[Barbadosgal]

2 weeks ago, my eye sight went blurry. By Thursday I dropped everything at my desk and went straight to the clinic for tests. My sugar reading was 22. I was told I could go into shock. Everything happened pretty fast. I've been to my doctor, been to a specialist, been told to loose weight, adjust my diet to cut carbs and to start exercise. I was given metformin XR 500 g, one in the morning and one at night and off I went. Joined a gym and been trying to learn what "cutting carbs" means. I've read the forums here and I have not realized what cutting carbs really implies to a diabetic. I mean, how is it possible to eat one slice of bread a day? Give me a break – what is that. How is it possible to find meals that are 20-35 carbs. A can of Progresso vegetable soup has in 36? I've cried my eyes out for 2 days now realizing life will never be the same. I feel so cheated of life and the things that make life enjoyable. I am going to a lunch tomorrow for my god son's christening and it will be the first time since I was diagnosed that I will face a social event with food and I am going to be devastated. To be honest, I don’t even know when I am supposed to be using my meter to test my sugar. It amazes me how you get diagnosed, told the basics and then off you go. There is so much I don’t understand. I am learning to embrace the life change by eating better foods and exercising but its so difficult to not even be able to have one biscuit, a slice of garlic bread…….sigh.

[jenb]

Hi Barbadosgal.

Learning you have diabetes can seem devastating at first, but it can be controlled and you will feel better. There's a lot to learn...coming to DF can really help.

Your food adjustments need not make you feel deprived...you can eat tons of fresh veggies (greens, cucumber, eggplant, tomatoes, snap beans, spinach, and on and on), berries are great, and you can still eat small quanities of whole grains. Try to avoid things like pasta and potatoes. You can still eat protein, nuts and seeds, cheese - you can make the changes a culinary adventure! I thinks I'm a much more adventurous cook as a result of trying to put together great meals without things like rice or pasta. Try to find low carbohydrate versions of whole grain bread. Get a book on low carb, low glycemic index cooking. Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller has a number of them in publication.

There are many books available that will help you understand when to test and what to do with the informataion you glean from the testing. Several participants here have recommended "Your First Year With Diabetes" for Type 2's. FYI, testing prior to your meal, then 2 hours after your first bite will start to give you a good picture of how you react to the carbohydrate in the meal. If your BG rises more than about 40 points, you'll need to adjust the portion size of the carb you just ate, or eliminate it from your diet.

FYI, you can have a biscuit or a small slice of garlic bread now and then. You just need to account for it in your meal plan. Figure out a couple of foods that you absolutely can't live without, then plan to include them sometime during your day. I do this by using Calorie King software (available for download from their website). You will learn to reduce the quantities of these foods, but enjoying small bits of them will help you adjust to your new normal.

Well, I've gone on and on so I'll sign off now. Just know that you are not alone, and that you'll adjust to all this. EGBOK

Jen

[dme100]

First, I was DX 6 weeks ago, type 2, also out of the blue. I think I received as much info from my doctor as you did. I am reading EVERYTHING I can find, and the onr of the best things I have found are these forums.
Everyone here treats everyone with care and respect, there is no question that is to "stupid" to ask, I know, I ask lots of questions.
A book I found helpful is The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed.
by Gretchen Becker
I stayed up all night and read it. Your book store may have it, I got it from Amazon.com
It is not a death sentence as I first thought, and I have a long way to go.
Seek out all the help you can find, my boss is diabetis (40 years), he told me that I won't have to change my life, just re-learn how to eat, and with the better care and exercise required, he said, I'll live life better.
My wife also the night I was DX said, don't worry honey, WE can deal with this.
Keep your chin up, it's hard but you can learn with proper help to manage this.
Bless you, and take care,
David

[Barbadosgal]

Thanks David and Jen. I will see if I can find the books recommended at the book stores in Barbados

[genie86333]

Hi, Barbadosgal.

Welcome to the forum.

It is quite a shock to have to change your life so suddenly. And yes, it is quite a shock to hear things like "you can only eat 1 slice of bread a day." (for the record since I was diagnosed 14 months ago, I've eaten only maybe 30 slices of bread...I find I *really* don't miss it all that much, although some things *are* more difficult!)

Now, just one comment:

Originally Posted by Barbadosgal

I feel so cheated of life and the things that make life enjoyable. I am going to a lunch tomorrow for my god son's christening and it will be the first time since I was diagnosed that I will face a social event with food and I am going to be devastated.

