Diabetes?

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I went to the doctor today and found out I either have pre diabetes or early diabetes. Yikes! They took my blood sugar before the doctor even saw me, and it was fairly high apparently- 152, but that number means nothing to me. Now I'm sort of hitting information overload/not enough information and am looking for somebody to tell me what to expect.

She gave me a free meter and I have to test four times a day, I have a follow up with her next Wednesday. Tomorrow I have a fasting lab, full bloodwork done including hemoglobin ac1 (I think that's the name), thyroid, kidneys, liver, blood count, yada yada yada. Next friday is an appointment with a dietician, which should at least help me out on Weight Watchers. there's always silver lining, right?

So those who have been there- what will the next few weeks look like? What should I expect. This is a really dumb question, but I'm wondering about testing at school. I have to test before lunch, so I'm assuming the bathroom is the best place? Where do I throw out the stuff? I'm new to all of this and rather confused. What should I expect from the dietician? If it is 'just' prediabetes, does that mean that I will have full blown diabetes one day? Or is it possible to have prediabetes and never develop diabetes? Thanks for your help!

 

[minkydog]

Awww, deep breath there, Eeyore. It's gonna be okay.

Lots of questions. You'll have more answers once you get all that lab work back. The short answer is Yes, pre-diabetes is the precursor to diabetes. In fact, to most doctors it's one and the same--pre-diabetes is often what they say to ease you into the idea that your life is about to change. It sounds like they are thinking you have Type 2, which is the most common type that adults develop.

I'm a school nurse, so I deal with middle schoolers with Type 1 diabetes. In my school, they come to the clinic to check their sugar and take their insulin. I keep a red biohazard container in there for their sharps. The 4-5 teachers who have diabetes check their sugars at their desks--I would never tell someone to do it in the bathroom.Ewwww...You'll most likely be testing at regular intervals so you will need to just find a private corner and do it--it only takes a half minute!

My DD15 has a best friend who has had diabetes since she was 6. She is fully in charge of her diet & diabetes management. Her parents are involved, but it really is up to Raye to work it--and work it, she does! You'd never know this kid had a chronic illness, except that her cute Hello Kitty backpack(that she carries absolutely everywhere) is really her diabetes kit bag--meter, strips, insulin, quick glucose tablets, and a high protein snack. She goes camping with us for a week at a time up in the woods or at the beach. She stores her used needles in an old pill bottle until she gets home and can dispose of them properly. It's such a regular part of her life that she (and we!) don't even bat an eye anymore when she tests or gives herself a shot. Ho hum...

Give yourself time to adjust. It's a lot of absorb. Diabetes is serious business, but with care you will find your stride and continue to enjoy your life, albeit in a different way than you had imagined. Bless you, dear.

 

[zumbergc]

A lot of the expense in testing is in the test strips cost. So, even if you have to purchase a new meter, getting test strips that are more cost effective, may be cheaper over all. If costs get to you a new meter.

My cat has diabetes, new in june this year. At one point hocks.com had a comparison of different meters, and how much blood you need, and how long it takes to get a reading. I don't seem to be able to find it right now, at the time finding a meter with the smaller blood drop size was important because I was pricking my kitties ear.

You need to start reading the labels on your foods, and not only looking at the sugar content but the total carb content in your foods. Looking at the portions, because if it says 1 cup has x amount of carbs, you need to know the number of carbs if you happen to get 2 cups on your plate, or there are 2 servings in a bag of chips/pretzels, etc. Start making yourself aware.

One friend was able to avoid the insulin, etc by eliminating pop from his diet. His flared up after a long business trip, drinking lots of soda to stay awake, and get things done. He was put a pill drug first, and didn't like it one bit. So, he used diet modification to help himself. Right now he has avoided doing insulin. Not everyone can modify there diet and have things work ok, w/out insulin.

I can't recommend a people website, but i have a great cat website. felinediabtes.com

Connie

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Zumberc: Thanks for the info. Your post made me giggle. I never expected to hear about it from a feline perspective, I needed the laugh. Thanks!

