It’s been five months since my doctor told me it was time to go on medicine since losing over 10% of my body weight and regular exercise hadn’t impacted my HbA1C levels. It was rough the first month or so adjusting to the medicine until I asked, and was given, a prescription for extended release Metformin.
Does Medication Work?
My first follow-up testing three months later didn’t show much change either. This was a shock because I was expecting a drastic reduction in theHbA1C level. I thought the medicine must not make a difference.
But I think it does because I’m no longer having big swings in my appetite. Previously I would go from a little hungry to “famished” quickly. I would want to eat everything and anything to fill my stomach.
That doesn’t happen anymore; instead I have a steady progression of hunger pangs which of course will eventually get to to the famished stage if I don’t do anything about it.
Lifestyle Changes
My doctor said I don’t need to test my blood levels at this point and really didn’t prescribe any dietary changes. One I’m starting on my own is cutting back on carbohydrates.
I’m limiting myself to one starch at dinner — if we have a potato then no dinner roll for me. I always have vegetable juice instead of fruit juice. I don’t know if this will make a difference but anything I can do to bring down my average blood glucose is great.
My doctor acknowledges I’m pretty much genetically doomed to get Type 2 Diabetes at some point but the longer I can put it off the better.
Please let me know if you have any other ideas than losing weight, exercising and cutting back on carbs which are all in progress. I’m all ears and want to know if there’s something I can be doing and am not.
Have you had to make lifestyle changes for your health?
I have low blood sugar, Kay Lynn, and have dealt with it most of my life. I have changed my diet, eaten smaller meals and exercised. I understand your frustration. Have you tried Create-Your-Plate? It really helps when you are going out to eat. That’s when all the rules get changed. You piece for the blog hop was great. Thanks, Beth
I am so glad for the blog hop about Kennedy because I found your blog through it. I am struggling with pre-Diabetic hassles too. You have motivated me to write about it. I will let you know when I post about it. I was diagnosed, put on metformin and at that time I also chose to cut out all simple sugar. I responded so well HbA1C -wise that they took me off Metformin. I have not been as good with diet lately and I have to get back on the awareness wagon. I have to get back to the gym too. Thanks for the prod.
Diabetes is such a pain in the behind because it isn’t linear or logical so no one thing works perfectly for everyone. The things you are doing are those that I know to have worked for me and I know you’ll be healthier as a result (although how the blood sugar will react is honestly a mystery).