New to Diabetes
This Discussion Forum is for newcomers to diabetes to ask questions, and oldtimers to offer advice.
I would also suggest that anyone who is new to diabetes should read the articles at new to diabetes at DiabetesMonitor.com.
This is the 2nd Discussion Forum dedicated to this subject, and is a continuation of the previous forum on this subject. It was started on October 24, 2006, after what we call a “blogquake” happened — namely, the software underlying this blog became unstable and shook everybody up!
As of June 1, 2008, the ability to post new comments at the Discussion Forums at Diabetes.Blog.com has been disabled. The old comments will remain available for you to read.
Please go to Diabetes Discussions to see new comments and to add your thoughts!
Instructions for posting comments may be found at Getting Started.
Thanks.
Bill the diabetesdoc
info@diabetesmonitor.com
Diabetes.Blog.Com is a blogcompanion to our main website, the Diabetes Monitor, which you can find at http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/
My thanks for your input Diane and Tonylee. My foot pain occured almost a decade ago and the md’s looked for everything but diabetes. I was informed that they should have done a long term baseline check, but they relied on a ‘one-shot’ test (which showed nothing) so they looked for blockages, etc. My fault really, as I trusted the medico’s faaaaar to much.
My wife is a holistic health practioner, so we are in process of looking at all natural methods of control. I just started splitting my actoplusmet into 2 halves to see if my bs stablilizes with more balanced uptake. My diet is very controlled right now, with small intakes every two hours and bs checks just before each intake to test spike from prior intake. Nothing like being a human pincushion! :~)
My former athletic days were primarily as an oarsman…so I’ll be getting back on the ‘erg’ to drop the weight and try to kick start sugar uptake/control cholesterol.
Finally Diane…do you have neuropathy in the feet? If so, has this reduced over time?
Take care all.
John,
I was well on my way with the neuropathy in 2003 as my fasting BS was always around 350 and the pain and horrible sensations in my legs was constant. I know that my post meal sugars were most always in the 900+ range!
It started to decrease as I got my BS under control and now only crops up if I get over 180 for more than an hour which hardly ever happens with my current lifestyle.
I have so far reversed what was happening in my feet and legs and my latest test showed no neuropathy.
I believe I had my T2 diabetes for about 6 years undiagnosed before 2003 and had start of heart disease which now I have reversed.
I had a lousey doctor who gave me grief each year that I would request a blood glucose test and would yell at me to just relax and enjoy life as I was not diabetic.
Turns out I WAS diabetic and I have been pre diabetic since my 20′s as all my test showed me high normal(now termed prediabetic) with gestational diabetes with my first child in the last trimester.
I now also have a great doctor!
Its going to take a lot of work but you can beat it by getting your diet and exercise plan in place and make it a lifestyle that you keep.
You will quickly find what works well and what does not by keeping a log of everything.
John,
I want to add here to my above comment that my weight increased by 10 – 13 pounds a year in spite of my efforts to diet and exercise with the bulk of it being around my abdomen – a sign of insulin resistance.
I felt tired and horrible all the time too.
My whole family, all my brothers and sisters are T2 so looks like it is a genetic predisposition for us.
My mother’s sisters were T1 and on both sides of my grandparents families runs T1 and T2 diabetes.
So I was really baffeled at that idiot doctor that discounted my strong family history to tell me to just forget about it and live!
I was lucky to catch it when I did by going to a clinic and getting a random fasting test to determin why I felt so bad.
The rest is history!
John, I just have to add, since you are interested in natural methods: Check out the benefits of vinegar, hydration, and cinnamon, used along with your meds. It is on my mind because of our recent discussions about the efficacy in other forums here.
