Diabetes & Byetta

Hello All, I haven’t posted in a bit but did want to share my feelings on insulin as well.
You asked if anyone else has felt this way about someday needing to go on
insulin….I did, I’m not on it and I probably don’t fully understand what all
it means to be on it. Perhaps that’s why I’ve always thought..’no way’ would I
go on insulin, but my Doctor sent me my A1C results back at the beginning of
March and it was 9.8! I had gotten down to 5.2 on healthy eating and working
out in the past right after I was diagnosed (2001) felt like I only took a bit
of time off of my healthy routine, but apparently it was several years. Thus
the high results of that A1C, along with my results, she mentioned needing to
make some drastic drug changes and suggested Actos (not her first choice of the
two) or a nightly dose of insulin. YIKES I thought…I’ve failed. I took
the letter she sent me in to her office and was already to say…NO WAY, lol
first off with Actos, I’ve heard about the weight gain, which is not the
direction I wanted to be going, and then the insulin suggestion made me feel as

if I’d failed doing what I could do to keep my numbers down and get healthier
(which I had). I knew I hadn’t been actively making healthy choices for
sometime.
——-
Before I got a chance to even mention the letter, she came in the door and was
sooooo excited about having just been to a Byetta conference just the day or two
before, and felt I’d be a good candidate (she loaded me up with samples and sent
me to my Nutritionist to show me how to use the pen that same day). I began
using Byetta the next morning (March 15, 2007) and just got the results of my
most recent A1C back last week. I went from 9.8 down to 6.4 in the 90 days!
Since beginning the Byetta, making healthy food choices and working out
everyday, always using stairs when possible, and parking far down in the parking
lot (plus I live on the 3rd floor, and WOW, what a difference now in carrying
things up and down with the weightloss). I’ve lost 85 lbs. since being on
Byetta in March 2007!! I know! It sounds crazy unreal, doesn’t it, but I
continue my healthy routines & apparently they are working well. Imagine how
thrilled I am to be able to feel the freedom to leave my house and no longer
feel self conscience, I’m able to wear jeans that I had tucked away in the
closet in totes, got rid of all the older clothes (shirts etc) except about 10
pairs of newer jeans in varying sizes.
—–
After a week I remember I had saved them, pulled a few pair out hoping upon
hope, something would fit me again, as some of you understand how it gets when
you gain weight and have much less clothing to wear that fits well. I figured
ok, well, no way will these fit me yet, but wheeeeeeeeee! two of the pairs did,
now 4 pairs do and I bought myself some pretty colored t-shirts for Summer to
get me by without having to spend much on new clothes when I’m going down in
size. Several folks have asked me, if it’s ok that I’m losing so fast. lol
My wonderful doctor is thrilled and so am I, I work hard every day working out
and doing water exercise, normally about 2 hrs a day (and I LOVE IT). I’ve
lost all desire for sweets and now it seems that when I do have cravings it’s
for bread and cheese! lol I figure it’s pretty much like in the past near my
period when I would eat chips and M & M’s or something that way, ya know the
sweet & salty cravings. I guess the bread (healthy kind) and cheese is doing
the same thing, perhaps salt in cheese or something that way? When I get a
craving for whatever, I make a decision, is it really something I want, will it
fit in my meals/snacks, normally I don’t bring large quantity items in my house.
If I want a cookie I just go buy a cookie from my Food Coop and eat half then
save the other half for another day (ok, well that hasn’t actually happened yet
as I haven’t had cookie cravings…LOL But…that’s my plan if I do, I allow
myself the item if I choose, I fit it in my daily carbs, and portion control has
gotten me far on my journey!!
——
I’m noticing the funniest things as I continue changing in size. Like the
distance between the steering wheel and me now is quite spacious, where as in
the past let’s just say not much space to spare, sleeping better etc., much to
much too mention in this email! Running up 3 flights of steps in my building
is not the effort it once was, getting dressed to go out is so simple now. I
have nicer clothes that fit, I feel healthy, pleased with my changed habits and
will give Byetta much of the credit for the kick in the pants I needed! I will
however take a chunk of the credit as well as without changing my eating and
adding exercise on a regular basis, I really don’t believe the changes in my
body and healthier thinking would have happened so quickly and without me
obsessing about lbs. on or off etc.
——
Someone figured out the lbs. lost so far when I was at an appt. last week,
otherwise I really don’t pay much attention except I hear them say…..WOW
another 7 lbs. this week, things that way. My goal was to NOT obsess about my
weight or the lbs. lost, yes, it’s changed my actions in many ways, but I was
beginning to find there were just to many numbers to keep track of (and I didn’t
want to be a slave to the numbers game), between carbs, remembering my meds,
keeping track of time to use my meter, do the shots, make sure I got in all my
meals when needed, well I’m sure many of you understand….LOTS to keep track of
at first can be mighty overwhelming. So I stopped obsessing and trying to be
perfect and that’s what’s working for me, everyday getting up, feeling better
about myself because I am learning to stick to a schedule, eat healthy, try new
foods, I’d either never heard of or just plain not tried. Working out was
something I thought only normal weight folks could do, I never felt comfortable
in a gym, walking etc. Now I feel so differently about myself when I leave and
go out and greet the world, have such gratitude for all my support people, my
doc, my nutritionist & other support as well as this list that’s available to
read and share how we all are handling everything. —–
I’m a much happier, peaceful, content person because I’m choosing to take better
care of myself in all realms because now I know I’m worth it! —–
Thanks all for listening,
—–
So many of you have inspired me greatly with all your hard work, and sharing
your stories, struggles and triumphs so I must say thank you, thank you for
being there, for being able to hear of another’s triumphs has gotten me to where
I am now and as I continue on my journey to good health, emotional & physical.
=====================================
Send your gifts into the world with love
and they will be received with love.

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