Greetings from Manitoba, Can.

[Tazmara]

Greetings to all!! (smiles and waves) I do hope that this message finds you all doing well and having a wonderful start to your weekend!!

I came across this forum doing a google search for nose bleeds in association to diabetes... and am so happy that I did. I am a believer that all things happen for a reason... so I was meant to find you at this point in my life. I do look forward to getting to know others over time. (soft smile)

I was diagnosed with diabetes Dec 28, 2007. I have not been told if I am type 1 or 2, but through reading online, I believe I am type 2. Due to my severe lack of knowledge on diabetes, it scared me when I was diagnosed. I took this news harder than when I was diagnosed with cancer 5 yrs ago. (giggle) Due to high waiting lists in our area, I have yet to be pre-assessed prior to meeting with a diabetes educator/dietician. That appointment will be finally coming up in about 2 weeks.

My initial diagnosis came about from a gamet of tests the doctor ordered to try and find out the reason I had experienced a significant weight loss within a short period of time. I am over weight, and have been all my life... so the weight loss without trying was okay with me. (giggle) Have to say that I am addicted to that "side effect". :)

At present I am taking Metformin 2000mg, Glyburide 5mg, and ASA 81mg daily for the diabetes, Omeprazole 20mg daily for gastro reflux, and Ramipril 2.5mg daily for high blood pressure. The bp meds may be increased at my next appointment. I use a Contour meter/Ascensia Microlet. I was sitting at readings 18 - 21 mmol/L before meals, but managed to get it down to 5-7 before meals and 7-10 2 hrs after meals. Until these last few days, I have been sitting a bit higher again.

One thing I have noticed is if I eat more in a day, my sugars are lower. I am not a big eater, and don't often get hungry. If I am busy, I will forget to eat. I know that this is not a safe practice, and am trying my best to work my way up to 3 meals a day and each day. My ultimate goal is suppose to be 6 small meals a day. So far, I have only managed to get the "small meals" under control. (giggle) My doctor adjusted my schedule to take my meds based on the two meals a day, and has not advised otherwise, because my readings never get low enough to worry about my becoming too low from missing a meal.

Other than getting myself on a more regular eating schedule, my biggest challenge is knowing what I can eat and quantities. I know that once I finally get to see the dietician, I will get answers to those questions. :)

I welcome any questions people may have so that I can share more about myself. I tend to babble a lot, but have a hard time figuring what to write to introduce myself. I do look forward to getting to know others via this forum. I also look forward to learning more through others' experiences. :)

[Evermont]

Hi Tazmara, Welcome to DF! You'll fit right in here I think.

[notme]

Welcome to Diabetes Forums Tazmara. I am glad you stumbled across this site and decided to join in.

Welcome!!!!

[morrisma]

Welcome to our club!

Hope we can help with info & support.
Mike

[mho357]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Mark

[Tazmara]

Greetings Keith, Nancy, Mike and Mark!! Thank you for the welcome!! It is the rainbow in my day to find this forum. Already having fun wandering about, reading, and learning from the other posts. Looking forward to getting to know you all better. :)

[xMenace]

Welcome to the club. :D

[beau91]

Hi Tazmara.Welcome to the forum .You will see a lot of good people here .You'l find answer to your questions ,Sometimes you will laugh and if you want to rant it's the place to ,.Happy that you googled on the site .Bye Ricky

[Jan B]

Hi Tazmara,

I got dizzy reading your original post. It's funny, when I was in my 20s, I loved making 6pt font size documents! Several years later, I thoroughly understand the old folks wanting big print!! When I find my magnifying glass, I'll try to read your post again. I'm just messin' with you!

I'm glad you found this place and joined. I've had diabetes so long, I'm still a little surprised at the fear it causes in newbies. I shouldn't be though, because it's a hard disease for those without it to understand. I didn't even read about it for years, because all the info out there was negative and scary. Knowledge is power and you are getting more powerful all the time!! This is a very good place to learn.

