Living with Diabetes, how bad is it?

[HappyLawyer]

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.

i am hoping it helps my asthma also

 

[RxforDisney]

ok i have a problem with checking the sugar, i know but it really hurts so bad my poor fingers...

I am not diabetic, but I am a Pharmacist and have multiple family members with diabetes.

You need to find the glucose meter that fits your needs. Some require more volume of blood than others. Find the one that requires a very small sample size. The good news is that the more you check your blood sugar the less it hurts. This is not only due to getting used to doing it, but you actually develop calluses, and the nerve endings become less responsive to the prick as time progresses.

There have been a lot of advances in the treatment of diabetes just in the last 1-2 years! If you have not had your drug therapy updated lately, you need to see your doctor (preferrably and endocrinologist). Some primary care physicians are very well versed in diabetes, but for most they have developed their "method" of treatment, and have varied it very little over the years. For endocrinologists, this is their practice. It is what they do, so it is easier to keep up with the advances.

Losing weight is a great thing to do, I am glad to hear you have taken that step! It will drastically reduce the amount of medication you require. Exercise is also a great way to reduce the amount of medication you require. You may never get off of it entirely, but you can have an impact on how much you require.

LOL!

 

[Maria395712]

I have it my, whole family, brothers, sisters mother ,aunts ,uncles my sister got it at 35 and passed away at age 60 from uncontrolled diabetes .kidneys, eyes all went bad. I finally had to start meds in nov after trying to exersise and eat right
maria

 

[HappyLawyer]

Does anyone take an asprin on a daily basis, i know my doc also suggested this.

 

[Talking Hands]

Does anyone take an asprin on a daily basis, i know my doc also suggested this.

Yes, the low dose aspiring (81mg). Been taking it for about 10 years now.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Yes, the low dose aspiring (81mg). Been taking it for about 10 years now.

how does it help, what does it do, i have a follow up with my doc tues, i did not ask him the first time, because i was not accepting of the condition but now i am curious about the whole asprin thing

 

[SueM in MN]

I just wanted to clarify that medically diabetes is considered a chronic, controllable disease/condition.
It isn't a disability, but it can lead to disabilities if not controlled.

 

[RxforDisney]

how does it help, what does it do, i have a follow up with my doc tues, i did not ask him the first time, because i was not accepting of the condition but now i am curious about the whole asprin thing

Diabetics are at a much higher risk for heart disease than non-diabetics. The aspirin does nothing to lower blood sugar, it is used to keep the blood thin to prevent blood clots from forming in the coronary arteries which is what causes heart attacks and angina. (Clots can also form in other arteries causing other problems as well, such as stroke, the aspirin will also help with that.)

 

[HappyLawyer]

I just wanted to clarify that medically diabetes is considered a chronic, controllable disease/condition.
It isn't a disability, but it can lead to disabilities if not controlled.

i could be wrong but i don't think anyone here said it was a disability, or did they?

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Yes, of course Diabetes is serious. Two months ago I sent a 52-year-old diabetic patient to Physical Therapy after her leg was amputated (complication of diabetes) and she had a heart attack and died.

Complications of diabetes include, but are not limited to: diabetic ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome, angiopathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy.

You need to get control of this now.

And, much as I love the DIS, it is NOT the best place for information on diabetes. The American Diabetic Association is a good place to go, as is your endocrinologist.

Geez.

 

[SueM in MN]

i could be wrong but i don't think anyone here said it was a disability, or did they?

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone, just adding some medical information because, even though no one said they thought diabetes was a disability, the word disability was used in several posts. ("clarify" may not have been the best word choice by me)
As was pointed out by several posters, there are some really good sources of information about diabetes on the internet (like the American Diabetes Association or places like the Joslin Diabetes Center.

