[StoneGirl]

First Post. I may be giving more info (or non important info), but here goes as a start. Suggestions from you Pioneers of this are welcome! I may say some silly things, because this is like Greek to me.

Just diagnosed with Glucose Intolerance. Doc doesn't want to diagnose it as Diabetes II yet. For a couple of years, Ive felt awful. It's not "always" that way, but often, and when it is, it's like I'm dreaming and in a catonic state, or sometimes shaking like a leaf. At times, I can hardly lift my arms, I lose my interest in fun. They thought I might have BiPolar Disorder, Chronic Fatigue, or ADD (not ADHD), and other possibilities. I didn't think any of those seemed plausible, unless "maybe" ChronicF (as we all try to figure out why we feel so badly). At that juncture, my liver numbers were high. In a sonogram for Thyroid testing++, I showed a very small cyst on the thyroid, but not of concern. Thyroid numbers in normal range. Why was I so exhausted. I couldn't even finish putting my plants in the garden, as my strength wasn't there. On retest, my blood levels were normal-OK. What was wrong?

A few months ago I'd had a great Pizza night with friends, then capped it off with a shared box of chocolate cherries. I woke up about 5 hours later, sicker than I've been since I was a kid. I thought at times I was fainting, and was having trouble concentrating, but hated for anyone else to be around since it was Feb. & flu season. Figured that's what I had. For 5 days, nothing would stay down, even though I wasn't even trying to eat. I had horrible leg cramps (unusual for me). The clinic gave me Tamiflu which hurt my stomach so bad, and I was so weak, I was rather frightened.

OK - -fast forward a month, and I'm still not feeling good, and even weaker. We run an 8 hour fasting blood test. I don't get the results for another 2 weeks. They don't seem THAT bad (based on what I'm reading in here), but I'm exhausted. My 8 hr. fast showed 155, and the 3 months number was around 7.6...I think-not sure... (you can tell this is new to me). Since I am in the process of being put on new insurance in a few months, I thought OH NO. Doc said, don't panic, get with Nutritionist and possibly we can get everything under control, but eat exactly what Nutritionist says. I'm scared and say Absolutely, I'll do exactly as I'm told. The front desk says they will call with appointment time next day. They don't call, and when I get back in 2 days, they say Nutritionist booked solid for 3 weeks, and my doc just left on vacation. (sigh). Now, I will see the Nutritionist this next Tuesday. I went to the Pharmacist, and he says it sounds like Diabetic reactions, but he can't really recommend, and maybe I should go to the emergency clinic. So, out of frustration, I'm in this forum tonight instead.

Meantime, I don't know what kind of things to eat. I've tried to look on the internet, and this seems very confusing. When I feel faint, am I "too high" or "too low". Should I drink a Dr. Pepper or eat a Turkey Sandwich?

Can someone who has been at this as a Diabetic II, but isn't on meds, let me know how they understood and is there a cookbook, or a specific diet, OR ??????? HELP HELP. I'm exhausted, and losing interest in my yard, house, friends. I don't feel depressed (really), but I can tell I'm not my usual Me. I'm expecting a house full of company for Mother's Day weekend, and have a lot of food to prepare, plus my daughter's B-Day is Monday. Yikes. I feel stressed, tired, hungry. Normally I'd know what caloric things should/shouldn't be eaten. With this I'm lost.

WHEW - -a long post. Hope it made sense.

[fgummett]

Hi StoneGirl... Welcome to DF... glad you found us..! It sure sounds lie you came to the right place.

Now I am not a doctor but with an 8 hours fasting blood sugar of 155 mg/dl (should be under 100) and an A1c (3 month test) of 7.6% (should be under 5.6%)... sure sounds like Diabetes to me.

I don't really understand why your doctor is hesitating to diagnose you as a Type 2 Diabetes. You need to get a glucose monitor and start testing your own blood sugars at fasting and 2 hours after each meal. Write these down in a log book along with a record of what you ate and how you feel. I suggest an excellent book by Gretchen Becker (listed below, in my signature)

Don't panic... although D can be overwhelming at first it is something that you can learn to control. Come back here often and keep asking questions.

