stephanie - I was dx'd T1 @ age 30. It was probably LADA as the onset was slow; I didn't go DKA and end up in the ER. I won't repeat all the great advice and support you've received already.
Just a few thoughts. After 28 years with T1D I adopted the low carb, high fat way of eating, one year ago. I don't consider it a diet -- it's just how I eat now. It was one of the best things that I did for my blood glucose control. I have much tighter control, not perfect, on half the insulin.
Be aware that many doctors and other health professionals will tell you that low carb is a terrible way to eat. Don't be surprised when/if you hear this. Like many changes, dietary habits are slow to take root. There's been such a sustained medical push for high carb, low fat eating over the last 30-40 years, it will take time for new information to make itself felt.
The best advice you've received here, I think from Zoe, is to "eat to your meter." Testing two hours post eating, and writing the number down, will educate you about how your body responds to that food. I would not let anyone persuade you otherwise.
Finally, I understand what it takes to quit smoking. It is probably one of the hardest things I've ever physically done. But, it is well worth it. You will not only feel better but you will live the rest of your days knowing that you accomplished something that is hard to do! Just keep at it, if you lapse, quit again.
When I've felt stressed from my health and life, I always find it good practice to eat well, exercise daily, and make sure I get a full night's sleep -- every night! Good luck and take care.
Hey Stephanie - As hard as it is to imagine, it just gets easier once you've settled on a good treatment regime. Being focused on yourself right now is totally appropriate - you'll be able to enjoy your family again soon. When I was just starting out I was told it takes a year to get the hang of things. That seems like a lot of time but if you are going to live another 50 it's really not so much.
thank you terry! the smoking thing is so hard. i was probably 2 packs a day, and now 13 ultra lights, am dropping one a week so i don't go completely insane. i check my bg at one and 2 hours to see how high i'm surging. last 2 days i've had mostly normal readings eating like this! now i just wish i could enjoy the food! i know that i am so lucky to have caught this in such early stages! whether it be type 1 or type 2. hoping to have referral to endo next week so i can get a for sure diagnosis. not knowing i think just prolongs acceptance for me
It does really suck because most of us live as the only PWD(person with diabetes)in the immediate circle of family and friends. Sometimes family and friends feel threatened as if you are going to expect them to eat differently. A larger part could be flat out ignorance. Before my dx, I had no idea how diabetes turns a life upside down. I don't expect my family or non-PWD's to understand. I come here for that!
Yeah, it's scary for you and it's scary for them too.
They're probably feeling overwhelmed and afraid to contact you about it because they don't know much about it and that leaves people feeling powerless and afraid.
If you could send them here so they could learn more about it as well, once it's more manageable to them they'll have an easier time of talking to you about it. And they'll be better able to predict healthy food choices next time they have you and the kids over for dinner! (eg - ribs rather than pasta. Mmm... Ribs...)
just take one step at a time, maybe now isn't the right time to totally quit smoking? yes...of course you should but you're stressed out. try to relax, if you can. does your husband/partner offer support? you mentioned you're not going above 126 which is FANTASTIC. you're doing great..maybe the metformin is starting to work a bit too. I'm not sure about that cuz I'm a type 1. you may be a type 2 as you didn't have ketones (nearly all of us present with ketones) but then again, you caught it early. Have you had any education on counting carbs or any education at all? When did you say you're seeing an Endo? Again, an A1c of 6 is really good and surprised you were even diagnosed. Remember, you're in NO danger right now..your numbers are good. Don't freak out about food; high fat...extreme low carbs...try, if you can to do a lot of protein with healthy foods, (veggies, fruits if you can, there are a lot of low carb breads, yogurts, etc..) meals are something you'll have to play around with. As Maurie stated, if you're indeed a type 1, you'll probably start either a small basal or bolus insulin, depending on your fasting numbers and you'll be able to eat carbs. This is the first step, take it one by one. Hang in there. How often are you testing your blood sugars, did theygive you any guidance on doing that?
i've gotten no guidance from anyone, just what ive been reading. i'm counting carbs just by reading labels and how much is in each serving. if i keep my total carbs around 20 a meal i get pretty normal readings. i check at 1 and two hours after, fasting and before bed. have a referral in for an endo, would like a difinitive diagnosis of type1 or type2 so i can begin to live my life that way. on diagnosis by my family doctor my fasting was 100 and 113 and my a1c was 6.1
yes, i've actually been having the drinking and peeing thing for the last 3 years! funny that it lead us to check for diabetes, and its not even the reason for it. go figure!
I'm sorry, Sally, I have some issues with this comment. Not everyone is capable of having "normal non-diabetic numbers". We all have very different versions of Diabetes. Some are able to do what you describe, others work very hard and always struggle with widely varying numbers. I feel the need to make this statement because I don't want those who fall into the latter category to feel that they are somehow failing to do what is needed.
Re the low carb/ high fat/ etc. discourse earlier. I've found it useful to step away from the carb focus of diabetes and break my diet down to fat/ protein/ carbs. A bunch of my buddies have gotten really into P90X/ etc. and will go 20/50/30 when they want to drop weight and 20/40/40 when they want to build muscle and push things when they need to. If the fat is stuff like nuts/ eggs/ etc. I don't think that it's necessarily bad for you. I think Dr. Bernsteins ultra low carbism is sort of over the top and have gotten good weight management and workout results doing more like 100-150G of carbs/ day but I try to eat pretty cleanly and consciously when I want to get results. Recently, I've replace the eggs for breakfast with oatmeal in an effort to get closer to 1800 calories/ day instead of about 1500 and the weight seems to be coming off pretty readily which makes me think that 1500 wasn't enough, regardless of what %age was carbs, etc.
Just so you know -- the numbers that you cite are great numbers for any person with diabetes. They are often unattainable for many PWD.
Your early detection of your situation combined with your willingness to make some effort toward "normal" BGs gives you a great opportunity to extend this honeymoon period for a long time. The more normal your BG excursions, the more energy you'll feel. BG levels, whether low or high, are important. More important, however, is how variable and rapid your BG movements are.
My targets are 70-140. I'm doing well when I can hit that 75% of the time with my lows <= 5%.
thanks sally, i am hoping this is the case but prepared if it isn't. keeping my carbs to 60 a day including fruits, veggies, ets, has kept my numbers under 140 and sometimes really good, like 110 in two hours. i just need def diagnosis to help me prepare, but testing and eating this way is a really good start for me, even if i'm not happy about it, lol. its nice to know that there are people my age going through the same thing. but i truly appreciate everyone on here. you guys are so positive and truly my angels these past few days!
it seems that when i do more than 20 carbs a meal i spike alot higher. what is your workout like? i have fibro, so an hour of fast walking is about all i can handle right now, maybe can build up to more? if i recall, you are type1, correct? i've been told you have more lee way with insulin? any advice would be helpful, thanks
It's a lot of movement, running in place, jumping jacks, squats, lunges, different foci each day. It's fun. They have a "modified" version that one person (who also looks ripped in the videos, of course...) does that involves less hopping and more sort of organized stepping. I've been surprised at how much fun it is though. Off for 2x sessions on Friday. Eeek!
is that diabetes....those seem like such good numbers; ones which any of us would be oh so happy with. sorry, i'm so used to seeing myself included such high BG's and A1C's when diagnosed...so, I don't know the guidelines in terms of Dx? Also, to eat oatmeal and be 110 2 hours after meal is excellent...that's normal. What did they say your numbers are supposed to be. OMG, if I could eat oatmeal and be anything close to 100 I'd be thrilled.
