...and kicking myself, why did I not get this sooner?

My A1c was diagnosed at 8.2 at the last doctors appointment. He wanted me to go on Ozempic, I suggested the Dexcom to constantly monitor blood glucose. I wanted to see and understand how my body was working. What foods were fine, what foods made me suffer.

I'm at the end of my first ten days. I've lost weight. I'm eating better. And I'm trying stuff out, writing it down so I have a clear idea what is okay and what is not. Meanwhile my glucose is way down to 120.

Things I've discovered for me, may not be the same for everyone:

Rice is kryptonite. And I love rice. That was very painful.

Diet sodas have no effect. I always worried about this.

Chocolate is okay. No, I'm not eating a ton of chocolate. But a square of chocolate didn't do much.

Yogurt was okay.

Bread seems to be okay. Maybe not three times a day, I'll remain down to 1-2 pieces max a day. But honestly, I thought bread was forever gone.

Eggs, meat and cheese are fine.

Vegetables are great.

Fruit does raise my blood sugars but goes down very quickly.

Pasta...TBD.

Last night I had half a sandwich and a salad at Jason's Deli. I had their soft-serve ice cream on a cone, and I didn't cross 185.

I've also found that a quick walk an hour after a meal drops my blood sugars and keeps them lowered. That was a pleasant discovery.

I never realized what a game changer this piece of equipment could be. Looking forward to four months of improving, and we'll see what the doctor says. And i just wanted to share, because this is making me so very happy.

Hello,

I got diagnosed with Type 2 at the start of Feb (12.5 A1C) and have been trying my best to stay on a good diet (doctor didn’t initially give me a BGM but I eventually got one from my pharmacist earlier this month and my levels have never above 120)

Unfortunately due to my schedule with my work in busy season I have maybe ~3hrs/day to do anything let alone cook and meal prep properly. Are there any super quick or instant meals that are diabetic friendly?

This is only for a couple of months so thankfully once busy season is over I’ll have plenty more time to cook meals I know are good for me.

Hi everyone, I'm 22M from the US, diagnosed with T1D about 12 years ago, been with Medtronic pumps for 8 years, and my pump just ran out of warranty, so I'm left with the decision of whether I should keep my 780G or switch to t:slim X2. I'm trying to compare what I can since I'll be stuck with the next pump for another 4 years, so here's what I have to say about the 780G after using it for about 5 months:

I feel like I've been able to achieve decent control with the 780G and Guardian 4 sensors, my 90-day TIR is always above 90% and my A1C was right below 6. I'd say about 80% of the Guardian 4 sensors work for the full 7 days for me, and if not, I can get a replacement from Medtronic within a week (and they plan to support Simplera sensors as well in the future, which would be awesome). It usually keeps my sugars stable at night if I don't eat before bed, and if it fluctuates it's able to correct it effectively. I don't have to calibrate them, so finger sticks are pretty rare for me. Lately I've been noticing them being on backorder though, which is a little worrying since I basically rely on the sensors now and everything gets thrown off if I don't have one on. The SmartGuard is a little aggressive sometimes, so I do have to snack pretty often, but I have a feeling if I messed with the settings a little bit (such as setting the target glucose to 110 mg/dl and changing the active insulin time), I'd be able to get even tighter control. Now here's what I'm worried about if I switch to the X2:

The X2 can only deliver 60% of calculated corrections every hour only if glucose is predicted to rise above 180 mg/dl, whereas 780G will deliver 100% of the correction (afaik) every 5 minutes if necessary when glucose rises above 120 mg/dl. This sounds like a huge difference, and has me worried about X2 not being able to correct my highs as effectively as the 780G. I'm worried the pump will have me sitting at a stable 150 mg/dl, only making small basal adjustments, where I'll end up waiting to get to my comfortable range (110-120 mg/dl) only to be ready for another meal again. It also doesn't allow me to change the active insulin time, leaving less room for adjustments.

My endocrinologist recommended me to switch to the X2, although I haven't been given a specific reason why. My guess is because I have to snack pretty often since I can get lows fairly often, but I feel like I could adjust the 780G settings to get around that.

Any input is appreciated! And please keep in mind that the 780G with SmartGuard and Guardian 4 is completely different than the 770G with Guardian 3, I know there's a lot of hate for Medtronic for their previous sensors, but their new stuff really does make a big difference.

How is this possible? I was testing out a new meter and wanted to compare and all were different.

I just checked my sugar 5 mins prior on the white meter and it was 157.

I can feel it dropping so that makes sense but how?

