Finally here

[Sweety]

I joined up quite some time back. Was reading a lot. Trying to feel my way around.
I am 38, mother to a wonderful daughter who is still in school. Have PCOS and associated problems. At last checkup I was told I'm now prediabetic and should watch my weight and diet. I was not told any of my numbers. That is why I joined up to learn a bit.
Thanks for reading this.

[skb]

Hello Sweety,

It's nice that decided to post. Some of other experienced members might help you with your issues.

I'd suggest you read our article on The Prediabetic Myth.

[Shanny]

Welcome aboard, Sweety. Since the doctor didn't give you any numbers, you should get a meter of your own and start testing on your own. This is something the docs don't suggest, but it's the only way to gain and maintain control of your high blood sugar. Here are the instructions on how to do it - we call it eat-to-your-meter, and the explanation of why it works so well is included in the link.


And skb is right about the prediabetic myth . . . it's a fable, pure and simple!

[patdart]

Welcome Sweety!  As a PCOS victim since adolescent I share some of your problems and the best thing I ever did for myself, altho' only briefly overweight (most of my life was underweight or normal), I asked for an A1C because of my normal weighted father's intolerance in his later years, and scored a 6.9 A1C and put myself on the Adkins beginner diet until I learned more and less than a month later scored 5.6 and now last test was 5.0.  It's easy to live with and I love trying new things altho' I'm a simple meat, 2 green veggies per meal eater most of the time.  If I can help at all, just ask and I or one of the others can help you gain control.

[patdart]

I'd ask for all my numbers from your doctor or his minions now, so you'll have them for your records as you go along.  After all, they belong to YOU!  Shanny is right, testing is the most valuable tool we have and we need to use it.

Good luck,

[Sweety]

I will ask for my data. Hopefully I should get it. Which meter should I buy ?

[ShottleBop]

Depends on whether your meter and strips are covered by insurance.  I use a OneTouch Ultra2, because that's what my HMO provides.  Some people have no insurance, and many of those folks find that Walmart's inexpensive ReliOn meter and strips work fine for them.  If you need a really accurate meter, however, you should check out the Freestyle Lite.

[Sweety]

I was told by the doctor that my random reading was 137. I've been asked to get lab tests done. One Touch is what he recommended as well. I will buy it and report further. Yes, I read the Prediabetic Myth. Makes sense to me. The high fat, I am not sure about.

[skb]

A random reading could mean anything. What you ate, how long before the test, all could influence the test. The lab tests would give more clarity. Meters are permitted +/- 20 % variance from accuracy. Consistency is the key. I personally use the 1 Touch and am quite happy with it.

The fat part of LCHF is a bit difficult to believe at first. We were all sceptical in the beginning. But it is from experience that we believe in this way of eating & propagate it wholeheartedly.

[starsign]

Hello sweety,

Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find your answers here. Lots of good information at this site. 

[Sweety]

I got the meter & 10 strips. When I tried to test it gave me error. I don't know where I am going wrong. I am also running out of needles. Lab tests are to be done sometime this week. I will revert soon.

[skb]

You could probably check the instructions in the manual with the meter. There are also many YouTube videos on how to test. Needles need not be changed very frequently if you are the only user.

[patdart]

Sweety I only change needles when they get dull and that means I have at least a year's worth right now!

[Rhiannon]

I got the meter & 10 strips. When I tried to test it gave me error. I don't know where I am going wrong. I am also running out of needles. Lab tests are to be done sometime this week. I will revert soon.

Hi Sweety and welcome.  When I first started using my meter, that would happen to me.  It was usually because I didn't have enough of a blood drop to cover the test strip properly.  Not sure if that's the problem for you.  It's also possible that you have a bad batch of strips? 

I well remember my skepticism about eating high fat when I was first reading up about how to manage my diabetes.  It goes against decades of "conventional wisdom."  I hope you'll keep reading about low carb, high fat.  I (and everyone here) can attest that by changing to this way of eating, we have gained good control over our blood sugar numbers.  It also makes sense that if you are eating low carb, your body needs to get its energy from somewhere else - which is where the high fat (good fat) comes to the rescue. 

[ShottleBop]

Sweety I only change needles when they get dull and that means I have at least a year's worth right now!

I can go a month or more on a single lancet.  Got me in trouble with my HMO, however--they recommend (too strongly, if you ask me) that the lancet be changed with every blood test, and, when they noted that I hadn't refilled my lancet prescription for several months, all but accused me of selling my strips on eBay, rather than actually testing my blood sugar.  (Didn't help that, when I signed on with the HMO nearly four years ago, I'd been under good control for a few years; they've never seen an A1c higher than 5.7.)