Diabetes info?

[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.

[carole]

My mother, father and sister all have type two diabetes, none of them are extremely overweight at all,they could all loose a few pounds or so, but that is about all, my mother was only recently diagnosed, and she has managed to stay off any medication by watching her diet and walking daily, and she is 76 in november.

I am at high risk so i really watch my weight and diet , bit lacking on exercise, but apparently it really does help to do some,even if it is only walking.

You can get taken off medication if you work hard at it, but you will still be considered a diabetic, prevention is really the answer here, we cannot help our genetics, but we can help ourselves by eating well and exercising,so good luck with that, I am sure you will be able to get rid of your medication if you keep at it.,and CONGRATULATIONS on the weight loss, WELL DONE INDEED.

[Prairie Purrs]

Carole, I should have taken better care of myself before now, because I knew that genetics were not on my side. Both of my grandmothers were diabetic. Good for you for being careful about your diet!

I've read about people claiming to be "cured" of diabetes, and I know that just doesn't happen. But I should be able to keep it under control for a very long time, as long as I watch what I eat and keep exercising. The crazy thing is that I'm probably healthier overall now, with diabetes, than I was before I developed it. I've definitely got more strength and stamina now than I had 15 years ago.

[carole]

Good for you, it is never too late, if you keep up with your new regime you should be fine, i am not perfect, but sure is a warning sign when you see all your family with it, scares me enough to keep trying to keep it away , i can only do what i can,it will have to be a lifestyle forever for me too, glad to hear you are feeling so much better, it is hard to stick with the diabetic diet, i know that, but you are doing so well, be proud of yourself and not too hard on yourself, we all learn by our mistakes ,not one of us is perfect, that's for sure, stay well, HUGS.