Any type II diabetics out there? Having trouble getting a handle on things. I have been diagnosed for about 5 yrs. Stupidly I went into denial just making things worse. After an lifetime of eating 'normal' food I'm really having a hard time getting a handle on this disease. Any hints, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

My wife and I both have type-II diabetes. When mine was first diagnosed, the Dr. put me on a medication to take once a day. After loosing about 18 lbs, I no longer needed the medication. I was able to loose the weight just by avoiding carbs (pasta, bread, potatoes) and sweets. I find my weight has
a strong effect on my blood sugar, gain a few pounds, and my blood sugar goes up.

 

I have type 1.. since i was 2.5 years old. I'm 17 now. The best advice i can give you is to test your bllood sugar often. Drink diet soda, or water. Execersize (something i need to start doing more of..) Whenever i eat potatoe chips, or salty snack foods of the type my sugar seems to go out of control. Also, eat smaller servings (something i also have a problem with - i like my food, lol.)

Good luck

Paul

 

I am also a type one for 22 years now and still struggle at times with sugar cravings and such. The best advise I can give you is check your sugars and keep it in control as best you can. I was blind for 3 months with diabetic retonopithy (sp) IT SUCKED. It was caused by stupidity in m,y youth.


Captain P4 - Who is your doctor? I see that you also live in Maryland. I see Dr. Bellentoni at Franklin Square Hospital, shes good.

 

If I don't watch my health, I'm going to become diabetic.

It's an epidemic here in the U.S.

 

Doctore McClaughthin (sp??) down at sinai. She is also good. Seems like everytime i make a change its not good enough though.. always doing something wrong. heh.

Wow-thats one of my biggest fears, losing my vision, i don't know what i'd do if that happend to me.

Good luck with it,

Paul

 

The vision was in sept 2001 to jan 2002 With better control I have had no more problems (knock on wood). The surgery was tough but the best thing that could have happened. I am also using an insulin pump now.

 

How's the insulin pump working out for you? It seemed like it was more work than it was worth when i was researching it.

 

Diabetes is such a sad thing to experience.
I find that my mental attitude is the controlling factor.
If I'm in control, I feel better and can stay in control.
But then something like Depression set's in and I get off the diet. It takes me a few days to get back in control again.
Staying in control when your young will help a lot as you get older.
You'll need some surgery from time to time. Diabetics just dont heal predictably like normal folks do.
Especially your Eyes, Heart and joints.
Just dont keep the wrong diet stuff around, exercize a little as often as you can stand it, and warn your kids that it's likely one of them will be suseptable.

 

It does take some getting used to but... A1C numbers are down and I don't have to carry needles and insulin around all the time. I have to refill it every 2-3 days but it gives you alot of flexibility in your eating schedule and life style. I am a construction supervisor and lunch is always a ??? for when I will have tome to eat. Since it only delivers a little at a time and then give yourself a boost for meals I can make more flexible choices with activity and meal times. I have found it VERY liberating. I would talk to your doc. about it. if you have decent insurance they should cover the cost (about $6000) for the pump. Go to Animas It has helped me ALOT!!!!!

 

Two and a half years now. Daily medication tablet and continued weight loss have helped. Just recently started testing daily to avoid hypoglycemia. Before that I had good reports on my A1C quarterly blood test (latest was 5.4%).

When eating, eat your protein first, -then any carbs you may have. Protein slows the absorption of the carbs which lowers the post meal peaks.

Don't eat ANY sugar. There are acceptable substitutes. Use Splenda for cooking. Use Splenda for hot foods. Use Nutrasweet etc for cold foods and drinks since heat breaks it down. Eat small quantities of food often.

NO alcohol.

Lose the weight. I have been working on mine and I am within 5# of my target weight now.

 

My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 over 11 years ago. Was on the glucose "roller coaster' for years with all the symptoms (instant rages, sleep right after eating, craving for sweets et.c.) and neither of us knew why this was happening. I just knew he was getting worse. Then he finally had a wakeup call and went to his doctor. That's when he found out what it was and changed. Since getting his weight down and eating properly to control it, he is more like the man I married over 33 years ago.

But it took awhile for him to get a handle on periodic cravings at first. Sugar withdrawl was one of the hardest at first. He used to be a heavy "meat and potatoes" kind of person and getting a grip on having to eat more "rabbit food" took awhile too. Eventually, he realized that he did have energy while working in the shop with the new diet. His body realized it. But what took the longest was his "mind" having to "wrap itself around this concept".

Eating smaller meals more often. Having your protein first. Taking the test to check and so forth is the best way he found. Rarely has he had to take any pills...and you dont want to get into a habit of depending on those. But that would depend on your circumstances.

His biggest gripe are the tests not showing the same on every machine. Like using a weight scale while going on a diet, it can be frustrating as the readings are not consistant.....although you have kept a ridged regime. However, unlike using your clothes as a better indication of progress....you have to use that glucose tester to keep ontop of what your glucose levels are.

Once in a while, he will allow himself a "cheatday" now. Not with sugar but with a food he can have only on rare occasions. But otherwise, he has kept it in control rather well.

 

If your stress level goes up so does your level.
The pump can be a hassle but once you get used to it, it becomes just another item in the morning ritual. I do not have one, yet; but one of my partners on the ambulance does have a son who has one. And he is doing great even playing football this year.

 

To Viking Babe.
33 years?
You are to be congratulated.
You'll be giving lessons soon.

Society should be studying you, learning to prevent all these short term marriages.

 

My wife is a type I diabetic, and also a Certified Diabetes Educator and Registered Dietitian. She's been on the pump for about 5 years now, and likes it much better than 3 injections a day for 10 years. As for type II, there is a very good meal planning system out there. The Idaho Plate Method doesn't take alot of calculations or measuring. Seems to me that many of the doctors and dietitians end up confusing new diabetics with massive information overload. This is easy for anyone to learn and use. Shameless plug, as my wife is a co-owner:

http://www.platemethod.com/