I was recently diagnosed with T2 diabetes. I am only 26 years old, and had gestational with both of my sons, the youngest is just 7 mos old. I do have a family history of Diabetes, my father has it, both of his parents had it, my mother’s father has it, several Aunts have type 1 and my nephew has Juvenile Diabetes. I was insulin dependent for the last two months of my first pregnancy, and delivered 4 weeks early. Then my sugars returned to normal levels. With the second pregnancy, the gestational came on quicker and my scores were awful, I went on insulin btw 4 and 5 months and injected two different types twice a day, I still had to watch everything I ate, any white carbs sent my sugar over 200. The insulin dose kept going higher and higher. Again I delivered 4 weeks early. But this time, my sugars didn’t immediately return to normal. My obgyn put me on Metformin 500 mg, 3x a day. This sent my sugars below 75 almost everytime I took the med, so I stopped taking it and my sugars returned to relatively normal levels, although still at the higher end of the spectrum. So about 2 mos after my son was born, I stopped checking my sugar. I work for myself and by the time March hit, I was wiped out. Slept constantly, always irritated, generally miserable and I really thought I had postpartum. In late April it kind of just hit me, I knew my sugars must be up. I guess I was kind of in denial, because I didn’t even test my bg. But I did start paying attention and realized that I had the classic symptoms. On May 5th, I was with my family celebrating my Father’s 50th BDay and I suddenly got very thirsty and sleepy. I quietly got up to test my sugar, I was hoping no one would notice, but my 9 yr old nephew who has Juvenile Diabetes came in and saw me, when the countdown on the meter hit 1 and the score read 433, my nephew freaked out and ran to tell my father and sister. I went home and gave myself insulin and went back on the Metformin, I went to the Dr that Monday and he pretty much confirmed it, took tons of bloodwork and decided to keep me on the Metformin at 500 mg 3x a day.
This has been a huge adjustment for me. I was all too familiar with gestational, but this is really different. I am trying to be
oops, must have written too much
cont. I am trying to be “good” and not eat any bad carbs. I have really already made a lot of changes to my lifestyle, I am walking and I am finally eating regular meals at regular intervals which I have know is supposed to help.”good carbs” and low GI foods but I don’ feel like it is helping my numbers much. My fasting scores are high, usually btw 120-165. My 2 hr scores are anywhere from 140-220, but often in between meals, my sugar will go much lower, under 75. I have lost 10 lbs since May 5th, so that part is going well. I will be going back to the Dr in a week and I really want to get on something to help the spike. Any suggestions?
I just don’t understand. I don’t have a cholesterol problem (LDL 63, HDL 61) my glycohemoglobin is 6.3. My fasting blood sugar is 113-116. How did I get diabetes? Yes, I am overweight (I’ve been gaining weight steadily for six years, but I spent most of that time overworked and exhausted, figure it was just par) and I have high blood pressure (see overworked and exhausted), and my grandfather has type 2… but i get a physical every year, and the first time I had any indication of blood sugar problems was March. I was diagnosed yesterday… I’ve never had this thirsty problem, I’m tired a lot, but I never thought it was medical. My endocrinologist just called me yesterday, told me I had diabetes, and that he was calling in a prescription for metformin, and hung up. I’m…. I’m a big ball of many feelings, but mostly I just don’t understand how this could happen so fast.
I should mention that I’m only 28 years old.
Langoki,
I know just how you feel no one in my family has Diabetes.
It looks like you were under a lot of stress.
If that is how my Endo treated me I would change doctors and ask for Diabetes Eduction classes. Some insurance companies pay for this.
Hang in there
Here is a portion of an article from the
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/stress.jsp
In people with diabetes, stress can alter blood glucose levels. It does this in two ways. First, people under stress may not take good care of themselves. They may drink more alcohol or exercise less. They may forget, or not have time, to check their glucose levels or plan good meals. Second, stress hormones may also alter blood glucose levels directly.
Langoki: That is really rough, and the diagnosis can be so overwhelmimg at first. I know you must feel anger and sadness and fear and a hundred other things all at once. Unfortunately, diabetes probably has multiple causes. High cholesterol doesn’t have to be one of them, but a genetic predispostion almost certainly is. No one can tell you why this happened, especially at this time of your life, but all is not darkness. You caught it early. You can learn more about the disease and learn to care for yourself so that you can live a long and healthy life.
