I’m definitely no doctor so please don’t take anything I’m saying here as medical advice.
As we age, and since we both need to lose weight, we’ve been reading more and more about Types 1 and 2 diabetes. Back when Vince first went through his heart issues, because his blood glucose levels were somewhat elevated, one of his doctors recommended that he get a meter and, not every day, but on some routine frequency, check his blood glucose levels. Vince got the meter and checked his levels religiously for a month or so but hasn’t been doing it.
When I was in the hospital, my levels were elevated but the doctor said that also could have been caused by the meds I had been taking so, towards the end of last week, I checked my levels and I was within normal range. Vince checked his and he knows he needs to lose weight but his levels weren’t bad . . just on the extreme upper end of normal.
Yesterday we were in Walmart . . I know . . not going out anywhere this weekend . . but they had the health screeners there checking blood glucose, blood pressure, and a couple of other things. Vince said “Let’s get ours checked here and then do it again when we get home to make sure our meter is fairly accurate.” I said . . you can check yours again at home but I’m not pricking my finger again. When Vince got home, he checked his and it was 132, which is better so either it came down our that’s the difference in our machines.
I sat down and told the lady “I just finished breakfast not even an hour ago and drank a Dr. Pepper.” She said “Yours may be a little high then” but mine was 96. Vince’s was 140 . . again, the very upper end of normal for two hours after a meal. The lady said not to worry about it since it was only an hour after he had eaten and had a big glass of orange juice.
We try to check our blood sugar on Thursdays. We check it when we get up, and then again two hours after a meal. If it all looks ok, we don’t check it again for a week or two.
Vince is really doing good with his exercising. He does cardiac rehab which is a full hour of exercising three days a week. He’s still eating way too much junk food and we’re eating more bread than we should be eating. About all I’m doing is walking and you can bet I haven’t been doing that with this heat we’ve been having. Early in the mornings I have chores to do outside before it gets too hot but there haven’t been any 5 mile walks around the property in over a month. I wish we had room for a treadmill or exercise bike but we just don’t. Maybe next house . .
Wanda says
Keep up the good work on the checking your blood sugars. You can also get a blood test called A1c it can detect what sugar has been the last three months. I always get and so does hubby if getting blood work already . And yes blood sugar machine are like any other scales they can all be different . Like you I’m not a doctor but we all have to take care of ourselves and do the best we can .
Judy Laquidara says
Yes, we do the A1C with our annual blood work but are hoping that by checking our levels three or four times a month, we can notice ahead of time if levels start to rise, and we can also see the added benefits of exercising and losing weight by seeing the levels go down.
Mary M says
Both hubby and I are type 2 diabetics and I try to stay active and limit carbs (not just bread but that can be a problem) but hubby eats garbage all the time and hardly moves. He is on tons of medication. I am on 2 for diabetes after 10 years. Stay active, watch those potatoes, pasta, breads and sugars and maybe you can stay away from meds completely.
Judy Laquidara says
I am not even close to having worrisome numbers but staying away from the carbs is a good idea for most of us. Vince does need to be a bit more careful. Thanks for the advice from one who experiences diabetes and good luck to you both. It’s definitely something we should all do our best to avoid, though I know it is not always preventable.
Linda in NE says
I’ve managed to stay off diabetes meds for the last 15 years. At first I lost a bunch of weight by going low carb and that did a lot of good, but the numbers have been gradually creeping up so this might be the year I get put on meds. I like the homemade bread too well!! LOL And sometimes a week or two of NEEDING ice cream with chocolate syrup every night. Other than that I try to keep the carbs & sugars down. Since my right ankle & left hip haven’t been as bothersome I’ve been walking again hoping it would help with numbers and weight. Can’t say it has since numbers stay the same and I actually gained two pounds walking and not eating bread, potatoes OR ice cream. I inherited the weight problem and diabetes from my dad’s family, quite a few are diabetic, and high blood pressure from my mom’s side. Genetics just makes everything harder. I swear I could quit eating entirely and still stay overweight with high blood pressure and diabetes! I hate the thought of going on meds since they all ruin what’s left of your health over time.
Alison says
I would avoid buying a treadmill – there are countless numbers of them languishing in sheds all around the world (we sold ours for about a third of it’s value) we all start off very enthusiastically but it eventually becomes a chore as it is so boring!
montanaclarks says
Our treadmill quickly became a clothes hanger–most boring thing I’ve ever done in my life!
Nelle Coursey says
It is good you are checking on this. My mother had type 2 diabetes and I have always been worried that it might run in the family. But she also ate a lot of junk food. I try to eat right but I do eat my sweets as well. So glad you are both doing better!!
dezertsuz says
I was wondering about getting one of those. My numbers bounce on visits, up one time, down the next. =P My doctor wants it around 100, and I probably feel better then, too, but I don’t check it in between doctor visits.
Terri Schanz says
My father, my brother and I both had/have type 2 diabetes. We all developed it after starting on statin drugs for cholesterol. Noting that there is no diabetes in iether side of my family as far back as anybody can remember, I started doing a little investigation and discovered that while no direct cause has been established, therei s mounting evidence that statin drugs can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. If Vince is taking a statin, he may have to be a little more vigilant about controlling blood sugars. Controlling carb intake seems to be the key for me. My last couple of A1c tests have been in the nondiabetic range, so I’m doing well. Unfortunately, I’m one of the unlucky ones who has developed severe peripheral neuropathy and have lost sensation in both my feet and legs and have severe pain, despite controlling my blood sugars. It’s best to avoid developing it in the first place, because even mildly elevated blood sugars can result in complications of diabetes like neuropathy, kidney problems, retinopathy and many others. My son was diagnosed with “pre-diabetes” after starting a statin, but has been able to avoid developing the disease by controlling his carb intake. His doctor told him to limit his carbs to 45-60 grams per meal and 30 grams for snacks and that has worked for him.