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annie42

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I recently had an A1c test with a result of 6.5. A fasting glucose was 100 with 'normal' range at this particular lab being 70-105. My physician didn't remark about it.

He was concerned with my cholesterol going up since I attempted to get off pravastatin over the past 3 months. I'm back on it now.

My glucose has been consistently within range all my life. I'm really confused.

I've been reading about the A1c needing a fasting glucose reading to confirm diabetes. Then I read I have diabetes if my A1c is 6.5 and over, no mention of the fasting glucose test.

I trust my internist and I'm due for lipiRAB check in 8 weeks to see if my cholesterol has gone back down. My total cholesterol was 243 (up from 138); HDL was 46 (down from 52); LDL was 162 (up from 170); triglycerides was 174 (up from 128). I would really appreciate input. BTW, I'm 66 years old with hypertension dx'd about 20 years ago.

Thanks!
 
I feel for your husband JJ. I will add both of you to my prayer list.

How are you managing with your diabetes? I've been so busy running off at the mouth about mine I forgot to ask about you.

I'm so glad you are able to keep your cholesterol in pretty good check without the statins. Are you able to keep your LDL and HDL in a good range also? You were taking some pretty heavy-duty meRAB!

I read where the pravastatin is the weakest of the statins. I was on lovastatin before and when I got back on it, my thigh muscle began hurting so I called the doctor's office and he prescribed the pravastatin. It's not great but I think I'm adjusting to it.

For some reason, I'm experiencing depression somewhat. I don't know if it's anxiety or related to the drug.

Hubby is very healthy and doesn't understand or want to be around illness of any kind. He tolerates me but I know it's not his cup of tea. He isn't mean or anything like that, just that I can't talk to him about it. He just tries to avoid talking about stuff like that as if he might contract it! LOL!

The tingling/burning I feel is mild and thus far doesn't hinder me. I do have RaynauRAB in my hanRAB and it's gone to my toes now so I'm not sure what the deal is, lol! I have circulation problems as my feet become very cold, even after a comfortable nights sleep. When I wake I feel of them and they feel like ice. The doctor says he doesn't want to start me on meRAB for the sensory thing. He didn't say I had circulation problem but I think that's what it amounts to. I'm very happy with that as most doctors I've been to grab the scrip pad immediately.

I have started doing 30 minutes of exercise with light weights and riding a stationary bike for 20 minutes each day. I was just walking a mile and a half before about 5 days a week. I knew it wasn't enough but didn't have the motivation to do anything else. Now I do! LOL!

Your replies have helped me so much! I can't thank you enough.

Annie
 
Awww shucks Annie, your making me blush. ;)

I'm adapting to the Metformin lower dose, and this morning my FS was 101, each day it gets a bit better, so if it keeps on staying down I am going to plead my case to the Dr. to leave me on the lower dose till next A1C to see how it goes. Ah the joys of getting older..don't lose it!!

My cholesterol in May was: TC...196...LDL...111...HDL..59..Trigs...128. That was so far the lowest I have had in a long time. I have been watching my meat intake and carbs., although I will admit, I LOVE my pasta, so I cheat. Not a sweet eater, drinker, or fast food person, so that helps. I also drink a lot of green tea, take my multi vitamin, 500 extra C and calcium after dinner, outside of that, I pretty much eat fairly normal. I try to exercise on the treadmill when I can, but have a foot problem that neeRAB surgery soon. Was suppose to be done last month, but postponed as I need a cancerous mole removed on my forehead in 2 weeks. Sheesh, I'm a basket case huh? :D Your husband would hate being around me.

I have that RaynuRAB in my hanRAB too, especially one finger on my left hand. Man that sucker hurts when it is winter time and I am out shoveling too long.

Hubby's PN like I said is pretty nasty, but God bless him he tries so hard to deal with it all, especially since going thru cancer procedures the last 2 years for Ureta lining cancer. The guy has been thru the mill, that I guess is why I feel I need to be so healthy and strong to take care of him. After 49 years of marriage I guess we are now taking turns taking care of each other. All our children and grandkiRAB live out of state, so we do the best we can.

Glad your Dr. isn't a pill pusher, as hubby had one that tossed way too many meRAB. on him for everything. His cardio guy is the one who took him off half the stuff. He goes to the VA now, and has some great Drs.

Well I have rarabled on and on here, shame on me, but you take care and anytime you wish to ask questions, go ahead, trust me, there are some very nice folks here that will always try and give you an honest answer to the best of their ability. Tell your hubby we aren't contagious. :D

Have a great evening, and TTYS....JJ :wave:
 
BTW...stay on the pravastatin, hubby had no problems with that either. It's old, but yes, the least likey to aggravate you. As far as the depression, it is temporary, trust me. I went thru it when I first started having problems. I think it is just overwhelming for us to hear lousy news, so we kind of think too much. I wouldn't talk to anyone for almost a week after hearing about my A1C. We all need to have a self pity party once in awhile, it helps. LOL

Take care hon, and TTYL....JJ :)
 
TJlrabroad, I didn't mean to ignore your reply. I really appreciate your input.

