The Energon Pub

Im back on The Forum again, i have been on a 2days vaccation, it was OK, but it was ruined because i tought i had 'Diabetes 2'.

Well, since im 'Super size' if you understand, i thought on the many dangers, one of them is Diabetes 2 as we all know.

So i went to the dear ol' Docter today, to get a bloodtest.

I dont have Diabetes 2 ! And he told me that i was in a good condition, i have lost like 5-6kilos!

Does anyone here on the forum have diabetes? How does it feel? What is the exact consequenses?

Sorry i just had to write all my feelings down, sorry
* And sorry for the bad spelling ...

I don't have it, but I am borderline. Mainly I just have to watch what I eat, and make sure I do not get lightheaded.

I've had type 2 Diabetes since I was 12years old [I'm 37 now]It's not a eazy thing to live with.Besides having to watch what you eat every day for the rest of your life....there's the suger testing many times a day.....and I know they say you'll get used to it but thats bull shi*!!!!!!!!Then there's the injections many times a day[I take up to 10 a day].Then there are other problems that pop up over the years,Kidney failer......mine are working at barly 25% of norm, Numdness of the hand's and feet........I havent felt anything belo the knee in over 10 years and it pretty dangerous.....I had a nail gun shot into my right foot a few years ago at work and I didnt even feel it,I didnt even know it happened till I got home and tryed to take off my shoes.I have a friend that went blind because of it and you have to look out for sex troubles[ so far I've been lucky ]If the doc's think you might be at risk you should do every thing you can to hold it off!

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:I've had type 2 Diabetes since I was 12years old [I'm 37 now]It's not a eazy thing to live with.Besides having to watch what you eat every day for the rest of your life....there's the suger testing many times a day.....and I know they say you'll get used to it but thats bull shi*!!!!!!!!Then there's the injections many times a day[I take up to 10 a day].Then there are other problems that pop up over the years,Kidney failer......mine are working at barly 25% of norm, Numdness of the hand's and feet........I havent felt anything belo the knee in over 10 years and it pretty dangerous.....I had a nail gun shot into my right foot a few years ago at work and I didnt even feel it,I didnt even know it happened till I got home and tryed to take off my shoes.I have a friend that went blind because of it and you have to look out for sex troubles[ so far I've been lucky ]If the doc's think you might be at risk you should do every thing you can to hold it off!

I was diagnosed Type 2 two years ago in the ER after having a minor stroke (yeah, it sucked). It was pretty much as big a wake-up call as you can imagine.

Diabetes, especially type 2 (which you may see from time to time as Diabetes mellitus, it's clinical name) is all about maintenance and self-restraint. Which is ironic, because it was the very lack of those two things which led me to contract it in the first place. I've had the very good fortune of having superb physicians over the past two years who are very knowledgeable about the disease (it's very nearly an epidemic here in DC, so that's not really surprising).

The diagnosis was scary, and it meant having to think about food in a completely new way. The upside of that is that I've been exposed to an enormous variety of foods that I'd never considered before.

But maintenance, your own ability to cope with it, is the only defining factor.

And Stovokor... I'm truly sorry, dude. I hope that you take the chances you get to let people know about what this beast is, and that you've got good people around you. It makes all the difference in the world.

Stovokor's right... if your doc says "borderline," you need to start altering the way you eat right now. If anyone is interested, I can post a list of resources I've relied on over the past two years and still use to this day.

Aurax wrote:I was diagnosed Type 2 two years ago in the ER after having a minor stroke (yeah, it sucked). It was pretty much as big a wake-up call as you can imagine.

Diabetes, especially type 2 (which you may see from time to time as Diabetes mellitus, it's clinical name) is all about maintenance and self-restraint. Which is ironic, because it was the very lack of those two things which led me to contract it in the first place. I've had the very good fortune of having superb physicians over the past two years who are very knowledgeable about the disease (it's very nearly an epidemic here in DC, so that's not really surprising).

The diagnosis was scary, and it meant having to think about food in a completely new way. The upside of that is that I've been exposed to an enormous variety of foods that I'd never considered before.

But maintenance, your own ability to cope with it, is the only defining factor.

And Stovokor... I'm truly sorry, dude. I hope that you take the chances you get to let people know about what this beast is, and that you've got good people around you. It makes all the difference in the world.

Stovokor's right... if your doc says "borderline," you need to start altering the way you eat right now. If anyone is interested, I can post a list of resources I've relied on over the past two years and still use to this day.

Dude please post them I'm always looking for new info that might help.

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:Dude please post them I'm always looking for new info that might help.

