Guest guest Posted November 4, 1999 Report Share Posted November 4, 1999 Rick - welcome to this list - everyone here is great on support and ideas. First of all you do really need to get a blood glucose monitor. You need to check you blood readings after meals - 1 to 2 hours after and check it first thing in the morning (fasting) that is the only way to know how certain foods effect your blood sugar levels. You say you have already made changes in your eating and that is great - congrats on starting right off and not ignoring it!!!! I went to a class at my local hospital that taught us all about diabetes and that is where I got my monitor. Since then I have done much research and have actually modified my diet from what the dietician told me - I eat a lower carb/higher protein way and that will basically keep my numbers in line. I don't get it but sometimes doctors don't seem to take this seriously enough and inform their patients off what they really need to do but it sounds like you are willing to take control and do research and that is definately the way to go!!!! I am sure you will get a lot of good advice here - Rebekah Type II almost one year now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 1999 Report Share Posted November 4, 1999 Rick Wow this sounds like me a few months ago! Yes you must keep up with your bg. Call your insurance company and see if they provide a free meter also find out if your strips are covered. Lynn Lynn Baker Owner Diabetes-Book-Disc List http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Diabetes-Book-Disc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 1999 Report Share Posted November 4, 1999 strips? what are those? --- Lynn Baker wrote: > From: mums_dads_girl1@... ( Lynn Baker) > > Rick > Wow this sounds like me a few months ago! Yes you > must keep up with > your bg. Call your insurance company and see if > they provide a free > meter also find out if your strips are covered. > Lynn > > Lynn Baker > Owner Diabetes-Book-Disc List > http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Diabetes-Book-Disc > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 1999 Report Share Posted November 4, 1999 , without a meter you are flying blind. high sugars cause irreversible damage to nerves, eyes, kidneys and suchlike. Your medical service may supply tapes for a given meter, and that will influence your choice. The meter allows you to judge your foods and the servings, from the sugars that result. you will find that starches are the biggest contributer to blood sugar's. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 1999 Report Share Posted November 4, 1999 Hi, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1976 and followed different diets of and on for the past years, I have recently been put on insulin and at first my bg were just as high as with the oral medication. I was following the diabetic diet given to me by my doctor and was still getting high bg. i work for a doctor and she told me one day when i was eating a baked potato for lunch that that was not good for my diabetes. she said it turns to sugar fast. she told me to follow the low Carb or no carb diet and since then i have researched the different diabetes web pages and the low Carb diets. i decided to follow it and it had done wonders for my bg i just checked it when i got home and it was 110 and i had bacon and eggs for breakfast and a salad with shrimp in it and some hot and sour soup from a Chinese restaurant, and was full and not craving something to eat. i feel so much better since in have begun this diet. and i am losing weight too. I wish you luck and just stick with it and monitor your bg. I know I cant have any pasta or rice or potatoes or bread because when I do my bg jump way over 250 so I realize its this way or not feel good. hope this helps you and everyone. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 1999 Report Share Posted November 4, 1999 yes, , sure wouldn't hurt. Then you'll know for sure. fp newly diagnosed > > >I was recently diagnosed with type II diabetes and >have a few questions. After the initial diagnosis >(blood test results=170), I went back in to the doctor >to find out what needed to be done. he basically >described what diabetes was, told me to lose weight, >handed me a healthy eating guide, and told me to come >in and have my glucose tested in a couple of months. >I have been doing a lot of reading on diabetes since >my diagnosis, and everywhere I look they say that I >should be monitoring my bg levels, working with a >nutritionist, and that the doctor should have checked >many things (such as feet), but none of that has was >mentioned. i don't think that I should get a second >opinion because I have completely changed my diet in >the last 3 weeks and have seen incredible changes in >my life because of it, but I wonder if I should be >checking my bg levels and working with a nutritionist, >etc. Any suggestions? > >Thanks, >Rick > > >===== > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 1999 Report Share Posted November 4, 1999 the strips are what you use in a glucose monitor. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 1999 Report Share Posted November 5, 1999 Dear E Levy, may I ask the name of your meter? E Levy wrote: > > > , > without a meter you are flying blind. high sugars cause irreversible > damage to nerves, eyes, kidneys and suchlike. > Your medical service may supply tapes for a given meter, and that will > influence your choice. > The meter allows you to judge your foods and the servings, from the > sugars that result. > you will find that starches are the biggest contributer to blood > sugar's. > Sam > > Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 1999 Report Share Posted November 5, 1999 Forgive sending this, it is like telling you how to build a watch when you ask the time, it might help somewhat. Sam METERING. You cannot tell what your sugars are without a blood glucose monitor. Your medical service may have adopted a particular meter, and supply a matching tape. There is also the question of what do you do with readings after taking them. I use a meter with a 250 reading memory, along with time and date that can record not only sugars, but other events as well. It has a stereo socket in the side and using a special connector and software it may be read into your computer for graphing and calculations. It should be part of your BG control process, the information used to correct your care and behavior. I use the One Touch Profile meter which I encouraged my service to adopt (Kaiser). The cable is available from Lifescan for $5, certainly a bargain as others cost much more. I find them reliable, and the readings may be set correctly using a control test solution that comes with the meter. WHAT DO I DO WITH THE READINGS? The meter reads your BG, you must correct your behavior to bring your sugars nearer 100. You may feel comfortable with a lower reading, I don’t start to feel low until 80, I start to feel sugar shock at 64. You should not let your sugar fall low, if you are on medication, you risk the danger of falling unconscious, unable to correct your sugars. If I have a high sugar at mealtime, I put off the meal, I like to be about 90 before meals. My morning (fasting) sugar is around 90-95,. It will come up to 100 just by activity, such as driving to the hospital for test with an empty bowel. In 2 more hours it is down to 95. I am not a brittle diabetic, I still have some ability to control my sugar, and thus I am able to use diet only for control. If I take the slightest amount of oral medication, it drives my sugar down fast, I call it a crash, or near sugar shock. I read my sugars 90 minutes after eating new foods, to find what amounts were suitable, and how they raised my sugar. I eat small meals, leave room for snacks during the day, I call it grazing. Diabetes means you have lost the ability to eat big meals, and use the reserve sugars between meals. Eating large meals your sugar goes high, and you run out of sugar between meals. Rather than experience highs and lows, I eat through the day. I have small meals and add dishes of mixed fruit. I don’t eat it all at once. They are prepared with a plastic wrap cover, and I eat half at a time. There is dietary room for a bite of sweets or a small sandwich with meat and cheese, one slice of black bread. Maybe a croissant, or even a tiny candy. The principle is not to have big meals you can’t handle, but to smooth your intake through the day. Eat part of a sandwich, and wrap it back up if you brown bag. To make a blood sugar test wash your hands, any residual sugar can throw your reading off. The moisture softens your skin, the better to separate the tapes. I put a tape partly into the meter (it checks 2 tapes aren’t stuck together), and start the meter. I pick up the lancet and cock it, and when told to insert the tape push it all the way in. I place the lance against a finger and when it says apply, I trigger the lance and lay it aside. I use the thumb of the same hand and the thumb and index finger of the other hand to surround the lanced finger and squeeze it, and force a small drop of blood on top of my finger, about half the size of the tape spot. I lay the finger on the strip holder to one side, and rotate it to place the drop on the test spot. I make sure it fills the spot, or move my finger to aid it, do not press the spot. I have a paper towel at hand, and grab the towel with my finger to stanch the flow. If there is any blood spilled I absorb it with the towel. I reuse lancets several months, I find the B & D ultrafine III lancets hurt less, draw blood easier, heal faster. Do not share lancets with anyone, always use a new one. Some practice sticking the sides of their fingers toward the nail, fewer nerves, not used for typing etc. I leave my used tapes in the meter where they dry harmlessly, don’t bleed on things. I see the latest lances have dial controls to set the depth of the penetration. I encourage you to write me and discuss your questions and problems. SOFTWARE and charting. Why use software to graph your sugars? It enables you to see what times of day you have problems, and