I've been a diabetic for over 15 years now, and as many of you know it's been giving grief lately. I've also gone on the insulin pump to help better manage it.
Yesterday, we found out my wife may have it too.
I know there are alot of you out there that have diateses or know someone in your life that does. To that end I'd like to start and keep bumped a thread here to support each other, share stories, succeses, failures, what works, what doesn't.
Hell we can even thow in lifestyle and dieting tips. So, what do y'all say, you with me ????

Did you get your diabetes while you were in the service. If so you can get VA bennies. wish you luck on this. I have had it about a little longer then you do.

quote:

Originally posted by ENYVTHS:
Did you get your diabetes while you were in the service. If so you can get VA bennies. wish you luck on this. I have had it about a little longer then you do.

Unfortuantely, I've been out of the service for over 22 years, so I was long out when I was first diagnosed. But thanks for the advice.

Good Idea Navy, We can all be the Nueropathy Gang. I've had it for several years now and has recently gotten worse. Been in and out of the hospital because the numbers won't stay still. Thankfuly I have a Home Health Nurse (Provided by the VA) that comes every Monday to check on me.
By the way, you don't have to of had it in the Military to get VA benefits. It depends on your Cat rating. Check out VA.Gov for more details. Heck Navy, we can be the block of wood brothers, Jim has em too!

My mother’s mother was diabetic, my mother passed at 48 so a lot of history there is missing. My father is now a diabetic however it came after years of high blood pressure and high cholesterol meds. My older sister has all three. . .but refuses to discuss.

I have low blood sugar. I make too much insulin. I usually peak in the 80’s after a meal. My lowest sugar level on record was 42 and that was during a fasting/5-hour blood/urine test which the docs cut short to feed me.

What I’ve learned over the years is to READ LABELS. You must read the BACK label.
Look for 100% juice. Juice/DRINK or Juice/COCKTAIL is high fructose syrup aka sugar. The FIRST THREE ingredients on the package (back) are the main ingredients. Small carrots vs large carrots or new potatoes (small red) vs a large potato turns into LESS sugar in your body too.

In my case anyway; I’ve also learned that crackers or juice are better than a candy bar as a candy bar causes your sugar to spike up and than drop even lower quickly. Since changing my daily diet and basically “grazing” all day I no longer have constant headaches or live on aspirin among other symptoms.

quote:

Originally posted by MissU2:
My mother’s mother was diabetic, my mother passed at 48 so a lot of history there is missing. My father is now a diabetic however it came after years of high blood pressure and high cholesterol meds. My older sister has all three. . .but refuses to discuss.

I have low blood sugar. I make too much insulin. I usually peak in the 80’s after a meal. My lowest sugar level on record was 42 and that was during a fasting/5-hour blood/urine test which the docs cut short to feed me.

What I’ve learned over the years is to READ LABELS. You must read the BACK label.
Look for 100% juice. Juice/DRINK or Juice/COCKTAIL is high fructose syrup aka sugar. The FIRST THREE ingredients on the package (back) are the main ingredients. Small carrots vs large carrots or new potatoes (small red) vs a large potato turns into LESS sugar in your body too.

In my case anyway; I’ve also learned that crackers or juice are better than a candy bar as a candy bar causes your sugar to spike up and than drop even lower quickly. Since changing my daily diet and basically “grazing” all day I no longer have constant headaches or live on aspirin among other symptoms.

Wow, Window-Wou.....up until you mentioned it the other night, I had no idea that you were diabetic (I am certain, however, that it in no way detracts from your natural beauty). I am likewise a Type II diabetic, but I maily use diet, two 500mg metformins, 1 Starlix and 82 units of Lantus at bedtime. The Starlix extends the effectiveness of the Lantus so that I don't go through the high and low peaks. I have to admit that my sugars are pretty regular, but that has not stopped my circulatory problems with my feet and that continues to bother me. The numbness and tingling is so bad at times that it feels as if I'm standing barefoot on a red ant bed. I have good days and bad days, but as I age, the bad days seem to be more prevalent. My bad leg continues to hurt like Hades and it is draining more now than it was several days ago. I am mystified as to why my orthopedic doctor did nothing for me when I saw him a couple weeks ago and I intend to light a fire under his young azz tomorrow when I see him. I do still have confidence in him, I just need to give him a kick in the azz to get that confidence going in the right direction (I'll use the good foot for that...LOL). Marc, hang in there, Brother. Starting this thread was a great idea so we can be mutually supportive of each other. I will pray for all of you and include myself in those prayers, too........Rarely

Thank God, I don't have it. My grandmother had it, two of my sisters have it. I have complete blood tests twice a year, no problems!

One of my granddaughters was diagnosed with Type I (Juvenile) Diabetes at 18 months. At age 5, she went on the pump. She's now 11, doing very well, with no collateral damage to date. She's followed at Johns Hopkins.

Fingers crossed, candles lit, prayers sent for continued good health for this glorious young girl.

My son was dx'd with type1(autoimmune disease-different from type2) at the age of 3. He's 6 now. Hopefully we'll get him the pump within the next yr!

