Diabetics

[Tnventurer]

How many diabetic (Type Two), do we have here. I'm really having a bad time with this stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.....Fred

[Rich99]

How many diabetic (Type Two), do we have here. I'm really having a bad time with this stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.....Fred

I'm taking the maximum of two drugs for my type II which I've had for 13 years now. It's one of the hardest disease's to control. When I first got it, I took care of it with diet and exercise and kept the numbers right on. But since I had a heart attack several years back, it's been an ongoing challenge to keep the numbers where they belong. If I could have kept walking (bad knee now), I think I could have kept everything in check. The fact that I cheat, and I'm 60 lbs. overweight now doesn't help either. So depending on your age, health, diet and exercise, this is something you have to manage on your own with checking your blood sugar several times a day, .

[Tnventurer]

Im taking 5 500 mgs of metformin a day and 30 units of lantus at night. Just started BYetta twice a day . I now go to an endocronologist

every month....Fred

[Stoutman]

Your doing the right stuff already. The more you learn about this disease the easier it is to know how to change your own habits and behavior to control it. For me the secret is two fold. First, learn to count the carbs. I found that if I count the carbs I eat (and stop eating when I've had enough) my sugar profile is much better. The other thing is to combine aerobic and resistance training exercise. When I do both, and take my meds (metformin only so far) my blood sugar is 100 or less in the morning, and the highs are never over 140. I have to think of the exercise as a medication. Exercise is probably more important in the long run than taking your meds, as it will help slow the progression of the disease.

 

There are some other tricks, like always eating some protien with your carbs. This slows down the rate at which your body converts the carbs into sugar and helps to keep the blood sugar from climbing so fast. Have a small handfull of peanuts or almonds with your morning cereal. Skip the baked potato and go for the whole wheat bread. The best advice I got was from my father-in-law (who only has an 8th grade education) He said to look at that food just like it was poison. When I thought about that I knew he was right. I have to have it, but if I cheat by eating that candy or cookie I am really poisoning myself. I have lost 40 pounds in the 18 months since he told me that. As long as I have the blessing of a body healthy enough to exercise I think I'll be OK.

 

So keep on learning about it. And look in places with information you can trust like your doctor, or a local support group. Also see if your insurance will pay for education from an American Diabetes Association (ADA) certified diabetes educator. These professionals are usually RNs or dieticians that have additional training and pass stringent certifications to be able to practice their craft.

 

Keep your spirits up, and best of luck.

[Tnventurer]

It seems to me that more people have this than ever before. This is more that epidemic range to me. Anymore ideas or input would be great,Im 45 and have a 10 yr old and a wife , so I cant kick the bucket yet....Fred

[Princess M]

Fred- I don't have any advise except to keep working on it. I'm a Type I diabetic. I've been struggling for 24 1/2 years. The holidays really suck. Right now I have a endocrinoligist that is mad at me. So I went and finally had my blood work done. Having diabetes puts you on a continuous emotional roller coaster. Sometimes there's acceptance, other times it's denial, and other times it's "Why me?" I guess I'm back in the denial stage. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. The only disease I can think of that could be worse is cancer.

 

Which reminds me of a story:

One time I went to see my "lady doctor". She wanted to do a (*) exam. I told her, "No, thank you. I already have diabetes. If I get cancer there, I think I just want to die."

 

Good luck, keep trying, and try to still see the humor in life.

[cmiles3]

Amy's mom has it & it gives her problems. But she refuses to eat the way she's supposed to, and doesn't exercise much. She also has a diabetes specialist who helps her, as well as her regular docs.

 

How are you sleeping? The reason I ask, is a friend has serious problems with it, and can't sleep. The docs think if they can solve his sleep problems his system will level out. Your body processes a lot of sugars while it sleeps, so if you don't, it won't.

 

My dad has arthritis in his knees, so he had to quit exercising in the gym. He started swimming, and it seems to work for him. Easier on the joints, and still gets your body a decent workout.

[Tnventurer]

i have never slept well, I even have a cpap machine and can only sleep about 30 to 40 min at a time without waking. This time of year is worse than the rest. I am overwiegth by about 70 lbs ,and that has something to do with it but I am active.... Dont like this it just pisses me off. I am really depressed about it right now.I see the endo on the 10th .Ill ask him some more Question....Just venting..........Fresd

[bongobobny]

Yup, type 2 and suffer from sleep apnea as well, and am 50+ lbs overweight. Hard to resist goodies when they are placed in front of me. Sick of taking pills but can't find the will power to eat right.

