diabetes/denialbetes
 

Hi everyone....I've been gone soooo long. I've checked in now and then..but have been stuck firmly in "denialbetes"...however, I've missed you and all your support. And I've gotten a handle on reality..hard to believe..after 39 years of insulin dependent diabetes...I'm finally making strides. I'm being evaluated for an insulin pump...and my kidneys are clinging by their tubules...so now I'm carbo counting (total 150 grams per day) with 3 ounces of white protein (fish or egg whites) daily, Fortunately I can also count 2 ounces of cheese as dairy....and I dropped about 20 pounds so far since 7/16. I'll know exactly how much 8/20. My specialist advises avoiding the scale between MD appointments. My A1C was 5.2 and my highest serum glucose since 7/16 has been 142. I test at least 4 times daily and inject Humulog 3 times daily and Lantus 1 time. Keep the faith friends...perfection isn't the goal, progress is.

caras,

glad to see you back.:)I have been trying carb counting but am giving it up to count points again. I just don't have the patience to do both and I want to stay with WW.:D But I'm kind of counting them in my head as I plan my meals by points, to try to keep my proteins and fats balanced with the guidelines my dietician had set up.

I talked to my doctor about a pump when I saw her in July. She didn't think it was what I needed, but my diabetes educator thinks it would be good.

Keep posting.:)

hi Janet and everyone....
I don't know much about weight watchers but their point system sounds like a good plan. Carbo counting has been a great plan for me. Unfortunately, I am one of those food addicted:( folks..who the minute I hear the word diet, I want to cheat and do. To stay in okay control I have to deemphasize the importance of food to me:dizzy: and think of this as a lifestyle. As a nurse therapist my specialty is & has been Motivational Health Psychology. As a person my specialty has been ignore and avoid, and of course, feed the addiction. Healing is tough, grieving for chocolate tougher..but we can do this!

I think we all avoid and ignore when it comes to ourselves sometimes! But yes, we can do this!:D

Hi all...I saw my regular doctor today... I've lost 16 pounds since July 16 :p unofficially. I see the Diabetic Specialist in Buffalo 9/5 and the kidney specialist:?: the same day...we'll see what's new then. I have used Joslin clinic "armchair exercise tape" for sometime.so decided to move up to beginning Balance Ball. Note to anyone considering Balance ball...be sure to inflate correctly..thighs paralell with the floor...cuz otherwise, your butt slips off and over you go:lol: what a sight that was. But now that my ball's inflated I love it.
Its a beautiful tape and fun. Keep it up all

Congratulations on the weight loss.:) I hope your other appointments go well.

My blood sugar has been real good the past few days. My doctor will be thrilled. I need to fax my BS readings to her before the end of the week. I was supposed to do it sooner, but there wasn't anything good to report!:D Since I dropped my point range back down they are getting back to the normal ranges.

I'm getting ready to walk on the treadmill. I meant to start a little while ago, but got sidetracked. That's easy for me to do!

Question of diagnosis?
 

My endo doc diagnosed diabetes with these numbers:FBS 120 2hrPP 140 and Hb1AC 6%(lab normal 5%)I take 3 meds that are known to raise BS levels and 10yrs. Graves' disease a known risk factor for diabetes.My GP and cardio doc are skeptical of the diagnosis and lean toward IGT.I am not fooling around with this,so while the experts are shooting it out,I went ahead,saw an RD, am CHO counting along with WWand will be joining a Joslin Diabetes class at the local hosp. this fall.I would like to join this thread and learn from the more experienced
I monitor my BS 4x daily am only on diet and exercise and my question to you is even after reading the John Hopkins Diabetes Book cover to cover I can only find hypoglycemia referenced to the use of insulin or pills,they dismiss it as never or rarely happening to diet/exercise controlled patients.It happened to me 2 hrs pp yesterday ,no symptoms BS 57, 4oz coke and 15 min later BS of 120.What can this mean? Thanks in advance
Peggy

Peggy,

Welcome.:)

Your test results were better numbers than I usually ever have on a good day!:D

But you are right to be concerned and do all the things you need to do to help yourself. Diabetes is a very "personal" disease in that you are the one that ultimately controls it and makes the choices that you feel are right for you.

