Just told he's a diabetic....?

Question

My boyfriend just found out that his sugar is way to high. His doctor doesn't seem like he's really sure of what he's doing. He gave my boyfriend 2 weeks to drop a few pounds and change his eating habits or he will be put on medication. He didn't give him a meter to check to see if it's coming down. He also told him to avoid beer but other alocholic beverages have sugar and carbs so why wouldn't he tell him not to have those as well? He also has sugar in his urine and his blood sugars were well over 500 but no pills were given to him to help bring it down. Since he's only offering weight loss at this time as a cure all can anyone suggest things he can eat to bring it down. I've changed his diet by reducing his carbs and sugar. Now he's feeling depressed and saying he doesn't care because things he's use to is being taken from him.

Answer 1

The first thing to determine is what type of diabetes your boyfriend’s doctor thinks he has. I might in infer the doctor’s diagnostic is Diabetes Type II.

Diabetes Type II is more common in older people (lets say over 40) and basically the pancreas is producing bad quality or not enough insulin. Since your boyfriend pancreas is not working well, changing eating habits (no simple sugar and low carb diet for example) and exercise can help or be the way to control diabetes for some time. Eventually he will be medicated, but that time depends on the quality of life he decides to live.

A good diet will give the "lazy/scarce" insulin less glucose to "work" on and exercise will actually do the "work" for insulin, burning the glucose, therefore possibly giving more time without medication (pills). Obviously, this demands an extra disciplined life FOREVER or until they find a cure.

Diabetes type I (called sometimes juvenile diabetes since it is commonly detected in people under 30y) in non-medical terms, is when your pancreas is not producing insulin and therefore you have to have insulin shots to replace it. In this case, exercise and food will help to lower your insulin fix, but they are not a solution by themselves, from day 1 you will need the medication to control the blood sugar.

You should ask the doctor to confirm/determine what type of diabetes your boyfriend has. If your boyfriend has overweight and more than 35-40 he might have type II. If he is younger and in normal weight better double check to see if he needs insulin shots right away.

Once the treatment is determined (with the type of diabetes, rather shots or pills) your boyfriend will learn how to live with the condition. The treatment is pure math, the more "bad" things you eat, the more insulin you need to inject in your system to have control. The more fit you are, the more indulgences you can commit without risking your future health. Diabetes demands living a good life, eating good stuff and exercising regularly.

The best way to bring down glucose is exercise. A 30 minute walk (but really walking at good pace) will do the trick. You will notice if the exercise is working if you touch your forearm from time to time and notice it is getting colder.

In basic terms, diabetes is not the end of the world. Now-a-days everything is sweetened with Splenda, Equal, or similar from iced tea to Coke, from cookies to chocolates. You will learn that if you want those 6-8 slices of pizza you are used to eat you will have to make an EXTRA effort: EXCERCISE them out immediately!, or (not recommended) add an extra dose of your medication or the best option but hardest... try to reduce to 1-2 slices.

Once your diabetes is controlled, you learn what things raise your sugar levels, what things don’t, when to exercise to level your glucose, etc. For me diabetes is about control: You have the control on diabetes, not diabetes on you.

After diabetes life won’t be the same anymore... depends on how you handle it, you could start living a healthier and better life (with some "treats" of your old life from time to time!)

Answer 2

I'm a 45 year old woman and was recently diagnosed as being a borderline diabetic. My doctor prescribed some medication, but before filling it I decided to do some research on the internet which led me to the methods. After reading this ebook and applying the methods, my scepticism turned to 100% belief. I noticed that my energy levels increased significantly and I felt more rested in the morning, my symptoms started going away.

I am very happy to tell you that I have been feeling better than I have felt in years and my doctor informed me that he will be taking me off my prescriptions if I keep this up.

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 3

Well here's the thing...First I would have to know if he has diabetes mellitus 1 or 2, I'm assuming at this point because he is on no meds for the time being it is diabetes mellitus 1. Your best bet is to go to Webmd.com and access their information because if anyone were to give you improper or incorrect advice your boyfriend could suffer. So try that first okay hon?

