O/T Diabetes

[Durlston]

After a couple of blood tests last week my doctor thinks I'm diabetic after a blood/sugar level of 6.8 (3.2 - 6 is normal) and am booked into the hospital next week. Whether it's type 1 (having to inject insulin) or type 2 (more common and a careful diet followed) I'm not sure. I went to my doctors because I seem to feel extremely tired one day and ok the next, also there's far too much sugar in my diet.

I was wondering how people on NSC with diabetes cope with either type 1 or 2? The thought of possibly having to inject insulin every day worries me as I don't know how to do that safely as I might hit an artery.

There's so much to learn about diabetes and it's all a bit overwhelming at the moment. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Acker79]

I work with a lot of type two diabetics, and it's quite easy to manager since so many products have sugar free varieties, you'll just need to get used to the taste in some of them (I personally notice the difference with, say, sugarfree lemonade, but not with sugarfree gum), that would be hard for me.

One of my old friends from school was an insulin-dependant diabetic, and I think if you do go that route, you'll get used to the injections pretty quickly.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Russ injects 5 or 6 times a day , its something you get used to after a while because you adapt to the situation. He was diagnosed with type 1 when he was 10.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

After a couple of blood tests last week my doctor thinks I'm diabetic after a blood/sugar level of 6.8 (3.2 - 6 is normal) and am booked into the hospital next week. Whether it's type 1 (having to inject insulin) or type 2 (more common and a careful diet followed) I'm not sure. I went to my doctors because I seem to feel extremely tired one day and ok the next, also there's far too much sugar in my diet.

I was wondering how people on NSC with diabetes cope with either type 1 or 2? The thought of possibly having to inject insulin every day worries me as I don't know how to do that safely as I might hit an artery.

There's so much to learn about diabetes and it's all a bit overwhelming at the moment. Any help would be much appreciated.

I inject myself, not for diabetes and only once a week at the moment - but it's no problem at all. Much more in the head than actually doing it. The needles I have are so fine, sometimes I don't know when it's in. I suspect if you have to do it, it is something you'll get used to v.quickly (hope you don't have to, mind).

 

[Magic Sponge]

I'm type 2 and manage to control it by taking tablets each day. I have been advised to keep levels between 4 and 6 even though i'm told between 4 and 8 can be normal.
They say you should not go under 4 ( under four hit the floor ). When I was diagnosed I was 18.8 but average 6-8 now, my target is to be 6.5.
Yes it's a pain having to give up a few things but the odd treat here and there doesn't hurt.

 

[trueblue]

My mate's been using the insulin pen for years and it hasn't affected his life substantially. So very controllable which is not the same as saying don't take it seriously - potentially very nasty but fine if you follow doctor's advice.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I went to my doctors because I seem to feel extremely tired one day and ok the next, also there's far too much sugar in my diet.

Does make you wonder how many people in this country are walking about as undiagnosed diabetics. Must run into millions IMHO.

 

[Greek Seagull]

My first post!

I am Type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed 5 years ago. To be honest 6.8 doesn't sound too bad. I've always been told that my sugar levels should be between 4-7.

However, the jabs themselves aren't a problem. I inject 4 times per day. It rarely hurts, unless you hit a spot you've injected before! it's more the inconvenience of having to regularly test your sugar levels and take the insulin, testing kit and pen with you everywhere you go!

 

[nomoremithras4me]

Type 2 diet controlled for me. Check this place out; Welcome to Sugar Free Megastore | Sugar Free Megastore. Quality shop, dont eat too much in one go though, you will defo end up with the two bob bits

 

[glasfryn]

After a couple of blood tests last week my doctor thinks I'm diabetic after a blood/sugar level of 6.8 (3.2 - 6 is normal) and am booked into the hospital next week. Whether it's type 1 (having to inject insulin) or type 2 (more common and a careful diet followed) I'm not sure. I went to my doctors because I seem to feel extremely tired one day and ok the next, also there's far too much sugar in my diet.

I was wondering how people on NSC with diabetes cope with either type 1 or 2? The thought of possibly having to inject insulin every day worries me as I don't know how to do that safely as I might hit an artery.

There's so much to learn about diabetes and it's all a bit overwhelming at the moment. Any help would be much appreciated.

