Hi everyone, new here and to diabetes!

[Kubilee]

Hello, I am new here and pretty new to diabetes. I was diagnosed on May 11, 07. I am doing pretty good with it, after the initial shock of it, I guess I knew it was coming long before the words were actually spoken. I went in one day to see about a kidney infection and walked out with this knowledge. The hardest part I think was the fact my 13 yr old son was with me, as he had an Appt too, and he got the life scared out of him.

I am 42, long long history of Diabetics in my family, including many deaths due to this disease, and I think this is why it scared my son so much. But we are adjusting.

I have to say I have the most awesome support system I could ever ask for. When MY diet changed, all of my 4 kids and husband all decided they were going to go on my diet as well, they didn't want me dealing with it alone.

I do and will have some questions still though, and am hoping this place is a good place to get that. I was on one other place that decided I didn't need to be there for some reason, after 5 posts they banned me, so I am hoping I can stay here a little longer, this looks like a much more laid back place to me. :)

[murphysl]

Welcome! I think you'll find a wide variety of opinions and advise to consider on here, plus lots of support too :)

[EasyType2]

Welcome Kubilee.

This is a great forum and not all that stringent. There are boundaries, but not rigid.

[Penny]

Hi Kubilee, the only way you will get banned here is if you do something wrong. :) And even then, you get warned. It doesn't sound like that will happen to you here. It's great that you have so much support from your family. It sure makes things easier. I'm glad you are here.

[shockme]

hi kubilee and welcome!you are lucky to have such a supportive family!that is so cool!hope to see you here alot!take care,trish

[Kubilee]

wow. You guys are all great. thanks for the warm welcome. I like this place already far better than the other one.

I am not sure what happened there, I was accused of "free advertising" and I can't imagine what I was advertising, but oh well, things happen for a reason and I am almost glad they kicked me out. In one post I like it here a lot better. :)

Rules are always good, and we all have to live by them, especially now for me. Right? LOL

I think the thing that is most freaking me out is the eating so many times a day. I am not food motivated at all, so that part is killing me. I am not into chocolate and sweets so much so that part isn't bugging me a bit..... and I normally only eat about 750 callories a day, but am told I need between 1750 and 2000, and that's been extremely hard for me. I normally eat twice a day on a GOOD day. Not being food motivated has it's ups and downs I guess. lol

[Kubilee]

My Dr. pretty much said to me, "You have diabetes, use this meter to monitor your blood twice a day, three times if you like (YES, I LOVE stabbing myself so many times a day Doc), and take these pills twice a day, and eat 5-6 times a day. Oh and see me in 3 months".

And that was it, sent me home.... and being the nutcase I am, I didn't even think to ask the first question, I just said ok, and walked out.

THEN at the Pharmacy I get handed a load about what I should and should not be eating....... POTATOES and PASTA???? NO WAY!! That part is killing me, those two are my main foods, that and fresh veggies!

My blood sugar was 379 that day, and I now have it between 95-120, which I can only assume isn't too bad! And it is holding there, but doesn't seem to want to go any lower than this. Oh and potatoes, I found out these do not even remotely spike my sugar, so I guess I can have them, right?

[jerryn]

Hi kubilee and welcome! The good news is that you live healthy with this disease. The trick is getting your glucose under control.
Times are different from when my grandfather had it. we can monitor our glucose at home. 30 years ago you couldn't do that.
Follow the glycemic index for diet. That has helped me. Also don't be satisfied if your glocuse numbers are not in the normal range. When I was first diagnosed a year ago my Dr.
was happy that I dropped from 327 to 180. But.. one microalbumin test and the isnpiration from the members on this board make me question my treatmenty options and now I'm closer to normal. I'm going to see an endocrinologist for the first time on July10th. Remember as long as you get your
glucose numbers to average in the normal range you can minize the risk of complications later on. Being diagnosed does not mean you will eventually end up going through what your family members did. A lot of progress has been made.
Don't give up. I have a great aunt that died from this disease but it was ignorance that killed her really. I asked my grandmother about it when I was diagnosed. She said my aunt was diagnosed with TypeII in her late 40s but refused to take insulin. Well she died of kidney failure in her 70s.
And that's because her numbers were always high. Another great aunt went blind.. because she also ate what she wanted and refused to take insulin.

