It isn't that anyone has asked. Just that it's been a while and I need some therapy. And sometimes I fail completely in eating well or in checking my blood sugar numbers. The mental game of diabetes is improving, but not won. So here, is a question and answer session for your entertainment and for my accountability.
Q: So, Laura, how's the insulin.
A: I actually like insulin. It far more effective than the meds I was taking and I like being able to increase amounts as I see my numbers going up (like the week before my period). I don't mind the shots and have find traveling not to be difficult.
Q: So Laura, how are your numbers?
A: What numbers? I am terrible at checking my numbers. I tend to check a bunch of times in a week and then skip three weeks. I can easily remember to check first thing in the morning, but the two hours after a meal is rarely remembered.
Q: So Laura, how ARE your numbers?
A: After three months on insulin my a1c (three month blood sugar average) was 6.8. That 's down almost a whole point from before which means my average has dropped from 190 to about 150. Good. Remember before breakfast should be around 100, and post meals under 140. So I am getting closer to the target. My before meals are great, almost too low, around 80. My after breakfast numbers are good too. I can never remember to check after lunch and the few after dinner readings I have done are too high, close to 180 unless I don't eat many carbs.
Q: Have you made any other changes?
A: Since Kassy started school I've been exercising five days a week for 40 minutes at least. I definitely favor strength and flexibility work over cardio, so I need to push more at cardio, but this is the longest I've ever had a regular exercise plan (thanks exercise buddies). Also, I asked the doctor to take me off Januvia since it cost so much and she did.Now my monthly out-of-pocket med cost is down from $57 to $17. That leaves me on Lantus (the insulin) and metformin.
Q: What's next?
I need to do a follow up with the dietitians but first need to check to see if my insurance will pay for more time. If not, that visit will wait until January. I see the doctor in February, but plan to be more disciplined in my number checking because I've told you lovely readers and you will ask me about it, I hope. When I have a better record I hope to fax the numbers to my doctor and ask her what she thinks. Personally, I suspect I need to add a short term insulin (Lantus is kind of like a slow release insulin that you take once a day) to lunch or dinner or maybe change kinds of once-a-day insulin. My numbers are too high after dinner and I am hungry all the time even after eating my allowed carbs. I am not gaining weight (which I probably should) and suspect I need to eat more. I wonder though, since my carb allowance is pretty typical for a diabetic, what do the people who are overweight eat? How can they possibly be feeling full?
There. The interview is over. Any more questions?
3 comments:
Great job on getting your numbers down. How often do you plan on posting your numbers? I will know when to ask/bug you.
I love carbs - but I do try to fill up on other stuff. When I think carbs - I think breads and grains. It is probably in other stuff and I just don't pay attention. I eat lots of yogurt, and veggies (carrots and grape tomtoes are easy to pop in your mouth on the go). Ok, now that I try to write other non-carb things I eat, I am stuck. Maybe I eat too many carbs.
Yes how often do you plan on posting these numbers again. I am looking forward to it. : )
Any new numbers?
Do you want free womens Expo tickets for this weekdn? We have 4 that we aren't using.
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