What am I?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2003
What am I?
15
Tue, 04-20-2004 - 10:16pm

Ok I am hypogloxcemia, Now do I consider myself a type 2 diabetic or not a diabetic.       There is alot of info out there and I am confused. Some say hypo is a borderline diabetic and can say you are. but what am I?


type 1 or type 2 or not at all?


If I needed emergency help would they treat me as a diabetic?       I wear a diabetic chain around my neck and I scratched it out and put Hypoglocemia on it.

                               


                   

 

 

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Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: lilcook67
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 12:00am

Donna,


Without specific lab work done and the results posted I can't possibly figure out what you are. In fact it is your physician who is responsible for telling you what you are. It is true that many people with hypoglycemia become diabetic and you may have moved on to this diagnosis. By the way you need to spell hypoglycemia correctly or you will confuse people.


If you haven't had your lab tests done in a while you need to. The tests need to consist of a fasting blood glucose, an A1C and cholesterol and lipid panel. As a person who has difficulty with carbohydrate metabolism you need to be check for diabetes every couple of years. You also need to have your blood pressure checked.


How long has it been since you were checked out?


At this point I agree with you about your medic alert tab because that is the diagnosis that you have been given. If the diagnosis changes you need to change the medic alert tab. certainly if some medical person found you unresponsive and saw your tab the first thing they would do is test your blood sugar. Depending upon that result they would treat you and frankly if your blood sugar was low enough to make you unresponsive it wouldn't matter whether you were a diabetic or a hypoglycemic, the tretment is the same and you would get it.


Has something been going on to make you ask this question? Are you having a hard time now?


Please let me know if we can help you and I hope my answer has helped.


Hugs,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2003
In reply to: lilcook67
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 7:39am

Hi Mary,


Thanks for reponding.

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
In reply to: lilcook67
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 11:02am
Hi Donna-

OH MY GOODNESS!!! If you are hypoglycemic and eating the way you just described, it's no wonder you're feeling awful!!!!!


Sugar is not your only enemy, nor is it the worst. Any fast-processing carbohydrate is going to be dangerous for you....in fact, almost everything on your list is something to be eaten only in small quantities, and ALWAYS matched with protein and fats. White flour, white rice, pasta, potatoes, bananas, fruit juices....all these things are high-risk foods for hypoglycemics.

I am currently at work. I will post more info later this evening.

PS--by some of the words you used, I am guessing you are not in the US. Where are you?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2003
In reply to: lilcook67
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 2:30pm

~~~PS--by some of the words you used, I am guessing you are not in the US. Where are you?


I had to laugh. *giggle*


hun I am from the deep south. Alabama.

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
In reply to: lilcook67
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 3:59pm
OK....I have a few minutes before class starts...I'll at least address your last message.

I had thought 'biscuits' referred to a cookie-cracker type thing, so I actually thought you were in Canada or maybe UK....Alabama, huh? Then I don't think you're going to be crazy about my advice. :o( Southern food does not get along with hypoglycemia.

Unfortunately, your biscuits are going to be a problem. You could, however, see if you can dig up a whole-grain recipe that you like. 5 at a time isn't a good idea, but one should be ok.

As for sandwiches, yes, you *can* have sandwiches--just have it on whole grain bread instead of white ("diet" or "low carb" bread would be even better). Also, the chips are a no-no. If you want something crunchy, try some carrot sticks (I know, no comparison!), a few apple slices (like, half an apple), or a handful of nuts.

Cereal--there are three kinds that I eat. Special K (which you may like as it tastes similar to Rice Krispies), All-Bran, and Kashi Good Friends. I usually eat one of these sprinkled with some berries or a few raisins, and some walnuts or almonds. I'll also have a string cheese or two with it. These three cereals seem to have the least effect on my blood sugar. I can get by on Cheerios, too, but I get hungry before too long.

There are three very important rules for hypoglycemia. I'll go into more detail when I get home tonight. To start you off, though:

1. ALWAYS have protein with your carbohydrates. Protein helps to slow down how fast the sugars in your blood get processed, so your blood sugar stays steadier.

2. Eat your carbs in small amounts. One biscuit, not 5 (but don't eat them often--even one will probably take away some of your energy). One cup of cereal, not two. Fruit OR pasta OR bread OR dessert at a meal. A few bites of cake instead of a whole slice. 1/2 cup of fruit salad instead of 2. Same for pasta.

3. Eat small amounts, and eat frequently. The idea is 6 small 'meals' a day. This can be a sandwich, or an apple with (sugar-free) peanut butter, or cheese and whole grain crackers, or a spinach salad with some deli meat and low fat cheese. I have trouble remembering to eat my snacks, but the closer you can get to this ideal, the better you will feel.

Those are the three MOST important rules. Following them should get rid of your really bad crashes. The carbs you choose can still make you feel a bit off, but these basic rules should keep you on your feet.

I'm late for class! More later!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2003
In reply to: lilcook67
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 6:58pm

PARTY POOPER>!!!!!!!! *grin* thanks for the advice. I will go thru pantry ASAP. I did not realize I couldn't eat biscutes. GRRRRRRRRRRRR I have been doing that for 3 months straight!!!!!!!! WOW

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
In reply to: lilcook67
Fri, 04-23-2004 - 2:40am
Hi!

They have medalert bracelets as well as necklaces and baubles for hypoglycemics as well as 100's of other conditions. FYI only...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
In reply to: lilcook67
Fri, 04-23-2004 - 2:43am
MaryFrances~

If I'd cut loose with some money, I'd send you a picture of flowers! However, I just want to say what a great person you are again. So, consider that you've been given a bouquet!

K

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
In reply to: lilcook67
Fri, 04-23-2004 - 2:52am
"clap...clap...clap" Nice start in those suggestions.

Boy, with my diabetes, 1 biscuit would send me soaring. I like strawberry shortcake (with baking powder biscuits), and I sure have to rearrange my whole day if I decided to have some. I'm afraid to eat cereals, although they'd be good for fiber intake for me.

I'm still learning what throws me into trouble...but I'm getting there.

Thanks for responding so well to lilcook67. It takes a lot of knowledgeable people to keep us on the straight & narrow. I'm glad you're here!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
In reply to: lilcook67
Fri, 04-23-2004 - 10:24am
:O) I'm glad I can help. I can remember how frustrating it was when I was first diagnosed--the doctors basically said to eat whatever makes me feel better, no further explanation. There are so few books on standalone hypoglycemia...everything is about hypo with diabetes, a few about hypo with fibromyalgia. And then most of the books dedicated to hypoglycemia are pretty old. It's still frustrating....I don't even know if it's worth trying to find anything on the specific problems I'm having now, going ALL over the place if I eat any significant carbs. I've exhausted every resource I can find...

I promise Donna more info, and it IS coming! I've been having blood sugar issues of my own past couple of days, and it's been wearing me out (I'm supposed to be at work right now, but I just got up!). I'll have more to post soon, I promise!!!!!

PS--I have a whole-grain recipe for buttermilk buscuits in one of my cookbooks. If I can find it, I'll post it here! Probably still have to be careful with them, but should be a bit safer than the ones in the can (I miss those!!! I used to have them, or garlic bread, every night at dinner!)

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