New to the forums... asking for some advice!

[Jerome]

Hi all.

Last Tuesday I got a call from my doctor that told me my sugar was at 351.

At that time I had no idea what it meant, or how it was affecting me.

After going through these forums and reading tons of research, now I know a whole lot more.

Doc told me it was a serious issue, that I needed to get my sugar level down, by means of diet and exercise, and to see her a week later.

So I've been recording my blood twice a day, eating a lot healthier, tossed out the sweets, and have been going for daily walks.

Woke up today with a level of 110 with no medication.

I'm 22 years old. My dad has Type I diabetes so the whole thing isn't new to me.

I don't think I've ever taken the whole thing seriously until I started checking my blood twice a day and found out the levels weren't normal. Scared me to death. Also made me real depressed.

I guess because in a way it seems like something was taken away from me. That I can't lead a normal life, or something. I don't know. I guess I'm still accepting the fact that I'm a diabetic now, too.

When the doc called me last Tuesday I made a big effort to get my sugar down. I immediately took my sugar and it was at 155, and the next day at 203. Every day after the levels have been under 150, nothing great, but better than what it used to be. Waking up today seeing it at 110 was great. Made me feel real good.

The first couple days were hard because I had major headaches and I think it has to do with my carb cutting.

I used to drink a 2 liter of pop or more daily, burgers, pizza, you name it, I ate it.

I'm thinking my blood sugar has been high for awhile now, but was always scared to do a blood test to make sure. I guess it's better to know now than never.

So after the doctor's appointment today, my blood pressure's dropped, I've lost 10 pounds, and my sugar level has substantially decreased. Very proud of myself for just the six days I've started.

I used to have a problem with binging. All started when I was 15. It was my way out of problems, stress, etc... I kind of always wanted to get help but never did. Parents didn't take things as seriously back then. Of course it's not their fault, it's my fault and I know it, but maybe the help back then would have been a lot more beneficial to me.

Anyway, I'm sorry for rambling. Guess I figured as my first post I might as well just come out and tell how I feel.

My doctor prescribed me avandia. I'm supposed to take it twice a day. Once after breakfast and once after dinner. Doc said if I continue to lose weight and exercise I can lessen the medication and hopefully get off of it.

I was just wondering if there was any extra advice you guys can give me... I'm very thankful that after almost eight years of binging, I can successfully say that it's near impossible for me to do it ever again... because I always have to check my sugar level and it's very important to me that it stays down... I am glad to know that this will be the road to better health and a better life...

But like I said before it kinda just feels different... knowing that I'm diabetic... feels like I can't do the things I used to do or something... guess I can't really be thinking like that...

Anyway, would appreciate it if you guys could shed any advice or tips on continuing the weight struggle and the blood sugar level...

Is there any way my insulin in my body will effectively work again?

Thanks guys, I appreciate everything and apologize for the long read.

[v-effect]

hi jerome,

im very sorry that you have to address this now. i got type 1 diabetes when i was 21-- now im 29. i can only tell you that after a couple of years of acclimating myself to the new fact of having a chronic disease, i was no longer sad about it every day. i exercise, have a great partner, drink (too much) wine on the weekends, am getting a phd: everything that i thought i wouldnt be able to do when i was diagnosed. can you tell us a bit more? did the doctor say you have type 1 or 2? The people on this board will be able to help you out a lot more if you can give us that information.
again, don't rush yourself. start learning about your diabetes, at your own pace. a good way to start this proces is by reading dr bernstein's book, which really changed my life.

v.

[Jerome]

Hi,

Thanks for such a quick reply! It's very good to know that there are others out there that can understand how I feel and everything...

I believe I have type 2... she never told me type 1 or 2... I'm assuming 2 because I'm in no need of insulin, just medication for now...

I'm really trying very hard to get back into shape and hopefully will get there eventually! I'll need to grab that book as well, will try to look for it today!

[pepsi max]

if you are type 2 ,please don,t be too upset. i wish i,d known about low carb living 9 years ago when i was diagnosed. i took insulin for 7 years and2 years ago i started lc living .guess what? i,m not on medication anymore.so you see, it is possible for your pancreas to still work. if you stick to the diet, you could live for years without medication.good luck .

[Lisa N]

Hi Jerome!

