Diabetes.Blog.com

12 - toneylee, thanks so much for the welcome and directions to get around. this is still mind boggling to me, but the site seems like it is a great beginning to ge unboggled!!! (Comment this)

13 - I was 8 years old, no energy, constantly sleepy and thirsty, no appetite (hard to eat with no saliva!). Wouldn't watch TV because the light hurt my eyes. I'd weighed 35lb for 18 months, growing taller but getting thinner. My parents knew something was wrong but the doctor wouldn't listen. This lasted over a year until I stayed with a friend and felt unwell. The friend's grandpa had Type 2 and suggested it might be diabetes. The doctor reluctantly checked my urine (still adamant there'd be nothing wrong) and hey presto, loads of sugar! The hospital consultant reckoned I'd been diabetic as long as 18 months before diagnosis, and was days away from falling into a coma. (Comment this)

14 - Found out last week after a blood test. I was on Diovan for High Blood Pressure. What concerns me is that Diovan is a diuretic. I believe if you are dehydrated your blood sugar levels go up. Next time I take a test I will insure I drink a lot. Of course then, we will all think the metformin is doing it's job. My reading was 152.

 (Comment this)

15 - Hi, new to this forum. How I found out I was diabeteic: I had been treated for menopause symptoms with estrogen, then thiazide. I began sweating all the time, and could hardly drag myself around, still working. When I got leg cramps, the doc was perceptibly annoyed with me, and told me to eat a banana. Had 3 different docs in a row at HMO during a 6 month span, where a boil did not heal and was surrounded by a large rash halfdown my leg. They prescribed differnt creams which had no effect.

Bless the nurse practitioner I was sent to see because the doc was busy, who asked me if I had diabetes or anyone in family. I said no. She did a blood test with a portable, and said I had better get checked. After the diagnosis confirmed with still another doc, I was assigned to an endocrinologist that I still see after 7 years. (Comment this)

16 - Hi, my name is Seth 37yrs old. It is now 2:40 am in the morning May 8th.I cant go to sleep very easily because I just found out I have diabetes about 10 hours ago. I feel very angry and upset and I do not know what to expect now. My first reaction, no offense to anyone, “but I am not overweight” ,I quickly learn that doesn’t have to be the case. My blood sugar was found to be 380 whatever that means. Afterwards, I went to pharm and picked up a meter and pills. I will find out more in the class weds at the hospital. I am a bit scattered right now and have mixed emotions. I am glad to have found a cause of why I felt tired and lousy all the time on one hand then angry about “ why me” After all I have been following the “rules” such as eating healthy, being a nonsmoker don’t drink ,working out etc……… and still coming down with this (Comment this)

17 - Hi Seth: It is a hard thing to accept, I know. When you are ready to learn more and talk more, please come to New to Diabetes. It is listed in column #8 to the right. (Comment this)

18 - I was at my annual physical and was very proud of myself. I had lost 97 pounds at that time by following WW and walking about 5 miles a day. A few days later she called me back in to take another blood test because my fasting bs was 141. I went back in a few days later and it was 141 again and she said I was considered a diabetic. No way, I was not going to accept that diagnosis. I didn't have it in my family, I had lost 97 pounds, I was walking and eating a very sensible diet. I refused it. I was able to control it without meds for about 3 years and then things at work became incredibly stressful, long hours, full time college student,and told by the Dr to quit walking for 3 months due to plantar fascitis. Gained about 25 pounds really quickly! Lost my job after 18 years and hibernated in my home office studying to complete my degree for 6 months. When I finally came out of hibernation, my diabetes had gained control of me. I was put on Metformin and soon to follow Glyburide and then Actos...still not getting the numbers down, however the water retention was horrible and the weight continued to climb. Living in denial caused a lot of harm. Finally got to an endo who put me on Byetta 5 at the end of January. Lost 12 pounds in the first month and A1C went from 9.8 to 8.5. Next month it went down again to 7.6. Third month it went up! Now, I believe it's coming back down again. (Comment this)

