Diabetes

[yj99t04]

I go in to have a minor procedure done, and the pre-op blood work showed a diabetes level of blood sugar. After some more testing, they say I can consider myself a diabetic. On one hand I'm super glad they found it so I can address it, but now the diet and exercise part of life will suck. Anyone else here have any words of wisdom for me? I'm only 51, and would love to be around a lot longer..... Thanks.

[Al from Canada]

I go in to have a minor procedure done, and the pre-op blood work showed a diabetes level of blood sugar. After some more testing, they say I can consider myself a diabetic. On one hand I'm super glad they found it so I can address it, but now the diet and exercise part of life will suck. Anyone else here have any words of wisdom for me? I'm only 51, and would love to be around a lot longer..... Thanks.

I don't think diet and exercise would suck; seems to me it could be a good thing.

[boneil]

My father went through something similar. He tried the diet thing, never stuck with it, and never exercised. Years later he has had many problems from almost losing limbs to dying. It's nothing to take lightly and in many cases reversible. Don't think of it as a diet. It needs to be a life style change. Eat clean and exercise regularly and you will love how you feel. And it won't suck. You think you will miss the garbage that you were eating, but once you start eating clean and your body adjusts to not having added sugars and processed foods, you will lose the cravings and feel so much better.

[bigfishingstud]

You will Find Diet and Exercise to be Your Best Friend Trust Me , Been there Done That..

[gwurzel]

Same age, same problem. Change your diet (green vegetable, meats, nuts are staples for me now). I get sugar spikes overnight (sogomyogi effect or something like that). 2k mg of metformin, 1 in the morning, 1 in the evening. If your a coffee drinker, the sugar free creamers work (I use half and half personally). Sweet potatoes are good for the "different" carbohydrates - they release sugars slowly, no massive quick build up. I cut out bread, all simple carbs - you need to eat carbs, your body and brain need them - just moderate how much in a sitting. Exercise I bought one of those bikes that sits in place - put some music on, get to it - so far lost around 60 pound in weight, you'll get used to the taste of sugar in your mouth, that eventually passes.

Good luck, it can be a pain in the neck, but you got this. Reading the labels of everything you buy will surprise you how much sugar is in everything (it sure did me).

Wurz

[GRANDPAOF7]

Young man I had a stoke in 2013--Went through a lot PT. I am proud to say today I am not even 80% of where I was before the stroke but I am good. I had major back surgery in May of this year.. If you trust your doctor the blood and piss test will not lie...Do what they say unless you do not have much to live for. If you do have something to live for --Man up--set a time in your day to do the exercise and eat right and get rid of the pitty party...

[spcrangle]

Same situation here - diagnosed 6 or 7 years ago (now 60). As it turns out it may be a huge blessing in disguise. I was 230Lbs and fairly inactive (salesman) but played racketball once per week. I was put on Metformin but started watching my sugars and dialed up my racketball to 3X / week.

Three months later I'm weighing in at 195 and got off the Metformin. Key for me was finding exercise that was fun / rewarding. Everything about my life is better.
Without racketball I'd be in a real bind. I've been off meds for 5 years now - fill out employment applications as "No disability".

Try like hell to find something physical that you enjoy and can embrace as lifestyle.

[basscat21]

also don't forget that Diabetes effects the Kidneys...... Trust me Dialysis sucks......... I did not have Diabetes, but most in there with coat hanger sized needles in their arm for 4 hrs did...............

[yj99t04]

The diet and exercise thing is definitely a lifestyle change for me. My comment was kind of tongue in cheek. I know I have to change things and I appreciate your advice. I have an awesome wife and four wonderful kids, so I have A LOT to live for, so I will do whatever I have to do. Maybe it won't be so bad. Thanks everyone!

[flyingwillie]

I was tested last week and will find out results Monday but the Dr thinks I'm type II. I went ahead and started my lifestyle change when he first suggested the test. From all I've read exercise and proper diet habits (weight loss!) are key. I'm 66. Regardless of results this has awakened me. Good luck.

[okiebass]

I was diagnosed this year ----counts not way out there tho---I gave up all pop---hardly any candy or ice cream---lost 25lbs----I only use lil bit of stevia if I need to sweeten anything---feel great I am on metformin and may be able to get off it !!
biggest thing is to lose extra weight if u need to

[jc1234]

I am a diabetic. The first piece of advice I can give is enroll in classes to learn about your care. This is invaluable. You will learn exactly what the disease is, the complications if not kept in check and about your diet. My classes included a dietician who customized my diet to my lifestyle. The second piece of advice is exercise. This doesn't mean you have to start training for marathons. A brisk walk does wonders. My third bit of advice is don't let idea of having diabetes stop you from doing anything you want to do. Good luck and have some fun.

Jim

[TampaJim]

Wife is Type 1 ... diagnosed at 2, now 62. It isn't a death sentence UNLESS you make it one.
As mentioned, find an activity that you will enjoy. Hiking, biking, tennis, etc. Make healthy choices.

[fr8dog]

I am a diabetic. The first piece of advice I can give is enroll in classes to learn about your care. This is invaluable. You will learn exactly what the disease is, the complications if not kept in check and about your diet. My classes included a dietician who customized my diet to my lifestyle. The second piece of advice is exercise. This doesn't mean you have to start training for marathons. A brisk walk does wonders. My third bit of advice is don't let idea of having diabetes stop you from doing anything you want to do. Good luck and have some fun.

Jim

What he said!! My wife has sugar problems after her stroke. Classes and a support group will save your sanity.

[ChuckTR21]

My experience will be a little different from yours as I'm a Type I and been dealing with it since I was six years old (now 51). As others have said, diet, excercise and dropping any excess weight will help and will make you feel better too. Followinng your doctors advice and taking care of the inconvenient details now (blood sugar tests and meds) will keep you away from much more inconvenient things later (such as kidney, vision, or nerve issues). The previously recommended diabetic education will be very helpful and the one other piece of advice I'd give after many years of dealing with this is to find you a good Endocrinologist who specializes in treating diabetes. This can make a huge difference in your treatment and avoiding complications and I've been seeing one for the last 10 years and by only regret is I didn't do this much sooner. Their knowledge and ability to treat the disease will far surpass a general practitioner and you will greatly benefit from this. I've dealt with this for 45 years and it's definitely not anything to fear, just respect it and do what you need to do and you'll be well Good luck and God bless.

[bigfishingstud]

be careful of Metfomin its bad for the kidneys, I you need some convincing , just go sit though 4 hrs of Dialysis with someone doing the treatment..

[kenneth602]

I have type 2 diabetes. I will say that life does not end there. You just need to eat the right diets. Buy and take quality medicines and everything will be fine!! One of the best medicine for that is victoza. You can buy victoza online or at local pharmacy. Good luck!

[21XDC]

Learning what to eat and portion control will be the best thing for you. Exercise is a bonus. I live this every day and struggle some.

[SSN671]

Type 2. Metformin twice a day and a weekly injection of Bydureon Bcise. Lost 60 pounds and now only take the weekly injection. Hope to be taken off of that at the next appointment. Best of luck. Great advice above.

[rboren]

I found out a year or little less ago that I am a diabetic. A1C was 10.7 it is now 5.6 and I am almost 40 pounds lighter. Still on Farxiga but I think soft drinks are what got me in this situation. I am not a big sweet-a-holic.But I was consuming all my liquids in the form of sweet drinks. Before they got me on medicine for it I had stopped drinking anything with carbs/sugar. Dropped my A1C a full point in less than a month. Bread is much harder to stop than sweets. I still eat some bread but have cut that back some. I thought it was terrible at first but now I am happy with my new life style!