Okay, round two of questions:
1.) I see lots of talk here and on the WW board about carb counting. I'm assuming I'll learn all that at the dietitian next week, but I'm impatient. What does carb counting look like. How radically will that change my eating habits? I admit that I am a pasta/bread addict. Will it make a difference if I eat whole wheat? Do they make a difference between good carbs and bad carbs, or is a carb just a carb?

2.) Was anybody diagnosed with prediabetes before diabetes? What does that look like? What is the treatment, did you have to continue testing your sugar?

3.) According to a book I picked up on prediabetes, your blood sugar will swing more than normal, going lower and higher than it should. I think that may be where I am at right now, did anybody else experience this?

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[PatsMom]

I was never diagnosed with pre-diabetes. I had gestational diabetes and was one of the very small percentage who did not recover immediately after giving birth. For years I resisted testing but was able to maintain good A1C and fasting blood sugar numbers with diet and exercise. Eventually in my early 40's I began taking metformin, then added Actos and Prandin. Now I'm on insulin as well as the oral meds. I do count carbs. My dietician does differentiate good carbs and bad carbs. It is much easier to count if you have good carb information from the food packaging or the restaurant - that is why people are requesting carb information from the Disney restaurantes.

I am also a pasta/bread addict who has to control the urge to live off those items. Nothing is forbidden, I just need portion control and to keep my overall carb content in mind.

My doctor was OK with me not testing my blood sugar as long as I was maintaining good control. Once I started adding more medications, esepcially Prandin since it can cause lows, testing became more important. And of course once you start on insulin testing is really mandatory. But you are young and hopefully you will be able to control with diet and exercise for a long time. I know other Type II diabetics who have avoided medication for a lot longer than I did. My aunt is in her 70's and has been Type II since she was around 50. She is still not on medication.

Your doctor may also be concerned about cholesterol levels and blood pressure since heart conditions are a side effect of uncontrolle diabetics. Also the blood pressure affects the kidneys and diabetics are also very prone to kidney failure.

If I am recalling correctly from other posts, you are still a student so the overall cost of care could be an issue. Treatment now could avoid a ton of complications later on so please invest the money in good care! Some hospitals have education programs and will waive fees if you can't afford the cost. My sister found a program in CT when she was diagnosed. I am fortunate that my insurance covers meetings with a Certified Diabetes Educator. If your plan will cover it, a CDE is a great resource.

Good luck to you. I've seen others post this so it must be common but back when I was first told this was a permanent condition a doctor told me that I could either control the disease or let it control me.

 

[2BusyPlanning]

When you get the results back from the A1c test, that should prove everything, in my opinion. The A1c tests your blood sugars over the course of the past 3 months. They will be able to see a lot there. Look for a number around 6 or 7 (maybe even lower!). The lower the number the better.

My daughter has had diabetes for 8 years now. Diagnosed at the age of 8. She tests right at the dinner table. She's not shy about testing or her injections. People need to know that it is a way of life with some people, and need to get over it. JMHO, sorry.

Good luck, and don't sweat it!

 

[mechurchlady]

When you get the results back from the A1c test, that should prove everything, in my opinion. The A1c tests your blood sugars over the course of the past 3 months. They will be able to see a lot there. Look for a number around 6 or 7 (maybe even lower!). The lower the number the better.

The above quote is what I want to say also. A one time test of sugars does not show if the sugars are high because of stress, illness, pain, decreased exercise, or dietary changes. A doctor or hospital strongly increases my pulse, blood sugars, and other stats.

Carb counting: Most people think of diabetes being no ice cream, cakes or soda pop but there is so much more because of carbs. In fact I "Carb Out" at times and get my sugars pretty high just from eating peanut butter and dry cereal. There are two indexes and one is they Glycemic index. You will have to learn which foods causes sugars to rise and how fast. Beans lower your sugars for some reason and I have had to give mom a snack because of beans.

I heard people say there is no such thing as prediabetes. You have it or dont and those who are slightly high sugar but control with diet have diabetes but are not full blown yet. I guess you could say that the pancreas is only 98% functional then 90% then finally it is were a person needs medicine. I probably am wrong.

