Hello, I am new!

[NewBea]

Hello to all, I am new and this is my first post. I was diagnosed April of this year. I am feeling very overwhelmed and confused/depressed at times. You would think that I would be better prepared since 90% of my family developed diabetes but I always thought it would NEVER happen to me. So much for sticking my head in the sand.... I am trying to learn as much as I can. I started with Metformin (500mg) 1x/day and now have increased to 2x/day. I was lurking on this site for about an hour and liked what I read. You sound like a supportive community and I hope you can include me in.

Bea

[princesslinda]

Hi Bea, welcome! Glad you found the forum, it's a great place to meet fellow diabetics and to learn a lot.

It's only natural that you would be feeling depressed, diabetes is a life changing diagnosis...but it is something you will learn to live with...and it does get easier as time passes. Regardless of what you know about diabetes because of your family, it's a totally different ballgame when you hear that diagnosis for yourself. Just take things one day at a time, you will be fine.

Hopefully, you have a monitor and are testing regularly...this is crucial to good control. 2 hrs after the first bite of your meal is esp. important because it allows you to see how different foods affect your blood sugars and will help you make better choices. I kept a food/blood sugar journal for the first little while, so I could see on paper how my blood sugars were fluctuating based on my foods. You'll soon see a pattern.

I see you're on the metformin, this will help with any insulin resistance. Generally, it takes 3 weeks to see the full results. I take the same dose as you, and have done well on it.

I'd also encourage you to watch the amount of carbs you eat, esp in breads, potatoes, pasta and rice...these are trigger foods for many of us.

There's a great book i'd recommend, "Type II Diabetes, The First Year," by Gretchen Becker...it's loaded with great, easy to understand information. I still refer back to it on occasion.

Main thing to realize is that you are not alone. Look around and ask lots of questions. You owe it to yourself and your family to do all you can to insure yourself a long, healthy and happy life.

All the best,
Linda

[Penny]

Hi Bea and of course we are glad you are here.

[shockme]

hi newbea and welcome!the american diabetes association has a great site-www.diabetes.org.take care,trish

[HiImDan]

http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/9.gif

[notme]

Love the name newbie....uh, I mean NewBea! So happy you found our little corner of the internet. You have found a great place to find answers and help make your life a bit easier with Diabetes.

Glad you found us.

[catgalla]

Hi NewBea and welcome to df!! There's a great group of people on here. :ciao:

[pdxdennisj]

Welcome. Diabetes ran in my family also and I didn't pay much attention until I was diagnosed in my 50s. Oral meds were fine for me for about 13 years. No need to be depressed - it just takes some adjustment.