The Diabetic DISers thread. Support and Info Here.

[Mrs.Milo]

Bumping..........I haven't had any of these tests, just A1C.

 

[LisaG520]

I guess I'm joining your little community. I got diagnosed with prediabetes in September but have had numerous post meal readings over 200. I tried making the two hour drive to my family doctor, but got blown off. She wouldn't even get me a straight answer on whether or not it is diabetes or prediabetes.

The good news is when my doctor's office at school called me to reschedule my three month follow up, they indicated that they will do the tests I want. I'm trying to get an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, the C-Peptide, and GAD antibodies. I just wish I didn't have to wait until December. Any advice would be great.

I would suggest an endocrinologist. Also check to see if the lab you go to will check each blood draw during the glucose tolerance test or if they send them out. I didn't find out until later if I had gone to a different office I wouldn't have had to stay for the whole test as I flunked the fasting test right at the beginning My office sent all the blood out at the end. The other would have tested as we went along.

 

[Yen Sid]

I just found this thread and I am a member of the diabetes club, I was finally diagnosed in September of 2006 but probably had it sooner. I along with my doctor believe it was from the steroids I have been taking since getting out of the military in 1994 due to exposures in Desert Storm. Was on steroids long enough and now have to deal with type 2 along with other ailments. No family history, not overweight, just got it and now have to deal with it. I have done really good with adjusting my diet and was on medications but have not taken any in awhile because I lost my insurance with my job due to my disability but I have managed to keep numbers roughly the same with better eating and exercising again.

 

[princessariel]

Mid August this year, my DH had a heart attack. The hospital isn't far from our home so I drove him quick as I could. They say there is no permanent damage to his heart because we got to the hospital so fast. He had 100% blockage in one of the arteries. They put a stent in and set him up to have 3 more done 6 weeks later on the 90% and 80% blockages.

He had to fast the night before the stents were put in. His blood sugar after fasting 12 hours was 369! So on top of heart diease he now found out he's diabetic.
At first his BS were all over the place...high 300's alot. I decided I had to educate myself as to what to feed him. Lots of trips to the library checking out every diabetic cookbook I could get my hands on. I now have a notebook full of recipes and as I try them out on him, we decide if they're keepers or not. We've only had a few we won't do again. Not only do we have t watch the carbs, we need to watch the fats for his hearts sake. We also attended classes together.

The good news is his BS are where they should be now. He is on medications (Fortamet and Glimepiride) but the change in diet is a big part. Thanksgiving will be a big test. Then a week later we will be at WDW. I know we'll find healthy foods to eat but we sure will miss the buffets!

 

[LindaBabe]

Joining the club. I would think the buffets would be easier because you could pick and choose. How did you make out on your trip, princessariel?

 

[dex0x1]

Diabetes is a scary thing

 

[Papa Deuce]

"Funny" ( not so ) story about brunch yesterday. About 9 of us went to brunch yesterday, including my mother. The place has a very nice fruit section....

So my daughters go and get a plate of fruit for the table... about 6 different fruits. They ask my mom to have some, not understanding, or even knowing that she is diabetic.

My mom declines by saying "Thanks Emily, but I can't have much fruit because it has too much sugar, and too much sugar is bad for grandmom's diabetes".... then she explains diabetes to them...

At this point my mom is on her first plate of food... some eggs and scrapple, and 2 or 3 slices of bacon... As soon as she finishes she goes to get more food, which does surprise me as my mom usually is not a big eater... Now imagine my surprise when she comes back to the table with a new plate, and I saw this:

2 slices of french toast... with syrup
2 small cheese danishes
a scoop of potatoes
and some creamed chipped beef over rye toast.

Just a few carbs, eh?

 

[brettcw23]

Your Dr should have told you that your blood sugar would definitely go up. Cortisone inj raises your BS for a day or so. Just keep close tabs on it. Do not increase meds unless advised so by Dr. Are you on oral meds or insulin?

I am Type I (diagnosed in 1980) and my Ortho had tol me after I got mine that my BG would go up. It sky rocketed! My blood went from 125 (no additianl food was eated) to 390. So absolutely cortisone will wreak havoc with your BG. It was only for about 24 hrs but it was a long 24 hrs.

 

[brettcw23]

I have been Type I for 30 yrs (no complications yet and trying to keep it that way)I tend to snack a night and I do a terrible job of portion control when I do snack. Does anyone have any healthy snack ideas? I often will eat cereal (often 2 bowls) tostitos (well beyond the ideal serving size) crackers (also well beyond the ideal serving size)....I have been working hard to watch my carbs and what I am actually eating. I tend to be a sucker for fried foods much more than sweets. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[pumba]

hello out there ...

