Type 2 Diabetes

[Liz Z]

Help
i'm leaving for Disney in 2 weeks and i was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
I'm just wondering what others have done to manage their levels with so many temptations. I'm on medication no injections so far. Can i have a mickey bar with all the walking i think i'd be ok.

Going to a dietician that will hopefully help.

If anyone can give me some tips i'd greatly appreciate your help
I wasn't sure where to post this so please move to the appropriate page

Thank You
Liz

 

[gap2368]

The only tip I can give you is bring extra of ever thing and test a lot ( more then you think) Walmart has a cheep meter $15 for the meter and for 50 strips $10 Rolion ( something like this) I would get this one as a back up as strips are pricey and insurance will not pay for extra,

drink a lot of water, do not get dehydrated

as fair as the Mickey bar goes, only you will know what you can and can not eat,
Dr/ diatetion may not tell you this but sugar does not raise glucose level carbs do,

 

[mamabunny]

My hubby is Type 2; when we travel he is very vigilant about testing and staying hydrated. For him (please note - everyone is different) the more walking he does, the lower his sugar falls; at WDW he could eat virtually anything he wants, even dessert twice a day, and have zero problems. However, he doesn't do that because he doesn't want to fall into bad habits LOL.

Your consult with the dietitian will answer a lot of the questions you probably have right now.

In the meantime, reframe how you view your Disney trip - focus more on making and capturing memories, and less on the food - and visit this page:

Special Dietary Requests

And last, but not least, if you want a quiet place to test while you are in the Parks, or you need assistance, don't forget that each of the four Parks has a First Aid location that is always marked on the paper map you can pick up when entering the Park.

I know it can feel stressful and kind of scary and overwhelming right now, but you will be OK!

 

[Liz Z]

Many many Thanks for all your advice. That darn sweet tooth It did me in.
I'm sure with all the walking this will help a lot. And wouldn't you know i have planters fascilitis

I have a question about the meter and test stripes you can get at Walmart. Are they over the counter type things or do i need some sort of prescription? I use Freestyle lite. I don't know if you are familiar with that brand but are the ones at Walmart similar in the way they test? Do i just use my pen with needle? At any rate i'll see what they have.

Again thank you all for being so kind and helpful.

Liz

 

[gap2368]

I have a question about the meter and test stripes you can get at Walmart. Are they over the counter type things or do i need some sort of prescription? I use Freestyle lite. I don't know if you are familiar with that brand but are the ones at Walmart similar in the way they test? Do i just use my pen with needle? At any rate i'll see what they have.

Again thank you all for being so kind and helpful.

Liz

it is over the counter and you do not need any RX for it yes you can use your lancet for this but each meter uses there own test strips

Here is a link https://www.walmart.com/ip/20752266...75035&wl11=online&wl12=20752266&wl13=&veh=sem

I am not sure how many test strips you get per day but most people do test more often at disney, so this would be a good and cheep ack up

 

[Liz Z]

it is over the counter and you do not need any RX for it yes you can use your lancet for this but each meter uses there own test strips

Here is a link https://www.walmart.com/ip/20752266...75035&wl11=online&wl12=20752266&wl13=&veh=sem

I am not sure how many test strips you get per day but most people do test more often at disney, so this would be a good and cheep ack up

That's a great back up plan. i will def look into it. Always good to be overly prepared. Knowing me i'll be testing a lot.

Thank you so much for the suggestion.

Liz

 

[arminnie]

I can't really give you advice on what to do at WDW - but just wanted to add that it is not your fault that you got type 2 Diabetes - no matter how much sugar you ate. It happens - it's often more to do with genetics and aging. So don't beat up on yourself.

My dad developed type 2 Diabetes later in life - but he went on to live to be almost 90 with no complications. He took his meds and walked some - but he'd eat donuts every month or two - just not every day. My DH and his brother both developed type 2 diabetes just before they were 60. They are both managing their sugar well with meds (no insulin) and just common sense.

Now I am not saying to just ignore having type 2 D - but you will be fine with just moderate changes to your lifestyle. My dad's doctor told him that having high sugar levels long term would cause him severe problems - but a day of high sugar would not kill him. But low blood sugar was actually more dangerous.

I am not diabetic - but I have had severe low blood sugar issues in the past. I've learned how to tell when it is about to happen and then to get sugar in my ASAP. I carry glucose tablets - but I haven't used them in a year or so.

Have a great trip and a great life!

