newly diagnosed seeking information

[Bandit]

Hello

My girlfriend has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and i have been surfing round the internet getting information about it all - she has been told that currently she should be able to ''control it'' by diet and exerceise but I am looking at this forum and everyone seems to be on a truck load of medication and posting daily readings on all sorts, that at present i dont understand half of. Is this what we have to look forward to in the future.
If so is there anyone out there willing to let me know how it has all changed their life,relationships,routine etc etc
I dont know exactly how it all works on this site but i can be e mailed or sent private messages so I understand

Thank you for reading this message

[cdngoose]

Diabetes is a progressive disease. When I was first diagnosed, my endocrinologist immediately put me on several meds as a precaution

[princesslinda]

Welcome Bandit! You'll find lots of good information on the forum.

I was diagnosed with T2 at age 42. It is life changing, but it's not all bad. My husband would probably say the biggest change since my diagnosis would be in the contents of our fridge and cupboards. There isn't a lot of "junk" food in the house.

Otherwise, I don't think HIS life or routine has changed all that much.

As for how it has affected our relationship, we do the same things we've always done. We still go out to eat (though I bypass the bread basket and forego the potatoes), still go on cruises and have great vacations, and are actually a little more active than we used to be, as it helps my blood sugars the more physically active I am.

If you have a good relationship to begin with, diabetes shouldn't change it. I encourage you to be supportive, esp. at first when she is trying to learn how to manage her diabetes, learning the foods to eat, when to test, and making changes. She will probably at some point need medication, but it's no big deal to swallow a pill(s) or take an injection, esp. after you've done it for awhile.

I control my diabetes, and don't generally even involve my husband in the day-to-day managment. I'm a wife/lover/friend first, diabetic 2nd.

Perhaps she'd benefit from the forum and getting to know other diabetics.

[Granny Shanny]

Welcome, Bandit! Good luck to you & your girlfriend - there is wonderful support, knowledge & insight here to help you if you wish.

Many folks here are managing well with only diet & exercise. If glucose levels are dangerously high at diagnosis, meds and/or insulin may be needed to reduce it quickly, after which we can work within the safer parameters to maintain lower levels using various methods. Frequent testing is the one common denominator for all methods, however, which is why you see us discussing our glucose readings so much!

[cdngoose]

Here is some helpful info. Just came across his link http://www.diabetes.ca/files/insulin.pdf

[yannah]

it depends on your version of diabetes. and it depends on what You diet is and what your meter says. if the meter says you are doing okay on diet - than it is okay.

are you testing? what are you eating? you are a type 2 I assume?

and this has changed my relationship. I weigh less than my girlfriend first time in our lives. ha ha DGF.

[davef]

Hi there and welcome,

You have found a great place for information, support and help. I think it's great you are taking such an active role in supporting your girlfriend. 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, well here are mine for a Type 2:

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. 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,

[Newdiabetic]

Hi! I was also recently diagnosed with Diabetes,(one month) I have been able to manage my blood glucose numbers with diet and exercise.

I walk every day, one mile after each meal...and sometimes more. Your g/f will be amazed at what walking can do. I have lost 20 pounds in one month. To be honest, that is how much JUNK I was eating.

If your g/f wants to lose weight, she should hold her carbs down to 30-40 per meal and she should try to eat as many of those from fruits and vegetables. Avoid anything white, flour, sugar, potatoes. She should avoid sugary drinks and drink lots of water.

Apples and grapefruit are considered low glycemic, so she should eat those, but in moderation. I have read (Insulin Resistant Diet) that when you eat a fruit, it should be consumed along with a protein. I eat peanut butter (Natural, no sugar added with the oil poured off upon opening the jar) And I usually have a half grapefruit with some type of egg or omelet for breakfast.

I read in the Insulin Resistance Diet book that if exercise helps a lot, then even though she had high numbers, she still may be pre-diabetic (or insulin resistant) so, please encourage her to walk walk walk to help her numbers.

My favorite Google search is Can a diabetic eat_______(fill in the blank) OR, how many carbs are in__________(fill in the blank) I have made my own food lists from these googled questions.

This forum is great! My numbers kept spiking after having my coffee with skim milk. It was here I learned to try half and half, which did much better with my numbers. So, I get to still have my coffee. Skim milk has more sugar...they had to replace that cream with something..

Labels will become your best friend. It is still fun to go out and choose from the menus, once you get educated about what will raise your numbers. Sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes...Adding cinnamon to whatever you can tolerate it on....vinaigrette dressings on salads, as opposed to creamy ones... Vinegar dishes, like deviled eggs...

I panicked at first....but now am doing just fine! And it has only been just one month. If I had a question, I came here and asked, and no one got put out with me..This is a wonderful caring group of people who taught me to BREATHE. Just BREATHE because it will all come together...and it did.

Oh, find a chart. It will ask you to you numbers:
Upon waking/fasting before doing anything else.
1-2 hours after breakfast
Before lunch
1-2 hours after lunch
Before dinner
1-2 hours after dinner
At bedtime

Print that out and use it to go by..filling in the numbers for that day so you can watch your progress....know what you ate that wasn't good for your numbers, and what you ate that helped your numbers to stay down.

And walk...walk...walk...

Good luck and God bless!
Joyce