Diabetes Rookie

[wacre]

Hello everyone,

I am a 22 year old male from the Philippines. I was just diagnosed with DM II 2 weeks ago and has been injecting Humulin 70/30 (35 units in AM; 17 units in PM) and ingesting metformin 3x a day since then. I had been doing 2 tests everyday using an Ascencia Entrust glucometer and I get an average of 110 mg/dL.

I am a bit depressed since I found out about my condition. My depression is caused by the complications of diabetes that I have heard and read about. I am thinking that I would rather go insane than lose my eyesight or limb. To make things worse, diabetes runs in the family. Though my parents are relatively healthy, my uncle died because of complications of the lungs due to diabetes at the age of 27 (would that mean I would have 5 more years? yikes!).

But I had made my decision. If I were dying, then I would die fighting. I believe that by joining this forum I could arm myself with info about my condition.

[xMenace]

Welcome.

Many of us shoot for A1C's under 6% for this very reason. Keep in mind that techniques have greatly improved over the years. Today the diabetics on the internet taking charge of their own health are at the top of the heep. We're by no means immune to complications, but we have great chances of avoiding at least the worst of them.

[morrisma]

Welcome and do not lose heart.

If you work at controlling your blood glucose levels, you reduce the chance of having any complications. If possible, increase the frequency of testing to include before meals and 2 hours after meals. This will help your medical professionals treat you most effectively.

Mike

[wacre]

Welcome.

Many of us shoot for A1C's under 6% for this very reason. Keep in mind that techniques have greatly improved over the years. Today the diabetics on the internet taking charge of their own health are at the top of the heep. We're by no means immune to complications, but we have great chances of avoiding at least the worst of them.
That was quick! Thanks for the reply. But forgive me for my ignorance. What is A1C? (ops!)

[davef]

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure you will find it to be a great source of information and support.

I can relate to your feelings at the moment. I was diagnosed about 8 weeks ago, it came as a shock and I did feel down for a bit. It's normal to feel that way. I'm only new to this myself but would have thought that average of 110 is good progress after two weeks. It took me longer than that to get down, my 14 day average is now 102.

Keep going, keep posting and keep visiting the forum, there are really great people here.


The fact that you say that you would die fighting would seem to mean that you intend tackling your diabetes and taking control.

As was suggested to me when I joined the forum, test, test, test as this way you can discover which foods suit you and which cause your Blood Sugars (BG) to go up. I have cut way back on my carbohydrates and that has really helped me to get my BG down

[Evermont]

That was quick! Thanks for the reply. But forgive me for my ignorance. What is A1C? (ops!)

Hi wacre and welcome to DF. The HbA1c test (link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HbA1c)) is a blood test you can get from your doctor. It's different from a fasting blood sugar test which simply tells what your current blood glucose level is. The A1c gives a "three month average" of your blood sugar level. Actually the results say more about the most recent month than the two previous.

Diabetes is different for each of us. Complications may be many many years off for you, if ever. The good news is that there are many things you can do to contribute to a long and happy life with Type 2 diabetes. Get A1c tests every three months. Eat right, get cardio and strength training. Learn more and more about how you can control you blood sugar. Do all this and your worries may dissolve.

[wacre]

Hi wacre and welcome to DF. The HbA1c test (link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HbA1c)) is a blood test you can get from your doctor. It's different from a fasting blood sugar test which simply tells what your current blood glucose level is. The A1c gives a "three month average" of your blood sugar level. Actually the results say more about the most recent month than the two previous.

Diabetes is different for each of us. Complications may be many many years off for you, if ever. The good news is that there are many things you can do to contribute to a long and happy life with Type 2 diabetes. Get A1c tests every three months. Eat right, get cardio and strength training. Learn more and more about how you can control you blood sugar. Do all this and your worries may dissolve.

Thank you very much for leading me to the info :) . I just noticed in your signature that you are not taking any diabetic meds. Is that your choice or you just don't need any? :confused:

[Evermont]

Thank you very much for leading me to the info :) . I just noticed in your signature that you are not taking any diabetic meds. Is that your choice or you just don't need any? :confused:

This is a good question really. Like you I'm very new to all this so I still have a lot to learn. So far it seems that if I work hard at all those things I mentioned I'm lucky enough to not need any meds. My doctor wanted to put me on meds at first but I told her right away that I wanted try to lose weight, eat right and exercise and see how much improvement I could get that way.

The reason I wanted to do that is so that I can know just how much I need meds. I'm willing to take them if I need to - anything to keep the blood sugar in check, but if I don't try without them then I never can be sure exactly how much lifestyle improvements alone can help.

I started out at A1c 8.8% and my doctor said if my next test was over 7.5% she wanted me to start meds. As you can see, my second test was 6.0% which is pretty good. I started out at 5'7" and 219 lbs and I've been losing about 4 lbs per month. I have another 25 lbs. to lose. It's starting to look like my case is more mild than many others. I may not have to work so hard at keeping my blood sugar low long term. But then eventually I may need to redouble my efforts and perhaps start taking meds too.

So my take is that improved lifestyle can reduce or eliminate the need for meds for a period of time that can vary for each of us and we should maximize the benefit of lifestyle as far as possible and then fall back on meds while maintaining good lifestyle lifelong.

