I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in May of 2008. My A1c was 11.9 and my blood sugar was almost 400. I knew I had been feeling bad for a long time but could not figure out what was wrong with me. I drank lots of water, went to the bathroom constantly, felt tired and run down. I was upset most of the time and could not pin point what was wrong with me. One day I asked a friend if I could use her blood sugar monitor and we checked my blood, it was 385. I called my doctor immediately and she had blood drawn. I was put on medications immediately.
Within a couple days of the diagnosis my eye sight went bad. I was headed in a downward spiral with diabetes. When I was diagnosed I was determined to beat it and did everything possible to change my life. My father died at age 67 of diabetes complications and heart disease, I want to live healthier than he did and live longer because I have lots to live for.
I am on a computer all day and enter data, I read all the time but I knew something was happening and was scared. Called my doctor and eye doctor and made an appointment. I could not read, things were blurry. Eye doctor tested my eyes and told me how when your blood sugar is high a film develops and traps the sugar behind it and that is how you sight changes. He said it would go away when your blood sugars became normal. I had to get several different pairs of reading glasses in different strengths to use. It took almost 8 weeks for my eyes to return to almost normal. The eye doctor told me they maybe would not go back to what they were and they have changed. I need to get in and get them tested again since my blood sugar is normal now. My regular glasses do not work as well now so I need a different strength.
I started eating what I was supposed to after attending a diabetic education class. I have learned so much about my body and what really happens when you get diabetes. I have had to try several different medications until we found what worked for me. I have been on Byetta since June and it has worked the best, along with metphormin.
Since May I have lost 65 pounds and my A1C is now at 5.5 and my average blood sugar readings are around 97. I am feeling great, eat right and walk daily. Being diagnosed with diabetes has been a life saver to me. I am 54 years old and feel younger and healthier than I ever have. They say by the time you are diagnosed with diabetes you have probably already had it for 5 years and I believe it. I haven't felt good in a long time and now I am feeling the best I have ever felt. I have more energy, my skin looks better and losing weight has been fun.
So I am happy to say being diagnosed with diabetes has saved my life and I am healthier today because of it. I saw my doctor 2 weeks ago and have gone off Byetta and will be taking Janumet and Glimperide. In 3 months I go back and she said I probably will go off everything since I am doing so good. That is my goal and I am a goal maker and will reach this goal. I have 20 more pounds to lose and will do that also.
