The Diabetic DISers thread. Support and Info Here.

[Diabetic DISer]

I just found out that I am diabetic. I'm scared but the doctor said I am not too bad off.

I am sure I will have many questions in the future. And I am sure many of you will, and do as well.

I have known for a short time, but was in total denial til this past week. However, now, accepting it, I have begun to take control of my life. My eating habits are changing - no STUPID carbs. Lots of smart ones. I have begun exercising. And I have lots to live for.

Still, there is a certain feeling of shame and fear. I have nobody to blame but myself.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Sounds like you are being way too hard on yourself, diabetes is genetic, even though outside factors can bring it on sooner. PD for you and good luck.

 

[shortbun]

Just got my first official diagnosis as well. I'm right there with ya. Excersizing more, eating more thoughfully. I lke the carbs. South Beach products don't agree with me. Doing some real soul searching about living a long life. Gonna kick this for a least a little longer on my own. Studying the glycemic index issue. Fiber, raw and routine seem to be the answer. I have NO eating routine, up to now I ate when and what I wanted. No more.

 

[Lisa D]

My son was diagnosed with Type 1 last September. It came completely out of no where - no family history of diabetes on either side.

Jimmy started with the MiniMed insulin pump last month, and this seems to be working out better than injections.

Initially it really is shocking and scary, but it truly does seem to be a manageable disease and the outlook for a cure looks very promising.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I was scared too when I was first diagnosed three (or was it four?) years ago. I was in the hospital at the time, with pulmonary embolism, so it was a double whammy for me at the time.

When I got home I started walking, and at first I couldn't walk and talk at the same time because I was huffing and puffing so bad. But after a few weeks I was walking 2-5 miles per day, 3-4 times per week. I started watching what I ate. More vegetables, fruits, whole grains. Lost 40 pounds in a snap. Kept it off awhile, but then laxed off on the exercising and got lazy with my food choices, gained back 20.

I've lost 4 of that and want to keep going to get the rest of that 20 off, and another 20 besides then I think I'll be happy.

I hope to eventually get off the diabetes medication and control it just with diet and exercise.

Good luck to you!

 

[Cass]

I was just diagnosed too, in fact I am going for some tests today.

I met with a dietician for 2.50 hours on Saturday - so much to learn and figure out. Yesterday was my first day of 'new eating routines' It was strange and not comfortable (whole wheat pasta - blech!)

Today I am screwed up because I am fasting for bloodwork this morning. I don't know if I am type 1 or 2 yet, but my Father is type 1.

Last year I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and have been dealing with that, so the Diabetes is a double whammy for me

 

[skuttle]

Has anyone been monitored for diabetes? My family doctor recently mentioned that when I hit 30 (I'm 28) she wants to start monitored me once a year for diabetes because both my mom and grandma have it. My mom was diagnosed about 8 years ago and my grandma shortly after her. They both now control just with diet and exercise. I was very surprised that I never tested positive for gestational diabetes when I was pregnant. I'm wondering if I should start trying to follow my mom's diet now, to try to avoid it. Also wondering, if genetic, if that will make much of a difference.

In the beginning, it was harder for my grandma to adjust. I think mostly because she was older and it was harder for her to remember exaclty what she could have, along with her other illnesses that restrict her diet. Good luck to everyone!

 

[believe]

I had it for years before I was finally diagnosed. Because I have low blood sugar, not the typical high blood sugar, the Drs kept saying I was fine. I was having the shakes and losing my sight on a pretty regular basis. I also lost weight without trying. It was through a non-standard glucose test that I was diagnosed. I have been able to control it with diet and exercise. I know when I am not treating my body right because all the symptoms come back My Dad also has diabetes. He was taken off his medication just last week, after losing weight. Fortunately he never went on insulin. Now my sister was just diagnosed and is on insulin already. She won't watch what she eats or try to lose weight. I am hoping she will come out of denial and start taking care of herself.

 

[Cass]

What type of medication was he on?

Excercize is going to be the hardest thing for me!! I basically walk to the car, and that's it.

 

[MsDisney23]

I need to jump in here, as most of you know I was a type 1 (DM1) on insulin for over 40 years. I am now cured and insulin free due to a rare successful Pancreas Transplant Alone done in 2004. I am now writing a book with my wonderful endo on this disease and have been blessed to travel the country and sit with some of the top Diabetic Research Scientist in the World.

Every 10 seconds in this country a person dies from Diabetes and its complications.

24,000 will loose their eye site this year alone to Diabetic Retinopathy

50,000 will start on dialysis due to ESRF from DM

Many will suffer heart, stroke and have limbs lost as well.

