Confused and scared.....

[TeeJaxx]

Hi,

I'm relatively new to the world of diabetes. I'm a type 2, diagnosed about a year or so ago. My diabetes was one of the results of Polycystic Ovary Disease. Hearing the term P.O.D. scared the heck out of me, but I soon learned about it through research. I've had a couple procedures and am currently on meds for that. Prior to being diagnosed with P.O.D., I was told I had sky high cholesterol, and high triglycerydes. When the gynocologist saw me she said it was obvious....high Chol, high sugar, weight gain, messed up metabolism....it all adds up to P.O.D. Who knew that your ovaries can mess up so many things in your body?!?!?

So, now I've got the chol. under control (Lipitor) I'm working on the weight loss (which is hard for P.O.D. ladies with messed up metabolism apparently) Now, I'm trying to get the sugar thing under control. As part of that, I'm doing research and I stumbled onto this site.

I enjoy reading all the posts, but it's confusing for a newbie to understand some of the terms. Some of them I've figured out just by the context. But A1C...and hypo unawareness....I still can't figure those ones out. I can't figure out how you can be aware of unawareness?!?

Reading some of the peoples experiences with diabetes has scared the heck out of me. I read one thread were someone was asking about Lipitor, and all sorts of people said not to use it. I've been on it for years. I read another where someone lay down for a nap with a low sugar count. Now I'm paranoid about falling asleep for fear my numbers will drop. I guess I never took it that seriously before. I took my meds, and lived my life.

Recently, my dr decided to increase my meds bigtime. I take 5 metformin and 2 diamicron a day. I take my blood about 5 or 6 times a day creating a log for my doctor. He told me to cut back on sweets, which isn't hard to do, I don't have a sweet tooth. But I was never told to "count carbs".

All the talk of pumps, and MDI's is all Greek to me. The numbers thing is weird too.....my levels go from 2.1 to 14.9....I'm in Canada...I'm guessing it's Americans that use 200 - 600 as units of measurements.

I guess, what I'm trying to say is I like reading this forum. I find it very informative, but also it has made me very aware of things I had no idea about. They say that you can never have to much knowledge (especially about your health) but I have to say that sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Keep up all the good work. I'll keep reading!!
TeeJaxx :dontknow:

[shockme]

hi teejaxx!welcome!could tou go see a dietician?she could help you with the right amount of carbs for you and carb counting.hypo unawareness means that the person has no symptoms of a hypoglycemic[very low blood sugar]episode.normally,a person feels funny,or tired or is shaky and sweaty.as a general rule,people on insulin are usually the only ones who have hypos-so please don't worry about not waking up !your bgs[blood glucoses] are 37.8 to 268.2-according to the math.normal is 80-120 or 70-110-depending on whose reccomendations you follow...you are really swinging from highs and lows.is your dr. aware of this?are you having any symptoms of a hypo when you are low?definitely call your dr. if he's not aware of your numbers!!!!take care,trish

[princesslinda]

Hi TJ: Yep, it's really easy to get confused/scared when you're new to diabetes and all it's jargon.

A1C is a blood test that gives a 90 day average of your blood sugars. When I was diagnosed with diabetes, my A1C was 9.6, which correlates to a 90 day avg of 264. My most recent A1C was 5.3, correlating to an A1C of 111 by the conversion chart I use. It's a way for your doctor to see how you're controlling your blood sugar over this period of time. Some docs want an A1C every 6 months, some every 3 months. The best way for YOU to see how you're controlling things is to test your blood daily.

As for hypo unawareness, as you are not on insulin, I don't think you have to worry about the unawareness factor. Being on the meds you are, you could have a low episode, but would probably notice the shaky, anxious feeling. I feel this way when i'm in the 70's.

There's a book that would give you lots of great information, "Type II DIabetes, The First Year" by Gretchen Becker...it has a lot of great information in it that you could use.

As for eating, I've found if I avoid breads, pastas, rice, potatoes and sugar, I get much better readings. Exercise is a big help as well.

Hang in there, things get less scarier as you learn more and more about your diagnosis. Look around the forum, ask lots of questions. We're all in the same boat, trying to live our lives the best and healthiest way we can.

