Not everything works for everyone, I’m finding…

and longterm, it seems to be a combination of diet, exercise and tweaking the meds for T2. My doctor added Rybelsus and for the last thirty days my fasting numbers have been between 80-93, which I’d not been able to consistently achieve since diagnosis. I had lost some weight this year, so that’s also back on track. No side effects, so far.

We’ll see how things go.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

JoyfulSilence · 51-55, M

I average 120. I have been on Ozempic for a year.

My A1C is 5.6, which is high normal.

bijouxbroussard · F

@JoyfulSilence 5.6 is excellent. Mine was fluctuating between 6.5 and 7.0. And I couldn’t get my fasting numbers under 120. I don’t know if I’m covered for Ozempic, a bit more expensive (with my insurance) as an injectable.

JoyfulSilence · 51-55, M

@bijouxbroussard

I confess I do not really fast before. My body was strange: when I woke my blood sugar would be higher than in the evening.

Since my A1C was dropping, I scaled back on finger pricks. I used to do it at least once a day. Then after every A1C reading, I would skip another day. Now I am down to once every 5 days.

My doctor is now focus on my high blood pressure. I bought a cuff and take two readings a day. Still high, and only normal a few times in two weeks. I also have a high heart rate. I have started taking daily walks and eating more vegetables.

I still need to cut back on fat and coffee. So hard to do. I already gave up sugar. And now fat? Please no.

I pay $25 a month copay for 0.5 mg/week. Retail is $1300. Yet I think my insurance negotiated it down to $900.

My guess it would be covered for diabetes in most plans.

I just learned your drug and mine are the same.

bijouxbroussard · F

@JoyfulSilence I don’t literally fast, but my doctor calls them my "fasting" numbers because it’s what my monitor reads first thing in the morning, before I eat or drink anything.

I was experiencing the same thing, with high morning numbers which became lower by noon, after breakfast and a walk. Someone at my support group was saying that sometimes the pancreas dumps sugar while you sleep, although I might’ve misunderstood.

JoyfulSilence · 51-55, M

@bijouxbroussard

I think the pancreas only secretes insulin (and digestive enzymes, etc.), not sugar. I think it also secretes a hormone, which I think makes your liver turn its stored sugar (glycogen?) into glucose.

The Ozempic makers say it increases insulin production and reduces liver sugar production.

A lot of YouTubes say the real problem is insulin resistanance, and that too much insulin is bad, too. One said the drug does not increase insulin but just reduces liver sugar production. So confusing. But I should be sceptical about YouTubes.

bijouxbroussard · F

@JoyfulSilence Yes, I had misunderstood what the person said—it is the liver that for some people dumps excess sugar while they’re asleep.