[Tazmara]

Thank you for the welcome John!! :)

[Tazmara]

Greetings Jan!! (smiles and waves) Sorry about the small print... learning experience to not choose font size 1 again. It is a tad hard on the eye balls. (giggle) I used to write that small when I was in high school. I had a math proof handed back to me, and was told that if I did not learn to write larger or supply a magnifying glass with my assignments, I would get a failing mark, even if my answers were all correct. (giggle)

Jan wrote:
I'm glad you found this place and joined. I've had diabetes so long, I'm still a little surprised at the fear it causes in newbies. I shouldn't be though, because it's a hard disease for those without it to understand. I didn't even read about it for years, because all the info out there was negative and scary. Knowledge is power and you are getting more powerful all the time!! This is a very good place to learn.
There is definitely a lot of negative out there about diabetes. Isn't it funny how people can be so quick to tell you negative experiences before positive ones?? A family member's first response to learning I have diabetes was to tell me that she wasn't surprised because many family members on my paternal side have it or had it. She then proceded to tell me the ones that have died due to complications associated to diabetes. I did not welcome learning that the first few days following my diagnosis. I do believe that all things happen for a reason though, and have come to the conclusion that her words motivated me to do the best that I can to make healthy life style changes so that one day a family member is not adding me to that same list. (soft smile) Yes, you are right... knowledge is power. :)

[Tazmara]

Greetings Ricky!! (smiles and waves) Thank you for the welcome!! I have been wandering around and reading some of the posts, and from what I have read, I am already very pleased that I have found this forum and joined. :) I have learned that some of my frustrations, others have experienced too. I have learned how caring people here can be. I have learned that there are many that use humor, and that is something that is very important to me for me to use. Sometimes my venting may be on the sarcastic side, but never will it be intended to harm or hurt anyone else. Feels like a wonderful and safe environment here, and I am very pleased to have become a member. (warm smile)

[susique333]

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/lucymtz1009/Hello.gif

Youre gonna love this forum!

[Tazmara]

Greetings Susie!! (smiles and waves) Thank you for the hello!! Yes, you are right... I already do love this forum!! :)

[matingara]

Other than getting myself on a more regular eating schedule, my biggest challenge is knowing what I can eat and quantities. I know that once I finally get to see the dietician, I will get answers to those questions. ):)

Hi Tazmara and welcome!

I would just like to say that your health care team is made up of you, your GP, your Diabetes Educator (if you have one, your dietitian and several other people.

HOWEVER, the boss of the team is YOU. you need to learn heaps over the next few months. and that is what we can help you out with here.

i managed to get my Blood Sugars into a non-diabetic range and my HbA1C in a non-diabetic range within 5 months of diagnosis. i have done this by exercise, a very small dose of medicine and by reducing the carbohydrate component of my diet.

the biggest contributor to my good numbers has been the diet changes. (reducing carbohydrates).

let us know what happens with your dietitian. and we will provide whatever help we can!

-- Joel.

[Tazmara]

Greetings Joel and thank you for the welcome!! (warm smile) Way to go for getting your blood sugars and HbA1C within normal non-diabetic ranges!!! :)

So far, my health care team consists of my GP, pharmacist, this group, and myself. When I go for the assessment, I will then be given an appointment to see a dietician and diabetes educator. It was explained to me that I must go through the assessment process prior to meeting either, so that they will be better able to assist me when I do see them. I was told that it may be another month or so before I will actually meet the dietician and educator.

I do accept that I will have so much to learn, and want to learn as much as I can to get my diabetes under control. I am having one of those days where I have been a good girl, but the meter shows that my sugars are high. I find that so discouraging when I have been trying so hard. But through reading other posts, I have learned that sometimes that just happens, and that there are so many factors that could be at play to cause this. I am not so discouraged now. (soft smile)

Thank you for the welcome and for the words you shared!! :)

[matingara]

Greetings Joel and thank you for the welcome!! (warm smile) Way to go for getting your blood sugars and HbA1C within normal non-diabetic ranges!!! :)

So far, my health care team consists of my GP, pharmacist, this group, and myself. When I go for the assessment, I will then be given an appointment to see a dietician and diabetes educator. It was explained to me that I must go through the assessment process prior to meeting either, so that they will be better able to assist me when I do see them. I was told that it may be another month or so before I will actually meet the dietician and educator.

