For a little over a week I've been pretty MIA and for good reason! My not-so-baby brother graduated from college a week ago this past Sunday. After the graduation my parents flew back down to DC to stay with me and Steve for the week and celebrate my 29th birthday. So much fun!
Since I was in Boston for my bro's graduation my parents and I stayed on an extra day so that I could go see the retina specialist at Joslin. I have to go every 4 months, which was easy when my bro was in school there but now that he's moving it won't be as easy.
My mom went with me to the appointment on Monday. I have moderate to severe retinopathy. Luckily it isn't bad enough to need surgery. The really great news is that the spot where I was bleeding in 4 months ago has moved further away from the center of the eye! *Happy Dance?*
On Friday I saw my endocrinologist. Based on my meter's 90 day average I had a pretty good idea what my A1C would be. When Dr. A walked in she was so excited to tell me my results: 7.2%! She was impressed. Of course, we both agreed that our goal is for it to be under 7% and pre-pregnancy goal is 6.5% or under.
My cholesterol is still high but Dr. A doesn't want me on a statin because she is concerned that "they" still don't know the effect it has on fetuses even when stopped before conception. I have never heard of this before but for now I'm going to try to get it down using exercise and diet. That and I'm going to look into natural ways to get it down (eating more fiber, supplements ect.)
While I'm being a good PWD I'm not being good with remembering to take my synthroid (medication for my thyroid.) I know, I know. This teeny tiny little pill that I need to take that will help with my weight loss and exhaustion.
In a month I am seeing the PA/CDE to fine tune basal rates ect. My goals between now and then are to take my synthroid every single day and to loose 3 pounds. I know 3 pounds don't seem like a lot but Dr. A said that weight loss is going to be difficult with my current thyroid levels. I have an uphill battle on that front but if I can lower my A1C the way I have I can do anything! At least that is what I keep reminding myself.
Remember how 3 weeks ago I was sick with a sinus infection and bronchitis? Yeah, well I'm sick again. Exactly a week after I stopped my antibiotic I get congested all over again and my cough is getting worse. Luckily I think it is just a cold. 3 weeks of sick day rules sure does get old after a while.
Aside from diet and exercise does anyone have any recommendations on how to lower my cholesterol?
Showing posts with label A1c. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A1c. Show all posts
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Wee Bit of Frustration
By no means am I the perfect PWD. In the 21 and a half years I've had diabetes I've gone through periods of not testing, not paying attention to my diabetes and only doing enough to stay out of the hospital. Hell, I was even "fired" by my very first endocrinologist, Dr. H, for non-compliance. There have also been periods where my A1c rocked and I was doing everything to keep it low.
During the periods of not taking proper care of my diabetes it was never once about not knowing what to do or having the resources to do what was needed. In fact, thanks to all my mom's work I probably have way more resources at my disposal than most PWD. Everything I needed was always right there.
In October when I started seeing my new endo, Dr. A. While Dr. E will always be there for me if I ever needed anything is always just an email away from helping me out I came to realize I needed to have an endo who was local and not 3,000 miles away. So off I went to Dr. A and got my A1c. I was a bit shocked at my results: 10.2%
Dr. A told me it was ok and we were going to work together to get it down.
46 days later it was down to 8.1% I was so impressed with myself. I figured that in 2 months I would have it down bellow 7% no problem
Except it didn't go down that much. About 10 days ago I saw Dr. A for a follow up. Before the appointment I checked my 90 day average on my meter and had an idea what my new A1c would be so I wasn't as shocked/upset by the news. 7.9% I told Dr. A that my guess was I would be 7.8% or 7.9% so I did a decent job guessing.
I know that I should be thrilled that in just over three months I went from 10.2% down to 7.9% but I am just not satisfied.
Now that I'm unemployed my days pretty much revolve 99 percent of the time around diabetes. In some ways it is fantastic but it also makes these highs I keep having just that much more frustrating. Sometimes I know why I'm high and there is a good reason. Other times I have no idea.
On Saturday Steve and I went out for an early dinner of tapas before heading to the movies to see Shutter Island. Before eating I was 106 so I bolused for my meal and took my shot of symlin. 2 hours after eating I was 106. Perfect!!! An hour later, during the movie, my Dexcom alarms saying I'm over 200. I test and I'm in the 250s. I do a correction bolus and get back to watching the movie. (Good movie by the way!) A few hours later I'm back down in the 130s before bed.
I'm trying so hard for that A1c bellow 7%. My goal is to have it there when I get it tested again in May. It is just days like Saturday that get me frustrated and feel like throwing in the towel. Of course I realize I can't do that but sometimes it sure does sound appealing.
On Thursday I'm seeing the Physician Assistant/CDE at Dr. A's office. Hopefully she'll help me figure out why I am going up 3 hours after eating and how to help prevent it.
During the periods of not taking proper care of my diabetes it was never once about not knowing what to do or having the resources to do what was needed. In fact, thanks to all my mom's work I probably have way more resources at my disposal than most PWD. Everything I needed was always right there.
In October when I started seeing my new endo, Dr. A. While Dr. E will always be there for me if I ever needed anything is always just an email away from helping me out I came to realize I needed to have an endo who was local and not 3,000 miles away. So off I went to Dr. A and got my A1c. I was a bit shocked at my results: 10.2%
Dr. A told me it was ok and we were going to work together to get it down.
46 days later it was down to 8.1% I was so impressed with myself. I figured that in 2 months I would have it down bellow 7% no problem
Except it didn't go down that much. About 10 days ago I saw Dr. A for a follow up. Before the appointment I checked my 90 day average on my meter and had an idea what my new A1c would be so I wasn't as shocked/upset by the news. 7.9% I told Dr. A that my guess was I would be 7.8% or 7.9% so I did a decent job guessing.
I know that I should be thrilled that in just over three months I went from 10.2% down to 7.9% but I am just not satisfied.
Now that I'm unemployed my days pretty much revolve 99 percent of the time around diabetes. In some ways it is fantastic but it also makes these highs I keep having just that much more frustrating. Sometimes I know why I'm high and there is a good reason. Other times I have no idea.
On Saturday Steve and I went out for an early dinner of tapas before heading to the movies to see Shutter Island. Before eating I was 106 so I bolused for my meal and took my shot of symlin. 2 hours after eating I was 106. Perfect!!! An hour later, during the movie, my Dexcom alarms saying I'm over 200. I test and I'm in the 250s. I do a correction bolus and get back to watching the movie. (Good movie by the way!) A few hours later I'm back down in the 130s before bed.
I'm trying so hard for that A1c bellow 7%. My goal is to have it there when I get it tested again in May. It is just days like Saturday that get me frustrated and feel like throwing in the towel. Of course I realize I can't do that but sometimes it sure does sound appealing.
On Thursday I'm seeing the Physician Assistant/CDE at Dr. A's office. Hopefully she'll help me figure out why I am going up 3 hours after eating and how to help prevent it.
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