Dear Sandylyn,

Diet and exercise are a first step in controlling blood sugar levels but sometimes diabetes is NOT under our control. It is not quite that simple. There are situations when diet and exercise just don't work alone and medication is necessary. There are people that have never been "out of shape" and develop type 2 diabetes. They have never been overweight. They have always exercised. I used "out of shape" terminology intentionally because some people may be a proper, normal weight but still not be physically fit, or in other words "out of shape". Yes, obesity "can" lead to diabetes but it is not the sole cause of type 2 diabetes. (I am NOT implying that YOU were ever obese. I know nothing about your weight or fitness level) There are a lot of very obese people walking around that do NOT have diabetes and some very thin, fit people, that DO have diabetes. Do not beat yourself up about not taking better care of yourself in the past. You may have developed diabetes no matter what your prior lifestyle.

You are to be commended for your desire to "get off of your Metformin" as that means you are taking all the steps possible to deal with your diabetes and lower the complications. If you are striving to lower your A1C enough to be free of medication in the future, that is a great goal and will keep you diligent in your efforts to control your blood sugar levels. Be proud of yourself. Diabetes is a disease. It is not something one brings upon themselves although the media would have you believe that. Yes, if insulin resistance is caught early, diet and exercise MAY prevent or delay type 2 diabetes but as I have been told by many physicians, a diabetic will always be a diabetic, even if control is obtained after medication is no longer needed. Even if you have NORMAL A1C's with no medication after having been a diabetic, you are still a diabetic,.... just one that has controlled it and no longer need medication. Now, many may argue that, but I am only going by what I have been told by many physicians.

The only analogy I can think of is an alcoholic. Just because an alcoholic has not had a drink in 30 years does not mean he is NOT an alcoholic. It means he has his alcoholism under control.

Well, that is how it was explained to me. Keep up the good work and maybe you will reach the day you can be free of diabetes medication. It matters not how or why, what matters is what we do now. The past is behind us. Best wishes to you.