To get started, read some of the articles that Dr. Bill lists up top by clicking “new to diabetes” in his intro paragraph. Also, David Mendosa has wonderful tips for people newly diagnosed at his web site: http://www.mendosa.com. And ask your doctor’s office for a referral to a diabetes educator, so that you can start taking charge and have a shot at beating this darned diabetes!
Thank you for your kind words, Angela. I think a class is EXACTLY what I need.
I’m 32, just diagnosed. I’ve only been to the endrocrinologist once, and my limited research leans towards I’m mild stage 2 rather than diabetes.
My self-image is of a thin, healthy-eating person who just happens to have been injured (in physical therapy and pain for most of the past year) and unable to do the exercise and activities I love. And since I’ve been under prolonged work stress at desk jobs, I’ve been eating crap and not really having take care of myself.
Anyways, I’m no longer a 25 year old vegetarian runner with a BMI of 19, I’m 32, pretty out of shape, and BMI of 31.
I have dreams at night that a genie grants me wishes, and I wish for my feet/other injuries get better so I can swing dance again. Not world peace or whirled peas or anything like that.
Are there any online support groups that are primarily aimed at type 2 diabetics diagnosed young? I’m getting frustrated at the books that talk about “lose weight so you can keep up with the granchildren”, etc.
I’m more concerned about whether I can/should have kids, now that I am more worried than ever about passing on my crappy gene pool. Just found out recently that two of my cousins’s wives did/will have a baby/twins. So my previous feelings that I would be unlikely to have kids are turning around a little.
I’m telling people at work that I’m diabetic, and I’m wondering if I’m going to be blamed for snacking so much, especially on sugary foods. Up until the past year or two, I would have said that I wasn’t very big on sweets/baked goods at all.
My boss is my age, very obese, and his dad is diabetic too, so I think I will get a reasonable amount of understanding there. I told another person on Friday and got exclamations of: you’re too young! you’re not very overweight! This was probably within earshot of someone who had just given me/my workgroup a box of chocolates in a sort of “peace offering” for causing us a lot of problems recently.
I guess I’m going to be matter of fact about it if people ask. Say diabetes at a young age runs in my family. I could point out that my father and grandfather were diagnosed in their 40′s (probably had it a while before that) despite doing moderately active work. And I’ve got a desk job and been injured for the past year.
I’ve started testing my blood sugar at work. So far the highest I’ve gotten is about 190 – when I’ve had tons of chocolate and carbs. I think I might have been using carbs as a sedative over the past year to deal with stress. Low-ish carb after meal maybe 120-150. Morning fasting under 120, unless I did my bad habit of 11pm vending machine runs.
What is interesting is that probably my lowest post meal reading was while visiting the endrocrinologist. Small burger, banana, and large milk for lunch, and 2 hours later was 120.
I do think it is especially hard being diagnosed so young. In a weird way it is comforting to know that I am not the only one. Maybe we can have a thread for “diagnosed young”. Sometimes it makes it easier to talk to others who are going through the same things at the same times in our lives. . .
DianeW in Washington, t2-2003, Byetta 10-2007, Metformin 850 X3, levemir, ,Diane is there anything to take for neuropathy. I have it in my legs and feet. I am taking gabipentin 600mg at night. It realy hasn.t helped. My bs are always in the normal range. From what I am reading people who are in the high ranges have neuropathy. Any help will be appreciated. Helen NV.
Helen NV. Byetta 10 Mediformin 500 x1 crestor 20 zetia 10 toprol questrin,
I know that they use celebrex for the neuropathy pain.
Helen NV. Byetta 10 Mediformin 500 x1 crestor 20 zetia 10 toprol questrin,
Also Lyrica is another drug for neuropathy pain
FC in SOCAL – Male 52YO- T2 Dx 08/2007 – Actos 30mg / Metformin 2000mg – CABG (5 Bypasses) 10/2001 – Lipitor 10mg.
