My A1C Has Dropped to 7.6

Bloodwork conducted in April revealed that my A1C hit 9.6, the highest it has been to my knowledge since my diabetic journey began back in 2021. I was surprised, stunned, and worried with that number when I first saw it. Surprised because I had been feeling the best I had felt in a long time. No longer was I constantly tired or sluggish, so the high number made me concerned.

My endocrinologist was very concerned too. We discussed my daily habits, including my food intake, mental health, and mobility. The A1C measures a person’s average blood sugar levels over a three-month span.

Seeing that number drop by almost two full points this August brought a smile to my face. The work I have put in to improving my metabolic numbers and overall health since April has started to pay dividends. However, my weight is not where I would like it to be (260 pounds).

I Prefer to Hover Around 230 Pounds

I know that 230 pounds for a person who stands at five feet, six inches still is not ideal when it comes to BMI, but it is the first marker I have set for myself since my diabetic journey began three years ago.

When this journey started I was able to drop 35 pounds in the span of eight months by walking constantly, eating right, cutting out sugary snacks and drinks and taking my prescriptions at the same time of day every day.

While it is obvious to me when standing in front of the mirror that I have put the weight back on, I physically do not feel the added weight. My mobility has not changed (aside from a nagging knee issue that has been with me since my early 20s).

The inability to shed the weight at this point in my journey has frustrated me. I walk between 10,000 and 15,000 steps per day at a brisk pace. What makes the inability to lose weight even more frustrating is the fact that my bloodwork results were so strong, including my sugar levels (134 – the lowest my sugar has been since I measured 371 in the hospital in 2021).

I Start on Ozempic Next Week for Weight Loss and A1C

A routine visit to the endocrinologist this week resulted in him prescribing Ozempic for me beginning with next week. He was ecstatic to see the turnaround in my metabolic blood panel, especially the A1C and blood sugar levels. He shared concern with me that I have struggled with losing weight.

We discussed Ozempic and Wagovy, ultimately settling on Ozempic to start. I will begin with low doses to ensure that my body can handle it (monitor for side effects) and then up the dosage over the span of a few weeks.

Diabetic Treatment is a Marathon Not a Sprint

I keep reminding myself that diabetic treatment is a marathon and not a sprint. It is trial and error as no two diabetic people are the same. What works for one does not always work for another. This includes the exercises used to lose weight, diets, prescription medications and injectables.

For all I know, Ozempic will not work for the goals I have set for weight loss. That is why I will not get my hopes up that it will work for me. If I need to pivot to a different injectable, or even add in a different pill to treat the diabetes, so be it. Only time will tell if this is the right path in my diabetic journey.

The post My Diabetic Journey: A Lower A1C But Weight Remains an Issue appeared first on The Jimmy V Archives.

I have always had trouble with food. Not that it is an excuse because every culture has their food-related hobbies, but I am Italian. Our entire culture is centered around food. When families get together for even the smallest event, there is a large spread present.

There’s a running joke in Italian families that you cannot turn down a meal, especially when it is offered by your Nonna or grandmother. It’s almost an insult to say no to a meal or “light” snack when offered one from an Italian. Self control is a necessary skill to have when dealing with diabetes.

My Diabetic Journey: My Struggles With Food

My struggles with food go back to when I was a teenager. Even though I was quite thin as a child (I had to wear slim pants in school), I still ate more than my fair share of food at meals and for snacks once I hit high school. This eventually led to developing poor eating habits that followed me into college and adulthood.

What makes matters worse is that I continued to eat and gain weight knowing that diabetes runs in my family. It truly is challenging when everything that tastes good is bad for you.

I have been battling those same eating habits since being diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. There have been times where I have conquered those habits for a couple of months in a row, shedding pounds and staying strong. Then, there are times where I fall back into a realm of constant snacking and eating too much at dinner.

The Problem With Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to truly look at everything you are thankful for in life. It is also spent sitting around a table with quite a bit of food. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, pies, cookies and cakes. It is hard to stick to a diet when the holidays arrive.

What makes matters worse is that I have never liked Turkey, the main dish for Thanksgiving. Turkey is not my thing. Not the lunchmeat version. Not the fresh turkey breast you can get at a restaurant. And certainly not the turkey you have on Thanksgiving.

