I have only been a diabetic for about a year. I was often tested before because I have neuropathy but my A1c numbers were usually a 5 or 5.1. Last November I developed a MRSA infection and was hospitalized for a week. During the hospital my bold sugars were very high...about 300 before meals. They gave me insulin but it all stopped when I went home. My sugar level stayed high. I saw a diabetes specialist in June and my sugar is again under control. I think it was out of control for only a few months but not long term. I am now getting a1c levels of about 6 or 6.5.