G monitor is brand new White is my daily True metrix is my backup

Hi friends! I am curious to know what are your biggest frustrations of daily life with diabetes. For me is mostly not always being free to eat when I want, or when others invite me out to eat with them. I really love being social, but sometimes I am forced to decline invitations because my BG is at 300 and have to wait hours before eating.

I could list 1000 others but I'll stop here for now and let you share yours, I am really curious! Thank you for sharing and have a great day

Few days ago I posted a screenshot of my Dexcom app and my sugars being all over the place. I was 81% very high and 3% in range. 3 days later these are the results. Im proud of my self for being able to turn it round and wanna remind everyone to stay strong

Just got out of the hospital after DKA. I feel a little better each day but my God it took every ounce of energy I had. Walking to the bathroom had my heart pounding and getting dressed was draining. How long did it take until you felt good or at least normal again?

I was diagnosed in February with an A1C of 11.2 Just had a repeat test done yesterday and my A1C is 7.6!

I would have preferred to wait till the 3 month mark to get a better picture of what’s working but I am happy that it’s going down

It’s a win in my book

I keep going back up whenever I'm at work and sit around 130?

Hello fellow diabetics.

i am 20M from india , i recently got diagnosed for t1 diabetes last year around oct - nov. I faced the symptoms before 2-3 months but didn't knew what it was.

When tested in nov , my hba1c was 15 and fasting 245 and pp went around 400-500. So consulted a doc and the doc said i was t1.

My hba1c came down to 9 in dec and 7.8 as per tested last month.

I am on long acting insulin and metformin + piozo...somethin (idk remember the spelling lol)

So coming to the college point , I have a clg of 7hrs and i have to travel via train in peak rush hours and it takes 3-3'30 ish hrs to and fro (no, i can't afford accomodation near my clg). I barely go now a days but when i was going or when i have exams i can barely manage my blood sugar.

Also my sugars are pretty much messed up now a days , idk why but trying to manage it somehow.

I didn't face any symptoms / issues before last year second half. I think there might be two things that may have caused this but i am not sure.

1. I had a very bad heartbreak in last year's start and wasn't in a very good state.

2. I was eating sweet stuff and soft drinks like left and right.

Again , don't judge on this , its just my theory lol.

also i doubt am i t1 bcz my c pep was 0.87 ng/dl which was just on border of normal ref value.

Any advice / suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks for reading till here.♥️

What do you do with your used pens? I can fit about 6 in my sharp box. I'm trying to save some money by not having to pay for the sharp box disposal so often.

Anybody here that experienced complications despite keeping a tight control for a long time say for example like keeping an a1c like 5.8 ?

Hello 👋. I was recently diagnosed with T2. I just want to ask; can diabetecs still get tattoos?

Hello! I use 6mm Quick-sets infusion sets that have teflon (soft) cannula. But it started to bend when I place it in the abdomen.

So question!

1. Could I have lipohypertrophy because I have only been putting infusion sets in the abdomen for the last two years?
2. Can the cannulas become bent due to decreased subcutaneous fat? I lost my weight (back to my normal) for the last few month.
3. Can both reasons from points 1 and 2 contribute to bends?

I have type 1 diabetes and use an insulin pump. However my dad has type 2, and not great A1C. I have been hearing that many type 2 diabetics also take insulin and are using insulin pumps. I’m wondering what the prevalence is of insulin pump usage among type 2s? Have doctors been recommending it more? Wondering how many type 2s out there have been successful using insulin pumps? Basically generally wondering if I should try to convince my dad to go to an endocrinologist and try out insulin pumps (he wouldn’t be willing to do MDI)

Hello diabetes fam, as a T2 diabetic I might be starting insulin soon due to difficulty controlling my sugars with just oral medications.

Can anyone tell me their experience with libido after starting fast acting insulin? Men and women both would be great to hear from.

Cheers

Do you need a sensor cover for using the Free Style Libre 3? I have a free trial and there isn't one in the box. I did a free trial of Dexcom 7 and it came with a cover. I'm hesitant to buy sensor covers if I don't really need them. Please advise. TIA!!

Two years ago HbA1c- 6.4 with fasting at 122. Yesterday we crossed onto the other side-- HbA1C 7.1, fasting 157. Weight 100kg/220lbs, 5'5" height. Usually what are the first steps people here take- doctors visit, which is slated for Monday. Any books worth reading, anyexercise or diet routines/videos/podcasts worth being recommended to me? Thanks.

Hi everyone, Bg: 22 yr old diabetic dx’d at 17. Last a1c back in June 2023 was 5.8.

I’ve been struggling to control my fasting blood sugar lately, for the whole of March. My normal fasting BS sits around 4.5-5.6. But lately in March it’s been ranging from 6.2-7.7, and it’s worrying me. However my post meal numbers are around 5.5-7.

