Diabetes :(

[Charley]

Hey I was just wondering if anyone has diabetes on this forum? My bf was diagnosed last night with diabetes, and I wondered if anyone had info bout it?

[SimGirl20]

That's unfortunate Charley. I'm sorry your boyfriend was diagnosed with such a bothersome disease. I'm sure you could get information about Diabetes, on wikipedia or webMD.

[maniac19642003]

http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm should have all the info you need on this bad illness.

[Charley]

Thanks, it was really sudden over the last week or so that he has been ill. Blood sugar in a healthy person is 7..... his was 67 last night!!

[caffeinated.joy]

I don't have it, but my father did, my sister does, an uncle of mine passed away from complications with diabetes and a few more of my uncles have it. I'm more than familiar with it. There is a wealth of both good and bad information on the web. Read it all, because it's just as important to know what the myths are as it is to know the facts.

[scarletlady]

My Down's Syndrome Aunt has it, though I don't know much about it, truth be told.

[Charley]

it was just so sudden, we are now trying to find out what he can and can't eat. The doctors were puzzled at how he could still be walking round with a blood sugar level that high! They haven't given us much info bout what we can do, and where to get the testing kits from.

[maniac19642003]

we are now trying to find out what he can and can't eat.

http://www.understanding-diabetes.com/diabetes-nutrition.php?keywords=diabetes+nutrition&referrer=yahoo&camp=understanding-diabetes&group=diabetes+nutrition&keyword=list+of+food+a+diabetic+can+eat

This site might give you more info on all kinds of stuff for him.

[Pierre]

i also know what diabetes is my godmother pass way because of diabetes maybe you should go get info at your local pharmacy. If this can help you

[Ifrito]

I'm diabetic, type 2. I was diagnosed at age 18. And roughly a month and 2 weeks ago I had to start taking Insulin.

First things first, what type does your boyfriend have?.

And secondly, dont panic!. It sounds like you are getting the Hemoglobin AIC, thats the overall picture of a 3 month period, which is rated in small numbers. Confused with actual blood sugar readings.

With an A1C rating, a normal non-diabetic reading can be upwards from 4.0 to even 6.0.

Human blood sugar readings spike up when you eat, and can look terrifying. You said his was 67 last night, well, thats kinda low. But, lets say the average blood sugar is 70-80, you eat, and it will go up to 120, 130. Hell, if you eat alot, it can go up even higher. Dependent on what you eat.

Also, the myth that you cant have sugar when you are diabetic, is just that. Its a myth. Its not a smart idea to munch a whole box of candy bars though.

Essentially, you can eat anything you want. You just have to take it all in moderation. And be careful, sucking down a whole bottle of pop is gonna suck. And really, make an appointment with an endocrinologist. They are diabetis specialists, and will know far more then any regular doctor will ever know. And if they suggest going on insulin. Take it.

Insulin, is not scary. The needles are tiny, and I dont even feel them. And when I needed to go on insulin, I was in horrible shape. I probably needed to go on it 3 years ago. But I was terrified. And nobody showed me what I was dealing with until I went to the Endocrinologist. And since I have been on Insulin, I have my youth back. I feel like I'm 21 again, maybe even 18. Its hard to say.

But do have your boyfriend go see an endocrinologist, it will be better for him in the long run. And they will nail EVERYTHING down fast.

Correction- I may have misread the one thing you said. The A1C may have been 6.7. Which means, yeah, he's diabetic, but the levels are not overall bad. I've had A1C's that have been 12 and 13. Which is dangerous.

And mind you, A1C tests can only be done in labs. Blood Sugar readings can be done manually. But A1C tests are wholly different.

[baileybop]

I have type 2 diabetes. Truthfully it has not had a huge impact on me. I do now watch what I put in my mouth and am trying to get more exercise than I did in the past.
I take metformin 3 times a day which helps control my blood sugar. I must be really weird because when I got the diagnosis I didn't panic. I did buy some books and a cookbook for diabetics, but that's pretty much all the stuff I did. I researched legitimate medical sites and family also did research for me.
I never did look at my diagnosis as the end of the world and I am very happy that I do not require insulin, BUT I still hate the finger poking thing. That's the only part that sucks big time for me.

[Nonni]

Hi! Charley, I have type 2 diabetes. I'm better off in some ways than before because I am more mindful of what I eat and I now exercise (walk) regularly.  I have a diabetic nurse couselor and she has helped me so much.  I still enjoy food but I have found that foods high in carbs are real blood sugar spikers especially processed and fast foods.
Be sure your bf looks after his feet. 
I could not tolerate the oral meds like Metformin but the injections are not bad. I've actually cut my dose by more than half just cutting back on the processed carbs.
Have your bf take time to get educated and learn what works best for him. It is great that you support him.
I have excellent support from my family and health care folks.