While my daughter doesn't have diabetes, she does have hypoglycemia, and her blood sugar often drops very low. If she goes too long without eating she gets the same symptoms I have. Sometimes her hands are shaking so bad she can hardly hold the food to eat it. I used to test her blood sugar a lot. Now that she's an adult, she is a little more careful about waiting too long to eat, but still gets caught once in a while. And I fuss at her because she is a nurse and should know better.:D

My sister also has this and one of her daughters. And I have read somewhere over the years that is is common for a child of a diabetic to have hypoglycemia problems. I don't remember where I read this because I've had diabetes close to 20 years and have read so many articles and books over the years.

But you can have hypoglycemia without it being caused from pills or insulin.

Questionable diagnosis
 

I would like to join this thread and learn from your experience.my endo doc diagnosed me with a FBS of 120 2hr.PP 140 and Hb1AC of 6%(lab normal 5%)I also take 3 meds that are known to raise BS/10 yrs.graves' disease also a known risk factor.My gp and cardio doc are skeptical and lean toward IGT.While the experts are shooting it out,I have moved right along,saw an RD,am carb counting/WW and monitoring BS 4xdaily.
I have read the Johns Hopkins Diabetes book cover to cover and can find hypoglecemia references only to insulin and pills.It says it rarely or never happens to patients only on diet/exercise and doesn't cover it.In the past 2wks.I have had a patttern of my BS falling after breakfast.Yesterday it fell to 57,no symptoms,but I followed sop had 4oz coke and 15 min later it was 120.I am having great success with the carb counting,am loathe to change the diet,today it was fine going from FBS of 90 to pp of 114,and my next appt.with the RD is late Sept.Any or all help from the diabetic community would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Sorry
 

I am knew to this I did the post submitted it then a utilty guy came to the door said the power would be off for an hour to trim trees.When I came back on I could not find it so posted again.Have not read the replies yet.Thanks

thanks Janet I suppose I am still in the honeymoon period with this.I am so scatterbrained lately,I see my second post added a little more info.I love a mystery and am sure this can be solved.Did you like the RD? Some of them can be too prim,slim and intimidating for my taste.No offence meant to anyone out there,this is my problem.The one I went to belongs to WW so that was an added bonus.She was nice and chatty (like me) we both learned a lot as I am her first Graves'patient.After a career as a chef my oldest son is a brand new RN and will be starting in Cardio at Beth Israel NYC in the fall.Small world.I will stay in touch.Peggy

Peggy,

My dietician is really nice, but I get the feeling she would rather I count carbs than points and after trying both for a little while I went back to points. I don't want to quit WW and I've always been careful with my carbs anyway. I'm back in pretty good control now and I'm going to continue with the points. I just need to tell her that!:D I'm supposed to go back Friday.

Hi Janet, Peggy and all,

Janet, remember when you see the RD.she's just one partner in your health care and you are the most important partner. A skillful RD should be flexible enough to convert CHO counting to WW points and progressive enough to want you to use whatever works for you.

Peggy, hypoglycemia can surely strike without insulin or pills...miss meals, eat alot of sweets or drink alcohol (alot), exercise a lot,stress or a fright, certain medications...just a few of the things that can affect your blood sugar. Its never simple. Take good care of yourself....I've made 39 years with insulin dependence.

Tomorrow's lab drawn A1C, Metabolic Panel & Renal Panel day....oh joy...oh bliss

Hi everyone, can't stay long as storms are on the way and I just hate being on the computer when it starts storming.

Just wanted to say that I haven't tested in almost a week. My eating habits are OUT OF CONTROL. So many excuses - not reasons- to describe. One good thing is that I have started to walk regularly. Three days this past week. I know that's not alot but for me it is. I walk for 1/2 hour. Went this morning, before the rain came. It was nice and peaceful!

Ok, well...hopefully will report better news about my diet next time I post. Keep up the good work everyone. I'm still trying, and I will succeed one of these times!

Michelle

Hi Michelle and all...
Honestly, I know just what you mean but I find when my eating habits are the most wild is the time I most need to test and often. :devil: It's a devil of a thing...but sometimes just seeing those ugly #'s helps motivate me. Walking is soooo good for you, keep it up....every 1 step more helps. I've been slacking off the balance ball for no good reason or excuse either...and I fell way off the CHO wagon:dizzy: today with ice cream...I'm one of those women who won't dirty a bowl for 1/2 cup..heavens that can be eaten right off the spoon - groan! We can do this..it's progress not perfection we're after. Sunshine...Cara