In 2017 (I think), I was found to have an A1C of around 5.7 or 5.8 (I think), which indicated pre-diabetes. I finally got around to going to the doctor and getting that checked out 4 months ago, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with an A1C just over 9, and I was put on some medications (metformin to help control my blood sugar and mounjaro, which slows digestion and reduces appetite).

This past Friday (3 days ago), I went back to the doctor for a checkup. I lost 40 pounds since I was there last, and my A1C is down to 6.1. The doctor said she likes to see the A1C less than 7, so it sounds like I'm doing okay. I was relieved to hear that news. I'll keep doing what I'm doing, and hopefully things will continue to get better, or at least the same.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

On 9/2/2025 12:29 PM, Nightfox wrote to All:

In 2017 (I think), I was found to have an A1C of around 5.7 or 5.8 (I think),
which indicated pre-diabetes. I finally got around to going to the doctor and
getting that checked out 4 months ago, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with an A1C just over 9, and I was put on some medications (metformin
to help control my blood sugar and mounjaro, which slows digestion and reduces
appetite).

This past Friday (3 days ago), I went back to the doctor for a checkup. I lost
40 pounds since I was there last, and my A1C is down to 6.1. The doctor said
she likes to see the A1C less than 7, so it sounds like I'm doing okay. I was
relieved to hear that news. I'll keep doing what I'm doing, and hopefully things will continue to get better, or at least the same.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

Your doing great. Keep it up. I have been dealing with diabetes for about 11 years. Just
when I think I have it conquered, I son realize that it is a lifestyle change to keep your
numbers down.

I gave up on Ozempic when "Hollywood" types made it unavailable for normal people
like me. They were buying it up in droves so they could lose weight and diabetics like
myself were told that it was out of stock.

I went into the hospital for a severe UTI and the hospital doctor told me that the oral
medication that I was taking was not absorbing properly into my system, and that if I
continued it could cause kidney disease.

I have been on insulin ever since. The good thing about insulin is that I can control my
numbers with the Dexcom monitoring device. I know immediately if I have taken too
much or too little.

My insurance pays for the device so in the long run it was a good move to make the
switch. The only finger sticks that I need to do is maybe after I install a new one every
10 days. Sometimes it takes a day to acclimate to the body to give good readings.

Mike Dippel


--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS (999:1/1)

Re: RE: Diabetes
By: Mike Dippel to Nightfox on Tue Sep 02 2025 05:48 pm

Your doing great. Keep it up. I have been dealing with diabetes for about 11 years. Just
when I think I have it conquered, I son realize that it is a lifestyle change to keep your
numbers down.

I seem to recall hearing that it's possible for diabetes to be reversed, at least in some cases. I don't know if I'd be able to do that though. I feel nervous about it being such a permanent change, which means I'd always need to get my prescriptions renewed & such. In my type of work, layoffs can be common, so health insurance coverage might not always be constant, which makes me nervous. Healthcare is so expensive in the US, I feel like it's best to just not get sick or anything (which of course is unavoidable).

I went into the hospital for a severe UTI and the hospital doctor told me that the oral
medication that I was taking was not absorbing properly into my system, and that if I
continued it could cause kidney disease.

That's scary. :(

I have been on insulin ever since. The good thing about insulin is that I can control my
numbers with the Dexcom monitoring device. I know immediately if I have taken too
much or too little.

A monitoring device would definitely be useful.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

On 9/2/2025 3:43 PM, Nightfox wrote to Mike Dippel:

Re: RE: Diabetes
By: Mike Dippel to Nightfox on Tue Sep 02 2025 05:48 pm

Your doing great. Keep it up. I have been dealing with diabetes for about
11 years. Just
when I think I have it conquered, I son realize that it is a lifestyle change to keep your
numbers down.

I seem to recall hearing that it's possible for diabetes to be reversed, at least in some cases. I don't know if I'd be able to do that though. I feel nervous about it being such a permanent change, which means I'd always need to
get my prescriptions renewed & such. In my type of work, layoffs can be common, so health insurance coverage might not always be constant, which makes
me nervous. Healthcare is so expensive in the US, I feel like it's best to just not get sick or anything (which of course is unavoidable).

I have always believed that if you eat like you are a diabetic that you will never become
one. Unfortunately, that may not be true. If your pancreas is compromised, you will
need some sort of substitute to lower your sugar level.

In any case, be careful with your diet and all should be well.

My wife switched out serving me mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower. I can still put
gravy on it to give it a taste. She also switched me over to Keto bread. The net carbs is
only 1 per helping because of the fiber that it contains. It's more expensive but it tastes
good and isn't bad for you.

Mike Dippel

--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS (999:1/1)

Re: RE: Diabetes
By: Mike Dippel to Nightfox on Tue Sep 02 2025 06:54 pm

In any case, be careful with your diet and all should be well.