Insulin is not a cure! Education is best power all of you can have, My hat off to the OP for starting this thread and to all who visit. The work is hard and is a life time challenge.

One third of Americans have and live with DM and are not aware of it.

 

[Laura]

My DH is a type 1 diabetic. He was diagnosed at age 20. He's been doing very well managing his glucose level.

Diabetes sucks, but there are ways of living with it that won't be too disruptive. Once you get used to your new lifestyle, it will be much easier.

 

[pumba]

I have been a diabetic for two years ........It blew my mind when I found out and I actually cried. I am not overweight .......but I loved my carbs.
Please anyone that is new to this .....ask your doctor to get a diabetic educator for you and attend any and all of their classes. My one year with them was what helped me. Diabetics often find out that there genes did not fall from the tree. Family tree that is.
I still fall off the wagon once in a while but I test twice a day now and I find that I can keep my blood sugars under control this way.
I am not on any meds........I am controlling it with diet and excercise. Well I did until the last few months. STRESS always plays into this.......if a person is upset they tend to have the sugars raise ..

 

[CF'er]

I too am diabetic as a result of other health issues. I am on the minimed insulin pump and it has been a godsend. My hemoglobin A1C before the pump was 13 but in Feb it was 6. I have been on the pump 3-4 years now and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I hope we can share info and all get healthy and well educated.

 

[Diabetic DISer]

Thanks for participating everyone. I rcv'd a nice PM from one of our members. My mother is diabetic, but I think mine is all a case of me not taking care of myself. I'm very overweight, and have been almost my whole life. I always thought I was rather smart, but unfortunately I wasn't smart enough to change my ways.

 

[Cass]

Nice to meet everyone.

I had an A1C test this morning - I have no idea what my results are yet. I want to find out ASAP if I am type 1 or type 2 and what I need to do.

I must say I feel abit better already on the new diet I was put on, I had an enjoyable dinner and I'm not hungry. I also did my excercizes, which is the hardest part for me because I am bone lazy when it comes to that.

 

[Diabetic DISer]

OK, I have not been set up to take classes as yet. I understand the whole low carb / glycemic index thing - well mostly.

two questions popped in my mind.... I know carbs need to be cut, but which is worse for us- Extra weight, or maybe too many carbs while we lose weight?

Here was dinner tonight. Kind of high in carbs, but very healthy otherwise, and low in calories.

Skinless 99% FF chicken breast - 200 calories. SW seasoned.
3 TBS Salsa
1/4 cup corn
1/2 cup black beans
3 cups mixed salad greens


The whole thing was a salad. I used no dressing. It was fine without it.

Was this a "bad" meal? High in carbs, yes, but low in calories to aid in weight loss.

 

[Cass]

Hi DD,

That sounds like a delcious dinner, did you enjoy it? I have just started on this diabetic diet, today is only my 4th day but I am doing okay so far. One of the things the dietician said to watch was corn, not to have it very often and I LOVE corn. I am going to make a dinner like that soon, I think I would add a tablespoon of no-fat sour cream to mix with the salsa. Mexican stuff is great.

I just had a call from the Dr's office that my bloodwork is back and I need to come in right away I can't leave right now, I'll have to go first thing in the morning.

 

[Diabetic DISer]

Hi DD,

That sounds like a delcious dinner, did you enjoy it? I have just started on this diabetic diet, today is only my 4th day but I am doing okay so far. One of the things the dietician said to watch was corn, not to have it very often and I LOVE corn. I am going to make a dinner like that soon, I think I would add a tablespoon of no-fat sour cream to mix with the salsa. Mexican stuff is great.

I just had a call from the Dr's office that my bloodwork is back and I need to come in right away I can't leave right now, I'll have to go first thing in the morning.

Yes, I did really enjoy it! I used more beans than corn. And what made it really nice was a tsp. of cilantro paste mixed in. Next time I might add FF sour cream too. I just didn't have any.

I hope your visit went well.


I have a question. How did you find out ( anybody ) that you were diabetic? I didn't even have a real idea. I mean, I felt fine and didn't have any of the symptoms most people know of.

 

[Cass]

I had a bladder infection and I was suffering bigtime, I went to the Doctor for it and he tested my urine in the office and asked me if I was diabetic because my urine was full of sugar, a very high reading. I said I didn't know that I was so he gave me the papers to go have bloodwork done.

Does anyone have ringing in their ears? I have that all the time, drives me crazy.

 

[pumba]

the educator gave each of us a book......it is fabulous......tells you how much each food item is and also going to the restaurants or fast food places.......the name of the book is:

"The Calorie King" calorie, fat and carbohydrate counter......2007
go to www.calorieking.com