Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type 2"?

[hellofrompaul]

Evening all!

May I first say what an excellent forum this is! I'm popping in most evenings since I joined and just trying to find my way around. Excellent info etc etc

So, last September, (2010), I was diagnosed "borderline" Type 2. What this meant for me was being put on Simvastatin, (to control my slightly high cholesterol); Ramipril, (kidneys); and lots and lots of lovely dieting and exercise

And now - I've lost about 2 stone; still on the drugs - and had several blood tests and urine tests. All tests appear "normal". I even went to a "Desmonds" gig on Saturday - which was quite good. At Desmonds I mentioned about this "borerline" diabetic diagnosis, and they seemed to have heard of it, (and also referred to it as "pre-diabetes").

I went back to the doctor the other day to get the results of another blood test, (just a "normal" test - not the HBAC1 test), and to discuss all the stuff I learnt at Desmonds. And now the doctor said she'd never heard of "borderline" diabetes and said she never told me I was???

The main question here is.... as diabetes is a "progressive" condition, will I inevitably go onto taking more drugs directly associated with diabetes, such as metformin or even insulin? Or, if I am "borderline" diabetic, (if such a thing exists), if I continue with the healthy lifestyle and controlling the cholesterol and protecting my kidneys with the other two drugs - will my diabetic condition remain "stable"?

Apologies if these questions have been answered before elsewhere in the forum, (I have had a good scout around). This place is full of excellent advice and information - it's like finding a treasure trove of diabetic knowledge!

Paul

 

[Dippy3103]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

My GP tells me I am "just" in diabetic range, and being diagnosed so early means I can probably stave off meds for many years. Because I am a youngish t2 I have been told that one day I will probably end up on meds simply because I am going to be diabetic for a very long time.
I don't know if that answers any if your question or not!
Good luck and well done on the weight loss.

 

[hellofrompaul]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Thanks for that Dippy

I like the "youngish" bit. LOL. I would be slightly over 45ish , and I think the implication was that it was more difficult to maintain a steady lifestyle change simply because "old age" can make it difficult to do this. (I'm not saying just over 45 is "old age", but it is as opposed to "youngish", I guess).

"In the diabetic range". Interesting phrase. I was also a bit nonplussed by my doctor's use of, (or lack of use of), terminology/detail etc when it came to explaining about diabetes. I thought this was because there wasn't that much for me to know - until I started looking around the internet - and found here

After going the Desmonds meeting, (and getting fully loaded with lots of info about what I was entitled to from the NHS; "Annual Review" details; Diabetic Nurses; Dietitians; Podiatrists; Blood Testing meters etc), I went back to the doctor for a "showdown"...lol...

But the doctor informed me that she would do the annual review; pointed me to another website regarding diet; and told me that I didn't need to see a Diabetic Nurse as my condition was "self controlling", (and under control from the results of the blood tests so far), and that the Diabetic Nurses in my NHS region only actually saw the "critical cases".

So, in short - I have been left to my own devices again to fathom the rest of it out.

The whole thing about the "progressive question" is that although I seem to have "It" under control at the moment - is there anything I could be doing better/different, (particularly on the "diet front" - which is quite "healthy" at the moment), which would "slow down"(?) the progressiveness of my diabetic condition?

Anyway, thanks for comment Dippy. It's interesting to know that maybe that this is how "mild/borderline/just in" cases of diabetes may be treated in general by the NHS?

Paul

p.s. If anyone else wants to chip in here with comments/help/advice - or just to share an opinion or "your story" - please dive in!

 

[daisy1]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Hi Paul - I am taking up your invitation to chip in. Welcome to the forum. Here is some basic information which the Forum Monitors give to newly diagnosed diabetics but it will also be useful for you to help stop any progression of your condition whatever it may actually be. You may already have come across this so I apologise if I am repeating it to you. It gives some idea of the sort of things you should avoid eating which is very important to anyone who has diabetes, or is close to having it. Some of this may not apply to you yet. It might be a good idea for you to get a testing kit - it's fairly easy to get a free meter by asking the manufacturers and buy some strips (from e-bay maybe) - since I presume you won't get them provided yet - so you can keep an eye on your levels so you can see what you can eat and what you can't.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS.

Postby sugarless sue » 02 Oct 2010, 17:49
Here is the advice we usually give to newly diagnosed diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.


