Just what I needed....

[Together4ever 1]

As if knowing that you've put on 60 pounds since you landed in the US wasn't bad enough, it feels REALLY, REALLY good to find out that you've given yourself Type II diabetes to go along with it. Add to that the fun of moving house and not knowing how you're going to pay the rent, work stress and taking your driving test in the afternoon (in the rain at school kicking out time) and my goodness, doesn't it make for a great Thursday.

Does anybody have any experience in dealing with diabetes on a day to day basis? I mean, I'm searching online and it's telling me to lose weight, exercise more, stop eating potatoes, hunt for low GI foods and stop smoking, and that all sounds pretty sucky to me. But how does diabetes impact your life in real terms?

I'm not expecting them to amputate from the neck down tomorrow or anything, right?!

Definitely follow your doctor's instructions. This can lead to decreased blood flow to extremities, difficulty in healing wounds, and can adversely affect your eyesight (among other things) if you don't alter your lifestyle. Not a judgement call here, just what I know from experience.

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

I didn't realize you could "give yourself" diabetes by gaining weight. Is that really how it works? I always thought diabetes was genetic, but I definitely don't keep up to date on the health news front...

Sorry to hear!

Well as my doctor says: Genetics Loads the gun But our lifestyles pull the trigger.

Check out his website: www.drfuhrman.com

[Aymerlu 3]

I've had diabetes since I was 23. It runs in my family so it was only time till I got it. What I do now.....I exercise, take a walk, weights, some type of low impact exercise after I eat meals. I try to go lower carb, not really NO carb, just low carb and the carbs I do eat are healthy carbs. I eat whole grain breads when I eat bread, whole grain pastas, brown rice, etc. Had to stop drinking all my beer too. NOTHING from a box anymore. Said bye-bye to tuna helpers, hamburger helpers, etc. It's a life change and it's NOT easy. I still have my days that I just have to go and have my ice cream and cake........then I go walking. I have been on medication before, and insulin, but by losing 20 pounds and exercising a little, I have been able to go off all medication. I want to add that I DO NOT exercise a lot, I really try to exercise more, but I'm not much of an exercising person. I would suggest maybe talking to a nutrition specialist who can tell you how many carbs you can have each day, food choices, etc.

Long term affects on uncontrolled diabetes are many. Kidney disease, heart disease along wtih many, many more. Keep your cholesterol and triglycerides in check too. I know it is devestating when you hear these words, but life isn't over. You can do this!

[Nikita2Charles 32]

I have a friend who had diabetes as a result of weight gain, he got to the point where he was prescribe prescription glasses, once he made to decision to watch his diet, He loves sweets, chocolate and all, he lost some weight then one day he forgot his glasses only 20min into the drive he realized he can see without glasses, his vision came back. It's possible to REVERSE the effect. start slow, nothing major just a brisk walk in the evening specially with summer about to start, watch your diet and sorry to Say it GOTA drop smoking. Good luck and take care of yourself

[thndrdancr 0]

Mainly, its about CHOICES, and discipline, extreme discipline. Its tough. But by choices, I mean, if you decide to eat 1/2 potato, then DONT eat a small desert. Usually you can have two green veggies, or one green veggie and a salad aside from the meat, and it all depends on how high your sugar is before you eat.

If my sugar is high, before lunch, then I know I better just stick to a salad with some ham or chicken chopped up in it, and thats it.

If they are real low before hand, then I can get away with loading up, and even a sweet. Its important to take those sugar levels a lot to begin with, to kind of know how different foods affect you. Each person is affected a bit differently. Oh, and if you must have a cake or some such, angel food is much better for you than regular.

And even tho fruits and juices raise your sugars, dont cut them out, they ARE good for you. Good luck.

