[Hive_Mind]

Hey everyone, on the heels of an already bad start of the day, I took the time to read a letter from my doctor from a physical I was coerced into taking. I have diabetes. It shouldn't come as much of a shock since my mother has it, but I've felt fine, and I feel fine. Being honest, I haven't had a physical in years, fearing this; opting instead to go the ostrich route of 'If I don't see it, it isn't there'. That worked out great.

You'd think my mother having it and me living with her I'd know more about it, but aside from her worrying about my weight we don't talk much about it. So, I have no clue about it, or what to do. For the last half hour I've looked up things about it, whether it's curable or not, and living with it. Dying with it. Dying FROM it. And to be honest it's done nothing but scare me. So, I figured rather than worry my mother more with the news I'd come here for some answers, advice, and...well anything really.

Between the bouts of crying I've been formulating a plan, or trying to; but I have nowhere to start. I'm not even sure if Im type I or II, the letter doesn't state. All I really have are a few questions that I'm sure most have when they first learn they have the big D.
I'd rather not have to prick myself or take shots since pain and needles are my kryptonite, is there a way to get to where Im not affected by it? It seems there's debate about it's curability/remission/stabilization/reversal so, what better place than here-or a doctors office-to get the information.
Thanks for reading my long winded post.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Welcome to the forum

as someone that also hates needles, i will tell you that you get used to the finger pricking

i hope that you visit us regularly. This is by far, THE best place for us diabetics to talk freely and openly about whats going on with us.

Please feel free to ask any questions that you might have, as i feel that there are no "dumb" questions

You can do this, you can.

-Eric

Here is how i have taken on my diabetes...

First i would like to say that for me, the ADA is clueless when it comes to what Diabetics need to be eating. They are waaaaaaay too heavy on the carbs, imo

how have i lost the weight? a few things....

Portion Control. Most Americans have no idea what a "portion" really is. i got out the scale and weighed my food, got out the measuring cup and measured my portions. So, firstly, i eat the proper portion, at the most.

literally count the Carbs. There is no need to eat bread, potatoes, rice or pasta. the only thing thats white that worth eating is cauliflower

literally read ALL labels. know what your putting into your body.

eat to your meter. your BG meter will tell you what you can and cannot eat.i personally do not like to go over 100 at any time

exercise. i walk at least three miles a day. the only time i dont is when the weather is very bad.

there is no cure for Diabetes. its a life long battle. the sooner one gets control, the longer one will live.

 

[jeremiahtren]

hi

Hey everyone, on the heels of an already bad start of the day, I took the time to read a letter from my doctor from a physical I was coerced into taking. I have diabetes. It shouldn't come as much of a shock since my mother has it, but I've felt fine, and I feel fine. Being honest, I haven't had a physical in years, fearing this; opting instead to go the ostrich route of 'If I don't see it, it isn't there'. That worked out great.

You'd think my mother having it and me living with her I'd know more about it, but aside from her worrying about my weight we don't talk much about it. So, I have no clue about it, or what to do. For the last half hour I've looked up things about it, whether it's curable or not, and living with it. Dying with it. Dying FROM it. And to be honest it's done nothing but scare me. So, I figured rather than worry my mother more with the news I'd come here for some answers, advice, and...well anything really.

Between the bouts of crying I've been formulating a plan, or trying to; but I have nowhere to start. I'm not even sure if Im type I or II, the letter doesn't state. All I really have are a few questions that I'm sure most have when they first learn they have the big D.
I'd rather not have to prick myself or take shots since pain and needles are my kryptonite, is there a way to get to where Im not affected by it? It seems there's debate about it's curability/remission/stabilization/reversal so, what better place than here-or a doctors office-to get the information.
Thanks for reading my long winded post.

welcome to the forum.i hope you will get all the support and info from this site as i did.

 

[BadThad]

Welcome to the forum!

It is bad news, I just found out I had it Nov 1. Like you, I felt great and everything else checked out from my physical. You can read my first post in this section.

You need to overcome the fear and start getting treatment ASAP. Call your doctor and get started immediately. All the extra sugar in your system is doing damage to your organs. If untreated, you will have FAR greater problems eventually.

Believe me, I understand the needles thing....I can't stand them, they used to freak me out. After just a couple of weeks now I'm over that. You will find it's really not such a big deal when you consider all the health effects that diabetes can cause. I little prick here and there pales in comparison to having limbs removed! I also do it for those that love me....I think of them everytime I test, everytime I inject insulin....I would do ANYTHING for them.

See your doctor and get treatment NOW. Everyday you wait is another day that diabetes is causing damage.

God Bless and Good Luck

 

[Shanny]

I have diabetes.