19 - I went for a yearly physical and my PCP called back to tell me I was "border line" diabetic and sent me to a nutricianist. Three months later I go in for a follow-up and she tells me I need to switch my depression medication. Seems that the one I was on, Zyprexa, could send people with a tendency to blood sugar problems over the edge into diabetes. Well that was me. My great grandmother died of it and my grandmother had type 2. Needless to say, I switched doctors and started letting a mental health professional make my depression medication decisions. I was in denial for a while and gained about 25 lbs. When I tried very hard to lose with diet and exercise it didn't work. So in addition to my Actos they added Glipizide then changed that to Glucotrol and added Byetta. I'm hopeful that this will help. My depression is still a problem, but I recently was convinced to add psycotherapy visits to my medications and I go for a first visit in two weeks. (Comment this)

20 - I found out by accident 7 years. I worked in a ob/gyn office and took the glucose fasting given to pregnant woman just to see what it tasted like, what they went through so I could answer questions. I was the office manager not a medical person. When the test came back it was high, repeated it-still high. I had the nurse draw for an A1C which came back 6.8. At that point I saw my medical doctor. Really didn't get treated for about 5 years as I always thought I could control it. But I couldn't. 12 months ago I switched medical doctors to one who was very proactive, sent me to a diabetes educator and started metformin. The numbers would not come down and I could not lose any weight. February I started Byetta and really starting taking this very seriously. I have lost 15 lbs in 3 months, my fasting glucose is between 100-110. I think I have had this for many years when I look back on my health and symptoms. Opthamologist says there is some eye changes. But I finally feel I have some control. (Comment this)

21 - Hi,I found out in 1994 when I went to the Dr. for a recheck-had pnuemonia.I said that I had been extremely thirsty and thought it was because I was dehydrated from the antibiotic I had been on.It really did a job on my stomach! I was given one of those "Hmmmm" looks and was told that they would like to do a blood test.For some crazy reason I was totally shocked when they told me I was diabetic.(My uncle and brother have it)I had one of those "It only happens to other people" moments. (Comment this)

22 - I found out I am a type 2 in 2004, I thought I had the flu, I was very tried always thristy could not keep anything down, and lost about 50 lbs (that was a good thing) I thought. I went to the dr. thinking I had the flu and ended up in the hospital for a week, that was the beginning of my journey, I would love to learn more about Byetta, so I can talk to my dr. about it, we all know insulin makes you gain weight. (Comment this)

23 - Watching my strong, healthy, very athletic Dad losing his quality of life through the myriad of diabetic complications I became obsessed with diabetes. If I sneezed or had a slight headache I would grab his meter and check my blood sugar. He would say, don't seek or you will find.
So I did, 7 years ago at 50 years old. Me, who at 5'5" never went over 125lbs except when pregnant, me who bikes, swims, plays soccer and never liked or ate much of refined carbs, sugar, sodas!
It started with elevated fasting values, even now I can get it down during the day with excercise. But it climbs ever higher. I tried every single medicine out there except insulin and byetta.The effects of medicines for me are worse than the illness, I spend my life between the couch and the bathroom, unable to work and function. Somehow I suffered through the nausea of glucophage, I take 1,000mg twice a day and been on Januvia (suprisingly almost no side effects) for 6 days, so far not much improvement. The fasting jumps between 190 and 240 down from 270's, and the rest from 135 whoopie! to 270, down from some readings I had that went over 300.
I suspect that my Dad and I are a very late onset of type I and if I could find a way to have a test showing just how much of my own insulin I am still making, maybe it's time for insulin?
I would welcome your thoughts and comments. What kind of a test would measure the amount of insulin my body makes? Byetta? insulin? what harm Januvia can inflict with it's supressing of the immune system? how do I get these DANGEROUSLY high levels down?
thank you all. (Comment this)

