I found out i'm diabetic

So..i posted awhile ago that I peed in the bed. Well fast foward a week..i find out i'm diabetic.

That sucks...

any advice? Experience? I'm 18..and pretty healthy...but i guess its hereditary

Make sure you are very strict about what you eat.

Both my grandfathers had diabetes. One died when I was less than a year old, and the other died this year (I'm 22). I'm sure you can figure out which grandfather did what he was told. 

se1289 - I'm assuming based on your age that you were diagnosed with Type I Diabetes?  Have you been put on insulin?

My mother is a Type I diabetic who was diagnosed in her early 20's.  She turned 59 this year and leads a normal life.  She is on an insulin pump and is able to eat, for the most part, just like a non-diabetic person.  She has to be careful about exercising (making sure she has enough to eat before she goes or doesn't take too much insulin).  She has sugar, in some form, with her at all times.

Diabetes can be scary but it also is a manageable disease and you can learn to live with it.

Misconceptions about Diabetes:

"You can eat honey instead of sugar."  The body processes any form of sugar, like sugar.  Your body will need insulin to counteract the honey just as it would granulated sugar.

"You need to look for sugar free foods."  Many foods labelled as "sugar free" contain high amounts of carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates will increase your blood sugar - you should watch them carefully.  There are also lots of foods that contain fairly high amounts of sugar or carbs that you might not initially think about - ketchup, potato chips, as I mentioned sugar free candy.

"Diabetics are sick people."  Diabetes can be life threatening and is something that should be monitored carefully and well-managed.  You don't need to be considered "sick" most of the time.  Manage your blood sugar levels well and you will have minimal interruptions (blood sugar checks are important and can sometimes be inconvenient but well worth the time and effort).

My best advice is to understand Diabetes.  It is unmanaged Diabetes that causes most of the major problems you hear about.  Consistently high blood sugar levels can do damage to your body.  Read as much as you can and gather as much information as you can and you will be better able to manage it.

Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like:  pamt1998@hotmail.com.

 

Pam

Type 2 diabetic is a lot more common and easily controllable. I was diagnosed with type 2 last year. No insulin; it's controlled with pills and diets. Check your blood sugar often and watch your weight and sugar. Since I had the issues with it earlier this year I have lost 48 pounds. My blood sugar is always between 80 and 130. I don't really watch my sugar intake anymore, although since I eat healthier it's better than it was. My doctor recently said to me that since I am doing so well, he may be able to take me off the medication next year on my next checkup. He said that since I was diagnosed diabetic it will always be there to watch, but for all intents and purposes I will have beat it. Make sure you get a pnumonia shot, they say it's important since you are a diabetic. Also, make sure you get a flu shot next month. Other than that, type 2 is very controlleable. Good luck, if you want to write me you are welcome too!

I didn't know that diabetes makes you more likely to get the flu...

I hate getting a flu shot...

Hi Se,

I am a Type 1 diabetic. I was diagnosed at age 9. I am now 42. I am on an insulin pod (from OmniPod). It is very new, but similar to an insulin pump.

My advice is to not get overwhelmed. There is a ton of information to go through and learn. Most important, watch what you eat and exercise. 

Diabetes can be a royal pain, but keeping good control is very important. 

If you have any questions, please fee free to contact me (pokeetoes@comcast.net).

Adee 

 

advice - my grandmother, mother and husband all have type II diabetes, all onset in their 50s or 60s ... the main thing I can tell you is there are LOTS of resources out there with information on managing diabetes. 

Use them!! 

So much NEW information ... so much has changed even since my grandmother was diagnosed 20 years ago.  So many old "rules" that now have proved to be untrue, new medications that make diabetes much more manageable than it used to be.

Listen to your doctor, follow his/her instructions, and take steps to educate yourself as much as possible.   The American Diabetes Association has a wealth of information on their website.  When my husband was diagnosed a month ago, we spent many, many hours on this website. 

www.diabetes.org

 And exercise ... exercise is so important to managing diabetes!  That was the key that helped my husband move from 120 units of Lantos a day, to no insulin at all.

Granted, for Type I it is different, but eating right and exercising will help your body use what medicines you take most effectively, for the best blood-sugar control and a healthier life.

Good luck to you!

I don't have diabetes, but my husband does. I certainly agree with everything everyone has said, especially the diet and exercise.

I will also say that it's good to figure out what kind of emotional support works best for you. THere are times when the "being careful about what I eat", medication, fluctuations in hormone levels, etc. just gets to him. He's not a person to go to a support group, and I empathize, but then I don't have diabetes. However, he has a friend who has it and meets with him periodically and that really helps him emotionally. Maybe for other people it's a support group, or journallying.

The other thing he tells me all the time, is that it's so important to take the time to get to know how your body responds to all the things your're putting in it. After all, your physician is going to look for feedback from you. And also, monitor your sugar. My physician friend tells me it's easier to counsel someone with diabetes and know what's going on if they are faithful about monitoring their sugar. My husband does that and even graphs it out before he heads back to the doctor so he can see how things are going.

Best of luck. Sounds like you have lots of resources.

{{{hugs}}}

How's it going?