Sugar Testing, Insulin, Exercise, and Medication

When I was initially diagnosed with diabetes, my sugar level was quite high. It went up to more than 300 mg/dl, and my HbA1c was more than 11(which is too high from the normal average of 6). My cholesterol was high as well, as a result of my high glucose level. So, immediately, I was put into insulin – to rapidly lower down my sugar level. Before I was discharged from the hospital, Peggy, the diabetes educator of Clara Maas Hospital where I was confined, roughly instructed me on how to check and record my sugar level – 3X a day(before breakfast, before dinner, and two hours after dinner). She also showed me on how to inject myself with insulin- 2X a day (Immediately before breakfast and immediately before dinner). I use 12 units of insulin in the morning, and 6 units before dinner. At first, it was kind of scary. Now it has become a routine. This I can say – I have been religiously doing this for the past three weeks already. It was kind of rough in the beginning, considering that this was a new thing to me, and something I had to do whether I liked it or not. Now I feel more comfortable doing it.

My medication routine starts with sugar testing before breakfast. Then I inject myself with insulin (12 units). At 9:00 AM, I take in aspirin (81 mg) and multi-vitamins. Before dinner, I check again my sugar, then I inject myself with insulin (6 units). Two hours after dinner, I check again my sugar. At 9:00 PM, I take in crestor (for cholesterol) and antara(to lower down my triglyceride).

Since I got sick, I was taking in Augmentin (anti-biotics) in the beginning, and then my doctor changed it to Factive, which I was taking in once a day besides. My cardiac doctor also prescribed me with CP-DEC-DM syrup, to arrest my nose congestion, which I take 3X a day.

I was told that one of the most important components in the treatment of diabetes is exercise. Since I got out from the hospital, I have been trying to follow an exercise regimen – to walk at least 30 minutes a day. I have been religiously doing exercise for three weeks now, except when I got sick.

Last week, I had my first visit with my cardiologist. He examined me quite thoroughly. He asked me how I was. He asked me questions about my health, how I had been doing since I was discharged from the hospital, if I was feeling any discomfort, etc. He got my blood pressure, check my heart beat, etc. After looking at my medical record, he said I was good in my test at the hospital. He hoped to see me again in four to five weeks.

I had also my first visit with my endoctrinologist(specialist on diabetes). She was very accommodating and friendly. She asked me usual questions like how I was, and some similar questions. She took my blood pressure, test my blood sugar (which was very normal, I might say), she checked my heart beat, my mouth, and neck. After her checked up with me, she changed my schedule of taking insulin to only once a day now, before breakfast (with only 8 units). But she prescribed a new pill called metformin, which I have to take twice a day (before breakfast (500 mg) and after dinner (500 mg). She said she would like to see me in four to five weeks.