Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Mar 22, 2017 14:37:10 GMT
My dr's office just called and said my blood work shows I have diabetes. My a1c was 8 point something, I can't remember, I was/am pretty upset. She is starting me on 500 MG of Metformin and then I have to double that after a week. Either that, or I start with 250 MG and then it goes up to 500. Again, I was upset, might not have caught it.
If I can get my weight and diet and exercise to a better place, is there any chance I can move off medication? Or am I just stuck here? I know very little about diabetes and I don't think Dr. Google is a good idea right now.
If you have anything hopeful or encouraging to say, I could use it. I can't reach my husband or my mom, and I just feel so ashamed and guilty that I brought this on myself.
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Post by malibou on Mar 22, 2017 14:42:09 GMT
I don't have any advice, but there is no doubt you've got this handled. I can imagine you are feeling overwhelmed, but once you've talked with some people I bet it will all be clearer and you will be able to make a plan.
Got you tucked up safely in my thoughts.
J
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Post by Zee on Mar 22, 2017 14:44:33 GMT
Yes, there is a very good chance that you can reduce or even no longer need the medication if you lose weight and exercise regularly.
You need a diabetes teaching class. Your local hospital should have a diabetic educator you can contact, or group classes or seminars. Meeting with a dietitian is also highly recommended. Ask your doctor about those referrals.
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Post by bc2ca on Mar 22, 2017 14:46:02 GMT
{{{hugs}}} A number of DH's family have diabetes and a couple have been very successful at making the lifestyle changes to keep their BG levels under control and stay off medication.
Don't beat yourself up. Hopefully your doctor will refer you to a nutritionist and diabetes education program. I know there are many others here that can give you good specific sites to get information.
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Post by miominmio on Mar 22, 2017 14:46:37 GMT
My dad and mom both have type 2, and none of them need medication after making changes to their diets. Weird thing is, both of them are slim, but they still got diabetes.
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sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,050
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
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Post by sueg on Mar 22, 2017 14:50:38 GMT
Mystie - I hope you are going in to see your doctor, and getting clear and full instructions. Take a list of questions with you, and a notebook to jot down any important information. When I was first diagnosed, I was sent to a diabetes clinic here, and they ran information sessions on diet and exercise, as well as showing us how to use the blood sugar device. Ask if there is something like that offered near you. My doctor has said that he believes if I were to lose 10-15kg, I would get off Metformin, and I know people like my brother who have been able to do this. Just know that it is much harder to lose weight when you have T2 diabetes, so don't get disouraged if it takes time. In my case, diet is not helping with weight loss - I need to add more exercise, but everyone will be different. Also, don't feel ashamed or embarrassed about this. While it is true that sometimes our lifestyle choices don't help, there are other factors, like genetics that factor in. In my case, I have 2 parents who both developed it, so the odds were never in my favour. I also had big babies (in the 9-10lb range), which is said to be a predictor of future sugar issues. When I had my babies, I was not at all overweight, which adds to my belief that I have a strong genetic predisposition. Not that it excuses me from eating and exercising right, just that it was always going to be harder.
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Post by jemali on Mar 22, 2017 14:52:05 GMT
Nothing to be ashamed of. You can definitely improve your numbers by changing your diet and exercising. My husband has Type II Diabetes, when he was diagnosed his A1C was over 11. He is happy to just take drugs and doesn't make hardly any effort to watch what he eats and does not exercise. He just says "I shouldn't be eating this.." Very frustrating to me. We took a 3 part class that was very helpful about diabetes. Effects of diet, exercise, what to eat, etc. Good Luck!
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Post by pondrunner on Mar 22, 2017 14:56:24 GMT
Metformin helped, but diet and exercise were more important for me long term. I got off metformin and have a normal A1C but need to limit starchy carbs and refined foods esp sugar, and I need 45-60 minutes of exercise most days
Whole food diet and walking was my solution, I recommend working with your doc to find yours. I couldn't tolerate metformin long term because of lower GI issues so I was excited to discontinue it.
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Post by kellybelly77 on Mar 22, 2017 14:58:28 GMT
I just wanted to add that my FIL took an education class that he found immensely helpful. Also, check with your insurance company. A lot of them have an education person or disease management program that you can work with. I know our plan does and several employees have reported to me that it is very helpful. They find you resources and classes in your area, they provide lots of info on weight loss and nutrition and they even offer gym memberships.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Mar 22, 2017 15:04:05 GMT
Yes, there is a very good chance that you can reduce or even no longer need the medication if you lose weight and exercise regularly. You need a diabetes teaching class. Your local hospital should have a diabetic educator you can contact, or group classes or seminars. Meeting with a dietitian is also highly recommended. Ask your doctor about those referrals. Thank you, yes, they are referring me to a teaching class. And I will ask for a referral to a dietician, too.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Mar 22, 2017 15:05:52 GMT
Nothing to be ashamed of. You can definitely improve your numbers by changing your diet and exercising. My husband has Type II Diabetes, when he was diagnosed his A1C was over 11. He is happy to just take drugs and doesn't make hardly any effort to watch what he eats and does not exercise. He just says "I shouldn't be eating this.." Very frustrating to me. We took a 3 part class that was very helpful about diabetes. Effects of diet, exercise, what to eat, etc. Good Luck! See, I do not want to be like that! If anything, it would not fair to my husband. I feel like I need to do all I can now.
