Diabetes....grrrrrr

[Cello]

OK, so on Friday I was scoped from both ends....so far the findings are not acute. But what is worse than that is that my pre-op blood work revealed a nonfasting blood sugar of 369. YIKES! In todays diagnosis schema - that labels me diabetic. But being in denial like all new diabetics, I was (am) determined to fight the diagnosis. :tongue: So I tested my sugar this am fasting....286. DRAT!! That is even more convicting.....

So, now goes my quest to derail the diagnosis through diet and exercise and resist meds.

Anyone else been down this path?

I really think a lot of diabetics in our culture are there simply due to lifestyle - weight and a sedentary lifestyle. We are slowly killing ourselves....

[Sacrificial Ram]

OK, so on Friday I was scoped from both ends....so far the findings are not acute. But what is worse than that is that my pre-op blood work revealed a nonfasting blood sugar of 369. YIKES! In todays diagnosis schema - that labels me diabetic. But being in denial like all new diabetics, I was (am) determined to fight the diagnosis. :tongue: So I tested my sugar this am fasting....286. DRAT!! That is even more convicting.....

So, now goes my quest to derail the diagnosis through diet and exercise and resist meds.

Anyone else been down this path?

I really think a lot of diabetics in our culture are there simply due to lifestyle - weight and a sedentary lifestyle. We are slowly killing ourselves....

With a sugar level that high, you will probably not be able to handle things without meds. You are probably what is known as a 'type 2 ' diabetic, in other words, you can make insulin, but you don't process insulin all that good.

Ok.. next step. Exercise is good. Walk at least 30 minutes each and every day. It doesn't hurt to do more.

Avoid processed carbohydrates, and sugar. Cut down on the bread. Eat lots of fiber, vegetables, and have your carbs be whole grains instead of processed grains.

If you can make sure you get to a 'normal' weight if you are overweight, that would help a lot too. Hard to do, and if you do lose weight, hard to keep it off.

Other things you should be concerned about, cholesterol and blood pressure. As a diabetic, you put strain the kidneys, liver and heart. You have to try to get those two items under control too.. which diet and exercise will help.

Check the blood sugar several times a day.. and DON'T be shy about giving into the meds. The current state of meds for it can control type 2 diabetes very well without resorting to insulin in many cases. If you keep that under control, often you can make sure you don't become insulin dependant later.

[Sparko]

I have the same thing Cello.

Type II Diabetes. Doctor will probably put you on medication like Glucophage and tell you to diet and stop eating sugar containing foods and candy.

You will need to watch your blood sugar closely until you get it back under control then only check it a couple of times a day after that.

Get one of the meters that let you check your blood using your forearm instead of your fingers. You won't even feel it on your arm.

Good luck.

[Cary]

Hi Cello,
I used to be in the profession of Dietary Technician, (dietician's assistant). The techs in our department leaned toward specialities with mine being diabetic and renal menus. That was a few years ago, but I still remember some. So far, the responses have been similar to what I've heard dietician's tell many patients. To elaborate a little, keep track of your carbs and keep them balanced throughout the day. I've seen many people fail to do this, even with being on insulin, and develop many problems. One not previously mentioned in this thread is eyesight.

Let me give you a basic chart with recommended servings based on an approximate 1800 kcal intake a day.

Breakfast
1 meat
2 starches
2 fruits
1 milk
1 fat

Lunch
2 meats
2 starches
2 vegetables
2 fruits
0 milk
1 fat

Dinner
3 meats
2 starches
2 vegetables
2 fruits
0 milk
1 fat

Evening Snack
2 starches
1 meat
1 fat

I would recommend finding a book for diabetics to help you determine what food fits where. Also, if possible, see a dietician. Here's some more basic information.

Starch
serving size-1/2 cup
carbohydrates-15 grams
protein-3 grams
fat-0 grams
calories-80 kcal

Skim milk
serving size-1 cup
carbs-12 gm
protein-8 gm
fat-0 gm (2% add 5 gm)
kcal-90 (2% add 30 kcal)

Meat (high fat)
svg-1 oz
carbs-0
protein-7gm
fat-10 gm
kcal-120

Vegetables
svg-1/2 c.
carbs-5 gm
protein-2 gm
fat-0
kcal-25

Fruit
svg-1/2 c.
carbs-15 gm
protein-0
fat-0
kcal-60

Fat
svg-1 teaspoon
carbs-0
protein-0
fat-5 gm
kcal-45

This is just a baseline chart. More resaearch on your part will reveal closer proximities on details.