I do accept that I will have so much to learn, and want to learn as much as I can to get my diabetes under control. I am having one of those days where I have been a good girl, but the meter shows that my sugars are high. I find that so discouraging when I have been trying so hard. But through reading other posts, I have learned that sometimes that just happens, and that there are so many factors that could be at play to cause this. I am not so discouraged now. (soft smile)

Thank you for the welcome and for the words you shared!! :)

my pleasure Tazmara. you really need to tell us what you have been eating (as i said in the other thread...)!!!

-- Joel.

[Tazmara]

my pleasure Tazmara. you really need to tell us what you have been eating (as i said in the other thread...)!!!

-- Joel.
Greetings Joel!! (smiles and waves) Sorry, I had not even thought that explaining what I have been eating... but of course what I am eating would be important. Thank you for asking this. :)

Because I don't know what I am allowed to eat or quantities, I have been reading lables and picking things that have low carbs, low sugars, high fiber and low sodium.

Often for breakfast I will have a cup of oatmeal with 3 tbsp oatbran added. I do not add sugar or salt to it when I cook it. And I do not use the pre-packaged instant oatmeal, because of the sugar and salt in it. Sometimes I will eat a small apple or other piece of fruit. My fruit choices have been apples, canteloup, watermelon, peaches, and nectarines so far.

For lunch, I will often make a salad which consists of lettuce, cabbage, carrots, onions, and 1/4 cup salmon that has been rinsed in a strainer to wash away as much oil as possible. Sometimes I will use water packed tuna instead, but still do rinse it prior to putting on the salad. Sometimes I will add cheddar cheese to it, bean sprouts, and fresh mushrooms. I have bought 1% cottage cheese to use instead of the cheddar cheese, but have not yet. When I do, I plan on using 2 tbsps of it to replace the 1/8 cup cheddar cheese I sometimes use. I recently bought frozen salmon that I will cook and use to replace the canned salmon. If I have cooked a chicken or roast, I will also add about a 1/4 cup of that instead of the tuna or salmon. I do not use any dressings at all. I also will have a piece of fruit with this if time allows.

Other times for lunch I will make a sandwich which consists of 2 pieces of thin sliced City Rye bread (Per slice - Carbs 13g, Fibre 1g, sugars 0g), and depends on what I have cooked... lean beef, chicken, or will use tuna or salmon. Often I will add lettuce to the sandwich. Sometimes I will cook an egg with green onions in the microwave and use that as filler. I do not use butter nor margarine, with my sandwiches or when cooking the egg. I do not use condiments either. I always have a minimum of 2 pieces of fruit with me with my lunches.

Supper usually consists of soups I have made. I will cook a beef roast or chicken with the skin removed, save the broth, cool it so the fats will rise to the surface and can be removed. Most of the time, my soups have lentils and barley. All my soups have a lot of veggies such as broccoli, peas, cauliflower, carrots, beans, onions. Sometimes I will buy frozen stir-fry mixes of veggies to add to my soups. I use a variety of spices that are salt-free. I will usually have a cup to 2 cups of soup for supper. Most times I will have a piece of fruit following.

When I am reaching for snacks, because of my salt craving or wanting something crunchy, I will have a cup of air popped popcorn (no butter or salt added), or I will allow myself a treat of a rice cake (but not the flavored ones because of the high sodium and sugars).

For beverages through the day/evening, I drink coffee and water in the morning. Aproximately 4 - 5 cups black coffee, and the same amount of water. By lunch time, or shortly there after, I switch to just water. In a day, I will drink a minimum of 2 litres of water. Sometimes I will drink diet pepsi, but not often... perhaps one every week or two. When I am really craving sweets, as I used to be a choc-o-holic, I will drink a licorice herbal tea because I get a sweet after taste. It is usually in the evening when my sweet tooth talks to me, so I do not often drink the tea through the day.

