New to Type II

[halfqbanman]

Hey everyone, this is my first post. I was diagnosed a week ago Wednesday. I'm only 33 years old. I told my doctor I didn't want to go on meds. Since then I have been eating low carb/low GI and walking trying to drop weight.

I test twice a day usually before lunch and then after dinner. My levels are usually down (120s to 130s) but once in a while I get weird spikes (171 last night). I feel like **** most of the time - headaches, fatigue, wore down. Healthy eating turns my stomach, it's like I don't want to eat but I make myself at meal and snack times.

Will I break through this initial period or is this the life I have to look forward to? Any other advise?

Have any of you successfully dropped the weight and completely managed the disease? This is my goal.

[princesslinda]

Welcome halfqbanman, sorry you were diagnosed with diabetes, but glad you found the forums! It has been a lifesaver for me!

I was 42 when diagnosed...felt that was WAY too young as well. It is a shock, but after awhile it becomes just another part of your life.

When your numbers are higher than they should be, its natural for you to feel tired. This should resolve as your numbers get and stay at better levels. You'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel at that point.

Right now, your entire lifestyle has changed, and its a lot to deal with. Take it one day at a time. When I was first diagnosed, I kept a food journal, writing down everything I ate along with corresponding blood sugar levels 2 hours after my first bite of food. If you do this, you'll see which foods are most blood-sugar friendly, and be able to make better food choices. Within a couple of weeks, I had a pretty good menu of foods I could have that wouldn't cause my #s to spike upwards.

I was a carb-junkie, and I still miss some things, but i've learned to make some of my favorite foods in a more carb-friendly way. Don't look at it as having to give up things, look at it as just a new way of eating that will make you feel better. There's not much you can't have if you plan for it properly. It may not be exactly the same diet you had before diagnosis, but it really isn't the end of the world (though I do still miss Twinkies..BAD!;) )

Hang in there. We're all here for you. Every post you read is made by someone just like you, someone who was going about their lives and then one day was diagnosed with diabetes....I found it very encouraging when I realized this.

Look around, ask lots of questions. You will be fine!

[Edmundich]

I was diagnosed on Tuesday and are havind the same reaction. Plus, for some weird i am really depressed the whole time.

[halfqbanman]

Thanks p-linda... I am in Knoxville too.

[princesslinda]

Ed, Its certainly not unusual to feel depressed and sad when you're given unexpected news like a diagnosis of diabetes. Right now you don't know what to expect, and most of us aren't given a lot of instruction. I was told by a nurse on the phone that I had diabetes, to take a pill they were calling in for me, lose weight and check my blood sugar once each morning and come back in 3 months for more bloodwork. I remember putting the phone down and bursting into tears.

I didn't know what to eat, was afraid to stick my fingers, felt really bad (tired, grouchy, sick). I was quite overweight, and felt so much guilt that I had "given myself diabetes."

I allowed myself the luxury of "wallowing in my misery" for a couple of days, then realized none of this was helping me and I needed to make a plan of action and figure out how to live the rest of my life with diabetes.

I started a low carb diet (gave up potatoes, rice, pasta, bread) and started eating a lot of salads, green veggies, lean meats and s/f pudding and jello. I also pulled out the treadmill and removed the clothes hanging from it...and started using it regularly.

I'm still here 18 months later, have lost 80 lbs and have a pretty good A1C. I feel better than i've felt in years, and really feel that diabetes was a "mixed blessing" as it makes me take better care of myself...and I may end up living longer with it than without it.

Do I ever get tired of dealing with it? Of course. Do I miss my old way of eating? Absolutely. But, I also get tired of my job, my spouse, my friends, and just about everything else in my life at times....But I don't get rid of them. Same way in dealing with diabetes. Realize its only one part of your life. Don't let yourself be so consumed with worry...live your life as happily and healthy as you possibly can. There are many more things things in life that are worse than diabetes.

[princesslinda]

Thanks p-linda... I am in Knoxville too.

Well hello neighbor!:itsme: ....there are a few more Knoxvillians on the forum...maybe they'll drop in and say hello.

[CaptainMike]

I was diagnosed just about a year ago, not long after my 40th birthday. It came as a complete shock. I do recall feeling completely 'Out of sorts' for at least a month or so after significantly changing my diet and going on meds (which I am now off of). I assure you you will eventually feel better. Looking back on things, The several months prior to diagnosis were sort of like living in a fog. Wandering around with blood glucose levels in the 200-300+ range I was tired all the time and had terrible concentration, poor vision, tingling extremeties, all kinds of lousiness. All I can tell you is it WILL get dramatically better. Post in here with ANY questions you have, it can be terribly confusing at first.
Mike

[susique333]

Hello Halfq, Welcome! Youre going to love this forum. I too was shocked at my initial diagnosis and after the fear left, in flowed the idea that by golly, I was going to cure myself. Of course it didnt happen and then I really felt out of control for a few months. I have since then learned we can lessen the complications that come with this disease by lowering our carbs and or taking the proper medications. Once the idea settles in, you will realize this is certainly something that is manageable.

[loris]

:) it does get better. I remember calling my mom (who also has diabetes) and being almost in tears when I talked about not knowing what I could possibly eat that wouldn't hurt me. It felt like every food I loved was being taken away from me. (did you know grapenuts are evil?)

But it got much easier, and I felt much better. I also remember feeling very in control when Easter came around and I realized it was still possible to eat my beloved peanutbutter eggs from time to time if I gave up my afternoon snack for one.

Your BG will even out for you, and you'll find you have much more energy, the headaches should go away, and you should feel much better. It does take time for your body to adjust though, so don't dispare if doesn't happen right away. And there's always lots of support here for those bad days when it feels like the disease is getting the better of you. There's also great support for when you're doing really well, and want some encouragement and a few pats on the back.

