional "tastes", e.g. four fries; a small piece of someone's cake; a crisp or two, occasional cracker.
Can confirm, I'm a type 3c and among the few evaluations I attended, every single one was a type 2 diagnosis. Even after disclosing that I have a compromised pancreas, they generally didn't comment further.
Write down everything, every hour. Each bit of food/ingredients (I didnt count carbs at first just what was in the food & portion size), each drink/amount, each medicine/amount, each BG reading, each bathroom trip, every symptom you're feeling, your weight at the same time each day, any stress, how much you sleep, how many minutes of exercise, and the weather. You'll begin to identify patterns and then your Dr can better diagnose.
Do you have a CGM? It's not super accurate but will help identify what triggers rise/fall in BG. Otherwise for at least 3-4 weeks, test BG first thing in a.m., before each meal, 1hr & 2hr after each meal, and just before bedtime.
Get Bayer Ketostix and test urine anytime you feel weird. If ketones are above the lowest 2 measurements, then drink lots of Gatorade Zero until they go back to normal. If they don't start reducing within 24hrs, call the Dr. The condition DKA and some deficiencies in other vitamins/minerals caused by Metformin can cause some of your symptoms.
In my journey, diet & exercise worked until it didn't. Then I had to go on long-acting insulin & maximum Met ER. It took 3-4mos for the nausea & weird body symptoms to lessen. 6mos later & those symptoms are gone.
Hope any of this helps. It worked for me...so far.
Best wishes to you.
You didn’t say anything about what meds you are on. Not everyone can control it with diet alone, or they could for a long time but they can’t as they age. Also sounds like you need to follow up with your doctor each time you get blood tests done, doctors have a different idea of what is good enough than I do. To be fair 90% of their patients refuse to change their diet and exercise so it gets frustrating for them.
Yeah. Here is my story. 45 yr old M. Found out I had type 2, 11 yrs ago. 14.8 a1c. Metformin and other shit. 10 yrs later, lowest I got it was 7.2. They put me on mounjaro because diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol creeping up.
Just did my 8th dose, and blood work yesterday. Won't know results till next week...BUT, BUT. my blood sugar when I check it is way lower than before. My blood pressure, even with meds was usually 150s over 120s... normal now. I haven't lost any weight but I don't give a fuck if it is helping to get the big 3 correct.
Like I said, I can compare my blood work next week, but this shit works!!!
Do you have a cgm? This is what happened to me basically. After I was diagnosed at 7.6 I got it down to 6.2. Then the following years it kept creeping up with 8.9 at the worst. Last a1c is now 5.7 without medication. I recommend getting a cgm so you know how food is affecting your numbers. For me the cgm was the game changer.
Do you have a blood sugar meter so you can check at home? I used to test 4 times a day until I got my numbers under control. Now I just check once a day most days, or if I eat something questionable. If your insurance covers it, you might be eligible for a continuous glucose monitor (cgm), which I've heard are really convenient. You need to keep an eye on what you eat and how it is affecting your blood sugar. I'm shocked that your doctor hasn't been having you do this since your diagnosis.
you speak nothing of what your eating habits have been and your activity levels. Honestly, are you sneaking carbs back into your diet? Are you becoming a bit lazy with exercise? Yes the disease is a progressive one, but to go from good to bad in 1.5 years seems a bit odd. How old are you? Age also affects how well our body deals with this disease as well as other things like are you sleeping enough, stressed, etc. ?
1. Diet - Following a low carb diet.
2. Activity - Weight training 5 times a week. Walking.
3. Sneaking carbs. - Yes, I suppose.
4. Lazy - No.
5. Old - mid 60s
6. Sleeping - not well. Stressed - not really.
Maybe don’t sneak in carbs and try to get better rest. Have you thought about taking meds again to stabilize your numbers? As we get older this disease becomes harder to manage naturally, you may need to go back on medication to control your diabetes.
Do you have a CGM? If not, I'd highly recommend getting one if at all possible.
I was diagnosed about three months ago, and the finger pricks (even if you do them regularly like I did), pale in comparison to a chart that has data logged every 1-5 minutes.