Because of my disdain for turkey, my mom would make chicken parm on Thanksgiving. So, despite avoiding turkey, I would still find myself eating a lot of food. Multiple helpings of chicken. Plenty of rolls. Dessert too, if there were options other than pie.

The Gap Between Thanksgiving and Christmas

There is a nice little gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas where I tell myself I will eat better so I can indulge more once Christmas arrives. That never seems to come to fruition for me. Between the Christmas party at the firehouse, the staff Christmas party at St. Charles, and constantly being on the go; eating right takes a back seat.

The gap is not long enough to get back on track with my diet before Christmas arrives. I know this sounds like a lot of excuses. It does to me too. But, maybe if I put them in writing it will force me to make better decisions this year. Hopefully I will eat fewer rolls. Or, I might eat less seafood on Christmas Eve (Feast of the Seven Fishes).

Either way, seeing my mistakes on paper hits harder. I know what I look like in the mirror. It makes me angry. My anger then turns to stress. Then, my stress turns into binge eating. It is a coping mechanism. It is also a vicious cycle that I seem to be unable to break.

My Diabetic Journey: New Year’s Day Brings New Resolutions

Hope springs eternal on New Year’s Day. There is the promise of a better year ahead if you struggled in the previous year. Many people love setting goals for the new year for themselves, resolutions to improve their lives.

But, what does New Year’s Day bring? A celebration with family around the table. A traditional meal for New Year’s Day is ham. Ham is often paired with mashed potatoes, rolls, and other carbs. While ham is a good option for diabetics due to it being a source of lean protein, the side dishes that are served with it defeat the purpose.

Are you worried about the holiday season and your diet? Have you struggled with bad food habits during the holidays? A little willpower goes a long way towards improving those bad habits. Let’s talk about it in the comments section.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Jimmy V Archives. You will only receive an email when I publish new content. Thanks for reading about my diabetic journey!

The post My Diabetic Journey: Here Come the Holidays appeared first on The Jimmy V Archives.

For three weeks I removed foods from my diet in the hopes of finding a solution. After that I thought maybe it was a stomach bug that just lingered. I visited a gastroenterologist. No luck there.

Following multiple blood tests and another test, which I will not name (all of which came back with normal results), my general practitioner decided to stop my daily Metformin for four days. Within two days my stomach issues were resolved.

At the direction of the doctor, I took half of a Metformin pill on a Monday. The entire next day I was laid up in the house with stomach issues again. That determined it. The doctor said to stop taking Metformin for the foreseeable future

Once I went a solid month without Metform (I remained on Jardiance), the doctor decided it was time to move completely away from the medication until September. I was able to keep my blood sugar in check (it actually averaged lower daily numbers off of Metformin compared to when I was taking it).

My general practitioner referred me to an endocrinologist for an initial consultation and in-depth blood panel. The endocrinologist was pleased with the decrease in my A1C, which dropped from 8.4 to 7.8 (still not the lowest I have been while battling diabetes), so it was decided to add in a second medication again.

The endocrinologist prescribed Januvia. I have been on it for a little more than one week now and have yet to have any side effects. That, combined with Jardiance, a better diet, and continued exercise (I make sure to hit 10,000 or more steps per day with a brisk walk), my diabetes continues to be kept in check.

I will continue to see my general practitioner, but will also remain under the care of the endocrinologist as I fight diabetes. As I have mentioned before, this is a long road that does not come with an immediate solution. There have been ups and downs along the way and I expect more to come. However, my outlook, attitude, and drive are all much improved. I know what it takes to keep my blood sugar in check and what needs to be done to reduce my A1C.

Are you battling diabetes? It is not easy to avoid sweets, sugar, and other foods that taste so good but are so bad for you. It is especially difficult being Italian. We grow up in a culture of pasta, meats, carbs and desserts. Do I avoid all of these completely? No. It’s almost impossible. But, I have a stronger willpower now and have learned to say no to second helping of pasta or to avoid sweets altogether.

The good thing about my fight against diabetes is the support I have surrounding me. Nicole understands what I go through daily. She reminds me of how I used to feel and how unhappy I was with how I looked. Nicole and the boys are my driving force in getting this under control.

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What I thought was a heart attack turned out to be blood sugar surpassing 370. My body was finally giving up and sending me serious warning signs that I needed to get healthy and do it fast.

After a couple of hours in the emergency room I returned home with an ultimatum for myself: improve the diet, lose weight, and reduce blood sugar and do it as quickly as possible.

