Newbie Questions

[kimfly]

I have been wondering if I had diabetes for not for about a month or two...so I went and got a test kit...and sure enough readings were 350 two weeks ago..went on Atkins, excercise and etc..now they are down to 220-250 most of the time.

I am doing some testing and lots of learning (not crying as yet) and just ate 100 carbs and waited 1 hour and reading was 325 up 100 pts since before. Is that normal?

Also at what point should I be taking some kind of medicine for this?

[Skyangel]

I think you should go to your doctor right away. Although a low carb diet is execellent WOE to stabilize blood sugar, you need a doctor to decide if you need medication.

As you learn more about managing diabetes, the book "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution" is highly recommended. Also, you will find support from other diabetic low-carbers on this site in the health forums.

[potatofree]

I agree.. Doctor first. :)

[JohnP]

Hi Kimfly,

You have taken a great step towards manging your health by starting the low carb WOE. Now take a second step and see a doctor about your diabetes. Be prepared to talk diet and exercise with your doctor, because he will almost definitely prescribe medication for you. Read all you can on Low Carb diet and effects on blood glucose levels. You may be lucky enough to have a doctor who believes in the benefits of this WOE, but odds are that he/she will have to be convinced. Be sure to monitor your glucose levels many times each day. There will be a lot going on in your body.

Try to get your doctor to agree to a diet/exercise program for two weeks before beginning meds. It almost seems magical how quickly this WOE can bring blood glucose readings to normal. After two weeks, it would be easier to add meds to take care of an already lowered BG.
I have not been able to completely go off meds yet, but have cut down from 8 pills per day to just one. This reduction was possible after two weeks of Atkin's induction. I hope I will eventually be free of meds completely.

Diabetes can be a very scary issue, but if you manage it well, it does not have to be a major problem. You have already started well.

Be strong and stay in control.
Johnie

[kimtatt02]

You definately need to see your doctor. My grandfather is diabetic. I give him an insulin shot when his blood sugar is above 150. So, normal bloodsugars should be around 100. You may be doing serious damage to your body with sugar so high. If your type II diabetic, a simple pill will fix you up.

[Jade74]

Kim,
You definitely need to see your doctor as soon as possible. Any time your bg is over 180 you are at risk for damage to your organs. I assume from your readings that you are in the US (they are measured differently pretty much everywhere else), so I hope that you have insurance and won't disregard the trip to the doctor as too expensive. Hopefully, you will also be able to see a dietician and a nurse practitioner, who can help you learn so many other things that you need to know as a diabetic. My doctor told me that a fasting bg of over 198 is an automatic diagnosis as diabetic (mine was 342 when I was diagnosed) so I would say that you most certainly are diabetic. I was very upset when I was diagnosed, but you must know that by starting this wol, you are already improving yourself in the ways that you need to. But, you need alot of information which your diabetes education team can give you. You must learn to properly care for your feet, and have your eyes and teeth checked very regularly.
I know it's very overwhelming, but you are in the right place... let me know how you're doing, you can pop into my journal anytime you like.

Jenn