A lot of new meds are out there now. Some people can regulate with diet, excercise, metformin, Januvia... others
need Bayetta, Lantis, or insulin. Just remember.. if you test
regularly and keep get your glucose in control, you will do fine!

[jerryn]

It's the type of potato. Red potato's are ok for SOME people.
Idaho spuds.. well they usually have a lot of starch and will spike you. Pasta, check out Dreamfield pasta, I read about that here and tried it. I was very suprised. I'm part Italian and yea I used to like pasta. Shrimp Scampi, Linguini with clams.. it all spikes me pretty high. Pretty soon I'm gonna try it with the Dreamfield pasta and check. For now I am just working hard to keep the numbers normal.

[Kubilee]

jerryn, they have me on Actoplus Met, I am not sure about this drug, I have read aboutit, but not exactly sure WHY I am taking it, if it means I am insulin dependant or what this means. When I went to have my eyes checked last week, they asked me this and I had NO clue what to tell them. I had been having problems with my eyes and I have to sy that one scared me half out of my mind, I just knew it was due to this Diabetes thing, but they informed me I only have very very minimal issues involved that are diabetes related, most of my eye issues are more computer related and age related, since I work online and have for 8 years.... 15 hours a day sometimes.

Some of the terms used completely mess me up still, like what is an endo, I keep seeing that and have no idea what that is.

And I know nothing about this other thing I keep seeing, I only know what my monitor tells me when it talks to me two times a day. I read a little each and every single day so I know more about my disease.

As I said, I have many many people who have died in my family because of this disease, and mostly I think it is because I don't thik any of them looked after it. My mom's parents and 8 of her 11 siblings have died due to complications due to diabetes, but being estranged from them all, I don't have anyone really I can ask about these things, and they didn't care for themselves anyway, so they wouldn't be much help anyway. My mom and I do not speak, so I stay away from everyone.. long story and a boring one. But I think because the Dr knows I have a history with this disease that I should know about it, but I didn't tell him I don't even speak to them, so I guess I can't blame him for not being more thorough, it's my own fault.

Besides, it helps ME more talking to people who live with this everyday than to talk to someone who doesn't. Dr or no Dr. ;)

[Kubilee]

It's the type of potato. Red potato's are ok for SOME people.
Idaho spuds.. well they usually have a lot of starch and will spike you. Pasta, check out Dreamfield pasta, I read about that here and tried it. I was very suprised. I'm part Italian and yea I used to like pasta. Shrimp Scampi, Linguini with clams.. it all spikes me pretty high. Pretty soon I'm gonna try it with the Dreamfield pasta and check. For now I am just working hard to keep the numbers normal.


I eat white or red new potatoes, and they don't bother me. And when I cook them, I soak them in cold water for about an hour.... makes them taste better, and I guess takes out some of the starches, so I guess I inadvertantly have been helping myself on the potato thing for a long time. lol

I'll try this pasta you speak of. I LOVE pasta..... if it has pasta in it, I am pretty much all over it. EXCEPT for spaghetti, don't hit me, I know you are Italian, my kids just wore me out on this dish many years ago. lol

[EasyType2]

An endo is short for endocrinologist, a specialist in diseases of the endocrine system. Diabetes is one of those.

Stick around here, and you will learn a lot. Dealing with D is a learning experience. Don't expect to assimilate everything in a day. It do take time, but you're on the way.

For any drug, try one or more of the on-line drug stores to see what the drug is, what it does, and what the side effects are.

I'm not recommending this one, but "drugstore.com" is one I use often.

[Kubilee]

An endo is short for endocrinologist, a specialist in diseases of the endocrine system. Diabetes is one of those.

Stick around here, and you will learn a lot. Dealing with D is a learning experience. Don't expect to assimilate everything in a day. It do take time, but you're on the way.

For any drug, try one or more of the on-line drug stores to see what the drug is, what it does, and what the side effects are.

I'm not recommending this one, but "drugstore.com" is one I use often.


Thank you so much for this info. I am one to throw myself into something head and feet, so I try and soak up all I can, especially when I know my health or potential health of my children are at stake.

