How Low Can You Go?

I just ran into a T1 friend while walking my pup and it has inspired me to write a blog post. He had just started on a dexcom and I cheered for him. It started me thinking about the beginning of my summer, so I thought I would let ya'll know how I got my A1C from 7.0 to 6.0 in a little over 3 months. Not in a I-know-it-all way, but in a this-is-what-worked-for-me-maybe-it-will-work-for-you way. These are the top 10 things that made a difference.

1. First, I admitted that I needed help. I needed frequent blood sugar review and support from my medical team. I also needed emotional support from those that know what a low blood sugar feels like.
2. I very proudly proclaimed #1 to my endocrinologist and when she did not respond, I went shopping for a new endocrinologist.
3. We sought out a Maternal Fetal High Risk clinic to chat about all of the risks and benefits involved in being pregnant as a Type 1.
4. The result of #2 and #3 were that my new endo and my new high risk APN both wanted to review my sugars weekly via carelink and email. A...MA...ZING! I actually had to choose which one I wanted to review my life.
5. I told myself I had to be completely honest with myself and all medical persons involved. Thus when I had a near perfect week of blood sugars with the exception of one spike into the 300's I explained, "Margarita" Take it or leave it.
6. I became willing to try new things and trust my health care team, which I haven't always done.
7. With some prompting, I became friends with the dual-wave and discovered that I can actually eat pizza. (I had been avoiding pizza for the last 14 years.)
8. My husband and I (mostly him) began a monthly meet up for T1's in the Chicago area Young and Type 1, I became a part of the DOC and I started this blog.
9. I have to exercise consistently. If I go one week without any exercise, sugars start to rise. Long walks. Yoga. Biking. Pilates. Anything will work. Just MOVE your booty!
10. Reluctantly I began bolusing 15 minutes prior to meals (I find it really inconvenient) No more post prandial spikes. No double up arrows on the cgms. No stress after meals.

As a result of these 10 changes, #4 and #8  have been the most significant. To be able to have a physician and an APN that actively participate in my effort to lower my A1C and care about ME has not only given me confidence to try new things, it has inspired me to try harder. Along with my health care team, I have met so many Type 1's from being a part of the DOC and this blog. I have learned from you and have been comforted by you.  I can now speak about what is like to live with diabetes, instead of what diabetes is.