Diabetes info?

[Prairie Purrs]

Well, a month ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Not a huge surprise, really--family history, suspicious symptoms.

The good news is that the diagnosis was a big 'ol kick in the rear regarding diet and exercise. I'm counting carbs, I go to the gym just about every day, and I'm using about a half-dozen iPhone apps to track what I eat, how much I exercise, and my blood glucose levels. So far, so good--except that my vision turned pretty blurry once my glucose levels started dropping, and my eye doctor says it may not improve that much.

So my question for any fellow diabetics out there is this: are there books or websites that you've found especially helpful and informative? There's almost too much information available, so I'd like to bookmark some reliable sources for news, research, tasty recipes, etc.

Any help is appreciated!

[Freedom]

My Dad was diagnosed with Type 2 when in his 60's. When he moved in with me 8 years ago, I had no info on how to care for him. I would suggest:

1. Join a Support Group. You may have to try a few before you in one where the folks "click" for you. But do it. They can guide you to local resources: the good and no so good doctors, as an example.

2. Find and take the DOE program: Diabetes Outpatient Education. We went through this 3 times, at 3 different locations. You pay and attend, and any family member(s) can attend with you, no charge. As I recall, it is 2 hours per week for 6 weeks, but it has been a while. Medicare pays for it in full; sorry I can't remember if you are on Medicare or not. But regular insurance picks up some / all of the cost as well.

[Prairie Purrs]

Thanks, Sandie! I'll look into support groups. I live in a tiny little town, but I suspect it's large enough to have a support group. This is the midwest, after all--no shortage of diabetics!

I'll see whether I can find a DOE program anywhere nearby. Not on Medicare, though, and I'm not sure whether my insurance would cover it. I'm irritated that I don't have any coverage for test strips, because those things ain't cheap!

[Freedom]

I'm irritated that I don't have any coverage for test strips, because those things ain't cheap!

Yikes!!!! I know there are funding options for that, as Dad has coverage, I never paid attention.

Check with the nearest senior center, they can direct you to a Support Group, and folks in that can help with the strips issues. Oh, the senior center may as well.

[Grace]

Book recommendation - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The...retchen+becker

Takes you through the first year, step by step.

Strips - if you're not yet on Medicare, your insurance company may cover however many your doctor prescribes. Once on Medicare, coverage sucks.

If you're a non-Insulin type, they will allow you one/day.

My mantra for all newly diagnosed is test-test-test. You cannot know how different foods will affect you until/unless you test. You might be surprised at the results.

As Sandie said, a support group or at least an initial ed class is very good.

Back to strips - Medicare will supply me with 100 every 3 months. I test more often than that so buy extra here - http://www.canadadrugs.com/otc/searc...ultra&x=15&y=6

I can get 200 strips for $99.80 - from Canada. That's just 50¢/strip - half of what Medicare will pay. I pay it myself, but it is worth it - for me and my peace of mind.

[Prairie Purrs]

Grace, thank you for the book recommendation! I just bought the Kindle version and will start reading right away.

My insurance doesn't cover the strips at all, and I've been testing three times a day. I'll cut back on that after the levels start looking more stable. Until then, though, it costs me a bundle to buy from the local pharmacies. Looks like the cost from the Canadian site is about half of what I've been paying, so I think I'll be sending them an order.

Thanks to both of you for the excellent information!

[Laura's Babies]

I don't have any links to provide just some real encouragement! We have a guy on the boat that had type 2 diabetes and was on medication for it. He asked me to help him loose some weight and so far he has lost 48 pounds. The last time we were off he went to the doctor for a check up because the doctor wants to keep a eye on his weight loss.. He is NO LONGER TYPE 2 DIABETIC and no longer needs that medication!
You CAN reverse this! Type 2 can be reversed, type 1 can not so the ball is in your hands. You can stop this in it's tracks by learning all you can and eating right. I know you will do it too so GOOD LUCK. I am here to cheer you on and wish you all the luck I can muster from so far away!

Let me leave you with these words.. Portion size, moderation, wisher choices!

