Found out 3 weeks ago im type 2 diabetic?!
Question: i found out i was type 2 diabetic 3 weeks ago when i was really really sick with the flu. my doctor put me on metformin 2 times a day. i have several doctors appointments coming up, but im full of questions. i dont know anyone who is diabetic to talk to or who can relate.
i just dont feel right. many of my flu symtoms were the same as the diabeties symtoms. im over the flu, but i dont know whats going on. im tired all the time. i feel weak when im usually pretty active and a busy body. i get horrible headaches almost everyday. im testing my blood sugar alot and keeping a journal. for the past couple weeks i havent seen a reading over 120. its usually in the 80's for the most part. my doctor said to watch carbs and try to limit to 45 carbs per meal. when i increase it to like 60 and my blood sugar is around 100-120 i feel better. is that a normal reading? is that ok to do?
if theres anyone out there who wouldnt mind adding me as a contact for help, please do. im so new at this.
Answers: i found out i was type 2 diabetic 3 weeks ago when i was really really sick with the flu. my doctor put me on metformin 2 times a day. i have several doctors appointments coming up, but im full of questions. i dont know anyone who is diabetic to talk to or who can relate.
i just dont feel right. many of my flu symtoms were the same as the diabeties symtoms. im over the flu, but i dont know whats going on. im tired all the time. i feel weak when im usually pretty active and a busy body. i get horrible headaches almost everyday. im testing my blood sugar alot and keeping a journal. for the past couple weeks i havent seen a reading over 120. its usually in the 80's for the most part. my doctor said to watch carbs and try to limit to 45 carbs per meal. when i increase it to like 60 and my blood sugar is around 100-120 i feel better. is that a normal reading? is that ok to do?
if theres anyone out there who wouldnt mind adding me as a contact for help, please do. im so new at this.
You're doing good. The carb restrictions are to control your blood sugar AND to help you control your weight. 60 carbs per meal is fine for a person who is at an optimal weight (although every person's situation should be considered individually) but the 45 carbs for you is probably best. Make sure you are eating more longer acting carbs like: brown rice rather than white or wheat bread instead of white, etc. Also, try to avoid processed sugar, and limit your natural sugars. Eat 1/2 of an apple with your meal rather than a whole one. 1/2 an apple is much better than the equivalent amount of unsweetened apple juice and the juice won't fill you up. You want to void spiking your blood sugar, that is why you want more complex carbs and less sugars.
Your reading seem great, basically from 80-120 is a good range for a diabetic. For non-diabetic people the range is actually from 70, so 80 is not really low. The reason that you are probably feeling bad at 80 is because your body has gotten used to having a higher glucose concentration in your blood. This is especially common in Type 2 diabetes, if you keep your blood sugars normal you should eventually get more accustomed to these lower readings. Check with your doctor and see what he/she says, you may be ok at 60 carbs per meal if you aren't that overweight and you make sure to do exercise, etc. But the 60 or 45 carbs for your meal is really kind of supposed to include any snacks that you take before the next meal. You want to avoid carb snacks between meals if you already ate your 60 carbs or try for really low carb snacks to minimize the impact. If you exercise then you will need to eat a snack to compensate for the drop in blood sugar that exercising would cause, so that is kind of a good reward system. If you exercise then you get to have a snack. ;)
Don't feel too bad about your diagnosis, your prospects are looking pretty good. I mean, your blood sugars are already regulated pretty well which is hard especially for Type 2s because you can be insulin resistant and then even taking insulin, etc has very little effect. The metformin seems to be working well. And Type 2 diabetes can be "cured' if you regulate your diet and exercise and get to a better body weight. You might be able to go off of the medicine. You will have to keep exercising/eating right/etc and keep yourself at a good body weight, but if you do you may be able to be med free. I am type 1 diabetic which means that my body makes no insulin, so I can't ever get off the insulin. So, although having diabetes sucks no matter what, you are not so bad off. My uncle has Type 2 but is now completely off meds and has it under control. Good luck!
By the way, I'm happy to be a contact if you want some support. My profile allows e-mail, so just add me or e-mail me if you want.
http://www.diabetes.com
Hopefully this helps
you answered your own question...when your sugar is closer to 100 you feel better...maintain that level...it is okay....the real number is that is important are your A1C levels, test that you do two or so times/year...should be lower than 6.5....as a new diabetic you are being a bit compulsive about readings and diets...that's okay but relax....follow dietitians guidelines...google diabetes and go to ADA.org site for info ...