 

[mamabunny]

The hubs uses Freestyle Lite also - he loves loves loves the lancets because they are basically pain free for him.

Depending on your insurance plan - some plans will cover part, or even all of the cost of your supplies. Other plans will not. For example, our insurance covers 80% of supplies, but you have to get them from a specific supplier.

Don't forget to take a sharps container (or some way to contain your sharps for safe and proper disposal) when you travel.

 

[lanejudy]

Technically, glucose meters and test strips are OTC -- however, for insurance to kick-in a script is required. You should be able to purchase supplies at a local pharmacy without a script. And I believe the PP who suggested WalMart was recommending purchasing the WalMart brand meter and related strips as extra/back-up, which may not be compatible with your Freestyle Lite. You should be able to use whatever lancets you currently use. If your supplies are covered by insurance, you may be limited in how much you can get filled each time and therefore not have much as extra. I believe DH's doctor writes his script allowing for a couple more tests per day than he usually does, therefore he has some extra supply built up.

You can ask at WDW for a Sharps container -- in fact, I believe my husband puts the request on the reservation in advance and it's often in the room when we arrive. There are also Sharps containers in the restrooms at the parks.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[gap2368]

Technically, glucose meters and test strips are OTC -- however, for insurance to kick-in a script is required. You should be able to purchase supplies at a local pharmacy without a script. And I believe the PP who suggested WalMart was recommending purchasing the WalMart brand meter and related strips as extra/back-up, which may not be compatible with your Freestyle Lite. You should be able to use whatever lancets you currently use. If your supplies are covered by insurance, you may be limited in how much you can get filled each time and therefore not have much as extra. I believe DH's doctor writes his script allowing for a couple more tests per day than he usually does, therefore he has some extra supply built up.

You can ask at WDW for a Sharps container -- in fact, I believe my husband puts the request on the reservation in advance and it's often in the room when we arrive. There are also Sharps containers in the restrooms at the parks.

Enjoy your vacation!

This is what I was saying about the Walmart one I know some people with type 2 that only get 1 ( even 3 a day for disney might not be enough) test strip a day and if this is the case and since you are newly DX you may not have enough back up for your trip. a Walmart one is cheep and accurate so this would be a good one for more strips if you need it.

 

[Sadie22]

Your doctor probably gave you the meter. You can download the readings to your computer with a cable. If that is what the doctor wants you to do, stick with the same meter. You can ask your physician to prescribe more strips or buy them over the counter at a pharmacy. (Just an extra expense of your already expensive vacation, but an investment in your health.) Different meters may have differing degrees of accuracy so it can confuse things to switch back and forth. I would still be using the Freestyle if my insurance didn't stop covering that brand of strips.

Eat a balance of protein, healthy fat, fruits and vegetables and less of the breaded fried items and sweets. Healthy amounts three times a day with snacks in between if needed, and drink plenty of water. The ADA has books such as What Do I Eat Now and another for the first year after diagnosis, IIRC, that are very helpful. The Certified Diabetes Educator and nutritionist which you are hopefully going to visit will be very helpful.

 

[Liz Z]

Thank you everyone for all your help and support

I did go to my local super market and they gave me a free meter and 50 test stripes for $10. I just wanted a backup just in case. Luckily my ins. covers most of the lancets and test stripes. So i'm good to go.
Just trying to balance what to eat and carb counting and all has sometimes overwhelmed me. But i'll pull through.

Thank you again I really appreciate all your advice.

Liz

 

[Selket]

My son has type 1 diabetes and it is quite a bit different. I just wanted to note that many "sugar'free" dessert items can have as many carbs as the non sugar free ones - but perhaps for a person with type 2 it affects their blood sugar differently? A good question for your dietician. We typically avoid sugar free items as the carb count is so similar it isn't worth it. Cheesecake can sometimes be a good dessert (for my son at least) as it can have fewer carbs than other desserts and seems to raise his blood sugar more slowly. YMMV

I also agree that you didn't give yourself type 2. Type 2 runs in my family and even the perfectly slim family members get it sometimes. Genes! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Sadie22]

Avoiding the sugar free offerings is a great point. They are probably not diabetes-friendly as to replace the sugar more fat and something called sugar alcohols which can have a laxative effect may be added. They also may not taste as good. Since my diagnosis my husband and I have shared meals, not necessarily equally, and that has worked well for me. An entire serving of dessert is often as much fat, carbs, and calories as a meal, so I usually only have a part of a serving.