Diabetes medication

Hello all,

I currently have the following three month average sugar test results (fasting) :

HGBA1C: 11.7

GLU: 217

I am 28 yrs old and weight 280 lbs.  My physician notes that my results are really high and that diabetic medication is neccessary.  I am really concerned about diabetic medication and the side effects that I always read about.  I understand that diabetic medication may be neccessary given my situation.  Is there any way that I can avoid medication and lower my sugar levels?  I'm afraid that once I start diabetic medication that I won't be able to get off it later in life due to side effects.  I'm concerned and somewhat afraid of this situation.  Any help/advice would be appreciated.  Much thanks.

-Will 

Will,
Being diagnosed as diabetic isn't fun and it's scary. We have all been where you are and we understand your fears but diabetes is kind of like that 'clunking sound' in your car engine. You know it's there, you hear it but you don't take the time to get it fixed. Does it go away if you ignore it? Does it get worse over time? Could it cause a complete system breakdown? You know the answers to these questions but you want someone to tell you it's not true. This is called denial and we have all been there.

I can give you something very great to aim for... Good Numbers! I have an inexpensive blood glucose test kit called a Prestige IQ. It's a bigger meter and uses regular batteries but it is very inexpensive and the most important part is the replacement strips are cheap! You start on your new meds which will lower your body's insulin resistance to itself and help you metabolize carbohydrates the way you are supposed to. Follow the food plan that your dietician or nurse gives you and start learning about glycemic index numbers for foods. Get educated, lose some weight with these meds helping your body work correctly and get those numbers down. If you are dedicated you may be able to get your body to the point where you will no longer need the meds and you can do it on exercise and diet alone. In any event, your numbers will be good as you pursue your goal.

Here's why I harp about low numbers. Anytime your blood sugar is over 150 more than two hours after a meal you are doing irreversable damage to your sight, kidneys, and the circulation to the extremeties especially toes and fingers. I'm not saying this to scare you... just stating the facts. Not following approved med, exercise and food plans is the number one cause of blindness and kidney failure as well as amputation in diabetics today.

So rather than worry about problems from the meds you should be thinking about problems from the high sugar levels. Also, the sugar comes out in your sweat and saliva. This leads to chronic yeast infections of the skin in moist areas as well as increased cavities and gum disease. And gum disease leads to plaque build up and gum irritation... The same bacteria who have been targeted in plaque build up are being investigated for causing plaque build up in the arteries which leads to stroke and heart attacks... I could go on all day about the stuff that your body has to put up with when your sugar levels are high.

It's so much easier to just take your diabetes classes and start your meds and start getting this monster under control so you can beat it. We will be here to help you every step of the way so hang tough and you will get there.

Thank you everybody for responding to my original thread. I pondered about my glucose situation and realized ( thank you Jeannie143 ) that I was in denial. I went to see my physician last week and explained to him my concerns. He basically told me that he couldn't help me unless I wanted to help myself. Tough love I suppose. After some further discussion and counsel, he prescribed Metformin for me ( 500mg - twice daily ). My physician told me that was a lose dose and should lower my glucose level. Also, he suspects that I might have something called Hemochromatosis due to my really high iron scores and that this disorder may be a cause of my high blood sugar levels. I have a lot of reading to do about Hemochromatosis and Metformin but I hope some good numbers show up soon. I also invested in the purchase of an Accuchek Advantage glucose meter and testing strips to monitor my glucose level. I have a tough journey ahead of me to control my glucose level. I hope to receive counsel from this support group along the way.

-Will

Will,
Did your doctor prescribe a food class? This is the number one type of education you need. Call his office and get one ordered if it's covered by your insurance. If not, check into teaching by local nursing schools or nearby universities. You can often find eating plans from your local health department, also. If your doctor is only offering medication without patient teaching I would find another doctor, hopefully an endocrinologist. You have a long and happy life ahead of you if you get the correct information on how to handle your glucose levels and all the problems they can lead up to.

One positive thing you can do is start a food, diet, exercise journal. Doesn't have to be anything elaborate, just jot down your blood sugar readings in the morning and before dinner, jot down your foods as you eat them, if you exercised and how you're feeling. In a few weeks you will have some real information you can use in your life. This was how I found that I am extrememly sensitive to potatoes and rice but not so sensitive to corn and wheat. They are all carbs but my body thinks that rice is candy! I'm able to adjust my eating patterns so that when I have these foods I am careful to limit them. When I eat Chinese, I use the rice like a condiment, putting two tablespoons or so on top of my meat/vegetable mix. I only eat little bitty baked potatoes and limit myself to 13 french fries when they are part of the meal. All the diet books in the world wouldn't have been able to figure this out for me. I had to use my personal experience to plot my own course thru the food mine field.

You can do your own research and do very well also. Hang tough, buddy. You can get there from here and we will help!