Is it really the food that matters? No...it's the friends & family - your loved ones - and your god son's special day. They're the important thing there. You'll miss some good food & it will be difficult - I'm not denying that at all...but focus on the good things. Don't let the fact you can't have what everyone else is eating "devastate" you...being with your loved ones on a day that is so precious to you is a WONDERFUL thing.

If this was a week before you were diagnosed & you showed up at the christening & there was *NO* food at all...you'd probably think it was strange, but it wouldn't ruin your day, right?

I know it'll be hard, and it will be strange, especially if there are ones there who don't know about the changes you have to make (or those who do & treat you differently than they have before) and we welcome you to come back here & vent about it afterwards if you need to! But...enjoy the day. Give your god-son a kiss on the cheek for all of us here & visit us again soon!

[Gordonm]

I don't mean this to sound harsh but stop focusing on food. To many Americans are obsessed with food and it shows. We are one if not the fattest nation in the world. We need to stop. Focus on the other good things in life like family and yourself. Find other things to satisfy your mind. It is a major life change but you need to do it. I have had this since I was 11 years old so I never had bad food habits. Yes it is tough to pass up some things but I will taste a lot of things but never morethan that. Don't gorge yourself. A taste can be very satisfying. It is your health, take care of it.

[foxl]

I got my shock around 7 weeks ago ... a BG of 447 (I do not remember waht 220 is in American ...).

I have gone without bread for several weeks now and am not seriously missing it. I am finding I can put the same flavors with other foods and feel as, if not MORE, satisfied.

It IS hard at first. For another great website, take a look at Blood Sugar 101. Also, David Mendosa has some terrific info on Glycemic Index, among other things. The low GI foods (and you truly must test each one in your own body to find what works for you) really have helped me ease lower on the carbs -- and TRUST me, I LOVE my carbs. Baked bread for years, and mounged on (unlimited) pasta like CRAZY. If I can do it, I swear, anyone can.

Hang in here, with us, too -- it really helps.

[jenb]

Hi again. If you can't find the books on Barbados, try diabetesnet.com. Lots of great books.

By the way, my husband's father's family came to the US from England via Barbados. He still has relatives who live in Barbados and Canada (depending on the time of year). Do you do the seasonal migration too?

Jen

[yannah]

what I do is instead of saying "bummer, I can't have garlic bread." I say "look at those poor people eating that sugar slathered in fat and salt" just a thought.

[livelong]

Welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place to learn.

You can still have garlic bread but only one slice. In fact when I make it I slice the bread really thin and still get the garlic bread taste but not a mass of bread. I then have two slices of the thin garlic bread. My wife makes a flourless dark chocolate tort cake. I have a small slice that has almost no effect on my BG.
I went out to a Brazilian restaurant Friday night and have a very enjoyable meal. Two hours after the meal my BG was 107. Last night we went to a friend’s house and had finger foods. Two hours later my BG was 99 and I enjoyed the food. So you don’t have to eliminate things just limit and modify your diet.

I am going on a year after Dx so it is fresh in my mind what you are going through. It seems everything we do has food involved and my wife is a really good cook so it was hard at first. For the last 10 years I was a little on the heavy side and could never loose the weight. At Dx my Doc sent me to some Diabetes education classes that taught me the basics of the disease, how to eat correctly and use the BG meter. Then I had to test and see what foods did to my BG. I limit foods that cause high BG readings. And just by following the meal guidelines I lost 25 lbs and it is staying off. It was hard at first but when I started feeling better and people said am looking great that motivated me more.

Good luck in you journey,

[Julielouise]

Hi and welcome to a great forum. I am almost two years into this adventure. I know how you feel right now. It feels almost impossible. I remember crying in restaurants, because I felt I couldn't have the "good" stuff. I remember the feeling of hoplessness when everyone around you was eating things you couldn't.
Well even though right now it seems so hard, I can tell you it does get better. I now do not even want those bad foods. Don't miss them (well not too much) and I don't go hungry. I learned to fuel my body, not just eat because it tastes good. I was able to lose over 100 pounds and my A1C tests have been 4.8 and 4.9 the last two tests. I am no longer on any diabetes medication and I feel better than I have in years.
It took awhile to get used to, but you will get used to it and it will be easier as time goes by. For me it just isn't worth it to eat the way I used to. After all it is just food. I am kind of a carbaphobic now. Have to force myself to have carbs sometimes.
Anyway welcome and I know it seems hard now, but it will get better before you know it. Take care of yourself. Hugs- Julie

[Barbadosgal]

Originally Posted by jenb

Hi again. If you can't find the books on Barbados, try diabetesnet.com. Lots of great books.

