Hi,
I just discovered this website yesterday and decided to join. First of all thank you for your warm welcomes (they helped, a little).
In two weeks my life has done this complete paradigm shift and I am still reeling from it.
Approximately four days ago I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic.
I still don't understand it.
I am 35 years old; healthy weight (I am not nearly obese); and my lifestyle is completely atypical of the "stereotypical" type 2 diabetic (I get a lot of physical activity and I've never smoked or drank, except on a few occasions).
Basically, it began a few months ago. I started a new job (in retail sales) in the mall and my normally healthy eating habits went to hell in a hand basket. Due to the crazy hours and convenience of the food court I pretty much ate anything and everything, particularly things high in unnatural sugars. Approximately a month or so ago I started noticing little things such as: constantly urinating at night and drinking lots of water during work (I thought it was because of the intense physical activity. I just needed to replenish). Then one day, about two weeks ago, I started feeling really tired. Several of my co-workers had been coming down with colds and flu...so I thought that was my problem.
The next day I was knocked flat. I was in my bed and all I remember was being extremely weak. It was everything to move. My thirst had gotten worse as well. Still thinking I had the flu I stocked up on Gatorade, Apple Juice, and Fruit Juice and literally drank almost everything in the House in the span of two nights. I did not have an appetite so I figured I needed to stay hydrated. Nothing helped.
The next night, for whatever reason, I craved a smoothie. My brother brought me one and for a moment the huge sugary thing made me feel better. A few hours later I felt really sick. So sick I called an ambulance and wound up in the ER.
The Dr. on duty diagnosed me as diabetic. They acted like it was something I'd known for years. NOPE. So I was hospitalized (the hospital food was good...then again I had not eaten anything in over a week) and given insulin through an IV. I was released the next day.
The next day I went to a new primary care provider and she went into a tizzy and made me take off work. My blood sugar was up in the 500s...I didn't know because I felt fine and thought I'd eaten a diabetic friendly breakfast.
Needless to say, that was almost four days ago...
The last few days have been hell for me.
Per doctors orders I can't drink anything but water...no sugar for anything. And I have been having the damndest time trying to figure out what to eat. All I eat is oatmeal and anything else with no calories. I feel like I'm in prison given that my diet has no diversity whatsoever.
My blood sugar levels have dropped tremendously (although sometimes they are still too high); I am not urinating all of the time (I slept a whole night without peeing); and I no longer feel like I'm dying of thirst.
It sorta feels like my body is righting itself...But nevertheless it is still hell.
Again, I am scared to eat anything because I'm afraid of what it may do. But what can I do but eat? I want to live a long time so food is necessary.
Also, it is difficult because now this prolongs my moving back out. I moved back in to care for my ailing mother a few years ago and just when I thought I was on my way yet here I am...
I took a short leave of absence from work because I need to adjust to this.
It just feels like my whole world is topsy turvy.
I have another doctor's appointment on Monday and I really want to work towards reversing my condition (I know that is a lot of work and dedication but it is what I want). I know I will always be a diabetic but just knowing that I don't have to be in constant fear of falling into a coma will mean so much to me.
Anyway, the reason I have not posted my personal photograph is because I am really afraid to show my face right now. I am still trying to adjust.
Thank you so much for your replies.
Tommy.
Don't worry about posting your face, there are lots of people hanging around w/ cartoons, etc. Only the ***EXTREMELY*** handsome people post their faces! LOL...
I think that it's difficult to "reverse" the condition but if you look at controlling the condition you can do it.
Tommy, this news hits us all like a ton of bricks. What does it mean what will I eat etc. You can educate yourself about all this and know the right questions to ask when you meet with your doctor by reading old posts on this website.
The foods that will raise your blood sugar are starches and sugars. Most T2's don't have to worry about protein and fat, they won't have any effect on your blood sugar. You may want to substitute bacon and eggs, which won't raise your blood sugar, for oatmeal which gives a lot of us trouble.
The Bloodsugar101 website really helped me, pay particular attention to the "How to Lower Your Blood Sugar" page.
Tommy, so glad you've joined. I'm not sure of the names of the tests (I've been type 1 since 1967) but you possibly could have been misdiagnosed as type 2 when you could be LADA (adult-onset type1) - there are lots of members here who have had this happen. let me know if you'd like any links.
In any case, this didn't happen because you ate sugary or "unhealthful" foods.
we will be here to help you with whatever comes up. you can keep your picture the magenta square, or put your own photo up. we are all trying to help each other here.
I actually read about LADA and I am going to ask my doctor about that too.
What scares me the most is the expense of this condition. I went to buy some testing strips yesterday and they cost over 100 dollars (my insurance would not cover them). Instead I got 25 for 40 bucks.
Anyway, does LADA mean I will eventually stop making insulin altogether? One more wonderful thing I've heard in the last few days...lol.
Welcome to the site. :)
I am curious, do you know how they determined that you have Type 2 diabetes? Seems to me it might be Type 1 given your younger age, normal weight, rapid onset of a month, very high blood sugar, and what sounds a lot like DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) to me based on your description.
