Anybody have type 2 diabetes??

Sitting Bull · #1 08-29-2015, 08:00 PM

I got my results in on Friday. I am now on meds for it, as well as cholesterol. As well they gave me the monitor. My average is 19.5 mmol/L.
What can I realistically expect life to be like? I am a bit overwhelmed with all this and not sure where to start. Was sent home with a bit of info, but still.
Thanks .
Guy.

Ggeorge · #2 08-29-2015, 08:09 PM

have been for 10 plus years went from diet control, to pills to shots
eat healthy do what the dr says and life goes on fine
be a rebel do what ya want eat what ya want and life will suck
get informed by good people watch what you read on the interweb
get a dr that is knowledgeable and takes time to talk
to much to tell in a post
life goes on there are much worse things to have or get
George

javlin101 · #3 08-29-2015, 08:50 PM

Well said George.

What is your weight, I was 265 when I found out and was put on Metformin. I lost 40lbs and they took me off meds for 3 years. Problem is it is to easy to fall off the wagon which I have done many times and back on the meds. I am getting readings of 7 to 10 and my doc is all over me right now.

You have a ways to go but watch what you eat and exercise regularly. You will be fine and hit the library or Canadian diabetic web site. Read and learn what your dealing with.

Sitting Bull · #4 08-29-2015, 09:08 PM

I am 247 and on Metformin as well. I need to lose 60lbs and eat properly. For me it is the will power to stay away from the sweets and chips and all that stuff. I am sure I can do it, but foods became my comfort when I quit drinking 18 years ago.
This will equally as big of a challenge for me.

densa44 · #5 08-29-2015, 10:40 PM

One that wants to go for a walk every day. You'll lose weight and make 80 years.

Red Bullets · #6 08-30-2015, 12:14 AM

Good life is still achievable.

Try to walk everywhere to burn calories and lbs.. Really take good care of your feet. If you are getting numb toes or feet it is easy to break toes, get cuts or slivers and not notice. Then the infection problems start.

Enjoy good wholesome food in balance. Read labels on store bought food.

You might want to change your name to Running Bull for inspiration.

blacknorthernjk · #7 08-30-2015, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitting Bull

I am 247 and on Metformin as well. I need to lose 60lbs and eat properly. For me it is the will power to stay away from the sweets and chips and all that stuff. I am sure I can do it, but foods became my comfort when I quit drinking 18 years ago.
This will equally as big of a challenge for me.

Then let fitness and healthy eating become your new comfort in knowing you're adding years and toes to your life.

javlin101 · #8 08-30-2015, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitting Bull

I am 247 and on Metformin as well. I need to lose 60lbs and eat properly. For me it is the will power to stay away from the sweets and chips and all that stuff. I am sure I can do it, but foods became my comfort when I quit drinking 18 years ago.
This will equally as big of a challenge for me.

Hey there are lots of options for you out there. Loose the weight and exercise on a regular basis. Monitor you blood sugar and you will find out what foods to avoid. Having type 2 does not mean you can not have a treat once in a while. Everyone is different like I know a person that red wine would spike his readings but wine if drank in moderation is not bad for me.

I love Pasta and bread but can eat very little so try to avoid it. I quit smoking in January and resently cut my alcohol consumption to very little so I know about the snacking. Try to replace the junk with a walk or projects around the house, idle hands as the saying goes.

Don Andersen · #9 08-30-2015, 09:11 AM

Been Type 2 for a number of years. Control is mostly about life style choices. Excercise and diet will have a profound effect.
I keep my #'s about 6.5..

Regards,

Don

russ · #10 08-30-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitting Bull

I got my results in on Friday. I am now on meds for it, as well as cholesterol. As well they gave me the monitor. My average is 19.5 mmol/L.
What can I realistically expect life to be like? I am a bit overwhelmed with all this and not sure where to start. Was sent home with a bit of info, but still.
Thanks .
Guy.

Once you drop some weight you're going to feel a ton better and want to be more active. Success feeds success, look for the small victories.

Roughneck12 · #11 08-30-2015, 09:22 AM

Metformin stopped working for me and they put me on Janumet. It worked well for a while but quoting drinking and smoking will probably do me better.

My sugars are all over the place. The thing that seems to make a difference in how I feel is eating regular. Like grazing.

Sitting Bull · #12 08-30-2015, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the support and advice. It has only been a couple days for me now so learning and getting meal info is my first goal. I already have stopped the chips and all the sweets and the fruit juices. I think I am going through withdrawals.
I know I will get through it and come out better at the end of it all. This will be a cake walk compared to quiting drinking 18 years ago.
Thanks again guys.

