Just diagnosed as Borderline Diabetic...

[Miss Kelly]

I went to the doctor this morning because I was up all last night with abdominal and chest pain. I thought that it was my gallbladder. It wasn't. After taking blood, doing an ultrasound, etc, they determined that I have high blood sugar (130 I think) and that I am borderline diabetic. I'm only 21 so this is quite a shock but explains everything that has been happening to me lately.

Can anyone relate? Advice? Pixie Dust, Prayers Please.

 

[Christine]

Well, I can't relate but I know it is on the rise in the "young" because of diet. How *is* your diet? What's your typical day like as far as food goes?

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Usually borderline diabetic's can reduce their sugar levels, just by cutting out refined sugar, and cutting down on carbs.
Try Splenda instead of sugar, use wheat bread instead on white, and follow you doctor's advice.

My sugar is under control, and I have made very few changes to my diet and lifestyle.

Exercise, exercise, exercise....I walk, usually 3/4 to a mile every evening. I cut down on cake and candy....trying to give it up totally will only cause me to backslide more when a strong urge arises, so I indulge now and then.

Don't take the diagnosis as life stopping bad news, work the changes into your normal routine, and you will be just fine.

By the way, what caused the pain, was it your pancreas? Did the doc prescribe Glucophage?

 

[kejoda]

Did you eat before the appointment? How did they want you to control it?

to be honest I come from a family with diabetes and I don't think any of them had chest pains with it. Did they do a ekg?

 

[luvmy2sams]

My dad was diagnosed as pre-diabetic last January. His doctor sent him to a diabetic nutritionist who put him on a diabetic diet. He cut out all caffeine (the man used to drink nothing but Dr. Pepper) and cut way down on sugars and carbs. He'd been an avid tennis player for years, but he began doing a daily walk/jog through the neighborhood as well. By the first of May he had dropped 50 pounds and was given the all-clear at his follow-up appointment in June.

Hopefully you'll be able to make changes like those DisneyNutMary mentioned and everything will be under control for you again. Best wishes to you!

 

[MagicalMom]

Miss Kelly, how did they test this? Were you fasting prior to the test? Did you have a big breakfast? I don't believe diabetes can cause any type of abdominal or chest pain.

 

[Talking Hands]

There is no such thing as a borderline diabetic. You either are or you are not. Doctors use the term to make it easy on you.
Get serious about controlling your blood sugars levels whether through diet, pills or insulin. If you are overweight get serious about losing it. Start exercising. You will aways have diabets but you can control it to the point of not having elevated blood sugars and not having symptoms.
Be sure to see a diabetic nutritionist but also do a lot of research on your own. See what various carbs do to you blood sugars levels and adjust your eating plan accordingly.
Welcome to the club. I have had diabets for 27 years and I'm in control.

 

[Abracadabra]

According to the information I was given, normal blood sugar levels should be below 110 (fasting test); below 180 1 hour after a meal and below 140 2 hours after a meal.

Someone is considered insulin impaired if their fasting blood sugar level is 126; at or above 200 1 hour after a meal; at or above 140 - 199 2 hours after a meal.

Diabetes is defined as have a fasting blood sugar level at or above 126; at or above 200 1 hour after a meal and at or above 200 2 hours after a meal.

Miss Kelly-- are you pregnant? This could be gestational diabetes caused by the pregnancy. If not, when was the blood test done (i.e., how long after you last ate)? If this was 2 hours or less after a meal, you may want to discuss additional tests with your doctor.

 

[Miss Kelly]

By the way, what caused the pain, was it your pancreas? Did the doc prescribe Glucophage?

The Doctor really didn't say. He didn't prescribe anything.

Did you eat before the appointment? How did they want you to control it?

I had 2 pb crackers before the appointment. The Doctor said for me to cut my sugar or I would have some major health problems down the road.

Miss Kelly, how did they test this? Were you fasting prior to the test? Did you have a big breakfast? I don't believe diabetes can cause any type of abdominal or chest pain.

I'm not sure which test measures blood sugar, I assume the blood test. But I also had a urine test. No, I was not fasting. No big breakfast, just 2 pb crackers. He also have me Nexium to take for 10 days thinking I have acid reflux as well. Sorry, I left that out last time.

Miss Kelly-- are you pregnant? This could be gestational diabetes caused by the pregnancy. If not, when was the blood test done (i.e., how long after you last ate)? If this was 2 hours or less after a meal, you may want to discuss additional tests with your doctor.

No, I'm not pregnant but I am on my monthly so could that have affected my blood sugar as well??? The test was done at 7:30 this morning. It was less than 30 minutes after eating 2 pb crackers. Should I ask for more tests?


Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm just pretty freaked out by the whole thing. I never thought in a million years that this is what was/is wrong with me.

 

[danacara]

Kelly, please take this question with all gentleness intended: did your doctor discuss weight with you? Is it an issue? I know in my family diabetes is prevalent, and I get a huge speech on weight control every time I go to the GP.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Kelly, please take this question with all gentleness intended: did your doctor discuss weight with you? Is it an issue? I know in my family diabetes is prevalent, and I get a huge speech on weight control every time I go to the GP.

Did he discuss it, No. Is it an issue, yes. I know that my lifestyle will have to completely change if I want to feel better. I just don't know how to start, you know?

 

[FreshTressa]

Wow, what a shock!! I can't imagine what you are going through. You are so young.


I have never been diagnosed with high blood sugar or diabetes, but I learned on my own that my body does not tolerate sugar well. I had lots of physical symptoms of having too much blood sugar.

I have cut out sugar from my diet, and it is way easier than I thought. (I still eat carbs, just limited and not as much refined, although I still even eat those occasionally)

My life has changed sooo much for the better. I have way more energy, I don't crave food anymore, my skin has cleared up, I have lost weight, my anxiety is gone, the dark patches on my skin are gone, hypoglycemia, gone. For the first time in my life I am not a slave to food.

I know this is hard to take, but be glad you caught it now! head on over to the wish board for advice on healthier eating and consult a nutriotionist!

 

[nativetxn]

I haven't read all of your replies but I want to offer my husband's story.

He was borderline diabetic for several years then became severely diabetic (type II) at age 39.

He didn't control his diabetes because the diet they gave him to follow kept his blood sugar high. He had a heart attack in 1998 (age 48) and required bypass surgery because the diabetes damaged his heart severely.

After his surgery he followed his prescribed diet religiously but it didn't control his blood sugar and he was headed for another heart attack.

In January, 2003 he gave up flour, sugar, cornstarch and white rice. His blood sugar has been normal ever since.

I hope you can get your blood sugar under control. Type II diabetes can cause terrible damage.

Katholyn

 

[CarolA]

You need to find a doctor who provides better care! Have him test you and maybe even train you on testing yourself so that they can see how your sugar responds to food etc...

That will give your doctor a better idea of what you really have. Your doctor can then send you to a nutrition program etc.... I am sorry but if that is ALL the advice your MD gave you, he did you a disservice.

One blood test is NOT a final indicator.
What they are saying when they say "borderline" is that "if you don't get your life under control" you will be a type 2 diabetic soon!

 

[Miss Kelly]

Thanks for the replies. I'm still in !