Tommy, here is a page full of info on LADA. Our own founder here, Manny Hernandez was misdiagnosed as type2 in his 30s when in fact he is type 1 LADA.
http://www.tudiabetes.org/notes/LADA_Diabetes
yes, it is expensive if your insurance doesn't pay for strips.
I left out that a year ago I had a routine examination and my doc at the time told me that my blood sugar looked a little high on the exam...So, they checked my blood that day to make sure. It had gone back to normal stages.
I think, in retrospect, there have always been signs (I have always experienced sporadic spells of light headedness, which I soothed with sugar)but it was nothing major at the time...
So I don't know what the deal was. I think it has been really gradual when taking all things into account.
This is Seagator send me a friend request I will try and help you.
Tommy, you need to get to an endocrinologist and have them do the following tests - fasting insulin levels (assuming you're not taking insulin at this time), c-peptide, and antibody screen (assuming these tests have not already been done). Based on what you describe, you sound more like a type 1. With type 1 diabetes, your body no longer produces insulin. When the onset occurs in adults, it sometimes comes on more slowly, which would explain why you had one higher BG reading and then it went back to normal in the past.
The dietary changes you describe (eating more fast food) may have simply made the symptoms more noticeable of a disease that was already there. You may have been eating more carbohydrates and because you were already developing the condition and your pancreas was struggling to keep up with insulin production, you started having symptoms around that time.
Please make sure to get these lab tests done so that you can get a correct diagnosis. With type 1 diabetes, the ONLY treatment is insulin, and oral medications can be dangerous in people with type 1. If your blood sugar levels were that high, a diabetic coma due to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is not improbable.
You may need to be your own advocate and DEMAND that these tests get done. Sometimes, doctors are a little too quick to write people off as having type 2 diabetes when they are diagnosed at an older age. Don't be afraid to demand that something be done. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion either.
In the interim, PLEASE make sure to check your BGs regularly. If you start going up high and staying high (like over 250), you should go the emergency room. High blood sugar levels have dangerous short- and long-term complications.
As I say to all the newbies. Welcome to hell. You'll soon find out how it interferes with everything in your life. Sure there are plenty here that live normal productive lives but the disease is a killer that has to be very carefully attended to 24/7.
It only interferes with everything in your life if you let it. I don't disagree that it has to be attended to but there are plenty of people doing plenty of things in spite of or, perhaps, to SPITE diabetes, which is what it deserves.
Type2Tommy, glad you found this place, but sorry about becoming a member of the diabetes club. I know others here have suggested that you might be Type 1(LADA) instead of Type 2. I was 28 when I was originally diagnosed as Type 2 when I was actually Type 1. I wasn’t overweight but wasn’t what my doctor considered the “typical” criteria for Type 1 which I guess was a teenager or child.
I know this is scary, but I hope that you quickly find what works best for you. But I join the others here in that you should have your doctor run the test to find if you are/aren’t type 1. The best thing for you is to know what you have so you can be treated properly. I wish you well.
Tommy- You are still in shock over your Dx. You have been given some good advice by our members. Be sure to be your own advocate when you see your doc tomorrow. Unfortunately, many docs do not know as much as some of the members of TuD do about diabetes. ( Not saying that yours is one of them.)
As far as eating, Low-carb food is best for diabetics. Oatmeal not so low-carb. High protein foods like - meats, chicken and fish with green veggies and salads are best for you at least until your BG becomes stable. Eat eggs for breakfast. Maybe an omlette w/cheese or veggies.
Also, check WalMart for testing strips. I have read on the site that they have a meter and strips all in 1 for not too much $$$. Also, remember we are here for you 24/7, and more than willing to give you support and any info we have.
Best of luck tomorrow !!
Tommy, welcome to Tudiabets.. It is a shock to be diagnosed with diabetes and I know you are overwhelmed. All the posters gave really good advice, Record your blood sugars upon arising before you eat and 2 hours after you eat and write them down with what you ate with hour and times listed..If your blood sugars repeatedly stay over 200 or so;AND they continue to stay high on the prescribed medication doses while following a no to low carb diet, you MAY need insulin.. Make sure you show the doctor your log of blood glucoses :
Brunetta's >recommended what to eat for nowDrink plenty of water,
-Eat plenty of non starchy ( that means green and leafy,prefrably fresh but frozen or canned with less than 8 grams carb per serving ,
-Eat eggs, cheeses. nuts
-eat meats and fish, poultry( not breaded or fried if you can)
- Again Drink lotof water 0-carb flavored waters are great( bottles or the little packets ),
-Eat the pre-made sugar free jello cups, which sre tasty if you are feeling a craving for sweets.
-Avoid breads, crackers, cerrals, breaded fried foods,desserts,ice cream, candy fruit,pasta, rice for now, until you can see a nutruinest and /or 'certified diabets educator( CDE),
They should show you how to eat and incorporate more carbs into your diet, The type of diet that I described, for now, is to keep your blood sugars down until you see a doctor or endocrinologist. They will hopefully give you a more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan than what you have now. You will learn by trial and error, and testing, what is good for you
Ask plenty of questions of your medical team and here on Tudiabetes. I am praying for your comfort and peace You will learn it all in time. Hope all goes well tommorrow.
