Hi everyone. I’m new to the site but have been lurking for a few months. I’ve learned an incredible amount from this site. Diagnosed in 8/08 with Type 2, A1c 7.6. I’m on Metforim 500 mg, 2x day, have lost 35 lbs (working on losing many more of his friends), improved my diet, etc. BS have improved somewhat, next A1c in 2 weeks. My question is with the busy lives we all lead, how do you fit in the time it takes to manage this disease? I feel I’m slowly getting control, but at the end of too many days, I feel like the hamster on the wheel, spinning my wheels but not much to show for it! My days are fairly busyl, taking care of my hubby and 2 young kids, working part-time and helping to care for my mom, who is in beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. How do you all do it? Thanks!
Hi Teresa-
Welcome to the site! Aahhh…The balancing act… Good question!
I’ve had to learn to balance life into my diabetes. I was diagnosed at age 2 1/2 with Type 1. From the beginning Diabetes has always been a huge part of my schedule. Now, at age 39, I work a full time job (40+ hours a week), work part time (10-20 hrs/mth), have 2 kids (ages 13 and 10), a husband, 2 dogs, a cat, a mortgage, meals to cook, etc… etc… I work the diabetes into my life as part of my eating schedule. I have to eat breakfast, so I check my blood, I have to eat lunch, so I check again, dinner = repeat. I also use a pump which just figures into that part of the routine as well. I do check around 10am and 3pm and again before bed as well.
It’s a daily balance. Each day presents it’s own problems, whether it be diabetes related or something else, but like anything in life, you just do your best and keep going… smiling as you go! You will hit road blocks, or minor bumps, but don’t let that stop you. Yesterday I had one of those days. I was on a roller coaster ride… 275 to 39 to 402 to 52… all day. Today, back on track 89,120, 152, 109.
You’re already wearing your own multitude of hats, I think you’ll be able to balance the big D into the act without a problem!
Planning ahead helps me a lot. I shop every Sunday and have every breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned with reasonable wiggle room. I make sure I make one slow cooker meal a week, one night is leftovers, one night is frozen dinners, I aim to do fish once a week and chicken three nights a week… So the food part sort of takes care of itself. My husband helps me by making breakfast (which is the same every morning) when he gets up and I make our healthy sack lunches for work. It’s nice when somebody else in the household can step up even if it’s for a small thing. I know you’ve got young kids, but maybe there’s something your husband or your oldest child could do that, even if it’s tiny (like putting dirty clothes in the hamper or dishes in the sink after use) could make you feel supported and like a burden was lifted.
As far as the testing and treating part of management, I make sure I have testing supplies and low blood sugar snacks and spare change everywhere (home, work, car). I don’t eat a bite without knowing the carb count (or a reasonable estimate) and knowing my blood sugar (even if it’s a tiny hershey’s kiss). I keep an online calendar of my doctor visits and all phone numbers for doctors accessible. I know how to fight with insurance companies and know how to place orders with medical supply companies.
It’s the stress and hustle bustle of it though that of course get to all of us. Trying to get a handle on it when you’re not feeling well. When you’d rather focus on anything but yourself. But knowing where I am, what I’m doing, and what I’d do if I had a problem have helped me over the years. Some days when you have to miss work because you’re on the phone with an insurance rep for three hours…or when you were too low to drive in on time… Having a low when you’re pushing a toddler on a swing at the park and your glucose tabs are back in the house… These things are hell. It’s good to have people at home, at work, and on the phone who try to be understanding and supportive. And it’s good to have our community here.
Erin,
Thanks for your kind words and response. I’m definitely learning to just go with the flow and keep on track. Sorry you had such a crappy day with highs/lows. That must really wipe you out. Thanks again!
Melissa,
Thanks for your response. My slow cooker is my best friend! I try to cook ahead on Sundays and freeze 2 or 3 meals for the week and fill in with slow cooker meals. Breakfast is my hardest meals, because it seems any carbs I eat really raises my BS so I try to low carb it. My morning numbers range from 130-160 and after breakfast are still around 180-190 at 2 hours p.p. Lunch and dinner numbers are better.
My husband is good about helping out when he’s here, but he works a rotating 12hr shift so sometimes we don’t see alot of each other. My boys are getting better helping out. My oldest is 11 and does help me out, especially with jobs related to taking care of my mom. My younger son is 6 and is slowly learning to help me. I’ve always been the person who helps out everyone else and have a hard time accepting help. I’ve got to adjust this way of thinking. Anyway, sorry for the novel and thanks for your help. I’m glad that I’ve found such a caring community!