In terms of diet, yes watch sugar (cut back on or stop soda-pop for example) but more importantly cut back on starches like potatoes white bread, pasta, rice. Good Luck and hang in there!

[xMenace]

Welcome.

It's a basic three pronged attack: eat well, exercise, and control your weight. You have to do all three!

Eating well is the hardest when you are trying to control your blood glucose levels. There are possibly as many opinions as there are diabetics. Watch this video Michael Pollan on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos on CBC It's just one piece of information for you to absorb. Check out Advice for Newbies too.

[StoneGirl]

FG - wow, thanks for such a timely reply. I see you are Type II. Doc said sometimes it can be brought down, and prefer no diagnosis to try and get insurance in place first. Meanwhile, I'm in total confusion. I'm exhausted. Is that usually in indicator of LOW, instead of HIGH? How can you tell (outside of the obvious blood meter info)? I thought about just going ahead & buying a meter. There is one on the way, but they said it will take another 3 weeks or so. I think I may crash this weekend if I can't get some strength from somewhere, and I'm afraid I may be doing "intake" of the wrong things.

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by StoneGirl

Meanwhile, I'm in total confusion. I'm exhausted. Is that usually in indicator of LOW, instead of HIGH? How can you tell (outside of the obvious blood meter info)?

It is very very unlikely you are low. It's much more probable that you are normal or high.

[StoneGirl]

Menace, I copied what you sent (since I just registered, and in case I get lost in here). Thank you for answering. It feels good to hear another voice who perhaps empathizes, and with knowledge.

I can certainly understand it takes more than living in the moment, and I fully intend to do so. I've already signed up for Aqua Therapy. I had back surgery, and that was very helpful, although, my back is when I got sedate and put on some pounds. I'm ready to be a good student, just don't have the help lined up, and feel like a lost gal. What are some "middle of the road" types of things, eaten in moderation? I was preparing to start WWatchers, but now wondering if I need to do something "otherwise"-more directed toward blood sugar. Someone even mentioned drinking Glucerna of the morning, a turkey sandwich for lunch, etc., but I feel I'm about to keel over. Make sense???

[davef]

Stonegirl,

Hi and welcome to the forums.

First of all take a deep breath and try to relax a little. I was diagnosed just last November and had gone through some months of tiredness, which I put down to stress in work, I was irritable and prone to being a little down, which I put down to work and not like my job.

Then I got an unquenchable thrist and had to pee frequently (5 times a night), which add to my fatique. Your fasting blood glucose (FBG) level of 155 is a higher than would be considered normal, that said not as high as mine when diagnosed (378). I assume the 7.1 you mention was the result of your A1c test, again this is above normal. But the important thing is, it can all be managed.

Please remember, I'm not a doctor and I am still new to this, but I would suspect the symptoms you describe would be in line with diabetes, that's not to say it couldn't be something else. So what can you do till you get some medical guidance, well first of all, cut back on your carbohydrate intake, carbs (pasta, white bread, potatoes, rice, yes pizza) can cause a fairly rapid rise in your blood glucose. Try eating more protien, meats, cheese etc and also plenty of veggies, but try to avoid cereals, such as corn. Eggs are also good. I would not drink "full fat" sodas, for the moment water is best, but sugar free diet drinks should be fine.

How can you tell if you are high or low, well you could go back to the pharmacists and see if he will give you a Blood Glucose test or a meter. This will immediately tell you your levels.

Personally I wouldn't wait to see the nutritionist in 3 weeks, is there another doctor in your GP's office that you could see? Or if you are feeling very unwell, then perhaps a visit to the ER would help.

[fgummett]

Exhausted can be high or low (sorry). You body does not do well with unregulated high blood sugars and by the way even with high sugars you may still be hungry as the sugar cannot get into the cells to be used. But at the same time you may have had D creeping up on you for some time and your body has adjusted somewhat to higher than normal sugars so when you do go low or even back to normal levels you body can feel shaky.

I understand the insurance dilemma and it may be possible for you to buy some time by (as John says above) using the, "basic three pronged attack: eat well, exercise, and control your weight. You have to do all three!"