As for diet, my mom eats breakfast and dinner with noon and midnight snacks. She eats cake and pies but only a small amount and always stops when she feels a rush coming. She does not eat cake daily either. She does barbecued food but very easy on the sauce and carbs plus not daily.

 

[DisneyCDE]

Eeyores Butterfly

Here is some info that hopefully will help. Prediabetes means that your blood sugar is higher than it should be but not high enough at this time to say you have diabetes. Changes, however, are happening in your body and it all stays as it is you will eventually develop diabetes( Type 2). By making lifestyle changes now you will be able to delay or prevent the onset of regular diabetes. The lifestyle changes will include changes in diet and adding some regular exercise

Your lab work will help decipher more of what is going on. If there is still not enough solid info you could ask for a 2 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test where they give you a sugary drink and then test your blood sugar at 1 and 2 hour intervals. You mentioned your blood sugar was 152..was that fasting or not as that makes a difference. Fasting blood sugar should be less than 100. If it is 100-125 that is Pre Diabetes. Once it hits 126 that is considered a diagnosis of diabetes. It ,however, should be repeated on another day to verify.

When you see a dietician try to make sure they a CDE(Certified Diabetes Educator). If you dont know where to find one in your area you can check out the website diabeteseducator.org and look at the Find an Educator section

You do want to choose healthier carbs ie whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta which is what we all should be doing whether we have Diabetes or not. For now try to stay away from concentrated sweets

I could go on and on but I dont want to monopolize the thread so hope this helps a little. If you have any other concerns I will
help as much as I can

Good Luck

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

DisneyCDE: What is the definition of fasting blood sugar. It looks like postmeal is two hours or less based on the info with my meter. This was 2.5-3 hours after I had lunch, so I don't think it woudl be considered postmeal, but I don't know if it would qualify as fasting either. When the doctor asked me the last time I ate before the test and I told her, she indicated it was pretty high for being that long after eating.

 

[DisneyCDE]

Fasting blood sugar is usually no food or drink for 6 - 8 hours. 2 hours after eating blood sugars are usually around 120 or less. With the Glucose Tolerance Test I talked about before a blood sugar at 2 hours, below 140 is normal, 140-199 is considered pre diabetes and greater than 200 is diabetes

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thank you all for the information. I have more questions (go figure)

1.) I am starting back at my job in the grocery store kitchen on the weekends. I have a bit of a dilemma about testing while there. The break room is on the other side of the store and up the stairs, so we all just sit in the dining area to break. I'm not sure where to test my sugar. I really don't want to walk all the way to the break room and back because that will kill half my break. I plan to ask my boss if there is a place I can do this without going to the break room, but I'm not entirely sure how to have that conversation.

2.) At what sugar level do you start feeling symptoms of hypoglycemia? Twice before lunch at school I tested and it was low, but not that low, however I had the whole shaky/dizzy/cranky feeling. It was weird because I was sipping on a Dew all morning, so I thought it would be high, not low. What do you normally do when this happens to you? I figure my doctor or dietician will tell me, but I'm interested in a short term solution

3.) What are the different types of meters? I'm happy with mine, but I'm curious what the difference are. I keep seeing all these meters that say "no coding required". What is coding and do any meters actually require it anymore? I have the Breeze 2 so I don't have to mess with the test strips, they're on a disk that I just insert straight into the meter. For meters that do not have that, what do you do with the test strips? How does that work?

4.) How does alernate site testing work?

 

[mechurchlady]

From experience I have found that carbs can saturate your system. I call it "carbing out" and I can feel and sense the body changes. Carbing out means that I have eaten and drank so many carbs that I cannot taste sweet any more. Often my sugars are high also.

With carbs one gets so saturated that instead of using one spoonful of sugar in their coffee they need increasing amounts until 2 or 3 spoonfuls is not sweet. This means they can guzzle down soda pop like water and it is not really sweet. Right now the lemonade is tart and the pop is ok but not really sugary sweet. Give me a couple of days of low carbs diet and it will return.

