Seeking Advice on Anyone with Diabetes

Hello S.,
I am 46 and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 6 yrs ago. When the Dr I had at that time diagnosed me, I did not feel that the she was taking it as serious as she should have..She had been treating me for a couple of years or so and I was starting to have some complications. after seeing what my dad had gone through, thought that I needed to change Drs. I found one that specializes in Diabetes. The Dr I have now is VERY strict with me. She had me in tears at first. She right away put me on a diet. She stressed the importance of losing weight. Something the other Dr only suggested. I had been on lots of diets. I would lose weight and gain it back. She put me on a diet pill to help(phentermine). She said it would be good to try it, and lose some weight. I was put on a drug called Metforman. Its a pretty common drug for Diabetes. She said that will also help me to lose weight. I am also now having to inject myself . Not insulin . Its a new type of Diabetes med. I have heard and seen lots of folks that have lost their leg or legs due to diabetes..Its a serious disease. Needs to be taken seriously. I know I sound harsh, but, I am the type of person that ya gotta kick me in the butt a little. That is what it took for me. I just take it day by day. I wont lie. Its hard, there are so many temptations.I wish you lots of luck. There are some good support groups out there. If you live in the St.Louis area , I can recommend for you the name of my Dr. Take care..Cyn

Hey S.! I just wanted to let you know that I have a lot of testimonies from others who have diabetes. I would be more than happy to share with you what has worked for them if you would like me to. Just send me a personal note and I would be more than happy to email them to you.

Cindy
Work At Home United
www.2abetterlife.com
www.2liveabetterlife.com
____@____.com

I am not diabetic...but I do have health issues that are directly related to my diet...high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I found a fantastic website on line that has really been extremely helpful to me. It is called Spark People. It is absolutely free...and just stuffed full of valuable resources. There are hundreds of "forums" that you can pick and choose from....join as many or as few as you want...they have so many different topics...some related to health issues ( diabetes has a lot of groups", some for young mothers, some for retirees, or some based on where you live...there are also wonderful recipes, exercises, a food journal, too much other stuff to mention here.
You can find it at Sparkpeople.com hopefully it will encourage you on the road to good health!!
R. Ann

I encourage you to follow what your dr says. My husband has Type 2 Diabetes & has now for several years. He too uses pills instead of shots. Most hospitals offer some time with a Diabetes dietitian & again, I would highly recommend going & learning. There are so many ways to cut back on the sugars & carbs, which are usually more of problem then the sugar itself. Using whole wheat- anything white is likely not good for you, but moderation in the white foods are still workable. So we cut back on potatoes, rice, breads & pasta. The dietitian will show you what a portion is of each of the different foods & that's really the key. My 2 sons have Type 1 Diabetes & they are both good at portion controlling, keeping their carbs within the range. You can live a long life with Diabetes. The fact that you are already starting an exercise program shows that you are willing to do whatever it takes, so you will succeed! Good luck!

S., I am a distributor of First Fitness International which is a detrox and weight loss program. I have many customers and friends who have tackled their weight loss and dibetics control with this program. If you are interested, I will be glad to talk to you. My number is ###-###-####. You can check the company out at www.firstfitness.com If you are interested in ordering anything, my distributor number is 12982801.

My personal testimony is: I lost 10 lbs in 10 days and continued to lose 25 lbs in two months. It's been 4 months that I have been on the program and have been able to maintain my weight lost. You will have to make your mind up to make a lifestyle change. I know you can do it because I did.

I'll be glad to talk with you

PEACE
C.

You are getting such a good start to control this. Good for you. With the oral meds and diet control you may never have to go on insulin. Exercising and eating right will help you feel much better and keep your glucose (sugar) levels undercontrol. Please follow your plan and work with the doctor and dietician. I know someone that I love dearly that did not stay on thier meds and will not watch what they eat and has to take insulin and a ton of other pills as well. Just keep up the good work and remember that you can do this and be proud of yourself for taking control of your health. If you have a bad day that is okay and get right back in the groove. Good for you!!!

S.,
I got diagnosed with Type II in August 08. Everyone on my Mother's side of the family had it so it was not a real surprise, whoever I turned 62 in June 08 and neither my sister or I had any problems before.
I decided I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren born and grow up so I had to make some drastic changes in my life.
I read this book: BARNARD, NEAL D., MD; ”DR. NEAL BARNARD’S PROGRAM FOR REVERSING DIABETES”;(C) 2007, RODALE BOOKS, NY.
From what I learned in it and others I've read I gave up all meat, fish, pork, chicken, turkey and sugar. If you write me off line I will send you and article from the wellness group I joined which list all the things processed sugar does to your body including causing cancer and diabetes.

