Newbie here, plus a Glucophage question

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Hi everyone,

I'll start with a (sorta lengthy) history: I'm 36 y.o., and I

was dx'd July 25 of this year as a T2 with fasting sugar of 174.

On that day, not knowing anything at all (I got the diagnosis

by phone and didn't meet with my doctor for two more agonizing

days) I quit drinking Coke, eating sweets, and joined a gym.

Two days later I had a really bad experience with my primary

care physician: it was the first time I had ever met her (I'd

dealt with a nurse practitioner previously), and after spending

about two minutes with me she asked me if I'd ever considered

gastric bypass surgery! I was pretty horrified, as I consider

that pretty radical surgery. I'm obese, but I've never been a

yo-yo dieter or anything. I was just never particularly

interested in the whole diet culture, so I never partook. She'd

have known that if she gave me a chance to speak, but she kept

cutting off my objections ( " It really shouldn't be considered a

last choice. It's been a lifesaver for a lot of people with

diabetes. " )...

She prescribed a meter, strips, and Glucophage (despite my

request that I try diet and exercise first), took more blood for

the HbA1C, took a urine sample for kidneys, gave me a little

booklet and basically patted me on the head, sending me out the

door -- brushing off my questions about what to do next,

referring me to a nurse at a local hospital as where I should go

for questions. I was pretty annoyed! I switched PCP's that

very day.

My new PCP was exceptionally thorough, very helpful, and set me

up with appointments with a nutritionist, opthamologist, and a

follow-up with him for four weeks. He also advised me to start

the Glucophage with hopes to get off of it in the future.

(Opthamologist says I'm a-ok, thank GOD, and I don't seem to

have any complications so far.)

My starting HbA1C came back last week with 7.0; the second

doctor's blood test (prior to any meds or anything) came back

116. I know that I'm shooting for 6 or below, and that the 116

is ok. I've been testing pretty consistently between 95-135

(the 135 is my initial morning reading, and that's pretty

consistent). The Glucophage (I started taking it Aug 2) is

500mg 2x/day. My nutritionist has me carb counting, 45g for

breakfast, 60g for lunch and dinner, with potentially 2 snacks

of 30g (I only occasionally use those). My starting weight is

350, and although I don't have a scale in my house, I'm pretty

sure I've lost a bit already. I go to the gym pretty

sporadically right now, but I think that's just the whole

adjustment thing -- I'm pretty sure I'll pick up the pace this

week.

I'm pretty optimistic about this whole thing. My levels aren't

so bad that I'm scared, but I think I can get pretty decent

control by losing the weight and getting a grip on this

medication.

I was told by my pharmacist to take the Glucophage with meals,

but about 12 hrs. apart -- that would be tough for me (I work

nights). My doctor said with breakfast and with dinner, but for

me that's 11am and 8pm. I usually come home after work (I get

home around midnight) and have a snack of some sort -- I was

told by my nutritionist that I could have up to 30g carb for

evening snack, so I either have some multi-grain toast with

sugar free jelly or some sugar free jello (nothing in that). I

stay awake until 3 or 4 am, then I'm up around 11am with the 135

reading.

My question is this: Is there a better way/time I should be

taking the Glucophage so that my morning reading isn't so high?

I don't see my doctor until the 5th, and I've been compiling

data so far, but I can't see a difference from the mornings

after I've had the late carbs vs. the mornings after I had the

late nothing (jello). Any suggestions/experience like this?

I'm doing my best to plow through all the literature I've been

collecting. I've picked up Dr. Bernstein's book, the Joslin

book, the ADA book, some books on carbs, and a couple of

diabetes cookbooks. I've subscribed to a few lists, and I've

been reading the ADA site, the Joslin site, and their message

boards. I'll get a grip on all of this, I'm sure, but it's a

little tedious as I'm sure you all can relate to.

One more thing: is anyone else on the list from Massachusetts?

I have Harvard Pilgrim and I want to see about getting referred

to Joslin. My new doctor said I'd have to change PCPs again,

and I'm not in a big hurry to do so since he seems pretty

competent, but I'd like to get some info now to prepare for the

future.

Sorry to take up so much space. Mostly I'm writing to say HI

and share my experience to date.

Lee

PS -- (Sorry!) Isn't it terrible that we hear something as

life-changing as a diabetes diagnosis and then have to wait

sometimes WEEKS for more information? Thank GOD for the

Internet! I don't believe we should self-diagnose, but it sure

helps fill in some gaps. I've already taught myself a lot more

than anyone has helped me with. You all have helped, too!

Thanks!

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