[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]

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!

[fgummett]

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

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]

Originally Posted by Bluemax

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by Bluemax

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.