Question:
Hello... I'm 47 yrs old and up to last month I hadn't been to a doctor in16 years... Five years ago or so I begin losing weight rather rapidly without really doing anything to foster that weight loss. I went from 270 Lbs on a 5'10" frame to around 217 Lbs. within a 3 month period...and did not gain it back despite being extremely inactive and not neccesarily watching my diet(I did stop eating all types of fast foods for financial reasons)... That did not phaze me at all;I took it as a blessing.... Then about 3 years ago I begin noticing that my feet semed to feel burning all the time;and swollen when I wore shoes;they felt like I was wearing 10 pairs of socks..Again,being the procrastinating human I tend to be I did not have that checked out..I blamed it on wearing the same pair of shoes almost everyday and the fact that I spent most of my time sitting in front of a computer or the TV set... Then about a year or so ago I noted that I could no longer walk more than a few hundred feet without my feet feeling tender and numb..specially in the soles of my feet. I could barely stand up on my feet for more than 5 minutes without a sense of discomfort in my lower extremities;like a numbness in my calves and a sense that my knees are locked up and that I may lose my balance at any moment...I also can't walk barefoot on thefloor without the same sensation of numbness and tenderness all over my feet including soles and toes and partially on my shins.. I blamed it all on inactivity and laziness.I used to walk up to 7 miles every day in the early 80's when I lost 80 Lbs. or so;and I figured that the foot and leg problems were the result of me sitting down all day every day... The skin on my feet seems very thin and shiny,and my toes look like they are shrinking and deforming... I also have to add that I've been depressed for most of my life and the last 5 years or so have been terrible;feeling isolated;unable to enjoy things,etc..classic depression symptoms.Im also a heavy smoker..over 2 packs a day. I self-diagnosed my leg condition as intermittent claudication(a form of vascular disease) and as having symptoms of advanced neuropathy, Diabetes never crossed my mind....Though I know it runs in my family..I have 2 cousins with Diabetes 1;and my mother had Mellitus,though she was never diagnosed until she had a stroke at age 76 and laid in a coma for 3 months and her feet rotted away like bananas in the sun with open sores..a horrible sight to see... So In november out of the blue I decided to visit a Doctor for the first time in 16 years and had my blood tested...I had a glucose count of 177 when my blood was drawn after a 12 hour fast...confirming full-blown diabetes...My cholesterol level was 186 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 115 and my blood pressure is sky high(180/110).I also had tests done confirming the impaired circulation to my legs and also an echocardiogram/doppler...Im scheduled for a stress test next month. The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life and now I'm taking 4 meds... Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me...The situation with my legs threatens my mobility..I can no longer walk for exercise;even if I wanted to and even being on my feet for more than a few minutes becomes a painful event...I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal..I feel more listless;isolated;unhappy than ever and I'm smoking even more(approaching 50 cigs a day..Wellbutrin is supposed to have a curbing of smoking desire effect);so the anti-deppresant is not working... My blood pressure is still sky high(160/110 as of this morning);and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent...
Answers:
Relax. You have had all the bad news and there're many things that can happen to change this bad news. Will you be able to live as you have? No! But you will find simple unobtrusive modifications that will help tremendously and possibly obviate the need for some of the meds. Be thankful you know now what's going on before it was too late. Humans are very adaptable. What seems a horror now will become the norm tomorrow. Relax, read and enjoy the sunshine. "od" <anguulo~bellsouth.net wrote in message news:MwmHb.20029$ED.5367~bignews2.bellsouth.net... Hello... I'm 47 yrs old and up to last month I hadn't been to a doctor in16 years... Five years ago or so I begin losing weight rather rapidly without really doing anything to foster that weight loss. I went from 270 Lbs on a 5'10" frame to around 217 Lbs. within a 3 month period...and did not gain it back despite being extremely inactive and not neccesarily watching my diet(I did stop eating all types of fast foods for financial reasons)... That did not phaze me at all;I took it as a blessing.... Then about 3 years ago I begin noticing that my feet semed to feel burning all the time;and swollen when I wore shoes;they felt like I was wearing 10 pairs of socks..Again,being the procrastinating human I tend to be I did not have that checked out..I blamed it on wearing the same pair of shoes almost everyday and the fact that I spent most of my time sitting in front of a computer or the TV set... Then about a year or so ago I noted that I could no longer walk more than a few hundred feet without my feet feeling tender and numb..specially in the soles of my feet. I could barely stand up on my feet for more than 5 minutes without a sense of discomfort in my lower extremities;like a numbness in my calves and a sense that my knees are locked up and that I may lose my balance at any moment...I also can't walk barefoot on thefloor without the same sensation of numbness and tenderness all over my feet including soles and toes and partially on my shins.. I blamed it all on inactivity and laziness.I used to walk up to 7 miles every day in the early 80's when I lost 80 Lbs. or so;and I figured that the foot and leg problems were the result of me sitting down all day every day... The skin on my feet seems very thin and shiny,and my toes look like they are shrinking and deforming... I also have to add that I've been depressed for most of my life and the last 5 years or so have been terrible;feeling isolated;unable to enjoy things,etc..classic depression symptoms.Im also a heavy smoker..over 2 packs a day. I self-diagnosed my leg condition as intermittent claudication(a form of vascular disease) and as having symptoms of advanced neuropathy, Diabetes never crossed my mind....Though I know it runs in my family..I have 2 cousins with Diabetes 1;and my mother had Mellitus,though she was never diagnosed until she had a stroke at age 76 and laid in a coma for 3 months and her feet rotted away like bananas in the sun with open sores..a horrible sight to see... So In november out of the blue I decided to visit a Doctor for the first time in 16 years and had my blood tested...I had a glucose count of 177 when my blood was drawn after a 12 hour fast...confirming full-blown diabetes...My cholesterol level was 186 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 115 and my blood pressure is sky high(180/110).I also had tests done confirming the impaired circulation to my legs and also an echocardiogram/doppler...Im scheduled for a stress test next month. The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life and now I'm taking 4 meds... Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me...The situation with my legs threatens my mobility..I can no longer walk for exercise;even if I wanted to and even being on my feet for more than a few minutes becomes a painful event...I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal..I feel more listless;isolated;unhappy than ever and I'm smoking even more(approaching 50 cigs a day..Wellbutrin is supposed to have a curbing of smoking desire effect);so the anti-deppresant is not working... My blood pressure is still sky high(160/110 as of this morning);and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent...