what problems. Unless meter readings are presented systematically, you have not extracted the information from them. I have software from Lifescan. Go to their site, click the right hand button, click on Profile, look at software under the Profile. I also use DIABASS, diabetic assistant. See http://www.diabtrends.com/scrshot2.htm The screens expand, they said the trial software works for 15 days. It takes some learning, and they are not pushing it here in the US, most are sold in Europe. It is fast, small in size, in color, but prints B & W. It is the best! Boehringer-Mannheim (Roche now) has a download cable and software, call their 800 number. What sorts of presentations are available? They all show readings on a calendar graph, just connect the dots, with some limits shown that you can set. An important one is the standard day, where the readings are shown on a 24 hour scale for the time period you set. It quickly shows what times of day you have trouble, highs or lows. The statistics has a standard deviation that rates how steady your readings are. Diabass creates an HbA1C reading from your data. It explores the relation between insulin shots and carbohydrate intake, useful for type 1. Feel free to write and discuss diabetic subjects, Sam in San Diego Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 1999 Report Share Posted November 5, 1999 Strips refer to your bg meter and checking your blood levels, I guess you don't have one. The very first thing you need to do is RUN, don't walk, and get yourself a meter! It's the most important tool you will have to take control of this yourself. It will give you the POWER to see what your blood levels are doing and what is doing it to you! Take control, get a meter! I use the Accucheck Advantage. It uses the new comfort strips that have the pad inside between two layers. It requires just the tiniest bit of blood and just pulls it into the strip - no mess no fuss. Meenie Re: newly diagnosed > > >strips? what are those? > > >--- Lynn Baker wrote: >> From: mums_dads_girl1@... ( Lynn Baker) >> >> Rick >> Wow this sounds like me a few months ago! Yes you >> must keep up with >> your bg. Call your insurance company and see if >> they provide a free >> meter also find out if your strips are covered. >> Lynn >> >> Lynn Baker >> Owner Diabetes-Book-Disc List >> http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Diabetes-Book-Disc >> >> --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 1999 Report Share Posted November 5, 1999 Hi Rick, You should definitely get a monitor. The Nutritionist isn't a bad idea but she/he will almost invariable recommend the low fat ADA exchange diet. Now there is nothing wrong with that if you can happily follow it. I lost 30 lbs on it but was miserable, and once I felt better started gaining it back due to cravings, etc. Now I follow Atkins low carb and feel great, am losing weight, and keeping my bg's in perfect line! Meenie but I wonder if I should be >>checking my bg levels and working with a nutritionist, >>etc. Any suggestions? >> >>Thanks, >>Rick >> >> >>===== >> >> > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 1999 Report Share Posted November 7, 1999 Rick recently wrote... I was recently diagnosed with type II diabetes and have a few questions. After the initial diagnosis (blood test results=170), I went back in to the doctor to find out what needed to be done. he basically described what diabetes was, told me to lose weight, handed me a healthy eating guide, and told me to come in and have my glucose tested in a couple of months. I have been doing a lot of reading on diabetes since my diagnosis, and everywhere I look they say that I should be monitoring my bg levels, working with a nutritionist, and that the doctor should have checked many things (such as feet), but none of that has was mentioned. i don't think that I should get a second opinion because I have completely changed my diet in the last 3 weeks and have seen incredible changes in my life because of it, but I wonder if I should be checking my bg levels and working with a nutritionist, etc. Any suggestions? Hi Rick, Your experience with your doctor sounds a lot like what I ran across with my original MD. I also did a lot of reading when first diagnosed as I knew nothing about diabetes - I thought it was basically an allergy to sugar. Ha! Ideally, you should be seeing an endicrinologist. I live in a rural type area so I would have to drive sixty miles to one but I found a really good new MD in the area so I am seeing him regularly. A couple of other specialists you should make a part of your health team for dealing with DB are an eye doctor and a foot doctor. Diabetes can cause blindness (don't freak, it doesn't just happen, especially if you are keeping your blood sugar low), and also foot problems due to possible blood circulation problems. Yes, I believe you should also at least touch base with a nutritionist. And I wanted to mention that my MD recommends an annual flu shot and one-time (though I just heard something the other day about possibly getting another booster down