[Dewey]

Hi TeeJaxx and welcome to the forums family.
It sounds like you have a good start on things, and as time goes on, your knowledge & understanding will continue to be enhanced.

One thing to remember (i.e. about Lipitor, for example) is that what may work for one, may or may not work for others. If Lipitor has been working for you without side effects, then that's a good thing. Some people have suffered side effects (or have had family members who have), thus are more apprehensive to use it.

I'm sorry to hear about the P.O.D. It does seem like one or a few things in our body can mess with the rest of our functions, or affect other parts of us, as the case may be. The human body is so complex, that even scientists & doctors haven't been able to fully understand our inner workings. :)

Feel free to post any questions you might have as you go along. The people here are very kind and helpful, and will do their best to help or point you in the right direction. We'll try our best to help when and wherever possible.

Once again, welcome, and glad you found us. :shakehand

[KickStart101]

Hi TeeJaxx and Welcome to our Community. :hello:
It's Nice to meet you. We know how you feel.

Well, once you start absorbing an adequate
amount of info(and there's a lot)about Diabetes,
I'm sure that you will feel more comfortable with it.
YES, it will happen in time.

Take your time Hun and ask anything you want.
Surely some of us can answer your questions.
You're not alone now. ;)

[Musqua]

Hi There :)

Nice to have another Winnipeger here:) Ask your Dr. to refer you to the Youville Center on Marion St. They are very knowledgeable & will help you all they can. I am a type 2 and on both insulin & oral meds. Take Care & welcome once again

:whistling Canadian Girls Rock :whistling

[gettingby]

Hi TeeJax and Welcome to the family. :)

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us!

Karen

[nneighbour]

Hi TeeJaxx,
Welcome to Df. Having PCOS on top of diabetes can add some extra challenges, especially if you are struggling to take control of the more demoralizing aspects of the disease. I should know, I have it too.

It really sounds like your numbers are out of control. Do you have an endocrinologist? If not, request a referral at once.

I hope that you can find the answers and support you are looking for here on the forums. It can be a great resource.

[notme]

Hi TeeJaxx, welcome to the forums! Sounds like you got a lot of good advice already!!! Sit back and join in and enjoy.

[amyjo29]

Welcome to the forum. Finding out your diabetic is scary and it gets a little easier but nevertheless it's always scary. Once you go to your endocrinologist and see a diabetes educator it will still be overwheleming but once you get the hang of it you'll be fine. The most important thing to remember is portion control and count your carbs and make sure you have enough protein with your meals...it helps obsorb the carbs. In addition, you also need to live your life and enjoy your meals. Get a low carb or diabetic cookbook. I also give myself 2 free meals a month where I eat what I want and don't worry about testing. Sometimes you need that just to feel "normal" and get through each day. It's okay to treat yourself but don't do it to often.

[Nasda]

Welcome to you and to all other new members.
Nancy

[GhostRydr]

Welcome to the forum! Lots of great info, links and folks here to help.

[ladyvol]

I know when you'e first diagnosed it's very frightening, but at least you are accepting it and being proactive.
I was diagnosed with "borderline diabetes" when I was 20 years old. Of course, I didn't take it seriously. Ignored the fact for about 15 years. Didn't like going to the doctor. One of my problems was that I had PCOS, altho at that time I didn't know it, I had one of the worst symptoms (or at least I thought so) for a woman, the facial hair. That is one of the reasons I would not go to a doctor. I couldn't stand the thought of a male doctor looking at me. I thought it was something I had done to cause the hair. I realize now that is is just one of the symptoms of PCOS. I was diagnosed with it about 10 years ago altho I've actually had it for over 25 years.
I was on metformin and rezulin for a while and my blood sugars were well under control...but rezulin was taken all the market and I have chronic renal failure, so I can no longer take metformin..I've been on insulin for several years now.

I know this is a long message, but just one more point I would like to make...don't deprive yourself of everything, if you do you will be miserable...the ADA no longer limits all sugar from a diabetic diet, you just have to learn your body, what you can and can't do.
Hope this helps a little.