24 - Hi my name is Joanna new to this blog. I was dx with type 1 on July 23, 1976 one month before my b-day ! There was a bad strain of flu going around at that time called the hong kong or asian flu. I was 12 yrs old at the time and remember that I lost weight, wanted to sleep all the time and going to the bathroom all the time also. I had no energy and my father said I was just begin lazy. So finally I saw a doctor he said it was the hot weather and nothing was wrong. But I kept getting worse and saw another doctor. My blood sugar was 600 and about an hour later I was in the hospital. I will never forget the look in my mother's face. Well that was almost 31 years ago and so far no major compilcations but I find as I get older I can see how diabetes is taking a toll on my body. I use a Cozmore insulin pump and started on Apidra insulin. Back then there where no insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors. I remember having to test my urine and using glass syringes boy have we come along way snice then ! : ) (Comment this)

25 - I had some blookwork done for outpatient GYN surgery in May 2006. Dr never said anything about my bg numbers but the pre-op nurse was going thru my chart while we were waiting and she thought by bg at 186 was high and I should have it checked out. I did with my PCP in August and he confirmed it. Strong family history of diabetes. My doc sent me to diabetes education, which was very helpful. However, I have gained some weight on the meds I've been taking, even though I think I'm actually eating better. So I talked to him about starting Byetta, which I'll see him about in two weeks. Looking forward to trying it. Hope it works for me the way it has others on this site. Thanks. (Comment this)

26 - I had gestational diabetes in 1987. I probably also had gestational diabetes in my first pregnancy in 1985, but I was inproperly tested and told I did not have it. Found out later that my fasting blood sugers had been near 200. My first baby died. In 1996 I had a blood workup done at a health fair. They sent me the results with the fbs of 167 highlighted and a note to see my doctor. I did. She told me to cut down on grains and increase my exercise. She never mentioned anything about diabetes. In 1998 I went to the same doctor and told her I could not get through the day without taking a 2-3 hour nap every afternoon. She told me that was my body's rhythym, just go with it. In the beginning of 1999 I developed a vaginal infection that she prescribed medication for. It did not help. Over the next 6 months she kept prescribing (over the phone) other medications. I got fed up and switched doctors. (I had not switched earlier because of insurance coverage.) Before doing any tests the new doctor told me he thought I probably had diabetes. He did a urine sample test and it was full of sugar and protein. I had not been fasting. The next day we did a fasting blood test. In the 3 days between the first visit and the second follow up visit I read everything I could find on the web and 4 books from the library. I had 4 pages of questions for the doctor when I returned for the follow up. It turned out my fbs was 297 and my HgA1C was 8.2. The doctor was wonderful. He spent nearly an hour talking with me and explaining things (I wish I recorded it because I have forgotten a lot). By the time he finished and asked me what questions I had, he had answered almost all of them. I started on Glucontol, which caused severe lows. Switched to Metformin which caused severe diarrhea that I never adjusted to, so he took me off. Then we started Avandia. The weight gain seemed like the least severe side affect, so I stayed on that until a month ago. Two cross-county moves have made me leave two wonderful doctors. I'm not happy with my current doctor and am looking for an endo now. I started Byetta a month ago. Blood drawn today. I'll know how my first month went next Tuesday. My testing has shown much better control. I go through cycles of being good about control and then "forgetting" I'm a diabetic. It's time to get in control for good for the rest of my life, which hopefully will be much longer and healthier. (Comment this)

27 - I was diagnosed with diabetes in 1997, when I had a severe yeast infection that would not go away. I wasn't aware of the symptoms prior to my diagnosis; mood swings, sleepiness, always tired, and extreme thirst. Looking back they were there. However, being an American Indian and having two family members with diabetes, it crossed my mind a few times, that I could be diabetic. It wasn't until I went through two tubes of yeast cream, when I decided I should go to the doctor. At first, they said it was just a rash, probably from my laundry detergant, but I wasn't happy with that, so I asked them to check my blood sugar and they did. My blood sugar was 501. I have been on insulin since then, because I am not on any birth control. I have had years to learn to cope and deal with diabetes, but I still haven't. I am so discouraged. I hope to find support from groups on this site. Thanks. (Comment this)

28 - I too was diagnosed 10 years ago in '97 at the age of 40. I had been losing weight without trying which was just unheard of and was getting very thirsty, especially in the evenings.

