Hello Everyone

[Guest guest]

Hi Group,

Wanted to take the time to tell everyone how much I appreciate their

posts. As a " newbie " I am (like everyone else I suppose) extremely

overwhelmed and anxious. I am furiously trying to digest this bitter

pill called " diabetes " ! I have 'known' but denied its existence for a

long time. My body has been trying to tell me for a long time...choking

HARD on hard candy many times for instance! *L* Ruled out the leg

cramps at night to " low potassium " ...eat a banana...*L*..

Accepting chronic illness of any kind is not easy to do. Changing a

lifetime of " bad " eating habits is one of the largest challenges for me.

Giving up my good ol' " hillbilly fried chicken " in exchange for roasted

or baked or whatever...*sigh*...but when I

figure out the 'exchanges' perhaps I can indulge once in a while after I

get control of

the numbers. Right now, with 500 mg GlucophageXR, the highest is around

200 and lowest about 110. I am in PT every day for both shoulders too,

and that is a bit stressful, but necessary to avoid surgery.

I am one who wants to know it all right now...and that sure isn't

possible...gotta keep telling myself " one day at a time " . Thank God I

have a good doc, who referred me right away to a dietician and also a

nurse/diabetic specialist. I have met with both and am doing my

damndest to " teach this old dawg some new tricks " !! *L*

I am happy to report that I have lost two pounds this past week. I am

having " highs and lows " and am finding that exercise (which I abhor)

does make the numbers go down. It is exasperating to be so damn hard

headed!! The only " silver lining " I can find in this cloud is: Hey,

dummie, this is a 'wake-up' call for you to get offa your big fat butt

and make some lifestyle changes. I have known this for some time, but

gave in to other excuses not to do it. Now I am FORCED to do it, or pay

some very serious consequences!!

I am also having some GI problems with the GlucophageXR. Took some

Immodium this am, but called my doc for some Miralax. I also have

fibromyalgia and " IBS " (irritable bowel syndrome), and any medicine is

likely to cause GI upsets. My GI had given me the Miralax once before.

He explained that it works for either diahrreah or constipation; one of

its properties being it holds the water in the bowel.

It doesn't taste, and doesn't get thick like the fiber stuff (ugh). And

it works great for me.

To Bob Blakely: I too am looking forward to the next chapter of your

very interesting story. Have you ever thought of writing a book? You

are a very good writer.

To the ones who are challenged by the government's guidelines for

getting any help: My heart goes out to you. Been there, done that. In

Ohio it is even worse. Our governor has decided to " cut " Medicaid

spending...LOTS of impoverished folks getting the meds they need taken

away and told they have to take cheaper stuff. I am in that bunch.

Doctor's office girl is about to have a " breakdown " from having to deal

with " prior authorization. You have to be DESTITUTE to get any help.

The insurance companies, politicians, etc. are the ones who are now

deciding our health care in the US, and it's a bunch of political BS in

my opinion. It took me THREE years to even get a hearing on

disability. Yes, the system is broken and even tho' I was an insurance

agent, I abhor that 'bizness'. I used to come home so upset after

trying to place a Medicare supplement with a little widow lady who

honestly could not afford it due to the cost of meds. Now I am in that

same boat. I could rave on for hours on this topic, but will wind up

being stressed over it, so will hush on it but do know that as I read

your emails that I am sending out a prayer for you all.

Hangin' in there one day at a time and grateful for this group...thanks

Eunice.

Blessings on all,

Di