I hope nobody minds that I started a new thread. I was recently diagnosed with Type II diabetes about two weeks ago. It didn't really hit me until tonight when I took my first blood sugar test. I got my monitor today and was told to take my sugar in the morning but I took it tonight. I had a bad day and fell back into poor eating habits, the way I used to eat all the time. From two weeks ago until today I have done pretty good with my new eating plan. So, I thought it would be a good idea to test tonight so I know what is poor eating does to me. Don't get me wrong, I know that eating brownies and frozen custard will do to me, I just wanted to see the "number". But, as I sat with all the medical devices around me, I started to cry a little. Diabetes has been a fear of mine all my life, there is alot of family history and I almost knew I was going to get it, but I really didn't think that I would be this young (I'm 32). I beat myself up because I think if this is something that I knew I was going to get, why didn't I do something about it sooner. I know that's not the right way to think, but I do think about it. But, now that I know that I have it, I can get it under control and live a great life.
Thanks for listening. I hope to be around more often as I think I'm going to need alot of support. And when the time comes, I'll feel confident enought to give a little also!
I'm glad you started a new thread. The other one was long. Welcome. I know it's scary to think about. I was diagnosed with type II when I was 30. My doctor told me several times my blood sugar was a little high and I needed to do something about my weight. I fooled around for 2 years or so until another doctor told me I had diabetes.
You're right though, you can do something about it now, before complicatons set in. No foods are worth that, no matter how much we like them. I've finally figured that out, even if it was a little late.
How many times a day are you testing? I test at least 3 times a day when I'm in good control and 4-6 on days when my blood sugar won't cooperate with me or I'm sick. I use a Freestyle Monitor, one that you can test on your arm instead of your fingertips. Really nice....I've had diabetes for 19 years and have been testing at home for most of that time. My poor fingertips!! They are finally getting soft again!
I've always been concerned about diabetes because there is alot of it in my family. I did a glucose tolerance test 8 years ago and it was fine, and then every yearly doctor visit, I'd have a quick finger prick. But, in December I went for a recheck on my bp and it was 156/110. I was treated by the immediate care doctor and then saw my PCP a few weeks later. I wasn't happy with his treatment of my blood pressure, so I switched doctors. Well, long story short, I wanted to have some blood work done at my request, not my doctors. My fasting sugar was high so she did a
Hemo A1C and said my sugars looked ok, but I insisted on a glucose tolerance test, which showed I had diabetes. Now, my newest concern is that the nurse practioner that I saw didn't really do anything for me except tell me to test my sugar once a day in the morning and handed me a diet plan from Lilly, a pharmaceutical company, I guess. I did fine for a while but now I've started to get bored. I mean, come on, I can't eat that basic. I love to cook and I love to eat. So, my newest mission is to find out if there are any classes locally and/or support groups that I can get more information. I know that I can get support here and I plan on visiting frequently. Can you recommend any books (cookbooks or otherwise) that I can look at?
Thank you, Janet, for the warm welcome. Have a great weekend!
Hi Janet and Hi Luz - It sounds like you haven't had much info or support concerning your diabetes! Do they have diabetes education classes at the clinic or hospital in your town? You need help girl! I met Janet through this message board and she has helped me a great deal through the year. Plus, I had diabetes training classes and continue to see a diabetes "counselor" and that helps a lot! Have you seen a nutritionist? They can help you a lot, too! I know it's all scarey and it's gets to you sometimes - especially if you have to take insulin shots. But you can do it, it will take a while. The best things to do are EXERCISE and eating right. You don't have to give up all the foods you love - just eat smaller portions and incorporate it into your daily food plan. Just go one day at a time - :-)
In the past year I have lost over 70 pounds and have been able to get my BS level down into normal range. I have high blood pressure and take 3 meds a day for that, 1 med for diabetes, 1 med for high triglycerides and one insulin shot a day. I hate taking all this stuff, but I'm hoping one day soon I will be able to quit all these meds! I've done a complete turnaround in my lifestyle and feel better than I have since I was a teenager. You'll have diabetes the rest of your life so don't let it control you - take control over diabetes.
