Managing Diabetes

Casey Campbell · 2006-12-26T20:10:45+00:00

An 89-year-old patient of ours just started on insulin after dealing with diabetes for years. We're struggling to figure out the right dosage. Is there a relia…

Frank Hughes56 Member

42 messages
joined Aug 2009

#21 · Feb 7, 2008

So, I checked my levels about two or three hours after breakfast was done. It’s a bit of a constant battle since everyone in my family deals with diabetes. Honestly, whenever I sneak in anything sweet, I can feel it right away—it starts itching and burning almost immediately.

mellowraven32 Member

28 messages
joined Jul 2007

#22 · Feb 7, 2008

Don't freak out.....
If everyone here actually has diabetes, then you all have glucose monitors. Just check your levels tomorrow morning when you wake up, before you even brush your teeth, and let us know the number. We're talking fasting levels, not what you get three hours after eating.
Make sense? 😛

Roger Garcia9 Member

20 messages
joined May 2019

#23 · Feb 7, 2008

Honestly, I’m completely lost here. Could you please just be explicit about what your levels were on an empty stomach versus after breakfast?
Besides, none of those numbers really carry much weight until you actually perform a glucose tolerance test.

jadesailor14 Regular

314 messages
joined May 2006

#24 · Feb 8, 2008

Hannah Bishop said:I actually checked my levels after breakfast, about 2 or 3 hours after eating. Diabetes runs in my whole family, too. Every time I have something sweet, I immediately start feeling that stinging and itching sensation.

Hey, why don't you just go see a doctor?
It's probably better than trying to diagnose yourself!

silverscout22 Newcomer

1 message
joined Feb 2008

#25 · Feb 8, 2008

Hannah Bishop, you're such a hypochondriac. How many diseases do you actually have?div>

Drew Williams21 Newcomer

9 messages
joined Mar 2003

#26 · May 16, 2008

So my doctor just dropped the news that I’ve got diabetes—total gut punch. If anyone could lay out some basics on what this actually means and what kind of lifestyle shifts are coming my way, I’d really appreciate it—[I’m sure there are others out there wondering the same thing too]

shadowsurfer54 Newcomer

1 message
joined Jun 2009

#27 · May 16, 2008

Drew Williams21 said:My doctor just told me today that I have diabetes. I was wondering if anyone could share some basic information about the condition and what I should expect to deal with moving forward? It would really help me out [and I'm sure there are others who might find this useful too].

www.diabetes.org
www.mayoclinic.org

Emily Torres2 Member

28 messages
joined Feb 2004

#28 · May 23, 2008

Drew Williams21 said:Doc just dropped the news today that I've got diabetes. Anyone willing to lay out the basics of what this actually means and what kind of life I'm looking at now? It’d help me out [and probably anyone else in the same boat]

You being for real right now or just messing around?😲
Either way, the good life is officially over.👎

Jeremy Thompson95 Newcomer

2 messages
joined Nov 2007

#29 · May 23, 2008

Drew Williams21 said:So my doctor just dropped the news today that I’ve got diabetes, so if anyone could lay out some basics about the disease and what I should expect coming down the pipeline—it would really help me out [and I bet there are others wondering the same thing]

http://mayoclinic.org/
There's a ton of info over there—especially regarding diet (check out those food charts to help you figure out portions, types of food, and how to mix things up). You’re probably sharper than I am, so you’ll catch on quickly that on the "nutrition" page, you have to click the picture of something like a salad to actually get to the data tables. It took me like two months to realize that 🤣

Your doctor probably mentioned whether you're Type 1 or Type 2. Here's the gist: with Type 1, your pancreas basically goes on strike and refuses to make insulin, whereas with Type 2, you basically have to sweet-talk it into doing its job 😁

I don't know how you're holding up, but honestly, when I first found out, I was in total shock. Those sites that the folks above linked are super helpful, though they can be pretty brutal because they really hammer home the complications and the risk of death 🙄

From what I've gathered, those scary complications people used to assume were inevitable? Nowadays, it's actually pretty easy to slow them down or even stop them entirely. It all comes down to how much work you're willing to put in. If you stay disciplined with your diet, keep moving with regular exercise, and keep a close eye on your blood sugar, you can dodge most of the issues with Type 2. It’s similar for Type 1, except you gotta deal with the little shots before you eat. And look, you *could* always decide you don't actually need your left foot, or that having two kidneys is overrated 😬 Basically, your future with diabetes is entirely in your own hands.

