I Wasn't Surprised

I am a woman, 68 years old. Truly, I wasn't surprised when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

My history of complications>

I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - PCOS when I was only 18 yrs old. There are a lot of complications that can happen later in life because of it. I was almost waiting for something to show up, and other complications did.

I was overweight most of my adult life. The stress of life alone didn't help. My diet wasn't great, meaning it wasn't balanced. I did lose weight several times, only to gain it all back and then some.

Early T2D symptoms

About 6 years ago, I began to not feel well often. Yeast infections again and again. UTI's often. I peed a lot! I didn't lose weight, though. I was exhausted all the time.

My eyesight was off. Then, the worst, I became SO thirsty. My mouth was dry all the time and nothing seemed to quench my thirst. I looked for some kind of medication to help with the dry mouth problem. Well, that didn't help at all. I worked at a nursing home and mentioned to a nurse what was going on regarding my thirst and eyesight. She thought for a minute and said, "Can we check your blood sugar?" I responded, "Sure," never expecting her wide eyed, "Omigod! You need to call your doctor, today!" My blood sugar level was 540! What the...?! I did call immediately. I had some tests and my A1c was 12! Well, I was put on Metformin, the highest dose and that helped for awhile. I did lose some weight, but not nearly enough to be an appropriate weight.

Finding a new doctor

I moved last year, and had to find a new primary care doctor. Luckily enough, she specialized in diabetes. We have worked together with Metformin, diet, exercise, and then reluctantly added Ozempic in January of this year. I take the lowest dosage. All the work has helped tremendously. I have lost weight, my blood sugars are stable around 100 to 110 and my A1c is at 5.6. My key word that I live by is balance. I log my food, I weigh myself daily, (that works for me, but isn't necessary for everyone) walk, and check my blood sugar when I wake up, before lunch, dinner and before I go to bed. It's a one day at a time thing.

I did obsess in the beginning; who wouldn't, but now I am calmer, knowing that I am in control. Diabetes doesn't control me.