I have been type2 for about 25 years now, I take Metformin,I diet and inject my profile is at about 8.5 and I am comfortable at that.
at 3.5 I would be heading for hypo everyone is different my very stupid consultant wanted to get my profile down(makes their figures look good) and put me on Glicacide (sp) as well and the following day I had a hypo at 1.2 and damn near croaked
you have to do what you are comfortable with if I want a mars bar then I have one and adjust my diet for the rest of the day I inject at night (in the stomach) and since I have been doing that my blood sugar has been reasonable.
I very rarely eat any sugar free food and now even have nothing on corn flakes or in tea or coffee.
watch your weight as that can lead to complications look after your feet and eyes and if you want advice speak to the diabetic nurse as they have seen it all and can be your best friend in a panic
read food labels
good luck.

 

[Durlston]

My first post!

I am Type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed 5 years ago. To be honest 6.8 doesn't sound too bad. I've always been told that my sugar levels should be between 4-7.

However, the jabs themselves aren't a problem. I inject 4 times per day. It rarely hurts, unless you hit a spot you've injected before! it's more the inconvenience of having to regularly test your sugar levels and take the insulin, testing kit and pen with you everywhere you go!

Your first post and you've been on NSC nearly three years! That's really good of you and means a lot for you to talk about your type 1 diabetes mate.

As long as I start to feel better and not exhausted every other day then I'll have to get used to injecting and learn about diabetes thoroughly. I'll probably give up or cut down on smoking, sweets and chocolate as well.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I have been type2 for about 25 years now, I take Metformin,I diet and inject my profile is at about 8.5 and I am comfortable at that.
at 3.5 I would be heading for hypo everyone is different my very stupid consultant wanted to get my profile down(makes their figures look good) and put me on Glicacide (sp) as well and the following day I had a hypo at 1.2 and damn near croaked
you have to do what you are comfortable with if I want a mars bar then I have one and adjust my diet for the rest of the day I inject at night (in the stomach) and since I have been doing that my blood sugar has been reasonable.
I very rarely eat any sugar free food and now even have nothing on corn flakes or in tea or coffee.
watch your weight as that can lead to complications look after your feet and eyes and if you want advice speak to the diabetic nurse as they have seen it all and can be your best friend in a panic
read food labels
good luck.

I must say, even though I suffer from a different condition, specialist nurses are in my experience, great. They are readily accessible, not remote like doctors, and acutally tell you stuff. When I was first assigned one, first thing she did was give me all her contact details, including pager, and said to call whenever I wanted. You won't get a doctor doing that.

 

[Durlston]

Type 2 diet controlled for me. Check this place out; Welcome to Sugar Free Megastore | Sugar Free Megastore. Quality shop, dont eat too much in one go though, you will defo end up with the two bob bits

Thanks for that link, nomoremithras4me.

 

[hastings]

My first post!

I am Type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed 5 years ago. To be honest 6.8 doesn't sound too bad. I've always been told that my sugar levels should be between 4-7.

However, the jabs themselves aren't a problem. I inject 4 times per day. It rarely hurts, unless you hit a spot you've injected before! it's more the inconvenience of having to regularly test your sugar levels and take the insulin, testing kit and pen with you everywhere you go!

I couldnt have written that better myself. All accurate to the very last word. Had mine nearly 10 years now and i still do practically everything i did before.

 

[Durlston]

I have been type2 for about 25 years now, I take Metformin,I diet and inject my profile is at about 8.5 and I am comfortable at that.
at 3.5 I would be heading for hypo everyone is different my very stupid consultant wanted to get my profile down(makes their figures look good) and put me on Glicacide (sp) as well and the following day I had a hypo at 1.2 and damn near croaked
you have to do what you are comfortable with if I want a mars bar then I have one and adjust my diet for the rest of the day I inject at night (in the stomach) and since I have been doing that my blood sugar has been reasonable.
I very rarely eat any sugar free food and now even have nothing on corn flakes or in tea or coffee.
watch your weight as that can lead to complications look after your feet and eyes and if you want advice speak to the diabetic nurse as they have seen it all and can be your best friend in a panic
read food labels
good luck.

Cheers glasfryn. I'll make a note of those medications and see how I react to those if they're suggested by the doc.

 

[manilaseagull]

I have been on Metformin for a year now I only test weekly....my bloods are now average around 5....before diagnosis I was 9-11

I have been on a DESMOND course , and although I have cut down on booze a lot, it dont hurt to have a few beers a week,

basically it is anything in moderation....BUT dont drink full fat coke/soft drinks when diet is available....