I have lost 17 pounds in 2 1/2 months! And I don't miss any of the food. I am even changing my husband and son's diet because they want to try some of my veggan stuff.
Everytime I look at something like Wal-Mart's drummettes I visualize how the animal fat cells are clogging up my cells so I can't process gluocose properly. It works every time.
Do what you need to do and you might just be able to reverse your diabeties! Good Luck!

Attitiude is EVERYTHING!!! Your positive attitude will take you so far. When my husband and I started eating healthier we decided it had to become a lifestyle change...NOT a temporary diet plan. Now, we don't even miss the junk. Everyone in my husband's family is diabetic and we don't want that for him OR our son, so we eat healthy, and exercise, as a family and we can only hope it makes a difference. Plus, it will make you that much better of a role model for your children. I wish you the best!!

Good Morning S., What a Blessing, to finally know what has been going on. You have taken the first step after discovering the problem, and that's your Great Spirit and Attitude!! aWOWsome
Your willingness to follow through & get started is amazing. WTG
Praying for you and Know you will do amazingly Great!!!

God Bless you S.

K. Nana of 5

Ask your doctor if the medication they have put you will make you gain weight. I was put on one that made me gain 20 pounds and it made me give up on losing weight. A friend of mine told me about the meds and how some of it will make you gain. ask alot of questions.

I just learned I have early diabetes, 6 months ago. Type 2 is a disease alot of people can CONQUER! Don't let everyone scare you to death. Your weapon is knowledge, diet, exercise, and monitor your sugars!! I cringed that your doctor just slapped you on diabetic meds before trying diet first. Those drugs tend to be pretty toxic, but it just depends on your sugars. Most of us are sugar gluttons until we LEARN what we are doing to our blood sugars by what we put in our mouth. And don't fall for the lie that sugarless pop, candy, etc. is a substitute; it's bad for you too. Just get used to healthier eating. I completely reversed the progression of the disease by diet, exercise and monitoring. I know the ladies below have some good offers of various products out there, and they can help too, but you must start with a change in lifestyle first.

I can tell you since I cut out the simple sugars and got exercise, I feel 100% better! Less infections, more energy, less yeast infections, better digestion, etc. My biggest complaint is how it has already affected my vision. So refuse to surrender, and take charge of your life! You go, girl! It was a gift, to find out why you have been sick - be glad! Now you can get ammo to fight it!! Good luck!! PS - have your doctor enroll you in a diabetes education program immediately.

Isn't it funny how we need a wake up call to make us think of taking care of our bodies. Mine was in 2004 when I was diagnosed with diabetes. It runs in my family so I wasn't too shocked. I also was in a funk b/c we moved here and didn't have any friends and gained weight really fast. I too started out on just oral meds, but now take Byetta (a shot)also. The reason is I didn't listen to my doctor or take my meds like I should have. Please, S., listen to your doctor and diatician and head their advice and treatment. Good for you wanting to lose the weight to help you. Find a friend to workout with so you can stay motivated. I have since lost weight and am continueing to do so just so we can get "a raise" when I don't have to take as many meds as I am now. I'm glad you have a great attitude about the whole thing. Keep that up. Good luck and God Bless.
P.S. I, like you, have a huge sweet tooth, and one way I stay away is get them out of site. My kids love candy every now and then so it is not completely out of the house, which is good too, but if I don't see it, I don't think about it and therefore don't eat it. Christmas is really hard and I back slid some, but with the sweets not around anymore and out of sight, it is much better. The sugar free candy taste good and if you need a fix, get some of that instead.

My name is R. Jackson and I help people with diabeties using diet and nutrition, a friend of mine introduced me to this site because she saw your post and new I could help you. Are you local to Springfield area? If you want some more information I'd be happy to send you some email links or call me at ###-###-####. I know this is a difficult illness to deal with, but it sounds like you have type 2, which can be corrected with diet. Anyway, I hope I can help you. Lord Bless!

