Just Diagnosed

[roostershooter]

I have been lurking here for a few days, just diagnosed type 2 a week ago friday. Seems to be alot of help and great information here. I have started the carb counting, trying to eat better, less fat, etc. I do have a couple of questions on lifestyle and bg readings and please excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject. I am learning.

After a week of being on metformin, my bg levels are runing around 130 to 150 early in the morning. In the evening before supper the levels are running anywhere from 109 to 121. Are my early morning levels before eating high? My current dr wants to see me in a month.

Second question involves social activities and beer. I have been a beer drinker for years and have not had a drop since this all came about. In two weeks however, there is a dinner party where 3 or more couples will be gathering. Will 3 or 4 beers over the course of a few hours cause a problem? I have read here to test test test with alcohol. How often? What are the levels where I need to do something and just what is it that I do?? Specifically, what do you do if the bg tests low and what do you do if it tests high?? I am 50 years old, 30 pounds overweight. When first diagnosed my 3 month average was 7% (A1C?). Thanks in advance for your experience and any insight to my questions!

[Lynpenny]

roostershooter I'm still new to this. I was Dx in April. I have no idea about the beer cause I just don't drink, never have, it is a personal choice.
my endo wants my fasting numbers 80-110 and my 2 hour after meal numbers to be 90-140. I'm taking metformin and a shot of lantus at night. It takes a little while to get down to where the doctor wants you so don't panic. It took me until July to get it down and I worked hard, of course I had a bypass in June. I still think that maybe that is why the numbers were so high to start with. Anyway give it time and do what your doctor tells you to do.

[am1977]

Welcome! :hello:

There is a lot of good info, support, and advice here...not to mention, friendly and helpful people :top: Hope that you feel at home here :smile:

I, unfortunately, know very little about managing Type 2 diabetes. However, we do have quite a few T2s here. I'm sure there are people here who could help you with your questions and you'll probably be hearing from there soon :wink:

Hope to see you often! :D

[Valarie34]

Yes, the AM numbers are a little high, but not dangerous. Endo's want the numbers under 110, and the Joslin Diabetes Center recommends under 130. A lot of people have problems with the AM number because of the Dawn Phenomenon, my husband included.

As far as the drinking, we were taught at diabetes class that my husband can have 2 12 oz. beers a day, but really I would check with your doctor because you're on medication. If you do drink, you must eat with your drink or you could go low. If you get below 70, you're getting too low. Drink 1/2 cup of regular Coke or whatever and test again in 15 min.

Good luck!

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum. I am a type 1, pumping insulin and also taking Metformin. The Metformin will take several weeks to really start working, so hang in there. Also, are you testing before going to bed? Your morning blood sugars may be running high because some time during the night you may be going low and your liver is dumping on you. I test about 30 mins before bed. If I am under 130, I'll grab a small snack.....a handful of almonds or a piece of toasted light wheat bread with peanut butter. This method works for me.

I enjoy a glass of white zinfindel while watching TV around 8pm. I find that the wine will raise my BS up a bit, but drop me quick within 2 hours. Budweiser has a low-carb beer on the market called "Bud Select". My husband is NOT diabetic and prefers this beer over the regular.

Karen

[seacomp]

Second question involves social activities and beer. I have been a beer drinker for years and have not had a drop since this all came about. In two weeks however, there is a dinner party where 3 or more couples will be gathering. Will 3 or 4 beers over the course of a few hours cause a problem?
There can be a big difference in the carb count between lite beers and ordinary beer. Lite is "lite" because some of the carbs are removed. You can check on the web for the carb count of different beers. Also, dry wines have very few carbs and non-sweet liquors have none - but you have to watch out for the mixers.

[roostershooter]

Thanks all for the quick response!! Just summarizing what everyone has said, it seems that if one drinks some beer, watch the carbs, test after a couple and see how your body reacts. Going high in blood readings do not seem to be an issue. If readings drop, eat or drink something.

I have not been testing in the evening before I go to bed. That is good advice. This morning I was 138. I did have a granola bar 2 hours before I went to bed. Before supper last night I was 113.

[Cinnabon]

Going high in blood readings do not seem to be an issue. If readings drop, eat or drink something.


a lil confused, did you mean, not an issue as in You always are high? or as in you think its not a big deal?

[Phranky]

Hey - like you I was dx about one month ago. I'm just on metformin and already my bs have completely stabilized.

I'm now always 5 in the am, and around 9-10 after a meal, then drops back down. This from a level of 17 after a 14 hour fast!

In Canada - we have a low carb beer called Sterling. A normal bottle of beer is 15 carbs per bottle, the Sterling is 2.5. So, you can have quite a few of these without worry. I've donethat a few times now and it's had absolutely no impact on my bs.

As was mentioned, it's important to eat something (I'll have a small bag of peanuts) if you have a few.

Big thing though is watch out for the carbs!

Good luck!

[roostershooter]

a lil confused, did you mean, not an issue as in You always are high? or as in you think its not a big deal?

NO, what I meant was that it is apparently not possible to go high if you have a beer. I am confused however if one does go high. What do you do??

[Cinnabon]

It is possible. It depends also on how your metabolism reacts and how your BS is before you begin to drink. Light beers, as mentioned, are lower in carbs.

[Valarie34]

Roostershooter,
Check your PM's (top right of the page). I sent you some info that might be helpful.:)

[roostershooter]

Ok, thanks. Again, this is all so new to me. I am sure I will get to know what I can eat and can drink with time.

[Valarie34]

Budweiser has a low-carb beer on the market called "Bud Select". My husband is NOT diabetic and prefers this beer over the regular.

Karen

I also recommend the Bud Select...that's what my husband drinks since he was diagnosed. I like it too...you can't tell that it's low carb.

[roostershooter]

Bud select. Sounds good. I will give it a try.

[Georgia]

Welcome to the forum - it sounds to me that you are more or less on the right track already.

Georgia

[roostershooter]

Thanks Georgia, but right now I seem to be thinking I am less on track than I should be. Day at a time I guess.