Having said that I remember my Grandma was diabetic and really bad at one point but with proper diet (again look to the Diabetes Society, Webmd.com and places that have ABSOLUTE facts, not just conjecture) she was able to control it with out any pills. Also my Uncle Art, who is very fond of his beer and a couple shot's of rye, has diabetes and he is managing well on medication (Diabeta & Glucophage). I do know that there are a couple of different med's you can be on Diabeta(Glyburide) and Glucophage (Metformin) for this disease that do tend to keep it under control in many people, once the person has been monitored on a meter to check his blood sugar levels regularly....however, I would definitely check Webmd.com for information, as they also list meter's that have been recalled for whatever reason, and suggest some that are tried and proven, so you won't have to worry too much....also I would look into a meter that doesn't test on his finger's but instead on his forearm (from my experience this is much less painful especially since the person will have to check his blood a few times a day for optimum results)

I understand he is feeling depressed, who wouldn't be? However, I know from my personal experience from my Grandma, and from my Uncle that you CAN have the things you like (in moderation) and still live a healthy vital life, so try to get some info from the Diabetes Society, or Webmd.com as soon as you can, just to calm his fears about not being able to have what he want's okay??

I hope that this helps some hon and I wish you and your boyfriend the best of luck with this!

take care of each other!

pusscat

Answer 4

Sounds like you need to swich doctors.
If your doctor has not prescribed a Gloucometer, you need to go a pharmacy and buy one anyways.
Diet and exersize can and will help lower/control a Type 2's blood sugar levels. He needs to try and cut down on carbs and refined sugars like, bread, pasta, and candy bars. Sadly this does include alot of people's food like, pizza and pasta.... even baked potatos.
Avoiding all alcholic beverages is a good idea for all diabetics. They make bloodsugar more un predictable and increse the changes for more complications. Luckily for your boy friend Type 2 Diabetes is easily controlled once you've got the hang of it. Once he looses a little weight, and his sugars come back under control he will feel 10 times better. Getting discouraged is easy with this type of thing. Praise him and encourage him to keep going. Diabetes is a very hard thing to live with. Just remember, Type 2 can be nearly, or fully reversed if he works lard and long with it. good luck

Answer 5

First of all, I know where he is coming from with his new diet. I am a Type 1 Diabetic, but If he is over weight then he does need to lose some weight because that will definately lower his glucose levels by making his cells less resistant to the Insulin he produces. But it does sound to me like he needs to see a new doctor to help him come up with ways to lower his glucose in the mean time. Diet and excercise help tremendously with lowering glucose levels. Just an hour of walking can make a world of difference. For now (I am not an MD) I would just suggest that he try and eat more healthy foods and excercise. I hope this helped you.

Answer 6

My suggestion would be for him to see another Dr. He really needs to be checked out by an endocrinologist. My Mom was diabetic and her Dr. would never refer her to see another Dr. (she had HMO). She did not do well and we lost her at a very young age. If your boyfriend's insurance plan will let him see who he wishes, make him an appointment now. If he is spilling sugar and has over 500 count sugar levels he needs to be on meds, also a good endo Dr. will set him up with a nutritionist where they will help with his diet needs. He doesn't have to give up all the things he likes, he can still have smaller portions. Good Luck and he is Lucky to have someone like you.

Answer 7

It's certainly tough to suddenly lose all those wonderful things. But he will get used to not having them. For his health and longevity, he needs to follow the doctor's orders to the letter. Have him eat lots of healthy foods, no snacking between meals (he can chew sugarless gum if necessary) and avoid alcohol. If he can get the weight down, there's a chance he could avoid taking pills or shots. It IS tough.... I know it is. But it can be done.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Hi
I have been a diabetic for 22 years and just found this website about 3months ago. This is a great website for diabetics.
http://www.diabetesforums.com/

Answer 9

I don't know if this helps but if you could have him drink some bitter gourd juice, it'll help a lot...

Answer 10

He will get used to it and live longer.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007