[ktun 0]

My husband is Diabetic Type II and it is hard to keep his blood sugar down despite medication. He often gets numbness in his hands and feet, poor circulation, his eye-sight went from perfect to needing glasses within 3 months (that was before he was diagnosed 3 years ago) He doesn't have a problem with his weight, being at the correct weight for his height or slightly below. However, he loves things like soda, pancakes with syrup, chocolate, which of course doesn't help keep the sugars under control. Apart from having a very sweet tooth, he does eat a fairly balanced diet. They did a blood test last month to see how his sugars have been over a certain period of time and the doctor said that it might be time to increase the medication dose or look at insulin.

If you manage to keep your blood levels under control, there is no need to panic about having this diagnosis. You found out in time and that is the most important thing. My grandmother was also diabetic and found it easy to keep her levels under control. She even found diabetic chocolate at a health food or supplement store, so she treated herself from time to time.

Good luck

Kate

[Reba 2]

I know quite a few people who are type II diabetic, and are managing quite well with diet and pills alone. IF they stick to the diet their doctor gives them, and watch what they eat. Its not hard really, you just have to spend a bit of extra time in the grocery store reading labels and sugar levels in foods.

When a friend of mine was recently diagnosed, she said she couldn't Believe the sugar levels even in Yogurt! She thought yogurt was good for you. And it can be, but you have to read the ingredients. Eating yogurt can also help you lose weight, if it doesn't have too much sugars in it.

Recent studies have shown that cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar levels http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4413

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhea.../a/cinnamon.htm

And cinnamon is Yummy!

And watch out for the dreaded High Fructose Corn Syrup! Its in everything, and I highly suspect a major contributor to the rising rates of diabetes in this country. Nasty nasty stuff

I've read some articles that diabetes can be reversed just by watching your diet, losing weight and regular light exercise.

You can do it! I kinda get the feeling you're rather stubborn and won't let this get ya down

[TracyTN 237]

Wow clmarsh, it definitely sounds like you are not alone. I'm sure that doesn't comfort you a whole lot, but it does sound like you can get a lot of support here!

[Kajikit 65]

Sweety, you did not 'give yourself' diabetes. It doesn't work that way. If it's any consolation to you - there is evidence that type 2 diabetes often CAUSES weight gain, rather than being caused by it. You didn't get diabetes just because you put on too much weight - you gained weight because your pancreas was going screwy and reacting badly to carbs/sugars and especially to all the corn syrup and carbs in the average American diet.

If your sugars are way out of control, don't let your doctor say 'you need to control your diet better' - demand medication to help. Metformin is a medication that greatly improves your bodys insulin reaction and it's a blessing to type 2 diabetics, people who are insulin-resistant, and people who have anything going on with their pancreas/hormones.

Also, since you're a fairly young woman whos gained weight VERY fast and had these issues, get your hormones tested ASAP. To me, your symptoms are just screaming PCOS and you might have other issues going on besides the diabetes.

As for food, it sounds like you really know what you have to do. Low-carb is the way to go, but not NO-carb. The Atkins diet puts a strain on your kidneys and liver and they're already having a hard time because of the diabetes and all the sugar they have to process. Try to find out which foods are low-GI because they don't spike your bloodsugar - it takes longer to process them and longer for them to 'wear off'. The only real way to find out how foods affect you is to eat a bit of them and test your bloodsugar and see if they give you a spike. If not, then your body is handling them... some people are fine with high-fibre pasta, but others can't touch the stuff with a ten-foot-pole, and so on. It all depends on your metabolism, and everyone is different.

And remember, just because something says 'sugar-free' that doesn't make it a good food. Sugar-free cakes and sweets will still affect your bloodsugars and weight because they are made with flour etc. They're an aid to eating what seems like a 'normal diet', and an occasional treat, not a staple of a healthy diet.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

My grandma had diabetis since she was in her early 40's. She'll be 88 in a few months and is still a pretty active person enjoying her yardwork and her walks in the mornings and afternoons. She's been very disciplined with her diet and physical activities as long as I can remember.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

[Welshcookie 17]

Sweety, you did not 'give yourself' diabetes. It doesn't work that way. If it's any consolation to you - there is evidence that type 2 diabetes often CAUSES weight gain, rather than being caused by it.

ummm....can you point us to this 'evidence'?

