Before I joined this group last summer I aimed for (and sometimes made) the BG levels traditional docs recommend: 130 in AM (rarely made that, dawn phenomenon), 180 at bedtime. Reading this group made me see these levels are too high and are the lies told to type 2s I guess to keep us from going low, or to punish us for having diabetes, or whatever. I have been aiming for lower levels, and was also convinced that low-carb is the way to go at least for type 2. Slowly began working toward that in the fall, then was disrupted by overwork, holidays, and a long bout with a sinus infection and cold/flu. Monday was a very stressful day and my levels were still high.
But Tuesday I started a new medicine regimen that includes more metformin, and I think I am finally kicking the infection, and I am (partly because I am feeling some better) doing better on the low carbing…and finally in the last 3 days my BG levels are as low as I think they should be. The only remaining problem was the dang dawn phenomenon, when my over-helpful liver shoots out glucose to wake me up, not knowing apparently that I don’t need it and don’t want it. So this morning I took my one tablet of glyburide I have been on for the past year at that time between 3 and 5 AM when I always wake up for the bathroom, and when I got up even that number was better! I think I stayed under 140 the entire day, including in the AM! (Side note: the question you always get about what is your fasting number, as if that is going to mean something, has always been absurd to me, because my fasting number is often my highest number all day!)
I have to admit, one of the best things about this community is that we can actually inspire each other to care more about our numbers, and also actively do something about it, too.
this disease is such a constant daily struggle, but it helps knowing that there are ~7000 people here looking out for me, and who I care about, too.
It’s no small feat to do what you are doing- enjoy your success.
Thanks Jane. It is a constant daily struggle, you’re right. And the support of this group helps so much. I posted with some trepidation because who knows what challenge may come next to screw up this success, but at least for right now it feels good.
I also agree about the community aspect. I’m learning much from the people here and have also been convinced that less carbs and lower levels are better.
Update: yesterday’s numbers were even better. I’m not saying I have it licked, because I get frequent colds and sinus infections (partly to blame is that my husband works in a school where this stuff runs rampant. He gets sick for a couple days and I’m down for up to a month), and they always raise my BG, and also sometimes, like so many of you, I sometimes just get tired of the whole thing, and also, bodies continue to change. But I am hoping that, having found the winning combination and kept at it at least for a few days, it will continue to get easier to do, and to get back to when I slip up…or my body slips me up. Thanks for all your notes and encouragement.
Ellie…I am sure you’ve heard it all before, but I used to suffer from sinus trouble until moving to South Florida. I HATE the humidity, but I must say, it keeps the sinuses happy. The minute I travel to an artifically heated environment, I get a headache. I also stopped napping on my down filled couch pillows. As I say, I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but just in case, watch for allergies and a too dry environment. Good luck dealing with it all…we should be proud for what we cope with!
Congrats on your accomplishments. You know, sometimes DRs tell you a number just to start getting you closer to the better numbers. I think they don’t want you to get discouraged because lower would seem a hardship. But at least you realized what was going down and took steps on your own. Many a diabetic takes advice from the wrong source and then don’t try harder because they think they’re doing what the standard numbers are. We had a member here saying that he/she thought 130 fasting was great!! (Fasting means like not eating for an extended period of time – overnight.) 130 is good for 2-3 hours post prandial!!
Regarding your illnesses, I fully understand. I worked for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for 20+ years and was always sick. If it wasn’t the students, it was the professors, or co-workers!! I’d get sick and stay sick for weeks, then get better, THEN get sick a couple of weeks later…ad nauseum!! When I retired, I stopped getting all these respiratory infections. Did you know that being ill and having infections can elevate your numbers without you eating more. In fact, I usually eat less when I’m sick! I don’t know what to say except that you should pay insane attention to hand washing. If hubby is sick, follow him around the house with the Lysol or whatever that other germ killer is. Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face area without first washing your hands. Disinfect door knobs, telephones, commonly used items. In fact when I was sick, I wouldn’t let anyone else talk on my phone!! And I expected the same from them when they were sick. The only other advice I can give you is … RETIRE. You may even enjoy it and I can guarantee you will be sick less often!!!
OMG Lois, how I would love to retire!! I can’t wait!! But it will be a few years yet. And I do so much handwashing, especially in the winter, and tell my husband to do the same at school. I did fantasize about running around disinfecting every surface he might touch. Not sure that would be possible!