I do not have much variety to my meals at this time because of my not knowing how much of what I am allowed to eat. I do know that once I get in to see the Diabetes Educator and Dietician, my meals will have more variety to them. I'll also be buying a food scale so that I can more closely monitor the quantities of solids I consume. :)

[matingara]

wow! thanks for the detailed answer Tazmara.

there are three types of things inside the food we eat. these three things are:

proteins - made up of amino acids.
fat - made up of fatty acids attached to a glycerin molecule and
carbohydrates - made up of polysaccharides.

polysaccharide means "many sugars". when these hit your saliva and your gut they are very swiftly changed from a complex long chained polysaccharide into simple glucose.

oatmeal, peaches, nectarines, barley, carrots, apples, peas and onions are all very high in carbohydrate content. (and so is any bread, any rice and any pasta).

veggies like broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage are very low in carbs.

you are also unnecessarily demonizing both salt and fat. just because the popular press is down on these doesn't mean they are right. for some people with a certain genetic background fat is very important and does not need to be limited.

have a read of What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie? - New York Times (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9F04E2D61F3EF934A35754C0A9649C8B63)

anyway, as you said there is a lot to learn and read. but you are doing well so far! keep up th egood work.

-- Joel.

[Schlep]

Welcome from a fellow Canadian

[Holly]

Hi Tazmara

Another Canadian here that was diagnosed two weeks after you were. I suspected diabetes mid December because out of curiosity - I tested my self with my husbands glucometer and wasn't getting good readings. Husband had just been diagnosed in October following a stroke. :-(

I've been to one Diabetic class with another tomorrow. So far have managed to lose about five pounds. We haven't had great weather to walk in - record snow falls although I've been walking a dog some days for my vet. I'm an exercise slug but that is going to have to change. My A1C was .08. I don't know what the second will be but most of my readings have been in the 6mmol range. I take Metformin 500mg twice a day and 81mg of ASA plus Crestor as my cholesterols were off the chart.

[Schlep]

Hi Tazmara

Another Canadian here that was diagnosed two weeks after you were. I suspected diabetes mid December because out of curiosity - I tested my self with my husbands glucometer and wasn't getting good readings. Husband had just been diagnosed in October following a stroke. :-(

I've been to one Diabetic class with another tomorrow. So far have managed to lose about five pounds. We haven't had great weather to walk in - record snow falls although I've been walking a dog some days for my vet. I'm an exercise slug but that is going to have to change. My A1C was .08. I don't know what the second will be but most of my readings have been in the 6mmol range. I take Metformin 500mg twice a day and 81mg of ASA plus Crestor as my cholesterols were off the chart.

Where abouts in Canada are you and are you aware that your profile says you are a male?:)

[Tazmara]

Greetings Joel and thanks again for your reply!! (smiles and waves)

I started reading the article you recommended but had to get to work, so I will finish reading it tonight. Very informative!! Thank you for the recommendation. :)

You know, I knew that corn was not considered a great choice in veggies, and the same with potatoes. I had no idea that there were high carb veggies. I am going to go search what veggies are better for me, and then go grocery shopping. I need to re-think the soups I make. :)

Oh, and my main reason for avoiding the salt is because of my high blood pressure. Doc said to cut it out of my diet, so I have to the best of my ability. I do not eat celery because it is too high in natural salt, do not eat canned soup, and read lables to avoid other things that are high in sodium. I know that the body does need a certain amount of it, but I have not found a way to totally avoid it, so I figure that it is probably getting the daily required amount, and then some anyways. :)

I will admit that I enjoy that I don't have to be quite so concious of avoiding the fat. That is an age old thing with me, due to being overweight since birth and battling that. I will say that I am quite enjoying the weight loss that started about 6 months or so ago. I am down to a weight that I have not been since my early 20's. My ex saw me resently. We have not seen each other for almost 2 yrs, and he has never seen me at this size before. His reaction was a wonderful boost to my self-esteem and self-image (I have a distored self-image and tend to see myself as larger than others see me). (giggle) So, anything that I can do to keep this up, I will do. :)

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement too!! :)

[Tazmara]

Greetings fellow Canadian!! Thanks for the welcome Schlep!! (smiles and waves)

[Tazmara]

Greetings Holly and thank you for the welcome!! (smiles and waves)

We have not had a lot of snow here, but it sure has been cold. I was living in Thompson for a few years, and got used to the snow levels there... so now, when I see our snow levels I keep thinking "we're going to get a good dump yet"... and it doesn't come. There are a few farmers hoping for more snow or a wet spring.