Having a good doctor—an endocrinologist specifically—is huge, especially at the start while you're still trying to find your groove. It wouldn't hurt to join a diabetes support group, too; apparently, they're full of good vibes, advice, and reading material. I haven't joined one yet because I seriously hate joining organizations, but I'm planning to

I've been living with Type 1 for less than a year now. I've gone through all the stages: from complete freaking out, to that "honeymoon phase" where I convinced myself I was miraculously cured 🤣 to doing four finger pricks a day. Now, I feel (and honestly, I look 😉 ) better than ever.

Bottom line: diabetes isn't the end of the world 😁

stormyrider2 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Jan 2009

#30 · Jan 10, 2009

Male, 25 years old. I've always been a bit on the leaner side—about 5'9" and 147 lbs.
It all kicked off with these weird burping sensations and my heart starting to race out of nowhere.
(February 2008)
Then, about five months in, things took a strange turn with this sensation in my leg.
I started getting these sudden bouts of weakness while walking, almost like I was going to pass out.
There were two weeks where I felt absolutely terrible, to the point where I could barely stay on my feet.
The weakness was intense, especially on the left side of my body.
I also noticed some issues with my left leg while trying to walk.
After that, the weakness started to let up a little,
but then the problems with my knees and eyes started cropping up, along with classic diabetes symptoms.
I’m talking constant thirst, hunger, frequent urination, sweating, tremors... the whole works.
About a year after those first symptoms appeared, my knees started swelling up,
and my walking became really unsteady. My vision has taken a hit too, and I've dropped about 11 pounds.

stormyrider2 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Jan 2009

#31 · Jan 10, 2009

http://www.holiday-apartments.biz/oko.jpg

redsailor11 Member

11 messages
joined Jan 2009

#32 · Jan 10, 2009

I don't get it.
Are you asking if those are diabetes symptoms—or what's the actual question here?
If those really are the things you're feeling, why haven't you hit up a doctor to get an official diagnosis yet?
Seriously, don't mess around with this or put it off—this isn't something to joke about, trust me, I know.

Have you actually checked your blood sugar? That’s step one, obviously.

"People living with diabetes can experience symptoms from high blood glucose levels—things like frequent urination, increased appetite, constant thirst, weight loss, and blurry vision. Then again, a lot of people don't have any symptoms at all."

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-2037229d
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/what-is-diabetes

stormyrider2 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Jan 2009

#33 · Jan 12, 2009

Honestly, I’m pretty convinced we’re looking at diabetes here,
but I’d love to hear what everyone else thinks about it.
Thanks for the input!

Susan Parker77 Newcomer

1 message
joined Feb 2009

#34 · Feb 8, 2009

So, I’m the new kid on the block—just turned 20, and yesterday, I found out my life just took a massive turn...
I’m still reeling from the shock; everything about the way I lived my life until now has been flipped upside down overnight...
As for this "sneaky" disease, I honestly know nothing at all—aside from what I’ve spent today and yesterday frantically Googling... No one in my family or close circle deals with diabetes, so I’ve truly never encountered it before...
If anyone here would be willing to share some of their own experiences with me, I would be incredibly grateful.
Specifically, I'm curious about the diet side of things—and how on earth am I supposed to handle going out to clubs when I have to dose myself with insulin around 11 or midnight?

Any advice at all is welcome... thanks so much in advance to everyone.

Robin Robinson8 Newcomer

7 messages
joined Jul 2008

#35 · Feb 8, 2009

Susan Parker77 said:So, I’m a newcomer here—I just turned 20, and yesterday everything changed when I found out what's going on with me...
I'm honestly still in shock. My whole lifestyle—everything I thought my routine was—just flipped upside down overnight...
I don't know anything about this "sneaky" disease, really, other than the stuff I spent all day yesterday reading online... nobody in my family or close circle deals with diabetes, so I've never actually encountered it before...
If anyone would be willing to share some of their own experiences with me, I’d be so grateful.
I'm especially curious about the diet side of things—and how am I supposed to go out to clubs if I have to take a shot of insulin around 11 or midnight?

