[Lilion]

Hi all. This is my first time posting here and I hope someone can give me some information.

I have not been diagnosed as diabetic, only “prediabetic”, but frankly I’m thinking of changing doctors. My old doctor retired and I really don’t like my current one as she seems only interested in treating things like sprains and the flu, and not really worrying about general health. In 2016, my a1c was 6. In March 2017, it was 6.5. She put me on Metformin, 500 mg 1 x per day, which I take at night. I haven’t bothered with the taking it with meals since I always forget and I have had no stomach upset at all, so I just take it with other meds. 4 months later, I was back to 6 and she was pleased. However, my fasting blood sugar was over 140! It had been 126 or so the time before that! My husband (a1c of 7) was diagnosed as diabetic by his doctor and given a meter, so I’ve used his a time or two and my fasting blood sugar is always over 130. For instance, this morning it was 136.

The fasting blood sugar being so high has me quite concerned. Since I don’t have a meter or test strips of my own, I haven’t been taking it regularly, so he doesn’t run out and he's only had his meter a couple weeks. But…he’s the one with diabetes, yet my sugar is always higher than his. Literally every time we’ve tested at the same time, I’m higher.

I guess, I’m wondering if my doctor is a quack. Maybe I should get a second opinion? It’s not that I’m hoping to be fully diabetic – but shouldn’t I be doing something differently? I've been given no real instructions, just a pill. I mention that I've lost weight and I get "That's nice."

I might add, I’m 53 years old, 5’10” and currently weigh 288. March 5, when we got serious about improving our health, I was at 306…so on the way down. No diabetes in my family. I have a VERY sedentary job, which has been a challenge. I see a dietician once a month (together with my husband) and she’s set my MFP calories at 1900 (about to lower that) and 45% carbs, 25% protein and 30% fat. I usually stay under on carbs…not so good with the others. I take a TON of pills. Lipitor for cholesterol, THREE BP pills – my BP is hard to control, at my thinnest – 228 a few years ago, I was down to 2, but as I gained the 3rd pill had to be put back on. I have a heart murmur and arrhythmia too but neither bother me at all. Everyone in my family who is dead has died of heart disease…almost literally everyone. I had a cardiologist, but he released me a couple years ago since I was doing fine.

You know, I don’t even know what I’m asking here…I just saw that 136 this morning – again – and it kind of freaked me out when I realized that is a high fasting blood sugar even for a diabetic.

Words of wisdom? Suggestions? Information?

[ridinggirl]

Good for you on the loss so far! Keep that momentum up!

Can you get in to see a diabetes specialist? My husband has been Type 2 for 30 years. he's 70 in September.
We're Canadian, so we get a bit spoiled with the services available. We have a diabetes nurse who we see every 6 weeks or so and she's like family.
The fact that she sees so many people and is a specialist makes quite a difference. She seems to know what may help and when to change meds, along with every new treatment as it becomes available. My husband pretty much matches you on pills, but we won't try to run a competition!

One thing we find, is that when he exercises (disguised as yard work and dog walking!) , his sugars are much easier to control. We're happy with an A1C of 6.5 . he thinks he's a good weight, but he forgets how short he is ! ( I'm 5'10" and he's 5' 5" ) . I'd love to see him at a healthier weight, but the Jardiance (which does help weight loss as well as eliminate sugar ) caused all sorts of urinary tract infections. You have age on your side, hopefully you can get referred to a specialist and avoid some of the effects of long term diabetes that we're dealing with now!

I'm no expert, but if I can help - ask away!

[fatmad]

Lilion and Riding Girl: Welcome
Yes, Lilion, your doc has done the basic, but now is a good time for a full 75g test with fasting and one and two hour checks, take the meter with you and check against the lab values to have an idea how the meter measures.
I recommend bloodsugar101 as a website (just google it) for lots of good information, including research.
I printed some off and took to my doctor. Even thought I'm still "prediabetic" as well, I have impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. You are right to be concerned, as this is a continuum of health issues, and being impaired is only a lab value, it shows you are having trouble.
And diabetes will lead to heart disease, so you are right to want to get healthier.
I echo everything about exercise, and weight loss, so you are doing everything right.
Keep pushing for more care and referrals, to take care of you.
Feel free to join the chat and visit, gripe and whine, or share good and bad news.