As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2010 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l........(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals......no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals....... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do 30 minutes moderate exercise a day. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Sue/Ken.

 

[Dippy3103]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

I was dx at 39. Hmmm feel a thread for t2's coming on- how old were you when diagnosed so we can work out the average age!

 

[hellofrompaul]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Daisy1 - hi

Yup - all good info, thanks!

I was a bit confused, (as most people are I guess), when I was first diagnosed, about diet in general.

I saw the advice on avoiding/reducing starchy foods. Although the advice/experience I have had so far seems to suggest to include some kind of starchy food/carbohydrate within each meal. This was/is on of the major things I was, (and still am!), trying to get my head around - is how to manage the carb intake/glucose breakdown. For example, it took me ages until I found about GI - glycemic index - and how that rating on foods indicates how they break down faster/slower tom produce glucose in the body and the effects they have on blood glucose levels. I'm not expert on it now...lol.. - but at least I know that having porridge for breakfast has a low GI and therefore "releases" glucose into my system at a lesser rate than other foods; and that having an orange instead of orange juice is better as the juice gives that rapid/spiked fructose injection into my system, whereas an orange is slower due to the fibre in it. (It's amazing what I learnt at this Desmonds meeting! )

As regards meters and testing, I came to agree with my doctor about not needing one. Basically, from my blood/urine tests so far it seems that I have it all under control. I'm not sure, but I think the testing kits might be for people who don't have Type 2 under control, or Type 1 folks who use insulin - where their blood sugar levels really can change quite markedly depending on insulin and food intake? (Please someone correct me if I'm wrong).

I really would like other recently diagnosed Type 2 folk who may be in a similar condition to me to comment here to see if their doctors recommended/provided testing meters - and what was the rationale behind it?

And thanks again Daisy1 for posting that info there. I'll say it again - this is an excellent forum!

Paul

p.s. dippy - 46yrs old last year. Diagnosed in September last year.

 

[catherinecherub]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum.
The more you read on here then the more you will see that Type 2 diabetes control is an individual thing and what you can or cannot eat may be totally different for someone else.
Your Dr. has said that your results so far are good. Did she tell you what they were? What one Dr. considers good may not be the same for another Dr. Considering that she has told you to get on with managing your diabetes and her lack of care for you, I would be very surprised that she has your best interests at heart. Regardless of how Type 2's mange their diabetes, be it diet and exercise or medication and/ or insulin, we are owed a duty of care.
You do need to test as you are an individual. Relying on HBA1c is not a good idea as this is an average and will not tell you the highs and lows of your management. You could be spiking every time that you eat a certain food but you will never know. Example 10 x 10 = 100, 5x 10 = 50 so the average for those 20 readings is 7.5. This means you have been spiking frequently although the average does not show it. Imagine this over a 3 month period.
There is a lot of confusion about low Gi. Because a food is low GI does not automatically mean that it is OK to eat it. Test, test and test again, your meter is your best friend.
Hope this helps.

 

[hellofrompaul]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Catherine - hi

And thanks to you, (and to all others!), for a welcome to the forums.

Yes - testing. I see what you're getting at. I may well investigate this further.

I suppose, as a non-insulation taker, I could just do a whole series of tests to begin with, (once before a meal and two hours afterwards, I'm told?), covering my "normal" week. My diet, exercise, and general lifestyle regime is generally the same each week.

If I find an indication that something, (food, activity, or non-activity), is causing my blood sugar level to go up/down too much - then I guess that would be a time to experiment and do something about it? My only concern about all of this potential testing is - it could become a bit of a paranoia couldn't it? I mean, "tweaking" with meals/exercise, (as I have no control over my drugs), to try to maintain a good blood sugar level throughout the day.

I guess another question to ask is - if my overall blood sugar level over a period of time, (as measured by the HBCA1 test), indicates that my level is fine. Does it matter that it may have spiked "here and there" over that three month period which that blood test measures?

Thanks again Catherine It really is good to have a virtual one-to-one with folks who have DB and can talk about their experiences etc.

Paul

p.s. logging off now - time for work. I will answer any other replies/comments etc later this evening/over the weekend. Thank you again everyone for being so supportive.

 

[bowell]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Does it matter that it may have spiked "here and there" over that three month period which that blood test measures?

My Diabetic nurse told me this when first diagnosed

Spiking is like you pulling One hair out each time not much of a problem
However if you keep pulling one hair out ,you end up with no Hair :?