Any advice at all is welcome... thanks so much in advance, everyone.

There's already a dedicated thread on diabetes, so you might want to check that out for more info...
Sorry to say, but now you're officially "special" and sweet too. 😢

redsailor11 Member

11 messages
joined Jan 2009

#36 · Feb 8, 2009

Honestly, it’s not really that big of a tragedy.
My boyfriend has been dealing with Type 1 since he was six years old.
I mean, sure, he doesn't eat nearly as much as I do sometimes 😬 but he’s definitely not some perfect saint either 😁
He just takes his insulin whenever—he checks his sugar, sees how high it is, and then gives himself a shot. If his levels drop too low, he just grabs something sweet.
It's basically just a constant cycle...
I haven't really noticed him taking insulin at any specific scheduled times—honestly, I think he's just pretty irresponsible about it—but I can't exactly re-train him, you know? Besides, he probably knows what he's doing better than I do.
His life is totally normal, though. He goes out, hangs with friends, even has a drink every now and then. 😠
The funniest part is when we're out at a club and half the people around us pass out just seeing the pen 🤣🤣

redsailor11 Member

11 messages
joined Jan 2009

#37 · Feb 8, 2009

Just realized I totally missed posting this in the old thread... 🙂
Oh well—maybe some mod can just move or merge it... 🙏

Benjamin Smith6 Newcomer

2 messages
joined Mar 2008

#38 · Apr 27, 2009

I’m feeling a bit anxious—honestly, a little bit overwhelmed—about whether my son might be dealing with Type 1 diabetes. To give you some context, about a year and a half ago, he moved away to start college in NYC—you know how it is, a brand-new city where you don't know a soul, living on that classic student diet... all those quick meals and irregular schedules! Anyway, when he finally came home after his first two months, he had dropped a staggering 8 to 10 pounds, and he’s just stayed at that lower weight ever since. He also sleeps for 10 to 12 hours straight—though, to be fair, he was always a bit of a heavy sleeper back in high school too. I haven't really noticed anything regarding excessive thirst or frequent bathroom trips compared to how he used to be. However, about nine months ago, his breath had this really strong, unpleasant odor—almost like something was decaying—but I actually thought it was just a hygiene issue, because once he started being more diligent about brushing his tongue, that smell vanished. Still, I'm practically nagging him to finally go get some blood work done so we can see what’s actually going on. My big question is: if this were truly Type 1 diabetes (he's 20, after all), would the symptoms have manifested much more drastically over this 1.5-year period?😢

Betty Green37 Newcomer

1 message
joined Apr 2009

#39 · Apr 28, 2009

Oh, absolutely. If it were Type 1 diabetes, you’d definitely see the effects manifest over a year and a half. It probably wouldn't even have lasted that long without treatment.
If Type 1 goes untreated, the blood essentially becomes toxic, and the consequences can be catastrophic. The symptoms are usually pretty unmistakable: excessive thirst, constant urination, a dry mouth, weight loss, dark circles under the eyes, extreme fatigue, and that distinct fruity or acidic breath. If he starts vomiting, that’s the absolute final warning sign.
Based on what you've described, it sounds like the kid might have already been dealing with a chaotic or high-stress lifestyle. Now he's in a new environment and, of course, away from his mother's care... but honestly, the best thing to do is get some blood work done immediately just to be certain.
Good luck. I sincerely hope your fears turn out to be unfounded.

Benjamin Smith6 Newcomer

2 messages
joined Mar 2008

#40 · Apr 30, 2009

Betty Green37 said:From what you’re describing—and I mean, really looking at it—it sounds like this little guy might have just had a pretty chaotic, high-stress lifestyle beforehand... plus, he’s navigating a whole new environment now without his mama nearby to buffer everything. But honestly? The absolute best move is to just get the bloodwork done ASAP so you aren't left guessing!
Good luck—I am sincerely crossing my fingers that all those worries turn out to be nothing more than nerves!

Well, turns out you were absolutely right! He went in for the blood tests, and everything came back perfectly fine. Thank you so much for your response—it truly meant the world to me during such a stressful time.😘

Managing Diabetes

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