Denial?

[Bluemax]

Hi!

I was just diagnosed Type 2 about a week ago. I am now taking Januvia and everything seems fine. My question is... am I really a diabetic. My fasting glucose has been checked 3 times over the last 2 months. The results were 124, then 142, then 182.. The doctor had me do a urine output test. I had about filled the jug.
The main reason I am resisting the diagnosis is
1. I am not overweight 5'11 190lbs..
2. No family history

I do have to confess to extreme exhaustion from time to time. I do drink alot of water and pee alot, but always have. I have found that when I feel really exhausted a candy bar fixes me right up. ( I know this all fits the mold...)
I just started using a glucometer twice a day.. Once in the morning and once before dinner. The morning average is about 130 and the evening is about 115.

Any thoughts? I have an appt with a diabetes program specialist in 2 weeks, and any input from the forum would be greatly appreciated.

[MJB]

1. You don't have to be overweight to be a T2 diabetic.
(If you go by BMI, which I don't like, I'm quite sure you are overweight if not obese.)

2. Do you really know that no one in your family was diabetic? I didn't know until after I was diagnosed.

Two fasting readings over 126 are one of the indicators for diabetes, and you have that.

I've had diabetes for a year and a half and with the exception of when I was diagnosed I've never had a fasting reading anywhere near 182.

I'm not a doctor but I would say you are most likely a diabetic. Accept your diagnosis and take care of yourself.

Welcome to DF, lots of good folks here.

[RobiJo]

Ditto on what MJB said. Your fasting numbers indicate something is going on/not working as it should. Glad you found DF, and welcome.

[Aurelius]

Bluemax,

Have you had an A1C test? If not, get one along with glucose tolerance test. Talk to your doctor about these immediately.

As the two posts before me have suggested, something is indeed going on.

Welcome to this forum. The folks here will be able to answer most of your questions and we are all here to support you.

[Achilles]

Greetings Bluemax. I too was diagnosed about a week ago with Type 2 diabetes. I'm not overweight either at 5'-10" and a little less than 180 lbs.

I've been on Metformin for about a week and eating a low carb diet. I also bought a glucose monitor and the past couple of mornings my BG was 115 and 120 mg/mL. When I was diagnosed, my fasting BG was 262. Kind of amazing what a week's worth of exercising and modifying your diet can do.

Hang in there. This can be really tough to accept for a while.

[morrisma]

Almost certainly you are diabetic. Sorry about that.

Try testing 2 hours after the first bite of each meal. A non-diabetic will be under 140 certainly and most likely under 100 by that time.

Embrace the obvious and work on good control!

[princesslinda]

Welcome Bluemax! I agree with the above posters, it does seem that you have something going on.

I'd get an A1C test which will show your 90 day average blood sugar. Your fastings are elevated. You should also check your post meal #s...these are usually the first to show problems. Testing 2 hrs after your first bite of food will show you how different foods are affecting your blood sugars and help you make smarter food choices. These #s should be under 140.

Glad you found the forums. There's lots of good advice to be found here. Keep us posted on how things are going.

[fgummett]

Welcome Bluemax... glad you found us at DF!

BMI for your height and weight is 26.5 = overweight.

BMI is only a guideline depending on your build etc... but are you carrying any weight around your waist? Your Doctor should check your waist to hip ratio along with BMI

Your fasting bloods certainly point to Diabetes and you do need to take this seriously... just because you may not have severe or any symptoms now, you still need to start investing in your long-term health. D is progressive so it will only get worse, and the complications are nasty... you can buy time by taking good care of yourself... including a healthy diet and regular exercise... even if you don't have D these things are still good :)

[Evermont]

Hi Bluemax,

To answer your question: yes. You're in denial.

I didn't really see much point to the denial phase myself so I just kinda skipped it, but I wouldn't begrudge another T2 their chance at it. Stick around and let us know what your next phase is!

http://www.limeylemon.com/images/XWelcometoDF.gif

[fgummett]

Swimming down that river in Egypt... could be worse, could be swimming down the river in Paris :D

It's only natural, but until you accept it you can't start to control it :)

[Bluemax]

My wife and I talked awhile last night about all the things that are going on. And yes, my BMI is high. Can they do an AIC without having been a Type 2 for 90 days? Not sure how that works. I think what finally covinced me was the extreme exhaustion from being late with a meal, then immediate improvement with the candy bar. So, I now have a glucometer, and some glucose tablets I carry around. Since I started the Januvia 100mg, everything sees to stay in the low 100's, which I believe is good. My real problem now is that I really don't understand diabetes!!!
I meet with the diabetes program lady in 2 weeks and hopefully she can shed some light on this.

