RE: Newbie and so overwhelmed

August 11, 2003

I believe that the USDA has information on the nutritional value of foods.

Good for you to limit your sugars, but STARCHES are just as important.

Pasta, white rice, potatoes, and white bread are no-nos for most of us.

(Whole-wheat bread and brown rice are OK in small amounts.)

Newbie and so overwhelmed

My doctor gave me a very sketchy meal plan. Gives me the

recommended number of startches, fruits, meat, etc. And a

very brief list (two pages) of some exchanges. Well, my

world is MUCH broader than those two pages. I've been

trying to figure out exchanges on my own but it's

difficult, and I'm too new to feel sure. Fund a book on

the American Diabetes Website but it's $50!!!!! Isn't

there something online that gives exchanges for common

foods? I have slogged through a couple of pages of Google

returns and have come up empty. I keep getting the basic

meal plan - not individual food exchanges.

I'm eating NO sugar except what's in fruits. My blood

sugar is all over the place. Is that just because I'm new

to this? Will the effect of the drug build up slowly?

I'm just going nuts trying to get my hands around this.

Can anybody enlighten me on these issues?

Thanks,

Suzette in land

August 11, 2003

>Isn't there something online that gives exchanges for common

>foods? I have slogged through a couple of pages of Google

>returns and have come up empty. I keep getting the basic

>meal plan - not individual food exchanges.

Hi Suzette,

I have a suggestion that might be helpful for you. If you don't mind waiting a

short while so that I can get the copies done for you, I have a large " pamphlet "

type book (my second copy; I got the first one when I was hospitalized at

diagnosis) published by the ADA called " American Diabetes Association Exchange

Lists for Meal Planning. " I don't know how much information you have to work

with right now, but this book was a godsend for me in the beginning. What I

love about it is that it gives *real* weights and measurements for things like

fruit - i.e., a 6-1/2 ounce orange, a 6 ounce peach, etc. - to determine one

carbohydryate exchange, instead of some exchange lists that use the " 3-1/2 inch

diameter " sort of measurements, which doesn't do most of us any good whatsoever.

If you would like a photocopy of the booklet (and that goes for anyone on the

list; I can make copies at work so there's no cost involved), please e-mail me

privately with your address and I'll be happy to mail you the copy.

I know exactly what you mean about being overwhelmed at the beginning. I spent

the first seven months after diagnosis so preoccupied and focused on the

diabetes that I rarely left the house except to go to work. I was dealing with

frequent hypoglycemia because of my attempting to get my BGs under control and

fine-tune my insulin doses without the help of my dismissive first

endocrinologist, so I became fearful of traveling too far from home and then

confronting the symptoms and consequences of unexpected low BGs. It was the

sort of existence that naturally and inevitably made me feel extremely isolated

and alone. This condition became my first priority, to a far greater extent

than it should have been. Of course, it's important to do what we need to do to

maintain a degree of control over the diabetes, but not to the extent that our

emotional and mental well-being is surrendered. That's what happened to me. I

woke up and decided that although the diabetes wasn't going anywhere, that it

would be a part of me for the rest of my life, that I needed to find a place for

it within the parameters of that life that was comfortable for me.

Unfortunately, so many of us are diagnosed and then sent on our way with

sketchy, vague information and very little guidance and it's up to *us* to fill

in the empty spaces. We're given a minimum of information, just enough to get

started, but very often not nearly enough that will enable us to understand all

of the nuances, subtleties and inconsistencies that are a part of living with

this condition. Suzette, I understand the sense of feeling " overwhelmed " *so*

well. But it *can* and *will* grow increasingly less overwhelming the more that

you learn. Trial and error will probably be a part of that learning process,

but in many ways it's invaluable. Ask questions, no matter how many times you

think we've heard them. That's why we're here.

And please do let me know if you'd like the copies of the booklet. Anyone who

wants a copy is welcome to it.

August 11, 2003

So I'm discovering. My doctor isn't very well informed on this topic

(although she's quite proud that she just went to a seminar on it). I had

some sugar free cookies for dessert last night (1 starch and 1 fat) and my

blood sugar shot up higher than it's been all week. She didn't tell me

about starches. My daily exchange plan has 7 of them!!!! My uncle has

diabetes and he said he doesn't eat anything white. I guess that's an easy

way to do it.

Thanks for the feedback.

RE: Newbie and so overwhelmed

I believe that the USDA has information on the nutritional value of foods.

Good for you to limit your sugars, but STARCHES are just as important.

Pasta, white rice, potatoes, and white bread are no-nos for most of us.

(Whole-wheat bread and brown rice are OK in small amounts.)

August 11, 2003

Hello Suzette,

Well I really wish you weren't here. (smile) Welcome

to the list.

Sit back and relax. Sure you have a lot of questions

-- the problem is we (diabetics) all have it, but we

all are different. You'll see a lot of YMMV (Your

Mileage May Vary), because what works for one may not

work for the next person.

Okay -- enough said.

One book most of us have in our library is:

" Diabetes Solution " by Dr. Bernstein

You can get it at Amazon or your favorite book store.

BTW it is not expensive.

If you don't have a bg tester get one -- get a good

one, cost about $60.00. You'll need the lancets and

test strips. Most insurance companies cover these

cost.

And yes my numbers jump all over the place; however,

the better your diet control is the less your bg will

bounce. For example, a bagel will add 20 points to

my bg.

