Hello I'm new and don't know what to do

Theresa · #1 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 08:19 PM

Yesterday my doctor told me I was diabetic and needed to lower my cholesterol. She handed me the printout of my blood work and a food pyramid and told me to diet and exercise and she would see me in 6 months and if it wasn't better she would put me on medication. Oh she also told me to start taking 1000mg of Omega 3 and work up to 4000mg. I started taking it yesterday. I am so confused on what to eat and what not to eat. Today I had low sugar oatmeal for breakfast, for snack a banana, lunch was a tossed salad with 1 slice of turkey and low fat dressing, snack was another banana then for dinner 2 oz polish sausage and a toss salad snack a piece of sugar free whole wheat toast with a 1/2 tsp of light margerine Any suggestions?

owlyn · #2 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 08:24 PM

Suggestion #1: Find a new doctor immediately. This doctor has sent you away ill-prepared to deal with a life-changing condition. You should have been offered a class, to be sent to a dietician, and a visit in 3 months, not 6.

GeishaGirl · #3 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 08:26 PM

You should also look into getting yourself a glucometer (blood tester) so you can keep an eye on yourself. And yes, find yourself a new doctor immediately. That was the biggest brush-off I've ever seen in a doctor.

If possible, find an endocrinologist.

jillrapp · #4 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 08:29 PM

I agree, a lot can happen in 6 months, and nothing good might happen without further information for you. Do you know what your HbA1c was? Most here eat between 90-150 carbohydrates per day - read your food labels on everything you eat, breads, rices, potatoes - really any white food will probably spike your blood sugar.

Right now, you need a new doctor, or ask your doctor for a glucose meter, a prescription for testing strips with the ability to test at least 4 times/day. Depending on what your A1c was, you might need to start medication asap. Please provide us with more info and everyone here will do all they can to help!

cyberus · #5 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillrapp

I agree, a lot can happen in 6 months, and nothing good might happen without further information for you. Do you know what your HbA1c was? Most here eat between 90-150 carbohydrates per day - read your food labels on everything you eat, breads, rices, potatoes - really any white food will probably spike your blood sugar.

Right now, you need a new doctor, or ask your doctor for a glucose meter, a prescription for testing strips with the ability to test at least 4 times/day. Depending on what your A1c was, you might need to start medication asap. Please provide us with more info and everyone here will do all they can to help!

What jill said !!!!!!!!!!

And as a side note ... if that doc is being paid by insurance someone needs to have a chat with the insurance company, letting your condition go basically untreated until you need serious treatment should be him on a blacklist IMO

BigcityRich · #6 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 08:44 PM

You have just been diagnosed with a serious chronic medical condition and to get a brush off like that is just crazy.

You need to get treatment now! This forum is a great resource and will be of great value.

I agree that you need a class and a glucometer. Start learning how foods effect your sugars. You need to see a doc that will take the condition seriously and be proactive with treatment.

Good luck, and welcome!

mzteacher · #7 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 10:15 PM

theresa...
welcome....seems like you have been getting good advice already....like you i found this forum right around diagnosis...so breathe!!! come here often and read....and take good care of yourself.... it is a huge shock to be diagnosed....there is much to learn and luckily many great people to inform and inspire you here....
good luck as you start this journey...and i am very sorry that you have to deal with this...
be well...
susan

shutterbug · #8 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 04:54 AM

Theresa,

First thing you need is a glucometer. You need to test yourself at least fasting sugar and 2 hr after (exactly 2hr after first bite) meals. I'm surprised that your doc didn't give you a free meter or ask you to buy one. How did your doc find out that you are diabetic? Did your blood work results contained HbA1c test result? If yes, how much was it?

You have to avoid high carb items (including bananas). White bread, white rice etc are high in carb. Choose multi-grain and whole grain products. Replace morning cerials with eggs and sausage etc. If possible, see a nutriotionist or a dietician.

Tattoo azz · #9 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 05:09 AM

Get a meter from your current doc, then change to new one and get an endochrinologist and a dietician. Welcome to df, we are all after the same thing, good control and a healthy lifestyle..
good luck
Azz

xMenace · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutterbug

You have to avoid high carb items (including bananas). White bread, white rice etc are high in carb. Choose multi-grain and whole grain products. Replace morning cerials with eggs and sausage etc. If possible, see a nutriotionist or a dietician.