I have two great pieces of advice for the breakfast dilemma. MANY of us face this problem of post-breakfast highs. It’s called the Dawn Phenomenon or the Symogi effect. Our bodies, due to hormones generally, are very resistant to our insulin (whether self-produced or injected!) in the mornings.
So you have two things to try. First, reduce the carbs in the morning to almost zero. I take in only 16g at breakfast every morning. Second (and this is a must), add in some fat and protein to cause the carbs to slow down their conversion into glucose. I was experiencing crazy highs just from my tiny piece of 16g of toast in the mornings. I thought with the butter and turkey bacon, that should be enough to keep me more level, but I had the same highs as you. “Add an egg,” says my endo. “Really?” I thought. But it worked for me. The toast does a lot less damage now. I’ve been adding the egg for about 3 or 4 months now with beautiful results post-meal. These typical American breakfasts of 30g, 50g, 60g - breakfast cereal, pancakes, juices, milk, etc. - these are hell to deal with when you are insulin resistant in the morning.
Once I get pregnant, my doc may want me to cut out the carb at breakfast entirely. She says many pregnant diabetics skyrocket with any morning carbs. Go figure.
Dear Teresa.
Wow, you should get a Super Woman suit. You have accomplished a lot. It is really frustrating that so much effort goes into diabetes just to stay reasonably healthy and somewhat sane although I am not totally sure about either. I guess you could make our disease look better by saying what do you win by getting cancer. To be able to cope on he long run I think it is important to keep the BG in the normal range as much as possible and keep down the weight as low as possible. Using what ever it takes including insulin if need be. In my case insulin and a low carb diet.
Psychologically I think it is important not to get consummed by the disease. I have obsessed about this and became a diebetic who is also human. My neighbor has a diabetic who is a dog. It would be better to be a human who also has diabetes. I dont think this is an issue for you as you have a lot of other people needs to fill. It is a delicate balance between fighting an all out war against diabetes and letting it eat you psychologically or not fighting enough and letting it eat you physically. Very good title for the post.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will try reducing my carbs at breakfast to see what happens. I’ve be averaging around 30 carbs for breakfast. Hopefully, once your pregnant you’ll be able to have some carbs at breakfast. I know I couldn’t eliminating them entirely! Good luck.
Anthony,
Thanks for the response and kind words. I’m definately not going to let Diabetes consume me, either physically or emotionally. I’m just too plain busy! Sometimes I just wonder whether I am doing enough. My ultimate goal is to never have a number over 140 to avoid complications, but I don’t know how long it will take me to get there. After my next A1c in about 2 wks, my doctor will evaluate the next step. I am starting to follow a low carb diet to see how that will affect my numbers. I had read somewhere that numbers to aim for were 45 carbs a meal, 15 carbs a snack. I was going to follow this, except for breakfast, which I am now lowering to about 20-25. What carb number works for you? Thanks!
Dear Teresa.
That would be a good goal of never exceed 140, I try not too. I find it very hard have to be very careful what I eat. I have not formally measured my carb consumption just trying to minimized them a lot. I suspect it is way lower than 45 g per meal which would be 3 slices of bread this would skyrocket my BG.
Your carbs allowance seeems quite generous possibly too much. Then again if they are salad, broccolli, cauliflower, sauerkraut, could be ok. Low glycemic index helps. Jenny says let your meter deceide. I would also add let your balance talk. If you are gaining weight then lower the carbs.
If you are on insulin like me and probably with some degree of insulin resisance you cant just inject more insulin to compensate. You will end up weighting 500 lb or dead whichever comes first. To control hunger you have to minimize insulin so very low carb may be the only way. Worried about saturated fats and missing out on the good stuff in fruits. Also the vitamin B group by not eating grains.
Thanks for the info. I’m just on Metforim right now. Will try lowering carbs and see what my meter says.
Dear Teresa.
If the weight loss, metformin and low carb dont bring the sugars into the normal range for at least 70% of the measurement remember to demand insulin. Your diabetes team may bulk but it is the correct thing to do and not wait till the pancreas kicks the bucket completely. Then the disease become very unfriendly. Cut carbs a lot.
Hi Teresa
Welcome. It is really great to have you with us. You have gotten some excellent advice and really have your targets in focus. I wish you well. Please keep on coming back and keep us posted. My best to you.
