Young adult just diagnosed Type 2

[peacelover]

Hi there. I'm glad to have found this forum. I was just diagnosed last week and have found myself scared to death, depressed and full of questions. If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it!
I'm a 33 year old female. I had a normal fasting of 87, but very high cholesterol. As my father and grandfather have type 2, my doctor had me do a 2 hour glucose test. The results were 204. My a1c is 5.8. The doctor recommended that I try diet & exercise to lose weight (about 25 pounds) and return in September to recheck.
I started on a program done by a nutritionist and have began exercising 4-5 times a week.
Now for all my questions...
-I am very worried about complications such as vision lost, amputations, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure. I feel like my life is just hanging in the balance and that I'm just waiting for something to happen. --how long do diabetics typically go before they start having complications? Since I'm so young at diagnosis, I envision being blind and in a wheelchair by 55.
-I have not had children yet and am now very much afraid to for fear of what will happen to my body. Anyone have experience with this?
-My doctor is not having me test, but even though I'm following a very strict diet, I have been feeling really "low" in the afternoons. Should I test even without dr. approval? Do I need a prescription to get a monitor.

I'm sure I'll have many more, but any advice would be appreciated! Thank you and good luck to you all.
-If I change jobs, will a new insurance company accept me?

[johgn]

Welcome! I don't think jobs (& health care providers for companies) are allowed to discrimate based on existing condition in the US.

[Penny]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Meters are not too expensive, but the strips cost alot. If you want your insurance to pay for them, you need a prescription. Just tell your doctor you would feel better testing because of your family history.

[princesslinda]

Hi PL, welcome! I remember how scared I was when I got my diagnosis of diabetes last year....and I was 42...way too young to want to deal with this. I think everyone feels scared and overwhelmed no matter what age they are. You'll be fine....it does get easier and less scary as time passes, esp. if you get good information.

I'd definitely suggest you get a meter...my doctor gave me one, as they have them to give. I'd call him and tell him I wanted to check my levels and could he give me a monitor or a voucher for a monitor. If you don't test, how are you going to know how you're doing on a daily basis? It's esp. important to test 2 hrs after your first bite to see how certain foods are affecting your blood sugar...everyone reacts differently to different foods and you need to know which ones affect you most.

As for jobs, as long as you don't allow your coverage to lapse, you should have no problems getting coverage...at my job, if you have lapsed coverage before starting the job, they impose a 1 year pre-existing clause.

As for complications, just keep your levels as close to normal as possible, through whatever means, be it diet/exercise/meds. If you have non-diabetic levels, your risk of complications should be the same as that of a non-diabetic...makes sense, doesn't it? My mom was a diabetic who ignored it and she had many bad complications and died at 54...but I'm not going to do that...At diagnosis I vowed to do anything I had to do to make sure I didn't end up like her. You'll see many here at all different ages doing well.

I can't help you with the pregnancy information, but i'm sure many here can. I do know several people who have had successful pregnancies with diabetes,but they did have to take insulin shots throughout the pregnancy and be closely monitored.

Right now all this seems just too much for you, I know, but just remember, you're the same person now that you were a month ago...you just have diabetes...just do your best to ensure yourself a long and happy life. You've found a good place, you're not alone.

All the best,
Linda

[Keezheekoni]

Hi and welcome to the board!

I wouldn't worry about complications too much at this point. Definitely get a monitor and test at least 4 times a day (upon waking, after every meal). Insurance will pay for most test strips, just check your formulary and see which ones they'll pay for at your lowest copay. You do need a prescription in order for insurance to pay for them. Most diabetes educators have meters for free, and quite a few insurance companies have a program where they'll send you a meter for free as well...good idea to check with your insurance company. :)

As for having kids, I've had five... Keeping control is key, checking your bgs often and you will probably have to switch to insulin while pregnant. Complications do arise when your bg is out of control while pregnant...the baby can be hypoglycemic when he/she is born and need extra glucose water or formula (and I'm a pro-breastfeeding mom, so I'm against any extra supplements for babies - YMMV, of course).

Back to complications for yourself. The real deal is just to keep in good control. The lower your A1c, the less likely you will have complications. Losing weight can (and often does) help, eating right and exercise are important. However, I don't recommend depriving yourself of a treat every now and again. :)

As for changing jobs...in the US, as long as you are covered from your last job or COBRA through the day you start your new job, preexisting condition clauses do not apply. And if you work for a relatively large company, then more often than not, they cover preexisting conditions from the start...but check their bene package as well...

[GhostRydr]

Welcome to the board! I too was recently diagnosed and am working with diet and excercise to control it at this point.

I also ran the string of emotions that went with the discovery I had diabetes. If you feel better testing, I'd speak to the doctor about it and ask for a prescription to cover the costs of the test strips.

Best of luck, this is a great resource you've found.

[xMenace]

Keep that a1c under 6 and it'll be a very long time before you experience any complications, if any.

[princesslinda]

I wanted to also address your "low" feelings. When you blood sugar has run higher than normal for awhile and then becomes more normalized through your lifestyle modifications (diet/exercise), your body is not used to the normal levels and can make it seem as though you are going low...you're not on any meds right now, so you're probably not going low, your probably just adjusting to what "normal" feels like. This should pass as you stay at lower levels for awhile.

Also, I can't remember if I mentioned this in my previous response (over 40 fog ;) ), but there's a great book you should get "Type II Diabetes, The First Year," by Gretchen Becker. She's T2 herself and she writes of her experiences the first year with diabetes and gives excellent information and details of diabetes...it is definitely worth the read.

[shockme]

hi peacelover and welcome!the lower your bgs and a1c,the less chance of complications!take care,trish

[peacelover]

Thank you to all who have responded. Your advice and input are very much appreciated. I have been feeling so overwhelmed and "rotten" like my body has foresaken me. I feel like I am deficient or "made bad". Everyone tells me that is not rational which I know, but it doesn''t change how I feel. It's hard not to rely on my body to do it's own work.

Thanks again! I'm glad to have found you all.:o

[notme]

Hi peacelover and welcome. I am sure you have a lot of questions, but you will find a ton of answers here. I know how you feel about your body failing you. I felt that way also. Now, it is easier to look at diabetes as a way to stay healthy. Your body will respond to treating it well.