Checking in after my biannual exam...

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Checking in after my biannual exam...
4
Wed, 06-11-2008 - 8:59am

I know I don't post often but I do lurk. And I try to let you know how my pre-diabetes is being managed whenever I get data.

Well, my A1C came back as 6.2%. That's two check-ups in a row with it below 6.5! The diet (avoiding white foods like potatoes, rice, enriched white flours and sugar, and avoiding corn and it's by-products; increasing my whole veggies and fruits; and watching total carb intake for each of six mini-meals) and the metformin (500mg, once a day, with dinner) seem to be working! I'm keeping the weight off and the blood sugars are staying where they ought to! WOO HOO!

Now if I could only get back my motivation to exercise --- it flew the coop with nasty winter weather and a long vacation in April...

Other good news in the check up: blood pressure 108/65! It's a wonder I was moving around! LOL but then, I've always had low BP.

Bone scans show my bone density has actually improved in the past three years, since having been put on once-a-week Fosamax and 1000mg of D-enhanced Calcium!

And my mammogram and ultrasound came back clean!

Only dark cloud on the horizon, my LDL cholesterol is inching back up... We are going to try diet for six more months but if that doesn't work, they may have to up my meds for that... And to be honest, I'm not sure what to do about lowering cholesterol-containing foods any more. I'm at about rock bottom as it is...

Oh well, 4 out of 5 ain't bad!



Co-CL for "The Stitcher's Niche" and CL for "Remodel & Renovate"



Visit me at That Yank In... and Traveling with That Yank



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Stitchery WIPs: "Bath 5¢", "Walking to Town", a selection of 8 San Man snowman charts, 2 sets of curtain tie-backs using a DMC freebie chart and the DMC linen threads, a Kooler Design Studio chart form JanLynn called "Needlework Shop", "Tsunami Charity Sampler" from the fall 2007 Sampler & Needlework Quarterly, and "Autumn Leaves" from the December 2006 New Stitches

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Wed, 06-11-2008 - 9:56am

The most consistent way to lower LDL, if you've already cut animal products and added whole grains like oats, is to exercise - get yourself moving again and that number should start dropping (and the HDL number should start going up which is Good)

--Deb

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 06-11-2008 - 10:40am

Overall a good report.


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 06-11-2008 - 11:07pm

Since I know that a lot of the folks on the board are into natural remedies, there are two which help with the cholesterol and the LDL.


First is fiber. Specifically I am thinking about Benefiber which doesn't have any sugar in it. It also doesn't have a gritty taste and can be dissolved in anything but a carbonated beverage. You are supposed to take 2 teaspoons three times per day. I am taking it twice a day and I hope it will help.


The other thing is fish oil. You can take it in capsules or liquid. Plus eating fish that is rich in Omega 3s. I was given two sample bottles of orange flavored Norwegian Cod Liver Oil. I wish it was plain so that I could give it to Abby! It would do wonders for her coat. I haven't tried this yet because I remember as a child taking cod liver oil. So I haven't been able to make myself start this one! The only thing basically that get the HDL, good cholesterol, up is exercise and it is really hard to get it to rise.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Thu, 06-12-2008 - 11:31am

Well I have so much fiber in my diet right now that it's scary. But the fish oil --- I should look into that.

Meanwhile, you are right, I need to exercise more. I was being good for such a long time and then, like I said, bad weather and vacation conspired to make me into a couch potato again. SO I resolve...

By the way, the total cholesterol was fine (well below 200) as was the HDL (65mg). It was just the LDL creeping up again. Not over the top yet, but trying to inch towards that nasty 100 mg level that all the doctors want to stay below...

I'm pretty sure mine is genetic too *and* I remember that last year, my brother who has been on meds longer than I, had his numbers shoot up with no explanation as to why. I wonder if one gets "used" to the meds and starts ignoring them...



Co-CL for "The Stitcher's Niche" and CL for "Remodel & Renovate"



Visit me at That Yank In... and Traveling with That Yank



Avatar made with Portrait Illustrator Maker


Stitchery WIPs: "Bath 5¢", "Walking to Town", a selection of 8 San Man snowman charts, 2 sets of curtain tie-backs using a DMC freebie chart and the DMC linen threads, a Kooler Design Studio chart form JanLynn called "Needlework Shop", "Tsunami Charity Sampler" from the fall 2007 Sampler & Needlework Quarterly, and "Autumn Leaves" from the December 2006 New Stitches