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Post by Really Red on Mar 22, 2017 15:06:00 GMT
My dad had it and changed his diet and lost quite a bit of weight (25 lbs?) and was fine after. I'm sorry. I worry about it, too.
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 22, 2017 15:13:45 GMT
My dr's office just called and said my blood work shows I have diabetes. My a1c was 8 point something, I can't remember, I was/am pretty upset. She is starting me on 500 MG of Metformin and then I have to double that after a week. Either that, or I start with 250 MG and then it goes up to 500. Again, I was upset, might not have caught it. If I can get my weight and diet and exercise to a better place, is there any chance I can move off medication? Or am I just stuck here? I know very little about diabetes and I don't think Dr. Google is a good idea right now. If you have anything hopeful or encouraging to say, I could use it. I can't reach my husband or my mom, and I just feel so ashamed and guilty that I brought this on myself. Do you remember TabVA from Kathy M.'s original scrapbook board? We're still in touch regularly and she totally got her diabetes under control from diet and losing weight. She's my inspiration at the moment because my a1c was a bit high last time I was at the doctor, but still in the "pre-diabetes" stage. So you can do it!
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Post by pb on Mar 22, 2017 15:19:44 GMT
Take the diabetes education class but remember the info in some of those classes can be overwhelming.
See a dietician for some one on one counseling - best thing I did for myself a few years ago. I recommend a dietician over a nutritionist but my nutrfriend would disagree.
Get a food and exercise app for your phone and a food scale.
Find a group of people that can help serve has an accountability group
Start exercising slowly and build up. If you get injured find some way around it - low impact etc even videos for exercising in a chair.
I was only diagnosed as a pre-diabetic and within six months of a healthy diet, measuring food, being accountable, and exercising I was able to lower my numbers so I am now clear. Now I just have to keep at it to maintain those levels.
One last thing, don't forget to work on calming, mindful, spiritual, etc. aspect. Meditation, prayer, gratitude journal...what ever floats your boat. It is also a key part.
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Post by annabella on Mar 22, 2017 15:28:48 GMT
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Mar 22, 2017 15:34:30 GMT
If I can get my weight and diet and exercise to a better place, is there any chance I can move off medication? Or am I just stuck here? My husband's aunt found herself in the exact same position almost two years ago. She has a strong family history, was overweight, smokes, and never exercises. I honestly never thought she would do what was needed to get back off the meds. But she proved us wrong. She got serious - very serious - about her diet, lost a bunch of weight, and managed to first get the meds reduced and then finally eliminated. I'm really proud of her. She never stopped smoking or started exercising, but still got off the meds. I can only imagine the good she would do for herself if she went for the whole package.
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scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,032
Jun 26, 2014 19:29:07 GMT
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Post by scrappyesq on Mar 22, 2017 15:34:41 GMT
I definitely think diet and exercise can make a huge difference. I was pre diabetic two years ago. I immediately changed my diet, started exercising and meeting with a nutritionist regularly. Within a few months there was a noticeable difference in my numbers. I think the dietician and increasing your activities is the right way to go.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 22, 2017 16:09:51 GMT
I had gestational diabetes and I'm at a higher risk of developing type 2 if I don't watch my weight and get exercise. What you eat when makes a difference too, at least it did for me when I was pregnant. I've changed up what I eat for different meals based on how my body reacts to the carbs and that meant I was able to control it with diet and didn't have to be on meds. Instead of eating the high fiber, high carb cereal I like in the morning, I would eat something with low carbs and more protein then and save the cereal for lunch when I could tolerate that carb load better. Simple things like when you eat the bulk of your carbs and what you pair them with can make a world of difference.
You'll probably get a bunch of information and lists of recommended foods with serving sizes, and all of that will help you to make good choices going forward. You probably can still have all of the things you love, you just have to watch when you have them and portion sizes. I have a friend managing type 2 successfully and she still eats chocolate daily and drinks red wine, so it's all in how you budget your carbs. Good luck, you can do this!
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Post by beebee on Mar 22, 2017 16:30:05 GMT
While I have Type I, my father has Type 2. He has had it for probably 25 years. He was overweight when he was diagnosed and had to start out on injections. He lost a ton of weight and was able to move from injections to oral. And then he was able to stop oral for a number of years. He has maintained his weight all these years but just recently he had to start oral meds again. Don't let this get you down. It is just going to be a life adjustment.
