My Diabetes 2 Backwards Numbers---Anyone else?

Hi @chocolate5lover. I looked at the date I first posted (over a year ago). Now, in 2018, almost 2 1/2 years since my diagnosis, I can say that things have changed. Someone needs to explain as much as possible to new diabetics what to expect; that would definitely help. I wonder about people who are told they have this disease but have no idea what to do for themselves. I suppose they get worse and just take the doctors' word. I am stubborn and a control freak, so I don't take anybody's word as the be-all and end-all. I research and read and listen to the dr. but I decide for myself what works for me.
My husband and I are both retired, and he is not in excellent health. We were talking over the weekend that we don't have horrid health problems that keep us in and out of the hospital. There are things we cannot do, but we don't dwell on them. I eat what I know works for me; but may not work for anyone else. I check my blood twice a day because I have to know that it's staying in range. I try not to get discouraged but think how lucky I am. There are many diseases that are much more limiting than diabetes. I had such a wonderful life until this reared its ugly head, and now it has been a new challenge. I also give much over to the Good Lord. My husband does too. We are survivors together as we have been for the 52 years we have been married. One thing I do not do is exercise. It has been a long 2 1/2 years, and I just hope to continue to improve. By the way I do not have to take any meds. 🙂
Thanks for your response.
retiredteacher

Hi @oldkarl. You are right to say that there are many things that happen that we can't explain. Even the doctors have no answers. I have my numbers under control for me. I have numbers in the morning anywhere from 120 to 130's. I've asked my endo; he says it's not a problem at my age. Then I have lunch and after, my numbers are under 100 or maybe 104ish. That's good. My A1c was 6.1 when I was diagnosed. It moved quickly to 6.0, then 5.9 and it's back to 6.0 now. So I hang around the same numbers that seem to work for me. My endo calls me a controlled diabetic; that is to say I am not severe but I have to be careful or I could fall into bad numbers easily. You are so right---just keep on keeping on and not abusing ourselves with what we know is wrong. I take no meds and I do not exercise beyond housework and grocery shopping. That's enough for me. I sleep well and feel good most of the time. I spend most of my time on the computer and reading and love to take naps. My husband is the same way. You are right, too, about the "experts" disagreeing, so I am my own dr. and do what I know works for me and my body dealing with this disease. When I go to the endo (2X a year) he looks at me like, "Why are you here?" I don't have problems or illnesses other than diabetes, have never been sickly, so I feel very fortunate.
Glad to hear from you and good luck with your numbers.
retirednumbers

@chocolate5lover If you like dark chocolate (at least 70 - 72%), that's not bad. It really does not have that much sugar and/or carbs. I generally have a piece every morning after breakfast.
JK

Wow! I am so happy for you! You "sound" like you are doing much better now. Keep up the good work!

@chocolate5lover. The tone of what I write is the way I am. I am often too frank. My mother used to remind me to be soft and sweet, like a good Southern girl should be, but my daddy always said to tell the truth---good or bad, and I would not have to remember any lies. So I always have said exactly what I feel and know, even when it is not so pleasant. There's no point in kidding myself or anyone else. My husband is as honest as the day is long also, so we have never lied to each other or to anyone else. I am doing better because I researched and read and found out for myself all the things the doctors didn't tell me. My husband helped in the search and together (as always) we have a handle on this disease. I would wish everyone the success I have had. Maybe it's understanding and accepting, but I have not been sick with anything, not even a cold, since I was told I have diabetes 2. But, as I said, I was never a sickly person BD (before diabetes), so being sick is not part of who I am. Some people have everything wrong with them. I am fortunate to be a healthy Senior citizen. As a teacher (retired after 42 years) I still adhere to a routine and find that it keeps me well.
Good health to you.

retiredteacher

Your sugars are higher in the morning even when you do not eat because your liver is releasing glycogen stores because it thinks you need more energy. Some people recommend a small snack at bedtime (like a couple crackers with a little bit of cheese). It is not clear what controls or triggers this. It seems to me that when I eat more healthy my morning blood sugars are better... but not always. It seems you are doing very well though!

I have experienced a similar issue most of my life. Morning sugars are typically 140, occasionally lower 130, and sometimes 160’s or higher. My daytime sugars are reasonable 95-115 mostly, with occasional high 80’s. Postprandial numbers are mostly “in range” My A1c numbers are reasonable, 5.7 - 6 or occasionally slightly higher. But a few fructosamine tests have suggested that the A1c’s may not be reliable. My primary will not diagnose me as Diabetic, and a visit to a Endocrinologist’s PA likewise is non-committal. I had a dietitian consult who suggested the typical exercise and diet controls, and that meds would probably not change my numbers. I live in a more remote town and Endocrinologists are few and hard to see. I am 65 and my PA will retire at the end of the year. Maybe a new look with a new physician will help clarify this issue.

Not knowing about your age and the rest of your health status, i would think you have enough basic information to improve your morning numbers with diet and exercise, and less reliance on this "in range" method which I have never used. Is it with a diabetic monitor? It helps if you like to cook, and living remote is not a big issue at this point, according to your dietitian. I urge you to study carbs and decrease them and have confidence in the good results that come from eating a balanced diet of protein, vegetables, low carb, and a small amount of fruit and whole grains.and dairy. After needed weight loss at the start, I have been quite satisfied with relying on food and some exercise for good results. Try a new veggie every time you go to the store, or put some of it in a soup for color and good nutrition. Pills and monitors have never been my go to remedy and I have cut down from two Metformin to one a day, unless I overdo on the meals. I agree that Kale has not made it to my favorite list, so you are free to skip a few popular recommendations. Let us know how you are doing with new foods in your diet. Eat as much fresh food as you can manage. Avoid eating out of boxes and bags. See if you have better results. Dorisena

If you want my amateur comments on your numbers, I would guess that you eat big dinners or some sweets at night in order to have higher than normal numbers in the morning. If your daytime numbers are low, which they are, it indicates that you are very active and/or are eating a low carb diet during the day with no sweets, colas, or alcohol. Your primary does not diagnose you with diabetes because of the lower daytime numbers, because evidently your pancreas is still doing its job, somewhat at least. Others on this site have mentioned that the testing items used do not give as accurate an AIC as the actual lab tests. I urge you to try a better diet regimen and see if you can make the numbers go closer to normal, whatever that is for you. I have great faith in what I have accomplished in 14 years, and like eating a low carb diet. I splurge on ice cream once in a while and I usually have a piece of birthday cake, run the numbers up, and bring them back down in a couple of days. I wish I could exercise more. Dorisena
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Low carb, low sugar of course, and I eat several small meals during the day. Stop eating about 5-6 pm, with maybe a little snack or not. I eat yogurt/fruit/granola for breakfast, 1 diet coke daily, several glasses of iced green tea, 2-3 glasses of water/day. Then, add some kind of meal-sort-of....usually a small or half a chicken breast stuffed w/spinach or asparagas and gouda, or something like that and that's it. Maybe a bit of ice cream...or a few mints or whatever. Seems to be pretty much what I need and keep my blood sugar numbers in good range. A1C Monday at Mayo was 6.2. It stays these days in the high 5 to mid-6 range.I'm happy with that. Hope you find your best way....Blessings, Elizabeth