| | |
---
Re: Questions RE: Type II Diabetes HELP
Re: Questions RE: Type II Diabetes HELP -- Posted by Jennifer on 06-28-03 15:37
Michael...
Welcome.
You've asked all the good questions. Questions most of us asked
ourselves right after dx. You've started down a trying path in life,
but rest assured you've got a lot of company!
Here's where I net out on your queries:
> 1) Is it a foregone conclusion that I am diabetic or could it be a function
> of my weight? In the past when my weight went down, so did my cholesterol
> numbers.
It's pretty much a done deal.
Some people find that their BG (that's blood glucose) somewhat
normalizes with weight loss. Others don't. BUT, even if it normalizes,
that doesn't mean you're "cured". It means whatever you're doing to
maintain that weight loss (food/exercise/meds) is what's controlling
your diabetes. Controlled not cured. Sorry.
> 2) I am reading that Diabetes can be reversed with diet and exercise but
> some physicians say that in theory it can never be reversed.
Reversed is an imprecise word. If they mean 'cured', then no, right now
there is not cure. If they mean controlled, well hell yes. That's the
primary goal!
> 3) If one is genetically predisposed to diabetes, would it develop even for
> one in good shape with lots of exercise. What I am wondering is if I
> definitely brought it on myself . In other words, had I exercised and been
> at a decent weight is it possible that I would have never developed it or
> would the onset just have been forstalled?
Well... the real bottom line is, no one knows for sure. Perhaps you
could have forestalled it until old age got you first, perhaps not. But
the other side is, what good will the answer to that question do you?
You've got diabetes now. If you're looking to beat yourself up and feel
guilty, don't. None of that will do you any good. Shame and guilt are
two of the most toxic emotions we have. In the vernacular: "Don't go
there".
> 4) If one monitors and controlls their diabetes, can they live just as long
> as anyone else without any complications?
Hopefully so. You've entered a gambling game. Most of us here are
betting that with tight control we can hold back the complications.
Most studies suggest that. In any case, it can't hurt! And if you
refer back to your question #3... You do have the gift of a second
chance here. If you do keep your BGs in line, exercise and stay as a
controlled diabetic, you're giving yourself the best odds to live a
long, healthy, diabetic life.
> 5) Is it better to be off of medication and try to deal with it with diet
> and exercise first?
It's better off to get your numbers in control first, by all means
necessary. Then you have the "luxury" of reassessing your game plan.
Maybe you won't need meds forever, but don't waste time with high BGs
trying to find out.
> 6) Anyone have any experiences getting life insurance with controlled
> diabetes and if so how much is it compared to someone who
> does not have it?
I don't have an answer to this one.
> 7) I am using KetoDia Sticks to generally check my ketones and glucose.
> Should I invest in a glucometer and if so which one?
That's pretty outmoded technology. Also, by the time glucose is in your
urine, it's been in your blood long enough and high enough to do damage.
A meter is a wonderful thing. It will become your best friend. But
don't buy one. You should be able to find a deal to get one free. It's
the strips they make their money on, and every company would like you to
use their meter and buy their strips. I would hazard a guess that if
you called up some meter companies and said you were a new diabetic and
would like to try their meter and get your doc to prescribe strips, they
would RUSH you a meter in a nanosecond. As for that, many here,
including myself, like the One Touch Ultra. Another good brand is the
AccuChek. If you don't have health insurance, the Walmart Relion brand
has the cheapest strips, when it's coming out of your pocket.
> 8) I will be visiting the MD for the first time post glucophage in a few
> weeks. What type of reduction in numbers should I be looking for?
A few weeks may not be enough to see a change. Especially if all you're
doing is taking the pills and not much else. Diabetes needs a three
pronged attack. Meds / Food / Exercise.
What are you doing about the other two?
> 9) Should I get a consult from a endocrinologist?
Some say yes, some say not needed. See how your regular doctor handles
things at your next visit and go from there.
> Thanks for all of your support. I am very new to this. Any good books to
> read?
Oh yes, the best of the best is Gretchen Beckers First Year Diabetes
book. You can get it at most book stores, Amazon, and sometimes it
shows up CHEAP at www.half.com.
Michael, you'll be fine. I can tell. The successful newbies are the
ones who ask all the questions ; )
Now, here's the advice I give all newbies, it can help you start finding
your own path:
Sounds like you're planning a move to take control of your diabetes... good
for you.
There is so much to absorb... you don't have to rush into anything. Begin
by using your best weapon in this war, your meter. You won't keel over
today, you have time to experiment, test, learn, test and figure out just
how your body and this disease are getting along. The most important
thing you can do to learn about yourself and diabetes is test test test.
The single biggest question a diabetic has to answer is:
What do I eat?
Unfortunately, the answer is pretty confusing.
What confounds us all is the fact that different diabetics can get great
results on wildly different food plans. Some of us here achieve
great blood glucose control eating a high complex carbohydrate diet.
Others find that anything over 75 - 100g of carbs a day is too
much. Still others are somewhere in between.