My wife switched out serving me mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower. I can still put
gravy on it to give it a taste. She also switched me over to Keto bread. The net carbs is
only 1 per helping because of the fiber that it contains. It's more expensive but it tastes
good and isn't bad for you.

Yeah, I started eating more low-carb since I got my diagnosis. My wife and I sometimes like rice, and we've tried riced cauliflower, and I think that's not bad. I've still eaten some rice occasionally though..

For bread, we've been buying Nature's Own net 1 keto bread, and I actually like that bread. It's soft and feels & tastes to me a lot like regular bread. But we've found that keto breads tend to disintegrate when uneaten after not too long.

We've also tried some low-carb pasta. There's a company I heard about called Kaizen that makes low-carb pasta (I think you can only order it online from them), and I think their pasta is pretty decent. It doesn't taste exactly like regular pasta, but it's pretty good. They also make low-carb rice. This is their web site:

https://kaizenfoodcompany.com

As far as pasta sauce: Aside from making pasta sauce at home (which I like to do already), I've found that Rao's pasta sauce (which you can buy at the store) is also fairly low-carb, but it's very tasty, almost like a homemade pasta sauce. They have a few different varieties too.

https://www.raos.com

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

On 9/2/2025 6:51 PM, Nightfox wrote to Mike Dippel:

Yeah, I started eating more low-carb since I got my diagnosis. My wife and I
sometimes like rice, and we've tried riced cauliflower, and I think that's not
bad. I've still eaten some rice occasionally though..

For bread, we've been buying Nature's Own net 1 keto bread, and I actually like
that bread. It's soft and feels & tastes to me a lot like regular bread. But
we've found that keto breads tend to disintegrate when uneaten after not too long.

We've also tried some low-carb pasta. There's a company I heard about called Kaizen that makes low-carb pasta (I think you can only order it online from them), and I think their pasta is pretty decent. It doesn't taste exactly like
regular pasta, but it's pretty good. They also make low-carb rice. This is their web site:

https://kaizenfoodcompany.com

As far as pasta sauce: Aside from making pasta sauce at home (which I like to
do already), I've found that Rao's pasta sauce (which you can buy at the store)
is also fairly low-carb, but it's very tasty, almost like a homemade pasta sauce. They have a few different varieties too.

https://www.raos.com

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

Very informative! Thanks. Nature's Own is a favorite of mine as well. I usually have 4
separate pieces for lunch; each with butter, peanut butter and sugar free jellies. It
doesn't affect my sugar level much and I am addicted to it.

Mike Dippel


--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS (999:1/1)

Re: RE: Diabetes
By: Mike Dippel to Nightfox on Tue Sep 02 2025 10:04 pm

Nature's Own is a favorite of mine as well. I
usually have 4
separate pieces for lunch; each with butter, peanut butter and sugar free jellies. It
doesn't affect my sugar level much and I am addicted to it.

I like peanut butter & jelly too sometimes. My wife bought some "no added sugar" peanut butter recently (Jif brand), and I think it's alright, though for flavor, I do prefer regular peanut butter.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

In 2017 (I think), I was found to have an A1C of around 5.7 or
5.8 (I think), which indicated pre-diabetes. I finally got
around to going to the doctor and getting that checked out 4
months ago, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with an
A1C just over 9, and I was put on some medications (metformin
to help control my blood sugar and mounjaro, which slows
digestion and reduces appetite).

Last December, my A1C was 6.4, the highest it has ever been,
which put me at type 2 diabetes. This past April, my HMO sent a
home health care nurse over, and it was 5.8 -- a nice improvement.

I mentioned this to my PCP, and he said that they'd check it
again in late October, when I go in for my yearly wellness check,
full physical, and flu shot. He also said not to spend the money
on the EXPENSIVE devices from Amazon and elsewhere...it's best to
just have the PCP check it twice a year.

My glucose has ranged between 80 and 130, and I'm testing once
a day, except at times when I ran out of test strips. I did see
where the OneTouch line of products would no longer be covered
by United Health Care (my HMO)...but I use the ReliOn items.

Daryl

... Blizzard Warning: When your Dairy Queen confectionary treat is ready.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas (999:1/14)

Mike,

In any case, be careful with your diet and all should be well.

The late Red Skelton quipped that "My exercise is being a pallbearer
for all my friends that exercised". <G>

He also added that "When I open my eyes, if I don't see candles,
or smell flowers, I get up. Then, I thumb through Playboy to get my
heart started". <G>

Daryl

... Nude Men from a blonde's car that broke down - her emergency flashers.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas (999:1/14)

I like peanut butter & jelly too sometimes. My wife bought
some "no added sugar" peanut butter recently (Jif brand), and I
think it's alright, though for flavor, I do prefer regular
peanut butter.

