Living with Diabetes, how bad is it?

[HappyLawyer]

I don't think this is a disability but i knew this is the best place for information, is it as seerious as people make it seem, i know one would think an educated person would not be stupid when it comes to her health, but i have not been taking my medication and my new allergist, really let me have it stressing what can happen to me in the next 15 years if i don't start, it is a bit scarey and confusing.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

It is something to take very seriously. A lot of blindness, limb amputations, kidney damage are from uncontrolled diabetes. Everything bad about diabetes can be minimized by keeping very good control of blood sugar. Look for Joslin Diabetes center info on web.
High blood sugar interferes with immune system making body more prone to infections, complications and possibly more liable to some forms of cancer.
It is a quality of life issue.

 

[Hannathy]

Living with Diabetes that is under control doesn't have to be bad at all Living with Diabetes that is NOT under control will be bad. Every time your Blood glucose level gets too high you can be doing damage to all those little blood vessels esp in your eyes and toes, kidneys etc.. Taking control of your diabetes is really only doing all the things everyone should be doing. Eating a good balanced diet, limiting junk food, exercising, caring for your body. If it has been a while since you were diagnosed and haven't been keeping up start by meeting with a Diabetic educator. There have been so many improvements and changes in the last couple of years you will be really surprised. A good team-Dr.,dietician, educator can help you get on track and personalize your plan to you. It is encouraging that you sound like you are ready to begin and that is the hardest step of all. Congratulations. Good Luck !

 

[Michigan]

What would your allergies have to do with you ending up with Diabetes?

 

[HappyLawyer]

What would your allergies have to do with you ending up with Diabetes?

um no one said it did so not sure what you are talking about

 

[Talking Hands]

Living with diabetes is a life long journey of constant viglance. Checking your sugars, eating properly, checking you feet for problems daily. For me shots 3 to 4 times a day. If I could only get the pump. I have had type 1 for almost 30 years.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Living with diabetes is a life long journey of constant viglance. Checking your sugars, eating properly, checking you feet for problems daily. For me shots 3 to 4 times a day. If I could only get the pump. I have had type 1 for almost 30 years.

ok i have a problem with checking the sugar, i know but it really hurts so bad my poor fingers, and i just get really frustrated in doing so, there is a long story behind it but i had a surgery that went bad and for a year and a half i was being pricked and had my insides packed like 3 times per day, so i get frustrated at the thought of pricking my finger, i guess i will need to get used to the idea.

 

[debaudrn]

Check out some of the new equipment for checking blood sugars. Some are needleless. Contact the Joslin clinic or the Diabetes Association for some information.

 

[Talking Hands]

ok i have a problem with checking the sugar, i know but it really hurts so bad my poor fingers, and i just get really frustrated in doing so, there is a long story behind it but i had a surgery that went bad and for a year and a half i was being pricked and had my insides packed like 3 times per day, so i get frustrated at the thought of pricking my finger, i guess i will need to get used to the idea.

Use the sides of your fingers not the tip or pad. Less nerves there. Also don't let others do it. They have no idea how much pressure to use and often over do. Offer to prick yourself then you are in control. I find a lot of nurses use the pad as they have no idea how much that can hurt.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

Here is an example of blood sugar run amok. I take my medicine without fail, walk every day, limit my sugar intake. But a few weeks ago I got a really bad sinus infection. I had a headache for 3 days. So I went to my PCC. He prescribed several things for me, including Prednisone, which my PCC told me would raise my blood sugar, so he reminded me stay away from sugar. After 2 days on this medication, I had driven to work and when I got off, I was having trouble seeing. I thought I had put on my DH's glasses that morning. Driving was awful, I needed to get on the interstate for my hour drive home and I couldn't see anything. I couldn't even read the liscense plate of the car next to me. I was terrified. I called DH and told him I had his glasses on and I could n't see. I got home and we realized I was wearing my glasses. It didn't make sense to me, how could my eyes change so quickly, like in one day! I took my pill again that night. The next day I still couldn't see. I started to make an Optometry appt, then remembered what my PCC said. Suddenly I realized my blood sugar was too high. I was scared I would be blind forever. I stopped taking the Prednisone. It took 3 days for my eyesight to return to normal. In the process, I developed an ulcer on my gums under my lower lip. Diabetes even effects your gums. It has taken 7 days for the pain to diminish, and my gums are still swollen. Now I am worried how the sky rocketing blood sugar effected eveything else. I have an appt next month with my Endo. Anyway, sorry this was so long. Just some insight into the dangers of diabetes uncontrolled.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Here is an example of blood sugar run amok. I take my medicine without fail, walk every day, limit my sugar intake. But a few weeks ago I got a really bad sinus infection. I had a headache for 3 days. So I went to my PCC. He prescribed several things for me, including Prednisone, which my PCC told me would raise my blood sugar, so he reminded me stay away from sugar. After 2 days on this medication, I had driven to work and when I got off, I was having trouble seeing. I thought I had put on my DH's glasses that morning. Driving was awful, I needed to get on the interstate for my hour drive home and I couldn't see anything. I couldn't even read the liscense plate of the car next to me. I was terrified. I called DH and told him I had his glasses on and I could n't see. I got home and we realized I was wearing my glasses. It didn't make sense to me, how could my eyes change so quickly, like in one day! I took my pill again that night. The next day I still couldn't see. I started to make an Optometry appt, then remembered what my PCC said. Suddenly I realized my blood sugar was too high. I was scared I would be blind forever. I stopped taking the Prednisone. It took 3 days for my eyesight to return to normal. In the process, I developed an ulcer on my gums under my lower lip. Diabetes even effects your gums. It has taken 7 days for the pain to diminish, and my gums are still swollen. Now I am worried how the sky rocketing blood sugar effected eveything else. I have an appt next month with my Endo. Anyway, sorry this was so long. Just some insight into the dangers of diabetes uncontrolled.