 

[Hannathy]

I just checked back on this thread because I had posted earlier and I'm sorry but Mouseworshipin I don't think your comments were helpful. You are right she should consult her Endocrinologist for the absolute facts but she has gotten some very good suggestions. As a former CDE(diabetic educator) most diabetics who aren't taking care of themselves have heard the horror stories and have been yelled at and therefore tune out. When you have a problem you know it and you also know you probably could have done better at taking care of it so you don't need your nose rubbed in it, all you want when you get to that point is ok I want help lets go from here. If you embarass them or belittle them they will leave again without getting help and that is sad. Happy Lawyer has gotten to that point which is fabulous! Most posters including myself have urged her to get proffessional help but when you are drowning any hand will help it doesn't have to be a lifeguard. Happy Lawyer keep coming here for support or to ask questions people do want to help or just let you know you aren't alone in this.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Yes, of course Diabetes is serious. Two months ago I sent a 52-year-old diabetic patient to Physical Therapy after her leg was amputated (complication of diabetes) and she had a heart attack and died.

Complications of diabetes include, but are not limited to: diabetic ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome, angiopathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy.

You need to get control of this now.

And, much as I love the DIS, it is NOT the best place for information on diabetes. The American Diabetic Association is a good place to go, as is your endocrinologist.

Geez.

First off we are all entitled to our own opinions, that is why i am not going to make a big deal out of your posts, however, the dis boards is a place for people to share information, no website is going to give you first hand accounts, better then people living with a condition. No one here is giving out medical advice we are sharing information, and i disagree, this is one of the best places for information, i trust the info form people living with the condition, knowledge of things come from many different sources

 

[HappyLawyer]

I just checked back on this thread because I had posted earlier and I'm sorry but Mouseworshipin I don't think your comments were helpful. You are right she should consult her Endocrinologist for the absolute facts but she has gotten some very good suggestions. As a former CDE(diabetic educator) most diabetics who aren't taking care of themselves have heard the horror stories and have been yelled at and therefore tune out. When you have a problem you know it and you also know you probably could have done better at taking care of it so you don't need your nose rubbed in it, all you want when you get to that point is ok I want help lets go from here. If you embarass them or belittle them they will leave again without getting help and that is sad. Happy Lawyer has gotten to that point which is fabulous! Most posters including myself have urged her to get proffessional help but when you are drowning any hand will help it doesn't have to be a lifeguard. Happy Lawyer keep coming here for support or to ask questions people do want to help or just let you know you aren't alone in this.

Thanks, not only in addition to everything said here but at least when i go in to talk with my doctor now that i am more receptive to what he tells me i am somewhat educated and i know what questions to ask

 

[Ambassador]

How bad is it? It has been our experience that the discipline that good management requires has made our entire family's life better overall. We all eat healthier, exercise, and appreciate each moment together. At least that what we tell ourselves to keep our focus on our long-range goals. Daily it's a grind, but so are many other necessary parts of life. You can do it well, with style and grace.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

...most diabetics who aren't taking care of themselves have heard the horror stories and have been yelled at and therefore tune out.
...when you are drowning any hand will help it doesn't have to be a lifeguard. Happy Lawyer keep coming here for support or to ask questions people do want to help or just let you know you aren't alone in this.

My assumption is that a person who asks if diabetes is serious doesn't know that it is. And from whom exactly are they hearing the horror stories? Not from doctors or nurses. We encourage them to be compliant, but we don't go into all that.

I had another woman yesterday who refused to any exercise at all. She had diabetes, and then CHF, and now of course, kidney failure. The dialysis isn't helping.

She's been in before, been encouraged and educated, and now she's going to die. And she's crying and saying she's sorry to her girls, and her girls are crying, because they, too, tried to help her, but no go.

I think I should probably stay off of this board. I believe deep in my heart that people should be allowed to do as they please with their lives. It is just frustrating to watch people die all the time and say they wish they'd done this or that to help themselves when it is too late.

It isn't true that any hand will help a drowning person. If I were drowning, I'd want a young, strong, male lifeguard.

I stand by my comment that the DIS is not the best place for medical information, but I will retreat from this board because it'll annoy me, and worse, it'll annoy you.

 

[HappyLawyer]

My assumption is that a person who asks if diabetes is serious doesn't know that it is. And from whom exactly are they hearing the horror stories? Not from doctors or nurses. We encourage them to be compliant, but we don't go into all that.