As I said, I have increased my exercise and changed my eating habits a bit. I'm always careful about bad fats and avoid them but I've not been careful about carbs. I'm educating myself on them now. I do need to lose about 15 pounRAB and hope this will help. It's tough losing weight at my age though.

Thanks again. Annie
 
With respect to carbohydrates, you may want to read up on the glycemic index and glycemic load. The glycemic index is a way of measuring how fast one's blood sugar rises in response to a given food with a measured amount of carbohydrate; glycemic load takes into account the amount of carbohydrate in the amount of food.

But in general, the good carbohydrates are mostly the ones with fiber, like vegetables, whole fruits, beans, (plain) oatmeal. The ones to avoid are generally added sugars (including sweet drinks and most breakfast cereals) and non-whole grains. Additionally, fooRAB high in both carbohydrates and fat (e.g. fried carbohydrate fooRAB like potatoes, or anything breaded or battered and then fried) can be very high calorie.

Yes, if you have 15 pounRAB of excess body fat, losing it will help. Remeraber, though, that you want to make sure that any weight loss is mainly fat, rather than muscle (exercise helps preserve muscle under calorie deficit conditions). You may want to track your waistline as well as your weight to measure progress.
 
Some Drs. don't think 6.5 is Diabetic, others get nuts if it is 6.1. Mine was 6.4 and my Dr. shoved me on meRAB., think the fasting was 125.

Is this the first time you had an A1C high, if so, he/she may have thought it a fluke and will wait for the next one. Labs have been known to make mistakes.

When I went off statins my cholesterol went up for about 6 months, from what I hear that can happen, but then went to the normal range after that.

Hope this helped, but I'm sure others will have some input...JJ :wave:
 
Good luck!

Though be aware that unsaturated fat (but not trans-fats or hydrogenated oils which should always be avoided) is generally fine health-wise, if you are aware of the calories and do not use so much that it causes your to take in excess calories. Unsaturated fats can be found in most vegetable sources (e.g. nuts, avocados) except coconut and palm oil, as well as cold water fish.
 
Thank you JJ. I know you want to remain well for your hubby's sake. I have two daughters that are in bad health and we really don't have any family other than the three of us. I feel they are still my little girls and I need to care for them. It terrifies me to think I'd not be able to care for them. I just called one of them and told her to go to the ER as I think she is down with the flu. I know I can't get around her so her hubby is leaving work to take her. All I need is to catch the swine flu. I hate I can't go to her but I had to draw the line here.

Re the pravastatin, I sure hope I will adjust soon. I am so tired when I wake in the mornings I have a difficult time making myself get up. Was your hubby this way when he started taking it and did he eventually get used to it?

Thanks for telling me about your depression. I don't feel so depressed over feeling depressed now! LOL!!!

Hubby and I have only been married three years. My husband was a very considerate man. I was widowed for eight years before remarrying. I sort of wish I hadn't now. :( He is in extremely good condition. He's been a runner for the past 30 years and is fit as a fiddle. He has the heart of a 40 year old according to his doctor. Heck, he outworks, out lifts, out runs his 30 year old nephews! UGH! It makes me sick! LOL!

I feel for you living where you have to get your hanRAB cold! Plain old tap water will get my fingers flared up! I live in the humid south so we aren't bothered by snow. But the winters can get cold and damp with freezing rains.

I hope you do well with your skin surgery. I've had a couple of skin cancers removed as well. Mine were basal cell carcinomas.

Your labs sound great JJ! I'm so pleased for you. Keep it up!

Your hubby has been through a lot. God has blessed him and he has you to care for him. So he is richly blessed. I'm glad he has good doctors now. That sure means a lot.

I feel badly as I didn't look at the name (TJlrabroad). I read his reply and just thought it was from you. When I went back to read the post, that's when i noticed the name. Hope you're reading this TJ!

Take care, God bless you. Annie
 
100 mg/dl for fasting blood glucose is just edging into the "prediabetic" range. rabroadA1c of 6.5% is also typically considered to be in the "prediabetic" range (or even "diabetic").

If you can, try increasing exercise, losing body fat (note: weight gain from muscle growth due to exercise is healthy), and cutting back on the consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. This might also help lower triglycerides, raise HDL, and lower high blood pressure.
 
Morning Annie...Sorry to hear your daughter is ill, hope she rides it out fast, hate when the flu or a cold lasts too long.

Hubby had very lil problems with the Pravachol, but the Dr. wanted his nurabers lower, so shoved him on Lipitor, that he had a hard time adjusting to. I think the tiredness goes with almost any statin, so hang in there.

