I haven't eaten anything, today, but have had a glass of tea (with sweetner) and my BS is 171 I hope I don't have to end up on insulin

I just took my BS again, 2 hours after I ate, and it went down to 154

Hi kclay.. did u use an atrtificial sweetner like splendora..or equal in your tea??? as sometimes those fake sugars act like real sugar..try a product called stevia..u can get it in most health food deptmnts..it works better and doesnt act like sugar..hope this helps((((((hugs))))))) rosey ps w2g angie in the low numbers

Yeah I use Sweet-n-Low - I don't like Slenda - Stevia huh? Never heard of it. Might have to see if I can find some, thanks!

Hi NoSugarMomma,

Greetings from a fellow Texan.

It's tough, isn't it? Diabetes is different for everybody. And when you already struggle with weight, it just seems like it's adding insult to injury that you have to be sooo careful with sugar and carbs, too.

You really sound stressed and lonely. If I can make a suggestion, have you thought about doing some kind of volunteer work in an area you would enjoy? Getting out and doing things for others can really help lift your spirits, and get your mind off your own problems as well.

Also, are you exercising regularly? Can you find a walking buddy in your area? I am lucky to live close to a really nice walking trail that goes along a creek, and my hubby and I make it a point to walk there several times a week. We see lots of women walking in pairs or groups, and chattering away having a great time. If you're talking the whole time, exercise goes by very quickly!

We try to exercise every day, usually for two sessions. Believe me, it's not easy! I'd much rather be on the couch with a good book and a bag of Doritos! But exercise not only gives me more energy, but it lowers my blood sugar. I am trying to be able to get off medication completely and control my diabetes with diet and exercise.

Finally, I'd like to recommend the books of Dr. Andrew Weil, particularly 8 Weeks to Optimum Health. Although he doesn't specifically address diabetes, this is a very manageable overall approach to getting and staying healthy. He has a lot of great information on his website, too --- www.drweil.com. He recommends some natural supplements, such as chromium, which can help lower your blood sugar.

Hang in there, and good luck!

BBD

Hi had type 2 for around 3or4 yrs-not sure
Get confused
I grew up with calorie counting-then feel like i should count sugars and sodium numbers
Carbs frustrate me so much:but, that's what I'm supposed to go by???? AHHHHH!!!!!
I'm a potato chip junkie.
Need to get back to exercising-felt better
Maybe i'll eventually get it right.

Hi Oldwriter,

I'm a writer too.

Counting anything --- carbs, fat, calories --- does not work for me. It's just no way to live, IMHO. In fact, dieting doesn't work. Nothing short of a lifestyle change works in the long run.

So, I don't really think of myself as being on a diet. I've changed the way I eat. Sometimes I make a choice that's less healthy (like the gelato I had at lunch today), but I still make a BETTER choice. B.D. (that's Before Diabetes) I would have had 12 oz. Now I can be happy with the kiddie size.

So, you've gotta have potato chips? I say have 'em. Not every day, not a whole bag, not with a big greasy cheeseburger, but have a reasonable portion of your favorite potato chips with otherwise healthy fare. Maybe skip some fat and carbs at another meal. It's not going to wreck your diet --- in fact, it may make it more successful in the long run.

(BTW, I hit the gym AND the swimming pool to "pay" for that gelato!)

Thanks bluebonnet.

I had some reg chips the other day-my favorite kind and they tasted too salty.
I had McDonald FF and my lips felt greasy.
I eat a few low fat pringles instaed of spuds at meals or for a snack w/ peanuts or natural peanut butter.
I pour off as much of the oil as possible. Empty the pb into a bowl-stir the chunky nuts thru the pb as they sit on top in the jar. Put it back in the jar and keep it in the fridge so the nuts don't float to the top.

kclay-are you fasting? I didn't think that was wise w/diabetes.
You may be slowing your metabalism down to starvation.
My numbers are better than they've been and I'm eating. Part of my prob is stress. I'm really cool at the moment b/c a lot of my prob are almost solved-but before that- my numbers were scaryily high.My numbers are more and more in the 100's. One was 143-I was
Nosugarmomma-do you have a hobby-maybe one you could even turn into a home business-something you enjoy or nursing home visitors are always needed. I think it's great that you can be so bored and you are not blowing your diet(way of eating) and your numbers are great. I eat when I'm bored so trying to keep busy-lots of projects waiting for me with my old house.
Have a great day.
Carol

ps: bluebonnet-what kind of writing do you do? As soon as my printer gets fixed-my first children's book manuscript will be sent to the agent. I have a mystery chapter book for 7-10 yr olds. Writing the basic story was fun-getting enough words was a challenge to the old brain. Working on the next one. Hope for a series using the main characters.