I have had all of my children checked and so far they are safe, but the way I see it, it is a blessing that they want to go thru the steps with me on this because it better prepares them for THEIR futures. And they actually seem to like most of the things I have to eat now.. surprisingly.

[catgalla]

Hello Kulibee and welcome to the forums....Sounds like you're on the right path to having a healthy diabetic lifestyle...You mention your blood sugars are between 80 - 120 and that's awesome. Keep that up and you'll be fine. When it comes to certain foods to keep away from just eat them in moderation and you should be fine. You just can't eat a whole lot is all. I would definately find an endocrinologist near you and also see a nutritionist so they can better educate you. There is also diabetic nurse educators that you can see as well. Most endo's have them in their offices.

This forum is awesome for advice and knowlege. There are a great bunch of people. Good luck...

[GhostRydr]

Welcome aboard Kubilee,

We were diagnosed almost at the same time, I being May 2. It's been a whirlwind of changes for me, and like you potatoes and pasta were a big part of my old diet.

You'll find a lot of great help and support here. My doctor was sort of like yours, "you've got diabetes, here's a meter" see you in a month."

I took control so to speak, and met with a diabetic diatician, well mine was trained to assist in that area, followup with the nurses between times at the doctor.

Sounds like you are well under way too.

[Kubilee]

Welcome aboard Kubilee,

We were diagnosed almost at the same time, I being May 2. It's been a whirlwind of changes for me, and like you potatoes and pasta were a big part of my old diet.

You'll find a lot of great help and support here. My doctor was sort of like yours, "you've got diabetes, here's a meter" see you in a month."

I took control so to speak, and met with a diabetic diatician, well mine was trained to assist in that area, followup with the nurses between times at the doctor.

Sounds like you are well under way too.


I guess I am luckier than most, I found out about a week ago that my sister in law is a Licensed Dietician..... been with my husband for like 23 1/2 years and just now finding this out. She does live out of state though, so that's my excuse. lol

She told me that if I eat some kind of green veggie with my potatoes, which I usually do just by default, that it slows down the digestion and that could be why potatoes don't spike me like they probably might would otherwise.

I was just about to see about a Dietician when she called last week and he was talking to her about this and that's when we found out.... so she has been a massive help and it helps to have one in the family. Free counseling..... who wouldn't love that? lol

You all have been so great to me here, and you have no cluehow refreshing this is..... thank you sop very much. :)

[xMenace]

A new world record, 7 posts!!!

Welcome ;)

[gettingby]

Hi Kubilee and Welcome. We have a lot of helpful folks here so stick around.

[Kubilee]

A new world record, 7 posts!!!

Welcome ;)

Hey now, don't be coming down on me, I am being nice here, right? Don't make me go all crazy here too, or I may get banned again. :T

gettingby, thank you, I already like this place very much more than any other place I have been. It's so refreshing that people don't mind helping without the fear of getting banned every post made. ;)

[princesslinda]

Welcome Kubilee: Sounds like you're being very proactive so far. Keep reading on the forum and learn all you can and you'll be fine. It is scary to get the diagnosis, especially if you've see a lot of complications in family members, but keep in mind, YOU are the one who determines how well you control your blood sugar, so you don't have to walk that same path.

I'd suggest you test more than twice a day. Testing 2 hrs after the first bite of your meal will tell you how certain foods affect your blood sugar and help you know what to avoid and what to eat freely. For me, I avoid pasta, rice, potatoes and bread and eat a lot of lean meats and green veggies and salads. If I have to have some bread, I use the Nature's Own double fiber buns/bread with not much rise in blood sugar. Dreamfield's pasta in moderation is also a good option.

There's a great book, "Type II Diabetes, The First Year" by Gretchen Becker that I found to be especially helpful. Amazon has it on sale for under $12 right now...it's an easy and informative read.

Hang in there, you'll do fine. It does get easier as time passes and you become more familiar with things.

[Dan Gato]

[QUOTE=princesslinda;232825]
There's a great book, "Type II Diabetes, The First Year" by Gretchen Becker that I found to be especially helpful. Amazon has it on sale for under $12 right now...it's an easy and informative read.

Another good book is: Diabetes Solution by Dr. Richard Bernstein, check it out free at your local library. read what you like, skip/discard what you don't like. He offers good advice but he's controversial.