(I also have some apps on my iPhone to help this guy and the others that are dieting..)

Here is a good recipe for you if you like the ingredients in it. It is easy to make and ALL my guys love it. For the dieters it satisfies their sweet tooth and the non dieters eat it because it is so good.

Apple Salad
1 quart diced appled (with peelings on)
2 ribs of celery, chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts


Put in a small pot and mix well;

1/2 cup sugar (or Splenda)

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon Vinegar

1 cup water



Bring to a boil and let boil until thickened. Cool this syrup then pour over the apples, celery and walnuts keep refrigerated.

[Prairie Purrs]

Thanks, Laura! Which iPhone apps are you using? And the recipe looks yummy. Do you use white vinegar, or would cider vinegar work?

[Marigold2]

I have it as well. With some lifestyle changes which really are benefical to all you will lead a full and happy life. You need to make exercise a daily routine and watch what you eat, which is what everyone should do. Follow a dr or diabetes teachers diet, you will lose weight and also feel better then you have in a long time.
Best of luck to you. It is not as hard as it seems. Don't keep junk food in the house, that is number one.
Make events about the fun not the food. Eat to live, don't live to eat.
If you take a moment and watch what the average American stuffs in their mouth you will be surprised. Heavy people are so for a reason. Look at what they eat. They don't even realize how much they eat or how many calories they consume in one meal. Often one meal is all the calories they should have in one day. If a person is 100 lbs overweight they are probably eating three times as much as they should in a day in calories that is.
Once you get the diabetes under control you will feel great and be much happier.
A support group is great advice. It will be ok. Life goes on and you will find eating differently to be fun and healthy. I wish you all the best.

[Laura's Babies]

White vinegar..

I have the Ideal weight, go meals and the Resturants... I use the resturants to show them the calories they are getting in fried foods and other thinks that they think are low calorie that are really not.. Mainly the sodas, dips and dressings. They just do not realize how they can ruin a perfectly innocent baked potato or salad or how many calories a soda has.. Or what the lable states as a serving size on anything! They think if it says "lo fat" that it is ok to use a half a bottle of lo fat dressing because it is suppose to be healthier.

Also something else I learned recently is that a glass of lo fat milk has just as much saturtated fats as a small order of french fries. Heard that on the Doctors TV show.

[Prairie Purrs]

Thanks, Marigold! And thanks again, Laura!

One particular challenge for me is to not get too hung up on weight loss as a goal. I've been on many weight-loss diets, but none was sustainable in the long term because (a) I was starving all the time and (b) I would get frustrated and quit because I always stopped losing weight before I reached my goal, no matter how carefully I stuck to the diet.

I think it's possible for me to be quite healthy without being a "perfect" weight, as long as I get a reasonable amount of exercise and watch what I eat. So I'm trying to focus on developing healthy eating habits that don't leave me constantly hungry and exercise routines I can stick with. Whatever weight loss goes along with that is dandy, but I suspect I'll always be on the chubby side.

[caseysmom]

White vinegar..

I have the Ideal weight, go meals and the Resturants... I use the resturants to show them the calories they are getting in fried foods and other thinks that they think are low calorie that are really not.. Mainly the sodas, dips and dressings. They just do not realize how they can ruin a perfectly innocent baked potato or salad or how many calories a soda has.. Or what the lable states as a serving size on anything! They think if it says "lo fat" that it is ok to use a half a bottle of lo fat dressing because it is suppose to be healthier.

Also something else I learned recently is that a glass of lo fat milk has just as much saturtated fats as a small order of french fries. Heard that on the Doctors TV show.

Okay gotta ask...what about white vinegar???

[Prairie Purrs]

Laura's recipe for apple salad--I asked whether it needed white vinegar or cider vinegar.

[caseysmom]

Oh darn I thought maybe it was a weight loss secret

[momcat]

An excellent resource is the American Diabetes Association website. There's a lot of good and reliable advice and updates. That's how I found my endocrinologist. I'm type 1 and an insulin junkie. Feel free to pm me anytime for support and encouragement.