In July of 2007 I thought I had a “bug” that I couldn’t get rid of and finally went to my GP. He did a physical and complete blood workup. I was shocked to find out my fasting bg was at 400 and h1ac at 11.9. I started exercising twice a day, REALLY watching my carb intake and got on the medications above. I haven’t had a reading over 130 in over 2 weeks with most before meal readings at 115 and 2 hour post prandial/exercise below 100.
I’ve had none of the problems to date with the Actos or Metformin that others have noted. I wasn’t extremely overweight…however, I’ve lost 10 pounds over the last month or so and at 6’1” am down to 195#. I also have no family history of diabetes.
My goal is to try and regulate as long as possible with minimum oral medications through diet and exercise. I am especially interested in any
“natural” remedies that are available to help me control my blood sugar. For example, I have heard that adding a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon a day may help control blood sugar. I now add this to my coffee in the morning…it tastes good and I figure it can’t hurt!
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post to this forum for the “newbies” like me. The information is very informative and reassuring.
FC: Welcome to the blog. By taking control of your diabetes, you are off to a wonderful start. It isn’t easy, and I admire you for it tremendously! On several other forums in this blog, there are discussions about natural aids to diabetes control that might interest you. All the forums are listed in column #8 to the right. You might start out by reading some of the Scientific Stuff and Meals, Eating and Nutrition posts.
Hello, I am a newbie I guess. I have been on Metforming for just a week , 500mg twice a day. MY fasting number each morning is still high 200 or so above and below. So I was wondering how long it takes to kick in with diet and exercise.
Hi Jo: Sorry to be so long responding to your question – sometimes, due to high blog traffic, posts get missed. Anyway, it is very hard to bring down that fbs. Have you tried a bedtime snack? It helps some people. Best choices are things like a green apple, a handful of raw almonds or cherries, an Extend bar, even a small piece of dark chocolate, or a glass of wine. You can experiment a little and see what helps the most.
I was just given the news earlier today that I am diabetic. I admit I am in shock–however, a few things seem unclear to me. The nurse was sho called to tell me, so I did not have a chance to talk with the doctor. At my physical last week I weighed 180 and am 5’3″ tall (44 year old female). I am certain that careful diet and exercise ( I do not currently exercise) will make a dent. The nurse said my fasting sugar was 148 and my A1C was 6.4. Instead of suggesting lifestyle changes, the doc wants me on Metformin, 500 2x/day. Is it unreasonable to try to reduce these numbers by diet and exercise? I am afraid that once on the Mrtformin I will never get off it. My cholesterol is 283 and triglycerides are
273. I am on high blood pressure meds already (since 1999—very strong family history). Maybe it is the other stuff (high bp, elevated chol and tryglicerides) that has caused him to go to the medication route right away. I asked about testing and was told not to worry about that right now—that seems insane to me! No mention was made of diet changes or exercise needs. I have always really liked this doctor but this makes me wonder. Please any thoughts/advice/help would be so appreciated. I am so grateful to have found this site. Thanks, all!
Linda: I see you found this forum without my help. I should have read all the new comments, huh? Oh my goodness, yes, I see from these comments that you need help with diet changes and exercise. Your doctor is probably great, but diabetes is probably not his specialty. A CDE or nutritionist or endo would be so much help. Don’t worry about the metformin, though – just because you start doesn’t necessarily mean for life. It depends on how well you do with lifestyle changes. I know you are scared, but I’m going to say it again – you can do it. David Mendosa says diabetes was his lemonade (not the lemon). Because of it, he learned better, healthier, happier ways to live and feels great and has energy and is grateful!
Toneylee—thanks for the post. It really helps. I am going in to the doc on Friday b/c I refused to start the Metformin without speaking with him first. I have been checking my sugars and the highest has been 155—but that was a fasting sugar (late morning) and about a 1/2 hour after I walked for 30 minutes. I am not sure if exercise temporarily raises BS, since I know that overall exercise helps to reduce BS. I have so much to learn and so I am going to start plowing through the different threads here. And yes, I agree that I need to see a nutritionist and an endo. That is one of the main reasons for the doctor visit on Friday—b/c I want to get started with this right away. Not to be rude, but I have no idea who David Mendosa is. I would sure love to hear more about him as I like his philosophy. Thanks again!