Anthony,
I have no problem demanding insulin. My late father was a type 2 and refused insulin for too long and had many complications. Thanks for your advice.
Saundra,
Thanks for the welcome and kind words. I have added you as a friend! Thanks for the invite!
I know the feeling! I have type 1 and a am student with a tough schedule. I also work, have a side organization I helped start, and am applying for fellowships for next year. It feels overwhelming at times, but it’s good to remember that a lot of it is a privilege.
There are some things I have done, one is to take some good vitamins that help keep my energy up and my BG in line (as much as can be for a type 1). Another is that I bike instead of driving because it gets my transportation and exercise (and I listen to language podcasts so it’s educational too) without having to make an extra trip to the gym. I also have a very erratic schedule with school so I have learned to just make sure I have everything on me so I can make adjustments as needed.
Learning to just make habits of what you need to get done to deal with the disease so it is as much a part of your “normal” life is hard, but very helpful in the future.
Lurking Teresa:
Yeah, how do you do it? It sure is a balancing act. But look at what you have accomplished … 35 pounds!!! WOW!!! (I do mean to shout … shout it from the rooftops!) If only I could lose that. What an accomplishment!! Hooray!! (Enough?) You know, we don’t get enough recognition for our accomplishments; be they big or be they small!
I guess you have to be organized to get all that in. You should be proud of yourself. One suggestion so that you can see how it’s done is to write it down in a diary. Day-by-day. Then I think you will see how you do what you do and, maybe, how you can do more. Kids on top of it!! Hey! can I pick your brain? I don’t work (disabled), am not doing the best I can do with my diet (it’s hard on a limited budget to get fresh foods) and I feel like a R.A.T. on a wheel (only a half shout). On top of all that, I live alone and am responsible for nobody.
I’m getting counseling on diet now and she wants me to write everything down to help me plan meals. I told her I hate planning meals. I am more the type of looking in the fridge and seeing what’s there and what can be prepared with the least effort. I do try to do right in the actual eating category … not fixing anything that I wouldn’t want to eat and admit to. You, of course, can’t do that with a family. I sure can use some emotional support in that regard.
If you ever get a chance to read my profile on my home page, please do. I won’t ever let myself get that far again, but I do need a kick in the rear end once in a while to remember what I went through. It’s not just what I went through, but the P.A.I.N. I went through (medium shout)! It was awful and I wouldn’t wish it on any one else. So, if you are motivated to stay on the track you’re on, reach out to others with inspiration and butt-kicking! We all need it at times.
Thank you.
Lois La Rose
Milwaukee, WI
Bluefrango,
I’m exhausted reading your schedule! Thanks for your advice. I’m learning to put Diabetes in the front and work the rest of my life around and it seems to be a better fit. I figure if I don’t keep myself healthy, life will really get complicated. I’m also trying to sneak exercise in when I’m not looking, such as taking stairs vs elevators, parking far away, etc. Walking is about my easiest exercise. I’m trying to do more, little by little. I guess one day at a time!!
Lois,
Hi and thanks for your encouragement. I happened to see your comment in my e-mail and am glad I opened it. My numbers have been all over the place this week and I just buried a dear friend today. I think that the stress is what’s affecting my numbers but anyway, I really needed to be cheered up and thanks to you, I’ve actually smiled today. You’ve reminded me that I’ve accomplished alot so far and I can still do alot more.
I read your profile and wow, you are an inspiration. It sounds like you’ve been through hell and back. It’s amazing what you’ve been through. As far as eating right, etc., I also hate planning meals, but I started doing it for a couple of reasons. First, I keep a food diary (keeps me accountable–goes back to my many times doing Weight Watchers). Second, I plan my meals based upon what’s on sale that week and what I have coupons for. Saves me money, always a good thing. Third, in addition to cooking for my family, I also cook for my mom and one of my elderly neighbors. I try to cook a couple meals on Sunday for the week and use my crockpot for a couple meals also. For myself, I try to eliminate most of the carb portion of the meal. Doing that plus being on Metforim is what has allowed me to lose weight so far. I’ve been at a plateau for the last month, so I keep telling myself to start a consistent exercise program. That hasn’t happened yet, but I’m trying to make small changes.
Anyway, sorry for the novel, but thank you for making my day and hang in there with the meal planning. Cooking ahead and freezing helps me alot in staying on track. Keeping the diary also helps in keeping me on track.
Burying a friend is not exactly fun. Could be stressful too that hurts weight loss. This could account for the plateau.