 

Root cause is most likely the way the world is. We are a nation of excess and instantaneous gratification. Supersize me, please...

[Tnventurer]

Sux!

[Wizard765]

I was diagnosed in October. Both of my kids are type 1 and have been since 4 and 6 years old. They are now 21 and 22. I'm not impressed either but gotta live with it. I lost 20 lbs over the summer. I'm taking 4 metformin a day and it seems to be helping now. I have had to change my eating habits.

Use to eat whenever and whatever I wanted. Never had breakfast and would have a burger or whatever for lunch then eat a giant dinner and snack most of the evening. NOW I have to have breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have to eat less but more often.

All I can say is stay away from sugar and keep the starches to a minimum. Lots of protein and lots of exercise.

That last one is the tough one for me. I do computer work for a living so sit at a desk most of the time. Finding time for exercise is hard but I know that if I don't do it life isn't going to be as much fun.

Hang in their my friend. Life is what you make of it.

 

Wayne

[flb_78]

My brother has been insulin dependent since he was 12 years old when his pancreas shut down. I guess that is type 1 and type 2 is when you become insulin resistant. You still make insulin, but you're resistant to it.

 

Most likely, cutting the carbs and doing some exercise would take care of most of the type 2's that I see.

[Thom]

i am the 4gen diabetic , i lost a lot of family to it , i have seen as low as 35 and as high s 375 now i average 85 to 110 , i have done the pills and needles now i don't do anything and no i am not cured , just got smart ! stopped listening to the ADA and started listening to the AMA . please check this out , do not believe me just check it out for you self !!

if you look at the ADA diet you see something funny , the diet is not for diabetics it is for heart pa. their diet will raise your sugar and than they make you take insullen or the pill to lower it , the reason the ADA tells the AMA why they do it is because the ADA are worried about our heart , not about diabetics !!!

now i am the one to talk , because i have had 3 heart attacks and the docs say i only have a 70% chance of living though a bypass , i ask the doc why should i get a bypass because i am 100% living now !! he is a good friend and agreed and wants me to stick around to work on his motor home :rotfl:

i ask him what he would recamend if he never herd of the ADA , he said a high protean low carb diet and no , noda sugar . and what he means about low carbs is next to none !!!

meat , no sugar peanut butter , eggs and a little cheese .

this works for me , i get DQ once every 2 weeks and a donut 1 a week . i eat dinner between 5 and 6 and try to go to bed by 10 pm , i get hugery if i go to bed later , i get up between 4am and 6am and do not eat anything untill 9 or 10 it works for me . i need to go to the doc , i just wore out my finger typing to much but check out a high protein diet and lose the extra weight , you will be surprised

thom

[timk]

37 years for me as a type one. Best advice is to believe all the horror stories, because they are true, there are many "sweets" you can eat, but you must count the carbs. A lot of times there are more carbs in the low sugar/no sugar candies, etc. 11 eye laser surgurys on my eyes, and 15 months fighting ganghrene on my foot. Since I've been on the pump, the sugars are easier to controll. My endrocronologist classified me as a brittle diabetic. Doesn't matter what kind you have, you MUST TEST YOUR BLOOD SUGAR REGULARLY!!!! That way you can make adjustments.

[Thom]

37 years for me as a type one. Best advice is to believe all the horror stories, because they are true, there are many "sweets" you can eat, but you must count the carbs. A lot of times there are more carbs in the low sugar/no sugar candies, etc. 11 eye laser surgurys on my eyes, and 15 months fighting ganghrene on my foot. Since I've been on the pump, the sugars are easier to controll. My endrocronologist classified me as a brittle diabetic. Doesn't matter what kind you have, you MUST TEST YOUR BLOOD SUGAR REGULARLY!!!! That way you can make adjustments.

you are so rite !!! that little prick saved my life !!! the test can tell you what kind of foods you can eat and what you cannot eat , by testing i found out some hot dogs have more sugar than others and instint pancake mix is a no no , and allways test before taking your meds .

i see you found out about the no sugar candy at walmart :rotfl::rotfl:blood sugar went sky high and you have to stay close to the bathroom :rotfl: for anybody thinking about trying that sugar free choc. candy that is sold at wally world , take my word for it don't all it is sweet EXLAX and fast working too !!