By the way, my husband's father's family came to the US from England via Barbados. He still has relatives who live in Barbados and Canada (depending on the time of year). Do you do the seasonal migration too?

Jen

Hi Jen

Its a small world isnt it. Barbados is such a tiny island, 21x14 miles big (or small). I am 39 years old so I am doing the 9-5 job as a legal assistant thang. I dont have the opportunity yet to do seasonal migration Perhaps when I retire I will. My father has lived in Canada for 35 years while I lived in Barbados with my grandparents for most of my life. I spent some childhood and teen years with him.

[Barbadosgal]

Originally Posted by Julielouise

Hi and welcome to a great forum. I am almost two years into this adventure. I know how you feel right now. It feels almost impossible. I remember crying in restaurants, because I felt I couldn't have the "good" stuff. I remember the feeling of hoplessness when everyone around you was eating things you couldn't.
Well even though right now it seems so hard, I can tell you it does get better. I now do not even want those bad foods. Don't miss them (well not too much) and I don't go hungry. I learned to fuel my body, not just eat because it tastes good. I was able to lose over 100 pounds and my A1C tests have been 4.8 and 4.9 the last two tests. I am no longer on any diabetes medication and I feel better than I have in years.
It took awhile to get used to, but you will get used to it and it will be easier as time goes by. For me it just isn't worth it to eat the way I used to. After all it is just food. I am kind of a carbaphobic now. Have to force myself to have carbs sometimes.
Anyway welcome and I know it seems hard now, but it will get better before you know it. Take care of yourself. Hugs- Julie

Julie, your story so far is very encouraging. I need to loose a massive amount of weight myself and my goal is also not to have to be on medication. If I could loose 100 lbs I know my life would be radically different (and better). How long did it take you to loose 100 lbs? Did you do that just by diet and excersise?

[princesslinda]

Welcome Barbadosgal! Glad you found the forums. It helps a great deal knowing you're around others who understand. We've all been where you are right now, newly diagnosed, scared and frustrated.

First, take a deep breath, try to relax. Now that you are diagnosed you can learn all you can about diabetes and have the long and happy life you so deserve and want.

Get the Becker book recommended above. It's great.

Watch the "white foods," rice, potatoes, pasta and bread, as these will cause your blood sugar to rise quickly. Eat lots of salads, fresh green veggies, lean meats, fish.....not sure what they have available in your town, but here in the states, we have low-carb tortillas...they are a great bread substitute.

There will be plenty of things you can eat....in fact, you can eat anything you want, but some things you'll chose not to eat, as it will raise your blood sugar and make you feel bad.

Testing is so important in learning which foods cause you problems. Test 2 hrs after your first bite. I was given the goal of 140 (7.78) or less at the 2 hr mark, and 110 (6.11) or less fasting.

Metformin works by helping your body better use the insulin you are producing. It will work better along with proper diet and regular exercise. It can also take a little while to see optimal results.

Hope you post often and ask lots of questions. The forum was a god-send to me when first diagnosed, and even now, I learn something new here every day.

Hang in there....You will be fine!

[Julielouise]

Hey Barbadosgal- It only took me 7-9 months to lose the 100 pounds. To be fair I lost the first 30-40 pounds not knowing I was sick. Gave me a great kick start.
Then when I was DX'd it scared the heck out of me, I just ate a lot of plain veggies, no dressing, dips or sauces. I ate a lot of celery in the first months. I ate low carb and low fat. Pretty boring, but it worked. I also started walking. No gym or really tough excercise, just walked.
It is a whole new life for me. I could still stand to lose a bit more weight, but now I feel normal. Not the huge lady that felt like people stared at. I was only 5' 2" and 263 pounds, not a pretty sight. I was down to 145, but went back up to 155. Working on getting down to my desired weight again.
I know right now it seems like an almost impossible task, but with a lot of will power and caring about yourself time will fly by and it will all just be a way of life for you. Take care- Julie