Having been brought up around Diabetes as my Mum was juvenile onset type 1 you think I would have twigged, but it took me several months to figure it out!

I had lost over 35lbs when I finally went to the doctor who suggested diet to start and when that didn't work (mainly due to my lack of self-control!), he put me on to a drug called Daonil (glibenclamide) and within about 8 weeks I put back on every lb I'd lost, and some!

When I told him about this he said "Oh, I don't know why I put you on those, I don't normally start people on those"? (!!!!!!) I was livid. I could have throttled him there and then! Had he put me on to Metformin, I might not have regained all the weight and been a lot better for it! Grrrrr.........

In 2003 I was put on insulin with the Metformin and 2 weeks ago I stopped insulin and started Byetta. Have lost 7lbs but my sugars are still elevated to date. Hoping for improvement on that. (Comment this)

29 - bcb in va - diagnosed in 1995 when trying to get pregnant. Found out I was pre-menepausal, then 2 weeks later was diagnosed w/T2, and told pregnancy was out of the question, under the circumstances. This after trying for 18mos. Today am on Byeta and novalog w/fbs hovering on 200. Some days higher, some lower. Last a1c was 11.9. Good luck to all - I've heard after 10 years, weight loss won't help much - anyone else heard that? (Comment this)

30 - I told my wife I didn't think I was going to make it and should go see our family doc. I had just gotten over pneumonia and felt like my insides were glue everything felt thick. Everything seem slow/tired, so very tired all the time. So I went back to the doc and he said I had diabetes. I was shocked. He said I had had it for about six weeks according to the A1C test. I looked puzzled and he explained what the test was. Well I was even more shocked it was about the same time as the pneumonia meds started. I asked about that but the doc said no association between the two. I was scared, so was my wife. I was thinking I have enough wrong without this, chronic pancriatitis from a congenital defect (pain, cramping every time I eat), and now this. He put me on avandia but didn't like the side effects - sinusitis. So he put me on actos at 45 mg - better. I didn't know what to eat and even after the classes the endo sent me to I was still wary of just about everything. I ate a lot of tuna with mustard and veggie burgers for the first six months and green beans. I lost a lot of weight, well a lot for me about 25 pounds. The weight loss helped the pancreatitis too. That was in 1999-2000. Now I and our new doc are looking for a new med. Tried metformin - yuk diarrhea, real bad. No she wants me to try glucotrol (glipizide). I have been reading up on it and am unsure about it but will try it. (Comment this)

31 - bcb, No I've never heard that before. I believe that weight loss is always going to help, no matter if it is only in making me feel better emotionally. I was diagnosed in 98' and I will never quit trying to continue to lose weight, but not in an unhealthy manner, even if some times I do get discouraged, someone comes to kick me in the butt and I get going again. Hang in there and please, never say never. (Comment this)