Answers:
od wrote in message ... Hello... . . .(snip). . . The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. . . .(snip). . ....I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal... . .(snip). . . and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent... Well, you're discussing how diabetes snuck up on you, but you're discussing it with a group of people who were in just about the same place a while ago. Actually, your version of the disease is not as bad as some of the other folks. In any case, you're also talking to a bunch of folks who are working their butts off to beat this thing, and most of us are well on our way to fighting this thing to a draw. Something to consider: Why doesn't the Queen of England speak German? Because Winston Churchill told the English-speaking peoples: Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never! Never! Never! Never! and they didn't. And we don't intend to either. It feels like your world just came to an end; felt that way for us too, but that's in the past now. Metformin takes a while to kick in. Also, the conventional wisdom on metformin therapy is to start at a low dose, then very slowly walk the dose up to 1500 mg/day. Many folks say they didn't get full effect until 1500 mg/day, but if they tried to walk it up too fast, it caused all sorts of m.h. problems. I like your doc's approach. He is hitting this thing hard. Some of them just let their patients flounder for a while to see if they can stabilize somewhere "nice" (as if a disease which has been bonking you for 10 years before becoming noticeable will suddenly "act nice") Your lipids are pretty good for a newbie. Some new folks come in with total cholesterol pushing 300, and triglycerides pushing 800! The standard attack on Type 2 diabetes is: n. Lose fat lb o. Gain muscle lb p. Exercise every day, the more vigorously, the better q. Ration your carb, eat slowly digesting (low Glycemic Index) carb, spread your total daily carb over several small meals each day r. Take the anti-diabetic heart attack, anti-high blood sugar med metformin and of course, we go after lipids and blood pressure while we're about it. You are off to a good start: a good doc, a good program, and the ability to carry that program out. Keep coming back and talking about it. Keep coming back and reading about our experiences. Reading the diabetic newsgroups every night has resulted in substantial improvements in my health, quality of life, and, I'm certain, my life expectancy. Regards Old Al
Answers:
od wrote: Hello... I'm 47 yrs old and up to last month I hadn't been to a doctor in16 years... Five years ago or so I begin losing weight rather rapidly without really doing anything to foster that weight loss. I went from 270 Lbs on a 5'10" frame to around 217 Lbs. within a 3 month period...and did not gain it back despite being extremely inactive and not neccesarily watching my diet(I did stop eating all types of fast foods for financial reasons)... That did not phaze me at all;I took it as a blessing.... Then about 3 years ago I begin noticing that my feet semed to feel burning all the time;and swollen when I wore shoes;they felt like I was wearing 10 pairs of socks..Again,being the procrastinating human I tend to be I did not have that checked out..I blamed it on wearing the same pair of shoes almost everyday and the fact that I spent most of my time sitting in front of a computer or the TV set... Then about a year or so ago I noted that I could no longer walk more than a few hundred feet without my feet feeling tender and numb..specially in the soles of my feet. I could barely stand up on my feet for more than 5 minutes without a sense of discomfort in my lower extremities;like a numbness in my calves and a sense that my knees are locked up and that I may lose my balance at any moment...I also can't walk barefoot on thefloor without the same sensation of numbness and tenderness all over my feet including soles and toes and partially on my shins.. I blamed it all on inactivity and laziness.I used to walk up to 7 miles every day in the early 80's when I lost 80 Lbs. or so;and I figured that the foot and leg problems were the result of me sitting down all day every day... The skin on my feet seems very thin and shiny,and my toes look like they are shrinking and deforming... I also have to add that I've been depressed for most of my life and the last 5 years or so have been terrible;feeling isolated;unable to enjoy things,etc..classic depression symptoms.Im also a heavy smoker..over 2 packs a day. I self-diagnosed my leg condition as intermittent claudication(a form of vascular disease) and as having symptoms of advanced neuropathy, Diabetes never crossed my mind....Though I know it runs in my family..I have 2 cousins with Diabetes 1;and my mother had Mellitus,though she was never diagnosed until she had a stroke at age 76 and laid in a coma for 3 months and her feet rotted away like bananas in the sun with open sores..a horrible sight to see... So In november out of the blue I decided to visit a Doctor for the first time in 16 years and had my blood tested...I had a glucose count of 177 when my blood was drawn after a 12 hour fast...confirming full-blown diabetes...My cholesterol level was 186 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 115 and my blood pressure is sky high(180/110).I also had tests done confirming the impaired circulation to my legs and also an echocardiogram/doppler...Im scheduled for a stress test next month. The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life and now I'm taking 4 meds... Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me...The situation with my legs threatens my mobility..I can no longer walk for exercise;even if I wanted to and even being on my feet for more than a few minutes becomes a painful event...I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal..I feel more listless;isolated;unhappy than ever and I'm smoking even more(approaching 50 cigs a day..Wellbutrin is supposed to have a curbing of smoking desire effect);so the anti-deppresant is not working... My blood pressure is still sky high(160/110 as of this morning);and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent... No problem with venting, my friend. You woke up in time, good for you. Now the most immediate thing is cut the smoking. I just done it this month after 40 years, and it isn`t easy, but it is worthwhile. Some meds can take up to 10 weeks to full effect, especially Metformin and antidepressants, so bear with it. The idea of independence is in some ways a good thing, but in some ways bad. Like the old song People who need people Are the luckiest people in the world And you do need people, or you would not have come here. Your feet will improve as time goes by, but it is always a good idea to see a podiatrist on a six-monthly or three-monthly basis. Maybe you like to do that asap, please? Good wishes for now and the future - and YES, you do have a future. -- Al. Idiopathic t1 Last HbA1c 5.95 Total Chol 2.7 Blood Pressure 111/72 Beef Lente 1x Beef Neutral 2x
Answers:
Hang in there! You've done the right thing by getting to a doctor and dealing with it. I admit that diagnosis is very depressing, but you need to know that if you make a genuine effort to help yourself, you will begin to feel more positive as time goes on. You will see positive results but you need to be patient. There are a lot of people in this newsgroup that are very knowledgeable and very helpful. You need to take charge of the situation and not let it get the better of you. You will be successful. Think positive and be thankful that you were smart enough to seek help now rather than later when complications may have been worse. Ask your questions. Post your concerns. There are many, many people in this newsgroup that will help you find your way. They certainly helped me and I am forever grateful. -- Eddie Type 2 "od" <anguulo~bellsouth.net wrote in message news:MwmHb.20029$ED.5367~bignews2.bellsouth.net... Hello... I'm 47 yrs old and up to last month I hadn't been to a doctor in16 years... Five years ago or so I begin losing weight rather rapidly without really doing anything to foster that weight loss. I went from 270 Lbs on a 5'10" frame to around 217 Lbs. within a 3 month period...and did not gain it back despite being extremely inactive and not neccesarily watching my diet(I did stop eating all types of fast foods for financial reasons)... That did not phaze me at all;I took it as a blessing.... Then about 3 years ago I begin noticing that my feet semed to feel burning all the time;and swollen when I wore shoes;they felt like I was wearing 10 pairs of socks..Again,being the procrastinating human I tend to be I did not have that checked out..I blamed it on wearing the same pair of shoes almost everyday and the fact that I spent most of my time sitting in front of a computer or the TV set... Then about a year or so ago I noted that I could no longer walk more than a few hundred feet without my feet feeling tender and numb..specially in the soles of my feet. I could barely stand up on my feet for more than 5 minutes without a sense of discomfort in my lower extremities;like a numbness in my calves and a sense that my knees are locked up and that I may lose my balance at any moment...I also can't walk barefoot on thefloor without the same sensation of numbness and tenderness all over my feet including soles and toes and partially on my shins.. I blamed it all on inactivity and laziness.I used to walk up to 7 miles every day in the early 80's when I lost 80 Lbs. or so;and I figured that the foot and leg problems were the result of me sitting down all day every day... The skin on my feet seems very thin and shiny,and my toes look like they are shrinking and deforming... I also have to add that I've been depressed for most of my life and the last 5 years or so have been terrible;feeling isolated;unable to enjoy things,etc..classic depression symptoms.Im also a heavy smoker..over 2 packs a day. I self-diagnosed my leg condition as intermittent claudication(a form of vascular disease) and as having symptoms of advanced neuropathy, Diabetes never crossed my mind....Though I know it runs in my family..I have 2 cousins with Diabetes 1;and my mother had Mellitus,though she was never diagnosed until she had a stroke at age 76 and laid in a coma for 3 months and her feet rotted away like bananas in the sun with open sores..a horrible sight to see... So In november out of the blue I decided to visit a Doctor for the first time in 16 years and had my blood tested...I had a glucose count of 177 when my blood was drawn after a 12 hour fast...confirming full-blown diabetes...My cholesterol level was 186 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 115 and my blood pressure is sky high(180/110).I also had tests done confirming the impaired circulation to my legs and also an echocardiogram/doppler...Im scheduled for a stress test next month. The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life and now I'm taking 4 meds... Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me...The situation with my legs threatens my mobility..I can no longer walk for exercise;even if I wanted to and even being on my feet for more than a few minutes becomes a painful event...I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal..I feel more listless;isolated;unhappy than ever and I'm smoking even more(approaching 50 cigs a day..Wellbutrin is supposed to have a curbing of smoking desire effect);so the anti-deppresant is not working... My blood pressure is still sky high(160/110 as of this morning);and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent...