DB Nurse also told me If really some proof that your sugars will spike Test after some sweets
looking at
2 hrs after meals...no more than 8.5 mmol/l...( Type 2)

It All seems a lot to get your head around now
promise you ,it will get easer . Keep reading

If you don't have faith in your GP change GP

 

[viviennem]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

I'm relatively newly diagnosed Type 2, at age 61. I would call myself 'borderline" as well, because my readings have never been greatly off-scale, but I work on the principle that if I'm not diabetic now I soon will be, so I call myself diabetic and eat and treat myself appropriately. Even if I get myself back to a proper weight and a state of completely normal readings without meds, if I let go of my control I will slip back down the slope to full-blown diabetes. The monitoring, checking and diet are now my lifestyle and will be for the rest of what I intend to be a long, healthy and active life!

I'm low-carbing, and on 3 x 500mg metformin a day, by request, in the hope it will speed my weight loss a bit (it isn't working yet!)

Just as an example of what I consider to be good GP care, and what you should expect:

My practice gives all new diabetes patients a testing kit - monitor, lancets and strips, plus a sharps box to put all the contaminated stuff in. The strips etc come on prescription, but I haven't negotiated how many I can have yet. No-one has complained about how many I'm using yet, but they are expensive so I don't want to use too many. I'm testing as advised on here at the moment, to find out what various foods do to me, but once I've got this info I might reduce the frequency in discussion with my doctor.

Our practice nurse does the "routine" monitoring, such as foot checks, and makes sure you know what you're doing. We have a Diabetic Nurse who visits rural practices such as mine at regular intervals; I haven't seen him yet. I have my first retinopathy check later this month - a mobile unit that comes to one of the local surgeries. No-one has offered me any courses yet, probably because they don't want any trouble (I heckle!). I might not get to see the podiatrist free, because the service is very stretched, but I'm working on that and will report in due course.

I have blood tests once every 3 months (HbA1c, thyroid, lipids) and others eg kidney and liver function at least annually. My doctor gives me copies of all my results and discusses them with me. He treats me like an intelligent human being and respects my decisions (eg to stop taking statins). He also knows **** well that when I go home I'll check everything he says on the internet - and he doesn't mind! He gets a great deal of amusement out of me and is always pleased to see me in his surgery! (or he's a good actor) :lol: I always have a new 'fact of the day' for him when I go to see him - like the fat content of lard (which is 45% monounsaturated, 39% saturated, of which 35% is stearic acid which is actually good for HDL, and 16% polyunsaturated. Let's hear it for the pig! :lol: ). He enjoyed that one!

On the other hand, our 'specialist' diabetes doctor has some ideas (eg on diet) that I don't agree with, so I see my usual GP instead of her. Saves arguments! :roll:

I hope that's of some help.

Viv

 

[hellofrompaul]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Bowell - hi

Yup - like your analogy about hair pulling

But, just to clarify - are you saying that it DOES matter if this spiking occurs, or are you saying that it DOESN'T matter?

And, therefore, are you saying that I DO need to test regularly and not just rely on the HBCA1 blood test result every few months, or are you saying that I DON'T need to test regularly - and just rely on the HBCA1 blood test results?

Thanks for your help! All help and knowledge is welcome!

Paul

oops vivien - just saw your post - I will read it a little later - I must dash now - I'll get back to you later on - thanks for contributing

 

[Fencer]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

I was dx at 39. Hmmm feel a thread for t2's coming on- how old were you when diagnosed so we can work out the average age!

31

 

[catherinecherub]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Hi Fencer,
Start a new thread about age of diagnosis type 2 as Paul started this topic and is still asking questions.

 

[bowell]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

But, just to clarify - are you saying that it DOES matter

or replace hair with tiny blood vessels you have millions but ?
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Diabetes-type2/Pages/Complications.aspx

YES YES i would test
Even if it was just to find out what food effects you ,as we are all different
i could eat something that would send me into orbit, that may not effect you so much
or the other way around .

Testing is the only way you are going to find the foods that are kind to you



My GP always asks to see the weeks readings every time i see him

 

[hellofrompaul]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Morning All!

It's a blustery Saturday morning "darn sarf" here in the "Mordor Of England", (that's Essex to anyone who's wondering? )

Firstly, let me say "Hi" to Viv who popped in here the other day to help me/comment/contribute here.