[susique333]

Hello Wacre! I know having a family member who passed away from diabetes makes it pretty scary but there is so much more known about this disease and how it progresses. When did you Uncle pass? When I was on insulin years ago with my last pregnancy, there were (to my knowledge) 2 kinds of Insulin NPH and REG. Now there are so many different types. My grandmother went blind from diabetes but this was back in the day where daily testing the urine was the only way to track. She didnt go on insulin until her eyesight failed. Now a days Im certain they would have had her much better controlled. I have 2 Aunts in their 80s who have had diabetes for years and theyre doing quite well but then again theyre VERY strict as to their diet.
By the way I need to tell you my daughter in law is from the Phillipines! She is a wonderful young lady. Welcome to this forum.
This is copied from my earlier post to another Filipino: Hello there! Im not Pinoy, but my daughter in law (not diabetic) is Filipino (Pinay for feminine?). Her last name was Marseagan. She lived in the Phillipines until her teens when her family moved to Omaha. She has tried to teach us the song, Tayo'y mga Pinoy. Ive tried to pick up a little Tagalog but Im not very good at it. She is a wonderful cook and makes the best Lumpia! Im new here too, welcome to the forum!
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[wacre]

This is a good question really. Like you I'm very new to all this so I still have a lot to learn. So far it seems that if I work hard at all those things I mentioned I'm lucky enough to not need any meds. My doctor wanted to put me on meds at first but I told her right away that I wanted try to lose weight, eat right and exercise and see how much improvement I could get that way.

The reason I wanted to do that is so that I can know just how much I need meds. I'm willing to take them if I need to - anything to keep the blood sugar in check, but if I don't try without them then I never can be sure exactly how much lifestyle improvements alone can help.

I started out at A1c 8.8% and my doctor said if my next test was over 7.5% she wanted me to start meds. As you can see, my second test was 6.0% which is pretty good. I started out at 5'7" and 219 lbs and I've been losing about 4 lbs per month. I have another 25 lbs. to lose. It's starting to look like my case is more mild than many others. I may not have to work so hard at keeping my blood sugar low long term. But then eventually I may need to redouble my efforts and perhaps start taking meds too.

So my take is that improved lifestyle can reduce or eliminate the need for meds for a period of time that can vary for each of us and we should maximize the benefit of lifestyle as far as possible and then fall back on meds while maintaining good lifestyle lifelong.

That's pretty interesting. I'll be seeing my doctor tomorrow. I really have a ton of questions for him. I understand that diabetics are not equal but I wish I could redeem myself from insulin (I hope that would be a possibility :wink:). I would do whatever it takes to be free from insulin. Again, thank you very much for the education. :)

[Olidus]

When I 1st joined this site I had all kinds of questions - over time they got answered.. A few people suggested a book.

Amazon.com: Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin: Books: Gary Scheiner,Barry Goldstein (http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Pancreas-Practical-Managing/dp/1569244367)

I found it really helpful it helped me not only understand more about the D - but also talk the cool D jargin they talk on this site.
Like A1Cs, MDIs, Bolus, Sites ect.

Welcome to the site btw ;)

[wacre]

Hello Wacre! I know having a family member who passed away from diabetes makes it pretty scary but there is so much more known about this disease and how it progresses. When did you Uncle pass? When I was on insulin years ago with my last pregnancy, there were (to my knowledge) 2 kinds of Insulin NPH and REG. Now there are so many different types. My grandmother went blind from diabetes but this was back in the day where daily testing the urine was the only way to track. She didnt go on insulin until her eyesight failed. Now a days Im certain they would have had her much better controlled. I have 2 Aunts in their 80s who have had diabetes for years and theyre doing quite well but then again theyre VERY strict as to their diet.
By the way I need to tell you my daughter in law is from the Phillipines! She is a wonderful young lady. Welcome to this forum.
This is copied from my earlier post to another Filipino: Hello there! Im not Pinoy, but my daughter in law (not diabetic) is Filipino (Pinay for feminine?). Her last name was Marseagan. She lived in the Phillipines until her teens when her family moved to Omaha. She has tried to teach us the song, Tayo'y mga Pinoy. Ive tried to pick up a little Tagalog but Im not very good at it. She is a wonderful cook and makes the best Lumpia! Im new here too, welcome to the forum!
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Hello ma'am,

Your reply is somehow a breathe of relief. Though I am worried about my condition, I am optimistic that I would be able to manage to live a life as a diabetic with a smile and probably tell my tale to my grandchildren.

By the way, my uncle expired in 1992.

[davef]

Wacre,

I'd like to mention another book, which was recommended to me when I joined this forum. The book is "The First Year - Type 2 Diabetes" and was written by Gretchan Becker. I could not get it in Ireland but ordered it from Amazon. I have found the book very helpful and easy to read.

[mho357]

Hello wacre and welcome to the forum.

It looks like you have already gotten some good advice on books and BG management.

Try to keep your spirits up - you can manage this disease.

Mark

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum. Nice people and tons of valuable information to be found here. Don't be afraid to ask questions..........that's what we're here for!

Karen

[gettingby]

Hello Wacre and Welcome.
Technology and treatments for diabetes have come a long way since I was diagnosed in 1984. With proper care, you can delay any complications. I've been lucky to not have any complications as of yet.
Keep posting and ask any questions you may have.:)