Just diagnosed

[crpgnut]

My diabetes:

I was just diagnosed yesterday with type two diabetes. My doctor does routine blood tests as part of his checkup and my sugar lever was 256. He has put me on Metformin once a day, scheduled me for a ultrasound of my liver, pancreas, and gall bladder and wants me to see an opthamologist. My cholesterol and liver counts were also messed up. He wanted to put me on cholesterol meds but with the unusual liver count, he decided to see what the ultrasound shows first. I just did my first blood sample with the FreeStyle Lite blood glucose monitoring system and it registered a 377. No idea what this means, but I know it's very high. He suggested that I start off with checking my blood sugar twice a week and then we might move it up once I see him again in April. To those who have had diabetes for awhile does this sound like good startup treatment?

Me:

I work in IT for a communications company. I'm a computer tech/SQL grunt. I love reading fantasy novels (you know knights and wizards and D&D type stuff) and playing computer role-playing games. I don't own a console.

[TroyS]

normally with that high of a # you should be checking it pretty regular. I check mine around 6-8 times daily. did they take and A1C

[Evermont]

Hi there and welcome to DF! Lots of great people and good advice here.

I have a desk job, like you. I'm pretty sure all that sitting still is what got me here too. Once you get your numbers down you'll probably want to start moving around a lot more. For now it seems like your doc may be on the right track. Just work your way through some of the posts here and study up on cutting back on carbs and consider testing more while you're learning how different foods effect your blood sugar.

Lots more good advice coming your way...

[crpgnut]

@TroyS-I have more blood work scheduled along with the ultrasound. That test could be in the new batch of bloodwork. I'll look at it tonight and post back here.

@Evermont-It's snowing snowcats and snowdogs here so I might start moving around alot digging out my car :)

I need to read the forums and find out what to have for supper. I've been a meat-and-potatoes guy for life and now I have to learn how to eat. I hate most veggies, so life is gonna suck for awhile.

[TroyS]

You are from St. Louis? I live about an hour away from st. Louis and it is snowing like crazy here also.

[Evermont]

@Evermont-It's snowing snowcats and snowdogs here so I might start moving around alot digging out my car :)

I need to read the forums and find out what to have for supper. I've been a meat-and-potatoes guy for life and now I have to learn how to eat. I hate most veggies, so life is gonna suck for awhile.

Snow shoveling is definitely one of my favorite exercises, I like a variety. My only problem with snow removal is that is coincides exactly with the very best times for snowboarding - my favorite way to burn 400 calories per hour! So I end up doing both which can be too much work for one day.

You'll be heartbroken to find out that potatoes are on the "bad list" - people will tell you not to eat them. Generally I agree but I've learned (by study and by testing) that "it depends". Read up on "Glycemic Index" which explains why the carbs in potatoes and other things can make your blood sugar go too high. But there is a glimmer of hope - not all potatoes are alike. Once you get things under control (numbers below 144) then try a small portion of "new potatoes" that are not overcooked and see what that does to your blood sugar. You may find, as I did, that it's not bad at all. But as we say here "Your mileage may vary" meaning we are not all the same with these things.

I'm a vegetarian but I don't attempt to convert others. It is a good idea to get a lot of variety in your diet so you might want to look into vegetable sources of protein if only to mix things up. My advice about hating vegetables is: start over. Try a fresh new look at them, try everything, learn ways to cook them that are healthy and interesting for you. You might find a few that you thought you hated but get a new appreciation for. You might find a few new ones that you never knew you didn't hate.

[princesslinda]

Crp, welcome! Glad you found the forums....you can learn so much for all these great folks.

First off, you MUST test more than once or twice a week. Your goal is to have good blood sugar control...how will you know you have it if you don't test. When first diagnosed, I wrote down all my meals and what my blood sugar was 2 hrs after the FIRST BITE...this helps you see how different foods affect your blood sugar so you can make smarter food choices.

Also, if you're not getting regular exercise, I urge you to start. It can take the metformin up to 3 weeks to reach optimal results....in the meantime, watching your carbs will help bring your levels down.