I agree with you Viv about treating yourself as if you are diabetic. Since going to the Desmonds meeting last Saturday and finding out that diabetes is a progressive condition, I came to the same opinion - that doing as much as I can in the condition I'm in now will/could effect how the condition progresses in the future and what type of treatment/medication I'll might/could be taking "further down the line".

Nice to see your practice giving all new diabetics testing kits. I phoned the local hospital yesterday and spoke to one of the Diabetic Nurses, (DN), on duty - in fact, I had her on the phone for half an hour...lol... but it was worth it! What I learnt was:

1. Yes - she agrees that the doctors in my area only refer the "worse controlled" cases of diabetes to the DN.

2. She also said that most Type 2 patients in this area don't self test - and I had to remind her that's because the doctor's aren't referring many Type 2 patients to the DNs to get free meters and then for the doctors to have to pay for that person to get prescriptions for the expensive testing strips.

3. The DN told me that they, (the DNs), follow the guidelines of Diabetes UK, the British Diabetic Association, which doesn't consider the debate about "spiking" as being part of the discussion with a patient that they would treat a patient for. In short, the nurse would talk about it personally herself, but would not professionally recommend any course of treatment about "spiking" - but she understood the concerns it causes.

However, the nurse did suggest that I could self test if I want to. (Remember folks, at this stage in my treatment I have a HBCA1 figure of 6.4, my cholesterol is now down to 2.9, and I only take Simvastatin, (to control my slightly high cholesterol); Ramipril, (kidneys); and lots and lots of lovely dieting and exercise).

What I was saying to her was that although my average readings are fine at the moment, if I self tested and started to "tweak" meals and exercise where I may find some spiking - is that likely to have any effect over the long term, considering that this a progressive condition anyway? Or, if I just stick to what I'm doing now, (which seems to be working), is there any need for testing. I was hoping for a definitive answer from her instead of the slightly evasive conversation we had.

In the end, I got a list of companies off her who may provide free meters. (But, as I'm learning - it's the actual strips that cost a lot?). Anyway, I'm still in a bit of a quandary as to "Test Or Not Test"?

But back to Viv .....

My doctor told me that she would be doing the annual review covering the feet check etc. And my doctor is, (still - since last October?!), trying to arrange a retinal screening appointment for me.

Viv, I like the way you discuss your diabetes with your doctor - it seems you have time to do it - including the interesting facts! . I think my doc is sticking rigid to the "10 mins per patient" NHS guidelines for GPs - and then it's WHOOSH! - out the door before I've really started a discussion. My doc showed me my results on screen and I copied the numbers down.

My only real disappointment, (if you can call it that), with my doc is that she treats diabetes just as another illness she has to treat - and treats me just like another patient.... which is the right attitude for her I suppose - but as diabetes is significantly MORE than just another illness FOR ME I'd like a bit more interaction from her/the Health Service and maybe... no, definitely a bit more TLC and understanding that being diagnosed diabetic IS a life changing thing FOR ME.

And you have a "special diabetes doctor" - good for you! Does he/she do "rounds" to Essex? :lol:

Yes, thanks Viv for sharing your experience with me/everyone. I really do like the openness and supportive feeling there is about this web forum. I know the internet can be a wild & wacky place for facts, figures & forums - but on such an important life changing subject like diabetes - it's good to find a great friendly place like this with folks willing to help and share. Thanks again everyone

And Bowell - thanks again for the link to the "conditions" page.

I'm still giving the "Test Or No Test" debate a kick about in my head. I was thinking of leaving it until after my next HBCA1 test again and seeing if that was okay. And, if it was okay, then perhaps not bothering? Or - does anyone else have any other advice/persuasive techniques...lol... which might make me consider self testing now?

Again, thanks to everyone who has helped me out so far.

Paul

 

[viviennem]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Please sit down before you read this, everyone . . . at morning surgery there are NO appointments in my practice. As long as you get there before 10:30 you will see the doctor, and you're not rushed, though it's polite to be quick. There is a difference.

It does mean that you sometimes have to sit there for a long time waiting - but hey, I've waited more than an hour in places where they did have an appointment system!

Evening surgery is appointment only, reserved for school kids and people who work 9-to-5. If it's not full and you ask nicely you can sometimes be seen then, too - our receptionists are great and really helpful. One of them even helped me dig my car out when I got it stuck in the snow on a visit last December.