I have been fasting (Ramadan, am Muslim) so I expected better numbers but I’m confused.

I will admit, I did let myself go a little (before Ramadan, bad mental) but I’ve been working out and eating my normal low carb diet. Also have not been able to take my meds as normal due to fasting hours. My numbers after my meals are normal. So I’m confused..

Any advice? I’m lowkey feeling anxious and worried. Don’t want complications

I need tips or tricks or something. I can’t get my bs at a normal range. I don’t have control over the food shopping but I do balance it if it’s crazy or eat smaller portions. Water is my best friend, I drink almost to much. I exercise about 45 minutes a day, I know it’s not much but I have about an hour span before my feet to my knees are completely swollen and painful. I’m only 21 years old, I want hope. I stand while I watch tv or read trying to further the limitation on my feet but it’s going nowhere. Just tips or tricks, something to make life easier.

So Ive been curious about getting a CGM. My doc has already told me that my insurance refused to cover it because I'm not on insulin. So it would be out of pocket and expensive. Also, he has said that they are less accurate than a finger stick. Anyone know how true that is, and if so how much wiggle room (i.e. +/- 5 points, 10?) There is on these?

The cheapest I could find was the libre 3 at roughly 150/month (2 14 day sensors).

Any help is appreciated!

Type2 here, no insulin - I’m getting my A1c down decently in a short space of time but am just trying to figure everything out and think I have learned quite a bit in the last couple of months about what I can do and can’t do. I really need to gain weight as I lost a lot getting my A1c down - I’m 5’7”, 118. I’ve only just started reading labels on food and really only check the carbs - provided I keep the carbs down can I eat as much calories as I want? Also, if I can eat a lot of calories some suggestions on food for this would be great.

So I had my 3 month check up yesterday and they were walking through my blood test results and he gets to my cholesterol and say it’s on the higher end. This makes a bit of sense as I’ve had high blood pressure for a few months now but haven’t had anything done about it. Anyways the point of this is to warn everyone that if you have high blood sugars it can effect your cholesterol which I didn’t know till yesterday.

Hey y'all...this community has been SO helpful on my journey. I've been thinking all along I was Type 2 but just got my tests back and it's looking like 1.5. I think I have to change some things, but not sure what. Any resources or tips for a new 1.5?

I was going to write up this long post and describe everything that's going on, but to avoid sounding like I'm not reading the writing on the wall I'm just going to come right out and say it:

I'm the reason I'm in this predicament. I've lived my life like I wasn't diabetic for too long and I never bothered to watch what I ate and just took insulin in an attempt to cover up my shitty diet and I'm paying for it now. I started working from home and my already inactive lifestyle and continuing to eat like I wasn't working from home led to an extreme amount of weight gain over a 2-3 year period. Now it's a struggle to be active at all without pain in my back or causing issues with sciatica.

I'm lucky in the sense that my body hasn't visibly started deteriorating or showing how much damage that is being done to me just yet, but it's only a matter of time.

I think about my situation daily and all of the things I could do to improve it and to better myself, but it never actually translates to physical action or decision making.

I'm constantly in my own way.

I struggle with persistent depressive disorder and ADHD, and while I don't want to use that as an excuse, is it partly to explain why I feel like it can't be how a "normal" individual behaves? Is it normal for people to think of starting to workout or making better choices for meals every day but then never act on them? Is it normal for someone to be in pain from stiffness and back pain due to inactivity and weight gain to actively or unconsciously avoid what can solve those problems?

Do I completely lack a single bone of mindfulness in my entire being?

I quit drinking last January and besides my relationship with my SO being better and not having hangovers every other day, I haven't seen a single benefit from it. I didn't think it was going to cure me of every single ailment I have in my life, but maybe I put to much expectation on it. Yes, I'm sure there are a lot of unseen benefits and/or tragic outcomes I will not experience because of being sober, and I have no intent on changing that part of my life by going back to drink.

I'm just frustrated with myself. The same as I have been for over a decade. No psychiatric therapy of welbutrin, SSRI, or ADHD medication has seemed to be able to penetrate who I appear to be as a human being. Maybe I'm not depressed or have ADHD, maybe I'm just lazy? I don't know.

I guess I kind of wanted to write this up as a way to vent for myself at the moment as I deal with my issues with this chronic disease.

I recently texted the agent at Tandem about the status of the pump that was ordered for me. I'm hoping that will at least help curb the extreme dawn phenomenon I've been experiencing the last 8 months.

But, if anyone has ever been in my shoes or felt the way I do, I could use some kind words and harsh truths if you got 'em.

Thanks