I went for my 6 month endo appt week before last. I finally got my bloodwork back in the mail. That's one thing I really dislike about my doctor. I think it would be so much more effective to have the test results in front of us for the discussion.

By the way, where I write "doctor", feel free to substitute "physcian's assistant". As with most doctors who are in demand, he has 4 PAs that also see patients. The office tells you that you can make appointments with anyone, but if you want to see the actual MD, it takes a couple more months of waiting or accepting the oddball times, like 7:45 am on a Monday or 11:55 on a Friday - they close at noon on Fridays.

My HbA1c went up from 5.5 to 5.7. I realize that is still an awesome result and nothing to complain about, but I'm sure it's directly related to the 12 lbs I have gained in the past 6 months. That dreaded holiday weight that I was so afraid of? Yes, that would be about 8 of those pounds. (READ MORE)

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I have many friends with type 1 diabetes. I have a few friends and many relatives with type 2 diabetes. I possibly have the MOST boring diagnosis story I have ever heard.

In 2003 I was pregnant with my son. I was given a glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks gestation. If you've never had one of these; they make you fast 12 hours and go to the lab first thing. They draw blood, then you drink a nasty syrupy concoction that is 75 grams of glucose.

They draw blood again after 1 hour and again after another hour. Then I asked the nurse for a place to lie down and I crashed out (my first clue my results might be high). In an hour, they woke me and drew more blood then sent me on my way. (READ MORE)

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.

  (READ MORE)

When I was in the third trimester of pregnancy last spring, I began asking about breastfeeding and my various medications. Thyroid was a no brainer, since it's just replacing what my body doesn't make itself. If I had needed insulin after delivery, that was no problem for the same reason. The big issue was taking metformin.

My Ob/Gyn said "Ask your Endocrinologist." My pharmacist said "OH NO, NOT metformin!" My endo said "No, you can't take metformin while breastfeeding." His Physician's Assistant later said "Sure, you can take metformin and nurse, but Dr. Endo isn't comfortable with our office telling you that officially; so do your own research and make up your own mind." (READ MORE)

Which would you like to hear first? I guess I'll start with the bad news and get my whining out of the way first. The scale is up this week. Granted it's only half a pound, but the frustrating part is I have been working so hard at this. I've been following Weight Watchers faithfully since Thanksgiving and I've only lost about 2 and a half pounds. What's worse is I'm starting to begrudge people at the meeting who lose more than that each week. Selfish, isn't it?

In reviewing my diet, exercise and lifestyle, I'm even more annoyed because I'm eating less food (and healthier food, at that), exercising more, drinking water and even getting more sleep than I had been. But I'm still not losing. What do I need to do? I'm open to all suggestions, except "be patient." I don't do well with patience. (READ MORE)