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Post by KB on Mar 22, 2017 16:35:05 GMT
You totally can get it under control, don't be discouraged! My dad was diagnosed with diabetes. He changed his eating & exercise habits; lost 80-100 pounds and is now completely off any diabetes medicine. Best of luck
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Post by annie on Mar 22, 2017 17:10:49 GMT
You totally can get it under control, don't be discouraged! My dad was diagnosed with diabetes. He changed his eating & exercise habits; lost 80-100 pounds and is now completely off any diabetes medicine. Best of luck I was about to type the same thing. My dad was diagnosed but refused to go on meds. Said he wanted a chance to try to keep things under control by losing weight and changing his diet first. It worked! I am so proud of him. You can do this! Good luck!
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Post by anniefb on Mar 22, 2017 17:54:52 GMT
2 friends of mine were able to come off medication by making changes to diet and exercising more.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Mar 22, 2017 19:08:34 GMT
THANK YOU ALL. You guys are seriously talking me off the ledge, LOL. Thank you!!!
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mlana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,523
Jun 27, 2014 19:58:15 GMT
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Post by mlana on Mar 22, 2017 20:08:26 GMT
My DH let his diabetes go uncontrolled for years. His drs told him several times that if he got his diet and weight under control, he would stand a good chance of not being diabetic anymore. He didn't listen until his health got really, really bad. After he'd had a stroke and I got really involved in managing his diet, exercise and meds, his diabetes has become significantly less problematic. He's lost 40+ lbs, eats carefully, and now just takes 1 med for the diabetes. His A1Cs were in the 5s until his endocrinologist recommended that he bring his morning bs up to between 120 and 150 and his A1Cs to the mid 6s.
I have crossed over into diabetes three times by very thin margins. The first time ended when I gave birth, the second when I lost some weight from taking Metformin. I was just diagnosed diabetic again last week. My A1C has been 6.4 for the past 2 years, but last week it went to 6.7. I'm going tomorrow for more testing, which I expect to have problems with. The dr will probably want to start me on Metformin, but I am going to try to get him to use something else. Metformin makes me nauseous and gives me other problems. Given that I am already on a medicine that messes my stomach up and have diverticulitis, cause and diarrhea are not good things for me to have for an extended period of time. Given that I can't hold anything down when I take it, it works as a weight loss drug for me; DH didn't have this reaction at all.
In the past 2 years, I have managed to bring my cholesterol under control without meds. I expect to do the same with the diabetes.
Marcy
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Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486
Location: Big Sky Country
Jun 25, 2014 20:32:35 GMT
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Post by Montannie on Mar 22, 2017 20:16:36 GMT
I have an employee who was diagnosed with T2 after another employee found him passed out in the bathroom. He lost a lot of weight (surgery) and maintains with a smart diet and lots of exercise. He feels wonderful, and was able to get off the medication.
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Post by berty on Mar 22, 2017 20:33:45 GMT
I didn't read any other replies yet, but...I just got back from going with my mom to a meeting with a nutritionist about her diabetes. The nutritionist said it is a disease. Your body is not functioning correctly. Sure, diet and exercise can help control it, but your body is sick. She also said not to forget the genetic component. The dietician herself was very thin, yet she said her father has diabetes and she herself has numbers that are getting in the pre-diabetic range. So, don't blame yourself.
As for moving forward, I suggest getting into a diabetes education class and meeting with a nutritionist. Both have helped my Mom a lot. I'd also look into meeting with an endocrinologist down the line. Also, try not to panic. ( I know, easier said than done.) As with any diagnosis, it can be scary. Give yourself some time to deal with it, and be kind to yourself. Good luck!
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Post by stampinbetsy on Mar 22, 2017 20:54:37 GMT
I was recently diagnosed, and 3 months on medication made a big difference. I have been working on my diet, and need to get more exercise in than I do.
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 3:28:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2017 21:02:11 GMT
It is possible for many people to control type 2 with diet and exercise. Do try!! If you can it is great. But, there are also a number of people who can't. If you end up being one who doesn't respond enough to life changes don't beat yourself up. How helpful lifestyle changes are is a part of why you have diabetes in the first place. It isn't a simply as always being related to weight! This is some helpful information on what is currently known about causes of diabetes. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797383/table/T1/ In the early stages of mine lifestyle changes helped. But, I also have an autoimmune issue that is apparently killing off my beta cells that produce insulin. My doctor and I are looking at the reality of being insulin dependent soon.
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Post by peasapie on Mar 22, 2017 21:10:00 GMT
My friend told me her diagnosis was an opportunity to make changes in diet and exercise that have probably extended her life. She only needed medication for six months and is now a very careful eater and exercises regularly.
I cut out almost all sugar and bread last November. It wasn't nearly as hard as I'd expected, and I lost 15 lbs along the way. I'm not diabetic, but my cholesterol is high (even still) so I'm trying hard to do what I can. You're not alone. Heres to your good health!
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 3:28:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2017 21:12:54 GMT
Yes, there is a very good chance that you can reduce or even no longer need the medication if you lose weight and exercise regularly. You need a diabetes teaching class. Your local hospital should have a diabetic educator you can contact, or group classes or seminars. Meeting with a dietitian is also highly recommended. Ask your doctor about those referrals. No shame.
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