The practice nurse is appointment only, but I've never had to wait long for her either - and she doesn't rush you!

Our practice has far fewer patients than in some urban areas, but then again it covers a huge geographical area. We do have some problems - like getting yourself 16 miles to see the duty doctor for out-of-hours care - but I think I'm very fortunate to receive the care I do.

Viv

 

[hellofrompaul]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Viv - you live in a perfect NHS World - free at the point of need - and timely Good for you!

So, being a Type 2 Viv, (if you don't mind me asking), was it just a matter of fact thing that you were told you had to self test? And was this because you are taking metformin? I'm just curious to know if there is a medical need to self test if a person is taking drugs like metformin, and is there not a medical need if, like me, you're just taking Simvastatin & Ramipril?

If anyone else who happens by this thread whilst browsing the forum has any comments and words of advice, (or even to share their own experiences), please feel free to join in here and comment away!

Paul

 

[anniep]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Hi

The getting of strips is a lottery. some practises allow them others while are trying to restrict them even to people on insulin.

I am on metformin but had to argue for them, I am now given one 50 pack every repeat prescripition which is every two months.

Whether there is a 'medical need' or not seems to depend on the doctors budget!

 

[lister]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

Hi Paul.
interesting reading
i too at first was told i was pre diabetic by my previous gp who also after a short time then told me i was diabetic and then not diabetic :lol: so i changed my gp.
well now a year down the line i was diagnosed as type 2 december 2010 and was told to do a life change i was told not to self test but decided to test to see what foods affect me more.
i have dramatically lowered my blood sugar spikes and losing weight by looking at my carb intake and avoiding foods that spike me,
i realise you probably are within good bs ranges and are not overweight but i personally found testing useful.
i use the one touch ultra by lifescan whome are very helpful they supply me with control solution and batteries any time ineed them free of charge i don't even pay delivery.
they also supplied me with a data lead and software to download and manage my bs levels trends foods etc. again free of charge but as you say the strips are expensive i pay around £20. for 50 strips from a chemist but get zero vat i test 3x a day so use 21 a week.
this is not advice just to let you know doctors often contradict each other and that its your body and you should ultimately decide what is best.
but knowledge is well worth listening to and i found this forum to be the best.
good luck to you and hope you find the right answers.....
Rob

 

[viviennem]

Re: Diagnosed "Borderline" Type 2, and now.. er.. just "Type

I self-test because I like to know what's going on in my body, and because I want to be in control. I would self-test even if I wasn't taking metformin. I'm taking the metformin mainly because it helps some people with weight loss. I think I might be able to do without it on my present diet, but hey - it's giving my poor overworked pancreas a rest, which can't be a bad thing :lol:

The practice diabetic specialist doctor advised me to test twice a week; I test between 3 and 8 times a day. That will probably decrease once I've learned what foods are okay for me. No problem with gettnig strips - yet!

I'm testing quite a lot at the moment because I want to know how different foods affect my blood glucose levels. I'm on a very low carb diet at the moment with what might be considered to be a restricted food range, and my BGs are pretty stable, in the range of 5.0 to 6.0 generally, and never over 7.0. But every time I try something different, or eat something I know has higher carbs (eg 2 slices of multi-grain bread I had the other night) I test to find out what's happened. The bread was okay - below 7.0 after 2 hours, which may well be to do with the metformin. So I know I can safely eat a little bread occasionally, but not too much and not often.

I'm going out for a meal next Saturday, and I shan't make a fuss about a 'diabetic menu', just use my common sense and eat what I think will least affect me. Cheese instead of pudding, for instance, and no bread, pasta or potatoes :cry: . I shall test carefully before and after, to see how the food has affected me.

All being well, I shan't be seeing my doctor again until the end of March, for my next HbA1c. I expect that it will be better than my last, which was 5.2. If it isn't I have my food diary and test results handy, so I can discuss things in great detail - if my HbA1c isn't going down, there's a reason other than diet why it isn't!

I don't know what Rampiril is, so I don't know whether it affects your BG, and Simvastatin doesn't, as far as I know - though I'm totally anti-statin, which is quite another story!

To me, testing = knowledge = power. We should be pro-active in managing our diabetes,and I have every intention of managing it and not letting it manage me! As my friend Jane says - I want to be buried with my feet on!

Here endeth the lecture . . :wink:

Viv