the line) for I think it was pneumonia. I had one when recently diagonosed two years ago and I can't recall if it was for pneumonia or not. Probably someone else on the list can jog my memory. Oh, excersise is also good because it lowers your blood sugar. All in all it sounds like you can probably control your blood sugar levels with diet and excercise if you eat right. My fasting blood sugar level when first diagnosed was 290 and of course was higher after eating. I suppose the candy bars and liter bottles of cherry coke I had mysteriously developed a taste for a few months before being diagnosed didn't help! Anyway, this list will help you understand what needs to be done. It may sound confusing at first but that is because it is all new to you. I agree, the first most important thing you need to do is get a glucose monitor and start using it. Good luck and don't feel like any question you may have is too unimportant or dumb. Welcome to the " club " . PAUL KOSSART Peru, IL USA NMRA, LDSIG, OPSIG, BRHS, TP & W-HS LaSalle & Bureau County Model R.R. Club Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Model R.R. (HO-1969) " Serving Agriculture & Industry In The Illiniwek River Valley " -------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 1999 Report Share Posted November 7, 1999 << what about high cholesterol, triglycerides??? I have both and am kinda scared about the high fat. What do I do? >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 1999 Report Share Posted November 7, 1999 << what about high cholesterol, triglycerides??? I have both and am kinda scared about the high fat. What do I do? >> I have heard that on this diet your cholesterol goes down too it the carb and fat combination that does it. I will find later this month when i get blood work done, and i will let you know what happens. Good Luck Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 1999 Report Share Posted November 7, 1999 If you do nothing else, get a meter. It will give YOU the control, there is no other way you will know how different foods are affecting you. I know it sounds scarey, but once you manage to do it once it's a piece of cake <G> Meenie > >Rick recently wrote... > >I was recently diagnosed with type II diabetes and >have a few questions------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 1999 Report Share Posted November 7, 1999 what about high cholesterol, triglycerides??? I have both and am kinda scared about the high fat. What do I do? At 08:15 PM 11/4/99 EST, you wrote: >From: Jeanbreaux@... > >Hi, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1976 and followed >different diets of and on for the past years, I have recently been put on >insulin and at first my bg were just as high as with the oral medication. I >was following the diabetic diet given to me by my doctor and was still >getting high bg. i work for a doctor and she told me one day when i was >eating a baked potato for lunch that that was not good for my diabetes. she >said it turns to sugar fast. she told me to follow the low Carb or no carb >diet and since then i have researched the different diabetes web pages and >the low Carb diets. i decided to follow it and it had done wonders for my bg >i just checked it when i got home and it was 110 and i had bacon and eggs for >breakfast and a salad with shrimp in it and some hot and sour soup from a >Chinese restaurant, and was full and not craving something to eat. i feel so >much better since in have begun this diet. and i am losing weight too. I >wish you luck and just stick with it and monitor your bg. I know I cant have >any pasta or rice or potatoes or bread because when I do my bg jump way over >250 so I realize its this way or not feel good. hope this helps you and >everyone. >Jean > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Hi teri, I too am kinda new, I found out I had it in April. The initial shock is starting to wear off, but I went thru thr anger, the sadness and the fustration etc. I agree that prayer works wonders, so please keep your faith. THis group of people are wonderful, they will support you in any way they can. God bless you and take care.... Vicky IPF 4/06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Dear JsRosebud, Welcome to our group. You will get the support and guidance from these AWESOME people who are traveling down the road of pulmonary fibrosis. We're all at various stages of the disease and one of the most important things for me is to keep a positive attitude as much as possible. Yes, there are things we are not able to do, but there is a whole lot of things we can do. We need to stop and think about all the blessings we have in our life. And, we can't let this disease stop us or define who we are.Did your husband's doctor talk about pulmonary rehab? It is a good program that would help both of you understand more of what is going on and how to deal with this better. He would need a prescription from his pulmonologist. Please feel free to share what's going on. This is a safe environment for people to lay it all bare as it were. We welcome you and