Hi I,m new to this

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-18-2008
Hi I,m new to this
4
Mon, 02-18-2008 - 11:32am
Hi I,m new to this, I,ve just recently been told I have level 2 diabetes, can anyone share some thoughts and problems I may encounter
Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 02-18-2008 - 12:19pm

Hi and welcome to the board.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Tue, 02-19-2008 - 1:01pm

First thing I thought of was that if you're used to your blood sugar being high, when it starts to come back down into a "normal level", it might feel like it's actually too low - you might feel kind of 'fuzzy', clammy, uncomfortable, mood swings, etc. Be sure to check your blood sugar because it *might* actually be too low or it might just be adjusting.

Make sure you get exercise (20-30 minutes at least 5 times per week, better if you can manage it every day) - that'll help you keep your blood sugar stable, reduce insulin resistance, improve cardiovascular health, help control weight, and contributes to a feeling of well-being (depression can be an issue with diabetes because it's a long term, chronic thing).

Stay hydrated - I know that if I get too little water, I tend to have higher readings and generally feel worse. A tip I picked up years ago (okay this might be slightly TMI lol) is that if your pee is nearly clear (very light colored) then you're hydrated. If it is still very yellow, get more water. In one of those odd counterintuitive things, drinking water helps minimize water retention (which is important because that affects cardiovascular health, blood pressure, etc).

Get yourself a medicalert tag - either bracelet or dogtag style "necklace" (I prefer the dogtag because I don't like anything at my wrist, not even a watch). Fill out the info card and keep it with you (medications, dr contact, emergency family contact, etc). Also, FWIW, I set up a listing in the phone book of my cell phone starting with Aa so that it is always at the top of the list. Cell phones are so common now that first responders will often check it if they see it to be able to call "home". It's a long "name" AaI am Diabetic type 2 noninsulin metformin 500mg - that way anyone checking my phone (if for some reason they don't notice my dogtag) will know what meds I'm on (metformin can cause dangerous reactions with certain lab tests such as injectable dyes I think). I also have the names and doses of the meds in the Notes section on the phone. And, I've got noth my primary care MD and my endocrinologist in their under Dr. whatever rather than last name first so it's easy to find my doctor's contact info. Okay, yeah, I'm a bit compulsive about 'data' but in a good way... :-)

Talk with family members about it. I explained the situation to my then 8 1/2 yr old in simple terms - my body isn't handling carbs well (I didn't specify just 'sugar' because it's all carbs really), I'd be poking my finger and checking my blood to see how my blood sugar level is doing, I'd be watching what kinds of foods I eat and checking labels, etc. Fortunately, we already did a lot of label checking anyhow as well as discussing nutrition etc so it wasn't a whole big deal. He's 9 1/2 now (I'm just past my 1 yr anniversary) and he will check to make sure I've tested and he knows what constitutes a 'good' number and what is too high or low. If it's low, he knows to get me something fast and sweet, like chocolate milk or my glucose tablets or juice (whatever's handiest).

A phrase from the Bible (don't know if you believe or not but it's very applicable to this, paraphrase at will for yourself):
1 Corinthians 6:12 Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.

I can *choose* to eat/do anything I want BUT some things are better choices. YMMV but I find thinking in terms of choices rather than "can't" much easier to manage when I'm looking at a long term lifestyle path. Thinking "I can't have chocolate" would make me crazy - that stubborn streak that says "Nobody tells what to do", KWIM? But, thinking "I can have -some- chocolate but not right now, it's not my best choice at the moment" changes the mindset into choice and empowerment.

--Deb

Community Leader
Registered: 09-14-1997
Tue, 02-19-2008 - 1:10pm

Hi


Welcome


You have 2 of the best community leaders here...and some great board members.

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 02-20-2008 - 2:07am

Hi and welcome,


Please do tell us more about you and your diagnosis. Please tell how how you are being treated and wether you received a referral to a diabetic educator or a dietitian who specializes in diabetes.


We are here to help support you in any way that we can. So I look forward to you telling us more about yourself. Just remember we have all walked down the street that you are traveling on now.



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