Carry in your purse a peanut butter or cheese and crackers handi-snack for example. Tubes of cake icing is cheap and small. DO NOT depend on soda pop, candy, juice, or anything that is pure sugar. You get the sugar rush then crash where as complex sugars take longer to burn. They are find for a short term raise in sugars but then comes the crash so suck on candy for a slow sugar increase. Protein = carbeurateur as in I cannot explain how it works but having protein with carbs makes then stay higher and protein slows down the decline in sugars.

That is why mom has 3 oreo cookies, a bit of cheese and water or coffee for a snack. She gets 16 carbs and the cheese has protein to help keep them carbs up.

When do you feel a high or low? It depends on the individual, how long and how well they can read their body, how saturated their body and other factors. I get fuzzy brained around 90 and really bad around 70 but I am used to high carbs so for me I have a higher level for starting to feel woozy from low sugars. Some people are fine until they hit 70 or 80. It depends on the person and you need to learn to read your body. Are you having mood swings because of stress and being tired or from low sugars? Is your vision, hearing, or some other body function suddenly not right? I learned from my pastor's wife who has two hypoglycemic daughters and is very diabetic.

As for the testing you need to tell the employer that you are hypoglycemic and need to test because you may have diabetes. I test mom rarely and at home so not sure what the work place answer is.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Churchy: After a bad experience at the movie theatre, I went to the eye doctor, but there was little change in my prescription. He said to try wearing glasses full time but that didn't seem to help the focusing issue I sometimes have. I didn't realize that could be a symptom.

The two times I noticed the full effect (shaky, sweaty, dizzy, cranky) my blood sugar was 68 and 72. Both times occurred right before lunch, so I just ate the Healthy Choice meal I brought. It took awhile to feel better, but it did help! It either happens right before lunch, or in the afternoon. It also seems more likely to occur when it is hotter out. As far as mood swings, it's definitely low sugar. I just feel so crappy it makes me extremely irritable. It goes away once I eat something and no longer feel shaky.

 

[Selket]

I'm coming in late to your thread (I don't read the OT board much) but I have to ask some ?'s - perhaps you answered them already but I didn't see it.

I'm guessing you are out of high school - so as a student you mean a college student? I'm just wondering if you are older than 18, etc.

I am sure you know there are two main types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2 - you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes right? Are they absolutely sure that you do not have type 1? I have know people (usually younger - like 20's) who at first were thought to have type 2 but it was type 1 - or type 1.5. There is more than 2 types (it is thought - that is debatable and I am not trying to go there!). I just want to make it clear that the doctor(s) are certain as to what type you have.

Are you on an medications for the diabetes yet - pills or insulin? I'm guessing not....

Most of MY experience is with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent, usually the onset is in childhood) - my younger son was dx'd with type 1 when he was 26 months old. All type 1 diabetics are on insulin and must take insulin - their body no longer makes insulin at all.

Much of my family has type 2 diabetes and that can sometimes be controlled by diet and/or pills and sometimes also with insulin. For a type 2 their body makes insulin but does not use it effectively.

Because of your (seemingly) young age I am more concerned that you are dx'd properly. Of course you could be a 70 year old student - so who knows - LOL! Type 2 is less common in younger people.

I highly encourage you to do as others suggested about getting appointments for diabetic education from your doctor or a CDE - CDE's are a wonderful resource. IN MY OPINION people with type 2 are really given the shaft by the medical community in many cases - and are never properly educated on how to take care of themselves. A type 2 person can go along for years and years without complications but eventually it will catch up to them if they have consistently high blood sugars. I have family members and friends who have type 2 and never test - or test once a month or something - it is just jaw dropping to me that this is considered accceptable - IMHO. Especially if you are young - you need to treat type 2 as the serious condition it is and fight for the education, testing strips, etc that you need to keep a handle on it.

I saw on your other post - WAG means "wild *&^ guess" - we WAG the carb counts (guess) when we don't know them. Our WAG's are actually not so wild because eventually you learn to carb count pretty well by eyeballing things (like fries, a bun, chicken strips, a bowl of pasta or rice, etc). Many suggest the Calorie King pocket guides to take with you - you can find it on amazon.com, etc.