your husband with open arms. Leanne Moderator ipf - 1/03 jsrosebudntx wrote: my husband was recently diagnosed with IPF. everything i have read on this is devistating, he is only 45 years old, and is a non smoker. we are beginning to have no hope. our dr. has given us a choice of 2 treatment options, both have side effects that are just as rotton as this disease. the dr. did say though that we caught it early....can anyone give me hope ??? __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 thank you leanne, we go in monday to tell the dr. what kind of meds we would like to try, and my husband will redo some tests so the dr. will have something to compare in a few months. i will ask the dr. about the rehab, i have seen it mentioned alot, but didnt really know what it was. my husband said he was gonna fight this, we have to much to live for. we got the prayer chains going as soon as he was diagnosed, those prayers are such a blessing to us. i think once the initial shock wears off, we can move into the fight mode.. this is all so new to us, and there are so many different opinions of treatments here on line that it is very confusing. lots to ask the dr. thanks again for the warm welcome........teri jsrosebud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Hi and Welcome to our site, This is a traumatic time for the two of you..and for your family! First, I would tell you to put your hope and faith in God. Then, get busy. Read back posts and look at treatment options, drug trials, and try to dig into his medical past/environmental past to see if there is a cause. Even though it is Idiopathic which means 'unknown', that doesn't mean there is no cause. Try to find the very best doctors that are available and one who is interested in keeping him alive....not just shaking his head and expecting the worst. Hold his hand, love him and go together through the dark times. A day will come soon when you can see the sunshine and feel enough anger to start the fight. There are so many brave people here who are working hard to survive. We are also here to love and support each other. You will read posts from days when we are in the toilet and days when our spirits soar. Let us continue to hear from you. We all will help in any way that we can. Please let him know that we are here.....we care and we GET IT! Hugs, Joyce PF 1997>> my husband was recently diagnosed with IPF. everything i have read on > this is devistating, he is only 45 years old, and is a non smoker. we > are beginning to have no hope. our dr. has given us a choice of 2 > treatment options, both have side effects that are just as rotton as > this disease. the dr. did say though that we caught it early....can > anyone give me hope ???> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Hi Teri, Welcome to our open arms, We are all feeling your fright. The best thing we can do and do do for each other is pray for peace with this monster of a disease. I am glad he was diagnosed in early stages. What treatment is the Dr talking about?? Remember RIGHT NOW he is breathing able to live his life.. We could be walking down the street and BOOM. Please try to LIVE today. With God there is always hope. He knows.. God Bless,,, Peggy ipf 9/04 jsrosebudntxPeggy 09/04 ipf my husband was recently diagnosed with IPF. everything i have read on this is devistating, he is only 45 years old, and is a non smoker. we are beginning to have no hope. our dr. has given us a choice of 2 treatment options, both have side effects that are just as rotton as this disease. the dr. did say though that we caught it early....can anyone give me hope ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Teri; Please never give up hope!! I too was diagnosed early on in the disease, that was in December of 03. I am not on any medication, just a supplement NAC. As of yet I'm not on O2, My oxygen saturation level has never gone below 93% and I usually feel pretty good. I'm currently doing pulmonary rehab which I believe helps alot. I believe there is a doctor at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation that was diagnosed about 14 years ago and is still working and doing pretty good, ask Leanne for verification she works there. I believe the statistics they use are primarily based on people that have been diagnosed late in the disease. Your husband's attitude and desire to do the things he can to delay the progression of the disease will make a big difference. Remember you are now on our prayer list and we are here to support and help you any way we can. May God bless you and keep you in His loving embrace. Gordon ipf 12/03 newly diagnosed my husband was recently diagnosed with IPF. everything i have read on this is devistating, he is only 45 years old, and is a non smoker. we are beginning to have no hope. our dr. has given us a choice of 2 treatment options, both have side effects that are just as rotton as this disease. the dr. did say though that we caught it early....can anyone give me hope ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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