One thing I found is the test strips are expensive. Insurance covers them, but my Dr only prescribed 2 times a day for 1 month and no refills? I wasted 4 figuring out how to do it right.

Thanks Again

[morrisma]

Ask for more strips asap. They are critical.

The A1c is just a blood test measuring (roughly) how much sugar is in your blood over the previous 4 to 12 weeks. Ask for this test when you call for more strips.

If the doc gives you a problem on the strips, talk to your meter company and explain the situation. They may cut you a deal. Also check out craigslist & ebay.

[xMenace]

One thing I found is the test strips are expensive. Insurance covers them, but my Dr only prescribed 2 times a day for 1 month and no refills? I wasted 4 figuring out how to do it right.


No kidding. Welcome.

I'm getting my money's worth while I still can. I used about 55 of the suckers yesterday. Imagine what the uninsured have to go through.

Your doctor's script of 2x a day doesn't seem teh best to me. I'd prefer you covered a meal with pre and post-2hr tests. I want to know how you are reacting to food. I'd pick two or hree fastings a week and one meal a day. Change the meal daily.

e.g.
M: Fasting and 2hr after breakfast also called a post-prandial or PP
T: Lunch pre & PP
W: Fasting, Dinner pre & PP
T: Day off
F: Fasting and breakfast PP
S: Lunch pre & PP
S: Dinner pre & PP



The other big things you need to do are exercise, eat right, and control your weight. Check Mendosa (http://www.mendosa.com/advice.htm).

[fgummett]

^^ Agreed... testing frequently... fasting and 2 hours after first bite of food, is critical in these early days so who can figure out your Diabetes and how food affects you personally... there are some general rules but everyone is different.

As for an A1c so quickly after diagnosis... chances are you have had D for some time but only just caught it on a random blood test.

[xMenace]

Can they do an AIC without having been a Type 2 for 90 days? Not sure how that works.

A single point in time glucose blood test is not conclusive. There are too many factors and possible errors that can throw it off. An A1C is an effective measure over about a three month period. Such errors get washed out. It is much more telling and reliable.

[Bluemax]

Thanks to everryone who has replied... Question... I seem to have an almost constant craving for sweets.. is this part of diabetes?

[princesslinda]

Thanks to everryone who has replied... Question... I seem to have an almost constant craving for sweets.. is this part of diabetes?


When first diagnosed, I had a constant hunger for just about anything, including sweets...I'd eat, then be hungry not long after eating. It was so frustrating. I have since then read that the hunger is due to insulin resistance.

Since you are changing your eating habits, its only natural that your body would crave what it was used to eating. If you start limiting your carbs, you'll find the sweet cravings will minimize.

In the meantime, satisfy that craving with sugar-free pudding or jello...or the low carb ice cream.

[fgummett]

Just like Linda said... Yes!
It seems counterintuitive that you have a high blood sugar but your body still craves sweets... the trouble is that insulin is needed to allow that sugar into the cells so they can work... in the absence of insulin (type 1) or when the insulin is not working correctly (insulin resistance is common in type 2) your body is still hungry :eek: This will get easier as your sugars come into better control :)

[laurab326]

Yes, they can do an A1C, you probibly were diabetic before you found out you were.

And, I totally understand the whole denial thing, I was there. It finally hit me about 3 weeks ago when I went for my A1C and it went from a 6.9 to a 9 and my doc put me on Lantus injections (1 per day 10 units). It scared me and I have shaped up...my biggest demond was Coka Cola, I haven't had one in 3 weeks and I have already lost 7 lbs.

Good luck!!

[Tashia]

Welcome to DF.

I too had a bit of diabetes denial ( sounds like something they will make a pill for doesn't? I can hear the commercial now. Do you suffer from "dd", diabetes denial....anyhooo). At first everything will not make sense. You ask all the who, what, when, where, why questions. Who has it in the family, what can I eat, when can I eat, where do I go from here why did this happen to me!? My advice is to educate yourself on it. Read articles, ask questions. The internet has a wealth of information... not all accurate but very helpful at the very least. In a few months time you will be a pro. This place is great. I've already learned so much here and everyone is so nice and will answer any question you have if they can.