There are many excellent websites for diabetes: Children with Diabetes is devoted mainly to type 1 but there are type 2 boards there also - and if there is ANY question as to which type you are I suggest you post about it there: http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/index.php

The ADA has a great forum too: http://community.diabetes.org/n/forumIndex.aspx?webtag=adaindex

Good luck!

 

[mechurchlady]

Right now I am having trouble focussing because I am tired and probably as I have not eaten since yesterday anything but chips and soda. I forgot about left overs AGAIN. Your eyes can be affected by food allergies as well as anything that deprives you of oxygen or nutrients. When your sugars are low the body looks at a list and shuts down what it does not need for functioning. Eventually your lungs are not fed so you get less oxygen, heart is not fed so blood is not working as well, your kidneys are not working as they are hungry and it is a chain reaction.

You know you are not making it to lunch. Mom has high carb for breakfast at 6 am, low to medium for noon and midnight and low to medium for 6 pm dinner. If you are having these lows then you need to eat less food more often. There are 100 calorie soda pop, cookies, trail mix, chex mix, and so much more. We are single so we buy those for mom so she does not waste money on extra food.

If you are shaky then you need a quick pick me up while the Healthy Choice meal kicks in or what ever you are eating is taking affect. You should set a schedule and stick to it. Slightly less at dinner and breakfast if you gain weight easier. Snacks mid morning and mid day. It is that you are running out of gas and need to make more pit stops so you can keep going without crashing. I would not do raisins as a 1.25 ounce single serving pack has more carbs than 3/4 can of soda pop or a slice of sourdough bread with a giant heaping spoonful of peanut butter or 2 ounces of potato chips. Raisins are nice for a quick pick me up but there are better choices with less carbs like half a ham sandwich.

You are doing fine and with some tweaking will get the hypoglycemia under control. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

 

[minkydog]

I am sure you know there are two main types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2 - you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes right? Are they absolutely sure that you do not have type 1? I have know people (usually younger - like 20's) who at first were thought to have type 2 but it was type 1 - or type 1.5. There is more than 2 types (it is thought - that is debatable and I am not trying to go there!). I just want to make it clear that the doctor(s) are certain as to what type you have.

Because of your (seemingly) young age I am more concerned that you are dx'd properly. Of course you could be a 70 year old student - so who knows - LOL! Type 2 is less common in younger people.

I highly encourage you to do as others suggested about getting appointments for diabetic education from your doctor or a CDE - CDE's are a wonderful resource. IN MY OPINION people with type 2 are really given the shaft by the medical community in many cases - and are never properly educated on how to take care of themselves. A type 2 person can go along for years and years without complications but eventually it will catch up to them if they have consistently high blood sugars. I have family members and friends who have type 2 and never test - or test once a month or something - it is just jaw dropping to me that this is considered accceptable - IMHO. Especially if you are young - you need to treat type 2 as the serious condition it is and fight for the education, testing strips, etc that you need to keep a handle on it.

I just had to highlight this--I couldn't agree more. My sister developed Type 1 at age 37 and her doctors nearly let her die before they decided she really was a type 1 rather than a type 2. She tests at least 5 times a day and keeps herself in tight control. Even so, she has some vision and hearing loss now(7yrs.)

On the other hand, my dad did have type 2 and I don't think he ever tested his blood sugar He never ate a vegetable in his life and his diet was atrocious. He considered himself "taking care of his diabetes" if he drank Diet Coke Needless to say, the heart damage caught up with him within 10yrs. It wasn't pretty.

Don't be afraid to find out everything you can about this. You'll get used to it soon and it will become more "regular" to you (I don't think it ever feels really "natural"). Just so you know, my sister & I took a trip together this summer towing a camper and hiking through wilderness together. She took her "stuff" with us and because she is so diligent we never had a problem. Not that she didn't get low, she did at times. But she just handled it. We had a great time, too

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Selket: I am 23. I don't have the official word yet. I went to the doctor last week and was told it is either prediabetes or diabetes. I have the follow up tomorrow. She is going to look at the meter as well as the blood work I had done. I'm assuming she's thinking Type 2. Everybody I have known who was diagnosed with Type 1 had blood sugars through the roof and it was really obvious. I'll find out more tomorrow.

