A1c continues to improve and endo appointments only twice a year :)

@retiredteacher I have an endo appointment on Friday and I am afraid of what my numbers will be. I go for the lab work tomorrow morning. I really have not been very good at all. I survived my liver problems and transplant, my knee replacement, so diabetes took a back seat. I really have to get back to paying more attention to it.
I hope your numbers continue to be within range, and I hope mine will be too.
I do exercise a lot so maybe that will save me. If you have a decent health club close to you, you might be surprised at how many people your age are there. There are a number of women in my water exercise classes who are in their 80s. I think the range of ages is from 50+ to about 85. It's good exercise and low-impact since it's in the water. I do other exercises also, like my recumbent bike, and the gym occasionally. Frankly, I hate going but I feel like it's a necessity. I do enjoy the water because there's a great group of people there -- mostly women and a couple of spouses.
JK

retired teacher...WOW. Your numbers are fab especially with all the stress you have been under. Exercise can be walking, climbing stairs and with all your running around you can create your own at home. I touch toes, lift legs, have one of those exercise balls and whatever else catches my fancy during the day. All of it is good, I am concentrating a bit on balance and keeping back straight. I noticed when I was involved in groups and walking miles a day, and staying away from carbs, my numbers still climbed...slowly but climbed. My theory is if it is a gene issue, you can help control how fast but meditation helps as much and giving yourself a lot of love, for all you do.

@contentandwell. I know having to go to endo for all the checks is unnerving, or it is for me. I considered canceling because my routine had been so crazy and I had eaten off the grid. I just knew my A1c would be high, but luckily, it only went from 5.9 to 6.0. All of my test profiles were within range and so I felt blessed. I got back on my food routine and daily blood numbers are back to my usual.
I hope you have good results and numbers for you haven't changed that much.
I am not a gym or health club person. When I was younger I was an exercise freak, but did aerobic classes and then exercise tapes at home. I lost too much weight and my PCP told me I was too frail looking so I gained some weight back and then when heath problems started for my husband almost ten years ago, exercise was not in the picture. I was teaching and that was exercise every day! I loved it and thought I would still be teaching, but when health problems rear their ugly heads, the body takes over and working isn't possible. So I have to do what I can and I am a control freak, so I can pretty well have control except for things that happen in getting older.
Good luck with your appointment.
@retiredteacher

@retiredteacher I am the opposite of you. Way back, when I was single (I've been married for 43 years) I used to do a lot of biking, skiing, tennis, and other activities, but then I got lazy and did nothing for years. I knew when I needed to have a liver transplant that I would fare better if I lost weight and got into better shape so I really went at it. I already was going to a health club but mainly for the water exercise. Now I feel sort of guilty if I don't get some exercise in every day! My son and kids, especially my son, a real exercise and health addict, are amazed at how much I do. As I said, I do not enjoy it but feel it is a necessity for me. We all have to do what is right for us.

Thanks for the encouragement about the appointment. I too thought about postponing it and trying to be better but who am I kidding? I said that a few months ago! They say if you lose a lot of weight you can almost turn diabetes around and I have lost a lot of weight, about 45 pounds after finding out that I needed a transplant, and about 90 pounds overall (actually right now it's more like 83 pounds).
I WILL BE GOOD. I have to, I have a whole new wardrobe that's too snug on me! Plus my kids and husband were so proud of me that I don't want to go back to anywhere near where I was. My son is my biggest supporter.
JK

@retiredteacher - so great to hear from you. I remember your saying a bit back that you felt your diabetes had to be put on the back burner for a time due to your husband's health issues. Sounds like you and he have been through a lot with those.

That is really commendable that despite the somewhat altered lifestyle with your husband's health problems, the endocrinologist said you are still what he calls a controlled diabetic, controlled with diet and no medications.

Sounds like you have been through some challenging experiences, especially with your husband's care, that have prompted some skepticism about the medical community. What I wondered about is your mention that you have no faith in your doctor at all, but changing is not an option. Would you share more about why you don't think changing is a possibility for you?

We live in a rural area; with the county seat/town about thirty minutes drive. It is one of those situations we would like not to be in but really had the wool pulled over our eyes when we moved from our hometown. It didn't matter when we were working and able to travel and go when we wanted to. We've always been healthy and had wonderful doctors in our hometown. I say changing doctors is not possible because other doctors will not take patients from their comrades. We have been to the same PCP almost the entire 20 years we have lived here. The doctor is nice to us, but when we were faced with the first crisis (my husband's heart attack) the PCP didn't even know about it until he was back home from an out-of-state hospital.There is really no care or concern for patients. My endo is elderly and practices one day a week, so I am now seeing him two times a year. He is kind and considerate, but I don't think he is up-to-date on diabetes options. As long as I can be my own dr. that's okay. I expect him to retire soon. He is the only endo in town so I would have to travel to see a new one. The main problem is the PCP. If a patient questions a decision, that patient is told not to return to the practice to see any of the doctors in the group. I just find this very unprofessional. There are examples I could give that would shock you, but that's the way it is. At our ages, we really have no need to try to change, so it is what it is.
Thanks for asking.
@retiredteacher

I had my endo appointment yesterday and it was a very pleasant surprise. My A1c is only 6.1, and that's with not avoiding carbs at all! I was so surprised, and so relieved. My endo also monitors my hypothyroid condition and that too is going well. I was avoiding taking my levothyroxine close to my immunosuppressants because a pharmacist told me to, but the doctor looked it up and said he did not feel it should be a problem so now I can take everything at once. He is having me go for tests in a month to make sure it has not affected my TSH.
This doctor moved away from my area and I had to drive an hour and ten minutes to go to him, but he's literally a 5-star doctor and worth the drive. He is very thorough, and patient. Having a doctor who you like and are confident of, makes it worth it.
JK

Congratulations, @contentandwell ! Lots of good news. There are a couple of doctors, that I drive a ways to see as well. When you have confidence, the drive is worth it!

I have endocrinology follow up too in October. I also have an eye check scheduled for diabetes. I think the idea is that they can see more veins in eye than anyplace else. So if you're eyes are ok than your body is ok. That is how they explained to me. So it really is important to do the yearly eye check where they put drops in your eyes and look inside for retinopathy. Then for me its twice per year a1c. I thought I was doing well but I did develop skin lesions so I put antibiotic cream on them so they can heal. I think diabetes means excess sugar and that can cause skin infections. I found this can happen if when a1c numbers are good. My a1c was 6.7. So it is still diabetes but without meds. Having diabetes is a tough job.

Hello @ihatediabetes
You provided some useful information regarding the veins in the eye and the importance of eye exams. I hope your check-ups go well in October and that your skin lesions heal nicely. Have you had the skin lesions before?