I havent been on this thread for three years ...My A1C is still in the six's range. I had an appointment with the Diabetic specialist in December and he was happy where my numbers were. I still try to do diet and exercise to keep the numbers from going up. No meds yet..

One thing that I learned from the diabetic educators and dieticians was if I wanted that one meal of pasta once in a blue moon to go ahead and do it and get it and be happy. I was not doing well when I had the one cup of my pasta and homemade sauce. SO would stop and not have it. But craved it anyways. I do 30 carbs per meal and 15 for my morning, pm and nighttime snack time...

I still swear by that book ...The Calorie King for help in picking different foods and restaurants too. It has helped me by keeping me on the straight and narrow path and not to think that all the foods we eat are bland or same thing day in and day out.

Good Luck to you all

 

[LindaBabe]

snacks I eat are almonds, celery sticks, olives, carrots and dip, melon, berries. Brett, cereal shoots my bg readings way high, so if I have berries, I take 2 T of cereal and use it for a garnish only.

 

[pumba]

found out from the meetings that pistachios were soooooo good for me...besides being a healthy snack ..they were full of other good things too.
SO a half cup of pistachios with the shells on ....or a fourth of a cup with the shells off....

maybe that is what you need...something to sink your teeth into.....chewing makes us happy......I didnt do good when I would eat my yogurt at night.....I still had to get something between the teeth to chew on....

 

[dizluvah]

I am also Diabetic, Type II, diagnosed July 2003. I take oral medication and Byetta (pen shots, but it is not insulin).

OP, best of luck I know it can feel overwhelming at times and for me I have had a bit of a rollercoaster - good control, not so good control of blood sugar, etc.

My tip is work with a doctor that you truly like - if you just don't "click" with your doctor - find another one. Use all the resources available too, diabetic educators, physicians, nutritionists, etc.

 

[PatsMom]

I am also Diabetic, Type II, diagnosed July 2003. I take oral medication and Byetta (pen shots, but it is not insulin).

OP, best of luck I know it can feel overwhelming at times and for me I have had a bit of a rollercoaster - good control, not so good control of blood sugar, etc.

My tip is work with a doctor that you truly like - if you just don't "click" with your doctor - find another one. Use all the resources available too, diabetic educators, physicians, nutritionists, etc.

I have to second working with a doctor and diabetes educator that you like! I loved my educator. I still e-mail her once in a while with questions. I also have a great endocrinologist who works with two wonderful nurse practitioners. The NP's are very important because I actually spend more time with them than with the doctor!

I also take Byetta and oral meds. I was doing insulin but prefer the Byetta since it doesn't tend to make you gain weight like insulin does (the opposite in fact).

I have been dealing with the diabetes for over 18 years now. Its easy for me to remember how long since I was diagnosed when I was pregnant and was one of the rare ones who didn't recover (at least temporarily) after delivery.

 

[brettcw23]

snacks I eat are almonds, celery sticks, olives, carrots and dip, melon, berries. Brett, cereal shoots my bg readings way high, so if I have berries, I take 2 T of cereal and use it for a garnish only.

I just bought a jar of almonds and took it to work. LOVE them. When you say carrots & dip...what type of dip do you use?

 

[brettcw23]

found out from the meetings that pistachios were soooooo good for me...besides being a healthy snack ..they were full of other good things too.
SO a half cup of pistachios with the shells on ....or a fourth of a cup with the shells off....

maybe that is what you need...something to sink your teeth into.....chewing makes us happy......I didnt do good when I would eat my yogurt at night.....I still had to get something between the teeth to chew on....

Great suggestion! Although I need to be really careful with having nuts in the house b\c my 2 yr old DD has nut and egg allergies!

 

[DisMN]

Howdy, my diabetic friends! LOL

Tonite I seem to be having a major brain fart. I do the carb count thing to keep on track but once in a while I love me an entire can of Coke. Enough carbs in that to make it one of my total meals. YIKES! But sometimes I just can't resist.
Earlier in the day I looked at those single serve packets of Country Time Lemonade and if I'm not completely out of my noggin, the carb count in one packet is about 1/3 a can of pop?
I could drink a tall glass of this stuff and be just as refreshed as I am with a naughty can of Coke?

Did I read and compare my carbs accurately?