 

[da-winnie-pooh]

I just had to highlight this--I couldn't agree more. My sister developed Type 1 at age 37 and her doctors nearly let her die before they decided she really was a type 1 rather than a type 2. She tests at least 5 times a day and keeps herself in tight control. Even so, she has some vision and hearing loss now(7yrs.)

On the other hand, my dad did have type 2 and I don't think he ever tested his blood sugar He never ate a vegetable in his life and his diet was atrocious. He considered himself "taking care of his diabetes" if he drank Diet Coke Needless to say, the heart damage caught up with him within 10yrs. It wasn't pretty.

Don't be afraid to find out everything you can about this. You'll get used to it soon and it will become more "regular" to you (I don't think it ever feels really "natural"). Just so you know, my sister & I took a trip together this summer towing a camper and hiking through wilderness together. She took her "stuff" with us and because she is so diligent we never had a problem. Not that she didn't get low, she did at times. But she just handled it. We had a great time, too

Whoa, am I your sister? I guess not, since I don't have a sister. I was 36 when diagnosed and also almost died before they decided I was type 1.

Eeyore's Butterfly, are you "at risk" for type 2? Overweight, a family history? I don't know if you could be just about to develop type 1 and have just caught it early but at 23 it sounds possible. If it gets worse in spite of your best efforts, ask for an islet cell antibody test.

And, FWIW, my mil had a fasting blood sugar of 140 or so. She followed the diet and it disappeared. My doc told me she could have had an infection that caused the high blood sugar OR it could have been reversed since they caught it early.

I have an insulin pump and it makes life much easier.

(((hugs))) to you!

 

[mechurchlady]

My uncle Gerald waited until he could not climb a step ladder then died of full blown cancer from his smoking the next month. Too many people wait until a disease or what ever is in the advanced stages. You are lucky to have caught the diabetes in the beginning when you are hypoglycemic.

You get high sugars from pigging out on carbs and/or the pancreas not working well enough to handle your carb intake as well as other factors such as weather, stress and illness that may affect how your body works. Many people can live with diabetes with diet and exercise alone so it is not uncommon for people to go untreated for a long time. Their sugars go high and they take a nap or burn of the calories like going for a walk while not knowing they are sick from high sugars. You are very lucky to be at the hypoglycemia stage right now and have caught it very very early.

Now is time to make choices in life. A can of soda pop OR a 1.25 ounce box of raisins OR coffee with a bit of canned milk and half a ham on sourdough sandwich piled high with meat and cheese and all the mustard you want and a bit of mayo? Yep half a loaded ham and cheese sandwich has less carbs than a can of soda pop or tiny box of raisins and will last you a lot longer.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The only risk factor I have is my weight- and I'm not that overweight comparatively. There is no family history that I know of.

I officially have prediabetes. The good news is that I caught it early so I can hopefuly stall the diagnosis of full blown diabetes, though it was indicated that it is probably a waste of time. She said that I was lucky I caught it early- my Hba1c was 5.7, the problem is how erratic my blood sugar is. It tends to swing very low and very high, she said my pancreas is starting to lose control of the insulin. At the moment we are going to try to control it with diet and exercise. She doesn't want to put me on anything because of how low my sugar dips at times. She told me to keep snacks in with me such as nuts, crackers and peanut butter, string cheese, etc. I meet with the dietician on Friday for more details on how they want me to eat.

The good news is that the rest of the bloodwork was fine. I've been a little worried about my thyroid- my mom has had hypothyroidism for a long time, so that is always in the back of our minds, especially with how tired I've been. The only other concern is my cholesterol. She said it's fine for now, but if I get full blown diabetes it would be too high. I'm hoping that the diet will help with that too.

The other good news is that I only have to test in the mornings and if I feel bad. It'll be nice not having to test quite as often. I have a follow up in three months to see how it's going.