It has only been a couple months since I took an unintended break from Metformin. I had taken about a week off because I couldn't seem to get to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription, and when I finally did start taking Metformin again it upset my stomach something fierce. So I decided to take a longer break. Actually, I figured I could just give it up completely because spending that much time in the bathroom and feeling as rotten as I did wasn't worth it.

At first my sugars seemed to be doing fine. But lately I'm not doing so good in the blood sugar management department. Particularly with fastings. Whoo boy have they been high. I figured it was a pattern of eating slow-absorbing carbs in the evening. I have been going to bed with acceptable readings and waking with atrocious readings. I didn't think about Metformin until this morning. (READ MORE)

I took a little unintentional break from Metformin recently. I can’t remember how long it was, but probably at least a week-ish. Frankly, I renewed the prescription and then didn’t have the chance to get to the pharmacy and then when I was near the pharmacy completely forgot that I had a prescription to pick up. Despite the calls from the pharmacy telling me it was ready.

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I'm a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic. I have been since I was 4 years old. I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS for short)...along with endometriosis if you really want to get detailed. The PCOS didn't pop up until 2006 when things progressively got worse.

Sudden weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, pelvic pain, very irregular periods, acne, male patterned hair growth, hair thinning, ovarian cysts, and increasingly difficult blood sugar swings.

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That's right, after LOWERING my dosage of metformin (generic glucophage) six months ago; my HbA1C went DOWN to 5.5 from 5.8.  Yes, I brought my average blood sugars DOWN by reducing my medication and increasing my cardio and strength training.  It's only a decrease of about 8 mg/dl but that's an average over 24/7.  AND I went from 2000 mg metformin to 1500 mg.   I know "they" say it can and should work that way, but I'm the first to admit I didn't believe it.  (Or that was my excuse for not trying harder).

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discouraged. No, that's not the right word.  Or maybe it's that it's not the only word.  Cocky is one, disappointed another. Defeated is too strong, but more internalized than disappointed.  Judged for sure, as it really does feel like my "grade". 

Following gestational diabetes, I was "diagnosed" with type 2 by an A1C result of 6.0 by an endocrinologist who shall remain nameless to protect the incompetent. It was later that I discovered that the A1C is NOT a diagnostic tool and you shouldn't be diagnosed by it. 

There was some debate once I changed endos as to whether I was "pre-diabetic" or actually had diabetes.  After several years on metformin, and another round of insulin-dependent gestational diabetes, with only a 0.2 improvement in my A1C, I think the debate is over. (READ MORE)

My job will be ending sometime this summer. Consequently, I am investigating our health insurance options. Since hubby is self-employed, we have always covered the family under my work policy.

Now, I know that "health care in this country is in crisis"!  I know this is a huge touchpoint for political candidates.  Yes, I know all this intellectually. 

Now it's PERSONAL.  COBRA, offered by my employer by federal mandate, is more than a house note EVERY month.  Private insurance is still pricey - more than what we paid on 2 car notes.  And it carries a $2000 deductible per person.  Some sloppy math later and it could be $15,000 a year before they pay any expenses for us.

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