I guess I'll be joining you folks!

[Bren]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

Moggy....... A1C is a blood test usually performed every 3 months on newly diagnosed. It is a picture of what the average BS readings have been for the past three months.
My question was how the heck do they know what it was if he had never been tested. I learned that blood cells have a life expectancy of 3 months and therefore they can see from there!

[2big4mysize]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

A1C is the name of a text that can see how much the red blood cells have been scarred by high blood sugar levels ( yep get your sugar high and your red cells are damage all those whio think cheating is okay). The more scarred your red cells the higher the score. This helps "catch" those folk who know they are going tomorrow so they clean up today but their symptoms are getting worse and the docs could only suspect they were noncomplient. Now the doc knows if you were noncomplient and how badly you were from your A1C for the last 3 months.

The test is recommended every 3 months for all diabetics as they are getting in control and then less often until it can be only once a yr ofr in control folk.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

Thanks Ladies. Now I know what A1C is! I dont' know that they didn't test it Bren, only that they didn't bother to tell us what it was. The doctor did say that she suspects that he has been diabetic for at least the last year (can she know this?) though, so maybe she was suspecting that because of his A1C?

CM, that's pretty much what I'm having to do, I have to do the reading and relay it to him. But he never really wants to talk about it for long so he's making it difficult for me! I did buy the Diabetes for dummies book and left it on the coffee table in front of where he sits, hopefullly he'll get bored enough to at least flip through it a little. He's unemployed so now is the time for him to do it, while he is just sitting around! Men!

Yea, Bren, in reading and poking around on the ADA website that was the impression I got too. That they are stressing the importance of serving size for carbs, even though I think its a little high I do believe it is like Atkins maintenance where as they are stressing whole grains and small servings- 15 grams.

I also purchased the American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes for my reading pleasure . I flipped thru the Bernstein book but it looked a lot like Atkins induction, I don't Want John to drop a lot of weight! He is not overweight and he has a good metabolism so until I learn otherwise I think more of a maintenance phase is better.

His blood pressure is excellent! He quit taking the BP medicine because his BP was consistently too low and he was dizzy, pale and lightheaded. He's checking it several times a day and so far its been right on the money! He hasn't taken the BP medicine for 3 days now and feels much better!

[2big4mysize]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

good for you denile is a very big part of being diagnoised with diabetes. it is shocking to think a big stong guy has a deadly wasting disease and will have jeart kidney nreve and all those other damaged high sugar can cause because he can't see any of it being done right now.

woo hoo on the blood pressure.

have you got the meter fixed?

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

Hi ladies. Bren, the meter we got was an AccuCheck meter, we called that 800 # and they sent us the solution and a bottle of 10 test strips for free. It took a couple of days for me to find the time to sit the 20 minutes on hold waiting for them to answer, but the lady was very nice once she did answer. So, yes 2big, we did the test. Looks like its working just fine.

Yesterday was the first day that he's had his blood sugar below 200 on every reading! It was running around 160-175. Still high but much better than it has been. It was 164 this morning.

His doctor told him on the phone that he has to continue to take the BP medicine...he quit taking it over 5 days ago and his BP readings have been excellent. When he takes it he gets dizzy and light headed and his BP drops extremely low! Why would she want him to keep taking it? She said something about protecting his kidneys. Does this sound right to you guys? I don't trust this doctor at all and I can't see how making his BP WAY below normal could be good for him!

[2big4mysize]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

when you have high blood pressure it increases the pressure everywhere the blood goes. which means the small dilicate capilaries can get damaged and the surrounding tissues fluided with fluids. Has he been monitoring his pressure and could give her numbers to prove it was low blood pressure and not an electrolyte and/or posisitonal low pressure caused by his body not being used to it being lower and making adjustment quick enough upon standing? The symptoms you are discribingf can be from those causes too. if he is taking his BP several times a day and his bottom numeber is below 90 then call her back with the numbers.

So his blood sugars are lower but still to high. are they adjusting his diet or his meds to correct it

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

OMG 2big, his bottom number is way below 90! We are taking his BP at least 5 times a day! I'll try to remember to write down some numbers tonite for you, we've been keeping track! Without the medication it is in the normal range, with the medication is is way below normal!

[2big4mysize]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

remind his doc that his blood sugar has lowered so that cause of high blood pressure has also lowered and he is low carbing so that is giving him a blood pressure drop too and then givce her his off the meds numbers.

is he taking Coazar? they have some studies out that showe that is lowers kidney damage in diabetics by interupting RAS (renin-angiotensin system). that could be the kidney protection she is talking about. but he might need his does lowered is all. She definitely doesn't want him fainting or falling because of the ill effects but they are usually mild and will go away with time.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

Cosar doesn't sound familiar. I'm going to have to write down the names of his prescriptions and some numbers for you 2big. I'll try to remember tonight. He broke one of the BP pills in 1/2 this am and said its a little better, even though he still feels foggy headed. We'll have to see what his numbers are when I get home.

[Bren]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

alright Moggy.............How are YOU doing through all of this? Thinking about you and know how hard it can be on the mate.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

Thanks Bren! Quite frankly I'm exhausted. But a lot of that is the job situation too. He's been unemployed for a month now and things are getting really tight. This also adds to his depression which is really hard on me especially after a full day at work because I feel like I have to try and "cheer him up". Its a lot of work!

On the bright side he had an interview today and may have a job but they don't want him to start for another 2 weeks! But, that at least has lifted his spirits a little. He actually went to the grocery store by himself today and then called me to tell me about the things he had purchased. All good stuff for him! I was pretty impressed!

So all in all things are o.k. When I look back its really hard for me to believe its only been 2 weeks since he was in the emergency room! It feels like months!

[2big4mysize]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

glad he is feeling a little better and has that job ob the horizone. Don't froget to take some time ofr you as the stress generates some very bad ofr you hormones too. Does John do any exercising? that canhelp blood sugars, blood prwessure and depression.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

Thanks 2big. Yep, he does weight training every morning and he has started walking too now! I could definatley use some time off !

[Coop2004]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

Hi MoG!!

As 2Big said, his numbers are still high, but at least they're going in the right direction.

And, yes, you need some down time yourself, since, as you all to well know, this is a very stressful situation.

Glad to hear that he has a possible job lined up. That will be a help as far as feeling better mentally.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: I guess I'll be joining you folks!

HI girls, thanks.

Well, he had a dr's apt yesterday and she seemed pleased at our progress with getting his #'s down. They're still not where they need to be but they are heading in the right direction! She did tell him his A1C (if I'm remember what its called correctly) was 10.9 with his first test. She didn't give us any idea of what it should be but I'm guessing that's high.

BP is doing excellent.