Hi there

[jb122]

Hi, recently diagnosed and trying to learn as much as I can.

[ant hill]

You have come to the right place and you will lern lots here. :D

[kgm0612]

HI & Welcome to the forum.

Were you dx'd a type 1 or 2?

Karen

[princesslinda]

Hi JB, welcome! Please tell us a little more about yourself and how you manage your diabetes.

[morrisma]

Welcome to the club. No dues, just support.
Mike

[jb122]

More info and how I manage:

I don't seem to be doing so hot managing anything. I had situations where I felt really poorly and had a few other things occur that led me to believe I might have developed diabetes. I went to the doc and he did some tests, everything was in the normal range. A few months later, back for a normal visit, fasting blood sugar was at 156. Another couple of months, fasting blood sugar at 160. He gave me a meter and told me to test twice daily and come back in two months. That's where I am now. I've been testing twice daily for the past two weeks. Lowest has been 139, highest 279. Average is about 174. I have tested every morning prior to eating anything. I have tested at different times for the second test of the day, before dinner, after dinner, at bedtime, etc. I can't understand why it's been like 149 at bedtime (3 hours post meal), and 186 at awakening.

I have a number of other problems, all weight related. I am a really big man. I'm 54, suffer from osteoarthritis (both knees replaced), severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure (well controlled with multiple meds). I imagine that I will, in all likelihood, be adding some form of insulin to my daily medications in the near future.

Anyway, not here to cry and moan, just trying to learn as much as possible so that I can do the best I can to stay on top of this. Thanks....

[princesslinda]

Jb, are you watching the amount of carbs you're eating? Many of us avoid carbs such as potatoes, rice, pasta, white bread, and instead focus more on lean meats, green veggies and salads.

I think you should be testing more frequently. Testing, esp. 2 hrs after your first bite of food, will show you how different foods affect your blood sugars, and help you make smarter food choices. When first diagnosed, I kept a food journal writing down all I ate and the corresponding blood sugar readings. Before long,I had quite a few blood-sugar friendly choices. Bottom line, if you don't test, you won't know.

Also, exercise is very important. You mention having arthritis and knee replacements, so it may be difficult for you to do certain exercises, still ANYTHING extra you can do exercise-wise will be helpful for you.

I know its even more difficult for a larger person to get moving...I was EXTREMELY overweight at diagnosis, and started riding a stationary bike for as long as I could, increasing every few days.

It may be that you'll need some type of medication to help lower your blood sugars and avoid risk of complications.

A great book for T2 diabetics "Type II Diabetes, The First Year," by Gretchen Becker...she is a diabetic herself and it is full of great basic (and not so basic) information regarding diabetes, different treatments, just lots of good information.

Hang in there! We're here to help. Look around, ask lots of questions. You can get your diabetes under control.

[buddy7]

Hi -- jb :)

I sense a little shyness in your first posting on the DF, that, I can understand, if i can take this opportunity to assure you, please don't be, there are so many people on here with problems as like your-self, you'll get use of sharing them, you'll be surprise the support which will be on offer to you, very comforting indeed, so keep posting let us no more of you.

Fellow posters on here, are a great bunch of guys, you wont regret it, you will learn loads on here.

So jb good evening and welcome to the forum.

B/7 ESSEX UK. ;)

[jb122]

Thanks for the warm welcome, guys. I'm afraid that I've never been very good at monitoring what I eat or taking particularly good care of myself. I've always been very blessed with good health, a good attitude, great physical strength, and decent intelligence. I've always been "too busy" to pay that much attention to healthy eating. It's caught up with me in a really big way over the past 5-6 years, and even after knee replacements, blood clots, sleep apnea, etc. I still don't do well focusing on improving my diet or losing weight. I'll pay close attention to everything here, pitch in when I can help, and remain positive. Thanks again.....

[Jan B]

:hello: Welcome JB

I'm glad you joined. When you understand a bit more, and get more control, you will feel tons better. Baby steps are fine! Princess Linda (moderator) has great advice on Type 2 beginners! -- she is proof you can tackle this and live well.

Since I joined, I am now back on the pump and doing much better with my control. It's great to be here and get the support you want and need. It's great you came now instead of later!