In my twelve year old ongoing war against diabetes, I won a small battle against HbA1C last night. A couple of days ago I had given my blood sample for test, before setting off on the Sandakphu trek tomorrow. I have been exercising (at least thrice a week) for more than two months now. Naturally I was curious to see what, if any, has been the impact.
In January my result was 8.2. I was very disheartened, if not totally devastated. My insulin intake was 24/20 and I take so many other medicines on top of that. Even with so much of medication this dangerously high level was unacceptable. Anyway, without losing heart I started an exercise regime and cut down on my morning breakfast food quantity. I was eating two eggs and a few toasts but now I made it just one egg because my ACR levels were also dangerously high. My exercise of course was not just to battle A1C but also to prepare the muscles and lungs for the Sandakphu trek.
In January my result was 8.2. I was very disheartened, if not totally devastated. My insulin intake was 24/20 and I take so many other medicines on top of that. Even with so much of medication this dangerously high level was unacceptable. Anyway, without losing heart I started an exercise regime and cut down on my morning breakfast food quantity. I was eating two eggs and a few toasts but now I made it just one egg because my ACR levels were also dangerously high. My exercise of course was not just to battle A1C but also to prepare the muscles and lungs for the Sandakphu trek.
Within two days I started feeling hypoglycemic within 3/4 hours of break fast. To my horror I found that while my blood glucose level was 60 at the height of hypo hypoglycemia, it was more than 180 after just 3 chapatis for lunch. I felt quite helpless. What do I do? Not eat? I asked Suranjan. He was a senior consultant in UK before coming back to India. Though not a diabetologist, he knows the basics. He said, if your system cannot handle 3 chapatis in one go take 2. Eat the 3rd after 2/3 hours.
This, I realised, is a game changer. Within a couple of days I started feeling hungry (and hypo-ish if ignored for some time) every three hours or so (the lowest I found was 47). As things stand right now, during the entire day I am eating more than I used to but I am eating less every time that I eat. Another game changer was the frequent use of the Accucheck. Two hours after every meal I started checking the blood glucose levels. I soon realised what quantity is enough and what is not. For example, one evening after feeling considerably hypoish I ate a double egg roll (a favourite but banned item for its high calorie content). In two hours the glucose level shot up to 220. Such immediate results keep you motivated or give you warnings that you cannot ignore.
I also started progressively reducing the insulin levels by 2 points. Finally I brought it down to 16/12 where I rested for a while. As of today I am taking 14/10. Let me see how the body takes this small change.
I also started progressively reducing the insulin levels by 2 points. Finally I brought it down to 16/12 where I rested for a while. As of today I am taking 14/10. Let me see how the body takes this small change.
Yesterday at the clinic counter I felt a little nervous to pull out the report card. I would have been happy to see it at 7, below which is "desirable" for a diabetic. But lo and behold - it was 6.1. I have never felt so much on top of the world before. Below six is normal and that should be the goal for everyone.
Let's hope this continues. Someone told me that the human body gets used to a particular condition within six months. So probably my body will get used to an exercise regime in six months and it may not work for me. But I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Right now my only worry is how to combat the hypo glycemia on the way to Sandakphu. It's a back breaking hike throughout the day. Shall I stop taking insulin altogether? Let me see how the body behaves.
I have experienced two odd things in these last few weeks. I eat break fast at around 7.30 and like clock work I feel hungry exactly at 10.30. One day I realised it was almost 11.30 and no trace of any hunger. I checked my glucose level and it was 180+. I am absolutely clueless as to why this happened on that day. Did I by mistake take less insulin? Quite possible.
Another evening I had an invitation at a friend's house where I had a little biryani and mutton. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling hypoglycemic. I checked and sugar level was 60. I felt a little panicky. Monisha said there wasn't anything much at home. Wanted to eat a banana (it boosts glucose level fast) but there was none at home. So ate some grapes. I got a thin loaf of bread with some peanut butter and added a little sugar on it. I wasn't feeling hungry at all. I felt a little panicky and ate one more loaf. In the morning the sugar level was 180+ again. I felt sad :-) It's like a stock exchange index on a volatile day.
I have experienced two odd things in these last few weeks. I eat break fast at around 7.30 and like clock work I feel hungry exactly at 10.30. One day I realised it was almost 11.30 and no trace of any hunger. I checked my glucose level and it was 180+. I am absolutely clueless as to why this happened on that day. Did I by mistake take less insulin? Quite possible.
Another evening I had an invitation at a friend's house where I had a little biryani and mutton. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling hypoglycemic. I checked and sugar level was 60. I felt a little panicky. Monisha said there wasn't anything much at home. Wanted to eat a banana (it boosts glucose level fast) but there was none at home. So ate some grapes. I got a thin loaf of bread with some peanut butter and added a little sugar on it. I wasn't feeling hungry at all. I felt a little panicky and ate one more loaf. In the morning the sugar level was 180+ again. I felt sad :-) It's like a stock exchange index on a volatile day.
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