Answers:
Salutations od! I'm 48 and I was (or am) what I consider a "classic" T2. 264 lbs. on dx, A1c of 96. I don't consider my dx to be a bad thing, quite the contrary! I expect to be watching reruns of Lenny Briscoe for at least another 50! Lots of people have already chimed in with the news that although it's a lifestyle change, it's a GOOD one. You've taken a big step just by being here. I also have the bad gams, I wear compression stockings and I will forever. Eh (shrug). However in all honesty I have to say that the smoking is a really BAD thing and is a much more immediate problem. IMHO! I quit Father's Day 2000. I think about it a lot (2.5-3 packs Marlboro Lights) as a matter of fact just today when I was buying gas. I swear the packaging looks more attractive now. I can hear them calling to me. But, then Big Tobacco Wins and YOU lose. Fuckem. At any rate, the only thing comparable to being smoke-free is getting your BG's in line. I used to have giant headaches, GONE. I used to scream and have total freak attacks, GONE. Well, etcerta. The biggest thing for me with the BG's in-line (besides increased heart attack) is the retinopathy thing. I could probably handle being in a wheelchair (I imagine) but being blind would defiantly suck. Visit the http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/ website and take a look at www.mendosa.com, lots of good stuff there. When I was first dxed I (right away) got the Gretchen Becker book "The First Year Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed", it was a big help. I guess I've really never thought about it (the whole diabetes thing) being so terrible. So I have to eat right, get exercise and take a few pills. Eh. That's gotta be easier than being blind. But then again I've always been accused of being a "Pollyanna" Give it a few months, cut the carbs, do some walking...see what happens. Oh and keep in touch, ask anything, I'm always good for MY OPINION! 8)) -- -- t2_lurking geabbottATabbottandabbottDOTcom Do not mail to t2_lurking (auto-delete) ============================ Well, i dreamed i saw the silver Space ships flying In the yellow haze of the sun -- Neil Young -- "od" <anguulo~bellsouth.net wrote in message news:MwmHb.20029$ED.5367~bignews2.bellsouth.net... Hello... I'm 47 yrs old and up to last month I hadn't been to a doctor in16 years... Five years ago or so I begin losing weight rather rapidly without really doing anything to foster that weight loss. I went from 270 Lbs on a 5'10" frame to around 217 Lbs. within a 3 month period...and did not gain it back despite being extremely inactive and not neccesarily watching my diet(I did stop eating all types of fast foods for financial reasons)... That did not phaze me at all;I took it as a blessing.... Then about 3 years ago I begin noticing that my feet semed to feel burning all the time;and swollen when I wore shoes;they felt like I was wearing 10 pairs of socks..Again,being the procrastinating human I tend to be I did not have that checked out..I blamed it on wearing the same pair of shoes almost everyday and the fact that I spent most of my time sitting in front of a computer or the TV set... Then about a year or so ago I noted that I could no longer walk more than a few hundred feet without my feet feeling tender and numb..specially in the soles of my feet. I could barely stand up on my feet for more than 5 minutes without a sense of discomfort in my lower extremities;like a numbness in my calves and a sense that my knees are locked up and that I may lose my balance at any moment...I also can't walk barefoot on thefloor without the same sensation of numbness and tenderness all over my feet including soles and toes and partially on my shins.. I blamed it all on inactivity and laziness.I used to walk up to 7 miles every day in the early 80's when I lost 80 Lbs. or so;and I figured that the foot and leg problems were the result of me sitting down all day every day... The skin on my feet seems very thin and shiny,and my toes look like they are shrinking and deforming... I also have to add that I've been depressed for most of my life and the last 5 years or so have been terrible;feeling isolated;unable to enjoy things,etc..classic depression symptoms.Im also a heavy smoker..over 2 packs a day. I self-diagnosed my leg condition as intermittent claudication(a form of vascular disease) and as having symptoms of advanced neuropathy, Diabetes never crossed my mind....Though I know it runs in my family..I have 2 cousins with Diabetes 1;and my mother had Mellitus,though she was never diagnosed until she had a stroke at age 76 and laid in a coma for 3 months and her feet rotted away like bananas in the sun with open sores..a horrible sight to see... So In november out of the blue I decided to visit a Doctor for the first time in 16 years and had my blood tested...I had a glucose count of 177 when my blood was drawn after a 12 hour fast...confirming full-blown diabetes...My cholesterol level was 186 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 115 and my blood pressure is sky high(180/110).I also had tests done confirming the impaired circulation to my legs and also an echocardiogram/doppler...Im scheduled for a stress test next month. The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life and now I'm taking 4 meds... Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me...The situation with my legs threatens my mobility..I can no longer walk for exercise;even if I wanted to and even being on my feet for more than a few minutes becomes a painful event...I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal..I feel more listless;isolated;unhappy than ever and I'm smoking even more(approaching 50 cigs a day..Wellbutrin is supposed to have a curbing of smoking desire effect);so the anti-deppresant is not working... My blood pressure is still sky high(160/110 as of this morning);and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent...
Answers:
Hi there and welcome to the group. I would like to encourage you to stick with us and start learning all about what you can do to help yourself. First up, you appear to have a pretty good doctor, who is addressing your current state of health with seriousness and attention. So you already have one up on a lot of others who aren't always as fortunate. What did stand out to me, though, was the fact that in your post there was no mention of a meter for measuring your blood glucose. For an independant person like yourself, a meter is your best tool for managing your day to day blood glucose (bg) levels. Obtaining one is dependant on your own particular situation. Some doctors prescribe them, some people have to buy the one that their insurance advises, and some just buy the one they prefer themselves - and all that includes the testing strips too. Once you have your meter and strips, the next step, after learning how to use it, is to know how and when to test. When one is newly dx'd, I would recommend testing at least 7 times a day, minimum. Not all health advisers will agree with this, but there is a very good reason for doing so. You need to find out just which foods push your bg levels up more than other foods. Then you can see for yourself which foods to limit or avoid, and which foods have little or no effect. The best explanation of all this can be found at our web site; http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org Just click on "Newly Diagnosed" and you'll find a page by Jennifer, which explains all about it. You see, there are 3 basic principles involved in managing diabetes, with 2 of the 3 totally dependant on YOU, and what you do. Here they are; 1. Medications and insulin - obviously your doctors area of expertise. 