Type 2 Diabetes?

[aTailOf2Kitties]

I was diagnosed Type 2 just over a year ago. It was scary at first because my doctor wasn't very informative, even though it was at a diabetes center. What helped me more than anything was going to a registered dietitian. She helped me to read labels and balance what I ate to control blood sugar spikes and crashes. I was clueless about nutrition before then- I ate like a college student all the time and really really felt terrible while trying to figure it out on my own. Now I am on Metformin but since I lost 30 pounds and am closer to my healthy weight, they are considering cutting back or eliminating the Metformin. The stuff is uber-cheap ($5 with insurance), but i'd still rather not take it. It is well known to cause digestive woes at first. I had some problems when I started taking it, but they took me off of it for 2 weeks and I was sloooowly able to wean myself back on it without any issues.

I got lucky and figured out how to balance my meals to prevent spikes and crashes pretty well, but I know it is harder for some people. It really surprised me how well I did it. I still feel bad on occasion but for the most part I live a normal life, now that I've established an eating routine. I always keep snacks close by and do a little preventative snacking to keep everything stable between meals.

I know its scary at first, but in time it all gets easier, I promise!

[momcat]

I'm type 1. You can find a lot of helpful information through the American Diabetes Association website. Just enter American Diabetes Association then hit search.

[smokey the elder]

November happens to be Diabetes Awareness month. This is nothing to fool around with but can be controlled. Read, read and read some more, find a support group. There are heaps of web sites. Good luck!

[kaycountrygal]

I'm Type 2 and have been for 30 years. I take the max dose of metformin AND insulin at bedtime + I walk 30 minutes every day (3 walks of 10" each when we take the girls out) + I try to eat properly.

For the past few years I've done better eating properly and walking. However, during the first years I didnt do as I should have and I have damage to the nerves in my feet and my eyesight is affected some. Sometimes even now I have trouble sleeping at night because my feet tingle and/or feel cold even though my feet are warm. Every night before I go to bed I soak my feet in warm water and then put on warm socks for sleep.

Years ago I lost alot of weight and my diabetes went away. Yes, it is possible because it happened to me... no meds, no shots. Then guess what? I gained the weight back and the diabetes came back. Even now I am pretty sure if I lost a lot of weight, my diabetes would more than likely correct itself. Losing weight is so much more difficult as you get older... I keep trying though.

If your father hasnt seen a doctor, he should and get diagnosed and get some meds. It might be possible for him to control his diabetes (if he has it) with med and diet and exercise. Good Luck!

[Sowa]

He has seen the doctor. He is waiting for his blood work to come back but he's been checking his own blood for a month or more now and it's been 7+ at the lowest. (4-5 is normal.) I think it got up to 13 or more sometimes. Last time he had his blood glucose test it was like 6.4.

My brother does have type 1, but it's not the same disease at type 2 from what I understand so what he does isn't going to be the same as what my dad does.