I had another woman yesterday who refused to any exercise at all. She had diabetes, and then CHF, and now of course, kidney failure. The dialysis isn't helping.

She's been in before, been encouraged and educated, and now she's going to die. And she's crying and saying she's sorry to her girls, and her girls are crying, because they, too, tried to help her, but no go.

I think I should probably stay off of this board. I believe deep in my heart that people should be allowed to do as they please with their lives. It is just frustrating to watch people die all the time and say they wish they'd done this or that to help themselves when it is too late.

It isn't true that any hand will help a drowning person. If I were drowning, I'd want a young, strong, male lifeguard.

I stand by my comment that the DIS is not the best place for medical information, but I will retreat from this board because it'll annoy me, and worse, it'll annoy you.

you can stand by your comment and you can continue to give feedback, no one asked you to leave the conversation, you are entitled to your thoughts.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I stand by my comment that the DIS is not the best place for medical information

And, much as I love the DIS, it is NOT the best place (emphasis added) for information on diabetes. The American Diabetic Association is a good place to go, as is your endocrinologist.

You are correct in this statement. However this forum is a start.

Some of the people on this board have professional medical training but most of us do not. However, those of us who do not have the professional training and give advice are giving it based on our personal knowledge and situations.

The forum was originally intended to provide suggestions and informaton for people with medical/physical conditions which may preclude a "normal" life (whatever that is) who were planning to go to Walt Disney World. It has grown as it is a community.

It still concentrates on the services available for people with disabilities of all types at WDW, with advice on how to get along there. However, certain threads or concepts have taken a life of their own as there is interest in the subject in addition to how it relates to WDW.

I get the impression that you are a medical professional. You might find some suggestions here that are useful to your patients, such as mine (in another thread) about how to safely carry a preloaded insulin syringe; my doctor thought it was an excellent ideaa when I told him of it and now has his nurse mention the ideaa to patients.

You also may want to make some suggestions from time to time, especially if you see incorrect information being provided. I know my suggestions do help from time to time, as I have had other users publicly thanking me. My feeling is as long as my sugggestions can help people I will do so.

 

[chirurgeon]

That is the key for diabetes. I am not a diabetic, but my DBIL is, since he was 19 or so. He was part of a study through the University of Pittsburgh for 10 years and is still being followed by the study 15 years after the active part. What they found was more often shots meant a tighter control of blood sugar ups and downs. He takes 4 or 5 shots a day and is always checking his blood sugar. After 25 years of the disease, he has had no degradation in his body that can't be contributed to being in his mid 40s.

To do this, you have to accept you are the one do to the control and you need to pay attention. I think you have done that. Good luck.

Talk to your doctors all the time. And

Kim

 

[mamajoan]

Hi.. I hope you are getting some encouragement by reading the posts.

I am insulin dep... have been so for over 20 years. I am considered "brittle".
I have several other diagnosis that complicate my diabetes... but I do ok.

Several months after I was first diagnosed.. I went on strike for a day..not taking my insulin (stupid!) I felt like complete crap the next morning with a horridly high BS. I hated having Diabetes, I hated checking my BS, I hated timing out my meals, the diet was fine been on diets since I was 10 so this was ez, but I hated being judged by the docs with all the blood tests.. I felt I was failing if I did not have perfect results. AND then I got a doc who helped me understand the variables of diabetes.. sometimes no matter how ''good" I am my Blood tests will not be perfect. It is ez to go into denial.. but you have to SNAP out of it!
So... I take care of myself as best I can. I try to keep in good control ( which I am) I take my BS a minimum of 4-6 times a day, I take my meds, I exercise and I eat fairly well... oh but I do love a big bite of a donut! LOL.. more insulin!! The results. I have no diabetic retinopathy (eye problems) no neuropathy, no renal failure... and I have had children... and now grandchildren. So the docs feel as do I.. that I am a successful diabetic.

You can be successful too.

Good luck and best wishes on making life choices which suit you.


oh and Chesire Figment!! YOU ROCK!!!
I completely agree with everything you said!!!