Living with Diabetes

J. I am sorry about your loss, today is the 2 yr aniversary of my miscarriage at 9 weeks. The doctor could not tell me why I lost the baby even though I went in as soon as 5 weeks pregnant and was already taking prenatal vitamins. But to answer your ? about diabetes.
I have a family history of diabetes so you need to be seeing an Endocrinologist and not just a Primary care doctor. The Endocrinologist will makes sure you are taking the correct dosage of medicine/insulin and will help with a meal plan. You first need to stay away from too much starchy foods; white bread,pototoes, corn etc.
Old advice used to be fill up on carbs and you have sugar levels in the normal ranges. Finally they figured it out that it was causing most of the diabetic problems that can make having diabetes a pain in the butt.
My father is currently taking Glucophage and 2 different kinds of insulin. One is a longer lasting insulin and the other is for when his sugar level is too high it brings it down fast. His mom and her 12 brother and sisters all had diabetes and now out of her 5 children 2 have diabetes.
My chances are over 50% of getting it within the next 5 yrs. As I am 39 and it usually in their 40's when they got it. So I have already started taking starches out of my diet and trying to keep my weight down especially in the stomach area that's where you store the most fat.
I hope this helps, you can also go online and check with webmd.com and they have all kinds of articles and you can sign up for free newsletters to get more information. I hope I have not made you more nervous about having diabetes my grandma lived to be 83.
Sincerely, W. H.

I am so sorry that you lost your baby. Finding out about diabetes at the same time must make the situation feel even more depressing.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this summer and took a class thru a local hospital. The doctor prescribed the class and my insurance paid for it. Have you been able to take a class? It helped me a lot.

I don't know if any of this information will help you because I don't know what your weight, diet, and blood sugar levels are but I'll tell you my experiences.

I've found that diet and exercise does keep my sugar levels down. I focus on eathing protein and vegetables and limit the carbs to 45 g for each meal and no more than 15 g at 2 snacks/day. At first I looked the foods up on a chart listing the number of grams. Is that what you mean by changing your eating habits?

I also bought a book on the glycemic diet and learned that some carbs are digested differently. For example potatoes and rice have a higher index and therefore will be converted to more blood sugar than whole grains. I avoid any product made with white flour. I'm not fanatical about it.

I"ve also lost 15 lbs because I'm eating less. Weight loss also helps keep the blood sugars in the correct range. I was not noticeably overweight. I'm 5-6 and weighed 165. My goal is to get back to the 125 lbs. I weighed in my 20's.

I'm not on meds. My doctor also didn't seem concerned and I had to ask for the class. He told me that I could control it thru diet and exercise but didn't tell me how to do that. He did say that organ damage mostly ocurrs when the levels get above 140. sometimes mine get up to 150 or so and I know that it's because I've eaten too many carbs, probably sugar. The last time it hit 150 I'd had a curry dish which seemed OK because it contained sea food and lower carb veggies (no potatoes). A friend told me that sometimes they put sugar into curry. That's the only explaination I could find since otherwise I'd eaten the same things as usual.

I infreqently eat things containing sugar. I have diabetic friends who usually eat desert thinking that their meds will take care of the sugar. The meds don't and my friends always have blood sugar levels in the upper 100s and above 200.

I was told in the class that there is a new drug which is better at keeping levels low but I don't remember it's name. The nurse suggested that I could try it even tho I didn't otherwise need a medication.

As for exercise I walk. I park at the far edge of lots or a couple blocks away. And once or twice a week I walk to the mall and back which takes me 20 minutes or so each way. I also use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Having diabetes and consciously working on controlling blood subar levels does complicate one's life. It's not easy. I am less anxious now that I know that organ damage ocurrs over 140.

If your blood sugar levels are consistenly over 140 and the doctor still seems unconcerned I'd see a different doctor. You might need a different medication.

I hope that this helps some.

Get a new doctor! It is vitally important to keep your blood sugar steady and within a an acceptable range. When your blood sugar is high it damages your organs little by little. It affects your circulation especially the very small (micro) veins and arteries. Blood sugar that is out of control can lead to blindness because of the tiny vascular system in the eyes. Find a doctor that is very strict about your blood sugar levels and stays on you to do all the right things. I had gestational diabetes and I know it's no fun. Taking the diabetes class was very helpful even though I'm an RN and had lots of experience with diabetics. I'm so sorry about the loss of your baby. Once your sugars are under control you'll have a much better chance of having a healthy baby.

Best of luck,

B.

