Hello after a scare [Archive]

michelby

10-13-2009, 09:05 PM

GeishaGirl

10-13-2009, 09:25 PM

No criticism here! We've all got a different "breaking point" so to speak, the point that makes us pay attention.

For starters, be careful with the insulin. Personally, I'd spend a few days or a week tweaking your basal insulin and potentially working on splitting the dose. I don't know how to advise this, because I use a pump :) Once that's settled, getting the quick-acting going is easier.

Secondly, start cutting out "stupid" carbs -- bread, pasta, sugar, potatoes, etc. And, as others will say, "eat to your meter!" Test before you eat, at 1 hours, and 2 hours after. By 2 hours, your sugar should be approximately where it was to begin with -- if it spikes significantly, or won't come down, then the food you ate is something your body can't tolerate right now. As basal/bolus regimens get more, well, regulated, it's a little easier to have some not-great foods.

And, lastly, post, post, post! Post every single question you have, no matter how silly or stupid it seems. As I tell my students -- "If you don't ask, you don't get answers!" Trust me, NOTHING is silly.

Oh, and YMMV means Your Mileage May Vary -- diabetes is a very individual condition, and everything works differently for everyone.

And a nice big dose of "good luck!" from me :)

yannah

10-14-2009, 03:12 AM

yeap, i want you to take care of yourself. Log in everyday, we will keep you in line!

jer.lawrence

10-14-2009, 06:01 AM

Ditto on what the other's said. No criticism here, I'm glad you found us and now have a good reason to start taking care of yourself. :)

Good luck to you, and I hope your ailments improve.

Granny Shanny

10-14-2009, 06:43 AM

Another broken record here, Michelle! :D :D :D No criticism, just happiness for you finding your way here. Plenty of us have ignored the signs and went our merry way until we got a jolting wakeup call! You're not alone by any means . . . we're all in the same boat & paddling like mad! ;)

Subby

10-14-2009, 07:07 AM

Hello hello hello....I wanted to introduce myself and get started in getting healthy because I had a scare this past weekend.

I just got married on October 3rd, and on Friday, I had an awful pain in my back that I thought was because of my period. I went into the ER because it wasn't getting better...turns out I had a kidney infection and my diabetes (diagnosed in 04, never regulated) was out of control!

I was just released today with a plethora of medications, syringes, fast acting insulin, long lasting insulin, etc., and I am so overwhelmed! I don't know what to eat, what to do if I screw up a meal, etc and thought this forum would be a good idea. Please limit the criticism at the moment, I know this is my own fault and I'm just trying to work on it for right now.

Btw, I was originally diagnosed as a type 2, but now am a type 1 and only rely on insulin.

Thanks!

Michelle

Michelle, did the docs infer it was your "fault"? Because to me it seems very likely, you might be another hidden LADA or type 1.5. It is a classification of diabetes that can occur in adults, and instead of become fully insulin dependent in a few weeks or months like type 1, take some years to get worse, occur slowly, leading to a misdiagnosis of type 2 for some time (untill like in your case, circumstances demand a different diagnosis)!

And that said, if you are type 1.5, it's not your fault in the slightest!! (And I do not know how much it was anyway, if you are "just" a progressed t2). You didn't "bring this on", your body has just progressed as it would have anyway. If this question of diagnosis is important to you, then we can suggest ways that might help finding out. But I can also understand that for now you have the here and now of getting things under control with insulin, maybe the diagnosis side can wait for a bit later.

All that said, I also recognise the practicality of a T1 who knows that there's nothing but to roll up the sleeves and get on with it, faced with the need to get insulin use right. Good on you! Take it slow, and don't expect to get it all sorted too quickly. Take it on in chunks you can manage, always looking for small improvements and working at one or two things then moving to the next, seems to be the attitude that best gets a T1 to a better place.

It's good to keep being ruthlessly practical, so let us know what you are having troubles with as they actually occur, and we can hopefully give you some pointers! It's great to break it down... Don't be a stranger to your doctor either. You should aim to have a good endocrinologist, and a friendly knowledgeable DE (Diabetes Educator) helping you walk the path.

sarahspins

10-14-2009, 07:09 AM

Btw, I was originally diagnosed as a type 2, but now am a type 1 and only rely on insulin.

Did you have antibody testing to confirm your T1 designation? The usage of insulin in a T2 does not automatically "convert" one type to another.

davef

10-14-2009, 07:23 AM

Did you have antibody testing to confirm your T1 designation? The usage of insulin in a T2 does not automatically "convert" one type to another.

