[Greywall]

Hi everyone, just found this site in my frantic search for information.

After feeling super tired, peeing and drinking nonstop over the 4th of July weekend, I went to see the my internist to see what was up. He took my blood and gave me the news.

I was diagnosed T2 with BG of 410 and A1C of 11%. Needless to say, from what the doc has told me and what I've been reading online and in books, this is not good. What's freaking me out is I'm in the state of hyperglycemia and looking for it to come down. Each day I spend at these levels, I view as a day of doing great damage to my body.

He has me gradually on 2x500mg Metformin twice a day (started with 2/day last week, 4/day starting today). My readings are something between 340 and 440 and I'm impatient to have them come down. He's also adding Glimepiride to the Metformin to help bring the levels down.

I've been reading the First year book, and Dummies book on T2. Started around 277lbs about 3 weeks ago, down to 246 today. Doing the whole diet thing, lots of learning there still. Also gone from zero walk / exercise to taking 3 x 15 minute walk per day. Biggest symptom I have is persistent fatigue and constant peeing / drinking.

Aside from dealing with all the long-term issues, these immediate concerns seem to be overwhelming. Could use some advice.

Mark.

[fgummett]

Hey Mark, Welcome to DF! Glad you found us. Diagnosis is pretty overwhelming but you are now among many folks who have been there and come through it OK... you will too Sounds like you are off to a great start between the reading and weight loss.. good for you! As for wanting to get good control quickly, don't be too hasty... it has probably take you many months, if not years to get to where your blood sugars are now and some studies urge caution in trying to change that back too rapidly.

[Cloudedbrains]

Mark - don't expect it too happen over night, I was diagnosed nearly 2 yrs back and have only just got control in the region my team were aiming for

You are doing something about it now that you know you have it and thats the biggest thing

And welcome to the DF family

[princesslinda]

Hi Mark, welcome to the forums! Glad to hear you've already started learning about this new chapter of your life. I know its all overwhelming right now but as time passes, it will become easier.

Remember that it does take metformin a few weeks to reach optimal results in your system, so don't be discouraged if you're not seeing immediate results.

If you read many of the posts here, you'll find many of us eat lower carbs, avoiding "white" foods such as rice, pasta, breads and potatoes. I find if I eat lots of salads, green veggies and lean proteins that my blood sugars are more stable. For desserts, I enjoy s/f pudding and jello, low carb ice cream.

Hope you're testing often. Testing 2 hrs after your first bite will show you how different foods affect blood sugars and help you make smarter food choices.

When your blood sugars are lower, regular exercise will also be beneficial.

Your fatigue and frequent urination are because of your high blood sugars. You'll not believe how much better you'll feel once these normalize.

Hang in there, try not to worry. Many of us had quite high blood sugars when first diagnosed, and are doing well now. Give your meds time to work, then if your #s are still quite high, you'll need to contact your doctor for adjustments.

You've found a great place here for information and support.

[Petruchio]

Mark,

A few things to keep in mind:

1- You did not get to those levels overnight. You will not get down to "normal" levels overnight either.

2- Each day where you aim to control your BS levels is a step in the right direction. This is a journey, not a "Beam me up Scotty".

3- As your BS levels fall, you WILL feel like pond scum. Your vision WILL be blurry. This is because your body is attempting to adjust to the lower levels. Expect it. Embrace it. It is conformation that you are doing the right things.

4- Attitude = Everything. Stay positive, embrace Diabetes, because whether you like it or not - Diabetes IS a part of you for the rest of your life.

5- You must control your Diabetes. Don't let it control you.

The folks on this Forum are super. The amount of information, support, and good old-fashioned friendship found on this Forum is remarkable. It is just the thing that can help you through the rough spots and celebrate the successes with you.

Metformin can take up to a month to fully kick in. Also, with some people the side effects until the body adjusts are . . . ummmm . . . let's just say constipation is not an issue. Starting on a low dose and gradually working up to the correct dose minimizes these effects. Give it a chance.

[UpNorth]

Welcome to the forums!

Seems like you're on the right track, just keep an eye on those carbs and bloodsugars and keep yourself hydrated! If you continue to stay at those high levels, don't hesitate to ask for insulin as that will bring you down in no time.

[Aslosman]

Mark,

Two weeks after my diagnosis I was sitting on the couch feeling sorry for my self and my Bg level was still over 200. My wife "encouraged" (ok nagged me until I did it) to go for a walk with her. We went on a lesieurly stroll for about a mile and a half durring which time I drank a leter of watter. An hour after we cam back Bg was down to 150. We kept walking, in a week Bg was in the target range.

You may not have the same results as quickly but have patients. Follow your Dr.'s advice. Your Bg levels will come down.

Given my thread, I'm probably not the best one to say this to you but: Nothing has the potential to make you healther than contracting a chronic condition.

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by Aslosman

Nothing has the potential to make you healthier than contracting a chronic condition.

Excellent.. can I borrow that one It is so true that many of us are actually taking better care of ourselves than we ever did before.

[Aslosman]

Frank:
Feel free to steel the line. I got it from somewhere else just after I was diagnosed and have used it ever since.

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by Aslosman

Frank:
Feel free to steel the line. I got it from somewhere else just after I was diagnosed and have used it ever since.

Thanks It's a good line

[Real4]

Originally Posted by Greywall

Aside from dealing with all the long-term issues, these immediate concerns seem to be overwhelming. Could use some advice.

Mark.

You say nothing about what you eat. That is very important, especially the amount of carbohydrates (carbs). The best way for you to lower your BG is to lower your carb intake to as close to zero as possible.

[Debbie Sue]

Originally Posted by Real4

You say nothing about what you eat. That is very important, especially the amount of carbohydrates (carbs). The best way for you to lower your BG is to lower your carb intake to as close to zero as possible.

Are you serious about the carbs intake level? We need complex carbs for energy and to keep us from getting weak. Maybe you mean bad carbs like pie and cake?

[princesslinda]

When first diagnosed, my A1C was 9.6. I had a hard time getting good #s at first as I was given a rather high carb diet by the diabetic educator (typical ADA guidelines), but after I found the forums and was encouraged to avoid carbs, I tried it and I gained much better control.

I have done extreme low carb (Bernstein's 6-6-12 for a total of 24 gms of carbs/day) and NEVER had better #s...and after the initial adjustment, I felt good. I wasn't disciplined enough to maintain that level of carbs for long, but I do find that the less carbs I eat, the better my #s.

If you want to bring your #s down quickly, do cut WAY back on your carbs. Then, as your meds take effect and your #s normalize, you can add back a few at a time to find what works best for you, as we all differ in our tolerances.

Your goal is to have as close to normal blood sugars as possible to avoid complications, whether by diet/exercise alone or with the help of medication(s).

[Aslosman]

When first diagnosed I went on a low carb diet Dr Atkins could not have taked for more than a week. A month later I went more to the ADA recomendations. But that was after my numbers started to reach the reasonable range.

Very few people can take an ultra low carb diet for long but as a temporary readjustment it does seem to work for some people.

24 carbs/day?!!!! My goal (set by my diabetes educator) is 30 to 50 per meal. 24 is like a glass of milk.

[Debbie Sue]

My diabetes educator set my goal at no more than 45 carbs per meal with 15 for one snack and 30 for the other two.