The Diabetic Thread

[snapcat]

I was wondering if there were any other diabetics here on JUB. I found out that I have type 2 diabetes a little over a year ago. I had never given a thought to what diabetes was and have educated myself tremendously since then.

I've been able to control my diabetes without meds so far, by adjusting my diet.

But I was wondering if anyone else has to "stick" themselves several times a day to check their glucose. My glucometer has become just like my cell phone, in that it goes most everywhere that I go.

At any rate, maybe there are some other diabetics on board and we can use this thread as a form of support.

 

[okstatecowboy]

I was diagnosed in 1992, after sleeping thru the month of February. Keeping control was harder when I was in college. I've had much better control since moving to KS and taking on a full-time job... helps that I can afford my meds and a better diet.

Keep up with the diet! The longer you can go without meds, the better off you'll be. And I understand about the finger sticks. When we were balancing me out, I had to test a number of times each day. Now I'm supposed to test every morning before breakfast. I got a little OCD over it and now only test when I think I'm high or low; my doctor isn't thrilled, but understands.

When I was first diagnosed, I thought it was the end of the world. The guys on my floor (was living in the dorms) were really good about helping me out of the slump. I think they learned more about it than I did, because they sure watched me like a hawk and went thru the rehab (me coming off pepsi) with me.

mikey

 

[eddielee]

I was diagnosed with type II diabetes this year. I lost some weight and made some dietary changes. So far I have been able to control it without medication. I feel certain that some time in the future I will have to take medication for it. I check my sugar every day. It averages around 150. It has been as high as 270. I feel dizzy and sleepy when my sugar is high.

 

[snapcat]

The test strips are very expensive. I have tested fewer than the 4 times a day that I'm supposed to. If I know what I've eaten is pretty good, then i might skip lunch or maybe skip bedtime. It's amazing that insurance doesn't cover many diabetic supplies. I did not have insurance last year and was able to obtain a free Freestyle glucometer from a local clinic. Since then I've found a number of places that will give away a glucometer, because they want you to buy their test strips. Sort of like computer printers being dirt cheap so that they can sell you expensive ink.

 

[okstatecowboy]

Type 2 here also.

Yeah, the higher it is, the more tired and sleepy I get. I tend to get dizzy and weak-kneed when it's low.

I try to keep it below 125 before meals. Type 2 is generally easier to control with diet and oral medications. It's only after many years (or years of poor control) that insulin is prescribed.

Here's a good site that I pull recipes from:

http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/

I subscribe to the weekly newsletter. Some weeks are better than others.

mikey

 

[okstatecowboy]

The test strips are very expensive. I have tested fewer than the 4 times a day that I'm supposed to. If I know what I've eaten is pretty good, then i might skip lunch or maybe skip bedtime. It's amazing that insurance doesn't cover many diabetic supplies. I did not have insurance last year and was able to obtain a free Freestyle glucometer from a local clinic. Since then I've found a number of places that will give away a glucometer, because they want you to buy their test strips. Sort of like computer printers being dirt cheap so that they can sell you expensive ink.

Amen!

 

[biravatch]

Type I here

 

[snapcat]

Type I here

Were you initially diagnosed as Type 1? Can't Type 2 eventually become Type 1?

 

[biravatch]

Were you initially diagnosed as Type 1? Can't Type 2 eventually become Type 1?

I was 1 from the start. Type 2 cannot become type 1, but people with type 2 can be put on an insulin regimine over time.

I'm 6'2" and my weight had dropped from 190 to 150 at the time of diagnosis... along with the other symptoms, it was rough.

 

[snapcat]

I subscribe to two diabetic magazines. I recall reading an article on how hard it was for diabetics following Hurricane Katrina. Shelters don't usually have diabetic supplies and there was no way to keep meds refrigarated.

I've found that a lot of nondiabetics like to give me "advice" on what I should or should not eat. That gets tiresome after a while.

 

[unclaimedblessing]

I have type II and have read that diabetes is almost at epidemic proportions (some theorists beleive it is linked to being overweight).
I take oral medication and watch what I eat. There is a book called "Sugar Busters" that is excellent and recommended by some doctors. The book is basically a dietary guide and some food products will surprise you with the amounts of sugar they contain.
My doctor said that eating 5 small snacks (spread sensibly throughout the day) is much better than 2 to 3 full meals each day. It avoids "peaks and valleys" in the blood sugar levels and helps the pancreas produce natural insulin more easily.
Fortunately there are more sugar-free products that cater to diabetics on the market today, ice creams, jams etc than there were years ago.
I have found that keeping my weight down helps keep my diabetes and high cholesterol under control better.
The worst thing is to be an ostrich about it, follow the doctors directions and advice.
Go to an opthomologist annually to ensure it is not affecting your vision (special test).
Having Diabetes is not the curse it once was, if you follow your doctors instructions and make some sensible dietary changes.

 

[unclaimedblessing]

A good rule of thumb for diabetics is "Nothing white & fluffy" - includes potatoes, rice, pasta, noodles, white bread and Louie Anderson.
Many producers have come out with whole wheat pastas, noodles, even tortillas. Brown rice has always had better flavor anyway. Ironically sweet potatoes are better than white potatoes. It's not just sugar, it's the starches.
With Type II sometimes you can cheat a little, but you're screwing yourself up if you do so foolishly.

