Excellent posts! When I was "diagnosed" with Type 2, my doctor didn't try to put me on meds right away.

I know how I developed blood Sugar issues. Over 20 years ago, I had my gallbladder removed. Before the removal, I had IBS-D. It worsened after the removal. IBS-D truly affects quality of life. There were so many foods that I couldn't eat because they brought on diarrhea. I couldn't exercise for long without having to stop and go to the bathroom. As a result, even though I aimed for healthy eating, I couldn't really get there. Add all that up plus the fact that we don't live in a very walkable area, I was ripe for blood Sugar issues. Not to mention more weight gain.

Yet everytime I would go to the doctor or nurse practitioner, I would sometimes even get yelled at about my weight and diet. Never mind that I would explain the IBS-D issues and get blown off with "don't stress out and eat lots of fiber". I would tell them "but it happens when I'm not stressed and if I eat lots of fiber, it makes things worse" --- and still get blown off.

So...I researched for myself on what to do. By doing so, I discovered that 2 tsps. of flaked coconut once a day helps with IBS-D. I tried it and it worked! Around that time, I got diagnosed with blood Sugar issues. This time I told the doctor about the flaked coconut and suddenly, she made the connection with the gallbladder removal and the worsened IBS-D and prescribed Cholestyramine which, along with the coconut, gave me my life back.

Now I could exercise so I got on the treadmill 3 times a week, walking over a mile at a time and with elevation changes.

Then, I changed my diet. My DH, who is on type 2 meds, and I agreed to try to go totally vegan. We both lost weight but found the diet to be too draconian. So, we tinkered with it and eat strictly vegan 3 days a week. One day a week, we have a serving of fish but all the other meals are vegan. 2 days a week, we give ourselves permission to have what we want. The interesting thing is that on those 2 days, we don't get carried away.

The end result for me --- I've slowly lost over 20 pounds plus everytime I have my blood work up done, my A1C has gotten lower and lower. All this is a great incentive to keep on my current path!

If my doctor ever tries to put me on type 2 meds, I'm going to tell her that for over 20 years, no one listened to me and gave me help for the IBS-D. So any improvements in health won't happen overnight.

My DH and I don't check our blood sugar at all these days. What's the point? Besides, it's the A1C test that is a truer indication of how you're doing. Of course, I admit to not telling the doctor that I don't check my blood sugar.

We also didn't attend the type 2 management classes that our health plan offers because those plans have proven to not do any good.

Thank you, both, for your posts! Best wishes as you work to maintain good health!