Ditto

The only thing you will get here is support. Well done you for taking control. I'm sure it is overwhelming, but it will get easier. In a way it's probably like being diagnosed for the first time (again).

You have found a great place for information, support and help. The early days can be rife with a range of emotions but it really does get better.

A while ago somebody asked what our top tips for the newly diagnosed would be, and while you are not newly diagnosed some of these tips might help:

1. Relax, I know it seems like the end of the world right now, but it really isn't that bad. You can and will gain control, you will feel much better. But you have to give yourself time.

2. It's normal to feel a whole range of emotions, anger, greif, denial, sadness, fear and to feel overwhelmed. Yes, diagnosis is a big thing, it's a milestone but you will feel better. Grasp it as a chance to live a healthier life and don't ever feel alone, the forums are full of great people here to help and support you.

3. Test, test, test. Testing is probably your best tool in gaining control. Test morning, before each meal and two hours after first bite and last thing at night. By testing before/after meals you learn how different foods work for you, we are all different and it's only through testing that we learn what works best for ourselves. As Art here on the forums once wrote "Test, Eat, Test, Learn".

4. As another wise person (xMenace) once said, you can eat anything you want, but you will choose not to eat somethings. Don't get frightened about the idea of being on a special diet, you are not, you will find what works for you and you will find treats that you can eat from time to time.

5. Exercise, if you have not been exercising then fit some into your life. Don't try and do it, there is no try there is only do or do not (Yoda I think said that ). It really does help, especially with fasting numbers - in my experience.

6. Watch those carbs. Many of us find that reducing/limiting the number carbs we eat really helps. I have found that it helps to avoid high carb foods such as white bread, white rice, pasta & potatoes.

7. If you have been prescribed Metformin (Glucophage) don't expect to see immediate results, it does not work like insulin. It takes time to reach full effect, it is not unusual for it to take 3-5 weeks to reach full effect. Some people experience gastric issues (wind, diarrhea) but in most cases this will pass, reducing carbs helps this as does making sure to eat and then take the metformin. If you have gastric issues that don't subside after a week or so, talk to your doctor and see if Metformin ER (Extended Release) might be better for you, or if you could start on a lower dose and build up to the dose that was prescribed.

8. If you turn out to be a T2 that requires insulin rather than a T1 I'd suggest you get the book "The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker. I found it easy to read and very informative.

9. Relax (I know I said that, but do try)

10. Visit these forums, ask lots of questions, never be afraid to ask for help/advice, if something works for you then do it, if not then don't. Know you can come here to vent to people who will just "get it".

11. Build new habits. I found that working to build new habits, whether it's about what/how you eat, when you test etc. it really works. Once a habit has been established it's hard to break it.

12. Build a relationship with your Doctor, drug store etc, they are all part of team you. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your Doctor. Become the captain of your team, work with your team and draw on their knowledge/experience.

13. When I joined these forums, I was told to remember that "You control your diabetes, it does not control you" - it's true. Don't let it rule your life, there's is no such sentence as "I can't I have diabetes" - you can do what ever you choose to do.

14. Oh yeah, relax

Remember you are not alone. Will you stumble? quiet possibly, most humans do stumble from time to time, the important things is to get back up and start over.

Visit and post often,

lark 27

10-14-2009, 09:21 AM

Ditto

1. Relax, I know it seems like the end of the world right now, but it really isn't that bad. You can and will gain control, you will feel much better. But you have to give yourself time.

2. It's normal to feel a whole range of emotions, anger, greif, denial, sadness, fear and to feel overwhelmed. Yes, diagnosis is a big thing, it's a milestone but you will feel better. Grasp it as a chance to live a healthier life and don't ever feel alone, the forums are full of great people here to help and support you.

3. Test, test, test. Testing is probably your best tool in gaining control. Test morning, before each meal and two hours after first bite and last thing at night. By testing before/after meals you learn how different foods work for you, we are all different and it's only through testing that we learn what works best for ourselves. As Art here on the forums once wrote "Test, Eat, Test, Learn".

4. As another wise person (xMenace) once said, you can eat anything you want, but you will choose not to eat somethings. Don't get frightened about the idea of being on a special diet, you are not, you will find what works for you and you will find treats that you can eat from time to time.

