High Blood Sugar

[Fred4]

I don?t post much but I read this forum pretty regularly. This forum has been an absolute God-send of advice and information that I can understand, use and trust. So. I?m 56 and have been dealing for five years with an apparently stable 4.8 cm AAA. It?s been unpleasant to live with this, but I have done all the checks and been convinced to wait until the aneurysm reached at least 5.0 cm before going through OHS. Anyway, I have now learned that I have to confront a new complication. My doctor advised that my latest blood test showed a fasting blood sugar of 115, which puts me well into the pre-diabetic range. 125 or higher apparently results in a type II diabetic classification. This pre-diabetic number also raises the heart risk. I?ve identified maybe two risk factors I can change, but that number is too high! Anybody have any advice or resources to suggest?

 

[Superbob]

Fred,

For whatever it's worth, I was diagnosed as "prediabetic" a few years ago and went through OHS surgery just fine 11 months ago. They just checked my blood sugar regularly while I was in the hospital. Sometimes a Type II diabetic may need a shot of insulin post-surgery but others have indicated that's no big deal.

My fasting blood sugars were somewhat over the 125 level a year ago but with more attention to diet and exercise they are now a bit below that. Frankly (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) a 115 fasting blood sugar doesn't sound terribly high to me. A more significant number is your A1C -- the average over the past there months. Mine had been as high as 7.7 but I've gotten it down to 6.5. Do you know what your A1C is?

At the same time I did cardiac rehab post-OHS, I took diabetes management at the hospital in Northern Virginia where I lived at the time. Found it very helpful. Maybe that's available to you also?

Sending you best wishes and prayers. Keep us posted.

Bob

 

[KathyH]

Hi,
I am 51 and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 3 years ago after having 3 Blood sugars of just over 126. Like Bob, I had to have insulin post op, but it was no big deal. They like to keep your blood sugar tightly controlled post op to prevent any infections from developing. If you keep your hemoglobin A1C close to 6, you are not apt to have many, if any, diabetic complications. Sometimes you can prevent your prediabetic state from progressing by losing weight and watching your diet. Sometimes, you have no control over it. I was doomed as my Grandfather, my mother and 4 of her siblings had diabetes.If you are prediabetic I suggest you start exercising daily, if you are not doing so already. It's amazing how much walking can help your BS.

I had an aneurysm of 4.7 with severe regurg and had it fixed. Many people encouraged me to have it repaired sooner rather than later. I am glad I did. Have you seen a surgeon for their opinion yet? Good Luck.
Kathy H

 

[Fred4]

thanks for the advice and experience. It's helpful. I am still dealing with my PCP over the blood sugar levels. We're in the process now of trying to establish a baseline. This is all so new and unpleasant. I will push him on some of the suggestions here.

As to the aneurysm, I've seen two pretty srong cardiologists who have urged me to wait, and given me some convincing reasoning, so no I haven't seen surgeon yet. Thanks again.