[TomB]

Howdy neighbor,
I live east of you, just on the other side of the Appalachians. Saw your post and figured that maybe you needed a bit of an uplift. So, here it is.
There wasn't a darn thing you could have done to avoid getting diabetes so be thankful it was caught before it did some serious damage. Take a read of the complications of diabetes, like too much glucose scratching away at your arteries. The irratation causes plaque to grab a hold and build up. The list goes on and on. I know that you're now faced with a change in life style, but it could be worse. The odds of avoiding down the road mishaps is excellant.
And just think of some of the other benefits. Eating the right stuff, excercising and being in tune with your body ought to make you look and feel lots better. At work, you can always bail out of some boring meeting by saying you need to go check your blood sugar. I'm sure that given a bit of time, you'll find other benefits as well.
I am truely sorry that you got this thing, wouldn't wish it on anyone. But do try and find some good in it, it's there, just got to look a bit harder now.
Tom

[R2112]

halfqbanman- I'm in the same boat as you, I was just told yesterday morning and was taken back by the words "Your a Diabetic." First reaction was...what did you just say, then no way your kidding right. I took a long drive home and stopped off at the beach here in San Diego just to reflect on the news and wonder if this was a forever thing or can I get better if I change something? When I got home and on the computer I found this forum and glad I did. It truely made me feel better. You can find a ton of information here and it's a lively forum where someone will get back to you pretty quickly.

I'm still not sure what to do but will have a ton of question for my doctor next week now that I kind of know what to ask. I look at we're not the first to get this news nor are we the last so a few changes shouldn't hurt to much. I'm just thankful I found out now before anything gets worst! It also explained a lot of questions on why I seemed to be dragging my feet or not feeling to well in the morning. I'm still really bummed but I know things will get better.

[Cramster]

Hi halfqbanman and welcome to DF :)
Besides dealing with the overwhelming amounts of information of dealing with the disease, eventually you find your way of reaching an equilibrium of diet, exercise, meds(or lack of), and blood sugar levels. Once this is managed, it's likely that you will find enjoyment in maintaining the equilibrium. That's what my case has turned to. The real fun starts when your balance shifts from things that are not your fault. Just remember that you didn't cause the D, it was bound to happen sooner or later, so keep on truckin'.

[xMenace]

The most important thing to do is get your blood sugars down. By doing it all on your own, you are setting yourself up for serious damage. Go on the meds, get controlled, and then do your worst to get off them. Don't be a ****ing hero!

You should also test first thing in the morning a couple times a week. This is one of the most telling tests you can do. The other tests you do are great too.

[Kim_in_TN]

Hello and welcome! I am fairly new to the forum too. I was diagnosed 4 years ago, and I am JUST NOW really getting proactive in my own care. Sure, I took my meds like a good girl, but that was it. The first couple of months I watched my eating but then as my A1c started coming down, I thought it was a license to eat whatever I wanted. NOT TRUE! Anyway, I am finally really being "good" and it's starting to pay off!

Hang in there, and read, read, read!

Oh, I am in Middle TN! ;)

[beau91]

Welcome to the forum Halfqbanman.You have the same reaction has a lot of people .Me when they told me ; it did'nt really bother me .I did'nt Know all the trouble or the disease I could get by not treating my diabetes .It does'nt take long to realize all the damage it can do .I read ,surfed ,saw doctors nurses,.But the good thng that happened to me was to find this forum.I joined last year and I learned a lot.Hope it will be the same for you Bye Ricky

[Jill-O]

Hi and welcome here from Virginia http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/aiw/bye.gif

You will find a lot of nice people and good advice here http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/aiw/yes.gif

As far as managing it with diet and exercise, that is possible for some people. However, this is a progressive disease. I feel like if you have had a problem with it, then it's a matter of time before it does eventually get worse and you may need medicines.

You will feel a lot better once things get sorted out.

[davef]

halfqbanman,

Welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed 12 weeks ago and remember the shock, anger, disbelief, denial, depression, it's all normal. The important thing to remember is that you can take control.

Finding this forum will be a great tool in your new life, it's full of great people who are always here to help and support.

I would recommend regular testing, as this is how you can find out what food works for you and what doesn't. This was recommended to me and it was a big help, I still test regularly and especially after eating something new.

Dropping weight, will in my humble non-medical opinion help get your readings down. I know when my doctor said I needed to go on Metformin, I was upset, but hey, it's only a tablet twice a day, so if you do end up on medication don't sweat it.

I have lost 36 pounds in the last 12 weeks and feel better now with diabetes that I have for years. I reckon that diabetes was a wake up call that was badly needed as I was without a doubt heading for a heart attack, so getting the disease saved my life.

There is a great book called "The first year: Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker, which was recommended to me here in the forum. I found the book to be very easy to read and full of great information.

Remember that having diabetes is NOT your fault, and one final thing, keep in mind that you control your diabetes, it does not control you.

Keep up the good fight and visit/post often,

[halfqbanman]

Thanks for all the great encouragement everyone. I am starting to feel better emotionally and physically (getting more and more used to eating in a new way).

I am not trying to be a hero by declining meds., just doing what I can daily to avoid them as long as possible. I would rather do this the hard way if need be to stay off medication. That may not always be an option, I understand that.

I am 13 days in and last I checked (Saturday) I have lost 7lbs. Taking the fight to the disease.

[davef]

I am 13 days in and last I checked (Saturday) I have lost 7lbs. Taking the fight to the disease.

Cool, well done on the weight loss and great attitude!

[Cramster]

Keep up the hard work halfqbanman, keep us posted on your progress :)

[Dewey]

Welcome to the forums, halfqbanman. As the others said, keep up the good work, and feel free to ask questions or for support. We'll do our best to help when & where possible.