I was told I have diabetes today (page 2)

VoidEater

This is perhaps new to your doctor (you having such a test result), and she may be pouring a lot at you at once. Remember to breathe, and that it will take time to have everything fall into place.

Definitely do check you blood sugar, and at consistent times - while it may not make a lot of difference if you're following a stricter diet, you may be able to see that certain foods spike your blood sugar.

Diabetes is hard on the eyes as well as the kidneys: your doctor just wants to make sure there hasn't been any damage to your eyesight. This isn't really very likely with 150 for a year, but should be checked into just in case.

To calm things, maybe write out a list of everything that's to be done (eye test, nutritionist visit, test dates, etc.), and then put dates next to them - you'll be able to see that there's plenty of time to work through things.

This isn't a tragedy! Just something to learn more about, and manage like other things in life. Something to attend to.

EDIT: National Diabetes Association homepage: http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

CountryGuy

Hey Noni,

I was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago. Initially I was put on oral meds to control it, but once I got my diet in control, I was able to stop taking them. I actually started going to Weight Watchers meetings and following their eating plan. I lost 120 lbs; my cholesterol went down to 112; and my A1C went as low as 4.5.

Of course, like a nimrod, I stopped following the WW plan and have gained a little over half of that weight. But, I do keep my sugar in check.

My father is also diabetic (as were both of my grandmothers). He lost a portion of his foot a couple of months ago due to the disease. For years, he didn't take care of himself, only within the last year or so, but unfortunately it was too late. This is was a huge wakeup call. My partner and I have just gotten back on the eatting plan. I plan on keeping all of my feet.

The day I was diagnosed with diabetes was the same day that Krispy Kreme opened up in Little Rock. (God's creuel little joke on me. ) When my doctor told I immediately thought about my gramma's diabetic candy and cookies.... man were they NASTY! But, these days, there are more sugar-free options to help you stay on track (you just have to keep an eye on how things are sweetened in the place of sugar).

I wish you the best!
CountryGuy

Priest73

Noni!!!! take care of yourself!

John Doe

Diabetes in itself is not dangerous--it's the complications resulting from uncontrolled diabetes that are dangerous. If you eat right, exercise, and check your sugar, you've got nothing to worry about. A diabetic diet is healthy, and is a good diet for anyone to follow.

I've also found I don't have to cut any certain foods out, as long as I eat in moderation. Don't eat a whole candy bar, eat a couple of bites, etc. Finding a compromise that is healthy and that you will stick to is the healthiest way to go.

noni1974

Well this checking my blood everyday might not be so bad. I woke up this morning and did it. I got it right this time. I practiced about 3 or 4 times yesterday. It's kind of hard to get the right amount of blood out but I learned to squeaze my finger a little bit and it comes out better. It took me a couple of tries to find that out. After the pokes my finger doesn't hurt that much. It hurts a little bit but not as much as a paper cut.

Yizuman

Diabetes isn't the end of the world and yes do see your dietitian and learn how to manage your food intake. Your foods can still be tasty and healthy at the same time. Just watch your carbs and follow your carb intake. You'll be just fine.

I help manage my wife's diabetes everyday and it's not that hard to do.

Much love and luck!

Yiz

jgnat

I'm not diabetic...yet. But I'm pre-diabetic. I plan on not getting any worse. To do that, I have to eat right...eat at the right time...(exercise)...for the rest of my life.

Very early on I kept a food diary for a couple months and also recorded how I was feeling. I tested my blood first thing in the morning and two hours after every meal (this is what diabetics who take injected insulin do). I got educated about all the food and drink I was taking in. It was a huge eye-opener, and for the first time I started to relate my food intake to how I felt for the next couple hours. As soon as I related food to how I felt, it got a lot easier to abstain (or take a single bite) of a whole range of foods.

For me, fruit juices and sugar pop were the big killers. I was guzzling them like there was no tomorrow. I've stopped that. I had no idea I was pumping pure sugar in to my system. Similarly, overdosing on any simple carbohydrates are guaranteed to put me on a downer. Two slices of pizza are OK, any more will spike my sugar levels and put me in a downer.

The most useful advice from my doctor was to portion out my plate, imagining it half-full of vegetables. The protein/meat is a deck of cards beside, and the carbohydrate is squeezed off in the corner. I like the UK portion diagram to be more useful than either the Canadian (columns?) or American versions ( pyramid?).

http://www.food.gov.uk/healthiereating/eatwellplate/

And, then, getting used to eating all day. Don't ever get too hungry. Every two hours, on the button.

A diagnosis of diabetes can give you freedom. If you follow the dietary rules, you will feel so much better. And trimmer too. You've already discovered that the tester is not so bad. Here's a tip from my pharmacist. Prick the side of your finger, not the tip. Long-term diabetics, if they keep testing the tip, lose sensation. You won't have a similar loss if you bother the nerves on the side of your finger.

LouBelle

Aww Noni - a little poke it better for you in the long run. My gran has diabetes and she only get's tested every month. Once they know your levels (and you're not THAT bad) you'll probably go for tests monthly or bi- monthly.

zeroday

It hurts to poke my finger. Anyone else have this???

I've been type 2 diabetic for about 4 years now and I HATE NEEDLES I had a hard time with the lances at first then you get use to it THEN to my horror a year ago the pills weren't quite doing it and my doctor wanted to put me on a new diabetic medication I about fell off the examination table when he told me I had to INJECT myself eveyday TWICE...I did manage to get use to it though...

Quirky1

Noni I feel for you even tho I'm not diabetic, yet. I am borderline and have to get checked every so often,

Take care.

I was told I have diabetes today

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