I suggest the most important thing to start doing is self-testing... that is the only way you can know what is happening in your body and is the most important first step in you (with the help of your doctor, nutritionist, pharmacist etc...) taking control of this condition. I understand you can buy an inexpensive meter and strips at Walmart without a prescription so no need to involve the insurance on that one.

[davef]

Originally Posted by StoneGirl

I can certainly understand it takes more than living in the moment, and I fully intend to do so. I've already signed up for Aqua Therapy. I had back surgery, and that was very helpful, although, my back is when I got sedate and put on some pounds. I'm ready to be a good student, just don't have the help lined up, and feel like a lost gal. What are some "middle of the road" types of things, eaten in moderation? I was preparing to start WWatchers, but now wondering if I need to do something "otherwise"-more directed toward blood sugar. Someone even mentioned drinking Glucerna of the morning, a turkey sandwich for lunch, etc., but I feel I'm about to keel over. Make sense???

There are some people here attending WW, if you join be sure to tell them that it is suspected that you have diabetes so that they can make sure to watch you carbs.

Really it's about eating a healthy diet, testing is as far as I'm concerned your most important tool. It tells you what foods you can tolerate and which you can't so that you can learn and adjust your eating accordingly.

The book frank mentioned is excellent, easy to read and informative. It can be overwhelming at first, but it gets way easier. You see to have a positive determined attitude, that will stand to you.

[Achilles]

Hi Stonegirl, sorry that you aren't feeling very well. I was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago with Type 2. I had a lot of the same symptoms with lack of attention, feeling stressed, tired, felt like a zombie, etc.

I'm a little surprised your Dr. didn't want to diagnose you with diabetes yet with those numbers. Although not terrible, they fall into diabetic category.

As far as what to eat, I was told to follow a low carb diet. Eat chicken, shrimp, trimmed beef, fish stir fry with cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, asparagus, brocolli. Mix and match these as you choose. A blood glucose meter really helps to see how food affects your BG levels. Check them 2 hours after you have a meal.

Avoid pizza, white bread, white rice, pasta, and potatoes for now.

Do a search for "low carb recipes" and you will find a ton of sites.

For breakfast eat eggs, turkey sausage, or that microwavable precooked bacon that doesn't have a lot of fat.

By eating low carb, this has helped me bring my blood sugar way down along with exercise. If I have a bowl of cereal which has a lot of carbs my blood glucose will go up to nearly 200 mg/dL two hours after testing.

Once you start getting control of your blood glucose levels, the energy will slowly start coming back and you will feel better hopefully.

Good luck to you.

[Achilles]

Wow. In the few minutes it took me to type the post above we had a blitzkrieg of responses.

Way to go people with the help

[Evermont]

StoneGirl,

I'm one of those T2's that is diet and exercise only. I've managed excellent results in a short time so I feel that I know a bit about this.

You'll soon learn that finding this forum was a very fortunate thing for you. I suspect you'll be fine soon and on the right path. Take some time to read the posts here about diet and such. Knowledge is you friend!

I can tell you that, if you're willing to put forth the effort, there is a very good chance that you will soon be feeling better even without meds. I think your doctor is saying the same thing.

I'll echo the advice you've already gotten about exercise and diet. Also, get the meter. Get the book too. Relax and study!

[fgummett]

Way to go yourself Achilles... only three weeks since Dx and you seem to be passed the overwhelmed stage already Might have been a couple of years longer for me but I think we can all still relate to that initial feeling... trust me it does get easier

[StoneGirl]

Thanks to Frank, Menance, Dave and Achilles. I really appreciate your taking time to try and feel where I'm at, and respond. I'm usually a pretty independent cookie, but this kinda threw me for a loop. All of you have given me some good information to study and consider. I believe this helps me also know what to eat until next Tue when I meet the Nutritionist. I will definitely be coming back to visit here. Again, thanks for extending such a nice and sincere welcome.

[StoneGirl]

Keith, I just saw yours. Thank You too. My daughter is wanting my attention, but I'll be back here looking for more info and shared knowledge. Thanks again for a great welcome.