Newly diagnosed with Diabetes

After getting all of the results from my pre-op testing I was diagnosed with diabetes; plus I had to take another fasting glucose to confirm diagnosis.  My A1C was 10 and my doctor says I have to get it down to 8 before I can have surgery.  Since this is all new to me, is it hard with meds  and diet to get this level down?

It is not hard to get your daily blood sugar under control, but it will take longer to get the A1C down to 8.  The meds really do work at this level, but A1C is a measure of three months averages.  So have some patience and be thankful that you were diagnosed and have the chance to get it under control

Being diagnosed with diabetes might also affect your choice of surgery - RNY has an 85% chance of curing you, and DS a 98% chance (it re-routes your body's signals). With band and VSG your diabetes will be improved, but only if you lose weight.

I had a A1C of 9 pre-DS, and it was down to 4.3 at my first 3 month blood test. I'm 'normal' (not what DH says...)

Once you start taking your meds and doing the monitoring and changing your diet etc it should come down enough for surgery though - it will only be so high because you were undiagnosed I would think.

Sal

I was diagnosed in May with an a1c of 9.5. Now in August, 3 months later, I just got my results back from last week's test. My a1c is now 6.2. I've been on Metformin since diagnosis and have been more conscious of my carb intake.

It seems silly to me to re-check you fasting glucose. The a1c really tells the story.

 It's pretty awful testing yourself every morning but I can tell you that the more you test the better you will be able to tell what foods make your sugars go up.

For some people, eating a cracker is OK. For others, they simply cannot have any sugar. Others can have a cookie with a meal if they have enough protein. I was diagnosed end of July this year and put on a number of meds, when my A1C came back it was 5.6. The endocrinologist's chart says that anything less than 5 is normal. 

A good way to get your sugars down is to have a protein snack before bed time. When you are diabetic, your sugars go high because your liver goes into overdrive at night. If you give it some protein it will work on that instead and your morning sugars will be lower. I have tried this and it works. Sometime as simple as a celery stick with peanut butter or some cream cheese on a small cracker works.

Seriously though, If you are not seeing an endocrinologist, I highly recommend that you see one. Also you should see an opthamologist and get your feet checked regularly.  You do not want to wait three months to find out what your sugars are and have long term cellular damage to your organs, neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet...) heart disease, and the list goes on.

I want to live to see my 10 year old have children, and I"m 44. Now that I'm low-carbing and losing weight I might not qualify for the surgery I was considering. But I have the biggest motivator I never had before. I want to live.

On September 4, 2008 at 9:53 PM Pacific Time, Lisa M. wrote:  It's pretty awful testing yourself every morning but I can tell you that the more you test the better you will be able to tell what foods make your sugars go up.

I would argue that the best way to see what foods affect your glucose levels is to check your pst-prandial glucose readings--test 60, 90, and 120 minutes after beginning a meal. Morning fasting testing won't tell you much about what specific foods affect you.

I am losing weight now, too, but I will still qualify for surgery, and my surgery can send my diabetes into full remission, so I will continue to work towards surgery.

 I test in the Am and also test when I am feeling sick anytime and I am supposed to try and remember to test  2 hours after eating. If I start feeling oogy I do test sooner.

You can do it in a matter of weeks by going on a strict low-carb diet (by which I mean 24-30 carbs a day). The doctor is doing the best thing for you; getting your glucose under control pre-op affects how well you come through the surgery itself AND your changes of complete resolution of diabetes post-op. Google "Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution" or buy the book of the same name for guidance that I guarantee you will work.

symlin or byata will bring that A1C down quickly.

Can you get that OTC or prescription only? Please share more info about it. I have been taking 1/2 dropper of cinnamon oil 3 x's daily for 2 weeks and I've had to cut back because I am having low blood sugars. It really works but I am always looking for improvement.