Diabetes

Howdy All, One more ?, I have Diabetes and as of lately my numbers have been slightly too high, it came on all of a sudden, I believe it WAS my fault mostly the regular drinks, so I have stocked on on every different kind of sugar free drink I can find (see what i like best) hahah My metroformin has been increased to one 500mg pill BID, still it remains a lil' high. Blah Blah..... here's the ?, are you required to get your blood sugar under control (low, "normal" numbers) or atleast in the ball park of "normal" prior to surgery, if so I think that will be the hardest thing to accomplish. Thanx a bunch Christina

Hi Christina, Maybe I can help you out a bit here. I am a type II diabetic..even tho technically my diabetes has been GONE completely since early on post-surgery, I still always consider myself a diabetic and live accordingly. My entire family is diabetic and understanding the nature of the disease I do realize that it could actively rear it's ugly head again with no real provocation from me. Ok, having said all that LOL.... Definitely get off the sugar drinks as they will cause a constant spiking of your numbers. It's extremely important that you get your numbers under control before surgery as it can affect a number of things including how you heal after surgery. This is really a non negotiable in most cases. You don't say specifically what your numbers have been, what is " a little high?" Do you chart your numbers everyday? If not please do so as it can help you if you get a high fasting reading during a dr's fasting blood test. Also what is your HbA1c? That is really the most telling number, since it gives a long term 3 month evaluation of what your control has been. If you don't exercise, please start walking, not only will it help you condition yourself for surgery it will also drop your numbers like a rock. Also remember the Metformin is not a hypoglycemic drug, all it does is increase your insulin sensitivity, it won't physically drop your numbers as other classes of diabetic drugs do. The only way it will be effective is if you are doing your part by eating properly and exercising. This is good training as it will become your way of life post op anyway! Hope this helps, Linda

In addition to what Linda said, just want you to know that your doc is probably going want to see readings no higher than 200. Of course that is not optimum -normal numbers are. However, approx. 2 days prior to surgery you will stop taking any diabetic medications, oral and/or insulin. They'd rather deal with a higher glucose level during surgery than put you at extreme risk with potentially low blood sugar. But remember: your numbers need to be stable! Let your endocrinologist know that you're still running higher than desired. Prior to surgery, I was on 1000 mg metformin BID and 60 units NPH Humulin (human insulin) BID. I no longer take insulin! Yippee!! Hang in there, follow Linda's advice (she's a genius, you know! ) Hang in there! Sandi