Good luck! And don't let the denial get the best of you.

[xMenace]

Yes, they can do an A1C, you probibly were diabetic before you found out you were.

And, I totally understand the whole denial thing, I was there. It finally hit me about 3 weeks ago when I went for my A1C and it went from a 6.9 to a 9 and my doc put me on Lantus injections (1 per day 10 units). It scared me and I have shaped up...my biggest demond was Coka Cola, I haven't had one in 3 weeks and I have already lost 7 lbs.

Good luck!!

You need a proper welcome Laura, so welcome to the forum!

---------------------------------

"Information is power" is a common quote around here, but it's even more than that. The more I learn and appreciate the impacts of bad choices, the better I am becoming at making good decisions. Keep plugging away at trying to make good choices, and before you realize what happened, your craving for sweets will be gone.

[Real4]

My real problem now is that I really don't understand diabetes!!!

Read a book or two. The forum is very good, but tends to give you short answers to complicated questions. I personally found that Dr. Bernstein gives the best explanations, even if you don't like his diet. But others will have others they prefer.

[jacobsam622]

Thanks to everryone who has replied... Question... I seem to have an almost constant craving for sweets.. is this part of diabetes? It means your cells are not getting enough food. You need to exercise or it could mean you are pregnant.:D I have heard when frogs get pregnant they eat a lot. Can frogs take byetta or is that like cannibalism :T

[Isometric]

Please, for your health and for your family, do not ever allow yourself to ignore diabetes. It is a blessing to catch it early and have a good chance at excellent control over the long term. I started out with excellent control and, over a couple of years, slowly allowed myself to forget about it. Now I fight for my good control, and I probably would have eventually anyway, but I'm certain I could have put it off by several years if I'd remained vigilant. Obviously, everybody is different, and this might not be your experience, but barring a miracle, diabetes does not go away, so please take care of yourself while it is relatively easy to do! Good luck and good health!

[Bluemax]

Two hours after eating. This am I took a BG 2 hours after eating... 192.. is that high? I took my Junivia with the meal?

[princesslinda]

Your 2 hr post-meal reading should be 140 or less. Was your meal heavy in carbs (bread/potato/pasta/rice)?

[davef]

Hi there Bluemax,

Welcome to the forums and what many of us went through after diagnosis ... denial ... it's normal. The first while can be overwhelming but it really does get so much easier with time (an practice). I would completely agree with what you are being told about testing, it is a vital tool in controlling your diabetes, as was said to me when I joined the forum, you control your diabetes it doesn't control you.

I would strongly recommend a book called "The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker. Linda recommended to me when I joined the forums and I found it not only very informative but very easy to read.

For what it's worth, I would could consider 192 to be relatively high two hours after eating. Some questions, what were you before eating? and what did you eat?

Most of us watch our carbohydrate intake as they are what will really drive up your numbers. I aim to be at or below 110 in the morning (after fasting) and at or below 140 2 hours after first bite. I tend to avoid things like white rice, pasta, white bread and potatoes as they affect me most.

That's were the frequent testing comes in as it is how you find which foods work best for you.

When I was diagnosed first, I too was told to test twice a day, after joining the forum I spoke to my Doctor explained that I really wanted to get control and find out what foods where best for me and to do that I needed to test more, he was happy to oblige as he knew I was serious about taking control and accepted my points so gave me a prescription for 200 strips per month.

Visit and post often, this is a great forum and the people here are really great always ready to help and support.

[Bluemax]

I used to not eat breakfast, but now, I have the Jimmy dean version of an egg McMuffin. Its muffin, egg, cheese, and sausage.

[princesslinda]

I've found if I have eggs and bacon for b/fast (no bread) that it fills me up and is quite blood sugar friendly. If your fasting is higher than you want, its best to eat lower carb so that it doesn't go up much after your meal.

[Bluemax]

I checked my Fasting BG this am ..130, Had breakfast ( egg MC Muffin), and coffee with Sweet and Low, then I checked my 2 hours after first bite.. 211.. Is there a point that I should get concerned?

Bluemax

[davef]

What (if any) meds are you taking? I'm not sure how many carbs are in an egg McMuffin but would guess there are probably quiet a few, which would cause you to jump from 130 to 211. Personally I would feel 211 is high, I aim for 140 two hours after first bite. It also does depend how long you are on meds, what you ate (and when) last night to have a FBG of 130.

I would suggest that it might be well worth looking at alternatives to eating a McMuffin for breakfast, could you make some eggs at home?

[princesslinda]

Egg McMuffin contains 29 carbs and 2 fibers according to dietfacts.com.

You might want to get some of the low-carb tortillas and put your egg, meat and cheese on it. I buy the Mission Brand from Walmart. one has 18 carbs minus 11 fiber (so total carbs 7) and 110 calories. You could make this the night before and grab it as you leave your house. This might keep you from having such a high post-meal spike.

[jazzbo]

Bluemax,
I understand the denial thing. Things will get better.
I hope you have a good session with the diabetes educator. When I first got diagnosed, she was the one who was the most help. The doctor just said "take these pills and come back in three months." The diabetes educator taught me how to count carbs, about the effect of exercise, etc.
You may have to demand the test strips from your doctor. I did. I got them.
After two years I'm still learning how to talk to my endocrinologist about my diabetes. I think most of her patients don't ask questions or participate actively in their own treatment. At first she was a bit defensive when I asked questions, but now I think she knows that I am taking this very seriously.
Good luck.

[Bluemax]

Jazzbo

I think we are seeing the same DR. She said check my BG 2 times a day and come back in a month. My first thought was check it for what? and what if its not that? Fortunately she did set me up with the educator. She also changed my perscription after I told her that I had talked with the educator on the phone and that she wants to see more that two tests a day. BTW I ordered a book yesterday called The First Year Diabetes type 2. I have read on this forum that it is a very good book.
Thanks

[princesslinda]

When diagnosed, I was told to check only fasting level each day....but how will you know how things are going and how foods affect you if you don't check more than that. I've been diagnosed 18 months and still check 4-5 times a day.

You'll really like the Becker book...I still refer back to it on occasion. Its a keeper!

[slipperyelm]

Bluemax, I'm glad to hear that you are getting that book and are going to test more.

You were asking about whether your tested levels were too high. The general response has been that a goal is to have your blood glucose no more than 140 two hours after a meal. Well, I only get mine down that much after lunch, it will not come down enough before I have supper. Then I will end up well over 140 two hours after supper. I have to keep my BG lower all the time. That 140 after two hours is just not good enough for me.

I like to see my BG at 85-98 two hours after a meal. On active days I have to east part of my meal as a snack instead of all at once in order to keep my BG high enough to keep working, but not to spike too high after the meal.

That number 140 recommended for after meals? That is not because 140 is thought to be a good number. It is thought to be the borderline number between the levels at which there is a higher or lower chance of having complications from your diabetes. Get it below 140 to reduce chances of complications.

It is odd that so many people here seem to have endocrinologists who they don't have a comfortable relationship with. Before I was diabetic, my primary doctor was an endo. He was simply the doctor who had space for a new patient when I went to the particular office I go to. I found that guy arrogant like no other doctor I've encountered before. (And I have worked in a hospital in a position where I often would rub elbows with doctors or other staff who seemed much into stratification of human validity based on job, so I had met a lot of doctors). It didn't bother me too much to have him as a doctor because at that time I only needed a doctor about once every three or four years. He seemed competent, so it was no big deal to see him,.However, now that I am diabetic, I'm really glad he is no longer my doctor. I don't ever even see an endo. My internist handles things just fine at this point. If I need an endo in the future, well, I do know one I wish to avoid.

[Janlaton]

All of the above are sound advise. Word to the wise after 40 years I still do not understand the disease. I just know I have it and it is my job to control it.

This is a good site. Keep reading, testing, watch what and when you eat and by all means get some exercise even if only walking 20 minutes several times a week. :T

Have a great day.

Janlaton
type 2 40 years

[Bluemax]

Everyone.. thanks for all the advice, I look forward to actually meeting with my educator, and also reading the book. I do have to admit, I don't really exercise. I suspect that will have to change. I love junk food, and that too will have to change. I see the educator in 2 weeks.
BTW the picture is not really me :)