I screwed up

Aww gee, I'm sorry for all this. Now stop beating yourself up. I'm sure every single person who's been diagnosed with something has these crappy feelings at times. I do, a lot! Yeah, I wish everything was different BUT I have to tell you that I've seen the results of uncontrolled blood sugar and diet and you don't want to go there. Complications include: heart disease, possible blindness from retinopathy, neuropathy in the feet, kidney disease. Believe me, these are really good reasons to control what you eat. (I hate repeating this but here goes: my mom had diabetes (type 2), was on insulin actually; she ate what she wanted, she continued to smoke even though she had had a heart attack, hurt her foot, got gangrene, they amputated her leg to the knee and she died in the hospital right afterwards of a heart attack. All of this could have been avoided.)

It doesn't go away. Some years ago, I was so well-controlled that I also thought, well, I could eat a bowl of cereal now and I would have normal blood sugar. Far from it. I was back to high blood sugar. So, I've been through that, too.

I wish I could make it all go away for you but I can't. The reality is that we cannot just eat what we want and have normal blood sugar. Same with stopping the metformin.

I've read that UTIs are associated with diabetes. And problems can be made worse if you're on antibiotics for that or other things. You need to eat yogurt everyday if you're on antibiotics. And shame on the doctor who prescribed them and didn't tell you. You may end up with a yeast infection as you found out. So, get some yogurt without sugar. Use artificial sweetener if you want.

I don't have any diabetic friends around me either. My immediate family understands how I need to eat and they are fine with that though.

I think maybe an endo would be a good choice to get you back on the right path. And discuss your lack of interest in the bedroom with that doctor because that sometimes goes along with high blood sugar. (I understand it's worse in men.) Maybe taking metformin twice a day (with meals) would help better, but try to get in to see an endo.

Don't despair! I think I remember you had a small child? You need to be around for the kids!

And you can come here anytime you want and rant and throw things, too! Email me if you want.

Hang in there! And post back! I'm glad you came and posted again!

http://www.healthline.com/drugs/metformin/oral-solution#Highlights1
Infections dealing with the urinary tract are some times hard to detect. I was given Tamsulosin HCI which help stop the frequent trips to the bathroom. I was tested for an infection but none was found. Are you testing your own blood or doing the once a month lab thing? I find I have better control if I do my own testing. In 2014 I went on a gluten free diet because of all the other medical problems I was having and it really helped me with my diabetes. I lost weight, got control of my blood sugars, and feel great. I vary seldom eat out which helps keep me in line.
Dennis

I think you're doing ok, just off kilter from being so sick during those months and feeling in the dumps. You were smacked with those infections and not feeling well. I don't think the metformin causes frequent urination but of course different people do have different reactions to meds so I don't want to say that definitively but it is something I doubt.

I'll post the link that I had probably given you a year ago so you can look through it again plus another one that lists nutrition facts on different food and products.

www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/ (This is the one with all the info about blood sugar.)


nutritiondata.self.com/ (You can use the search box on the upper right to check out food and products by name.)

And maybe an endo is the way to go at this point for the blood sugar. If you haven't had your thyroid levels checked, ask if that should be done, too.

I hope today is a better day for you!

You are not a failure! The fact that you are here and posting shows that you believe your health is important and you are not giving up!

Yes, your A1c is high and now you will get back on track. We just went through all the holidays when we have dinners and celebrations, parties, etc. and I fully expect my A1c to be higher than the last. Just because I don't eat carbs on a daily basis and I preach a low-carb eating plan doesn't mean I don't eat a piece of bread or cake when there's a special occasion - but I don't make it a habit and I will only eat a small piece at the time.

So, go back on your eating plan and don't "eat for the medication" if you follow what I mean. You will be taking more metformin but don't eat a piece of cake because you think the meds will take care of it.

You will be fine and I'm glad you're going to see an endo. Make sure you remember to ask questions when you go in (write them down).

There is a pretty tasty treat in the organic food section of my supermarket. I don't know why it's in the organic section, actually, but it's called "power crunch - protein energy bar" and it's like a peanut butter wafer bar. There's a chocolate version, too. The wrapper says it has 10g carb. So, what works for me is I eat half a bar mid morning and the other half in mid-afternoon.

Lately, I have been eating a larger lunch and a really small dinner and some nuts after dinner while I watch a basketball game or whatever.

You will be fine because you care about yourself. Do something fun with the family this weekend and treat yourself to a manicure or get a haircut with a new style maybe. And keep posting!

I don't know. And, if true, how much garlic would have to be eaten? Same with cinnamon. People say that can help, too. Here's a website that lists some of these that may have effects on blood sugar: www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/foods-lower-blood-sugar#1

At one time I took cinnamon capsules and they did nothing for the blood sugar. It was a waste of my money.

The only fact I know about food which affects blood sugar is that carbs cause rises in blood sugar and this is because of metabolism. Diabetes cannot metabolize carbs as non-diabetics can. Metformin can help to an extent with that. There are other drugs that work in different ways which are prescribed to help the body's metabolism work more efficiently and that also involves the liver.

Remember that it's not the calories that affect the blood sugar. It's the amount of carbs. Check out the carb levels of the food you eat on the nutrition website link that I posted before. It might be a better choice to eat a couple of berries instead of the melon. Melon has a lot of carbs.

I'm glad that you're seeing lower numbers though. The salmon with green beans is a very good choice. Add a small salad or some slices of cucumbers or olives, mushrooms and that would really fill you up.

Also, metformin can cause some strange effects if you're eating carbs. I would probably not eat the melon in that case. Oatmeal has fiber but also carbs. Can you eat eggs? An omelet?

Ok, I'm glad you're keeping track and I hope the readings continue to come down! You'll be fine. When is your appointment with the endo?

Well right now on 1500 mg of metformin until Thursday and it goes to 2000. But I'm worried because other than after breakfast my sugars are going down. This morning fasting was 108. But two hours after eating was 180. Uggg that is frustrating. I was told oatmeal with peanut butter and that's what I've been eating for years but it doesn't work now. I even cut the amount. So tomorrow I'm going to try eggs with a little bit of fruit. I've been doing some reading and I've been told that is good. Tonight I'm making morrocan chicken. Ive gotten several different chicken receipes and fish so here is to seeing how this works. I honestly feel like a newly diagnosed diabetic and learning what works and what doesn't.

I bought some glucose tablets in case my sugars go to low with the metformin.