I am happy to say that over the past two years I have been able to stay the course, for the most part. There have been times of struggle. There have been times of laziness. There have been times of downright defiance of my own rules. I, however, have not let those hiccups return me to what once was my utterly unhealthy life.

I have been doing as much walking as I can no matter the weather or time of day. The talk has always been that you should walk at least 10,000 steps per day in order to lose weight and live a non-sedentary lifestyle.

Recent news articles have said that the number is closer to 8,500 steps per day. Despite this news, I have been adamant to hit the 10,000 mark daily. At times it isn’t easy, having to go for a walk late at night before the clock strikes midnight, but it is a goal I pride myself on hitting each day.

During the past two years my doctor has changed my medicine, added in new pills and taken some away. He has upped and lowered prescription dosages. All in all, I’ve been getting good feedback at every six month appointment. I am working towards only having to see my doctor once per year and I think it’s coming soon.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again until I am blue in the face. Do not ignore what your body is trying to tell you. Do not ignore results of bloodwork you have done on your own, through an employer, or through the emergency services department that provides the service. I ignored results and warning signs for too long. It almost put me in a dire predicament.

Diabetes is nothing to turn your head at. While it is recommended you cut as much sugar, sweets, carbs and other food not good for you out of your diet, if you get things under control you can still indulge every now and then.

My advice is to stay active. I was very inactive before my diagnosis. I didn’t go out of my way to walk as much as possible during the day. I didn’t watch my food intake. I drank a TON of soda. To date I walk an average of 10,000 steps per day. I make sure I am not snacking often or eating too many sugary items. I’ve also reduced my soda intake and switched to sugar-free soda when I do drink it.

At my last appointment following blood work, my A1C was measured at 7.1, which is high. However, it is not terribly high being that I am a Type 2 diabetic. My doctor has given my the goal of reducing my A1C to under 7.0 and I hope that at my next six-month checkup I hit my goal and then some.

These two years have flown by and I am thankful that I have been able to get my blood sugar levels and my weight under control. I’ve had a ton of support from everyone around me, which makes it that much easier.

The post My Diabetic Journey Two Years Later appeared first on The Jimmy V Archives.

For the three years prior to April 27, 2021, I went for routine bloodwork supplied by the Cinnaminson Fire Department for its members. Each year, the results came back noting that my blood sugar was higher than normal. Every year for three years the numbers continue to increase.

The week leading up to April 27, 2021, I received a phone call from the medical provider telling me my results triggered an alert because my blood sugar was so high. I truly was planning on scheduling a physical with my primary doctor, who I had not been to in more than five years.

However, I never had the chance to schedule that physical as I wound up in the emergency room at Jefferson Cherry Hill instead. My blood sugar on April 27, 2021 registered at 371. The highest it has ever been.

Since that day I have lost 30 pounds, made changes to my diet (which, I have admittedly strayed from at times, but not gotten out of control), have gone for routine bloodwork more often, and have taken my prescriptions daily. I exercise more often (walking, bike riding, and chasing the kids around the yard or on the beach).

It has been one year since I called 911 for an ambulance. I am 30 pounds lighter and a whole lot smarter. Again, I tell this story not for sympathy, attaboys, or pats on the back. I want to open someone else’s eyes who might be ignoring what their body is telling them.

Don’t ignore signs your body is giving you. Make sure you see your primary at least once per year. If they send you for bloodwork, go get it done. The results are not as scary as your body shutting down and forcing you to go to the ER.

The changes I made in my life were easier than I had ever anticipated. I had known for years my lifestyle choices weren’t sustainable, but I kept telling myself I couldn’t lose weight, I couldn’t change my diet, I couldn’t exercise regularly. It wasn’t as hard as I originally thought. A little perseverance, encouragement, and will power go a long way in changing your life.

In the picture above, I am wearing the same uniform four years apart. There were no alterations made. On the left, I am standing in the Merion for the 100th Anniversary Gala for the Cinnaminson Fire Department in March 2017. On the right, I am standing at the Cinnaminson Township 9/11 ceremony on 9/11/2021.

I have plateaued at the moment with my weight loss, but have not given up. I continue to walk multiple times per week, ride bikes when down the shore, and watch my diet as much as possible. My ultimate weight loss goal is 50 pounds or more. I just know that I never want to feel the way I felt on April 27, 2021, ever again.

