The verdict is in

[Rainsunbow]

Well.....

I went to the doctor today and he said I'm a T2, if you remember I didn't know in my previous post. I have to keep a food diary for two weeks. It's no problem, but, I really wanted to start eating right today. He put me on Avandament, he said if I work hard I can get off of it. Do any of you have experience with this drug? Do you like it?

Leigh

[rzrbks]

Rainsunbow ,

I'm an insulin poker all the way, so, no I don't know about Avandament. But you GO!

Work on the things that the Dr. said and get off all the Meds. That would be great.:D

[mg_2204]

Hello Leigh!

Never had Avandament but was briefly on Diamicron. I'm T2 like you (since 94) and diet controlled. I am doing exceptionally well this year I must say. Keeping my fingers crossed. I did work hard though...

Are you supposed to eat like you're used to and keep a diary of that? Or are you supposed to follow a given diet and keep track of that? I did both actually. One was to find out where I was doing it all wrong, the other to find out if I could stick to a particular diet.

I'm glad your in good hands.

Marie
:)

[HeatherP]

Sorry to hear the diagnosis, Leigh. But, it could be worse - you could be a "poker" like Rzrbks and me!

Is the doc sending you to a CDE/dietician or is he going to handle you by himself? I'd recommend a CDE, but you do what you think is best. I'm glad to hear that you may be able to get off the meds, that's good news. There's plenty of us here and we've all been through what you're doing right now.

Take care of yourself, read and learn all you can and remember that you will feel better. Sorry you have to join the club, but we're all happy to help in any way we can!

HeatherP

[WiseWords]

Avandamet is the brand name for Metformin & Rosiglitazone.
These two drugs are combined in one pill, Avandamet, used for
Type 2 diabetics to limit and control the absorption of glucose
into the blood, and to make better use of the reduced amount of
insulin that your pancreas is producing. It also lowers glucose
production from the liver.

It is beneficial for overweight people with Type 2 diabetes.
Exercise and a proper diet will help, but realistically, you
are not going to lose all the extra weight in a few months.
As you do lose weight, your diabetes will be easier to manage.
For now, your doctor has you on the right medication.

If you want to read more about it, here are two links:
1. ---> Metformin & Rosiglitazone (http://www.medformation.com/ac/mm_qd.nsf/qd/dnx1218.htm)
2. ---> Avandamet (http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/Library/HealthGuide/DrugGuide/topic.asp?hwid=multumd04820a1)

(Don't let the warnings worry you.
Those are standard disclaimers.
Metformin is one of the most commonly used drugs for Type 2's.)


If you haven't already found it, be sure to visit Rick Mendosa's
website. He is a professional writer/adventurer and
a Type 2 diabetic:
3. ---> Advice for Newbies (http://www.mendosa.com/advice.htm)
Lots of info about most aspects of diabetes.

Don't let all the new stuff overwhelm you.
Your doctor will or should set up appointments with
a dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator.
Sometimes, doctor's don't get to that right away, so,
if he hasn't already scheduled appointments,
in the near future, this week or next, give him or
his nurse a call, and say that you want to be informed,
and don't want to wait.

You won't be able to eliminate all sugar from your diet
because most food has some form of sugar, called
carbohydrates. That is why you are taking the medication.
You will learn to count carbs, and follow a proper diet,
which is basically three square meals per day, plus
appropriate snacks. Low fat cooking with less fried foods
will also be helpful. Think of baking instead of cooking
in oil, and the use of non-stick pans.
Stay away from the crazy Atkins diet. Some Type 2's think
it is good for losing weight, but it is not. It is unhealthy.

You won't need to give up normal food, but you will need
to learn how much to eat, and what works for you.
Such items as unsweetened fruit juice are high in carbs,
and not a "free" item.
Diet pop with 0 carbs & calories, (look on the label), is
considered a free item. So is coffee or tea, if sweetened
with a sugar substitute sweetener. All are good items to
fill up on without sending your blood sugar up high.
;)

[WiseWords]

It is essential that you get a meter to check the
level of your blood sugar, called Blood Glucose,(BG).

After you eat, your BG will rise from the carbs.
The meter will allow you to know what your BG is
before you eat, and how high it goes after a meal,
at about 90-120 minutes.
If it is high before a meal, you may want to eat less.

Normal BG levels are between 70 -120.
Most people prefer to have their BG between 90-105,
although this is the ideal, and not always possible.

200-500 means you ate too much, or didn't get enough
exercise. Exercise will make a big difference.
You might want to consider joining some type of
class or gym.

Getting the right meter is a big deal.
Different one's are popular and promoted at different times
by the manufacturers. Doctor's often get free promotional
meters to give away, and sometimes patients get taken in
by the hype.

I think that the most important item is accuracy.
Not all meters are the same.

Other features, such as results in 5 to 10 seconds or
extra small drops of blood should not be a reason to
get a meter. After all, a drop is not so big to begin with,
and most current meters do use reduced sizes of the
blood drop, but the smallest size should not be chosen
if accuracy is not top of the line. Same for the timing of
the result.
Is it really an important consideration if you have to
wait 30-45 seconds instead of 5,10 or 15 seconds?
I think not.

