This is what we know so far...
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This is what we know so far...
| Thu, 03-25-2004 - 8:59pm |
ok, so here is what I know now... his blood glucose level is 280 and his cholesterol is 130. Obviously these are both going to have to come down. The Dr perscribed 500mg Metformin (sp?) 2x a day. I think that is right, He also has to go to the class I mentioned in my last post. I guess that is where they get him up to speed on monitoring and that sort of thing. The Dr said that 130 isn't usually considered high, but for a diabetic it should be lower. He will probably get him on meds for that, but not yet.
I will go tomorrow to get his meds, did you say that costco has the best prices? We do have insurance so that will help, but it might not pay enough. I know a lot of people go to canada for this.
Thank you all for your help understanding these numbers.
Sharon

Sharon,
Metformin is the generic form of glucophage and shouldn't be very expensive. I found Costco to be the cheapest for the lancets which aren't covered by my medicine coverage. Do have the physician write an order for his test strips so that they can eb covered by the insurance.
It is recommended that the metoformin be started at a lower dose and so I hope he isn't going to take the 500 mgm twice per day initially. He really should be taking 250 twice per day until his system gets used to the drug. It usually takes 2 weeks to get used to the drug.
Can you go to his diabetes education classes with him? It would certainly help you understand what is going on.
I hope this helpful and I wish you much good luch in dealing with this. Goes to prove again that Denial isn't a river in Egypt!
Mary Frances
cl-maryfrances40
Co-Cl Diabetes Board
I'd check with your drug plan to see what your copay will be. I use my mail drug plan for lancets and strips. I get 3 months for the price of 2 months and it runs me $14 for lancets and then $14 for the strips. If I buy them at Walgreen's, it's $6 for a month.
I haven't tried Costco for my supplies, but I buy the cats' insulin and needles there, though. It's much cheaper than from drug stores.
I am planning to go to the classes with him. I really think I should. I do most of the cooking and I want to know what's going on. I want to know if there are symptoms I should be watching for etc.
You're right, he is going through a tough time, he really loves to snack at night... and I mean a lot more than your typical snack. More like a meal of cookies etc. I'm sure he's feeling sorry for himself. Well... I'm not snacking either to show support. We also went to the club tonight. I mean the athletic club and we worked out. It's about time we got our moneys worth out of that place!
Thanks again,
Sharon
Hi Sharon, you are absolutely welcome for the help since that is what we are all here to do help others in need. Good to hear that he is only suppose to take 1 pill a day until his body gets adjusted to the medication, because I know it can cause some stomache upsets and that is no fun at all. So I am so praying that he does not get any of those bad side effects from the medication at all. As for the 285 blood sugar that is high with the normal range being between 80-120 my doctors recommendation for me, but some doctors do not mind seeing it at 160 if after 2 hours of a meal. It really just depends upon your husband doctors wishes as far as his blood sugar goes.
I am sorry to hear that your husband is having such a hard time with this especially with the eating part of it all. It is so hard to go from doing things one way and then expected to do it another way. Just be as supportive as possible, because he will be irritable, upset, cranky, and even depressed for a while until he gets adjusted to things. Great to hear that you will be attended the diabetic classes with him, because it is so important to know all you can with living with a diabetic and what better way than to get educated yourself about diabetes. Good for you both in going to the althetic club to get some excercise in, because that is so important to keep the blood sugars under control with it being recommended to excercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes in the least, which means you are both off to a great start. Even better with you not snacking at night, which will show him that you are in it with him and he is not alone.
You are doing just fantastic with being so supportive to him and being there for him. It is great to have a spouse who wants to know all they can about an illness you have since it is so hard to explain things that you have learned especially if you have no idea what they are even talking about. So you just continue as you are dong for him, because together you will both be feeling so fabulous and will have things under control before you know it. Take care of each other and do drop us a post to let us know how things are going with both of you, because we sure would love to hear about it. Have one fabulously wonderful weekend!
Denise ^..^
Mom to
Hi Sharon,
285 is way too high. In a diabetic the goals are a morning fasting blood sugar between 90 and 120, a 2 hour after eating (post prandial) of 140 or less and bedtime between 110 and 140. These are the new goals that came out in January. The only change from the previous year is the morning fasting numbers.
Your husband has been a diabetic for a while to have these numbers. So I am glad he is finally doing something about it. It take 12 to 20 years to develop type 2 diabetes. But he has been symptomatic longer than he cares to admit. He will be amazed when he gets his blood sugar down into the normal range how much better he feels and how badly he had been feeling without knowing the cause. In the meantime he may feel like he is losing his blood sugar as it comes down because his brain is going to have to adjust to having the more normal blood sugars.
I am really glad that you are going to the classes with him. I was also going to suggest that you check and see if there aren't support groups for family members. Frequently there are and usually they are free.
Mary Frances
cl-maryfrances40
Co-Cl Diabetes Board
Today at work someone brought in several boxes of crispy cream donuts and he didn't have any "not even a crumb!" He also didn't have any pop. He tells me that he usually has at least three cans of coke, and that's not diet. I asked him how he is feeling and he said... HORRIBLE! I need my caffeine! But I know he will be feeling better before long.
You're right, he has no idea how low he has been feeling for so long. He is doing so much to get in control. I am really proud of him, and I know we'll be seeing improvement soon.
Thanks!
Sharon
Believe me, I know. Am sure glad that the messages to you today were really good. You just keep coming. That's why we're here.
Diet Rite Cola is one that he can have if he has to absolutely have soda. It's an acquired taste, though.