Hi S., My name is R. and I was Diagnosed with Diabetes last June. And I'll tell ya, you seem to be taking it better than I did at first. But since then I have come to realize that it saved my life. It takes a bit of getting used to, but your eating habits and exercise program will become habit before you know it. When you talk to your doctor, do not let him/her tell you how to deal with it. Walk in there with the attitude you showed in your post. Unfortunately, I have found that some doctors do not want to see us improve. When you go to see your diabetic educator, take a notebook, take notes and ASK QUESTIONS.. it is your life that is on the line now, so make sure you understand everything... that is what they are there for... so hold them to it. But by far the best advice I can tell you is to check out www.dlife.com it has forums and information that has been invaluable to me. I look forward to hearing from you and how you are doing, and please feel free to call on me at anytime. Good Luck

R. Foster www.abetteru.2freedom.com

Hi S.,

I do not have diabetes BUT I was on my way b/c I have been hypoglycemic my whole life. I have been on a health treatment for my pancreas (diet) for a month and a week. I am doing great! This "Diet" has been proven to alliminate certain cases of diabetes, cause of disese and many other things. I am on it to prevent diabetes, stroke and heart attack from happening. I have been 220lbs since I have had my kids and I am top heavy which is much harder on my heart. I have never been able to loose the weight until now. I have lost 26 pounds since I started and when I am finished I will not have to worry about yo-yoing with my weight. As long as you do it correctly, it is the last "diet " you will ever be on. I have to say, the first 2 weeks were VERY hard for me! It ranges for everyone 2 days to 2 weeks. But it is well worth it in the longs run. I want to see my grandchildren! :o)

For women, you loose 3-7 lbs per week...except during your period, our bodies are made to retain everything so at most, you can loose 2 lbs.

It is called Ideal Protien, it's not too much and it's not too little protien.

The only ones that I know that conduct this is my Dr. in Olathe, KS and another one in Witchita, KS. I know there are more, I just don't know where they are located.
I would be happy to tell you more about it if you would like to know.

Since 2002, i've been battling Gestational Diabetes and being pre-diabetic. In 2006 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Since then, i've lost about 25 pounds, just to see it get gained back - in a good way, i am pregnant and due any day now. I am on both oral and injectible, but we will see what happens to my blood sugars once i deliver the baby. I am hoping because I have maintained a healthy lifestyle and kept fit throughout the pregnancy that my blood sugar numbers will go back to normal on their own.

Walking is a great start. Make sure you get 30 minutes of cardio a day. If you can not fit it into one 30 minute block, break it out into three 10 minute blocks. Just as effective.

Drink 8 glasses of water a day. This will to keep your kidneys healthy. Also, ice water will burn more calories.

Good luck and keep that positive attitude!

I'd highly recommend reading any of the books by Rachel and Richard Heller on carbohydrate addiction. It was an eye opener for me! My daughter has insulin resistance which could lead to diabetes and this explained so well how your body is wired into the cravings. The doctors we've seen have pretty much said, eat less, exercise more but its frustratingly difficult when your body is working against you with the intense cravings. These books show you how to pair proteins with carbs and choose the right carbs so that you get your body off the cravings. Good luck! :)

http://www.amazon.com/Carbohydrate-Addicts-Diet-Lifelong-...

Greetings S., I too have been diagnosed with adult onset diabetes. I was very alarmed about this, my dad had diabetes, and I saw the toll that took on his body. But, it's a new world, with new means of treatment. You are on the right track, get good counsel, and don't lose hope. When I met with a dietician, I was pleasantly surprised with all the changes in the diabetic diet now. She expressed to me that NOTHING is taboo, just all things in moderation. I do a lot of carb counting, and try to get more exercise, but overall, my life has not changed that much. I just have to be a little more organized, and plan my daily meals and snacks ahead of time. I am nearly 60 years old, so change is tough for me, but so is life!!! I only wish my Dad had had the choices I have today. Let us all pray for a cure for diabetes, but in the mean time, we just follow instructions and do the best with what God has given us. Good luck, D.

Hello S.,

My name is M. Orth. I’m sorry to hear of your diagnoses. They say diabetes will be the number one killer by the year 2010. Have you thought about using nutrition to help battle this disease? My husband Sonny and I are part of a wonderful company that is helping people and changing lives everyday. Just this past November they came out with a product geared for diabetes, but has ended up helping with so much more such as metabolic syndrome. They did a clinical study and not only did they loose an average of 16#, they reduced their blood sugar by 30% in 8 weeks. It is really awesome. I am sure that this would help you also. We can connect with people who have had tremendous results. If you would like more information, please contact us.

Home phone: 1-###-###-####
Cell phone: 1-###-###-####
E-mail address: ____@____.com

Have a wonderful day.
M.

Hi my name is D.. I am 52 yrs old found out about 2 yrs ago I to have diabetes- it came as no surprise siblings also have it. Hang in there do what your Dr says, keep track of your blood sugars. take the diabetes course if offered. It really helped me.