Well Good Luck,

r

August 11, 2003

Are those just internet scary stories,

> or should I really be concerned?

>

> My doctor gave me a very sketchy meal plan. >

> I'm eating NO sugar except what's in fruits. My blood

> sugar is all over the place. Is that just because I'm new

> to this? Will the effect of the drug build up slowly?

>

> I'm just going nuts trying to get my hands around this.

> Can anybody enlighten me on these issues?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Suzette in land

Hi Suzette,

Welcome to the group. Ask any questions you may have. It doesn't

matter if it has been discussed many times prior. Asking questions

is the only way we learn.

As far as " internet " stories about meds, some of them are true while

others may not be. Most all meds are going to have some side

effects, more for some people than others. If you are concerned

about the med that your doctor gave you, discuss this with him/her

and also discuss it with your pharmacist.

I know you are overwhelmed with diabetes and all the information

available. The best thing to do is take it one day or one meal at a

time. You are not going to learn everything over night. I've had

diabetes for about 4 years and I'm still learning. Keeping a journal

will be very beneficial to you and your doctor. You need to record

your food intake (what you eat and how much), your bg (blood glucose)

readings, how much exercise and any other relevant information. This

may seem like a lot of work. However, once you get control of your

diabetes and realize what you can and cannot eat, the journal may not

be necessary. I no longer keep a journal, but there are some members

that continue to do so. Diabetes is different for each person.

There is no one food plan that works for everyone. It will not take

long and you will have this under control. Don't let it stress you.

That will only cause higher bg readings.

hugs

Eunice

August 11, 2003

Here are 2 clubs on yahoo that I belong to and they are very helpful

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Diabetic-And-Helpful-Rccipes and

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Diabetic_Recipe_Archive

Log onto them and click to join

Trish

Newbie and so overwhelmed

> I'm sure you have all heard these questions a million

> times, but I'm going to ask them anyway. Please forgive

> me. Maybe someone will have the patience to answer them one

> more time.

>

> I've been prescribed Avandia. Seems to be working, but

> today I ran across all these stories about it causing heart

> and liver damage. Are those just internet scary stories,

> or should I really be concerned? Are there other choices

> without having to take insulin?

>

> My doctor gave me a very sketchy meal plan. Gives me the

> recommended number of startches, fruits, meat, etc. And a

> very brief list (two pages) of some exchanges. Well, my

> world is MUCH broader than those two pages. I've been

> trying to figure out exchanges on my own but it's

> difficult, and I'm too new to feel sure. Fund a book on

> the American Diabetes Website but it's $50!!!!! Isn't

> there something online that gives exchanges for common

> foods? I have slogged through a couple of pages of Google

> returns and have come up empty. I keep getting the basic

> meal plan - not individual food exchanges.

>

> I'm eating NO sugar except what's in fruits. My blood

> sugar is all over the place. Is that just because I'm new

> to this? Will the effect of the drug build up slowly?

>

> I'm just going nuts trying to get my hands around this.

> Can anybody enlighten me on these issues?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Suzette in land

>

> Diabetes homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes/

>

> To unsubscribe to this group, send an email to:

diabetes-unsubscribe

> Hope you come back soon!

>

August 11, 2003

Another good diet is the weight watchers diet. it had exchanges in it and it

is low in sugar and carbs and you can always replace the sugar with splenda

if you want

Trish

Newbie and so overwhelmed

> I'm sure you have all heard these questions a million

> times, but I'm going to ask them anyway. Please forgive

> me. Maybe someone will have the patience to answer them one

> more time.

>

> I've been prescribed Avandia. Seems to be working, but

> today I ran across all these stories about it causing heart

> and liver damage. Are those just internet scary stories,

> or should I really be concerned? Are there other choices

> without having to take insulin?

>

> My doctor gave me a very sketchy meal plan. Gives me the

> recommended number of startches, fruits, meat, etc. And a

> very brief list (two pages) of some exchanges. Well, my

> world is MUCH broader than those two pages. I've been

> trying to figure out exchanges on my own but it's

> difficult, and I'm too new to feel sure. Fund a book on

> the American Diabetes Website but it's $50!!!!! Isn't

> there something online that gives exchanges for common

> foods? I have slogged through a couple of pages of Google

> returns and have come up empty. I keep getting the basic

> meal plan - not individual food exchanges.

>

> I'm eating NO sugar except what's in fruits. My blood

> sugar is all over the place. Is that just because I'm new

> to this? Will the effect of the drug build up slowly?

>

> I'm just going nuts trying to get my hands around this.

> Can anybody enlighten me on these issues?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Suzette in land

>

> Diabetes homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes/

>

> To unsubscribe to this group, send an email to:

diabetes-unsubscribe

> Hope you come back soon!

>

August 11, 2003

Thanks, Eunice. One of the first things I did was make a journal in Excel.

I fixed it so that my exchanges total for the day as I enter new items. I

have the recommended number in each category across the top because I get

confused about the numbers for each one. Helps a lot. there's bg column

and a place for me to enter the time. I also have a notes column. I could

put the exercise there. Hadn't thought about that. I learned a long time

ago about the value of journaling. It really helps me focus. But, given

the scanty information I was handed, I wasn't sure exactly what I was

focusing on. I'm getting there. Thanks so much!

Keeping a journal

will be very beneficial to you and your doctor. You need to record

your food intake (what you eat and how much), your bg (blood glucose)

readings, how much exercise and any other relevant information.

August 11, 2003