That was good that you decided to test yourself with your husband's meter. A friend of mine was diagnosed, and her husband attended the education class as support to her, and discovered his sugars were higher than her's. Told him that was carrying the support thing a little too far. (giggle) How is your husband doing since his stroke?? I am hoping that he is recovering well or has recovered already. Do you find it a support that he has diabetes too?? Just curious. (soft smile)

Way to go with the 5 lb weight loss!! Not everyone is gungho about exercising. I believe what a person needs to do is find even one or two things that they enjoy doing and focus on that. I have also been told that for some, having a "buddy" to exercise with them helps. Walking a dog is great exercise. Of course, the amount depends on how active that dog is. (giggle) For myself, I enjoy walking and swimming. Though because of being self conscious of my size, I have not been an active swimmer for years. In the winter, I tend to be a home body, so I bought a membership at our local fitness centre. I live in a small town, so when I found out that they had a fitness centre, I was all excited. <giggle> Because of the money I spent on the membership, I cannot justify just staying home, and that is what motivates me to go. So, you just have to find what works for you. :)

I do not know what my A1C is... actually, I don't even know what that is... (giggle) The only numbers that I am familiar with are the mmol readings and thanks to the converter on this site, I now know what mg/dL is. Each day I am learning something new here... some days more than just one thing. And I welcome that learning to continue for many months to come. :) If your mmol readings are around 6, that is okay, isn't it?? I am suppose to aim for mmol of 3-7 before meals and can go up to 10 2 hrs after a meal according to my doctor. Right now I am averaging 8.4, but that is both before and after combined. Prior to my med change about 4 weeks ago, I was averaging around 13. Now that I know a little more about some veggies that are high carb, I will make that change with my soups, and perhaps I will see that average come down. (crossing fingers) My chloresterol was high, but the doctor said that diabetes can cause that, so she had me retested. I should find out how it is tomorrow.

[matingara]

If your mmol readings are around 6, that is okay, isn't it?? I am suppose to aim for mmol of 3-7 before meals and can go up to 10 2 hrs after a meal according to my doctor. Right now I am averaging 8.4, but that is both before and after combined. Prior to my med change about 4 weeks ago, I was averaging around 13. Now that I know a little more about some veggies that are high carb, I will make that change with my soups, and perhaps I will see that average come down. (crossing fingers) My chloresterol was high, but the doctor said that diabetes can cause that, so she had me retested. I should find out how it is tomorrow.

the standard (in Australia) normal for mmol/l is a reading between 4 and 8.

people i have spoken to (GP and CDE) say to aim for below 6 before meals and below 8 two hours after meals with an "occasional spike" to 9 or 10 after meals as acceptable.

i am a bit more aggressive.

i aim for below 6 before meals.

but i aim for less than 7.8 two hours after meals. i prefer my post meal reading to be below 7.0 and most of the time i achieve that.

i also keep all my readings in a spreadsheet. (i manually enter the data - it does not take long). i would be happy to email a blank copy of the spreadsheet to you so you can use the same format that i do.

the spreadsheet shows rolling averages for 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days.

based on the 120 day figure it also calculates an estimated HbA1c figure. at the moment the data says that my 120 day average BGL is 6.0 and my "estimated" A1c is 5.2%.

in a nutshell: below 6 before meals/fasting. below 7.8 two hours after meals.

these are non-diabetic numbers.

also, an HbA1c under 6% is also considered non-diabetic.

hope that helps!

-- Joel.

[matingara]

You know, I knew that corn was not considered a great choice in veggies, and the same with potatoes. I had no idea that there were high carb veggies. I am going to go search what veggies are better for me, and then go grocery shopping. I need to re-think the soups I make. :)

Oh, and my main reason for avoiding the salt is because of my high blood pressure. Doc said to cut it out of my diet, so I have to the best of my ability. :)

Tazmara, it is great to have someone who is so keen to learn! i am still new at all this but have learned a lot - so i share those things i am comfortable with.