Toneylee—thanks for the post. It really helps. I am going in to the doc on Friday b/c I refused to start the Metformin without speaking with him first. I have been checking my sugars and the highest has been 155—but that was a fasting sugar (late morning) and about a 1/2 hour after I walked for 30 minutes. I am not sure if exercise temporarily raises BS, since I know that overall exercise helps to reduce BS. I have so much to learn and so I am going to start plowing through the different threads here. And yes, I agree that I need to see a nutritionist and an endo. That is one of the main reasons for the doctor visit on Friday—b/c I want to get started with this right away. Not to be rude, but I have no idea who David Mendosa is. I would sure love to hear more about him as I like his philosophy. Thanks again!
Linda: I posted a link to David’s web site in the Metformin forum. He is a writer who has had diabetes for many years. He is also quite a lay expert on all things diabetes – writes articles in his blog, explains the latest research, and recently finished a book about losing weight with diabetes meds. His site is recommended by all the top experts. (Basically, just http://www.mendosa.com)
I’m glad you are seeing the doctor again. He is being proactive by starting you on one of the best, safest meds there is, and it doesn’t even cause you to gain weight. You really may need it, so don’t be too upset by the idea. It’ll help the diet and exercise to do the optimum for you. 155 after a walk is too high. And you definitely are going to have to start liking breakfast!
I and others responded to your Metformin post. Check it out. (Link in column #8 to the right.)
DianeW in Washington, t2-2003, Byetta 10-2007, Metformin 850 X3, levemir,
I wish you can control your blood sugar level soon.
Dani,
I am a pharmacist and diabetes too.
I wish you could control you blood sugar soon.
I am DM coach from thailand.
Bye.
Diabetes Monitor website (CLICK HERE) and read more about diabetes.
(2) Be sure to tell your family, friends, support group, diabetes nurse educator, and your doctor about this website!
(3) Read the disclaimer about Google ads (on the right-side sidebar on every page).
(4) Also: if you haven’t yet answered our polls to tell us more about yourself,
we’d encourage you to please do so:
* How did you find this blog?
* Tell us about yourself!
(5) Finally, if you like to answer polls,
there are lots more at the Diabetes Monitor, at Polls.
Many
thanks, from Steph & Bill Quick
Advertisements from Google
Hello everyone, My name is Julie, and Im 21 years old and was diagnosed with Type 2 in April of 07. So, heres how it happened. I started a new exercising schedule and went swimming for an hour, three times in one week. My first warning sign was that while I was swimming in the deep end, I suffered from a charlie horse in my leg. Then, a couple of days later I was very dizzy. So, I went to the hospital, where I found out I was diabetic. Needless to say I was in shock! I knew I’d have it one day, it runs in my family. But I was like “Im 20 years old, how can I have diabetes, there must be a mistake” That same week I was diagnosed with Polysytic Ovarian Syndome, and told I had a cyst. (What a wonderful week). So anyway, I went to my doctor, got put on metformin, and blood pressure meds to help protect my kidneys (even though I dont have high blood pressure) I did good for like 2 months, I was eating better, I was going to classes about diabetes at the local hospital. Then all of a sudden I stopped. And I cant get myself back on track, all of a sudden im terrified of swallowing pills, im always afraid I am going to choke! I just don’t know what to do anymore. Im so scared that Im going to hurt myself by not keeping control of my diabetes, but I cant seen to keep myself on track. I might start again, and then 2 days later im back where I was. I really need some advice. Has anyone else had this problem?
Julie: Hi and welcome. I think a diabetes support group and a certified diabetes educator (CDE) might help you through this tough adjustment process. Can you see if they are available in your area and perhaps get a doctor’s referral? I don’t know if it is your distress that is making you feel like choking on the pills, but I am going to suggest a little technique that a nurse once told to my dad (who had to take lots of large pills): You put the pill in your mouth, take a slug of water, and then shake your head back and forth a few times before tilting back and trying to swallow. I’ve tried it and it really works. You have to take your metformin. Please try.