Actually lifestyle/diet is very much a factor in developing type 2....hence the increase in the western world.

http://www.mamashealth.com/Diabetes2.asp

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000313.htm

if diabetes is a factor within your family you should be keeping a check on your weight and lifestyle IMO

[sarah and hicham 3]

I'm sorry to hear this.

I don't know much about diabetes but I know that weight is a major issue. My Mom just recently told me that my Great Uncle had diabetes and he eventually had his leg amputated and he went blind. I'm not trying to scare you at all and I don't know about different types of diabetes but just be careful and get healthy. That will give you something positive to do and by losing weight and stopping smoking you will feel better and be more healthy. Good luck and hang in there

Sarah

[Lou Lou 1]

I was a boderline diabetic for many years until I changed my diet, exercise and stopped smoking. I've been following Atkins for over 6 years with no ill affects apart from keeping me healthy. No, it is not a NO carb diet, it is low carb. For anyone that has read the book properly it consists of lots of healthy veggies and fruits every day. Basically I don't eat anything sweet or drink any sodas. I just don't have a sweet tooth anymore. I eat a HUGE salad and a HUGE plate of veggies every day along with some fruit and home made yoghurt. We don't have any sugar in the house in any form. We don't buy any packaged convenience foods and eat from scratch. We never eat at chain restaurants (ugh, the salt!) and have a treat now and again at a quality place. Saves a whole lotta money too. We grow our own salad and veggies throughout the summer so we know we're getting the highest quality stuff. I bike everywhere in the summer, ski in the winter, and walk everywhere else when possible. Since following this regime my cholesterol has been perfect all along, BP is perfect along and sugar numbers perfect. It's not boring living this way - we love being healthy

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I am type 1 diabetic and while the causes are different than type 2, the results are often the same. In addition to some of the good advice you have already received ( counting carbs, low glycemic index foods, losing weight, exercise, etc.) the more you learn about this disease the better you are able to control it. There are two choices - it controls you, or you control it - and knowledge is control. Weight gain often triggers type 2 diabetes because it can be compared to a small engine trying to power a big car - the bigger the car the harder the engine has to work and the less efficient it becomes. Lose the weight and the pancreas becomes more efficient. The body usually isn't able to process insulin effectively with type 2 diabetes which means insulin is often not properly utilized or recognized by the body even though there is lots of insulin available. Medications (not insulin) are aimed at helping the body to recognize its own insulin or to use it better, so if you are prescribed medication, do take it. Sometimes taking extra insulin through injection becomes necessary as well for type 2 diabetics.

Become a label reader. 15 grams of carbohydrates equals one serving - which equals about 1 slice of bread. Work with your doctor or a dietician to determine how many servings - grams - of complex carbohydrates (grains, beans, etc.) you require at each meal; how many grams of simple carbohydrates (potatoes, fruits, sugars); how many grams of protein, and fat you need. If you eat a simple carbohydrate (a piece of fruit) combine it with protein and or a fat to slow down its metabolism. This will help to prevent a quick rise in blood sugars.

Get in touch with the American Diabetes Association. Many clinics offer free education meetings to help you learn about managing your condition and can also provide you with a valuable support system because even with the best efforts things like stress or monthly hormonal fluctuations can have an effect on your blood sugars.

Most importantly, be positive and nurturing to yourself. If you smoke, stop because smoking restricts blood vessels and diabetes can also cause blood vessels to narrow. Exercise regularly - it doesn't have to be strenuous - just walking every day or doing housework counts as exercise. Be good to yourself and know that this isn't the end of life as you know it. Things will change, but a diabetic diet is actually very healthy and not that difficult to maintain once you get used to it. You will find as you learn more about what you can do to control this that you empower yourself. Complications develop when blood glucose levels are too high. The more you do to help maintain them - and you can do this - you may even find yourself healthier than before you had diabetes. Good luck!

Edited June 8, 2006 by Kathryn41