2. Diet - ie what you eat and when, on a regular basis. That's where the meter becomes vital, in order to design your own individually tailored diet. 3. Exercise - and you don't have to use your feet to do it. Walking etc is only one type of exercise, and increasing the activity in any of the body's muscles will help you lower your bg and improve your overall fitness. In your situation, I'd be thinking upper body and leg lifts, for example. Do take that elevated blood pressure into account, and start easy and gently - and work it up slowly. Apart from the diabetes itself, there are two great improvements that you can look forward to, if you start to get your bg under control. 4. The pain from the neuropathy may lessen as your bg drops. Many, many posters here have reported this - but sometimes it can seen to actually worsen as the nerves "come alive" again, then followed by a marked overall improvement in symptoms. 5. As the bg levels approach "good levels", you may find your chronic depression many lift. I experienced such a marvellous improvement after many, many years of suffering from that "black dog", and others have reported a similar experience - it certainly wasn't something I expected, or had ever heard about. The whole thing may only take about 6 mths before you see a greatly lowered A1c, and a marked difference in you whole sense of well-being. Some take a bit longer, some improve faster, but if you use that determined and independant spirit of yours to "get stuck into it", you'll be surprised how much can be accomplished. I'm a bit that way myself, and as they say, "She is strong-willed, he is stubborn, but "I" am downright pig-headed!" If I can do it, so can you! :-D All the best, Annette T2 for about 30 yrs, well controlled for 2 yrs, 64 years old. "od" <anguulo~bellsouth.net wrote in message news:MwmHb.20029$ED.5367~bignews2.bellsouth.net... Hello... I'm 47 yrs old and up to last month I hadn't been to a doctor in16 years... Five years ago or so I begin losing weight rather rapidly without really doing anything to foster that weight loss. I went from 270 Lbs on a 5'10" frame to around 217 Lbs. within a 3 month period...and did not gain it back despite being extremely inactive and not neccesarily watching my diet(I did stop eating all types of fast foods for financial reasons)... That did not phaze me at all;I took it as a blessing.... Then about 3 years ago I begin noticing that my feet semed to feel burning all the time;and swollen when I wore shoes;they felt like I was wearing 10 pairs of socks..Again,being the procrastinating human I tend to be I did not have that checked out..I blamed it on wearing the same pair of shoes almost everyday and the fact that I spent most of my time sitting in front of a computer or the TV set... Then about a year or so ago I noted that I could no longer walk more than a few hundred feet without my feet feeling tender and numb..specially in the soles of my feet. I could barely stand up on my feet for more than 5 minutes without a sense of discomfort in my lower extremities;like a numbness in my calves and a sense that my knees are locked up and that I may lose my balance at any moment...I also can't walk barefoot on thefloor without the same sensation of numbness and tenderness all over my feet including soles and toes and partially on my shins.. I blamed it all on inactivity and laziness.I used to walk up to 7 miles every day in the early 80's when I lost 80 Lbs. or so;and I figured that the foot and leg problems were the result of me sitting down all day every day... The skin on my feet seems very thin and shiny,and my toes look like they are shrinking and deforming... I also have to add that I've been depressed for most of my life and the last 5 years or so have been terrible;feeling isolated;unable to enjoy things,etc..classic depression symptoms.Im also a heavy smoker..over 2 packs a day. I self-diagnosed my leg condition as intermittent claudication(a form of vascular disease) and as having symptoms of advanced neuropathy, Diabetes never crossed my mind....Though I know it runs in my family..I have 2 cousins with Diabetes 1;and my mother had Mellitus,though she was never diagnosed until she had a stroke at age 76 and laid in a coma for 3 months and her feet rotted away like bananas in the sun with open sores..a horrible sight to see... So In november out of the blue I decided to visit a Doctor for the first time in 16 years and had my blood tested...I had a glucose count of 177 when my blood was drawn after a 12 hour fast...confirming full-blown diabetes...My cholesterol level was 186 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 115 and my blood pressure is sky high(180/110).I also had tests done confirming the impaired circulation to my legs and also an echocardiogram/doppler...Im scheduled for a stress test next month. The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life and now I'm taking 4 meds... Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me...The situation with my legs threatens my mobility..I can no longer walk for exercise;even if I wanted to and even being on my feet for more than a few minutes becomes a painful event...I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal..I feel more listless;isolated;unhappy than ever and I'm smoking even more(approaching 50 cigs a day..Wellbutrin is supposed to have a curbing of smoking desire effect);so the anti-deppresant is not working... My blood pressure is still sky high(160/110 as of this morning);and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent... --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.556 / Virus Database: 348 - Release Date: 26/12/03
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I'm 48 and I was (or am) what I consider a "classic" T2. 264 lbs. on dx, A1c of 96. Ahhh.... that would be 9.6, not A1c of 96.
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"oldal4865" <oldal4865~yahoo.com wrote in message news:bsktp0$dguon$1~ID-121441.news.uni-berlin.de... od wrote in message ... Hello... . . .(snip). . . <Snipped If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent... You are off to a good start: a good doc, a good program, and the ability to carry that program out. Keep coming back and talking about it. Keep coming back and reading about our experiences. Reading the diabetic newsgroups every night has resulted in substantial improvements in my health, quality of life, and, I'm certain, my life expectancy. This post is what makes me think delurking is a good idea right about now. This was helpful, informative, and most importantly a compassionate response. I think I like you people :) To piggyback slightly: OD, you hit the nail on the head. I've was diagnosed three weeks ago and thats EXACTLY what I have been saying to myself. But with each passing day, I realize that although I'm in pain and the food kinda sucks, I'll be alright if I take care of myself. I still feel a bit hopeless and there are days I'm not sure I even know the basics (like counting carbs...), but I've gotten off my duff, talked to my doctors, and read everything I could find on the subject - on the internet and in the library. Little by little, day by day, I feel better about my predicament. And yes, I am in pain too, and I feel like crap. But you can't roll over and die. Its like what oldal was talking about in regard to Winston Churchill .....NEVER GIVE UP. To introduce myself, I am 24 years old, recently diagnosed with type 2 while on a two week stay in the hospital for other problems. And although I'm new at this game, I'm willing to be a shoulder, should you need one. I may not understand my disease fully, but I'm quite a good listener :) Good luck to you. (And hello to all the rest of you. I've been reading you for weeks now, and I've got to say you're a nice bunch.) -dora
