Diabetes Community

When I found out I had Diabetes, I remembered how it was when my Grandmother had Diabetes. I also dealt with the fear that she died in a diabetic coma. Now granted this was about 40 to 50 years ago, but boy, did I have to deal with that. Then my curisoity kicked in and I wanted to know more. I asked family because I know my Dad had type 2 Diabetes(he passed away so I got nothing from him) and my Sister has type 2. My Sister gave me some sage advice to do everything my DR told me to do. But being that I don't just follow blindly I wanted to know what I was following for. So I logged on to WEBMD. I bought pamphlets, read meterial, did whatever I could to find out what I could about Diabetes. And that was before the first appointment to learn what to do. See I not only have Diabetes but a rare form of MD called Myoshi Myopothy which is an other fun partof my life. I have learned to be very proactive about my healthcare and the healthcare needs. So I saw this as a great new challange to incorperate into my life.

I said "Bull crap"! I don't believe I have it!
I also said "Do people automatically become diabetic when they turn 50?"

I kind-of suspected it because my mom is type 2 diabetic also. But the job I was working at when I was diagnosed was very stressful, constantly on my feet when I was working, and I contributed all the symptoms to either just side effects from work or from the stress at work. 9 out of 10 people there were backstabbers, and you constantly had to worry who was going to get you written up. That was until I passed out at work one morning at work. My mom had her meter with er, and she couldn't get a reading while waiting for paramedics. I ended up being over 700!! But now I am between 90 and 110 fasting, and a 6.5 A1C level.

Im 20 and found out I was diabetic in July...I cried to be honest not because I have diabetes but because it took them 2 yrs to figure it out...I had emergency surgery for my appendix in 09' and soon after I randomly began to gain weight...I was tested fr diabetes then and Nothing? but why? they took tests for my thyroids...it was fine...2 yrs later annoyed by like fact I have gained 50 pounds in two yrs when my whole life i was thin and had no problems with weight my doctor tested me again and BOOM I'm Diabetic?!? My Gpa lost a leg because of it and later died...My gma is diabetic and so is my oldest sister...And here I am with no clue as to what i am supposed to do? I dont have a meter I just take meds Metformin to be exact...But I really have NO CLUE as to how im suposed to control it or how to even go about my daily meals...i just dont want to gain more weight! I dont want to be what people refer to as "yupp shes diabetic bc shes over weight!" when no im over weight bc im diabetic! but anyways point is I HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHAT IM DOING OR SUPPOSED TO DO!!!! can someone please HELP me with advice, dieting, and general info...plz n thank you!!
(p.s. i accidently osted this somewhere else and i cant find it sorry for the confusion)

AimeeJo - I see the pain in your words, and I want to offer a little "motherly" advice...

It doesn't matter at this point "why" you have diabetes. I suspect you have a combination of genetics and perhaps metabolic issues that have teamed up to present you with the challenges of being diabetic. So what do you do about it?

First, accept that it is true. Metformin is a good, inexpensive drug and can really help to control your blood sugar by making your cells less insulin-resistant. It can also help you lose weight.

Second, you are young, you have a whole lot of time to reverse your diabetes. So start eating better right now. Stick with mostly fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats and fish, and a few whole grains. Skip the pizza and other fast foods. Read Dr. Dansinger's tips for how to reclaim your health (see the links on the right side of this page).

Start an exercise program today. Start slow if you haven't been exercising. You don't have to join a gym, walking will do the trick. Aim for 30 minutes a day for now, then build up your time as you gain more endurance. Later on you can consider doing more strenuous workouts. For now, just get started. If walking doesn't appeal to you, try dancing. Just turn on your favorite music and move to the groove.

Try to get a good night's sleep, eat 3 square meals a day with a snack if you need one, and get plenty of fluids.

Ask your doctor for a prescription for a meter and test strips so you can test yourself to see how you are doing. If you don't have health insurance, get a meter and strips from WalMart. The ReliOn brand works just fine and is less expensive than many other options.

If you have health insurance, ask your doctor for a referral to a diabetic educator and a registered dietitian. Both will provide you with valuable information and can become long-term resources for you.

Learn to read labels on food. Look at the number of carbs on that nutritional label - that is the most important number for you to focus on, right now. For fresh food or restaurant meals, you can check www.calorieking.com - they have almost every food and chain restaurant meal out there. Pay special attention to portion size...one portion is way smaller than you may think.

OK, this is enough to get you started. Come back with more questions, but try to start a new discussion so we can see your questions more easily. You'll get plenty of really helpful advice, I promise.

Good luck and try to take a few deep breaths!

Michelle

I pretty much knew before I was officially diagnosed. I had gone to the hospital in the middle of the night for stomach pain and wound up going to surgery to have my gall bladder out. I don't remember a lot of what happened, probly because of the medications. but there was this one nurse... She came to my bedside and said are you sure you arent diabetic? You are spilling sugar in your urine. I said I wasnt. Several times she came back, insisting that I wake up, telling me I had to remember what she was saying and that I really had to go get tested for diabetes. She just was so persistent, she is the memory that stands out most of that night and day. I dont remember her name, or even what she looked like except that she was blonde....but I remember she kept waking me up and insisting I remember what she was saying.

