Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Hobo

(762 posts)
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:20 PM Jul 2021

Hi I am Hobo and I am a newly diagnosed diabetic

So blood test show higher than normal A1C.... Started jabbing about 3 weeks ago Humulin N.....2 shots a day plus 1 dose of Metformin...... It's bought down the blood sugar readings down to around 200 but not down the the 130 where my docs would like it to be. I wonder what the next step is.

Hobo

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hi I am Hobo and I am a newly diagnosed diabetic (Original Post) Hobo Jul 2021 OP
Sticking to the diet? multigraincracker Jul 2021 #1
Diet and exercise. blueinredohio Jul 2021 #2
Why insulin AND Metformin? MOMFUDSKI Jul 2021 #3
Protein, veggies, small amount of carbs, and exercise The Blue Flower Jul 2021 #4
Don't stress on the numbers and keep doing what the DUers posted above: diet and exercise. marble falls Jul 2021 #5
Research the Keto diet. Dream Girl Jul 2021 #6
+1000 Happy Hoosier Aug 2021 #19
what was your A1c? Grasswire2 Jul 2021 #7
metformin bad unless markie Jul 2021 #8
Good for your partner Marthe48 Jul 2021 #10
it hasn't been easy (understatement)... markie Jul 2021 #13
Oh my Marthe48 Jul 2021 #16
I hope you can change your diet and that helps Marthe48 Jul 2021 #9
There should be a diabetes class at a local hospital or health department. Phoenix61 Jul 2021 #11
Metformin gives you unpredictable diarrhea. keithbvadu2 Jul 2021 #12
Metformin made me very nauseated MOMFUDSKI Jul 2021 #14
The ER (extended release) version was the one woodsprite Jul 2021 #15
For some people Happy Hoosier Aug 2021 #17
I strongly encourage you to check out a very low carbohydrate diet. Happy Hoosier Aug 2021 #18
 

MOMFUDSKI

(7,080 posts)
3. Why insulin AND Metformin?
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:34 PM
Jul 2021

I have read that newly diagnosed are put on insulin U100 only at first to give your pancreas a rest and later Metformin can do he job alone. I am type 2 on insulin but did do all the different pills thru the years which made me sick so I finally told doc to put me on insulin about 9 years ago. Have had it for 25 years now. I am doing OK with the insulin. Count carbs and know my ratio of how many units for how many carbs. Best thing for you to do is READ all you can about diabetes and exercise daily. Sugar should be below 150 at 2 hours after eating. I am assuming you are on a 70/30 insulin which is harder to adjust in my estimation. Work with your doc and see a diabetes educator as they are super helpful in the beginning. It will all work out and is not the end of the world. Day at a time . . . .

The Blue Flower

(5,632 posts)
4. Protein, veggies, small amount of carbs, and exercise
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:35 PM
Jul 2021

Diagnosed 10+ years ago. I'm on metformin and trulicity, and am below 130 most of the time.

 

Dream Girl

(5,111 posts)
6. Research the Keto diet.
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:36 PM
Jul 2021

It can completely reverse diabetes. It’s probably prevented me from developing it. It runs in my family and I was determined not to develop it. So far, so good but I’m pretty vigilant about sugar nd carbs of any kind. It’s easier than you might think. It’s even kind of fun. I’ve lost 30 lbs. and kept it off. I’m keto about 70%. I relax a bit around holidays and vacation, but always get back on board after about a week ago.

markie

(22,891 posts)
8. metformin bad unless
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:41 PM
Jul 2021

it is absolutely necessary... my partner brought down his numbers (300+ down to 110 with diet)

takes lots of willpower but may keep you alive

Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
10. Good for your partner
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:56 PM
Jul 2021

It does take willpower. (and won't power too!) I am doing all I can to be around when my grandkids graduate from high school. I'm the only grandparent they have left.

markie

(22,891 posts)
13. it hasn't been easy (understatement)...
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 05:40 PM
Jul 2021

we spent 2 years working to heal a diabetic wound (used honey among others things) that made the docs want to remove foot (we saved it)... he was given metformin and when that was hurting his kidneys, he stopped... finally using Freestyle Libre for a couple of months helped him to understand the connection of diet to AIC... he went full Keto (my insistence) and the results were amazing... unfortunately he has other health issues (some residual from the previous high AIC) that we deal with but at least we have the diabetes under control

best of luck to you

processed food is the enemy!!

Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
16. Oh my
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 10:26 PM
Jul 2021

It sounds like you had quite a struggle. Glad you saved his foot. I listen to my daughter a lot better now. The low carb eating, with as little processed food as possible seems like the best way to go

Give yourself a pat on the back for being so determined to help your partner get his health back

Marthe48

(18,841 posts)
9. I hope you can change your diet and that helps
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 04:54 PM
Jul 2021

get your blood sugar down.

My daughter is a renal dietitian and has freely offered information about healthy eating. We didn't pay much attention, because we all want to eat the food that tastes good to us.

My sugar was edging up 2018-2019. I decided to limit my total daily carbs to 100 or less. I stopped eating pizza, sandwiches, bananas, white potatoes, pasta. I switched over to almond milk, or coconut almond milk, any of the 1 carb nut milks. I was really strict up until recently, got my sugar down an average of 50 points, and lost about 50 lbs. The first many months, I craved the food I stopped eating, but it got easier. The weight loss was a surprise. My blood sugar has never been over 200.

I basically eat meat and veggies. I bake a loaf of white flour bread about every 10 days. I can control the ingredients, and slice it very thin. I've been experimenting with almond and coconut flour, making very low-carb bakery, such as coconut flour biscuits, almond mozzarella pastry, which is a versatile and tasty recipe.

I'd recommend talking to a dietitian to make sure you pick foods that are good for your overall health. If your cholesterol is high, you don't want to make it higher getting your sugar down, for instance. Good luck.

Phoenix61

(17,546 posts)
11. There should be a diabetes class at a local hospital or health department.
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 05:07 PM
Jul 2021

I had a neighbor who was having a hard time managing his sugar level. He took the class and learned all carbs are not created equal ie glycemic index matters along with a lot of other stuff. We started biking every day. Exercise is good. 30-45 minutes is great but 10 minutes is better than none.
A good thing about taking the class is you will meet people dealing with the same issue you are. It’s always nice to have company on the journey.

 

MOMFUDSKI

(7,080 posts)
14. Metformin made me very nauseated
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 06:13 PM
Jul 2021

and my doc said 30% of people just can't take it. Lately they have been talking it could be cancer-causing. It is an old standby drug and sure can help many people though. Keep your carbs lowish and know you are not alone in this. A1C tells you a lot about how things are going.

woodsprite

(12,179 posts)
15. The ER (extended release) version was the one
Sat Jul 10, 2021, 07:48 PM
Jul 2021

That had some recalls due to a cancer-causing ingredient. I’m on 1000g 2x/day of regular metformin for the past 5 yrs and have not had gastric problems. I’m also on Januvia 50mg, but they’re trying to get me off that since even at 50mg it makes my ankles swell.

Currently diabetes treatment with me is on hold right now since I’m undergoing chemo for endometrial cancer. The steroids are messing with my blood glucose levels, so I know my A1c is going to be up again probably close to 7.5-8.0.

I had just finished a great 3 mo trial using .75 of Trulicity. That brought my A1c down a whole point, and I had lost 15 lbs. When I was on that was two digit and low 100s were the norm. I’m hoping after this cancer treatment/surgery are over, that I can go back on it.

Happy Hoosier

(8,313 posts)
18. I strongly encourage you to check out a very low carbohydrate diet.
Fri Aug 6, 2021, 10:14 AM
Aug 2021

On Sept 11, 2020, my doctor told me my A1C was 10.6.

I weighed 347 pounds (down from my all-time high of 376).

My blood pressure was high.

Currently, my A1C is 4.8
My weight is down to 254 (and counting)
My blood pressure is normal.

Oh yeah, my acid reflux completely disappeared.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Diabetes Support Group»Hi I am Hobo and I am a n...