it is so funny you bring that up, when i started my diabetes meds the first time i was on predisone, and it seemed like my eyesight had changed. The irony

 

[Selket]

William sometimes takes prednisone for his asthma and it usually triples his need for insulin. We have a very hard time with him when he is on it and it also makes him irritable. He is type 1 - just turned 4 yrs old. Your doctor should have suggested more monitoring of your glucose levels if you're on that medication I'd think. Not sure how type 2's handle it....

 

[JenJen]

I have type 2 diabetes which is controled by diet alone. I went on the adkins diet at first then I started slowly intorducing healthy carbs back into my diet last year. I have lost 60 pounds and my blood sugar is fine 99% of the time. I highly reccomend a high protien diet if you have type 2. My blood sugar was so messed up that it would dip after being very high into the 30's and I would have seizures. I also lost feelingin my feet and hands for a while. But now I am fine and everything is under control and I do not have any health issues because of the diabetes.
I personally think that the diabetic diet allows way too many carbs. Carbs turn into sugar and if they are not eatten properly (with a protien) and minimized they can make your diabetes control a nightmare.
((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Jen

 

[DisneyElf]

IV prednisone is the worst. My sister is a type II -- w/asthma - and while in the hospital - it would jump to over 300! Normally - she is fine - and well within a normal range.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

William sometimes takes prednisone for his asthma and it usually triples his need for insulin. We have a very hard time with him when he is on it and it also makes him irritable. He is type 1 - just turned 4 yrs old. Your doctor should have suggested more monitoring of your glucose levels if you're on that medication I'd think. Not sure how type 2's handle it....

I don't think he really considered the diabetes implication, since my Endo monitors and manages me for that. I had no idea Prednisone would make me so sick...a lesson learned. And I really understand now how much diabetes effects our bodies. Most of the time I feel so healthy! I know diabetes can bring on heart disease, so I have been worried I'd have a cardiac episode on top of everything else. My body is still dealing with the effects of the med and its been 8 days since I stopped taking it.

 

[Selket]

I don't think he really considered the diabetes implication, since my Endo monitors and manages me for that. .

The doctor who prescribed the prednisone for William wasn't his endo either - it was his pediatrician. I think ANY doctor should be on top of it. It is HIS responsibility to tell you how to handle the two conditions or point you to someone who can! (William has an allergist also but for his attacks we usually end up seeing his pedi. We have an HMO so everyone is actually in the same building.).

Type 2 runs in my family - ironically not type 1 like my son has. For those who have it in my family some take care of themselves pretty well and some don't - just amazing to see! My brother is type 2 and tests himself once a month if that! Eats everything and anything and is rather overweight. His story will not end happily if that continues I think.

Learn all you can and take care of yourself and you will do quite well.

 

[dyna]

Diabetis in it's self under control not usually a disability more of an inconvience I'd say. But there has NEVER ever been a time that it was easier to have diabetis there is so much more out there now for us than ever before. Used to be years ago that the only sugar free drinks was water and kool aid with no sugar added YUCK

BUT diabetics can cause disabilites loss of limbs, eyes, infections thru out the body usually in feet causing sores often leading to loss of foot or limb. Sometimes even with the best of self care and control the diabetis is out of control it nothing the person is doing wrong it's their diabetis that is out of control.

OHHHHHHHHH the stories I could tell......

 

[Talking Hands]

Diabetis in it's self under control not usually a disability more of an inconvience I'd say.

I would disagree with this statement especially in type 1 diabetics. Diabetics definately affects the quality of my life and my ability to participate in normal life activities fully even though I am in good control. Without accommodations as to meal times and testing I would be unable to control my diabetes and would end up with the many complications of diabetes. Without accommodations to allow my eating in the classroom if my sugar drops I would end up in the hospital. It is kind of a catch 22 situation because I can live life fairly normally with accommodations allowing me to test and correct lows and highs but without those accommodations controlling my diabetes isn't possible.

 

[HappyLawyer]

For a while, i guess while i was in denial, i thought, if i did not take my blood or my meds, i could ignore it and it would go away, has anyone else ever felt that way. i mean i have asthma, bronchritis, overweight ( dieting now) but like wow, why does something else need to be wrong with me

 

[Hannathy]

Yes,Yes,Yes This is very common. Many people have to have an "awakening"
before they become active participants in their care. Keep plugging along. Losing weight is a very good first step you will be pleasantly surprised what that alone will do to your glucose levels.