The post One Year Later: 30 Pounds Lighter and a Whole Lot Smarter appeared first on The Jimmy V Archives.

Some of those were older. Some were young. All were friends or family members I miss dearly.

A recent trip to the emergency room has led me to make changes in my life.

No longer will I ignore bloodwork results, fail to visit my physician, or eat whatever the hell I please.

I am not telling this story for sympathy. I am telling this story in the hope that I can save just one person’s life.

I have ignored my health for years, both my mental health and physical health.

I’ve told myself that I would start exercising tomorrow. I will lose weight tomorrow. I will eat better tomorrow. I will go to the doctor tomorrow.

On Tuesday, April 27, I was convinced that I wasn’t going to see Wednesday, April 28. I was convinced that once I called 911, I wasn’t coming home. That I wouldn’t see my wife and kids again. That I wouldn’t run a fire call again. That I wouldn’t walk the beaches of Ocean City again. That I wouldn’t see my family again.

When my wife and boys left for school that Tuesday morning, I kissed them goodbye while showing them, I would be ok. They knew I didn’t feel good that morning, but they thought it was just a headache.

I had been out the night before from 7 to midnight, first at a weekly training session for the fire department and then on the scene of a building fire. Maybe I was exhausted. Maybe I was dehydrated.

My body was sending me a message that something was seriously wrong. I tried to go back to bed but kept thinking I might not wake up. As much as I didn’t want to go to the hospital, call my wife at work, or worry everyone in the family, I put all of that aside and dialed 911.

I told the dispatcher I thought I had a heart attack. I believed I was. My left hand was tingling. I had the chills. I was in a state of complete discomfort. I couldn’t sit down. I couldn’t lie down. All I could do was stand up and pace around the house.

In the back of my mind, I had a feeling it was something other than a heart attack. I had recently received the results of my annual bloodwork conducted by the fire department’s medical provider.

For the previous two years, I ignored those results. Each of the last two years, my blood sugar and triglycerides kept climbing. I kept telling myself that I would start dieting, exercising and would get everything under control.

I kept telling myself there’s not enough time in the day to go for a walk, ride a bike, or walk a treadmill. I will start tomorrow. I’ve made promises to myself and my family that I kept breaking, and it was killing me.

When the engine arrived at my house, they began evaluating me for a possible stroke. Then the ambulance arrived, and the EMTs asked the same questions. The paramedics checked for stroke symptoms too.

The first good sign of the morning was when the paramedics told the EMTs that I did not require advanced life-saving measures, so they would not follow us to the hospital.

I underwent a CT scan, a chest x-ray, and a full panel of bloodwork, including checking my cardiac enzymes and multiple EKGs. All of the results came back normal.

My blood sugar was at a whopping 371 that morning. When the fire department medical provider notified me, it was hovering around 355.

It was determined that I endured a diabetic episode. Thankfully, I was given medicine and discharged later Tuesday afternoon.

My family had never been happier to learn someone was diagnosed with diabetes, considering all that could have been wrong with me that morning (heart attack, stroke, etc.).

I have made immediate changes to my life. My diet has changed completely. I have started exercising regularly. I have cut out soda and snacks. I am on medication to help keep my blood sugar in check.

I know I am not the first person diagnosed with diabetes, and I will not be the last. But, if my story reaches just one person who is ignoring their health, the messages their body is sending them, or refusing to go to the doctor, then telling my story was the right thing to do.

When the cavalry arrived Tuesday morning, I knew I was in good hands. It almost immediately alleviated many of my fears, but I still had it in the back of my head that I was suffering a heart attack.

The professionalism of the firefighters from my department, the EMTs from a neighboring squad, and the Virtua paramedics were second-to-none.

I cannot thank them enough for comforting my wife and mother-in-law as I was loaded into the ambulance, reassuring them that things would be ok. When you are in a brotherhood such as the fire service, everyone looks out for everyone, and that was evident Tuesday morning when off-duty guys responded to my home when the call was dispatched.

It’s sad to say that it took a trip to the ER to make the proper changes in my life, but it did. It was a frightening wake-up call that I hope no one else has to experience.

I never want to see the look I saw on my wife’s face when I was being loaded into the ambulance ever again.

With the proper diet changes and exercise, I can control diabetes. I encourage anyone who hasn’t seen their physician within the last year to make an appointment. If you’ve been ignoring your health or warning signs from your body, make today the last day you do so.

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