32 - I had just had a very complete annual physical that included a glucose tolerance test and with the usual exception of my tryglicerides being high and chronic back pain from multiple spine surgeries, I was pronounced healthy. In fact, the next day I was in the middle of having several facet and nerve root steroid injections done to my back - without twilight sleep!! - when my BP shot to 165/110 and I went blind in my left eye. The pain was beyond my ability to cope with and I should never have agreed to another injection without sedation. (I had had MANY since 1995.) Well, that hospital sent me by ambulance to another, which seemed strange, until I learned I was in Neuro ICU in one of Houston's best stroke centers. I had had two TIA's, converted to diabetes II along with high blood pressure and ended up with a cataract during the span of about 5 hours. I had always had LOW blood pressure and hardly ever even wore my reading glasses! I had never had blood sugar problems. That was in August 2000. I started on Metformin 1000X2 dialy, worked hard on my diet with a nutritionist but my A1c was up and down. I started on multiple BP meds and my BP finally came down again but I felt cheated of the energy I needed for work. I took my meds religiously - but my trigs stayed high and I couldn't exercise to get them down. I started losing weight - without trying - until I had lost 100 lbs and looked terrible. Still, I thought I was OK except for the chronic pain. Mind you during this period, I worked 12-14 hours daily and was on call weekends a lot of the time -even when my pain was horrible. Then in October 2004, I had a major stroke. And now, almost three years later, I really am healthy. My A1c is 6.0, my weight is almost normal now (I should lose a few pounds), my BP is fantastic, my trigs are great and after having my cataract repaired, my vision is great. My Endo said it was like something opened me up and flipped all the switches and now they're being flipped back to normal. None of my docs has a good explanation of either "episode" because my health had always been monitored by an excellent physician and my tests were done annually by reputable laboratories. Still, I'm permanently disabled and somehow db2 is a big part of it. Personally, I believe I was in too much pain and under too much stress for too long. Even though my cortisol levels were OK when I had both strokes, I'm convinced it was too many steroids and too much pain and stress for too long - and my body gave up. Managing all that is now my focus. I have a pain pump now and work on stress management daily - and will not have another steroid injection! ALL my tests come back OK and my bp is low again. Retiring at a young age is no fun but it's working wonders for my health! (So, relax and smell the roses while you can....) (Comment this)

33 - I went in for a normal DOT physical exam. With a CDL and driving part time for a company you are required to have a DOT physical every 2 years. I had a regular physical with my physician 2.5 years earlier with fasting bloodwork done. Cholesterol was getting on the border line of the high side, but nothing alarming. Blood sugar was normal, don't remember the exact number now.

Anyway, they take a urine sample for the DOT physical and found sugar in the blood. They did use a blood glucose meter with a test strip to check the blood, and about 2 hours after breakfast it was still at 300 mg/dl . I called my doctor and went in for a blood fast test and workup. Blood glucose was 200 mg/dl, and the A1c came back with a number that would show the average was 200 mg/dl ( that is the converted number that I remember ). This happened on June 22 or 23 of 2007. They said I had type II diabetes, and I went on a diet and exercise program to try and get things under control.

Went to diabetes education at the hospital, and started out using the carb counting method of 15 grams of carb as a carb choice. Was allowed 60 grams of carbs at 3 main meals and 15 grams for a morning and afternoon snack. I still farm, and had more things to do outside that was more physically active, so I have kept busy painting buildings, cleaning out grain bins, and cutting weeds to keep more physically active. Will replace this with Nordictrack, treadmill, and weightlifting this winter.

Readings took a little bit to come down, but the meter readings have come down to morning fast of 95-110 with 2 hour after eating usuaually between 100-130 . I take a multi-vitamin and fishoil supplements that are high in anti-oxidants.

I go for another A1c test Friday, and hopefully can get the results back next week, if I can find the time to get back to the Doctors office with harvest starting.

Mark in rural Nebraska (Comment this)

34 - I am looking for my wife ways to can and preserve
fruits, like grapes, blueberries, ect and make jam do you know of any reciepies>>>?????? Thank You (Comment this)

35 - Daniel: Post this question in the Recipe Swap forum. You can find the link in column #8 to the right. (Comment this)

36 - i was diagnosed with type ii diabetes in 1995 after a routine physical. the doctor put me on metformin and said i had to lose 20 lbs,but i lost 40.well to make a long story short i am now after taking countless different drugs and experimenting with what could work for me,i am now on two different types of insulin which are novolog 30-70/100 units aday and lantis /100 units a day.it doesn't help that you are a very impatient son of a gun and that you are very angry all the time.since i found out i was diabetic i have been through hell.gentlemen ,do not and i repeat do not have a circumcision done.sex is never the same again,ever.but on the bright side i feel good because after so many years i am feeling semi normal with the insulin i am now taking.and am thankful for this types of blogs.i now know that i am not going through this hell alone. (Comment this)