As a long time type 2 diabetic (30 years now) that is excellent. To quote Mad Eye Moody from Harry Potter, "Constant vigilance! Constant vigilance!" There is a lot of misunderstanding about type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially on the internet. The important keys I have found are"
1. A carbohydrate restricted diet.
2. Regular, as in daily, exercise.
3. Whatever it takes to reduce chronic, unresolved stress.
4. Self testing as well as regular doctor visits with a full panel of blood/urine test.
Medication may or may not be necessary. For Type 2 DM insulin is not the first course of treatment. It becomes necessary for some who don't comply with numbers 1 to 4 for whatever reason, but that is the last tool in the box.
Because insulin resistance is the driving force behind T2DM, the Beta cells can get over worked to the point that their ability to secrete insulin diminishes. This is the reason that T2DM can progress over time. That doesn't happen to everyone, but here's my story.
I was diagnosed because of blurry vision with BG around 450mg/dl. I became immediately compliant, carb restricting, daily exercise and self testing. I had normal or near normal BG for 10 t0 12 years when I hit the first stage of progression. BG elevated even though there were no changes in diet and exercise. I began Metformin, that was good for a few years, then stage 2 - added long insulin. This past year stage 3, my HbA1c jumped a full percentage point in 90 days and had be slowly rising. Consulting with my doctor, we decide it was time to add meal time rapid insulin.
I am still fit, cycled 28 miles yesterday. My last HbA1c was 5.2%. Have I beaten diabetes? No, I've just learned to live well with it.
Just stay the course. You may never need to add oral/injectable drugs or insulin. It just depends on how strong your Beta cells are.
As to big pharma, jacking up prices, the big 3 for insulin have been charged under RICO.
https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/sanofi-lilly-and-novo-plus-trio-pbms-face-racketeering-claims-over-pricey-insulin-drugs
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