If your doctor or CDE gives you a free meter, fine & dandy,
but you can still get another, if you want. Most people
find it convenient to have more than one meter.
If you insurance covers it, you should get a free meter
from them, even if you got one from your doctor, provided
he didn't bill them. They should also pay for the test strips,
which can get to be very expensive. If you have to pay for
them by yourself, or partially, you may want to consider
some of the less expensive brands. You may also want
to use them as a back-up supply, if your insurance limits
the number of strips that you can get each month.

Most meters are available with some form of rebate,
because the real money is made from the test strips.
They want you to get the meter for free, or almost free.
Watch the ads in the Sunday newspaper circulars for
sales, if you want to pick up an extra meter.

Everyone has their favorites. The One touch Ultra Smart
is currently popular, but it has many features that you will
not need, such as logging insulin doses. I do not recommend it.

For greatest accuracy, and one of the easiest to use test strips,
choose the Accu-Chek Advantage with the Comfort Curve
test strips. You won't spill any blood on this meter or
on the floor, because of the test strip's design. You can
keep your finger facing upward, instead of turning it
toward the floor. The strip will soak up just the right amount
of blood. No problems with too much or too little.

The meters which take blood from the arm are notoriously
inaccurate, and for high or low results, want you to do a
second test from the finger.

Accu-Chek Advantage is top of the line, in quality and
ease of use, and also price. With insurance, this is the
one to get.
For more info, use these links:
---> Accu-Check Advantage meter (http://www.accu-chek.com/products/meters_advantage.jsp)
(Includes interactive display of meter features.)
---> Comfort Curve test strips (http://www.accu-chek.com/products/strips_comfort.jsp)

---> Type 2 Diabetes - General Info (http://www.roche-diagnostics.com/health_kiosk/framesets/1.html)
(Info from Roche-Diagnostics, the meter company.)

For insurance purposes, have your doctor write out a
prescription for 6 containers of 50 test trips each.
You may not need that many, but the option will
be available. Best way to deal with the insurance company.
;)

[Rainsunbow]

Marie- Are you supposed to eat like you're used to and keep a diary of that? Or are you supposed to follow a given diet and keep track of that?
Leigh-he said it was up to me if for the diary, he said he can work with it either way.

Heather- Is the doc sending you to a CDE/dietician or is he going to handle you by himself?
Leigh - I am going to a doctor at a diabetes clinic. He is a doctor and a CDE.

Wise-
Thank you very much for all the good information. I'm a very experienced dieter, I haven't had will in the past, that is how I got here. I understand everything there is to know about how and what foods affect the body, so that part will not be hard for me at all. I have struggled with my weight a long time. I was an athlete in high school and stopped excercising when I got out, had the same eating habbits, gained 100 lbs(in ten years). I just got to get in there and do it, ya know? I also have been excercising for a year, 3 times a week, this has helped me loose a pound to a pound and a half a month (not eating right), I was headed in the right direction. I guess now I will have to excercise 5 times a week, I don't mind at all, I like it. The doctor gave me a one touch ultra, I pricked myself for the first time today, it was better than I thought. All the links and info you gave are great! Thanks

Leigh

[rzrbks]

The doctor gave me a one touch ultra, I pricked myself for the first time today, it was better than I thought. All the links and info you gave are great! Thanks

That is my personal favorite because it takes so little blood. I have tried most of the others but didn'r like them for various reasons. Glucose meters are like music. Everyone has their personal favorites based on their particular biases/prejudices.

I am going to a doctor at a diabetes clinic. He is a doctor and a CDE.

Nice setup, I'm jealous.

Marie- Are you supposed to eat like you're used to and keep a diary of that? Or are you supposed to follow a given diet and keep track of that?
Leigh-he said it was up to me if for the diary, he said he can work with it either way.


Good luck Leigh, sounds like you're well on your way to getting a good, strong handle on the situation.

[Rainsunbow]

I know in some forums people don't like to get off the subject, I hope not here but if so, please forgive me.

Hey rzrbks,

Was the third lord of the rings good? I think my husband and I are going to see it on Friday. Should we wait until it comes out on DVD? I'm sure its excellent, it has been very good up to part 2, just wanted to know how you felt.

Don't stop dancing,
Leigh

[Rainsunbow]

DUUUUUHHHHHHH

I just saw the chit chat room, oops

Leigh

[Musqua]

Hi Rainsunbow:)

Welcome to one of the friendliest forums that I have found. I am a type 2 insulin dep. I was dx. in 2002 . No family hx. I hope & know that you will do well. If you find yourself sliding backwards don't worry there are always people around to help pick you up again. :) Good luck.


Heather W. ( your Canadian friend)

I may be getting older but I will never grow up. :cool:

[lgvincent]

Tony, is this the posting from WiseWords you were looking for?

[Tony]

Originally posted by lgvincent
Tony, is this the posting from WiseWords you were looking for? Yes it is. Thanks!