Now, for a little inspiration, here is a link to an article, written by David Mendosa, that might help with the postive thoughts: Diabetes is my Lemonade.
Julie, I think what you are going through is part of our denial process that we have to go through, at one time or another. I did this too although I didn’t stop taking my meds, I just didn’t want to change my poor eating practices or exercise and I didn’t test like I should have.
PCOS and diabetes are somehow linked, there is an island on the blog that is about PCOS if you want to check it out. I think it is in box#8, I could be wrong, but it is there to the right somewhere. Give yourself a break, you’ve been given some tought news plus it’s the holidays.
We all want to pretend we don’t have to follow the “diet” during the holidays. Some of us act on it and some of us don’t. You might consider seeing a therapist to help you get through, they really do help, and please don’t be too hard on yourself right now. Be kind to yourself and learn to love yourself. You will be ok.
Julie, I think you are still in shock about being diagnosed with diabetes and having to take meds for it. At your age you shouldn’t have to be faced with such a disease but disease does not take age into consideration unfortunately.
Learning about this disease and getting help from professionals in the field will be beneficial in many respects but once you accept that you have diabetes and that there are things you can do about it you will be fine. Once you learn the basics and what to eat and how much, and everything else you will be in charge of your health. If you do the right things you will be able to gain control over diabetes instead of it controling you. You will find that you can live a normal and productive life once you take control and come to realize that by starting now you can develop a routine that will be a part of your life and you will get so used to it that you won’t think about it so much anymore. Eating healthy is the key to being well and it is something most adults do not do and is the reason for so much obesity and illness. It is easier to start doing the right things now while you have your whole life ahead of you. If you wait and pretend there’s nothing wrong you will only end up sick and digusted with yourself for not doing something when you could have prevented the bad things from happening.
I know people who can’t take pills so you are not alone but when you realize that they will help you and that you need them you may get over your dislike for them. I’m sure there are tricks to get them down and the obly one I can think of is to take the pills with something soft like yogurt or applesauce but then drink enough water afterwards to wash it down.
I think you will be just fine once you get over the shock and realize you have to take control of this disease. You can do it. Good luck.
Thanks for all of the great advice. It really helps to talk with other people with diabetes. I want to eat better, exercise, and take my medicine. I also want to quit smoking. I was going to try to quit this week but I guess I should worry about taking my medicine before I worry about quitting smoking. I can’t do both at the same time. I really want to take care of myself.
Julie: Wanting to take control is the first step, so congrats for knowing that you do. Of course, you won’t do everything perfectly every day, but like Annie in NY always says, you forgive yourself and start over again tomorrow. One step at a time. You can do it!
Hi, I recently, 12/14/07, got diagnosed, A1C was 10. Been on Metformin, 850mg x2, for about a month and a half. Since I started taking it I’ve had diarrhea, and a weird intermittant pain about where my gall bladder is.
Is this normal?
lzt, One of the side effects of metformin is diarreah. I had a problem with expolosive diarreah about 6 mos of being on it so my dr took me off of it for a few weeks and then put me on the extend release version. No problems with the XR. The pain could be from the metformin but I would definately call your dr on Monday and discuss what to do. How have your numbers been lately? Also eat more fiber, fiber helps control both constipation and diarreah. Try to get at least 35 grams of fiber daily.
This one I believe is great news to children in the U.S. with Type I
DIAMYD GETS AUTHORIZATION TO BEGIN PHASE III STUDY IN THE US
I think it is good news to those children recently diagnosed with type I:
CLICK HERE!
Advertisements from Google
As of June 1, 2008, the ability to post new comments at the Discussion Forums at Diabetes.Blog.com has been disabled. The old comments will remain available for you to read.
Please go to Diabetes Discussions to see new comments and to add your thoughts!
Instructions for posting comments may be found at Getting Started.
Thanks.