Myblood sugarwas 338 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and myA1Cwas upwards of 11.
I weighed the most I ever had in my life.
I didnt feel well, in general.
Photo Courtesy of Kimberleigh Smith / Designed by Zoe Hansen
I chalked it up to stress andperimenopause.
I mentioned this to my healthcare provider at the physical.
We agreed that I would track my diet to determine if I had developed an allergy.
We discussed the symptoms of perimenopause.
It was hard to tell what was going on.
I was taken aback when she called me that evening to inform me that I had diabetes.
My mom was diagnosed in her 40s and is still living with diabetes in her mid-70s.
My father was diagnosed later and lived until he was 79.
I consider myself a healthy eater who exercises.
Ive trained for sprint marathons and races.
I even ran the New York City Marathon in 2013.
Part of me was disappointed in myself that I could let this happen to me.
I should have known better.
By the time I was diagnosed, my running and regular exercise routine had slowed.
I had gained a significant amount of weight.
I had a partner, a school-aged kid, a busy job, and a commute.
Days, weeks, and years felt like a blur of busyness.
It was super helpful but also very depressing.
Those initial days and the wordschronic diseaseplayed over and over in my mind.
A few weeks later, I had an appointment with anendocrinologistat Northwell Health.
By that time, I realized that insulin wasnt working for me.
The itching persisted, and I felt out of control.
I began to pay a little more attention to what and how much I ate.
I also met with a nutritionist at Northwell.
The medication I took curbed my appetite and cravings, which helped me with portion control.
Ive heard and read that this is possible to not be on medication forever.
That, to me, is the goal.
As the weight started to come off, I felt better.
I made a routine out of taking the medications.
The painful and annoying itching subsided.
At every follow-up visit, my A1C was dropping.
Though I am not training for any marathons anytime soon, I still run.
Its been nearly six years, and Im still reliant on medication.
I would like to eventually wean myself off the medications and get to a place of remission.
Ive heard and read that this is possible to not be on medication forever.
That, to me, is the goal.
The cost of insulin and diabetes supplies can add up.
I dont take this for granted.
2024;47(1):26-43. doi:10.2337/dci23-0085