Hi J., my husband was diagnosed with diabetes in August of last year, to date his doctor is considering taking him off of his med's since his blood sugar is at or below average ( his blood sugar was 600 in Aug. of '05). The best thing he has done, plus what I have done for him is watch your sugar intake (duh) but really, I found sugar free ice cream at Smith's, sugar free candy, I use lean ground beef, skinless chicken, I use a grill sorta like a George Forman, I use low sugar everything, check out the labels, cuz some regular items some time have less sugar than the low sugar items, but than they are higher in calories, so it is a judgement call, mozzerella cheese has no calories, wheat bread is best, but remember moderation, eat small meals more often instead of 3 square meals, just remember all whites have sugar, your red potatoes have the least. I got my husband from a size 46 to a size 36 in about 5 months, plus he is walking over two miles a day, and he works graveyard. So put your heart and soul into getting your blood sugar down, and your stamina will rise incredibly!! Good Luck & Good Eating
D.

Get yourself the best book ever on what to eat for excellent restored health. It is calleda:"The Makers Diet". A man who nearly died wrote it. He is now the picture of health! Many people have asked me to read and follow it that are close to me. I ordered it from my local library. Good for 3 weeks and you can renew it too. I think this will solve your blood sugar imbalance... Jean

Hi J.,
My name is T. and I read your story and new I had to write you. I am a distributor for a health drink called MonaVie. Its made up of 19 different health promoting fruits(only 4 grams of sugar) Diabetics can take it and the responce is great! Its all natural! It is is helping so many diabetics lower their blood sugar, even their intake of insulin. The main ingredient is the Acai Berry, which studies are showing that it makes your body do what it is naturally supposed to do. (like regulate your blood sugar) If you want anymore information regarding MonaVie please call me or e-mail me anytime. ###-###-#### or ____@____.com or thegreatproduct.com/tina_quintana... Take Care, T. Q

hi J.. i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in July 03. i was very young (26) ok not very young. but still young. it runs in the family.
i'm still a big girl, though i did lose 20 lbs right after i was diagnosed by stopping cold turkey on drinking soda and sugar.
i keep very active. i haven't lost anymore weight as much as i try. but i remain very active all the same. that is one way i keep my sugar levels good.
i am able to eat just about anything. if i have dessert, i have a taste..it is satisfying instead of no you can't.
i was put on meds too.
so with the combination of eating right (i also eat about 5 meals a day...all small meals and 2 snacks--maybe 3 snacks depending on the day) exercise and activity, meds, and going to the doctor regularly i am doing really good.
heck, my mother eats better than i do and her sugar is high...it all depends on the person. just because it doesn't affect one person this way doesn't mean it wont affect you differntly...
best of luck to you..oh and the classes are great and very informative.

I have had type 2 ( controlled with insulin) for over 20 years-. Educate yourself now about the symptoms in YOUR body of highs, lows, what to do for them. Highs are not good in the long run- but lows are very dangerous right now -- - be SURE you always have some nasty cans of generic full-sugar soda that no one wants in the trunk and under the seat in the car - as when you are driving somewhere - is NO time for a low blood sugar - but it can surely happen. Since a low also means you need protein RIGHT NOW to keep the blood sugar up after the suggary whatever shoves it up, also keep some icky kind of protein( dollar store carries peanuts - and they are a great protein - ) -- I say carry stuff that's not appealing so your 8 year old doesn't want to use the supplies for snacks. :-) My nine year old grandson spends a lot of time with me - and knows the ''drill'' really well.

Blessings,
J.

Dear J. C,

please go to my website www.lifewave.com read on it and Y-AGE patch might be for you. this patch will change your life, am sure you have done research about diabetes. this is only a patch with some magical touch. you can ask the expert on our website about it. i just joined this for the money but now am realizing am spreading good deeds about this patch. i hate taking vitamins pills anymore. am a healthy conscious but not educated on details in health, meaning...i don't follow the system by the book nor measure what i eat. i only eat small amount and drink a lot of water. when you use patches it requires of drinking lots of water to stay hydrates.
click on the video and let me know if this is for you.

sincerely,
N.

Hi J.,
I had diabetes when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, it was rough and I know what you must be going through. I was diet controlled for a while and then I was unable to maintain the sugar levels and had to begin the insilin shots. It is extremely hard to manage it and your everyday life.

It seems as though you are taking the proper steps to control it, just make sure you never let it control you. It is very easy to get wrapped up in the disorder and put all your attention on it. YOu can manage both. Dont get discouraged it is nothing you cant handle.

Best of luck,
L.

J.,

I am sorry to hear about your situation. It must be especially hard when you feel that your doctor is not doing everything possible to help you on your health. Diabetes also runs in my family, I am starting to be proactive on taking care of my health as well as my family. I recently have found out about USANA products, they are the best supplements on the market, I truley beleive that they can help you, do some research on it, or contact me and I will be glad to help you with any questions you may have. Please understand that I am not tryin to sell you anything, I just want people like you to know that there is good stuff out there to help you with your situation, that is proven to make a difference on peoples health and overall wellbeing. Maybe you should find another doctor that is genuinly interested in your well being?, I can recommend my family doctor if you are interested. I hope that you found this advise helpful, please take care.