Yeah, I just realized how lazy I was being by just throwing that out there and not providing anything helpful. My bad.

Anyway...

Coming at it, as I was two years ago, as a n00b, there were two sources that were absolutely invaluable.

The first is a book: The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes. Amazon Link. The 2nd Ed came out last year, so it's decently up-to-date. This book is my bible, even though it's been more than a year since I was diagnosed. Gretchen Becker introduced me to a helpful, positive and (even though I HATE this word, it really applies in this instance) proactive approach to diabetes management. The one kernel that anyone can get from this book is that it is entirely about your self and your strength, and it is those two things alone upon which you must rely for managing this thing.

My other primary source is Pete Mendosa's web site. There's a whole lot of bad information about diabetes out there, but Pete's site has never let me down. The way each person reacts to diabetic treatments is unique, and reading (devouring, really) his site helped me understand that fact, and not to get discouraged. Most of what I have in my bookmarks are things that I initially discovered from his Links sections. Definitely start there for other resources.

After those two, my links sort of fall into links for recipes, and Everything Else.

My girlfriend and I went on a ridiculous buying spree after I was diagnosed, looking for any and every cookbook there was out there. One of the most helpful, and almost the only one we still call on from time to time (she's become really good about inventing meals that are good for me) is the Simply Gourmet Diabetes Cookbook. Amazon Link. All of the recipes come with that handy exchange-count system, as well as raw carb details, depending on how you count. It was really helpful at the outset in determining what a plate of 60 carbs looks like, and what one of 80 carbs looks like, and whether or not we felt like indulging.

I'm sure you know this already, but just in case... one word: Splenda. One horrific day, someone's going to come along and say that Splenda melts your spine or kills puppies or whatever. But until that day, it's a staple.

The ADA's website is fairly helpful, especially the virtual grocery store.

DC has a lot of free classes and stuff (like this)... it might be worth a look to see if anyone in your area has something similar. I went to one of these right after I was diagnosed, and then again a few months back, just as a refresher.

The rest of my diabetic life is just the rest of my life. I'm walking several miles a day (living in a city actually promotes that) and keep obsessive track of that with my well-used pedometer. I take part in the few studies I'm qualifed to (the stroke, and being insulin dependent, keep me out of alot of them). I get really tired of it sometimes, and sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I really dislike the complications (kidneys, heart and eyes are still fine). I dislike the frequency and intensity and expense of this thing. But I'm always able to shake all of that off in a few days. Surprisingly, writing this post has helped. So, I guess another thing that would help would be to find your outlet.

Anyway, that's alot of what I've learned over two years. FWIW.

EDIT: Fixed the grocery store link.

Thanks a lot !!!!!!!I'll look into that in the am

Wow, guys, that is very unfortunate. I can't imagine having a chronic condition that interferes with my life. Worse thing I've ever had was severe preeclampsia, which landed me in the ICU. Being hospitalized is a horrid experience, and I feel bad for any of you that have to endure it. Also, the needles and eating changes you have to make. Must be tough. Can I ask, Sto vo kor, what makes younger people get Type 2? I've always wondered if it's something that just kinda happens to you as a kid, as opposed to life choices you make that leads you to diabetes.

Moonbase2 wrote:Wow, guys, that is very unfortunate. I can't imagine having a chronic condition that interferes with my life. Worse thing I've ever had was severe preeclampsia, which landed me in the ICU. Being hospitalized is a horrid experience, and I feel bad for any of you that have to endure it. Also, the needles and eating changes you have to make. Must be tough. Can I ask, Sto vo kor, what makes younger people get Type 2? I've always wondered if it's something that just kinda happens to you as a kid, as opposed to life choices you make that leads you to diabetes.

To be correct Type 2 is more commonly found in older people ages 40 and up,It is more common that younger people end up with Type 1 althou the numbers have been on the rise for childhood Type 2.Obesity is found in approximately 55% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.Other factors include age(about 20% of elderly patients are diabetic in North America) and family history (type 2 is much more common in those with close relatives who have had it), although in the last decade it has increasingly begun to affect children and adolescents.Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at least partly inherited. Type 1 diabetes appears to be triggered by some (mainly viral) infections, or in a less common group, by stress or environmental exposure (such as exposure to certain chemicals or drugs).

Is one form of diabetes considered to be worse or more life-threatening? I personally don't know anyone with diabetes.

Moonbase2 wrote:Is one form of diabetes considered to be worse or more life-threatening? I personally don't know anyone with diabetes.