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a hard thing to adjust to and very frightening for most people, especially when you are so young, so don't think that your reactions are unusual or abnormal. Many people react with fear, grief, anger or depression (or all of these at different times).
You have a lot of new information to absorb and you've made a big change in your lifestyle. All of these things can be upsetting and throw you off balance for a while. Give yourself time and allow yourself to grieve for the "old" you if you need to. It might even help to seek professional help with coping if your feelings seem overwhelming.
You're right in that your life will never again be what it was. In some aspects that may be a good thing, in others it may bring a sense of grief or loss but that fact that your life from now on will be different does not mean that it will lack quality. Or at least it doesn't have to mean that.
Most diabetics can lead perfectly normal lives as well as long and healthy ones if they take their disease seriously and take steps to stay well-controlled. You will still be able to do all the things that you did before you were diagnosed with diabetes...in some cases even more because once you get good control you will find that you feel much better than you did before. The only thing that will really change is that from now on you will need to be aware of the effect that high carb, high glycemic foods have on you and your health and make wise choices about what you do and don't choose to eat. For a while, at least, your food choices will take a lot more thought than they used to.
The good news is that if you are able to control your blood sugars with diet and medication or diet alone, it means that you are not a type 1 and that you still have a decent amount of pancreatic function. If you take the steps that you need to take to get and keep good control, chances are good that you will be able to continue to maintain control with diet alone (or diet and medication if necessary).
You've done very well to take your blood sugars from 351 to 110 so quickly and you should be proud of that accomplishment. It seems like you have high motivation to take control of this beast and with that attitude I'm confident that you will succeed. :thup:

[Jerome]

Those are very kind (and motivating) words. I am about speechless as how to reply, but would like to thank you very much for such encouragement. Things like that really mean a whole lot to me.

Hopefully I can open up a journal and post more thoughts and all when I have this thing down packed. Hopefully the medication will bring the sugar levels down further, and that continued weight loss and exercise can push the meds away for good in the near future.

This is a great place with great support to learn and understand living a healthier life. Thanks again, all. :)

[Jerome]

Just an update as of 8/19/03:

Things are doing pretty well. After the initial diagnosis, I moved out to California. So things have been a little hectic with being on my own and everything.

I only maintained to stay on the low-carb plan for a week, but have made significant changes in my eating habits and lifestyle.

I still don't eat any high sugars... drink diet pop to halt the cravings... stopped eating late at night... and exercise at least five days a week...

I was on Avandia after the first week of being diagnosed... took two 4mg tablets a day and the sugar levels started dropping to the low 90s in two weeks. Thereafter I started taking one tablet a day until I started reaching the high 80s...

Now for the last two weeks I've been off medication! Levels are in the mid-high 90s, and am very happy to know that just the simple lifestyle changes can help out a lot...

In the process I've lost a total of 31lbs and counting... went from a 38" waist to a loose 36... 34 is coming on its way!

Anyway, I just wanted to post that I haven't been as active and healthy in such a long time... I am glad to say that I am still able to eat just about anything I'd like, of course in complete control now, and that being sugar-free isn't such a bad thing :)

Thanks again guys, I hope that my words inspire others as well! The "old" me three months ago wouldn't be what I'm saying today!

[Lisa N]

Glad to hear that you're doing so well! Be careful with the "I can eat anything I want as long as my blood sugars stay in X range" thinking. I did that for a while (can we say denial?) and it bit me on the butt big time. I stayed well controlled for a while, but when I went uncontrolled, it happened quickly and with a vengeance.
Keep up the good work and learn all you can about your disease. Knowledge (and then applying that knowlege) is going to be your greatest ally in fighting this. :)

[Jerome]

(Type II)
An update as of 11/08/2003:

I've hit 180 today. That's 56lbs lighter than when I was first diagnosed with diabetes. I feel very fortunate.

Like posted previously, I was only on Avandia for a couple of weeks upon diagnosis. I haven't been on it since.

My FBS averages about 85-95 every day. No medication, no insulin shots...

I'm still looking to lose 40 more pounds. To be upfront and honest, my diet hasn't been the greatest, but I make sure to take care of myself on a daily basis.

I am proud to say I haven't had sugars since diagnosis nor have I binged. I feel I have made a new turn in defeating my eating disorder. It has really changed my life.

I go out with friends a lot more, I'm more confident, my self-esteem is way up... in a way I do feel that being diagnosed has been a blessing like most have said... it has given me control in my life and I am very thankful for that.

To think that in June I weighed in at 236 and in the first half of November I'm at 180...

The weight has come off by watching what I eat, and going for daily walks. It has helped me tremendously in the way I feel and the way I look at life.

I comb through this board all the time and although I don't post much, I have learned so much here and am very thankful that a place like this is available.

Granted, I am not on a low carb diet, but I do the best I can in avoiding the unnecessary foods and just keep strict control on my intake and my monitoring.

Hopefully one day I'll be proud to be 140! Those 38s I gave away... and then the 36s I gave away... and honestly, last night... when I went bowling, the 34s couldn't stay up anymore... they kept sliding off me as I forgot my belt... I think it's time for those to go... 32s here I come!