I'm new here and newly diagnosied...
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| Mon, 08-30-2004 - 1:07am |
I was diagnosied with type 2 diabetes last week by my doctor. I had noticed I was going to the bathroom a lot more than normal and thought it was an infection of some kind, but NOPE, I was wrong. A day of monitoring my blood sugar and a few blood tests that still have not come back yet have led him to the conclusion I am now a diabetic. My blood sugar levels were in the 400's, but since I started on the medication two days ago it has come down into the 200's - so I guess that is progress.
I actually am probably a bit better off than most newly diagnosed. My father has had diabetes most of my life, and my uncle, aunt, and grandfather also had it. I also married a diabetic. So, while it means changes in my life I guess I kind of expected it with it running in my family. I also had not true gestational diabetes, but ran higher sugars when I was pregnant. I had to test throughout my pregnancy, so that is not new to me either.
The biggest thing I am having problems with is finding somethign to drink. I can deal with the no candy and sweets and I can limit the carbs I eat, but I LOVE my Pepsi. I can not stand the taste of diet sodas. I found sugar free Kool-Aide, and that is acceptable, but I sooooo want my Pepsi back. What are some of the things you have found to drink?
The biggest thing is I still have not told my family. My DH knows, but I have not told anyone else. I am not sure why, but I just don't want anyone to know I am now a diabetic. I know I have to tell them, but I just can't bring myself to. My mother has been telling me since I had my son to loose the weight or this was going to happen - and I meant to, but life got in the way and that didn't happen. I am kind of beating myself up too because I feel she is right - if I had done what I was supposed to this might not have happened. My DH thinks that it would have anyway, but I am not so sure.
One regret I do have is that my son is an only child. He is three and really wants a brother or sister. We had been talking about trying, and now I guess that is out of the question. In my limited time here I see that some of you have had children. How difficult is it to get pregnant and carry a healthy baby while having diabetes. With my son I had pre-eclampsia so I was a little scared to have another baby because of that - now with becoming a diabetic I am thinking I will now have an only child.
I am supposed to meet with a diabetic teacher this week to help create a diet. I already know what to expect from my husband - although I must admit the exchanges and things confuse me - he always did that for himself.
I am sure I will be here often with questions and such.
Amy

Hi Amy and welcome to the board. I am one of the community leaders for this board who has been a type 1 for over 29 years now and on a insulin pump for over 6 years.
I am so sorry you were diagnosed, but glad that you were able to catch it sooner. I know it must have been a semi shock to you, but at least you have some experience with the disease and that can be very helpful with knowing what you need to do. So very happy to hear that your meeting with an educator who will help you with a good meal plan to fit your lifestyle since that is very important to get started on and to learn about since we all do need to eat healthy especially find what foods cause our blood sugar to go up more than others.
As for drinks I like the flavored waters sold at Wal-Mart with fruit flavoring to them, which they are very similar to pop only no caffeine in them at all. They are not at all expensive and much better for you in the long run than pop. I also do know that you can take kool aid and add some seltzer to it to make it have a pop kind of consistency, which my step father taught me this after he was told to loose weight and to stop drinking so much pop. I also do like crystal lights drinks since they have a pretty good variety, but we tend to buy Wal-Marts imitation brand of it that has such a fantastic taste especially the lemonade one in which my husband who is not diabetic drinks lots of it.
Now as for diabetes and pregnancy it can be done, but you must first get your blood sugar under good control prior to conceiving and that is very important in having a healthy baby. All you will find is that you will need to take insulin injections if you need medication to treat your diabetes since the pills are not recommended while pregnant. Basically you do as you are already doing in the way of checking your blood sugars, but just a more often is all with before meals and 2 hours after meals. Setting up a meal plan for pregnancy is also done to make sure you get the right amount of calories you need that allows your baby to gain weight and yourself. Remember though that each pregnancy is different and you cannot judge one by another since we tend to experience different things with each pregnancy. My best suggestion to you is to discuss your concerns with your ob since they will be of more help you with questions you have or even a perinatologist since they are high risk professionals.
I am currently pregnant with my third child our first little girl, which I have found to be very different from when I was pregnant with my 2 boys in which both of those were also different from one another. So as you can see each one is not going to be the same, but might have some similarities to them. I really do hope that you are able to get your blood sugars in control with time and learn all you can to make your life easier. Just know that we are all here for you to answer any questions, give support, just listen, or even give a big {hug} when needed. I so hope you enjoy the board and find it helpful.
So please do pull up a seat and join in on the wonderful conversations taking place. I look forward getting to know you better. Take care and do have a terrific day!
Hi Amy,
Welcome to the board. First off, let me introduce myself. My name is Mary Frances and I am the other community leader for this board. I am a type 2 diabetic and a registered nurse and also married to a diabetic. Any advise I may give is not a substitute for seeking medical advise from a health care practitioner of your choice.
There is so much to tell you and I don't want to overwhelm you. I am so glad to read that you are going in for diabetic education. There has been many changes in how we treat diabetics and so it is important that you have current data. The educator will start with where you are with your knowledge and go from there.
Your husband is correct about your becoming a diabetic. Current research shows that first degree relatives (children, brother or sister, etc.) have an inborn metabolic defect with how your insulin works with your food intake. (This is really complicated and I have tried to make it as simple as possible.) If you had been able to keep your weight as close to normal as possible you could have delayed the onset of diabetes but you couldn't do anything about the genes you inherited.
There are quite a few members here who have children and so it can be done successfully. But first you must get your blood sugar under control and keep it that way for about 6 months. Then you will need to work with an OB and your diabetes doctor so that you can have a successful pregnancy.
I learned to drink diet pepsi, which in my mind tastes better than diet coke, but mostly I drink tea and water. Since you have been drinking pepsi with sugar in it you will have withdrawal signs. Believe it or not, my withdrawal was from drinking orange juice. I still miss it and it has been 15 years!
I am going to stop here and let you come back to me with any additional questions and comments. Please pull up a chair and join our conversation. We have all been where you are now.
A welcoming hug,
Mary Frances
cl-maryfrances40
Co-CL Diabetes Board