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Salutations Dora! It does get better! In a few months the next phase will begin where the questions change from "what CAN I eat" to "How can I eat BETTER". -- -- t2_lurking geabbottATabbottandabbottDOTcom Do not mail to t2_lurking (auto-delete) =============================== The Joy that isn't shared, I've heard, dies young. ---- Anne Sexton ---- "D*ra Jarr" <the411chic~rcn.com wrote in message news:3fee4b91$0$4747$61fed72c~news.rcn.com... "oldal4865" <oldal4865~yahoo.com wrote in message news:bsktp0$dguon$1~ID-121441.news.uni-berlin.de... od wrote in message ... Hello... . . .(snip). . . <Snipped If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent... You are off to a good start: a good doc, a good program, and the ability to carry that program out. Keep coming back and talking about it. Keep coming back and reading about our experiences. Reading the diabetic newsgroups every night has resulted in substantial improvements in my health, quality of life, and, I'm certain, my life expectancy. This post is what makes me think delurking is a good idea right about now. This was helpful, informative, and most importantly a compassionate response. I think I like you people :) To piggyback slightly: OD, you hit the nail on the head. I've was diagnosed three weeks ago and thats EXACTLY what I have been saying to myself. But with each passing day, I realize that although I'm in pain and the food kinda sucks, I'll be alright if I take care of myself. I still feel a bit hopeless and there are days I'm not sure I even know the basics (like counting carbs...), but I've gotten off my duff, talked to my doctors, and read everything I could find on the subject - on the internet and in the library. Little by little, day by day, I feel better about my predicament. And yes, I am in pain too, and I feel like crap. But you can't roll over and die. Its like what oldal was talking about in regard to Winston Churchill .....NEVER GIVE UP. To introduce myself, I am 24 years old, recently diagnosed with type 2 while on a two week stay in the hospital for other problems. And although I'm new at this game, I'm willing to be a shoulder, should you need one. I may not understand my disease fully, but I'm quite a good listener :) Good luck to you. (And hello to all the rest of you. I've been reading you for weeks now, and I've got to say you're a nice bunch.) -dora
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"od" <anguulo~bellsouth.net wrote in message news:MwmHb.20029$ED.5367~bignews2.bellsouth.net... Hello... I'm 47 yrs old and up to last month I hadn't been to a doctor in16 years... Five years ago or so I begin losing weight rather rapidly without really doing anything to foster that weight loss. I went from 270 Lbs on a 5'10" frame to around 217 Lbs. within a 3 month period...and did not gain it back despite being extremely inactive and not neccesarily watching my diet(I did stop eating all types of fast foods for financial reasons)... That did not phaze me at all;I took it as a blessing.... Then about 3 years ago I begin noticing that my feet semed to feel burning all the time;and swollen when I wore shoes;they felt like I was wearing 10 pairs of socks..Again,being the procrastinating human I tend to be I did not have that checked out..I blamed it on wearing the same pair of shoes almost everyday and the fact that I spent most of my time sitting in front of a computer or the TV set... Then about a year or so ago I noted that I could no longer walk more than a few hundred feet without my feet feeling tender and numb..specially in the soles of my feet. I could barely stand up on my feet for more than 5 minutes without a sense of discomfort in my lower extremities;like a numbness in my calves and a sense that my knees are locked up and that I may lose my balance at any moment...I also can't walk barefoot on thefloor without the same sensation of numbness and tenderness all over my feet including soles and toes and partially on my shins.. I blamed it all on inactivity and laziness.I used to walk up to 7 miles every day in the early 80's when I lost 80 Lbs. or so;and I figured that the foot and leg problems were the result of me sitting down all day every day... The skin on my feet seems very thin and shiny,and my toes look like they are shrinking and deforming... I also have to add that I've been depressed for most of my life and the last 5 years or so have been terrible;feeling isolated;unable to enjoy things,etc..classic depression symptoms.Im also a heavy smoker..over 2 packs a day. I self-diagnosed my leg condition as intermittent claudication(a form of vascular disease) and as having symptoms of advanced neuropathy, Diabetes never crossed my mind....Though I know it runs in my family..I have 2 cousins with Diabetes 1;and my mother had Mellitus,though she was never diagnosed until she had a stroke at age 76 and laid in a coma for 3 months and her feet rotted away like bananas in the sun with open sores..a horrible sight to see... So In november out of the blue I decided to visit a Doctor for the first time in 16 years and had my blood tested...I had a glucose count of 177 when my blood was drawn after a 12 hour fast...confirming full-blown diabetes...My cholesterol level was 186 with HDL of 42 and LDL of 115 and my blood pressure is sky high(180/110).I also had tests done confirming the impaired circulation to my legs and also an echocardiogram/doppler...Im scheduled for a stress test next month. The doctor currently has me on the following daily medications: Metformin ER 500Mg(Glucose control) Pletal 50 Mg(Treatment for Intermittent Claudication) Wellbutrin SR300 Mg(An Anti-deppressant) Lotrel 5/20mg(For my high blood pressure). I'm also taking a daily Multi-vitamin supplement,120 Mg Of Co-Q10 and Fish Oil Tablets. I also started working out with weights again and I now weigh 199 Lbs,the lowest in my adult life. Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life and now I'm taking 4 meds... Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me...The situation with my legs threatens my mobility..I can no longer walk for exercise;even if I wanted to and even being on my feet for more than a few minutes becomes a painful event...I'm afraid that the meds are not having any affect on me even though I've been taking them for over a month now...My legs don't feel any better withthe Pletal..I feel more listless;isolated;unhappy than ever and I'm smoking even more(approaching 50 cigs a day..Wellbutrin is supposed to have a curbing of smoking desire effect);so the anti-deppresant is not working... My blood pressure is still sky high(160/110 as of this morning);and of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The vascular damage is irreversible...I'll be on medications for the rest of my life... If this is the rest of my life..I don't think I want it.... Thank You for allowing me to vent... Hello OD, and welcome to our group. Venting is good........my first post here was pretty long too. I poured out the whole story of how Mom was dx'd, all the other health issues she had also been dx'd with, and the fear and frustration of it all. Had to take deep breath when I read that until dx you hadn't been to a doc in 16 years.........it sounded so much like Mom......she hadn't been to a doc for 20 years previous to dx, and wouldn't take aspirin or other OTC home meds. Ask your doc for an rx for a meter, don't wait to see him again, just give his office a call. The meter is absolutely your best tool for controlling your blood glucose (bg). Without the meter there is no way for you to know what effect the food you eat has on your bg. I know from Mom's experience that the meds are not magic bullets that make averything good within minutes or days of taking them.......hang in there. No one likes the thought of being on medicine for the rest of their lives...........however, the alternative sucks. you won't die quickly in your sleep if you choose to discontinue meds, but the diabetes will continue damaging your body at a much higher/faster rate without the meds. You are among the lucky ones. Many folks who have avoided docs for so many years are in much worse condition than you are by the time they get dx'd. Mom was nearly dead, and they amp'd two toes within hours of her dx in an emergancy room. For a long time I thought Mom's situation when dx'd was unusual. I have since learned that there are a vast number of folks out there who avoid doctors, and when they finally do see one for whatever reason they are dx'd........many of them in hospital ERs. The rest of your life is what you make it..........Mom's life sucked pretty bad for the first six months after dx. From my point of view, it was like watching a person return from the edge of death. You are still fairly young.........don't give up on yourself. Think about getting counseling in addition to the welbutrin for the depression. I went to therapy and took paxil for several months...........making the first appointment, and getting there was one of themost difficult things I ever did. With counseling, and the paxil I began to feel less isolated, more interested in life, and more optomistic about my "lot in life." Marie, Caretaker Mom T2 Dx 3/2002
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Welcome, od. Sorry you are diabetic, but then again, you are certainly in the right place to get a handle on it :) I am 46, diagnosed July 93 with a Bg of 378 after breakfast. I already had peripheral neuropathy and some digestive problems when I was diagnosed, but with good control, things have improved a great deal for me. I was a smoker for many years, off and on, and never considered it a problem. I was what I call a "stress smoker", meaning that I smoked like a chimney when under stress, and smoked lighter under normal circumstances. The day my husband (also diabetic with a massive heart attack on 2-25-01) had his stroke on 10-27-01, we both quit, cold turkey. Neither of us has had one since, and you couldn't pay me cash to even taste one now. The price is TOO HIGH. I've recently lost about 40lbs, and that in itself has drastically improved my diabetes. I no longer take Glucovance, and I've had to cut my insulin doses quite a bit (last weekend had two nighttime hypos, one at 48, one at 33) because my insulin resistance is apparently melting away! Just 3 months ago, I could not have controlled with insulin alone, at least not without massive doses. My blood pressure has also come under control, with less meds. I was taking 5 meds to *try* to control my BP (it wasn't working), now I'm down to 3, and doing very well. Ten years ago, I was throwing up constantly, felt so run down I could barely move. Literally couldn't stand up or even hold my arms up to file (sitting down) the day I was diagnosed. Yesterday, I made a trip to an outlet mall, walked the entire length of it twice, and bounced around like I was 12. When I left, I wasn't even tired! My energy level is through the roof, and I feel GREAT! What I'm getting at is, no matter how bad things seem to you now, with some work and determination, you can improve your health, and that will do wonders for your outlook. I feel so much better than I did just 2 months ago that it's hard to believe I am still the same person. Get a blood glucose meter, and start keeping track of your readings to find out how food affects you. Eat by your meter.......food affects each of us differently, and your meter is your best tool to know what is best for YOU. Keep your chin up, take in all the information you can, and put it to good use. You'll be feeling better in no time :) Bev Remove the "SpamFree" for email, please. Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet /server irc.undernet.org --- /join #Diabetic-Talk More info: http://www.diabetic-talk.org/
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This post not CC'd by email On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 16:13:22 -0500, "od" <anguulo~bellsouth.net wrote: Why Am I writing this? The fact is that I am truly scared... I'm the type of person who has a hard time even taking aspirin ..I've never been on any medication in my life . G'day G'day, Stop. Time for a reality check. Oh yes you have. About two packets a day. For a very long time. The major reasons people are afraid of taking meds is because they are afraid they are addictive or they have side effects. Tobacco is more addictive and has more side effects than any of the drugs you are taking. Simple. Being a non-smoker I don't know how you have learnt to live with that but the fact remains you have. It isn't often that one sees a benefit from smoking but this is one that it has had. It has given you skills you didn't know you would need and haven't perhaps up till now appreciated. All those rationalizations you used to stop yourself from making the decision to give up smoking you can now use to keep you taking the meds. Compared to rationalizing smoking, taking medication is a doddle. Given time the medications you have been prescribed are likely to have positive benefits. If the one's your GP has prescribed don't work as well as he/she would like they can be changed. Basically you are now onto a winner after having backed a loser for years. and now I'm taking 4 meds.. Im a fiercely independent person;with no family or real friends to rely on(I live alone)..The idea of becoming dependent on meds or people scares the beejezus out of me.. Well we have taken care of "the scared of meds" issue. The scary people bit may take longer though it doesn't have to. It's easy enough though if you take them us as seriously as a World Federation Wrestling tag team match. None of us remember all the important stuff to tell newbies. Or notice all the things that haven't been mentioned in a long introduction post that ought to have been mentioned. I came across this thread when it had already been going a while and before I'd had a coffee and I was astounded at what people had already picked up on. I hope you have taken good note of Old Als comments on you being in better shape than many at time of diagnosis. Annette picked on your not mentioning a blood glucose meter ... now that is essential for a fiercely independent person. As you hang around here you will soon realise we have a mantra which says, test, test, test. That bit about neuropathy was inspired. Read Jenny's post to newbies. We keep recommending it for one simple reason ... the advice contained in it works. John hit it on the head when he said "Be thankful" For many, many people diagnosis marks the point in time where, when they