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Hi friend, and I am adding you as a contact.
Please don't feel like the lone ranger in all of this. I had a mother in the previous century who was diabetic in the time of the Dark Ages! Before personal glucometers and frequent testing!!
Yes, you feel bad when the glucose numbers are going down. It takes a while for the Metformin to take full effect. It is a systemic drug and takes about 3 to 4 weeks to become fully effective. Until your bod gets used to being in lower glucose levels again, it is like having the flu.
I limit my grams of carb to no more than 30 per meal with 5 to 10 g of carb for snacking.
Books to get and read: "Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year" and "Atkins Diabetes Revolution".
I personally follow the South Beach Living phase 2 food plan. It helps a bunch with re educating the brain about what foods are good and what to delete from life.
Website for friendly people who will help you get on a good path (with all our rants too):
http://diabetes.about.com It is a free site, sign in and etc needed to post on the forum. Loads of help from people who have been through the wars and lived to maybe help others with our war stories.
Also try eatright .com, it has diabetic exchange lists[substituting like foods for others, like 8oz of milk=so much yogurt], among other things. The ADA site is great, and also try Medline, it has all kinds of info, too. Wikepedia is always good for a dictionary definition.
Yes, good, your sugars are good, keep them that way. Every diabetic is a little different, if you feel not so good at 80, eat a little bit more.
Here are the things the ADA recommends a diabetic do, ask your doctor what is right for you. Dentist, twice a year, to check your teeth and your gums. A dilated retinal exam[eye test where the doctor puts drops in your eyes so he can better see the back of your eye]. Diabetic testing at least twice a year that includes a hemoblobin A1c, and cholesterol testing the same, since cardiac disease and diabetes go hand and hand. Testing your urine for signs of kidney problems [a microalbumin test looks for protein in your urine, which can be an early sign of kidney problems. ] Neurological exam once a year, the doctor will look for decreased circulation and numbness, and you have to tell him if you get numbness or tingling in your toes, feet, fingers, or hands.
You will need to test your own blood sugar as your doctor instructs, check your own feet daily, watch your diet, and exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week, more as you are physically able to do.
And mind your feet! Every boo boo, bump, sore, wound, callus and blister puts you at great risk. Always wear shoes, socks, no sandles, no flipflops, sturdy slippers around the house. And treat all the above promptly, as soon as they show up. Never put lotion between your toes[it keeps the area too moist, and can cause infection].
Your doctor can refer you to a diabetic education program, a nutritionist, an endocrinologist[diabetic doctor] as needed. Call your local hospital to see if they have classes on diabetes.
And check your insurance policy and insurance benefits, and ask if they have a Wellness program, and if your policy includes it. CIGNA does, and it is great! Nurses call you at home to see if you're having any problems, and to remind you about testing, and explain and teach anything you do not know. Some policies have a 24 hour hotline with a nurse on the other end, if you have problems. Some even have stress/depression programs. Really cool that insurance companies have found that Wellness pays off, not only to the company, but to the members, too. An ounce of prevention now will save your life, lenghthens it, and gives you a quality life, and saves you a fortune in not having to pay copayments and for the things the policy doesn't coverfor treatments for uncontrolled diabetes symtoms, now and later in your life.
Good luck, and do your research.
The headaches are a side effect of your blood sugar coming down to within healthier ranges. That should go away after a while. Your body is so used to having high blood sugar, that it considers it "normal". Now that you are on metformin, your body interprets the lower blood sugar as too low. Its not, but your body doesn't know that.
I know it sounds strange, but its not unusual at all. I felt really lousy for the first month or two, but once my body adjusted to the new blood sugar levels I started to have a lot more energy. My mom had the same problem too.
For snacks, have about 15 grams of healthy carbs, with either a protien or a fat. If you like peanut butter, a whole grain cracker with peanut butter is an excellent snack. Try to use a peanut butter with no added sugar. Count the carbs and keep them under 15 for each snack. Another one is multigrain crackers and very low fat cream cheese, or cheese with a bit of fruit.