How I Lowered My A1C From 18 to 6.6 After 20 Years | Type 2 Diabetes Success Story

Welcome to The Diabetes Podcast, where real stories meet real science to help you take charge of your health. In this episode, Richie and Amber sit down with Cheryl Coleman, a mother, grandmother, and lifelong caregiver who spent nearly 20 years living with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. Cheryl shares her powerful journey from feeling "fine" with an A1C of 18, to battling severe complications like neuropathy, life-threatening infections, vision changes, and a terrifying mini-stroke. Throughout the conversation, Amber provides expert clinical insights into why Type 2 diabetes is a complex network issue. It is not just one broken thing; it is a whole lot of things affecting the liver, muscles, pancreas, fat tissue, gut, and brain. Because elevated blood sugar is simply the output—the fever of the disease—it requires comprehensive management. We explore the pitfalls of outdated sliding scale insulin regimens and how Cheryl’s transition to an insulin pump, combined with a profound mindset shift, helped her lower her A1C to 6.6 and restore her body's ability to heal. If you have ever put yourself last or felt overwhelmed by diabetes burnout, Cheryl’s story proves that it is never too late to take control. Follow the podcast to hear more inspiring stories and clinical deep-dives that empower you to live your healthiest life. Need help NOW? Reach out to our support email at [email protected]. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome to The Diabetes Podcast: Cheryl's Success Story 01:50 - Life Before Diagnosis: Unexplained Weight Loss and Ignoring the Signs 04:00 - The Shocking Diagnosis: Discovering an A1C of 18 07:30 - The Metformin Struggle and High Blood Sugar Denial 14:00 - The Caregiver Mindset: Why We Put Ourselves Last 19:00 - Insulin Resistance and the Flaws of Sliding Scale Insulin 24:00 - Severe Neuropathy: The Needle Incident and Hospitalization 35:00 - The Mini-Stroke Alert: A Terrifying Wake-Up Call 42:00 - Getting an Insulin Pump and Taking Back Control 44:30 - Healing the Body: Lowering A1C to 6.6 and Reversing Complications 51:00 - The Ultimate Mindset Shift: Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish 01:00:00 - Key Takeaways and How to Get Help for Type 2 Diabetes  Disclaimer:The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not replace a one-on-one relationship with your physician or qualified healthcare professional. Always talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or care team before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, exercise plan, or nutrition plan—especially if you have diabetes, prediabetes, heart, liver, or kidney conditions, or take prescription drugs like metformin or insulin.Results vary from person to person. Examples, statistics, or studies are shared to educate, not to promise outcomes. Any discussion of medications, dosing, or side effects is general in nature and may not be appropriate for your specific situation. Do not ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read or heard here. If you think you are experiencing an emergency or severe side effects (such as persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, signs of dehydration, allergic reaction, or symptoms of lactic acidosis), call your local emergency number or seek urgent care right away.We strive for accuracy, but health information changes over time. We make no guarantees regarding completeness, timeliness, or suitability of the content and assume no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this material. Use of this content is at your own risk.Links or references to third-party resources are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsement. By reading, listening, or using this information, you agree to these terms and understand that you are responsible for your own health decisions in partnership with your licensed healthcare provider.