So, once I got over the surgery, I made an appointment to be tested. Both my parents were diabetic, and I knew how I had been feeling, so I pretty much knew what the results were going to be. Sure enough, I was diabetic. I wasn't shocked or surprised, just finally glad that I had an answer, even though it wasn't the one I wanted.

From that point on, I just started learning all I could about it and trying to take better care of myself as well as being compliant with meds and tests and all that goes along with it. I'm not perfect, and I dont do as well as I should with it. I already have some complications after just almost three short years. Every day I just start fresh and try to make it a better day than the last one.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables...Walk...Plenty of rest...lots of water...sunlight...

You are absolutely correct.

And, this information was passed on to us from our parents.
And, their parents before them...
And, their parents before them...
etc, etc, etc,...5K-10K generations.

But, after 10,000 generations, these "basics" will not be passed on further. Why?

Because, we're smarter than all the rest...

when I found out I was diagnosed with type II diabetes January 20, 2008, you know psychiatrists never calls clients at their house.I got a call telling me. You overall blood sugar testing negative and it's 300. The psychiatrists invites me to see my medical Dr. when I heard the new that day. Yes I was scared and did not see my medical Dr. a week later. You all can imagine I was scared then when January 20 08 came around I was type II diabetes. I remember tell my medical Dr. how can this happen. He told me it's a lot of reasons at that, was working at McDonald's. Then that whole week. I was very scared and I followed the Dr. order very strict my food eating and exercising, but it only lasted a year until I got a job working at the personal-care home in the kitchen. Everyone tells me it's a slow disease diabetes but I gained weight and lost weight my sugar up and down, but now on heavier than when I first started of my diagnoses, but now it the present I'm trying to exercise and not really eating healthy, but at times I try I never knew in 1 million years. That I have to work hard in detaining my diabetes. I thought in my mind it was a short-term, but the more and the more I refuse I have diabetes the more the disease good progress. It may not helping today have no problems but eventually it will get me, sooner or later. That's what I learned about diabetes.

Den:

I am confused. I believe a couple of weeks ago you said you do not have diabetes, just pre-diabetes.

If you tested with a blood glucose level of 300 three years ago, that is a clear indication that you do indeed have diabetes.

David

I agree David.

Den you even posted at one time that even after you were diagnosed you never took care of yourself. Now your statement is contradicting. So I am confused too.

Thank You for Your Response! Very Helpful. I have changed my Meals and Meal portions My bfs Mom is a diabetic so hes strict on Me...Its just I dont have a meter and if i get one i dont know how to work it nor what the numbers mean or whats my number? Has been a hard change going from eating whatever and gaining no weight to Becoming a diabetic and gaining weight with no warning...Im a health freak so not knowing what im doing or anything I tend to freak out so thank you this is very helpful!

Thank You for Your Response! Very Helpful. I have changed my Meals and Meal portions My bfs Mom is a diabetic so hes strict on Me...Its just I dont have a meter and if i get one i dont know how to work it nor what the numbers mean or whats my number? Has been a hard change going from eating whatever and gaining no weight to Becoming a diabetic and gaining weight with no warning...Im a health freak so not knowing what im doing or anything I tend to freak out so thank you this is very helpful!

Denial! I am not going to do anything differant - eat, excerise,etc, but than I began to calm down and realized I do have diabetes and I must do something about it. I haven't reconciled myself to testing yet, but maybe even that will happen. In the meantime, I am learning all I can about the problem.

I had my yearly fasting labs done and the nurse called to tell me that I had to have another test because my sugar was high. I knew what it meant because I was told 14 years earlier that I was going to be diabetic due to family history and because I was already hypoglycemic. I followed up with the doctor to have the other test run and we discussed the chances. I explained some of the issues I had noticed for the last couple of months. We both knew what was going on. When the test results came back and I was called, I got very upset.
I thought that everyone that had diabetes had to take shots. I was happy to find out that I could take metformin to start with. My morning sugars are still over 100 but the doctor said as long as they are below 150 she is happy.
I am very conscious about what I eat and how much. I know the consequences if I let my sugars get out of control. So far, I am doing a great job according to the doctor. I am still afraid of having to go on insulin but I will cross that bridge when it happens. Right now I am keeping everything under control and learning everything I can about the disease.

Hi coastbound, I to was just diagnosed with type 2 and my feelings are almost the same as yours were. I have just started on the metformin and am waiting for my glucose monitor. My Dr. did not order it and said I could wait, but when I called my Insurance Company to find out if they had any info for me, they suggested that I get a monitor and set the whole thing up and it will not cost me anything. It is supposed to be the new one that came out that you can use anywhere on your arm or whatever and not just the finger tips. They are also going to send me some info. on diets etc. The Hot Line nurse also called me and gave me some phone numbers to call like the American Diabetes Assoc. which I did and they are also going to send me some brochures. Right now I am just trying to eat the right things (I did buy one book to get an idea on what I should be eating) so some of my eating habits have changed a bit. I always did eat healthy, but I do like the Sweets and Pasta, which is going to hard for me to give up.
It sounds like you have everything under control, I hope that I can do the same. Good luck to you and thank you for your post.