Hi Oldwriter,

Isn't it funny how once you stop eating certain foods, they don't taste as good when you come back to them? For my birthday, we splurged and went out for Tex-Mex and I let my guard down and had some chips and salsa. I felt like I had just upended a vat of grease into my mouth, and did not enjoy them at all! It was enough to make me swear off 'em.

I am a professional opera singer and I write for an industry publication. I also write a newsletter for singers, and am working on a book to help young people who think they want a career in classical singing. I diddle around with fiction now and then, as well, but I've never published any of that. One day ...

BBD

Well I am Alison, and you might get to see a little more of me around here! I was diagnosed today with type 2 diabeties and I'll be taking my first HbA1C on Monday.....

All the more reason for me too diet now.....

Am happy today-lost one more pound.


Nosugarmomma- maybe if you learned more about hubby's goats-you could be a big help to him. You may find you enjoy it. You could make this work together and wouldn't lose everything. Just a thought. Maybe he'd appreciate help with his dream. Everyone should have a dream.Hope you feel better soon.

Hi Mazarin-glad to meet you. My AC1 test last month was 9.2
Hopefully it will be better next time. My numbers are better and eating right seems to be more automatic for me now.

Bluebonnetdiva-awesome career you have. If you do fiction you could use your career as the character's or setting background.
I was a factory worker for 31 years. In my mid 30's I wanted something for me. I was a factory worker,a wife to an ill husband and a mom to two kids. I felt like I was everything to everyone and had nothing for me. We had purchased a plot of 4 graves in the cemetary when we had a stillborn child. We knew eventually my hubby would be there so we got a family size one. I was thinking about what words I would put on it when it came to our stone. I poem litterally flew from my pen. I wrote several from my emotions, etc. Well I didn't find a home for them prob because I didn't know the proper way to send in material. I felt it was a gift-I believe God gives gifts-somethimes in little ways the people don't realize. I knew mine was as I got c's and d's in English. Maybe he chose this time to tap my gift as I discovered there where 3 other cousins in my family that write. Artists too but haven't had lessons-yet. Looked into writing schools-Writer's Digest School-is a good one-and The Institute of Children's Literature-the one I picked. Both have home study courses. Graduated in 88 and didn't do much with it-lacked guts to really try. Sat on it till I retired early in 97. Started brushing up as a lot had changed. Went to conference last year with my cousin and editor liked it. When he went to an agentcy he e-mailed me. And the rest is history.
Sorry this is so long. Have a nice Sunday.

Hi All, I was diagnosed with Type II last month on the basis of a single HbA1C test of 6.0. I had gestational diabetes 2 years ago with my son. The specialist put me on insulin right away because I was pg and can't take meds when pg. I lost that baby 8/17. Doc said South Beach Diet is the best way for diabetics to lose. I started it 9/5 and have lost 7 lbs already and dropped my insulin dosage twice. I am highly motivated to lose and get off insulin.
I am 43 yo UNIX systems administrator for a food manufacturing company. I have a 2 year old, been married 3 years. Used to garden and write in my free time, but no longer have any free time! :-)
I am reading a book called "Reversing Diabetes" by Julian Whitaker. Funny thing is his suggested eating plan is much like SBD. Stay away from highly processed foods, eat more whole grains and complex carbs. He does suggest many supplements and I have started 5-HTP this week, no apparent affect yet.
I have a One Touch Ultra monitor by Lifescan and I test 7 times a day - before and after meals and at bedtime. Crazy, huh?
I'm sure there must be some assistance for the uninsured with diabetes, just probably hard to find. Maybe write the Lifescan company and see if they know? www.lifescan.com Somebody's gotta know something! :-)
I must be moving here, at least it's FRIDAY!!!
Kim

Before moving out of 'The Big City", i spent the last 14 yrs working in various medical offices. I seldom ever had to purchase my dibetes testing supplies or medications. The Drug reps supplied our office(s), and eventually me personally with all of it. I had 4 monitors (one each for home, work, boyfriends house and one I kept in the car). They give them to dr's in hopes the dr's will pass them to their patients because the profit for them is in the strips, not the monitor itself. The rep would come in every few weeks to stock cabinets with sample meds, and ask if I needed any strips or meds and if I did, she stocked me up too. NOW I work at a place offering no insurance so the dr I go to now gives me samples of Lipitor for my cholestorol, and they have set me up on a program through the drug company (in my case Eli Lily) for Actos for my blood sugar.

My point being that you should check with your dr about getting samples and/or researching financial programs. I believe all the drug companies are required to have something available.