[leapinglizards3]

First question I have is, what types of things should I ask my Diabetic Educator? She hasn't called yet to set an appointment, but when I do go, I want to know what kinds of things I should ask? Are there any particular brochures, materials, etc. that she should have that I would want to make sure I get?

Second question is..any suggestins on how to handle eating????? I know what I normally eat for breakfast on Saturday mornings will be a big "nope!", so I'm not even going in to that...this is the last Saturday morning for it. I've got T2 diabetes AND high cholesterol...I kind of feel that I'm doomed either way...when I look for the lower carb choices, it seems to be high in cholesterol, and if it's low in cholesterol, it's high in carbs..I feel like when I'm deciding what to eat (still eating out some) that I'm picking my poison...hmm..what would I rather die eating..

I know it will ALL get better as time goes on...but I'm just so frustrated right now..I just want to go sit in a corner and suck my thumb like a baby..

Thanks for any suggestions..

Elizabeth

[Olidus]

I don't think anyone here can really tell you what question you need to ask. My suggestion to you is to ask anything you want / need to know about. This is a time where it seems like alot to take in.
A Stupid Question is a Question Not-Asked.
Keep in mind that this site here is great a well if you have any questions as well

[fgummett]

Just because a food is high in cholesterol does not necessarily mean that it will raise your blood cholesterol... it is not even that simple: a high total cholesterol can be healthy so long as it is mainly of the right type... just as a low total cholesterol can be unhealthy if there is not enough of the good type. Most of what we eat is broken down by the body into its base constituents and then reconstituted as needed. Carbohydrates are readily converted into triglycerides and stored as fat.

[Real4]

Originally Posted by leapinglizards3

.when I look for the lower carb choices, it seems to be high in cholesterol, and if it's low in cholesterol, it's high in carbs.
Elizabeth

Your body makes cholesterol, whether there is any in your food or not. Controlling cholesterol by what you eat is a losing proposition.
Keeping your glucose under control is the best thing you can do, and it will help you with a better lipid balance.

[leapinglizards3]

Originally Posted by fgummett

Just because a food is high in cholesterol does not necessarily mean that it will raise your blood cholesterol... it is not even that simple: a high total cholesterol can be healthy so long as it is mainly of the right type... just as a low total cholesterol can be unhealthy if there is not enough of the good type. Most of what we eat is broken down by the body into its base constituents and then reconstituted as needed. Carbohydrates are readily converted into triglycerides and stored as fat.

My HDL is too low and my LDL is too high...

This is why I really want to hurry up and meet with my Diabetes Educator...so I can understand more about ALL of this....

Elizabeth

[diabetestribe]

I've heard that exercise will raise your HDL and lower your tryglicerides.

[BigcityRich]

Elizabeth,

When I was first diagnosed with Type 2, my doc said to quit smoking, loose 50 pounds and get the cholesterol under control. She told me above all else get the sugars down. I went to see a Diabetic Educator. Pay attention to all the information about Portions and Servings. Different foods effect different people differently. Diabetes is not a death sentence. I still love my weekend breakfasts.

[kmac]

Hi--I was just diagnosed last fall and I remember how confused and scary the whole thing was. I agree with the previous posters. Your questions will be individual to your situation. I always forget when I am at an appt and remember my questions on the way home so I like to write them down.

One thing I would say is ask about local resources and how to access them. Here we have foot care nurses, grocery store tours, support groups, cooking classes and many other things I will probably remember after I send this. (as usual I forget things in the moment) The thing I have found very useful is that our diabetes education centre has a counsellor to help deal with anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. I found that very helpful. Anxiety really affects my blood sugar!

Remember, everyone is an individual in many different ways and it is up to you to investigate the treatment choices and decide what's best for you. Having really never been sick, I know my first thought on dx was, "How can I avoid meds and therefore I can again consider myself normal and not sick." After a lot of thought and research my thinking now goes more like "I will do what it takes to keep my blood sugars as close to normal as possible. I feel better when I do that, and I believe that is the way to avoid (more) complications." I don't want to take unnecessary meds or the wrong meds but I think the Metormin is a good idea for me.

There is a huge learning curve when first diagnosed. You can learn a lot from your D Educator. PS--mine had a lot of good coupons to give out for things I would buy anyway and a huge package of info including recipes. This info will help you figure out what your questions are for your next visit.

Kathi