I have lots of handouts and stuff on diabetes - if you are ever interested I would gladly mail them to you.
I hope you stay in touch with us - it's easier to take when you can talk to someone in the same boat :-D
I know I need help. I guess I just don't know where to go. I did ask at the local hospital for education classes and all they could come up with is a local support group. That's ok, but I would much rather get my support online, at my leisure.
Do any of you know where to get supplies cheap? I never realized how expensive lancettes and strips were.
My town didn't offer diabetes education classes when I needed them, so I had to travel 2 hours to the closest city that offered them. I've gone through the classes twice, 4 years apart. It is well worth it to take the classes if you can. You should inquire at a support meeting to see where others went for classes. The first time I took them, everyone was admitted as a patient and we were all on the same floor in the diabetes center at a hospital. The second time, it was as an outpatient and we were given courtesy rooms at the hospital, if you were from out of town. I imagine most places are like that. Both times were covered by insurance (if you have insurance).
The support meetings are good too, because they have guest speakers that talk about the different problems with diabetes, and it keeps you up to date on all the news. They usually have a lot of handouts at the meetings too. I'm sure the diabetes educator could help you with finding reasonable priced supplies.
I just found out that I am a borderline diabetic and need to start a healthy food eating plan. Any suggestions? Is there a specific Diabetic Diet on line?
Thanks for your help
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Hi Luzcious - I buy my supplies at WalMart - that's the cheapest place I've found anywhere. Do you have insurance? Most medical supply places will file insurance for your diabetic supplies (after you pay your deductible!) I know they get very expensive! I've been known to stretch my supplies by testing only once a day if the first reading was pretty good. It's too bad that they don't have any classes there! I knew nothing about diabetes and at the classes they teach you everything.
Mainly try to watch your carbs! They don't count sugar grams anymore - it's the carbs they worry about! There's a website for the American Diabetes Association and they have lots of info in there, too. And try not to get stressed about all of it - once you get a handle on your diabetes it just becomes part of your life and routine, although I wouldn't mind giving all this up for a more normal life! :-)
A good thing to do is also tell all your friends and family about your condition and what they should do if you have a low or high blood sugar. They need to be aware of how dangerous this can be! Oops, gotta go - the tornado siren just went off! Barbi
I also fooled around and paid no attention to the fact that diabetes is on both sides of my family until I was diagnosed with type II. I also went through the "why did I allow this?" type of thinking. But that carried an undertone of "its too late now" so I decided that if I can't prevent diabetes, at least I can postpone that insulin needle as long as possible. When I have to have the needle, I'll find something else to postpone, yano? Keeps me going.
Other than cutting out sugar and cutting down on carbs, I haven't done much. I need to exercise and drink more water. So far my sugar has done pretty well just from diet, but like I said, I want to stop diabetic progress as much as possible...and getting rid of some of this weight wouldn't hurt my feelings any, either!
When I was on 3FC two years ago, and had just been diagnosed, I posted new threads a couple of times, trying to get answers and encouragement. The threads died on the vine... I'm so very very glad that this thread seems to be alive and thriving!
I'm so glad that I found this support group! I bought a couple of books this past week and am learning alot. Alot of things that I didn't know or wasn't told in my meeting with a nurse. Things like I didn't know it was important to be consistant with meal times. Also, as a sexually active woman with a wonderful boyfriend, I am now a little concerned about oral contraceptives and sugar/insulin levels. I am currently taking the pill, but have been considering an alternate method.
Racewalker, are you? That sounds like a fun activity and a great way to get active.
Baboo, I just went to KMart and got my script filled. Insurance did cover my strips, thank goodness. My PCP was generous enough to give me a monitor because my insurance company would not cover that unless I was insulin dependant. So, I think I'll be able to manage. Is everything ok with the weather down there?
nipperbird, I was just diagnosed a couple weeks ago so I am a newbie, too. I don't have much advice right now other than to learn all you can. The more you know, the better off you are!
