I just got off the phone with my doctor. He is happy with my A1C, which was 6.4 the last time and it is now 6. He says he does not want it to go lower than 6. My intention was to try to get it lower than 6 but he does not want me to do that. I was wondering why? Anyway my blood sugars have been running really really low maybe that is why he is concerned.
I sometimes have to take the glucagon shot which is like basically a shot of sugar. I've been going below 40 sometimes.
So he has changed around the amount of insulin I take. I used to take 270 of Humulin RU 500 at night and 230 in the morning. I also take 1.8 of Victoza.
He's changed it to 240 at dinner, 100 before lunch and 115 at breakfast. Still taking 1.8 Victoza.
I'm so grateful I have been able to find an endocrinologist that I feel comfortable with and that is helping me so much. My blood sugars used to be really high between 300 - 500 +. So it is a miracle for me to have little numbers.
The one thing I have come to realize recently? The even though my A1C is so much better? I still have permanent damage from the diabetes which is progressing. My neuropathy goes from my feet all the way to the right above my knees. It goes from my hands to almost my elbows. And I keep breaking my feet and was told I would have to lose them through amputation if I could not get better. I was under the erroneous impression that if your blood sugar is under control then everything else is okay. But I have found out that the diabetes does not think that way at all. It keeps hurting you inside and out even if you're following all of the directions of your doctor. I guess I'm kind of writing this to let everybody know that.
(1) Make sure that you get an endocrinologist. Demand it. Do not settle for a nurse practitioner or a doctor that does not specialize in diabetes. That was my mistake for years, and they had me on insulin that was wrong for me and it was not helping me. In fact, my endocrinologist said it was from the Dark Ages basically. And they had a lot better insulin nowadays. I did not insist on an endocrinologist to take care of my diabetes. Sometimes my insurance was really bad and it would not let me have an endocrinologist. However? You can always ask your doctor and see if they will let you go to see an endocrinologist which is my number one advice to all diabetics.
(2) I switched out one meal a day for salad. I happen to love salad a lot and there are all kinds of things you can do with salad. Basically you can have a different salad everyday. I only use oil, mustard, vinegar and lemon as a homemade dressing. Kraft Asian Sesame Seed Oil dressing is my favorite dressing to buy at a store. However? You can do what is right for you. I used to be addicted to Litehouse Blue Cheese and then I realized how much it was costing me in calories per day. So I switched and I don't really miss it. I do buy crumbled blue cheese sometimes and put that in the salad as a treat.
(3) Practice mindfulness, self care, meditation, and keep a journal. Go to therapy if you can. These things have been life-changing for me in reducing my stress levels. Stress is not good for diabetes.
(4) I use MyFitnessPal for my Android. I keep track of exercise, water intake, food, and calorie intake. When you write something down? Reminds you of what you are actually doing it. I write everything down even if I have something that I should not. Portion control has become a serious part of my life. I did not realize how much I used to eat.
I hope these tips help you. Every single day is a new day for each one of us.
Audrey Hepburn said "People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed... Never throw out anybody."
IMO? That means all of us. Don't give up on yourself. If you make a mistake today? Tomorrow always comes.
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