Type 2 Diabetes: How Are You Doing?

bluehill · 05-31-2006, 05:40 PM

Hi, I'm new around here. I've been avidly reading all the threads I can, but nowhere have I found a thread for Type 2 diabetics.

I was banded April 28, 2006. I have lost 30 lbs to date by scrupulously following my dietary guidelines, but I could use some help, so I'm looking forward to my first fill on June 5. Before surgery I was taking 2000 mg of Metformin and 30 mg Actos a day. Now, without meds, my fasting blood sugar has ranged from 99 to 143. I would like to see those numbers come down, under 120, and ideally under 100.

Calling all Type 2 diabetics! Please report how you're doing without meds.

Mvpo8961 · 05-31-2006, 05:47 PM

I was banded two weeks ago. Before preop diet I was taking 90 units of 70/30 insulin every morning and 70 units of 70/30 every evening.

Now I am taking 50 in the morning and 25 in the evening. I anticipate that continuing to go down as my weight does. I am in the very early stages yet.

My fasting blood sugar is running around 140 - 150.

Jack however is a master. He should chime in soon.

Myra

**Jack** · 05-31-2006, 06:11 PM

hey......my preBand meds:
15 years on the needle:
Metformin 850 tid
Humulin R & N mix; average 100 units BID!!! sometimes more!! Struggle to keep A1c as low as 7.0!!

Current:
Metformin 850 bid --expect this to change after seeing Internist next week

Humulin: Average one shot a MONTH, 9 injections totalling ~90 units since last Thanksgiving!!!!:faint:

Last A1c: 5.9!!!:clap2:

11 years on CPAP EVERY night:
haven't needed it since Thanksgiving!!!

FOLLOW BANDSTER RULES!!!!

bandayed · 05-31-2006, 06:23 PM

I have only ever needed insulin during my pregnancies and take very small doses of oral meds since then. I was taking 4mg of glipzide 2X day before surgery and then 2 months after surgery and minus 40 lbs, I went to one dose daily. As of last week, I went off completely and my sugars have been around 120 when randomly taken..........My last a1c was in the 5s!

picardy3 · 05-31-2006, 06:55 PM

I took my last dose of Actos(45 mg)the night before my surgery. I have not needed it since. My morning numbers are between 90-100 and I tend to stay between 100-125 after meals, unless of course I decide eat something that I *know* I'm not supposed to, then it can be a bit higher.

Now I'm waiting to see if I can get off my blood pressure meds, just as soon as I see my Primary Dr.

Audra

DonnaGT · 05-31-2006, 06:58 PM

I am so glad to find this thread and see how others are doing. I am only 1 week post op and off all my insulins already. I am just taking Actos once a day. Pre op I was on Lantus at bedtime 65 units, and took Apidra with each mean. (new insulin that is taken according to your consumption of carbs. Now I am eating practicly nothing, I am not hungry and have to remind myself to eat. I am wondering it others felt this way also the first couple of weeks after surgery?

Papajoe · 05-31-2006, 07:01 PM

Was banded 5/11/2006 completely off my meds. I was taking 1 500/5 mg glucovance and 1 30 mg Actos in the morning and 1 500/5 glucovance at night. Blood sugar is fluctuating between 95 and 120 after fasting all night. I am able to eat things now that I was not able too before I was banded.

fishy · 05-31-2006, 11:16 PM

This thread, so far, is a dream come true for me. My main goal for having this surgery is to get off the 300 units I'm pumping in every day, as well as that horrible Metformin that has had me sick to my stomach for the last 6 years.

**Jack** · 05-31-2006, 11:26 PM

re: 'I am wondering it others felt this way also the first couple of weeks after surgery?"

Rejoice while you can.....I felt for weeks like I never cared if I never took another bite anytime....unfortunately that sensation passes....

although there are days still where I don't care about eating...usually I am eating in the 1600-1800 calorie range.

At times I find myself forgetting to take my BG....and a few times even my orals...

MAJOR improvement....and I still don't care about food most of the time, never had this kind of freedom before, was ALWAYS planning what to eat next....

MoOrLess · 06-01-2006, 12:46 AM

Thanks for posting this thread! I am not banded -- but I have lost 11.5 lbs with the help of some wonderful people on LBT. I am struggling right now since losing weight (more importantly eating healthy) with my blood sugars. I was diagnosed with type 2 about 2 yrs ago. My A1C was over 11! My last A1C was 6.3 and I think the next one may be well under 6.0 (Non-diabetic).

Lately they are too low. I take Avandia (24-hour med) once a day in the AM and then Prandin (only in AM now before breakfast). I see that I may not even need Avandia anymore as I forgot to take it today and my sugars have been too low all day! Get new bloodwork at end of June - will have to watch it carefully until then.

So yep - from my experience anyhow - weight loss, eating healthy, exercise all add up to LESS medicine! Now for the rest of the meds to be stopped - I can't wait!

EDIT: Just a few days since this post -- everything is changing quickly. I exercise EVERY day now and no more medicine is necessary -- I'm so happy - I no longer take Avandia or Prandin and also stopped the blood pressure medicine as it was only to guard my kidneys against the diabetes -- and I was COLD all the time so I bought a blood pressure machine and it is well below 120/80 all the time so that explains my being cold all the time. Today my #s were 119, 120, 162 (ate wrong), and back down to 92 again from just walking for 1/2 hour. So yes, eating healthy and a little bit of exercise (nothing marathon-ish) will do it - it's worked for me. I can't wait to see what my A1C is at the end of June. Will report back when I get the results.

alisonb · 06-03-2006, 12:31 PM

I was banded on 22/4 and stopped taking Actos once daily the day before surgery. I was doing very well until one week after my first fill. I had good restriction for one week, then nothing - and i ate accordingly. I became moody and irritated - actually bursting into tears in my dietician's office - then she said that my sugar has gone wacked. I have completely forgotten about it and did not see the signs at all!!
I am now back on Actos - still not feeling any better - even with sugar at +- 6mg but am hopeful. I was really hoping that i will not need medication anymore but ofcourse eating like i am - starches, sugars, ...crap... - i must not be surprised. I am really upset with myself for getting so out of control but am going to get back on the horse now!!