There are 3 types of Diabetes Diabetes mellitus type 1,
Diabetes mellitus type 2 and Gestational diabetes.
The 3rd being the least likly to be life threatening as long as it's diagnosed.
Type 1 patients are dependant on insulin from day one of their diagnoses.....there is no known preventative measure that can be taken against type 1 diabetes. Most people affected by type 1 diabetes are otherwise healthy and of a healthy weight when onset occurs. Diet and exercise cannot reverse or prevent type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is due to a combination of defective insulin secretion and insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes is usually first treated by attempts to change physical activity and the diet (generally to decrease carbohydrate intake), and weight loss. These can restore insulin sensitivity. Some type 2 diabetics can achieve satisfactory glucose control, sometimes for years.However, the underlying tendency to insulin resistance is not lost, and so attention to diet, exercise, and weight loss must continue.I myself went close to 20 years with out having to use insulin,I went thru periods od diet alone and pills plus diet but my time on pills ran out when I hit 30 and I developed pancreatitus from the meds they were giving me to keep my blood sugers down.

I'm hypoglycemic which, as I understand it, is very rare outside of someone who is taking insulin for diabetes. It's pretty much the opposite of diabetes. My body produces too much insulin. I'm at risk for pretty much all of the health problems associated with diabetes and I'm also at risk for developing diabetes if I'm not carefull. I've been dealing with it most of my life and I'm usually good if I eat every couple hours but every once in a while my blood sugar just drops out of nowhere. I hate insulin shock!

God Magnus wrote:I'm hypoglycemic which, as I understand it, is very rare outside of someone who is taking insulin for diabetes. It's pretty much the opposite of diabetes. My body produces too much insulin. I'm at risk for pretty much all of the health problems associated with diabetes and I'm also at risk for developing diabetes if I'm not carefull. I've been dealing with it most of my life and I'm usually good if I eat every couple hours but every once in a while my blood sugar just drops out of nowhere. I hate insulin shock!

Thats how I started out but that was a long time ago.

Diabetes ain't cool, type 1 or type 2.

I know someone with diabetes ( can't remember for the life of me which type).

They have to plan their eating carefully, and can't just pig out and enjoy themselves like I do.

God Magnus wrote:I'm hypoglycemic which, as I understand it, is very rare outside of someone who is taking insulin for diabetes. It's pretty much the opposite of diabetes. My body produces too much insulin. I'm at risk for pretty much all of the health problems associated with diabetes and I'm also at risk for developing diabetes if I'm not carefull. I've been dealing with it most of my life and I'm usually good if I eat every couple hours but every once in a while my blood sugar just drops out of nowhere. I hate insulin shock!

How do you know if you are hypoglycemic? My uncle claims he is and has to eat often. I've had issues for the last six years where sometimes I simply pass out, usually around a time I eat. I did it one time Christmas shopping and I was pregnant. I was standing in line for pizza with a $20 bill in my hand. I woke up sitting against the wall, with the money left on the counter. I got back up and got my pizza. It's happened like six times. I get physically nauseous if I skip any meals.

Moonbase2 wrote:

God Magnus wrote:I'm hypoglycemic which, as I understand it, is very rare outside of someone who is taking insulin for diabetes. It's pretty much the opposite of diabetes. My body produces too much insulin. I'm at risk for pretty much all of the health problems associated with diabetes and I'm also at risk for developing diabetes if I'm not carefull. I've been dealing with it most of my life and I'm usually good if I eat every couple hours but every once in a while my blood sugar just drops out of nowhere. I hate insulin shock!

How do you know if you are hypoglycemic? My uncle claims he is and has to eat often. I've had issues for the last six years where sometimes I simply pass out, usually around a time I eat. I did it one time Christmas shopping and I was pregnant. I was standing in line for pizza with a $20 bill in my hand. I woke up sitting against the wall, with the money left on the counter. I got back up and got my pizza. It's happened like six times. I get physically nauseous if I skip any meals.

Wow all this last week talking to you and I thought you were a guy!!!!I'm sorry I called you dude a few times.If it happened a lot while you were "pregnant" then I would say you WERE hypoglycemic at the time and that you might have had Gestational diabetes at the time and not have knowen!!!!A large amount of woman develope Gestational diabetes while being pregnant.Here are a few signs of hypoglycemic:
Signs and symptoms
Hypoglycemic symptoms and manifestations can be divided into those produced by the counterregulatory hormones (adrenaline and glucagon) triggered by the falling glucose, and the neuroglycopenic effects produced by the reduced brain sugar.