I was on a diet of that for awhile when funds were tight (my budget
is tighter than a frog's butt underwater, due to being on a fixed income)...and it was easy to get burned out on that. Peanut butter is
good to raise your glucose if it gets too low.

Right now, I'm on a diet of StarKist tuna salad pouches, with six varieties...Deli Style, Bacon Ranch, Hickory Smoke, Honey Barbecue
(my favorite), Herb N Garlic, and Lemon Pepper. I add Kraft Sweet
Honey BBQ sauce for a little extra flavor...and wash it down with
low sugar, low calorie powdered fruit punch drink mix that I mix
with 2 quarts of water.

I may splurge once a month with DoorDash, but that's all I can
afford.

Daryl

... Live large. Take a BYTE out of life!
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas (999:1/14)

On 9/5/2025 3:40 PM, Daryl Stout wrote to Nightfox:

I like peanut butter & jelly too sometimes. My wife bought
some "no added sugar" peanut butter recently (Jif brand), and I
think it's alright, though for flavor, I do prefer regular
peanut butter.

I was on a diet of that for awhile when funds were tight (my budget
is tighter than a frog's butt underwater, due to being on a fixed income)...and it was easy to get burned out on that. Peanut butter is
good to raise your glucose if it gets too low.

Right now, I'm on a diet of StarKist tuna salad pouches, with six varieties...Deli Style, Bacon Ranch, Hickory Smoke, Honey Barbecue
(my favorite), Herb N Garlic, and Lemon Pepper. I add Kraft Sweet
Honey BBQ sauce for a little extra flavor...and wash it down with
low sugar, low calorie powdered fruit punch drink mix that I mix
with 2 quarts of water.

I may splurge once a month with DoorDash, but that's all I can
afford.

Daryl

I like the tuna as well. I like the idea that it is already prepared and ready to eat.
Tastes good too.

Mike Dippel

--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS (999:1/1)

Re: Re: Diabetes
By: Daryl Stout to Nightfox on Fri Sep 05 2025 03:35 pm

Last December, my A1C was 6.4, the highest it has ever been, which put me at type 2 diabetes. This past April, my HMO sent a home health care nurse over, and it was 5.8 -- a nice improvement.

I mentioned this to my PCP, and he said that they'd check it again in late October, when I go in for my yearly wellness check, full physical, and flu shot. He also said not to spend the money on the EXPENSIVE devices from Amazon and elsewhere...it's best to just have the PCP check it twice a year.

My glucose has ranged between 80 and 130, and I'm testing once a day, except at times when I ran out of test strips. I did see where the OneTouch line of products would no longer be covered by United Health Care (my HMO)...but I use the ReliOn items.

That doesn't sound too bad about your A1C, as long as you can keep it managed. And those glucose numbers seem to me like they might actually be fairly normal?

Are you taking metformin or anything?

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

Re: Re: Diabetes
By: Daryl Stout to Nightfox on Fri Sep 05 2025 03:35 pm

I was on a diet of that for awhile when funds were tight (my budget is tighter than a frog's butt underwater, due to being on a fixed income)...and it was easy to get burned out on that. Peanut butter is good to raise your glucose if it gets too low.

Yeah, I don't eat peanut butter & jelly sandwiches very often (even though I like them), but now I'm nervous about the sugar too.

Right now, I'm on a diet of StarKist tuna salad pouches, with six varieties...Deli Style, Bacon Ranch, Hickory Smoke, Honey Barbecue (my favorite), Herb N Garlic, and Lemon Pepper. I add Kraft Sweet Honey BBQ sauce for a little extra flavor...and wash it down with low sugar, low calorie powdered fruit punch drink mix that I mix with 2 quarts of water.

I like tuna, and have sometimes made tuna salad sandwiches recently. One of the things my doctor prescribed for me is mounjaro, which controls appetite and digestion. Since I started taking that, I've noticed my appetite has gone down, and there are some foods I liked that I actually don't really think are appetizing now. Things with flavors like bacon ranch and hickory smoke are things I might avoid now, just because I'm not sure I'd enjoy eating those now, even though those sound like things I'd normally enjoy. I ate something a little while ago that had some baked beans, and while it was okay, for some reason I also didn't really enjoy it, due to the flavor and texture as well.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)

Re: Re: Diabetes
By: Daryl Stout to Nightfox on Fri Sep 05 2025 08:30 pm

If we could harness the gas after a colonoscopy for use in our vehicles, I'd order a palatte of Bush's Baked Beans, get the secret formula from Duke, and tell OPEC what they could do with their gas prices. <G>

Natural gas.. :)

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (999:1/15)