At the beginning all of us felt frustrated. We wanted to be handed
THE way to eat, to ensure our continued health. But we all
learned that there is no one way. Each of us had to find our own path,
using the experience of those that went before, but still having
to discover for ourselves how OUR bodies and this disease were coexisting.
Ask questions, but remember each of us discovered on our own what works best
for us. You can use our experiences as jumping off points, but eventually
you'll work up a successful plan that is yours alone.
What you are looking to discover is how different foods affect you. As I'm
sure you've read, carbohydrates (sugars, wheat, rice... the things our
Grandmas called "starches") raise blood sugars the most rapidly. Protein
and fat do raise them, but not as high and much more slowly... so if you're
a T2, generally the insulin your body still makes may take care of the rise.
You might want to try some experiments.
First: Eat whatever you've been
currently eating... but write it all down.
Test yourself at the following times:
Upon waking (fasting)
1 hour after each meal
2 hours after each meal
At bedtime
That means 8 x each day. What you will discover by this is how long
after a meal your highest reading comes... and how fast you return to
"normal". Also, you may see that a meal that included bread, fruit or
other carbs gives you a higher reading.
Then for the next few days, try to curb your carbs. Eliminate breads,
cereals, rices, beans, any wheat products, potato, corn, fruit... get all
your carbs from veggies. Test at the same schedule above.
If you try this for a few days, you may find some pretty damn good
readings. It's worth a few days to discover.
Eventually you can slowly add back carbs until you see them affecting your
meter.
The thing about this disease... though we share much in common and we
need to
follow certain guidelines... in the end, each of our bodies dictate our
treatment and our success.
The closer we get to non-diabetic numbers, the greater chance we have of
avoiding horrible complications. The key here is AIM... I know that
everyone is at a different point in their disease... and it is progressive.
But, if we aim for the best numbers and do our best, we give ourselves the
best shot at heath we've got.
That's all we can do.
Here's my opinion on what numbers to aim for, they are non-diabetic numbers.
FBG under 110
One hour after meals under 140
Two hours after meals under 120
or for those in the mmol parts of the world:
Fasting Under 6
One hour after meals Under 8
Two hours after meals Under 6.5
Recent studies have indicated that the most important numbers are your
"after meal" numbers. They may be the most indicative of future
complications, especially heart problems.
Listen to your doctor, but you are the leader of your diabetic
care team. While his /her advice is learned, it is not absolute. You
will end up knowing much more about your body and how it's handling
diabetes than your doctor will. Your meter is your best weapon.
Just remember, we're not in a race or a competition with anyone but
ourselves... Play around with your food plan... TEST TEST TEST. Learn what
foods cause spikes, what foods cause cravings... Use your body as a science
experiment.
You'll read about a lot of different ways people use to control their
diabetes... Many are diametrically opposed. After awhile you'll learn that
there is no one size fits all around here. Take some time to experiment
and you'll soon discover the plan that works for you.
Best of luck!
Jennifer
Related
Discussion:
CALCIUM, VITAMIN D DO LITTLE FOR ELDERLY (5 posts)
by Dr. Jai Maharaj - Last post on: 05-03-05 02:00
Calcium, vitamin D do little for elderly
UPI
Thursday, April 28, 2005
LONDON, England, Apr. 28 (UPI) - Two British studies find
little evidence that giving the elderly a mix of calcium
and vitamin D reduces their risk of broken limbs.
In one trial, Dr. Adrian Grant of the University of
... (Read More)
NEWEST HEALTH REMEDY (7 posts)
by Mrs. Morino - Last post on: 07-04-04 20:57
ASTHMA? ALLERGIES? ALZHEIMER'S? ARTHRITIS? BRONCHITIS? CANCER? ECZEMA?
WHATEVER YOU SUFFER FROM MAY BE EASILY REMEDIED.
This supplement helps regenerate the immune system, helping your body
better fight off many autoimmune diseases. New to the US, this
Norweigan product beings the secret of imp... (Read More)
Make Money & Get Well (1 posts)
by Lance and Lana - Last post on: 12-11-04 09:30
We're looking for SERIOUS people who want to get healthier while making
money. We belong to one of the most successful, longest running home-based
health/natural living businesses in North America.
No degrees or experience required, just a serious attitude and desire to
improve your lifestyle... (Read More)
Rationale for menses / natural bloodletting (1 posts)
by doe - Last post on: 09-27-04 05:08
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003 Sep;49(3):547-50. Related Articles, Links
Porphyria cutanea tarda with menopausal exacerbation: the possible role of
menstruation as natural phlebotomy.
Nishioka E, Funasaka Y, Bito T, Ito A, Tani M, Kawara A, Yoon S, Kondo M,
Ichihashi M.
Department of Der... (Read More)
Top
Discussions From Our Archives
New Technology Clears Clogged Arteries
Read The Charter -- No advertisements -- We will report spammers
Arthritis Relief All Natural CHERRY JUICE
WARNING: Lilly's Humalog lot number 7RG49M
ayurveda woes raise new questions about drug agency oversight
50mg premixed Enbrel changed effects?
Other
Discussion Categories
Diabetes Symptoms
Health Care Policy
Oops!!! Unexpected Error While Reading the Feed
|
|
