I've been Type 2 for almost 20 years, insulin dependent for about 12. Never had very good control; my A1C rose to 10.3 at its worst 7 years ago. Over the last two years my ophthalmologist has been monitoring some diabetic retinopathy. Exams and field of view tests every 6 months. Warnings and more warnings. A scare with pseudopapilledema. A1C dropped to the mid 8s by 2016 but not a whole lot of progress.
Two things changed this year. One, I had weight loss surgery in May and have dropped 85 pounds. Two, I got put on the Freestyle Libre. Also after surgery my insulin was changed, from a single type Humulin-R U-500, about 120 units twice a day, to a more normal regime, Toujeo for basal and Humalog for bolus at each meal.
I'm taking much less insulin -- 76U basal, and 15 to 25 bolus at each meal. My A1c dropped to 7.0. And the retinopathy completely healed since 6 months ago. Dark spots gone. Back on yearly exam schedule. Hooray!
Between the surgery enforcing my plans of eating less, the training I got on eating better, and most of all the CGM.. I'm now just about under control. Seeing the curve and knowing exactly how the glucose behaves hour to hour, versus just a few fingersticks all day, is like the difference between driving with your eyes closed and only opening them every 15 minutes, versus driving normally.
I really didn't think my life would improve in this regard, ever. I'm so happy to be wrong.
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