Also, I have a formula that is used in the hospitals that will give an accurate reading on suggested calorie intake per day based on height and weight. If you are interested I can either give you the formula or you can PM me with details and I'll figure it for you.

Good luck and watch that denial, it's not just a river in Egypt.

[Xmansmommy]

I was diagnosed with type 2, eight months ago or so. I was put on Metformin to help control my sugar levels, which have never been too terribly high since they caught it early. Average level in the morning is about 114. Oftentimes after eating it goes up anywhere from 160-190. I've since stopped taking it (don't tell my doctor :nc:) because I had several instances where my sugar spiked up to nearly 300. It only happens when I'm on the medication. When it happens, I'll get a massive headache and I'll become lightheaded and dizzy. Anyone else ever experience this before or know anyone who has?

[Cello]

With a sugar level that high, you will probably not be able to handle things without meds. You are probably what is known as a 'type 2 ' diabetic, in other words, you can make insulin, but you don't process insulin all that good.

Ok.. next step. Exercise is good. Walk at least 30 minutes each and every day. It doesn't hurt to do more.

Avoid processed carbohydrates, and sugar. Cut down on the bread. Eat lots of fiber, vegetables, and have your carbs be whole grains instead of processed grains.

If you can make sure you get to a 'normal' weight if you are overweight, that would help a lot too. Hard to do, and if you do lose weight, hard to keep it off.

Other things you should be concerned about, cholesterol and blood pressure. As a diabetic, you put strain the kidneys, liver and heart. You have to try to get those two items under control too.. which diet and exercise will help.

Check the blood sugar several times a day.. and DON'T be shy about giving into the meds. The current state of meds for it can control type 2 diabetes very well without resorting to insulin in many cases. If you keep that under control, often you can make sure you don't become insulin dependant later.

Yeah...we'll see. :) For now I'm just going to change eating and exercise and see where we get with that. My BP and chol are great, not that they will stay that way necessarily....but I think if I get the diet and exercise down, my BP and lipids will maintain status quo.

Its just gonna be a test.....seeing how it goes. Hopefully I'll be able to moderate without meds...

[Cello]

I was diagnosed with type 2, eight months ago or so. I was put on Metformin to help control my sugar levels, which have never been too terribly high since they caught it early. Average level in the morning is about 114. Oftentimes after eating it goes up anywhere from 160-190. I've since stopped taking it (don't tell my doctor :nc:) because I had several instances where my sugar spiked up to nearly 300. It only happens when I'm on the medication. When it happens, I'll get a massive headache and I'll become lightheaded and dizzy. Anyone else ever experience this before or know anyone who has?

Hi there. :) I've never really heard of a rebound effect.....hmm, could it be coincidence? Do you watch your diet more closely since stopping the meds?

[Cello]

Hi Cello,
I used to be in the profession of Dietary Technician, (dietician's assistant). The techs in our department leaned toward specialities with mine being diabetic and renal menus. That was a few years ago, but I still remember some. So far, the responses have been similar to what I've heard dietician's tell many patients. To elaborate a little, keep track of your carbs and keep them balanced throughout the day. I've seen many people fail to do this, even with being on insulin, and develop many problems. One not previously mentioned in this thread is eyesight.

Let me give you a basic chart with recommended servings based on an approximate 1800 kcal intake a day.

Breakfast
1 meat
2 starches
2 fruits
1 milk
1 fat

Lunch
2 meats
2 starches
2 vegetables
2 fruits
0 milk
1 fat

Dinner
3 meats
2 starches
2 vegetables
2 fruits
0 milk
1 fat

Evening Snack
2 starches
1 meat
1 fat

I would recommend finding a book for diabetics to help you determine what food fits where. Also, if possible, see a dietician. Here's some more basic information.