Like you, I was/am a picky eater....its been a challenge to find veggies that I like that are blood sugar friendly. Watch the carbs, esp. potatoes, rice, pasta and bread...as these can make your blood sugars go quite high. I eat a lot of salads, green veggies and lean meats, nuts and cheeses...for dessert, s/f pudding, jello, low-carb ice cream. If you like potatoes, try a sweet potato/yam...bake it, add a couple packs of splenda and some cinnamon, maybe a few pecans...YUMMY.

A great book for new T2s "Type II Diabetes, The First Year," by Gretchen Becker...its full of useful information...A must read!

Look around, keep posting, learn all you can about this new part of your life. You'll do fine.

[Montana1]

Hello,
I was in your shoes a couple of months ago. I had higher than normal bs, elevated liver enzymes (CT scan showed a fatty liver) very common with diabetics, high cholesterol. etc.... I came out of the grocery store crying because I was lost in there. I had no idea what to get or how to start eating as a diabetic. My humble suggestions:
Start reading DF all you can. Look at new and old post.
My dr. suggested the book The South Beach Diet.
Start testing your sugars after you eat and write down what you ate and results of bs two hours after.
Last but absolute not least do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. This will reduce bs like nothing elese (for me)
The truth is , I have never eaten as much as I eat now. I was always watching my fats and calories. Now I have a good breakfast. An egg and cheese omelet with veggies is very satisfying and sometimes I add a slice of low carb bread. Lunch and dinner also protein and a good salad. I get to have a snack before bed time too!
I think after you do a little reading you will see that the new way of eating is really not that bad. Take care and tell us how your test came out.
Montana

[BlueSky]

.... I've been a meat-and-potatoes guy for life and now I have to learn how to eat. I hate most veggies, so life is gonna suck for awhile.
Meat and potatoes used to be my staple food too. While I didn't like it at first, swopping the potatoes for salad has worked well. I have acquired new tastes, and I don't even like the taste of potatoes anymore.

Welcome to the forums. ;)

[crpgnut]

@All thanks for the welcome! I already had one small piece of good news. My vision has been changing and I went to see an opthamologist. They took a picture of my eye with a $35000 camera and I don't show any signs of deterioration because of the diabetes. My prescription has changed but the doc said to wait until I get leveled out and then come back. He said that he could give me glasses now and 2 months from now when I leveled out I wouldn't be able to see out of them :)

Thanks to the folks who recommended the books. I'll check them out next time I'm at the library.

[UpNorth]

Welcome to the forums :)

[matingara]

My prescription has changed but the doc said to wait until I get leveled out and then come back. He said that he could give me glasses now and 2 months from now when I leveled out I wouldn't be able to see out of them :)

i made this mistake. i purchased a new pair of glasses just before diagnosis.

once i got my BGLs down and steady i went and saw an opthamologist. eyes are fine. as a bonus, the opthamologist gave me my eye numbers.

i went back to the optometrist and explained my situation and they replaced the lenses at a heavily discounted price!!! (it pays to be nice instead of mad sometimes).

-- Joel.

[susique333]

Welcome Crp to the neatest diabetes forum on the planet!

Linda, I saw your comment on sweet potatoes. I assumed they were starchier & sweeter than a white potato? There is nothing this Irish gal loves more than sweet potato!! Do you know the counts for them?

[princesslinda]

Welcome Crp to the neatest diabetes forum on the planet!

Linda, I saw your comment on sweet potatoes. I assumed they were starchier & sweeter than a white potato? There is nothing this Irish gal loves more than sweet potato!! Do you know the counts for them?


1 small sweet potato (2.1 oz) is 12.4 carbs, 2 fiber
1 med. sweet potato is 23.6 carbs 3.8 fiber

I'm not a big fan, but its a great alternative when you go to a steak house, as you feel you've had a potato.

I'd suggest you check you blood sugar 2 hrs after your first bite and see how the affect YOUR blood sugar, as we are all different in our responses, but it does work for me.

[kgm0612]

HI & Welcome to the forum!

My advice........test more often, limit your carbohydrate intake, keep a log of what foods you are eating, and get in some exercise if you're not already doing so.

Karen