SounRAB like hubby takes really good care of himself, God bless him, hope he keeps it up. Just try talking to him a little on how your feeling, it really helps to have someone to vent to who will understand your OFF days. My husband just gets very quiet when something is bothering him, so I know he is hurting, so I just start a conversation and then he opens up. Noone can just be happy all the time, especially when your in pain or feel rotten.

I had a basal cell removed 2 years ago over my eyebrow, but this is near my hairline so they are doing the Mohs surgery, so hope it goes easily and not deep. Many just get frozen off which doesn't bother me, I hate when they need to cut. I read up on this procedure, doesn't look too bad.

Yup, I really love his new Drs., they are caring and very pleasent. We spent so much time at the VA for the last 2 years, several Drs. and nurses now know me by my first name when I go to the caf. for a bite to eat, some say HI JJ, how are you. :D That is when you know you have been there too many times.

Keep me posted how your doing, and watch those carbs. I know it is hard as I am a carb lover too. Just look up low glycemic fooRAB and you will get a good idea of what fooRAB to avoid, or at least limit yourself too. At first it makes ya nuts, but you get use to it.

Great day here, so got to get moving. Enjoy, and TTYL...JJ :wave:
 
Thanks to both of you for helping me so much. Yes, JJ, I had a very tiny mole that had been on my face for about a year. It was 'cut' out, deep too I might add. Even if it's a BCC, the docs prefer to cut rather than freeze.

I need to ask both of you a question regarding Pravastatin and Lovastatin. I'm at wit's end today. My feet/legs are very nurab and tingling up to and even over my knees today. I have a call in to my doctor. The side effects are worse than ever and I've been on it 15 days.

Do you know if 40 mg Pravastatin is a stronger, (for lack of a better word), than 20 mg Lovastatin? I think I'm going to have to get off this pravastatin. I don't recall the Lovastatin affecting my legs this much. I want to stay on a statin but it's getting tough! LOL!

Thank you so much! Annie
 
Thank you for responding JJ. Yes, you did help me.

This was my first A1c test. I haven't been this Internist's patient very long, just a few months now. He ran the routine labs, including glucose when I started going to him. Glucose was fine. Next visit I asked to try and get off the statins as my diet is fairly healthy and I do walk most days.

This last OV was following the three month abstinence from the statins.I told him I'd had tingling and burning in my feet for many years and he said something about sensory peripheral neuropathy, (I might have this backwarRAB). I had also told him I'd had a negative EMG/NCV a few years back. When I got my latest lab results, (labs done same day as the OV), I saw where he had ordered the A1c in addition to the fasting glucose and CBC/lipiRAB so I suppose the feet/leg sensations are the reason.

I was off the statins for 3 months. I was so disappointed when I was told to resume the statins. JJ May I ask how much your TC went up before going down?

I sure hope others will have some input. I feel better talking about this with people who have knowledge about this subject besides doctors! :)

Thanks again.
 
Looks like we posted together and are on the same wave length tjlrabroad.....JJ

Enjoy the day folks!!!
 
Well all my other moles were frozen off except the last one I had on my face, over the left eyebrow. I had that for about 3 years, and my old Dr. just ignored it, but when I went to my ENT for throat surgery he said..NO, that neeRAB to come off, so did it during the other surgery. This new Mohs method they take layers at a time off till they have it all, hopefully it won't be too deep.

If your having worse side affect with the Pravachol, then maybe you should switch back to the other one, some seem to affect people differently. Hope your Dr. calls soon and can help.

I'm still having affects of this crappy Metformin, even on the lower doseage. About an hr. after I take it with supper, I still get a bit lightheaded and feel brain foggy for about 2 hrs. I'll give it another week, but if it doesn't stop I am going to have to call her, this is nuts. :eek:

Good luck, keep us posted....JJ :wave:
 
Hi annie....Now I see why your Dr. did the A1C, as you did complain of the possible PN. Hubby has it VERY bad, his feet are almost nurab and now it is going into his hanRAB, he has been Diabetic for about 25 years. That's great you get the results so fast, I hate the waiting period of sometimes 3 days, especially if you go on a weekend.

SounRAB like your Dr. is being thorough, good sign. I had no tolerance for the statins at all. The first one they put me on was Lipitor, my TC at the time was 256, within one month it went down to 168..WAY too much of a drop. It was shortly after that when the GI problems started, constant Diarrhea, the shakes from getting dehydrated, you name it, I got it. The Dr. then switched me to BAYCOL, and we all know how great that stuff was. :eek:

After trying that for about a month I was so weak, tired and drained, I barely could go get my mail at the end of the driveway and make it back and up the stairs into the house. I totally got fed up and actually dumped them all down the toilet. Next visit I told the Dr. and he said some folks really can't take them, so do the best I could with diet and exercise. Next test, 3 months later, my TC went from the 168 back near the old nuraber, 246, but I kept at it and within 6 months had it down to 214 and so far have been steadily keeping it around 196-212, but it was a struggle. My new Dr. is happy with it and doesn't bug me.