Starch
serving size-1/2 cup
carbohydrates-15 grams
protein-3 grams
fat-0 grams
calories-80 kcal

Skim milk
serving size-1 cup
carbs-12 gm
protein-8 gm
fat-0 gm (2% add 5 gm)
kcal-90 (2% add 30 kcal)

Meat (high fat)
svg-1 oz
carbs-0
protein-7gm
fat-10 gm
kcal-120

Vegetables
svg-1/2 c.
carbs-5 gm
protein-2 gm
fat-0
kcal-25

Fruit
svg-1/2 c.
carbs-15 gm
protein-0
fat-0
kcal-60

Fat
svg-1 teaspoon
carbs-0
protein-0
fat-5 gm
kcal-45

This is just a baseline chart. More resaearch on your part will reveal closer proximities on details.

Also, I have a formula that is used in the hospitals that will give an accurate reading on suggested calorie intake per day based on height and weight. If you are interested I can either give you the formula or you can PM me with details and I'll figure it for you.

Good luck and watch that denial, it's not just a river in Egypt.

Thank you!!!! I really need the dietary part - I am in healthcare, but its been a long time since I have done any work with DM. I keep meaning to get online for a diabetic diet....just for some guidelines, I can take what you gave me and also whatever I find on the net....

I know all to well the repercussions of untreated DM and just the long term chronic issues.....from working in healthcare and from friends who have the condition - I lost a friend about 10 years ago to the disease, he was a juvenille diabetic who the docs didn't hold out much hope for when he was a toddler.....way back then. :) He lived into this 30s...but his last 10 years were so rough.

I actually used to run research programs on diabetes meds - lots of the pioglitazone trials. But as I said, its been a long time, I certainly need a refresher. :)

[Cello]

I have the same thing Cello.

Type II Diabetes. Doctor will probably put you on medication like Glucophage and tell you to diet and stop eating sugar containing foods and candy.

You will need to watch your blood sugar closely until you get it back under control then only check it a couple of times a day after that.

Get one of the meters that let you check your blood using your forearm instead of your fingers. You won't even feel it on your arm.

Good luck.

No meds! No meds!! No meds!!!! LOL. I'm going to try this through diet first. If I cant' get it under control, then we'll go to meds. I doubt I'll get another meter - just use the one I have...but should it go bad, I'll be sure to look at the one you mention -- my how things have changed. :)

[C. D. Ward]

I've since stopped taking it (don't tell my doctor :nc:) because I had several instances where my sugar spiked up to nearly 300. It only happens when I'm on the medication. When it happens, I'll get a massive headache and I'll become lightheaded and dizzy. Anyone else ever experience this before or know anyone who has?
No, in fact quite the opposite. I'm on Avandamet, which is a combination of Avandia & Metfornin. My fasting glucose is generally between 90 and 115 when I'm on the medication, but if I go off, it can spike into the 200's. I tried managing through diet and exercise, but didn't see the kind of control I get through the use of medication, so I stay on it.

xmm, you should definitely talk to your doctor. Please don't stop your meds without consulting him/her. I was in denial for about a year after being diagnosed in 98, and that year without medication or diet control has left me with some lasting neuropathy and circulation issues. Don't delay!

[Xmansmommy]

Thank you C.D. I think I'm still in denial. :frown: Evidently diabetes runs in my family as my older brother, mom and myself were all diagonosed with it within about a year and a half of each other. I honestly didn't see that the medication did anything for me. My sugar levels were about the same as now. I will talk with my doctor about it though when I see her again.

[Sacrificial Ram]

Thank you C.D. I think I'm still in denial. :frown: Evidently diabetes runs in my family as my older brother, mom and myself were all diagonosed with it within about a year and a half of each other. I honestly didn't see that the medication did anything for me. My sugar levels were about the same as now. I will talk with my doctor about it though when I see her again.

Please make an appointment soon. There are a whole array of medicines out there that are very useful for type 2 diabeties. It is just getting the right combo for you. Getting the sugar under complete control can literally add many years to your life expectancy , and in better health during that time too.

[Xmansmommy]

I'll do that SR, thanks. :smile: