I've only just received my Diagnosis

[missymew101]

My doctor gave me the news a week ago that I'm diabetic. He'd had me take blood tests a couple of times over the past few weeks. He said that my blood sugar readings averaged 6.8

For the past week I've been monitoring my own blood glucose levels. Over the past weeks my readings have fluctuated from 4.9 to 6.8. I'm testing 7 times a day and marking down my food intake in between. I have a One Touch Monitor, and when I check for my average readings over the past week - I'm getting a 6.1 But I am getting the higher than normal readings.

The doctor has not prescribed anything else yet. He'd like me to come back to see him in early May.

I'm really new at this, but want to learn as much as I can. I believe that chatting with people who are going through the same thing is the best way (along with my doctor) to control this disorder.

Other than this diagnosis, I am very healthy and have no other health issues. I am a 57 year old woman who works as an Executive Assistant to a City Councillor. I sit at a desk and computer for most of my day.

I have only just started reading through the threads to learn more about Diabetes. I've also noticed that reference has been made (through this forum) to Blood Sugar 101, and I've spent some time on that site this morning doing some reading.

I really look forward to getting to know people on this forum.

-Susanne

[yannah]

We are the best way to manage this disease, physically and phychologically. this is a terrific group.

welcome to the forum. sounds like you are off to a good start with education and frequent testing.

[princesslinda]

Welcome Susanne, glad you found the forums. Sounds like you're off to a good start looking for information.

Some of the best advice I was given not long after diagnosis was to test, test, test. Testing 2 hrs after the first bite of food allows you to see how different foods affect blood sugar and to make smarter food choices. I was given the goal of 7.78/140 or less at the 2 hr mark and 6.1/110 or less fasting level.

Many here find that watching carbs (esp "white foods" such as rice, pasta, bread and potatoes) and getting regular exercise goes a long way in helping improve numbers.

There's a great book i'd like to recommend as well, "The First Year, Type 2 Diabetes," by Gretchen Becker. It's a great resource.

[foxl]

Linda gave you great advice, and in BRIEF! Great place to start, all of it!

Whatcha eatin' ? :D

[princesslinda]

Linda gave you great advice, and in BRIEF! Great place to start, all of it!

Whatcha eatin' ? :D


I was more brief than usual, wasn't I? I'm improving!;)

[yannah]

you kick butt Linda! no room for improvement.

[foxl]

... brevity is the soul of wit!

Not that I excel at it! ;)

[Delphinus]

What the??

Diabetes?

Sorry, never heard of it. :T

[missymew101]

Thank you for the warm welcomes. I'm going to go to Amazon and see if I can get a copy of Gretchen Becker's book.

Up to this point in time, I've never been on a special diet. I'm not a meat eater (not vegaterian - just never really liked meat). But, I do love pasta, potatoes and bread. From the reading I've done this last week, it sounds like I'm going to be very limited on my preferable food choices. I have no idea how many grams is in a slice of bread or in a cup of pasta. I've got a lot to learn.

I know that one of the most important things I've done to date, is to find this group. Without support, lifestyle changes are almost impossible. I'm 57 years of age, and am so used to my current lifestyle. Now that I've received the diagnosis, I know that I can't take babysteps. I need to get on board.

I really like the way you all include your diabetic stats in your signatures. When my doctor told me that I'd averaged at 6.8 over the past 3 months, would that be my A1c? I'm not sure what this term is yet.

-Susanne

[fa4960]

I really like the way you all include your diabetic stats in your signatures. When my doctor told me that I'd averaged at 6.8 over the past 3 months, would that be my A1c? I'm not sure what this term is yet.

-Susanne

Hi Susanne,

welcome onboard. I can only agree on previous comments - this is a great place to learn about DB so hang in here and don't be afraid to ask any question you might have.

Average over 3 months can be tranlated into a A1C value via the attached table which I copied from here:

Glycosylated hemoglobin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycosylated_hemoglobin)

However it could also be that your doctor actually got a lab test done on your blood sample in order to get the A1c value so my advise would be to call your doctor and find out exactly what he/she did....

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum!

Test often, limit your carbohydrate intake, and get in some form of exercise if you're not already doing so.

Karen

[jqtennisfiend]

Hi Susanne,

I'm new to the forum and new to type 2 also. But the best thing I've done is upped my exercise. They don't call me tennisfiend for nothing, ha. I'm 50 years old, female, and also sit at a computer all day. And sometimes way into the night, when programs are being finicky.

Good luck! You aren't alone!
jq

[Marcia K in Fl]

Susanne

Ditto to what everyone said. Welcome. Test, test, test and your body will tell you what works-lower carb works for me and I love those carbs too. We are all in the same boat and we would all love to get off if we could but we can't so we are living with it and trying to like it. No point in being negative!:)

[missymew101]

And just when I thought I was doing better. After reading through a lot of the forum posts and Blood Sugar 101, I had three days of BG ranging from 4.9 to 6.1. Three whole days!! I test 10 times each day. Then, today, I ate an apple ... one apple for my mid afternoon snack. I tested one hour later and was 6.9, another hour later I was 7.4. I tested an hour later again and stilll 7.4. If I'd known I'd spike over an apple, I'd have eaten my preferred choice of a chocolate bar!! LOL

-SUsanne