Well, I am down
@GardenGerty (169479)
United States
April 19, 2017 9:14pm CST
Sometimes we all are down a little.
I was feeling down, I had my quarterly blood sugar reading. 
There were many things this quarter that were not healthy for me. In fact, my appointment was the day after Easter and I had just indulged in candy and cheesecake, and mashed potatoes and gravy and lots of other high carbohydrate foods.
Having viruses, as I did for over two months, will raise your blood sugar.
Taking steroids for the inflammation of the viruses will raise your blood sugar and your A1c.I had to do that. All of these things were making me expect the worst.
At best, I had hoped to maintain, as I had had a good drop last quarter.
The doctor said if it had gone up she was going to double my Metformin, a drug commonly given to treat diabetes.
All drugs can have side effects. Drugs taken in the long term can also lose their effectiveness. I do not want to take more drugs.
Well, I am down.
My A1c has dropped another .4 on the scale used in the US. That leaves me in the zone where my diabetes is "well controlled".
I just told my husband that I wonder what I could do if I really set my mind toward improving my weight and other indicators, like cholesterol and blood pressure, and A1c. He thinks I could do really well. I have lost twenty pounds since going back to work last August.
I was feeling down, I had my quarterly blood sugar reading.
There were many things this quarter that were not healthy for me. In fact, my appointment was the day after Easter and I had just indulged in candy and cheesecake, and mashed potatoes and gravy and lots of other high carbohydrate foods. Having viruses, as I did for over two months, will raise your blood sugar.
Taking steroids for the inflammation of the viruses will raise your blood sugar and your A1c.I had to do that. All of these things were making me expect the worst.
At best, I had hoped to maintain, as I had had a good drop last quarter.
The doctor said if it had gone up she was going to double my Metformin, a drug commonly given to treat diabetes.
All drugs can have side effects. Drugs taken in the long term can also lose their effectiveness. I do not want to take more drugs.
Well, I am down.
My A1c has dropped another .4 on the scale used in the US. That leaves me in the zone where my diabetes is "well controlled".
I just told my husband that I wonder what I could do if I really set my mind toward improving my weight and other indicators, like cholesterol and blood pressure, and A1c. He thinks I could do really well. I have lost twenty pounds since going back to work last August.15 people like this
17 responses
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
When my dad was put on insulin about four years ago it really depressed him. For him, the right diet was a lot of home made soups, hearty ones as well as lots of salads. Some herbs help some people. Gastric bypass works well for many to cure diabetes. I will have to work hard to keep the weight off when there is no school.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
28 Apr 17
@GardenGerty My better half can eat all healthy foods but the portions must be counted. He's getting used to it and is doing well although he still has to take insulin.
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
I think for me walking is the key, and more vegetables.I have to do a lot of walking to get around the school and also to help with some particular behaviors.
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
21 Apr 17
@GardenGerty Walking is good. I have been wearing my pedometer to school and realized I only get about 3,000 steps at work!
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
20 Apr 17
Oh no. I hope you can get it where you and the doctor want it to be.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
Yes, well I said in my post it came down, and that was good news. I know some of what I must do and want to plan it into my life.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
20 Apr 17
Way to go! on the A1C and the 20 pds.
I also dropped 8 pounds this year and I had a drop in my A1C, I hope in May its lower but I am stuck with loosing weight
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
Lack of sleep will cause you to hold on to weight. It is a big enemy of a diabetic. I would love to lose more weight and will try, one little bit at a time. You already have a healthier lifestyle than I do, in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
20 Apr 17
Good job in getting the numbers down to a safe range.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
I would like to see them reduced even more, but I am happy with what is happening in spite of all the challenges since January.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
21 Apr 17
@GardenGerty A little bit at a time...all the changes make a difference
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
My next check up is in July. I hope to see more progress.
That's wonderful, and a really great reason to be proud of yourself.@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
Thanks so much. I have quite a ways to go but it is a start.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
20 Apr 17
My goodness, why don't you re-schedule the blood test to a week later?
At least the rich food from the Easter holiday would have been digested, and the blood sugar back to normal.
Before the blood test, you can go on a carbohydrate-free diet for a couple of days.
This sure will bring the blood sugar down to manageable level.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
I was looking for a day when I was not scheduled to work. It is good to know that the holiday food did not hurt too much. I drank extra water when I got back home. That helps as well.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
20 Apr 17
If society did away with celebrations that could be one way towards good health. 
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
But it might cause poor mental health. I have often wondered why we cannot celebrate without eating.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
21 Apr 17
@GardenGerty There you are. You do not give up easily. Do you?
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
You know, we take what we can get with weight loss. I am going to try more strategies this summer.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
Keeping up with kids has always helped me stay active and healthier.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
20 Apr 17
There is so much information out there on how to eat properly when you are diabetic. I guess it takes a lof of willpower. I don't have this, so I'm not up on all the ins and outs.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
I worked with diabetic adult clients and in nursing homes as well. One thing that most diabetic educators will tell you is that diabetes is a very individualized disease. What works for one person does not always work for another. I do not think there is anyone that is up on all the ins and outs, we all just do our best. Veggies are my friends.
@sallypup (69177)
• Centralia, Washington
20 Apr 17
You have lost some weight. You can do it! My hubby has the same issues as you- we do not eat refined sugar now and yet his cholesterol was border line high so I blamed it on his family- he's adopted so doesn't know for sure. BUT eating zero refined snacks and zero sugar- high fiber carbs- he is not taking as much Metformin now. I really do not see what else he can do. Both of us have lost chub since we started eating super well.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
He may have inherited a tendency toward high cholesterol, but many people have good results with fish oil or krill oil, or flax seed oil. I guess good oils help remove the cholesterol. Good luck. You guys are more determined and are a team.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69177)
• Centralia, Washington
21 Apr 17
@GardenGerty Thanks. Team work helps bunches. I put a little flax seed meal in our bread when I make it. Not sure if I put enough, though.
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
That was totally the intent, @JudyEV, misleading my friends.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
Thanks. I wish I had the good walking habit like you do.
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
26 Apr 17
It is good news. I hope to keep it up over the summer. All the fresh produce certainly will help.
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
21 Apr 17
Thanks. The improvement surprised me.
1 person likes this