 

[Matrix10]

I was diagnosed about a month ago with type 2. Apart from an initial meeting with the practice diabetic nurse I have been surprised that I have not had any further tests as yet. I am signed up for a two day course next week at Bexhill Hospital, where I assume they are going to teach me how to be a good diabetic!!!
Apparently I have probably had this for some time, maybe even years, the thirst symptoms started about 3 or 4 months ago, but I ignored this as on a trip to the dentist six months ago, she said I had a slight gum infection and advised Cordosyl Toothpaste which is very salty, and I had assumed that it was this that was making me thirsty, however I gave this toothpaste a rest, but found the thirst did not diminish.
I understand that the main problem with diabeties is you can go blind and your legs drop off

 

[Mileoakman]

I've been a type 2 diabetic for about 15 years. Up until last year I just took metformin and a sensible diet but I'm now on a once a day injection as well. I can't say its a particular problem for me. I suppose you get used to adjusting your intakes of food/drink over a time and obviously I'm now a diet coke man rather than the full fat variety. If you like a drink its probably best to try and switch from beer to spirits such as whisky as I find that has very little affect on my blood sugars, (obviously only diet mixers if you need one).

The normal range you should aim for before meals is 4 to 7 but a little above or below every now and again is fine. Injecting if and when you have to is no bother and almost always completely pain free so don't worry about it.

Incidently I find that watching the Albion, believe it or not, has a rather unfortunate side effect on my diabetes. Even though I don't eat or drink before or during a game, I find my blood sugars shoot up to double figures if I test straight after a game when I get home. Apparently this is due to the release of adrenalin which causes blood sugars to rise so gawd knows what mine was like after the Palarse game! My diabetic nurse says its not a problem as its only an infrquent occurance and soon drops back to normal after an hour or two. You will find a cold or virus will also have the same effect as well.

Anyway good luck. If you can keep your carbohydrates down, (i.e. less bread, rice, pasta, etc), you will find this will also help you keep much lower levels.

 

[Durlston]

Incidently I find that watching the Albion, believe it or not, has a rather unfortunate side effect on my diabetes. Even though I don't eat or drink before or during a game, I find my blood sugars shoot up to double figures if I test straight after a game when I get home. Apparently this is due to the release of adrenalin which causes blood sugars to rise so gawd knows what mine was like after the Palarse game! My diabetic nurse says its not a problem as its only an infrquent occurance and soon drops back to normal after an hour or two. You will find a cold or virus will also have the same effect as well.

Anyway good luck. If you can keep your carbohydrates down, (i.e. less bread, rice, pasta, etc), you will find this will also help you keep much lower levels.

A couple of weeks ago I had a large bet on a snooker match and it was agony following the score as the player I backed snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Afterwards I didn't feel well at all, went pale, sweated like hell, dizzy and threw up. I knew something was badly wrong and had to go to the doctors. It wouldn't be much of a life without football/sport or betting though! I read that carbohydrates were fine to have and it was just sugar and fat to be very careful of. Everybody's different though.

Matrix 10, I've always had to drink a lot and don't need to urinate much especially in hot weather so I might have had diabetes a fair while similar to you.

 

[HovaGirl]

A couple of weeks ago I had a large bet on a snooker match and it was agony following the score as the player I backed snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Afterwards I didn't feel well at all, went pale, sweated like hell, dizzy and threw up. I knew something was badly wrong and had to go to the doctors. It wouldn't be much of a life without football/sport or betting though! I read that carbohydrates were fine to have and it was just sugar and fat to be very careful of. Everybody's different though.

Matrix 10, I've always had to drink a lot and don't need to urinate much especially in hot weather so I might have had diabetes a fair while similar to you.

The body turns carbohydrates into sugar so you need to be very careful about what carbs you eat. There are "good" carbs and "bad" carbs. The "good" carbs are turned to sugar more slowly than the "bad" carbs. A "bad" carb might include white bread or rice, but a "good" carb might include wholemeal bread or even fruit. And beware, grapes and oranges contain natural sugars, but for diabetics, they are fast-acting, meaning they raise your sugar levels more quickly than do cherries, which are the best fruit for diabetics. Everyone's blood sugar levels rise after they have eaten, the problem with diabetics is how quickly they fall. I would GUESS you are a Type II diabetic, because your numbers are not that high, but wait for your diagnosis. If you are Type II, you may not take any medication whatsoever, if you are able to control your diabetes through diet and exercise. Giving up smoking would be a good idea, though there is the tendency to eat more, so you need to be careful. (Mr Hova was borderline for 20 years but was diagnosed as Type II 10 years ago. He started with diet, then some of the drugs people here have mentioned, and now injects before every meal, usually in the leg. It doesn't hurt, except on occasion. A teenage relative was diagnosed as Type I, when his numbers were off the scale, about 30.) Good luck.