I'm almost embarrassed to mention my type 2, diagnosed about 5 years ago. And ashamed to admit, I don't know as much about it as I should. The Drs seem to make a big deal of it but I don't even notice a thing. Oral meds seems to be enough, no testing except blood (cbc?) twice a year. I did radically alter my dietary life style, more for my fat-azzed weight war but that BIG change also benefited the Type 2. My meds are minimal.
Good luck, y'all, with yours.

I've got is as well and my problem is I don't eat the right foods. I've been on a potato kick for a while. I'll nuke a few taters, use "Smart Balance" spread, "no-salt" spices, and that's about it. I'm not crazy about alot of fruit/veggies.

quote:

Originally posted by cheapthrills:
I'm almost embarrassed to mention my type 2, diagnosed about 5 years ago. And ashamed to admit, I don't know as much about it as I should. The Drs seem to make a big deal of it but I don't even notice a thing. Oral meds seems to be enough, no testing except blood (cbc?) twice a year. I did radically alter my dietary life style, more for my fat-azzed weight war but that BIG change also benefited the Type 2. My meds are minimal.
Good luck, y'all, with yours.

Cheap,
You should learn as much about it as you can. Also start testing your self. Depending on insurance meters are cheap / free and most hospital offer diabeteic classes. As you get older, the chances are the condition could get worse. The faster you intervene, the less "collateral damage" you'll suffer.

My brother-in-law has it. But its almost like he doesn't care. He'll sit and eat and entire pan of Ghirardelli brownies in a sitting.

Is the sugar craving THAT bad? or is he just being a fool?

Exercise. Exercise and exercise some more.
Stay away from anything "white" food wise.
(bread, rice, potatoes, pasta...)
They are full of carbs.
Staying active is key.
Nothing with "High Fructose Corn Syrup" in it.
Exercise is good...
I have a little "insufficent glucose tolerance"
or what some mistakenly call pre-diabetic.
What a wake up call...
Beer can be bad, too.
Low carb beers SUCK except Michelob Ultra Amber. It's also 5% alcohol
A sedentary lifestyle guarantees you'll get diabetes (type II).
Put down the Twinkees, turn off Jerry Springer or the computer many appear glued to
(like those members with 9000+ posts and have only been here since June 2008...) and get some exercise.
Of course, genetics play a big part as well but you can resist it.
Resistance is not futile.

Navy8086, shipmate, I'm sorry for your misfortune. That goes for anyone else fighting it.
People can actually be cured. There have been studies on folks that have had gastric bypass surgery who are diabetic and once they've lost 100 lbs or so and developed a healthier lifestyle (exercise) it's been discovered they no longer have the dreaded disease. A co-worker of mine is testament to that.
Obese out of shape people will get diabetes.
Then die an early death...

I was Dx'd in May of 08, type 2.

I take actos for it 15mg each night.

I changed my diet and got off all sugar, and test every day.

Usual mornings 80 to 95.

Nights vary from 100 to 120,two hours after last meal of the day. Light snack before bed and I am GTG in the am before my 5 mile walk.

Back to the Dr at the end of the month, for my quarterly check.

quote:

Originally posted by navy8086:
Cheap,
You should learn as much about it as you can. Also start testing your self. Depending on insurance meters are cheap / free and most hospital offer diabeteic classes. As you get older, the chances are the condition could get worse. The faster you intervene, the less "collateral damage" you'll suffer.

The VA offers classes and free meters and supplies...

quote:

Originally posted by navy8086:

quote:

ng. Oral meds seems to be enough, no testing except blood (cbc?) twice a year.

Cheap,
...the chances re the condition could get worse. The faster you intervene, the less "collateral damage" you'll suffer.

Thanks, 8086, for the tip. I did mention that I do the blood work twice a year. The numbers are holding steady, way low in the green. If there were wild fluctuations, I'd be on it and testing, I'm sure, my medico would insist on it. Meanwhile, I'll accept the divine grace of steady, in control numbers. Those "collateral damage" concerns are watched closely because a series of 4 foot surgeries has left areas of my feet numb to where I might not notice complication warning signs. But, for now, all's well.

Healthy *BUMP*

Bump!

The Doc's advise is great!
I had a lot of trouble with my type two until my doctor put me on Bayetta - 10mg twice a day and 30 uunits of Lantus in the am.(I have used almost NO Novolog since then!)
It also helped that I went four months without teeth - until the VA gave me full dentures.
I've lost over eighty pounds, went from waist size 58 to 46, and my blood sugar now sits between 135 and 110. My blood pressure stays around 120 over 70 as an average. I have not exercised for some time but recently got on a regimen of once per day five days a week.
I have medications for A-Fib.
But, all-in-all, I feel great! I've had to toss out all my old clothes and buy new stuff.
Why?
I really don't know for certain but have a strong feeling that the Bayetta got all this started.
Will it work for you? I don't know but it might be worth talking to your doctor about.
(My only problem now is an occassional time in early morning when I wake up shakey to find my blood sugar's low and I need a quick shot of orange juice to get it up,)