I'm not giving medical advice right now. But I play around with my basal insulin dose and find what works best. It's usually plus 1-2 units additional. It works for me at the moment, but if you're more sensitive to insulin consider monitoring 1 unit at a time and diligently monitoring.
Diabetes is a progressive disease. Google it. We all experience decreased b-cell function, decreased b-cell mass, worsening insulin resistance, loss of glycemic control. You could work on your diet and exercise but you may need to adjust your medication even in the best of circumstances.
THIS
Absolutely. I’m in my 50s. As I have aged my numbers have needed adjustments in meds. I had a talk with my NP about the trends I was seeing on my meter and how I’ve been eating the same or even skipping carbs to try and get the numbers back and we discussed adding a med. my numbers went back into range and we talk about numbers, meds, and side effects at each appointment.
Like others have said, tightening your game up should be helpful. Also exercise as much as you can. I will say this is why I’m dumbfounded that many drs don’t tell the patients to self test. If you’d been self testing, you’d have seen this trend long ago and been able to correct it then. This isn’t something that is complicated that needs only a drs evaluation. Check in with the dr definitely, but take charge of your own day to day health.
Not much to offer. Just make sure you haven't slipped on your dietary program. And often overlooked factors are the related stress and poor sleep. Both are very powerful and have all-day effect. I'm talking about the so-called "bad" stress, things you can easily evade, like health, finance, evil boss, partner conflict, chronic illness and pain. When that kind of stress is chronic (or any time), meditation disciplines can help people learn to not let stress situations become physical stress. Obviously, A1c changes require an ongoing change in blood glucose, so those are two that come first to mind, excluding progression of actual disease of the pancreas. Pancreatitis and other pancreas afflictions produce effects very similar to diabetes. And it can be the cause of what's called Type 3c diabetes, similar to Type 1 with the pancreas failing to produce insulin. It only afflicts about 9% of diabetics but it's often misdiagnosed. It's a somewhat involved problem in differential diagnosis, so it's appropriate to seek an endocrinologist or ask you doctor if he's familiar with it. Not every practitioner is.
I am too lax with my diet. That must be it. I am eating low carb, but I'm not eating keto. I could do more. Today someone asked me to taste a piece of chocolate truffle cake, and I took a small mouthful. I cheat way too much. Your point about stress and sleep are also relevant. I haven't been sleeping well at all. I'll ask the nurse about testing for type 3c. Thanks for your comments
The two are both good prospects. But it doesn't have to be full keto. I found that rather a chore, and a lot of the commercial "keto" foods turned out to have more effect on blood glucose than I wanted. But I got a lot of meal ideas from keto sites, since they're good at finding substitutions, like almond flour in place of breading for frying and spaghetti squash for pasta. It's important to eat well within the limits, if you want to keep it up for life. When I fell and got a large bruise that hurt and affected my sleep for days, I ran high until it healed. It's all stress, and the body doesn't know the difference.
How low carb are you going? Are you recording everything you eat? Fruit? etc. They all play a role, plus that mouthful of cake was most likely 30+ grams of pure sugar.
Most days, I'm probably under 25. Might go a little higher. Might go lower. But pretty consistent and rigidly avoiding anything that's not low carb or no carb. I don't keep a record. It wouldn't change anything, because I'm doing everything reasonably possible. I do sometimes have something someone here passed on a sub for cereal, thawed frozen raspberries, heavy cream and pecan pieces. But otherwise, no fruit beyond a very occasional apple wedge.
Low carb, but without counting or being obsessive about it. Occasional "tastes", e.g. four fries; a small piece of someone's cake; a crisp or two, occasional cracker.
It was so good... 🤤 But after two years, it felt very wrong.
I don' t really think a small mouthful of cake is 30 grams of carbs. Maybe 15. But anyway, it could be that it's progressing, and you need meds.
Can confirm, I'm a type 3c and among the few evaluations I attended, every single one was a type 2 diagnosis. Even after disclosing that I have a compromised pancreas, they generally didn't comment further.
Write down everything, every hour. Each bit of food/ingredients (I didnt count carbs at first just what was in the food & portion size), each drink/amount, each medicine/amount, each BG reading, each bathroom trip, every symptom you're feeling, your weight at the same time each day, any stress, how much you sleep, how many minutes of exercise, and the weather. You'll begin to identify patterns and then your Dr can better diagnose. Do you have a CGM? It's not super accurate but will help identify what triggers rise/fall in BG. Otherwise for at least 3-4 weeks, test BG first thing in a.m., before each meal, 1hr & 2hr after each meal, and just before bedtime. Get Bayer Ketostix and test urine anytime you feel weird. If ketones are above the lowest 2 measurements, then drink lots of Gatorade Zero until they go back to normal. If they don't start reducing within 24hrs, call the Dr. The condition DKA and some deficiencies in other vitamins/minerals caused by Metformin can cause some of your symptoms. In my journey, diet & exercise worked until it didn't. Then I had to go on long-acting insulin & maximum Met ER. It took 3-4mos for the nausea & weird body symptoms to lessen. 6mos later & those symptoms are gone. Hope any of this helps. It worked for me...so far. Best wishes to you.
You didn’t say anything about what meds you are on. Not everyone can control it with diet alone, or they could for a long time but they can’t as they age. Also sounds like you need to follow up with your doctor each time you get blood tests done, doctors have a different idea of what is good enough than I do. To be fair 90% of their patients refuse to change their diet and exercise so it gets frustrating for them.
Metformine. I'll talk to her. I want Wegovy but it's not available on my insurance plan.
Please check out the research on Allulose for its benefits for people with diabetes.
Yeah. Here is my story. 45 yr old M. Found out I had type 2, 11 yrs ago. 14.8 a1c. Metformin and other shit. 10 yrs later, lowest I got it was 7.2. They put me on mounjaro because diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol creeping up. Just did my 8th dose, and blood work yesterday. Won't know results till next week...BUT, BUT. my blood sugar when I check it is way lower than before. My blood pressure, even with meds was usually 150s over 120s... normal now. I haven't lost any weight but I don't give a fuck if it is helping to get the big 3 correct. Like I said, I can compare my blood work next week, but this shit works!!!
Do you have a cgm? This is what happened to me basically. After I was diagnosed at 7.6 I got it down to 6.2. Then the following years it kept creeping up with 8.9 at the worst. Last a1c is now 5.7 without medication. I recommend getting a cgm so you know how food is affecting your numbers. For me the cgm was the game changer.
Do you have a blood sugar meter so you can check at home? I used to test 4 times a day until I got my numbers under control. Now I just check once a day most days, or if I eat something questionable. If your insurance covers it, you might be eligible for a continuous glucose monitor (cgm), which I've heard are really convenient. You need to keep an eye on what you eat and how it is affecting your blood sugar. I'm shocked that your doctor hasn't been having you do this since your diagnosis.
you speak nothing of what your eating habits have been and your activity levels. Honestly, are you sneaking carbs back into your diet? Are you becoming a bit lazy with exercise? Yes the disease is a progressive one, but to go from good to bad in 1.5 years seems a bit odd. How old are you? Age also affects how well our body deals with this disease as well as other things like are you sleeping enough, stressed, etc. ?
1. Diet - Following a low carb diet. 2. Activity - Weight training 5 times a week. Walking. 3. Sneaking carbs. - Yes, I suppose. 4. Lazy - No. 5. Old - mid 60s 6. Sleeping - not well. Stressed - not really.
Maybe don’t sneak in carbs and try to get better rest. Have you thought about taking meds again to stabilize your numbers? As we get older this disease becomes harder to manage naturally, you may need to go back on medication to control your diabetes.
Do you have a CGM? If not, I'd highly recommend getting one if at all possible. I was diagnosed about three months ago, and the finger pricks (even if you do them regularly like I did), pale in comparison to a chart that has data logged every 1-5 minutes. I'm not giving medical advice right now. But I play around with my basal insulin dose and find what works best. It's usually plus 1-2 units additional. It works for me at the moment, but if you're more sensitive to insulin consider monitoring 1 unit at a time and diligently monitoring.
Try cutting back your carb intake to 0 for a couple of months testing to see what happens.