Info about my diabetes?

Question

I have the kind of diabetes that requires I take pills for, once in the morning, and once at night. Since I've discovered my problem, I've heard horror stories about how I'll eventually have to have my feet and hands and things cut off, and I'll waste away into nothing and die a young death (I'm 31). Is this true? Is this my fate? I won't be seeing my doctor for two more months and I don't want to wait that long to ask her. Can anyone recommend any resources to me on diabetes? For the record, my blood sugar never goes over 120, since I've cut out candy and soda pop and starchy foods.

Answer 1

You have type 2 diabetes which is more easily controlled. Diabetes is a serious disease, but if you take care of yourself, do what you need to do and are actively involved in your medical care - you can live a long and healthy life. Do not let people scare you with their stories. How well your diabetes is handled is largely up to you. I've noted websites below that should be helpul to you. Some important things to remember are:

1) Keep consistent track of your blood sugar, both fasting (in the morning before you've eaten or had anything to drink) and also after meals. You will learn (sometimes surprisingly) which foods are a problem for you.
2) Know your A1C levels. Most physicians suggest you keep your A1C at 7 or below. (website below explains A1C)
3) Keep meds and carbs with you at ALL times in case your blood sugar gets low. You can help prevent this by eating meals and snacks at regular intervals. If you are not very knowledgeable about nutrition, CALL your doctor and insist upon a referral to a registered dietician prior to your next appointment.
4) A wonderful reference book that covers EVERYTHING is:
"Conquering Diabetes" by Dr. Anne Peters. You can't have this book soon enough!
5) See your physician regularly, also yearly check-ups with a foot doctor (podiatrist) and eye doctor (opthamologist) are essential. Diabetes affects both large and small blood vessels (heart, eyes, kidneys, circulation...see the need for regular care?).

Lastly, there is some promising information regarding the daily use of cinnamon (1/2 tsp daily) in reducing blood sugar and also cholesterol levels. Some patients (I'm a BSN/RN) have been able to reduce and/or eliminate their medication after consistent use of 1/2 tsp cinnamon daily for at least 40 days. Research is still being done so this is NOT a substitution for your medication or regular medical care, but it's something easy to do which may be of help. Good luck and get Dr. Peters' book as soon as you can :-)

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Is this true?
No... Not if you keep you keep your sugar under control like 120.
There are chronic complications that you need to look out for.
Nephropathy
Retinopathy
and Neuropathy
You need to have an eye doc. You need to see them at a minimum of once a year.
You need a good kidney doctor.
And you need a neurologist/ endocrinologist.
You need to make sure you exercise.
If you are checking your blood sugars 3 times a day, also check your blood pressures to make sure they don't elevate.
You are now at risk for a heart attack through which you would not have "typical" symptoms such as the arm pain/chest pain. Diabetics don't feel heart attacks... Therefore you need to reduce all your risk factors....
You are 31. You are young.
Fight this with all of the resources you have.
You can live a long healthy life... but you need to eat well, exercise well, and make sure you have darn good docs watching your numbers carefully.
Don't worry about your hands and feet right now. If you start getting numbness and tingling.. then you go in to the doc.
There are stents, cardiovascular surgeons, vascular surgeons, etc.. that can restore circulation if lost or decreased.
And perhaps by the time you are 50 there will be even more things to make people live longer and better lives with diabetes.
Try not to worry. If your doc thought there would be a problem he would see you sooner. If you are really worried, set yourself up an appointment with the other docs I mentioned, and get started with them. Especially the eye doc.

Answer 5

First of all diabetes does not discriminated young or old. You have the best kind of diabetes because you still make insulin. Type 1 diabetics are higher at risk. If you do not have a diabetes doctor Endocrinologist and a dietitian ASAP you continue to put your body at risk because you have to learn how to controll your disease. Cutting out starchy food yeah no your body still needs that. My son has to have at least 1500 calories or 60 carbohydrates for meals and thirty for snacks. You got diabetes when they recently learned there are certain foods that turn into sugar quicker than others like pretzels. See the specialist. go to www.diabetes.com and you get tons of info from the American diabetes association

Answer 6

WoW these are all really great answers.
Just want to add a few things. If you are seeing your doctor every 3 months you are doing really great most of us type 1's see them each month.
120 on an American monitor is great! I understand different country's use different systems. So say where you are from for a correct answer.
Make sure you do carry some type of sugar with you at all times and don't let your BS go below 70 to often.
You can always call your doctors office for questions that's what you are paying them for. and you can google "type 2 diabetes" and get some great information webmd.com is my favorite one.
Good Luck

Answer 7

I just found out about two months ago I have diabetes. You are doing an excellent job with your sugar. Are you overweight. I know several people that has dropped to 150-165 and they don't have to take the pills no more. Watching your diet is a start. Really need to start an exercise program though. If you don't watch your diet then you can start loosing limbs. Starts with the toes and works it's way up. (poor circulation). It is good that you are concerned but don't be scared. You are on the right track already. Good Luck!!

Answer 8

Sounds like your diong all the right thigs. Keep up the good work! I am a pharmacist and know a few thigs about type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is usually the ones that have most of the problems you mentioned. It can happen if the diabetes goes uncontrolled. Just don't foget that alcohol contains alot of sugar too. Just be careful and test often.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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