Sitting Bull · #13 08-30-2015, 12:19 PM

Wow!!! I just started shopping for test strips and lancets and I can't believe the price. Any suggestions where to get this stuff for a reasonable price?

javlin101 · #14 08-30-2015, 12:45 PM

If you don't have coverage get Blue Cross as you will need it.

duckchaser · #15 08-30-2015, 01:35 PM

Had it for 15 years went from metformin to janumet # around 7-8, they tend to creep up with age I'm 72 I have cut down on starchy food and cut out most sweets to keep the numbers down. Blue Cross does not cover lancets and strips.

javlin101 · #16 08-30-2015, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckchaser

Had it for 15 years went from metformin to janumet # around 7-8, they tend to creep up with age I'm 72 I have cut down on starchy food and cut out most sweets to keep the numbers down. Blue Cross does not cover lancets and strips.

http://www.health.alberta.ca/service...-supplies.html

cat336 · #17 08-30-2015, 02:25 PM

I've been diabetic for 14 years now.Like others said diet and exercise make a big difference. I know strips are expensive but i would recommend you monitor religiously for a month or so and keep a food log.You have to find out what food or food combination affects you.Usually you just have to make small changes for noticeable results.Not every one is the same.The important thing is not to develop the attitude that I always ate this and I'm not changing. Once you figure it out it's really not so bad and life goes on.Best to You.

pdog15 · #18 08-30-2015, 03:06 PM

It becomes a lot about drastically reducing the quantity of food intake - not as much about the what. Small balanced portions are the key. While on meds, I tried to get along without removing all the sweets, candy, chocolates etc., and it doesn't work. These things have to go, period, along with alcohol. Yes it takes a lot of will power. Look for low/moderate glycemic foods - the charts are out there.

Peanuts and humus rank at 6/7 out of a hundred and make great munchies in between meals while hardly affecting blood sugar. The thing about Type 11 is that you don't feel anything negative - it just eats away at your insides and by the time outward symptoms are visible - eyes, feet, etc., one will be in big difficulty.

Roughneck12 · #19 08-30-2015, 03:40 PM

I dunno about that. When my sugars are high I feel like crap. My eyes are slightly out of focus.

muzzy · #20 08-30-2015, 04:01 PM

Ive been diabetic for about 15 years. I feel great and have it in control Few points I'll add
You have to lose weight
You have to exercise, consistently
You have to watch the types of foods you eat. not only direct sugars but foods that have hidden or convert to sugars ie potates french fries, breads chinese foods etc
Do not think that the medications ALONE will solve your problems if you don't do it in conjunction with proper food intake and exercise you are only kidding yourself
Do the exercise and diet and after a few weeks you will start to feel alot better but theres no kidding anyone the first month of change will be tough but the alternative is alot worse

Sitting Bull · #21 08-30-2015, 05:45 PM

Great stuff guys, I'm pumped and have already started eating smaller portions, salads with only a small amount of vinaigrette no sweets and chips. Last 2 weeks my vision went totaly out of focus and that was one of the things that brought me to my doctor.Did the BMI thing and I am at 36.5 according to them I need to drop to 165lbs and a BMI of 24.4 in order to be normal. So in my case that would need to be an 80Lb loss. Thats the scary part for me is getting there.
Cheers.

Penner · #22 08-30-2015, 11:48 PM

My old man was diagnosed with type 2 in his fifties. Started to control with diet eventually moved onto pills and then injections. He's 82 and still going strong and his quality of life has been pretty normal thru out. Helped me shingle a roof last year.

Key thing is diet and exercise. Follow doctors recommendations cut out the poor food choices and inactivity that got you to this point in the first place and you'll go forward in life with little impact. Tough love but it's what you gotta accept and now act on to change for the better. Old man feels better now then he did ~25years ago.

javlin101 · #23 08-31-2015, 10:10 AM

Being a type 2 for 7-8 years I have rode the roller coaster. I am on Metformin & Lantus right now and have been struggling to keep my numbers down. I have been about 10 as an average reading. So the last week I have worked hard on the diet and walking the dogs and this am my first reading of 6.5 in a long time.

plinker · #24 08-31-2015, 10:21 AM

The hardest part for me is to be a good diabetic. Christmas time is the worst as all the goodies come out and you feel like you are being punished.

Then you try just one goodie. Then another, then another, and then you fall off the wagon and feel like a bag of smashed a holes for a week. Will power is my downfall and will cost me unless I can get that under control.

Another thing to do is go to diabetic school. To say it is eye opening is an understatement. The amount of sugar in darn near everything is mind boggling.

Get into the habit of reading the ingredients of products you buy. Stay away from creamers for your tea or coffee.

Don't binge on fresh fruit. Don't buy prepackaged fruit as the amount of artificial sugar in them is brutal.

Learn to look for the words fructose, glucose, sugar, and such in the first few ingredients when buying anything. The closer those words are to the beginning then the more of those sugars there are.

Did I say go to diabetic school?? Why yes I did!!!! I stress that as it will train you to become more diligent.

I can't help you with willpower as I suck at it.

Stay away from sugar free candies. If you want some try to eat only a few at first to see if you and they are compatible. Ever hear of anal leakage??? If you eat a bag of them and are in the bush you may find God!!! lol And God help you if you are driving and they hit you!! Ever see a duck running across a parking lot? That'll be you in a Walmart parking lot playing that special race.

Words to live by. If you eat sugar free candy, NEVER TRUST A FART!!!

silverdoctor · #25 08-31-2015, 10:48 AM

My friends 14 year old was diagnosed type 1. For her it's all about the carbs, and she needs to know what she's going to eat then shoot the insulin before she eats it. She also takes an injection daily, slow control but I forget what it's called. Controlling her sugars is a roller coaster, some days she's high, other days she crashes hard. And bacon apparently is a freebie

If you ever want to know about diabetes, talk to a type 1.

Get it under control and you can live your life. if the weight has to come off, do it - you're better for it anyway, diabetic or not.

James Henry · #26 08-31-2015, 12:21 PM

Plinker was right, go to diabetic school.
I was diagnosed about 5 years ago and have been better off for finding out. The highs will get you in the long run, but you will know when you start dipping into the low 4's or into the 3's.
Get/stay active and eat well, cheat on occassion, you will feel punished by this disease.
My pharmacist has been phenominal over the years. You can get a free meter when you buy certain brands of strips, my policy covers my meds and strips, I am lucky to have it.
The best part is knowing, I was 29.9 when I was first diagnosed, now I hover around 10.
Good luck,
JH

DarkAisling · #27 08-31-2015, 02:42 PM

I have no clinical blood sugar related diagnosis. My blood sugar levels are a disaster when I'm not eating properly. Depending on how I'm abusing my body through poor nutrition at any given time, I can average 8 or I can average 3.

I'm going through a "low" phase right now . . . and I can feel that I've dipped really low as I type (want to throw up . . . getting shaky . . . vision getting a bit blurry . . . I'll get something to eat when I'm done typing).

I'm a total hypocrite when I write this . . . but try to think of food as fuel.

Before eating something, try to be conscious of what the food will do for you. Is it good fuel that will nourish and provide benefits to your body? Or, is it fuel that you should be disgusted with and throw in the trash? When I'm able to get myself appropriately grossed out at the thought of bad fuel my blood sugar stabilizes quite nicely.

I had a friendly who basically committed suicide with cake. Even after her type 2 diagnosis, and the hospitalizations that followed, she just couldn't stop herself from consuming cake. Cake is bad fuel.

elkdump · #28 08-31-2015, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAisling

I have no clinical blood sugar related diagnosis. My blood sugar levels are a disaster when I'm not eating properly. Depending on how I'm abusing my body through poor nutrition at any given time, I can average 8 or I can average 3.

I'm going through a "low" phase right now . . . and I can feel that I've dipped really low as I type (want to throw up . . . getting shaky . . . vision getting a bit blurry . . . I'll get something to eat when I'm done typing).

I'm a total hypocrite when I write this . . . but try to think of food as fuel.

Before eating something, try to be conscious of what the food will do for you. Is it good fuel that will nourish and provide benefits to your body? Or, is it fuel that you should be disgusted with and throw in the trash? When I'm able to get myself appropriately grossed out at the thought of bad fuel my blood sugar stabilizes quite nicely.

I have a friendly who basically committed suicide with cake. Even after her type 2 diagnosis, and the hospitalizations that followed, she just couldn't stop herself from consuming cake. Cake is bad fuel.

Death by Cake, oh my !

DarkAisling · #29 08-31-2015, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkdump

Death by Cake, oh my !

Had to correct the grammar in my post. "Had" a friend. Not "have" a friend.

Yup. It gets worse (or better, depending on how one views these things) "Death by Chocolate" cheesecake was her Achilles heel.

dodger · #30 08-31-2015, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitting Bull

I am 247 and on Metformin as well. I need to lose 60lbs and eat properly. For me it is the will power to stay away from the sweets and chips and all that stuff. I am sure I can do it, but foods became my comfort when I quit drinking 18 years ago.
This will equally as big of a challenge for me.

Slow clap for your 18 years without drinking.

you managed that you will manage this.

Dodger.