look back at it down the track, they realise their health and enjoyment of life dramatically improved. Your post has already helped someone else. D*ra Starr delurked. The very act of having the courage to post provides the inspiration for others. In time the people who are helped go on to help others. That's how the user group stays fresh and remembers what is like to be a newbie and go through the initial rough and tumble. Al Hardy has said now it the time to give up smoking. Now that comes from one who has recently quit. Congratulations Al. The issue of giving up smoking is one none of us is too keen to tackle. When you do will be up to you. Most people here know diabetics have an increased risk of leg amputations and that 90% of those who do are smokers. You might want to give up smoking immediately or to get the other issues sorted out first. That really is your choice. Eddie Type 2 summed it up beautifully. "You've done the right thing by getting to a doctor and dealing with it." I notice you did that out of the blue. Accept that this is your way of making major improvements in your life. After years of ignoring symptoms you suddenly take action and do the right thing for your future. OK, so you might feel scared but scared is only a step or two away from excitement and exhilaration. There a lot of emotions there you might decide to explore ... out of the blue. Life can be fun when we explore. t2_lurking ... now there is one tough SOB. He's been places I wouldn't want to go ... and he has not only survived he has thrived. Makes you think doesn't it. If someone else can beat the tobacco habit ... if someone else can knock their life into shape because they had to ... SO CAN I. Marie tells it like it is caring for someone who didn't get symptoms checked out for years but who never the less managed the long haul back. When I was young I was told this story of a country yokel who was asked for instructions on how to get to a neighbouring village. He replied "Ya can't get to there from here." So often people come here and it seems like the country yokel might be right. It does seem as though one can't get to good health from where they are starting. As a former country boy, it has always amazed me that people can actually do that. But they do. I love it when Priscilla says, "Now, you take a deep breath, too. You've started on a long path, but you've started at a point earlier than some folks. Some don't get diagnosed until after one or more heart attacks! There's an awful lot you can do to improve your condition and minimize the chances of its getting worse." She's right of course and since you are a highly independent person you'll want to read as much as you can. Some of the advice will be conflicting. No matter. Just ask. If ever you have a "Can't get to there from here" moment go read Bev's post. You have to salute her and her husband for making the decisions that have undoubtedly saved their lives and having the courage to follow them through. Gee ... we are a scary bunch ... not. Well not as scary as the bunch of people one could imagine us to be. If I've missed anyone ... be thankful ... or appreciate that the internet is not simultaneous and your posts haven't reached the never regions of the universe yet. Best wishes and thanks everyone. You didn't leave me much to say. -- Quentin Grady ^ ^ / New Zealand, #,#< [ / \ /\ "... and the blind dog was leading." http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin
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OD, Marie's given you very good advice. Jennifer has a wonderfully useful piece she usually posts to newcomers. She's busy with other stuff at the moment, so I (or someone else) will look it up and post it for you. Now, you take a deep breath, too. You've started on a long path, but you've started at a point earlier than some folks. Some don't get diagnosed until after one or more heart attacks! There's an awful lot you can do to improve your condition and minimize the chances of its getting worse. I recommend you read lots and lots of posts here, muse about what trends you see, what advice you see over and over, what you see working for others, and begin to make more changes in how you live your own life. This isn't the end of anything. It's the beginning of taking care of yourself. You won't be able to do everything overnight, so calm and steady are the recommended modes. "Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" information from here and elsewhere (I recommend Gretchen Becker's book on Type 2 Diabetes, The First Year) and start to make your changes. One specific comment. You said: of course I dont know if the Metformin is working until I have another test done...And I'm also noticing side effects that are rather disturbing... The dose you're at (500 mg daily) is a minimal dose and well below a dose where you're liable to see any effects. Even if it were the therapeutic dose, you'd have to wait some weeks to see the effects. Metformin has a well-deserved reputation for lower GI side effects (gas and diarrhea), so your doctor is probably stepping you up slowly on dosage, since that's a way to minimize any transient experience of this side effect. My endocrinologist is stepping me up in 250 mg increments every 3-4 weeks. I've only just moved up to 1000 mg daily (500 in the AM, 500 in the PM, with food both times). Minimal therapeutic dosage is 1000-1500 mg daily. We plan to get me up to 2000 mg daily. Rome wasn't built in a day, you didn't develop the complications you're experiencing in a day, and you won't get yourself on track in a day. So, since it's going to take a little time, you might as well acknowledge that fact and settle in to read and learn. You're back in school now, and the course has a lab component, with your body as your very own science experiment. You have the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of others to inform your work, and plenty of time to design and carry out your experiments. Just don't blow up the lab! :-) Good luck, stick around, and welcome! Priscilla
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"Bev" <sambalover~aol.comSpamFree wrote in message news:20031228112840.26112.00001651~mb-m15.aol.com... Welcome, od. Sorry you are diabetic, but then again, you are certainly in the right place to get a handle on it :) <snip Get a blood glucose meter, and start keeping track of your readings to find out how food affects you. Eat by your meter.......food affects each of us differently, and your meter is your best tool to know what is best for YOU. Keep your chin up, take in all the information you can, and put it to good use. You'll be feeling better in no time :) Bev WELCOME! To the group, OD. I am recently diagnosed also, as a Type-II Don't be shy. "Elbow your way in", as my dad used to say (if you want to be part of the family). I agree 100% with Bev and the others that recommend you get a blood Glucose meter. A bit of history on my meter. I paid $99.99 for my first one, then found out that I could've gotten the same meter for FREE. The company is named Accu-Chek and they will send you a meter for free, just for asking. They have two different models (or did) that they would send out, no charge. They even pay the shipping. No credit card needed. Both of my meters are the Accu-Check "Compact" model (the one with the drum). I think the other model they give for free is the "Advanced" model, but I'm not positive. Anyway, call them. They can give you the straight scoop. 1-800-858-8072. -- Steve, T2 since 9/29/03