Question about Type 2 - Important

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Question about Type 2 - Important
5
Wed, 06-25-2008 - 11:44am

Hi.  I just found out that my sugar is running high and am going for my A1c test tomorrow and just have a couple of questions.  First a little information - I am 33 YO, about 90 lbs overweight and my mother has Type 2.  Because my mother has it, she also has the glucose meters so Monday after work I stopped by her house and she checked it and it was 239!!  This is after 4 choc. chip cookies, lunch of a 1/2 philly cheesesteak with waffle fries and a good handful of honey bbq potato chips.  It was at least 2 hours after I ate we checked it.  Well, right then and there I said, that's it, I know I have to stop this insanity and do something.  I took one of my mother's glucose meters home and have been checking as my dr wrote me a script for some strips.  Both tuesday and this morning my fasting sugar was 195.  I am going tomorrow for my bloodwork and am a little scared.  I have read information on diabetes & pre-diabetes.  I am hoping she'll tell me it's pre-diabetes and I can use diet and exercise to take care of it, but have a feeling that that will not be the case, which after all this rambling leads me to my question............  If it is diagnosed diabetes and I need medication, is it possible to get off the meds if I was to lose enough weight and exercise and all that?  Has anyone here ever been in that situation? 


Sorry to go on sooooo much.


Thanx, Rachel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Wed, 06-25-2008 - 12:39pm

Good luck but with fasting numbers over 126, it's likely a type 2 diagnosis.

I suppose it depends on the medications - it *is* possible for some people to manage type 2 with diet and exercise alone. Odds are, you'll be started out on some form of medication (probably something like metformin, that's pretty common as a first line med once you're diagnosed). And, it is possible to get to where you might not need it or need as much of it but, again, odds are that you'll be on some form of medication.

You definitely need to revamp how you eat - the amount of carbs that you mention in your post is HUGE! One basic guideline is avoid 'white' foods - white potato, white pasta, white flour, white sugar (and that post was basically ALL white potato and white flour). Amount of carbs (grams) per meal is generally personal (varies from one to another) but a rule of thumb until you find out otherwise (by testing your own reactions) is 30 grams for breakfast, 45 for lunch and 45 for dinner. In those grams, you want to pack as much nutrition as possible for each gram. The cookies and chips in your post contribute almost nothing in the way of protein, vitamins, minerals or fiber - a waste of the carbs. The sandwich contained some protein from the cheese and meat but the bread (I'm presuming it was a standard white sandwich roll) has little to nothing. And, the sandwich is high in fat (generally speaking Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are not known for being low fat) which is not a good thing since cardiovascular complications are common with diabetes. You cannot save up carb grams as in "I want to have a big dinner tonight so I'll just have some lettuce for lunch" - you'll end up going low in the afternoon then skyrocketing after the meal. However, you can *divide* the carb grams to spread out your food during the day - for instance, have 20 grams at breakfast and a small mid morning snack, 30 grams at lunch and a small mid afternoon snack, then dinner. The thing is, you're still never going OVER those guideline values at any one time. What you want is a blood glucose that rises and falls like gentle ripples on a pond. You do NOT want the sharp up and down of white caps in a storm.

You are not, however, embarking on a "diet" - you need to be changing your lifestyle and attitudes toward food. Make small changes that will eventually accumulate into a healthier way of eating.

Instead of the cookies, make yourself a trail mix with a handful of nuts and a TEASPOON of chocolate chips - you'll feel more satisfied with the bulk/fiber in the nuts and you'll still get a little bit of chocolate. Plus, many nuts (like almonds, pecans, walnuts) contain beneficial compounds.

Instead of honey BBQ potato chips, try a small serving of dried apple crisps (if the crispy is what you were looking for with that). Again, more nutrients, less fat and carb.

Instead of the standard philly sub, try a whole wheat wrap with lots of veggies and just a bit of cheese and meat - check out the Subway website to get an idea of what has lower carbs (and then use that info wherever you choose to eat). Better yet, brown bag your lunch so that you can control ALL the ingredients. Tumaro's (and other brands) make low carb multi grain tortillas that are excellent for preparing a wrap, for instance. Thomas' has multi grain lite English muffins that are lower in carbs than two slices of regular bread. And so on.

It's all about choice - you can choose to eat whatever you want, however you want. But, there are consequences to each choice. Choose those things that move you in the direction you want to go. Move more (park further from the door at work, use the stairs when possible, etc) - it's summer now so get outside and walk or garden or swim, whatever works for you.

FWIW don't focus on the pounds at this point - it can be really hard to try to balance calories and carbs and everything else. If you focus on bringing your carb counts down, the calories *will* come down. If you focus on moving more (which is critical to reducing insulin resistance and increasing HDL), you *will* burn more calories. All without actually thinking about calories and pounds. BTDT I've dropped about 35 lbs over the last 18 months by moving more (general guideline is 150 minutes per week, in 20 minute or more increments, several times per week) and getting my carbs in line.

--Deb

Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 06-25-2008 - 4:25pm

Hi and welcome to the board!


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Wed, 06-25-2008 - 4:45pm
Thank you everyone!
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-26-2008 - 12:08am

Rachel,


Deb and Cheryl have given you all the important information. I just wanted to say welcome to our little family. We are here to help and support you as best we can. Please let us know what your doctor tells you. We have all been where you are right now.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Thu, 06-26-2008 - 11:00am
Thank you.