Adrenergic manifestations
Shakiness, anxiety, nervousness, tremor
Palpitations, tachycardia
Cold Sweating, feeling of warmth
Pallor, coldness, clamminess
Dilated pupils

Glucagon manifestations
Hunger, Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort

Neuroglycopenic manifestations
Impaired judgement ,Nonspecific dysphoria, anxiety, moodiness, depression, crying
Negativism, irritability, belligerence, combativeness, rage
Personality change, emotional lability
Fatigue, weakness, apathy, lethargy, daydreaming, sleep
Confusion, amnesia, dizziness, delirium
Staring, "glassy" look, blurred vision, double vision
Automatic behavior, also known as automatism
Difficulty speaking, slurred speech
Ataxia, incoordination, sometimes mistaken for "drunkenness"
Focal or general motor deficit, paralysis, hemiparesis
Paresthesias, headache ,Stupor, coma, abnormal breathing
Generalized or focal seizures.
Not all of the above manifestations occur in every case of hypoglycemia. There is no consistent order to the appearance of the symptoms. Specific manifestations vary by age and by severity of the hypoglycemia.The symptoms of a single person do tend to be similar from episode to episode.For me ,I tend to get the shakes,cold sweat,confusion, increased heart palputation and a slow black out so I find my self having plenty of warning when its happening and I sit down and have somthing to drink or eat.

Hee hee, I was wondering what you thought I was. I posted some pics of me on the "all yer ugly mugs" thread, about three pages from the last one or so.

It happened one time when I was pregnant, and about five times when I wasn't. I feel sick to my stomach sometimes, then it sounds like everything is underwater. Next thing I know I wake up on the ground. So I don't allow myself to ever skip meals, especially since it usually happens in public.

Still not nearly as bad as your condition.



That is me.

Moonbase2 wrote:Hee hee, I was wondering what you thought I was. I posted some pics of me on the "all yer ugly mugs" thread, about three pages from the last one or so.

It happened one time when I was pregnant, and about five times when I wasn't. I feel sick to my stomach sometimes, then it sounds like everything is underwater. Next thing I know I wake up on the ground. So I don't allow myself to ever skip meals, especially since it usually happens in public.

Still not nearly as bad as your condition.



That is me.

Definatley not an "ugly mug"!!!Your very cute...but yeah it sounds like your under water when it hits or like you have a pillow over your head and the light and color is fading out from the corner's of your eyes!!!!!It sounds like hypoglycemia to me!!!!!!!!!!!

One cool thing about hanging out with my Grammy is she also gets sick if she doesn't eat really often, so I never go hungry around her. Do you get really grumpy if you don't eat? Like extremely irritated? I keep myself and my kids on a pretty strict eating schedule. A lot of times people want to eat hours after lunchtime or before my scheduled dinner time and I have to turn them down flat. I don't need the headaches and the nausea.

Oh, and thanks.

Moonbase2 wrote:One cool thing about hanging out with my Grammy is she also gets sick if she doesn't eat really often, so I never go hungry around her. Do you get really grumpy if you don't eat? Like extremely irritated? I keep myself and my kids on a pretty strict eating schedule. A lot of times people want to eat hours after lunchtime or before my scheduled dinner time and I have to turn them down flat. I don't need the headaches and the nausea.

Yeah mood swings are preety common with low blood suger.I also get mean when its really high.....its kind of like the feeling one gets when their trying to quit smoking.

Oh and your welcome...I was just speeking the truth!!!!

Ah, bless. You're too kind.

So, you're not allowed to eat sugar, right? I think I could handle the shots over that. It would be so hard. At least they have a decent selection of foods with artificial sugars nowadays.

Moonbase2 wrote:Ah, bless. You're too kind.

So, you're not allowed to eat sugar, right? I think I could handle the shots over that. It would be so hard. At least they have a decent selection of foods with artificial sugars nowadays.

Your welcome.......to tell the truth ,sugars arent that big of a deal to me.I can eat a candy bar and my blood sugar wont rise all that much.Starch is a real problem, rice,bread,pasta,fried foods and soda's are what's killing me.For me eating no rice is murder.........I'm a P Rican,I have to eat my rice & beans every day!!!!!!!!!But your right they have a large amount of foods with artificial sugar in them but their way to expensive....and the sugar free Root Beer sucks!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I didn't know starch could be problematic! That would be worse than sugar! I am a pasta fiend and I'd hand over every piece of chocolate over that. My poor Grammy is lactose intolerant. So eating a milkshake gives her gas from hell. You poor people! The biggest problem anything gives me is with alcohol. If I drink just a little I usually get sick. I've never even gotten to the point of being fairly inebriated without feeling the need to utterly urp.