God Bless,
Brunetta
Type one 43 years
Hi Tommy: Welcome! I am sorry to have to welcome you, but here we are, and certainly you have come to a good place. It is all so scary and depressing at first, but with a little help here and some persistence you will be okay. Several people have said it sounds like you have adult-onset Type 1 diabetes, and I would agree with that. Antibody testing can determine if you have Type 1 autoimmune diabetes--the full suite of testing includes GAD, ICA, and IA-2, and the c-peptide test is useful to see how much insulin your body is producing. If you have Type 1 diabetes, it is important to get on exogenous insulin right away. Let us know how your doctor's appointment goes. We are here to help.
Welcome Tommy! It truly is overwhelming to hear those words from the doctor. I think anyone here who was dx'd as an adult has had pretty much the same "just got hit in the head" reaction you are describing. I know I did a year ago. My new mantra is "knowledge is power". And it truly is. You have come to the best place on earth to gain this knowledge. No matter what, someone here at Tud has gone through the same thing and has good guidance for you to find your way. Along with that links to studies and other sites (like Bloodsugar 101) Will give you a solid base of knowledge to work with.
I felt just the same as you do when I got the news. Not over weight, active, ate well, very confused. It takes some time and effort, but educate yourself about the condition and diet options. You have gotten a lot of very good advice from some very knowledgeable PWD. Do the work, it will serve you well. Your doctor and medical team are important, but you D is yours 24/7/365. They can only help so much. You are the most important member of that team.
Hi Tommy. I hope your meeting with the doctor today goes well and that you're beginning to feel like there's a light at the end of this tunnel. As everyone said, we all felt gob-smacked by this diagnosis, but as you learn more and see your blood glucose (BG) numbers come down and stay there, you'll feel better and know that you're getting your health care under control.
This website is a wonderful resource of information, stories, strategies and support. Spend a few hours reading! Then go out and get a copy of Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. You should be able to find it in most book stores and in your public library. You will definitely want to own a copy, to use as a resource for information. Dr. B gives terrific explanations of what diabetes is, what it does to our bodies, and how to manage it successfully. Now 77 years old, he's been a T1 diabetic since he was 12 which, you'll learn, is a remarkable accomplishment given how little has been known about diabetes and its management for so many years.
Dr. B has a very tight plan for achieving normal blood sugar levels and maintaining them using a very low-carbohydrate diet and exercise. Pay attention to what he recommends. Most of us eat a diet very similar to what he advises, even if we don't restrict our carbohydrate intake as much. The thing to know about his plan is that it really does work! Even if you follow it for only a couple of weeks, you will have enormous success. You will feel much better. You'll have more energy. You won't be hungry. Your BG will drop to a safe level. And, if you discover that you need insulin, he will tell you all you need to know about that, too. Many people eventually add more carbohydrate into their diet than Dr. B recommends, but having achieved normal BG first helps us have a very clear understanding of what we can eat and what will cause problems for us.
Keep your spirits up and ask all the questions you want to ask. Folks here are incredibly helpful and understanding.
Hi Tommy, please don't feel alone. Your story is similar to many here. I agree with others that you may be Type 1 based on what you describe. I was misdiagnosed at the age of 27 and was originally diagnosed as Type 2 based on my age. I was average weight and exercised regularly.
My primary care doc at the time who diagnosed me kept trying me on oral meds that did nothing to help me. As I got sicker, I begged to be put on insulin and found an endocrinologist based on the recommendation of another doctor. My endo says that I was probably mis-diagnosed because I was probably going through the honeymoon period where I was still producing some insulin.
Your reaction to this news is also normal. I cried for 3 days when I was diagnosed because it just changes everything that you thought your life was going to be. The thing is that if you take care of yourself you can still do just about anything that you planned to do before diagnosis. Just like with anything new, you'll learn how to deal with it. And there are many people here who will help you.
hi Tommy,
I don't think this is a new story. New to you, yes, but this story has been told over and over again by many, including me.
A re-occurring theme here is the possibility of LADA diabetes, and somehow this has been missed by your diagnosing doctor. Don't worry, it was missed by mine and many others as well. I think MyBustedPancreas has the best advice. Be your own advocate and get a c-peptide and GAD-65 test; and monitor your A1-c to be sure that it isn't climbing. Also, if you haven't been given a blood glucose meter, get one and begin to chart your blood sugar levels. Those numbers are important for your physicians to know in prescribing treatment. If you haven seen an endocrinologist and a CDE, get referrals for those specialists. They will help guide you through the diabetes maze.
There are places that advocate fighting diabetes. I prefer to think about partnering with it. Diabetes will beat you if you don't take care of it. But, if you manage it correctly, you will live a long, happy and productive life. Diabetes alters one's life. It is not a death sentence, unless you refuse to manage it. Soon, you will be right with us, reading a similar story, happening to a newly diagnosed diabetic. YOu'll know what to say, and what to do. You'll share. Sometimes it is good to be diabetic.
Be well.
Brian Wittman