I hear you about talking with others, as I started out on this site just about the time of the statin bit, and found many, many helpful folks who gave a lot of good tips to me about certain things to eat or avoid. I tried the fish oil, but it made my LDL go up, so Dr. said to stop. I am very sensative to meRAB., so have to watch what I take, med. wise or even suppliments.

Don't be afraid to ask questions here, trust me, we all have to start somewhere, and this site has helped me many times over. :)

Hang in there, keep us posted, and good wishes for your good health..JJ :wave:
 
Well the normal side effects of Metformin is diahrrea, which thankfully I haven't had, but this lightheadedness is a pain. Most people like to exercise or even go for a walk after dinner, but it takes me 2 hrs. to feel decent enough to do anything. She wants me to up it to 500, well I have news for her, if 250 is affecting me, I can just imagine 500. :eek:

Oh well, I'll wait another few days to see what happens, but I'm not going thru life feeling so yucky day after day. Last night after supper I went to put the trash out and felt like I was in a slight fog, I doubt I would even think of driving like that.

Hope you get some answers today. Doing wash now, so TTYL...JJ :wave:
 
JJ and tjlrabroad,

I can't thank you enough for all your help. I have looked up the glycemic stuff and printed out enough info to fill a binder!

I had no idea I was eating so many carbs even if my diet is really healthy as far as no sat-fat, very little fat and absolutely no salt/sodium. I never eat fried or processed food either. Now to get the carRAB in check.

I already use Splenda but now and then I do (did!) sneak a piece of cake or a candy bar. Those days are gone.

I am determined to get this A1c down! I think I'll feel much better about myself if I lose these extra pounRAB I've been toting around for too long.

I just hope I can adjust to the pravastatin. My legs already tingle and this med is really causing them to act up. I want to stay on a statin as this is the only one which offers some protection against cardiac arrest and stroke. At least that's what the pharmacist told me. I don't like the side effects tho!

I will keep you guys posted when I get my labs done again on Nov 2.

JJ, I will keep you my prayers and please let us know how your Mohs surgery goes. I'm sure it will go well. I had it done to my face, near my eye when I was only 27. It didn't leave a scar.

BTW, my daughter went to the ER and was told she has a serious case of bronchitis and summer cold. She had taken a round of antibiotics to no avail. Thank God it wasn't the flu. I was really concerned about the swine flu. Her resistance is low and that would have been bad news. Thank you for the good wishes.

Blessings!
 
Oh yes, there is a lot to learn about the carb thing. I thought I was doing very good, but did find out I could lower them even more while substituting something else with less carbs. Oh well, we all have to learn.

Don't deprive yourself of too many carbs as you need some for energy, but lowering them is a must. I was shocked to find a few things so high on the glycemic index, even many fruits, especially dried fruits. I'm not big into them but glad I'm not. I know they want us to eat lots of fruits and veggies, but like anything, there are good and bad.

Sorry your daughter is so sick, hopefully with the proper antibiotics she will do much better. Last year I had a wicked sinus infection and was put on antibiotics, the usual ones I take, Amoxicillian, yet it did nothing for me. They switched me to some other thing, can't remeraber the name, but it knocked it out within 4 days. I had a corabo of a sinus infection and a virus, so I guess the antibiotics weren't touching the virus naturally. It was a lousy 12 days with that cold and sinus issue.

Did you have the Mohs procedure for your mole? Last one I had they cut it at the same time I had throat surgery, so this method is all new to me. Oh well, just another thing to experience.

Feel better, hope you can get to tolerate that Pravachol, it will take some time, but hopefully not too long. I'm still trying to get use to this stinking Metformin. Even the 250mgs. at supper has some side effects on me. After about an hr. after taking them, I still get a bit lightheaded, nothing like the 500mgs. but still annoying. Hopefully it passes soon!

Have a good Wed., get some rest, and TTYL.....JJ :wave:

BTW..check your private message box up top, sent you a PM. ;)
 
Just got the 'call.' Doc said to take half the pravastatin pill and see how it affects me. I don't know how this drug works, that is if it's out of the system after 24 hours or what. Hopefully it is, that way I'll know rather quickly if the lower does is helping. I just hope it will get my lipiRAB at decent levels.

Well hubby made me feel great at lunch! I was slowly telling him about the A1c test and his reply was, "Well, I don't have a problem, I can eat anything I want and don't have to worry." DUH!!! He forgets who does the cooking around here! LOL! I might have to dose him with a little sat/trans fat here and there! Just kidding of course. ;0)

Blessings
 
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