5. Exercise, if you have not been exercising then fit some into your life. Don't try and do it, there is no try there is only do or do not (Yoda I think said that ). It really does help, especially with fasting numbers - in my experience.

6. Watch those carbs. Many of us find that reducing/limiting the number carbs we eat really helps. I have found that it helps to avoid high carb foods such as white bread, white rice, pasta & potatoes.

7. If you have been prescribed Metformin (Glucophage) don't expect to see immediate results, it does not work like insulin. It takes time to reach full effect, it is not unusual for it to take 3-5 weeks to reach full effect. Some people experience gastric issues (wind, diarrhea) but in most cases this will pass, reducing carbs helps this as does making sure to eat and then take the metformin. If you have gastric issues that don't subside after a week or so, talk to your doctor and see if Metformin ER (Extended Release) might be better for you, or if you could start on a lower dose and build up to the dose that was prescribed.

8. If you turn out to be a T2 that requires insulin rather than a T1 I'd suggest you get the book "The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker. I found it easy to read and very informative.

9. Relax (I know I said that, but do try)

10. Visit these forums, ask lots of questions, never be afraid to ask for help/advice, if something works for you then do it, if not then don't. Know you can come here to vent to people who will just "get it".

11. Build new habits. I found that working to build new habits, whether it's about what/how you eat, when you test etc. it really works. Once a habit has been established it's hard to break it.

12. Build a relationship with your Doctor, drug store etc, they are all part of team you. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your Doctor. Become the captain of your team, work with your team and draw on their knowledge/experience.

13. When I joined these forums, I was told to remember that "You control your diabetes, it does not control you" - it's true. Don't let it rule your life, there's is no such sentence as "I can't I have diabetes" - you can do what ever you choose to do.

14. Oh yeah, relax

,

Dave, what a great list. Thanks for sharing that.

Michelle,

Welcome and congratulations on your recent marriage! I do like how Dave stressed the relax point, because for me it's important that I can focus on positive actions and working towards success as opposed to just what I can't do and what I shouldn't eat and what complications I'm afraid of.... With that said, read the posts because there is a lot of wisdom here and you'll see that many of the members really have achieved a lot of SUCCESS with managing the D. When I read of what is working for others it does help me know that success is possible and provides me some good tips for how I can get on that path as well.

Good luck with your journey,

dbaratta

10-14-2009, 09:29 AM

I was just released today with a plethora of medications, syringes, fast acting insulin, long lasting insulin, etc., and I am so overwhelmed! I don't know what to eat, what to do if I screw up a meal, etc and thought this forum would be a good idea. Please limit the criticism at the moment, I know this is my own fault and I'm just trying to work on it for right now.

Btw, I was originally diagnosed as a type 2, but now am a type 1 and only rely on insulin.

Thanks!

Michelle[/QUOTE]

High Fiber, complex carbs, lots of water, exercise.......You will get lots of good tips in this forum and no one here is perfect so I doubt you will be criticized. :D Go slow, ask lots of questions.......you will get lots of good recipes in here......Everyone reacts differently to insulin though so your results will be your own, we can share what we know about ourselves and hopefully you can get some good tips. Here is what I do for diet, no bread in the house cause I love bread so if it is there I will eat it. So basically I stay away from the simple carbs. I get my carbs from fresh fruit, veggies and milk. My diet is lean meats and veggies mostly. I am on Lantus and Novolog so I bolus for meals. I saw a dietition and they put me on a carb/insulin ratio. I take 1 unit of novolog per every 2g of carb I eat. If I eat a simple carb I have to take more, if I am going to exercise I take less.

That is just what I do.......:)

michelby

10-14-2009, 02:30 PM

Thanks everyone, I can tell I am going to get a ton of support here...it's a lot to take in, but I will certainly be perusing the forums, asking a lot of questions (some may be repetitious, sorry!!)

genie86333

10-14-2009, 09:21 PM

Thanks everyone, I can tell I am going to get a ton of support here...it's a lot to take in, but I will certainly be perusing the forums, asking a lot of questions (some may be repetitious, sorry!!)

Welcome, Michelby! And congrats on the recent wedding!

Questions are a good thing & we don't always see what we're looking for just by browsing, so a few repetitious ones are to be expected - not a reason to be sorry!

kgm0612

10-15-2009, 07:31 AM

Hi Michelby and Welcome!

Congratulations on your recent marriage.

Follow the advice that Davef gave you in his list above and you'll do great!

Karen