Fooling Myself?

Welcome to the Diabetes Forum, tdnjam. I understand what you're saying and the best I can do is give you my thoughts because I'm not a doctor (you already know that).

First the serious news:
High blood sugar, even elevated blood sugar averaging over 145, can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerve system and other things in the body. Check out the hot link in my signature for more information. So, keeping blood sugar as close to normal should be a goal. "Normal" would be an average in the 80's. Long term higher blood sugar (even just "elevated") can damage the retina and also cause glaucoma which is why diabetics should always have eye annual exams by ophthalmologists. Your doctor should make sure your A1c is under 7 (better to be 6, actually, or under) and that your kidney and liver functions are within those normal parameters on the lab results. GFR is one of those lab results for kidneys and is very important. Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to dialysis. It can also lead to heart attacks and poor circulation - which killed my own mother after they had to amputate her leg.

The good news is that these complications can be avoided if blood sugar is completely controlled. I understand what you're saying about depending on meds to control blood sugar. I don't know the answer. I do know that our mindset is important about not giving up or giving in. I see by your sig that you're also a PC patient. You have a lot on your mind and I get that. At the same time, you can decide to eat better for the diabetes and that would also affect your overall health.

Yeah, everything *I* like is what I shouldn't eat for diabetes. I've always loved bread and ice cream. But there are some kinds of substitutes for sweets and even 'bread' products that satisfy a craving so it's not like we can't eat good and tasty food.

I'm 73 (which is always a shock when I think I'm that old, lol) and I'm just on metformin so my eating plan must be good so far. yay I have a husband and two adult kids who worry about me and I don't want to be stupid about my health. That sort of reins me back.

Want to talk about food? My favorite subject.... I'm glad you posted. Hope you post again!

When it comes to diet discipline, I am incorrigible. Not proud of it - - just being candid.

When my Endo admonishes me, I forthrightly tell him that eating/drinking (soda, etc.) are my only vices. I make my choices and weather any consequences.

Farxiga has been a Godsend in my case. Along with Tresiba and Amaryl.

I'm 73 y/o and when I go - I will go like Sinatra - "My Way."

NJ Fred

So, you guys need to read the link in my signature, especially the section "The Damage Done by High Blood Sugar".

As far a damage to eyesight, yes, blindness is a possibility if you do have uncontrolled high blood sugar. Every diabetic (in fact, I would say every person over 50) needs to see an ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam and I don't mean exams like the ones the optometrists do for glasses. Ophthalmologists have special apparatus to see behind your eyes and can take pictures of. If your eye pressure is too high, you have glaucoma and if that's not treated, that will cause blindness. Caught on time, it's controlled with eye drops.

Of course there are other complications to high blood sugar. Keep in mind that doctors will tell their patients that their goal is for an A1c to be under 7 but a normal A1c is under 6.

Diabetes will affect different people differently. Eating better (which means cutting down on carbs, eating a variety of vegetables, healthy protein...) and getting some regular, sustained exercise in will help avoid complications.

I can't get you motivated. Motivation has to come from within you.

Lainie,

Your info is appreciated. And I am not disputing it. Online, Doctor Google is a bottomless pit of info, differing opinions, etc.

I speak only for me. I share my choices for what they are worth. What others think of my choices is not significant to me. I am not out to sell anyone the Brooklyn Bridge.

My lifestyle is just that - - MY lifestyle. I do/do not do things based on informed decisions. And that "informed" includes possible detriments. I fully understand that physical detriments from diabetes rarely reverse themselves.

I am not a druggie. I am not a gambler. I am not a drinker. And I am a loyal, satisfied husband. As aforementioned, my dietary choices are made by me, no one has a gun to my head. I realize that diabetes can be a slow ending to life.

In other words, I understand and accept the risks and proceed as I choose. Thus far, I have been fortunate. My A1C is down to 7.4 and my senses, limbs, and the rest of my 73 y/o carcass are working well. If that changes (due to diabetes) I will blame only the person I see in the mirror.

BTW, I continue working full-time, as well. Not because we scrape to make ends meet - - but, rather, because AI enjoy it. I could pack-it-in tomorrow and our lifestyle will not change.

Like tndjam, I, too, am a prostate cancer survivor. My PSA used to be 8.7 with a Gleason of 3+4=7. Following 45-IGRT treatments, I am down to a PSA (last week) of 0.9. Que sera sera.

People make choices and bear responsibility for them. I do not preach for others to follow my modus operandi. Quite the contrary, I preach for all afflicted with diabetes to get the facts and - - think.

NJ Fred

NJFred, this Queens girl already bought the Lincoln Tunnel. Good Luck.