I don't advocate 'avoiding' carbs, especially good ones like fresh fruit and whole grains. But you should definately cut way back on them. Many of us believe insulin is the primary fat trigger, and carbs cause insulin releases. Low-fat-is-bad is looking more and more like bad science. Definately cut out all HFCS and eat real foods. Eat real butter and good fats, scrap the margarine (plastic).

Watch my videos below.

Google 'Gary Taubes' and find some of his vedeos/podcasts.

Visit David Mendosa: A Writer About Diabetes

BrianSCohen · #11 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 05:56 AM

Theresa,

Welcome to the forums. You have found a really good community. I know that everything is confusing, but you will figure things out. A good resource is Blood Sugar 101 (nospam). People often recommend this book Amazon.com: The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The): Gretchen Becker. I really don't know your medical particulars, but you are to be commended for getting right on top of this. Your doctor may be a great find or a bozo, I can't say. I had elevated fasting blood sugars for quite a while and my doctor just said "we will keep an eye on it." Well of course I actually had diabetes for some time.

As others have said, your primary treatment will be diet and exercise. You'll need a meter to see how foods affect your blood sugar. Not to spoil the ending of the movie, but it turns out "carbohydrates raise your blood sugar." You'll need to learn what foods contain carbs and how you react to them. I'll tell you right off, sugar, flour, potatoes, rice, flour, pasta - carbs. Bananas - unfortunately carbs. Most fruits - moderate carbs. Protein - no carbs. Fat - no carbs.

Your cholesterol is not your issue at this time. Cholesterol imbalances are often caused by high blood sugars. Ignore your cholesterol, get your blood sugar in order, then you can see if you need or wish to do something about cholesterol. As you learn more, you will find that there are many people that really do not believe cholesterol is a problem (particularly for women).

princesslinda · #12 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 06:05 AM

Welcome Theresa! Glad you found the forums. You've been given lots of great advice already...I second the recommendation of the Gretchen Becker book, its full of information in an easy to read format.

I encourage you to test often. If you test 2 hrs after your first bite of food, you'll learn how different foods affect your blood sugar, and be able to make smarter food choices. By doing this, i've found I can tolerate a small banana, but grapes send my blood sugars through the roof....if I hadn't tested, I wouldn't have know this. When first diagnosed, I kept a food journal, listing everything I ate along with the corresponding blood sugars. Before too long, I had several blood-sugar friendly meals, and it was easier to pack my lunch or eat out.

At diagnosis, I was given the blood sugar goals of 110 or less fasting level, and 140 or less 2 hrs after first bite.

Also, exercise is very important.

Look around the forums, read a lot of the old posts, ask lots of questions and learn all you can about this new chapter in your life. Diabetes can be managed, and you can have the long and happy life you deserve.

And do think about finding a doctor who is more involved with your health.

kgm0612 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 06:42 AM

HI Theresa & Welcome. The posters before me all gave good advicem so I will not add anything to it.

Karen

Theresa · #14 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 05:14 PM

Thank you Everyone - WOW alot to digest (no pun intended). I actually just switched to this doctor and this was my first visit with her after our initial interview. Here are the #'s I was given Glucose 132 A1C 6.3 Chlolesterol 214 Triglycerides 224 HDL 30 LDL 139 I just want to thank everyone again for the warm welcome - I did order a glucometer so hopefully
I can start testing soon.

jerryn · #15 (**permalink**) 09-17-2008, 05:30 PM

Theresa An A1C of 6.3 isn't too bad, Your chloresterol is high. I think the reason why your Dr. Wants to see how you are in 6 months is to see if you improve by eating healthy. 6.3 is prediabetic I believe.. so excercise, walk, eat lower carbs. I eat Kaschi meals and that helps me.. you will find that in the frozen foods section.

Google the Glycemic Index and print that out. Use it to plan your meals. Eat lower carbs

My A1C was 10.3 when I was diagnosed.

Let me put it this way. My A1C is 6.8 now and my goal is to reach 6.5 so I can get off the meds.