Janet, I did find out that the other local hospital in my area office diabetice classes, 4 two-hour sessions. I'm going to call this week.
Have a great weekend everyone! It's cold and rainy and windy here in Michigan, hard to get out and walk. Can't wait for warmer weather.
I didn't know this board existed 2 years ago! I found it in early 2000. Every once in a while it gets pretty quiet around here, then we get to going again. Welcome to the group.
Luzcious, I think you will enjoy the classes. They were so helpful to me. I wouldn't mind taking them again, things change with diabetes care and medications so quick. I keep up with things through the diabetes magazines I get.
My blood sugar is running a little high, for what reason or reasons I don't even try to guess any more. I've upped my injections until my control is good again. I see my doctor again next month and want to keep my A1c where it was last time. (6.0%) I've increased my exercise again. We were away a lot in May when my grandbaby was born and my exercise routine suffered because of it. Maybe my blood sugar is reflecting it now. I'm back into a routine again, so I hope it helps.
Thanks for the welcome! No, this list wasn't here two years ago. I tried twice, but nobody would answer. Well, that's not true. One time one person said that there was a diebetic on so-n-so thread, and maybe I could privately contact her.
My doctor never said anything to me about diabetes. I got a call from the nurse after my bloodtests, telling me that I'm borderline, but not to worry about it, just stop eating sugar and lose weight. How's that for some top-notch medical advice???
I got my monitor for free from...can't remember the name of the company. I was told they had a certain number of units to give away to people that have no insurance or are otherwise financially pressed. When I contacted them they didn't know what I was talking about, and said they didn't have a program like that, but they sent me one anyway, praise God. I use it regularly, and my sugar is pretty steady as long as I just keep away from the sugar.
Hi All - Weather is okay now - just really hot! We had 2 tornadoes touch down about 3 miles from where I live, but they lasted less than a minute. I live in "Tornado Alley", so this will go on all summer! :-)
My BS has been above 100 the past week - I've been bad! Been drinking Coke and eating candy! I usually get this way when I'm PMS'ing. I'm also bloated and feel like a whale! I need to get back on track. Sometimes you just say - the heck with it! I know we all get tired of it all....
Went to the Y tonight and worked out for an hour - then watched my Dad (who's 66 and looks about 20 years younger) playing racquetball. I hope I am as active as he is when I'm his age!
I go to my regular doctor on the 14th for the BP check - I'm praying that it's normal this time, although it usually runs higher when I'm hot and it's hot here - got up to 104 today and it's only gonna get worse! Thank goodness it's usually dry heat and not humid! I wish I could quit some of the 4 meds I'm taking for the high BP - I bet my insides are eaten up! Haha!
Well, time for bill paying and then bed - talk to y'all later! Barbi
Hi, I'm Debbie. I'm also a borderline diabetic. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago. Doc's got me on Glucovance now (I was taking Precose.) What I really need to do is EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE! Don't we all. This is a great thread. I'm sure I'll pick up some good ideas from all of you. Thanks for posting!
Hi All - Boy, you said it deb, exercise is it! If I skip a couple of days my BS starts going up! I've been exercising and walking everyday and watching what I eat and now my BS is back down in the 70's and 80's. I quit eating the candy and drinking the soda! Sure does make a big difference! It's hard to get started on the exercise - believe, I know! And even though I don't do a whole lot my body sure has firmed up and I look a lot better. You just have to go out there and do it!
Summer is here and I am craving fruit. Watermelon is calling my name! It's easier to diet in the summer - who wants to eat when it's so hot out!
Y'all keep posting and let us know how you're doing! Barbi
I'm so very very glad that this thread seems to be alive and thriving!
I found it in early 2000. Every once in a while it gets pretty quiet around here, then we get to going again. Welcome to the group.