 

[BenF]

Were you initially diagnosed as Type 1? Can't Type 2 eventually become Type 1?

Type I - Absence of insulin due to destruction of pancreatic cells that secrete insulin.
Type II - Resistance to the insulin by the body cells.

They used to be called insulin dependant or non-insulin dependant diabete mellitus (IDDM or NIDDM). But this categorisation was confusing and pointless.

They were also sometimes either called juvenile diabetes, or late-onset diabetes. But this grouping was also stupid as younger people can have "late-onset", and older people can get "early onset"

Type IIs can wind up on an insulin once their control of diabetes is not responsive to the other treatments.

Diabetes is a horrible disease - you have all my sympathy if you do have it. Make sure you keep having your blood pressure and everything else checked by your GP.

 

[unoponcho]

My purpose in contributing to this tread is not to frighten anyone but to relate my experience and confirm that diabetes is a horrible disease. I will try to be brief.

Background: One uncle, two aunts, two cousins died as a result of having diabetes. Mother also had the disease but it was not the cause of her death.

I’m 76 years old and have had diabetes since l988. I was not overweight and was in excellent physical condition. For twelve years I managed to keep my blood sugars under control by eating the right foods and with medications.

I was then put on insulin and was told that I was “brittle” diabetic.

My blood sugars would drop from high to low within minutes for no apparent reason. Sometimes it would happen when I got excited about something.

I developed heart disease resulting in having a bi-pass, two stints, and a pacemaker. The doctors told me that diabetes was the culprit that caused my heart problems. Scar tissue from my surgery damaged my left lung causing the lower part of the lung to not function. I began to have other lung problems, which the doctor again told me that is was caused by diabetes rather than my smoking four packs of cigarettes per day.

About a year and half ago I started having double vision. Again the doctors told me that it was because of my diabetes. Fortunately the problem went away in about three months.

I am now having difficulty with my teeth hurting. One of my doctors told me that he knew diabetics that had lost all of their teeth because of diabetes.

I have never had high blood pressure but a tendency to be on the low end. At the present it gets dangerously low at times.

I now have seven doctors with whom I see regularly. I have always followed my doctor’s instructions and will continue to do so.

For many people who have diabetes they manage to keep it under control by dieting and exercise. For some no matter what they do the diabetes attacks various organs and does irreparable damage.

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[/font][font=&quot]YES! Diabetes is not only a horrible disease, but is a “BITCH”[/font]

 

[dynk]

I am the opposite, I have Hypoglycemia. My body produces too much insulin. I therefore have weird reaction to sugars. I get super hyper when I eat any sugars and people think I am on speed. I even have grown to dislike the taste of sugar. When I check my bloodsugars if I am tired or not eaten lately it is int he 40's and 50's

 

[BenF]

I am the opposite, I have Hypoglycemia. My body produces too much insulin. I therefore have weird reaction to sugars. I get super hyper when I eat any sugars and people think I am on speed. I even have grown to dislike the taste of sugar. When I check my bloodsugars if I am tired or not eaten lately it is int he 40's and 50's

That doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

As insulin brings your blood sugar down, if you did have an insulinoma (an insulin secreting thing), your sugars would be in your boots all the time - a BM of 40/50 is far too high and could be a life threatening hyperglycaemia (HONK).

What are they teaching you in nursey school these days??

 

[star-warrior]

My family has a history of diabetes, late father and grandma on his side, mother, auntie - mother's sister, and now my middle sister has it. My sis was saying that we're likely to get it, since there's a history of it.

The doctor told her that apple shaped people rather than pear shaped folks are more likely to develop diabetes. Apple shaped folk have ok butts and ok ankles, whereas pear shapers tend to have saggy bottoms. I'm pear shaped, at around 300 pounds - yes, and it aint all bone

Luckily, I've not got it yet. I need to loose some weight, but its always difficult to squeeze that in....

 

[RationalLunacy]

Another diabetic (type II) coming out of the closet here.

I'm on metformin & starlix, and my numbers are completely under control, as long as I don't dive into sugar.

I also think the cost of test strips is a scam.

 

[unclaimedblessing]

A useful tip which many fellow diabetics may know is to take off you shoes & socks while waiting for your doctor during a visit.
Your feet can be an indicator of diabetic complications and many doctors don't take the time to examine them.

 

[snapcat]

A useful tip which many fellow diabetics may know is to take off you shoes & socks while waiting for your doctor during a visit.
Your feet can be an indicator of diabetic complications and many doctors don't take the time to examine them.

That's a good point. Now, I'm not a doctor, so this may not be exactly right, but ... diabetes can lead to nerve loss, especially in the feet. Sores can develop and they don't heal properly. I've not had that problem yet, although I was referred to the podiatrist for plantar faschiata which causes pain in one of my feet. The podiatrist wanted me to get orthotic shoes, but insurance wouldn't pay, but I was able to get inserts. And the inserts have helped out some.

Also, I need to have an eye exam more often than once a year because diabetes causes pressure to build up with respect to the eyes and we can get glaucoma easily. And sure enough I had elavated pressure, but not to the point of glaucoma.

Again, I'm not a doctor so I may not be phrasing all of this correctly, but feet and eyes are two things we diabetics have to monitor.