[Princess M]

Agree totally with you guys. I'm not doing so well at the little finger prick right now but after a little reminder from you guys I'll start doing better again.

 

I also agree with watch what you eat. Most people think we can't eat sugar, but it's the carbs we must watch. A lot of "sugarfree" candy has fructose which is a sugar. Also watch thing with yeast. Bread is horrible and I really have to watch one of my favorite foods...pizza. READ THE LABELS too. Make sure when you are checking the carbs you check the serving size too. I checked the carbs on a candy bar one time. At first I thought, "That's not very many carbs!?" then I noticed the serving size was 1/2 of the candy bar. Now who's just going to eat half?

 

 

Now may I make a somewhat opinionated statement about the ADA and the search for the cure. I truly believe this disease could have been cured by now. I think as long as they can find a way to keep us alive and have fewer complications the need to find a cure lessens. How many diabetic do we have just in the United States? How much money are the pharmaceutical companies making a year off the medicines and supplies we need? Well that is how much they would loose if a cure was found.

[MamaMo]

NO diabetics yet hopefully never but have to watch for it. My grandmother and several aunts and uncles on my mothers side have it or had it. My fathers side is the heart disease. Three years ago I was over 200 lb wearing a 20 at 5'2". Finally decided after years at that size that I needed to do something or diabetes or heart disease was a definte. Started on the Adkins diet and then just really watching what I ate and lost 65 lb stayed there about 2 years now some weight has come back, but I know that I need to lose it for my health. (Yes I have been having too many sweets, potatoes, etc.) My question is everyone says to watch the carbs which I agree but what is the amount of carbs recommended for someone with diabetes? Or in other words what is the max amount that someone should eat in a day?

1st photo before I started watching my carbs and diet 2003

2nd photo Eileen(Freebirds wife) Sweetnothing, and me June 2007

[Yama Mama]

Well Ramona I do not know that there is a maximum amount of carbs. Carbs add empty calories. So I would say it was better to avoid as many carbs as you can and stick with carbs that are in fruits, rather than the junk kind of foods.

The Diabetics I take care of can actually eat what ever they want, as long as they count the carbohydrates so that the correct dosage of insulin can be given based on the carb numbers.

If you would look online at the Calorie King.com

it can tell you the nutritional information, including carbohydrates with the normal portions. It also has store brand foods, and restaurant foods. Usually, 1200 calories a day is a normal amount for someone who is trying to lose weight at least for a woman. If that does not answer your question, PM me and I will try to help.

 

Peggy

[timk]

 

Now may I make a somewhat opinionated statement about the ADA and the search for the cure. I truly believe this disease could have been cured by now. I think as long as they can find a way to keep us alive and have fewer complications the need to find a cure lessens. How many diabetic do we have just in the United States? How much money are the pharmaceutical companies making a year off the medicines and supplies we need? Well that is how much they would loose if a cure was found.

I learned over 20 years years ago, one reason for the minimal funding for diabetes was NO ONE was dying from diabetes, heart attacks strokes etc. I have requested(sa advised)to my physician to put "complications of diabetes" as cause.

[Squidley]

Just a snippet here,

 

My wife Lonna (Sweetnothing) is a type 1 diabetic, has been for going on 12 years. This is one of the books she purchased as she started to educate herself on Diabetes.

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Food-Counts-Fourth/dp/0440221102]http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Food-Counts-Fourth/dp/0440221102[/ame]

 

It has helped her tremendiously with controlling her diabetes. What I will add is forget about the ADA says as the majority of their advise didn't work in Lonnas case. Also dont think that the endrocronologist is the expert, Lonna went through 3 of them before she found a good regular practitioner who would take the time to answer her questions. The key is to educate yourself and apply what you have learned to YOUR life.

 

Fred,

If you want, Lonna has expressed that she would be more than willing to talk with you about what she has learned. Her cell # is in her profile and mine is in the VR assistance page. The phone is always on and please feel free to call with whatever questions you have. Hang in there buddy, if we can help folks fix bikes all over the world, we can get you steered in the right direction

[rosebud]

Phil is a 3rd generation type 2 diabetic, and his is genetic. One thing we learned quickly is that when you get a good endrocronologist he or she is worth their weight in gold, but thegood ones are few and far between. The first one Phil saw after the GP finally gave up trying to get his diabetes under control, looked at the blood test results, looked at Phil's body shape, then looked at what the GP had Phil on for medications. She took away 3 of the meds he was on, put him on 2 different ones and within 30 days had his numbers under control. Phil has seen 2 others since we moved to Oklahoma and I may know more about Phil's diabetes than they do. It doesn't hurt to see a different doctor until you find the right one for you.