Hello and welcome! If you don't have a glucose meter, then prob'ly the first thing you need is that little gizmo. If you have insurance, you may need a prescription for strips, but you can also get cheaper meters at Walmart/Kroger/Walgreen/etc., which have strips for a lot less even without a prescription. Get used to testing yourself throughout the day . . . first thing when you wake up (this one is called your fasting blood glucose or FBG), and start testing before & after you eat, also logging what, when & how much you eat. This will help you weed out the foods which cause the most trouble. Tests done after eating are referred to as postprandial readings, and they give us the best clues to how we're controlling our diabetes. Try to keep your readings under 140 (7.7)

A great website for information is BloodSugar101 . . . tons of good advice there & easy to navigate.

 

[onaughmae]

Hey everyone, on the heels of an already bad start of the day, I took the time to read a letter from my doctor from a physical I was coerced into taking. I have diabetes. It shouldn't come as much of a shock since my mother has it, but I've felt fine, and I feel fine. Being honest, I haven't had a physical in years, fearing this; opting instead to go the ostrich route of 'If I don't see it, it isn't there'. That worked out great.

You'd think my mother having it and me living with her I'd know more about it, but aside from her worrying about my weight we don't talk much about it. So, I have no clue about it, or what to do. For the last half hour I've looked up things about it, whether it's curable or not, and living with it. Dying with it. Dying FROM it. And to be honest it's done nothing but scare me. So, I figured rather than worry my mother more with the news I'd come here for some answers, advice, and...well anything really.

Between the bouts of crying I've been formulating a plan, or trying to; but I have nowhere to start. I'm not even sure if Im type I or II, the letter doesn't state. All I really have are a few questions that I'm sure most have when they first learn they have the big D.
I'd rather not have to prick myself or take shots since pain and needles are my kryptonite, is there a way to get to where Im not affected by it? It seems there's debate about it's curability/remission/stabilization/reversal so, what better place than here-or a doctors office-to get the information.
Thanks for reading my long winded post.

First of all...welcome to the forum

Second....deep breath Diabetes is a serious disease...that much is true...it is also one of the most manageable. It just takes some effort. You need to take it seriously. While you have felt fine...the increased blood sugar is slowly causing damage to your eyes, your nerves, your circulatory system, the list goes on. If you have caught yours before you have any complications...then that is an awesome thing! Did they tell you what your lab results were and what tests they did? That might help us answer some questions for you. I am assuming also that you have a follow up appointment at the doctor?
Until you see your doctor, there are a few things you can right away. First things first...go get a meter. There are lots to choose from. If you have to pay out of pocket and dont want to spend a lot...Walmart makes a perfectly good meter that I believe is around ten bucks. They make strips for it also. Dont forget to get lancets also. (sorry, there is no avoiding the finger sticks).
While you are waiting to see the doctor, you can start altering your diet a bit in the meantime and start learning what foods affect your blood sugar the most. I promise the finger sticking isnt that really. Honestly sometimes I dont even feel it anymore. One tip...read your manual carefully, and before you stick your finger wash your hands in very warm water, it will make your finger bleed easier and make getting a sample *way* less of a bother.

Now...food..gotta have it It isnt necessary to starve. If you need to lose a few pounds, this is a good time to do it. Losing any extra weight will lower your insulin resistance and make it easier to manage your blood sugar. Regular moderate exercise will also lower your insulin resistance and blood sugar. It isnt simply sugar that raises your blood sugar. It is carbohydrates that raise your blood sugar. So, simply cutting out sugar isnt going to work. You actually can have a bit of sugar..as long as you count it in with your carbs and make allowance for it. I mostly stick to sugar substitute because I would rather spend my carbs for something else Get your self a good carb counting book...or try looking at CalorieKing - Diet and weight loss. Calorie Counter and more for actual carb amounts in many foods. Cut back on anything white...those are your highest carbs. Potatoes, pasta, rice, bread, etc. You are better off with whole grains instead as they digest more slowly and dont spike your blood sugar as quickly.

There is a lot of good information on this board and please feel free to ask any questions you feel you need to...everyone is here to help other out. These things will help get you started until you find out what type you are and if you are going to need to be on any medication or not.

You arent alone

 

[lawprop]

Hi Hive Mind

Welcome to the friendly forum for Diabetics. If you haven't already done so it's worth reading through some of the older posts in this section of the forum.

You will see plenty of others who have been in exactly the same position as yourself, discovering how to gain control over the situation and start to feel positive again. It's not all doom and gloom as you will find out.

If you take this seriously and work at undersatanding diabetes you will have a long and much healthier life then if you hadn't found out. But you MUST take control of it.

You can do this.