Corn is NOT a vegetable! corn is a grain (just like rice). it is very "starchy". that said, i love corn. and i will eat half a fresh cob every couple of weeks at dinner time. does not seem to have a bad effect on my BGL.

for some great low carb soup recipes look at The Low Carb Cafe (http://www.lowcarbcafe.com/modules.php?name=Recipes&op=search&cat_id=14&sort=recipename). i recommend the broccoli soup!

i have had high-ish blood pressure for years. it is part of my whole genetic package! i take a tablet for that. my BP has been normal since i started the tabs 10 years ago.

i have heard the talk about salt being bad. and i tried reducing salt - but it made no difference. the tablet made the difference.

:)

-- Joel.

[Tazmara]

Greetings Joel!! (smiles and waves) I am so sorry that I have not replied sooner. And now I have to run, so I will reply on the weekend. Between work and classes, I have not been online much at all. Can't wait to get all caught up with everyone again. :)

[Tazmara]

the standard (in Australia) normal for mmol/l is a reading between 4 and 8.
people i have spoken to (GP and CDE) say to aim for below 6 before meals and below 8 two hours after meals with an "occasional spike" to 9 or 10 after meals as acceptable.
(snip)
i also keep all my readings in a spreadsheet. (i manually enter the data - it does not take long). i would be happy to email a blank copy of the spreadsheet to you so you can use the same format that i do.
the spreadsheet shows rolling averages for 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days.
(snip)
also, an HbA1c under 6% is also considered non-diabetic.
hope that helps!
(added from next message)
for some great low carb soup recipes look at The Low Carb Cafe. i recommend the broccoli soup!
i have had high-ish blood pressure for years. it is part of my whole genetic package! i take a tablet for that. my BP has been normal since i started the tabs 10 years ago.

-- Joel.

Greetings Joel!! (smiles and waves) Sorry it has taken me so long to reply.

You are doing GREAT at maintaining good numbers with your bg. Way to go!! (warm smile) My numbers would not be within the ranges that you aim for in Australia. I would still be considered too high most of the time. Though my evening after meals would be fine. Through the day, I tend to have higher readings, and especially first thing in the morning (fasting). I asked the doctor what my HbA1c was, and she said it was 10.1, but that it will come down the next time she tests that. She also told me that I was tested to see which type I was, and am diagnosed as type 2. My chloresterol did not come down significantly, so I am now taking 10mg Atorvastatin once a day (the generic version of Lipitor). She has increased my Glyburide from 2.5mg twice daily to 5.0 twice daily. If my numbers are still too high, I am to increase the dose to 10mg twice daily. Not sure if I should do that now that I am hitting lows in the 3's. I've only done that twice though in the last week or so. I will see how I am doing by Wednesday to determine if I am to increase it or not.

I would love it if you could please send me a blank copy of the spreadsheet that you use. It sounds wonderful for tracking progress. Thank you so much for the offer. (soft smile)

I also thank you for the link to the site with recipes. I just bought a bunch of brocoli and will try the soup. Thanks for the recommendation. :)

When I was 18-19, I had really high blood pressure. I was put on meds, quit drinking, and learned to better cope with stress. My bp was back to normal within a year or so, and has managed to stay there until just this last year. When I went to see the doctor last week, she tested my bp, and said that it was fine. Actually, it was the lowest it has been in a very long time... 121/74. I had one of my major nose bleeds that morning, and had lost more than a pint of blood in 4 days. I asked her if that would have anything to do with the drop in bp, but she did not believe it had anything to do with it. She also stated that the nose bleeds have nothing to do with the diabetes or vise versa. Instead she said that it is due to the cold and dry air our winters has been giving us. She said to keep taking the ASA, because the benefits of taking it out weighs the nose bleeds. High bp is part of my genetic package too. (soft smile)

Thank you again for your words. Yes, they have helped!! (warm smile)