Another thing that I have done since Phil was diagnosed - I go to every doctor appointment with him. I am his self appointed diabetic buddy and I need to hear what he hears first hand. This has worked for us to work to gether to keep his numbers under control.

[bobnlaurie]

I'm supposed to be one of those tough cops who never cry, never get sick, never show emotion:322:....WELL....This little thing called type 2 diabetes dropped me to my knees in Sept 07 when I was diagnosed. My blood sugar was 400 after fasting all night. I didn't like the diet they put me on....way too many carbs! I followed the South Beach/Atkins way of eating. I dropped 30 pounds, have more energy than I've had in years, and best of all....bloods sugars consistantly in the 90s!

Lots of great advice on this forum but the bottom line is YOU control what goes in your mouth, how much you excerise ect.

The hardest part for me was beer....I brew my own.... and a glass of mine is like eating a loaf of bread:beersign:

 

Happy New Year all and get well Brad and Lona

 

Bob n Laurie

[Rich99]

Agree totally with you guys. I'm not doing so well at the little finger prick right now but after a little reminder from you guys I'll start doing better again.

 

I also agree with watch what you eat. Most people think we can't eat sugar, but it's the carbs we must watch. A lot of "sugarfree" candy has fructose which is a sugar. Also watch thing with yeast. Bread is horrible and I really have to watch one of my favorite foods...pizza. READ THE LABELS too. Make sure when you are checking the carbs you check the serving size too. I checked the carbs on a candy bar one time. At first I thought, "That's not very many carbs!?" then I noticed the serving size was 1/2 of the candy bar. Now who's just going to eat half?

 

 

Now may I make a somewhat opinionated statement about the ADA and the search for the cure. I truly believe this disease could have been cured by now. I think as long as they can find a way to keep us alive and have fewer complications the need to find a cure lessens. How many diabetic do we have just in the United States? How much money are the pharmaceutical companies making a year off the medicines and supplies we need? Well that is how much they would loose if a cure was found.

I'm in total agreement M as this is probably how it is with alot of disease's. For the pass 20 or 25 years, they've been saying that a cure is just 5 to 10 years away.................."WHAT CURE". This is a sore subject, because their playing with people's lives. All they do is find just enough of a cure to keep hitting you right where it hurts, your wallet; in this case (your purse). So just for my worth, we're all getting it right in the shorts .

[dr.nemo]

Wow, our numbers sure are growing.. I was diagnosed as a late onset of type 1. I was 37 years old. My pancreas just decided to shut down, and right onto needles (at least 4 a day) I went.

Doctors refuse to say Diabetes melitus is hereditary, however my father died at 59(by choice) due to complications.. In fact my dad ended up in Medical Journals simply because everything Diabetes can cause, happened to him.. It was VERY sad to watch my big strong tough dad be slowly beaten by ALL of his complications. He endured soooo much...In the end, he had just had enough of the hospitals, the meds, the pain. The last 5 years of his life was about 50% in either doctors offices or in the hospital.. He had just lost his wife, my mom(56) to brain aneurisms, lost a leg so he was in a wheelchair 24/7, so he chose to stop taking all his meds....

So Fred.... I am like you, pissed off.!!!! scared of the outcome..cause I got to see it all.. and really mad that I can't just carry on with my life the way it was.. I now have to carry this frikin' blood tester and needles as well as snacks(for my lows) absolutely EVERYWHERE i go...plus I have to quit smoking...

However...Fred here is where your story gets better.. type 2 diabetics can control if not eliminate their situation by excercise and diet changes. You MUST lose weight..That is the ticket to better control and lessen your problems for later in life.

It is a complete lifestyle change that is thrust upon us whether we like it or not... Do it for that 10 year old child you have, do it for your wife, do it for you...but you must do it, just as I have come to realize the same..

 

I have two girls one just turned 2 last weekend and the other is 3.. I would like to have two legs to be able to teach them how to ride a bike and a motorcycle, and maybe walk them down the aisle when the get married someday....

 

Pissed off and Suffering the same depression as you my friend..

[Tnventurer]

Im speachless , You guys have really helped, I will be calling on yall from time to time for supprt and have no dought Ill receive it! Thanks from the heart.....Fred:bighug: