I need MAJOR help PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE

[One tattered Angel]

I dont even begin to know where to start. My Problem is I am lost with my diabetes and the doctors here dont take me serious. They have sent me a few times to a diatician but I leave there more confused then before I walked into the room. I am noticing some problems I have going on with my skin and my feet and the doctor just tells me it is normal diabetic things and because my A1c, or Ah1 whatever the heck is called is a 6.1 he isnt too concerned and tells me great job. I have no idea when to eat let alone what to eat. I do a finger poke up to 2 times a day but the numbers are constantly all over the place. I didnt like my numbers before bed so I upped my glucophage myself and he just sez that's fine. If I remember I take one 500mg glucophage and actos in the morning and at bedtime I take 2 500mg glucophage at bedtime along with a dose of lantus on a sliding scale. If my numbers happen to be good at night I dont take my lantus at all because it scares me. I doubt im doing that right either but havent been told otherwise. Im a wreck and feel like all the doctors we have here are quacks. The next biggest place to go for me is Anchorage and that is about a 6 hr drive from here. Im mad I cant find a doctor to take me seriously. Ive tried reading things on my own but I am so slow and have learning disablilities that nothing at all makes since. Anyone who reads this please help. Please no chewing me out.

[chipsmommy]

I only have been diagnosed with diabetes for a short while, and I am not on all the same drugs as you, so I can't be all that helpful, but one thing seems important, after reading your post.

It sounds like you are doing things differently, every day. Sometimes you take your meds, sometimes you don't. Sometimes you take more, sometimes you take less. You're not sure what to eat.

I think I do better when I am kind of consistent. And, if you are consistent, then you can visit your quack doctor and give them solid information to go on, so they'll know what you're doing and how it effects your body.

Maybe you should:
-set an alarm or leave notes to yourself to remind you to take your meds
-write down what you eat, so you can look at that info alongside your blood sugar readings
-get some exercise every day

Maybe you're already doing all that. If you are, then maybe you can come up with another small step to take. I just suggested those things because they have been very helpful for me, so far.

Maybe next time you see the doctor you can also tell him: "It sounds like you are comfortable with the way my lab values are coming out, but I still don't feel well and I am not sure what I could be doing to fix that. Is there one thing that you'd recommend, to make things even better?" Maybe asking that way would help them understand that you want one, concrete, easy to understand and easy to accomplish thing to take home after a doctor visit.

[chipsmommy]

I only have been diagnosed with diabetes for a short while, and I am not on all the same drugs as you, so I can't be all that helpful, but one thing seems important, after reading your post.

It sounds like you are doing things differently, every day. Sometimes you take your meds, sometimes you don't. Sometimes you take more, sometimes you take less. You're not sure what to eat.

I think I do better when I am kind of consistent. And, if you are consistent, then you can visit your quack doctor and give them solid information to go on, so they'll know what you're doing and how it effects your body.

Maybe you should:
-set an alarm or leave notes to yourself to remind you to take your meds
-write down what you eat, so you can look at that info alongside your blood sugar readings
-get some exercise every day

Maybe you're already doing all that. If you are, then maybe you can come up with another small step to take. I just suggested those things because they have been very helpful for me, so far.

Maybe next time you see the doctor you can also tell him: "It sounds like you are comfortable with the way my lab values are coming out, but I still don't feel well and I am not sure what I could be doing to fix that. Is there one thing that you'd recommend, to make things even better?" Maybe asking that way would help them understand that you want one, concrete, easy to understand and easy to accomplish thing to take home after a doctor visit.

[*~SugarPlums~*]

Except for the actos, we are on the same meds (except for doasaged)
I am om the following:
1500 met a.m.
4mc amaryl am
1000 met pm 58 units lantus pm.

I know the llantus may freak you out, but it is time realeased to work over a 24 hour period. It is not a good idea to take it whenever you want. You have to be consistent with it for it to work. I am not sure how many units you take and I am not a Dr to reccomend a starting dose. I would take a dose that the Dr initially had you take. Take it every night. When I first started taking it I was scared too because I was worried I would get a low while I was sleeping. So when I took my met at night I drank it with juice, just a few ounces.
Take that same dose every night and monitor your sugars , especialy fasting , for a couple weeks (at least 1) If your fasting sugars are in the normal range and you are not getting any 'lows' during the day then your dose is good. If you get too many 'lows' then your your lantus by 2 units-give it a couple more days and keep testing.
If your sugars are on the higher end add 2 units.

If you can remeber, maybe you can break the dosages of met into 3, example 8a 3p 8p, or something like that. I know that it is hard because the same thing happens to me, that is why I take 1500 of in the am. I whould be taking that extra 500 in the afternoon but I can never remember that one. I am really bad with that.
I have been diagnosed as type 2 since 03 and I have never been really good with that. And as far as the dieticians go , I feel the same way you do. Maybe I am stupid but I just don't get the carb counting and portions crap. I know what a portions is it just confuses me more. if you have any ore questions feel free to pm me. Good luck!

[*~SugarPlums~*]

Except for the actos, we are on the same meds (except for doasaged)
I am om the following:
1500 met a.m.
4mc amaryl am
1000 met pm 58 units lantus pm.

I know the llantus may freak you out, but it is time realeased to work over a 24 hour period. It is not a good idea to take it whenever you want. You have to be consistent with it for it to work. I am not sure how many units you take and I am not a Dr to reccomend a starting dose. I would take a dose that the Dr initially had you take. Take it every night. When I first started taking it I was scared too because I was worried I would get a low while I was sleeping. So when I took my met at night I drank it with juice, just a few ounces.
Take that same dose every night and monitor your sugars , especialy fasting , for a couple weeks (at least 1) If your fasting sugars are in the normal range and you are not getting any 'lows' during the day then your dose is good. If you get too many 'lows' then your your lantus by 2 units-give it a couple more days and keep testing.
If your sugars are on the higher end add 2 units.

If you can remeber, maybe you can break the dosages of met into 3, example 8a 3p 8p, or something like that. I know that it is hard because the same thing happens to me, that is why I take 1500 of in the am. I whould be taking that extra 500 in the afternoon but I can never remember that one. I am really bad with that.
I have been diagnosed as type 2 since 03 and I have never been really good with that. And as far as the dieticians go , I feel the same way you do. Maybe I am stupid but I just don't get the carb counting and portions crap. I know what a portions is it just confuses me more. if you have any ore questions feel free to pm me. Good luck!

[One tattered Angel]

Thankyou. You gals seem to be right on with what I am feeling. And the suggestions are awsome. Ive got to get better control and the only way Im going to be able to do this is consistancy.
Maybe one or both of you can answer a few questions I have. One thing that I really dont get is the diatician said I need to stay away from natural fruit juice unless I am at a low to bring me out of it but that I need to make sure I am eating fruit.Doesnt that kinda make no sence? Getting fruit and vegis up here sucks (Price and condition, they freeze on the way up here in the wintertime. Apples $3.99 lb, oranges $1.50 lb, bananas &1.50 lb, plumbs $3.99 lb,ect ) so I would eat more of the ones I like but im not sure I can. Also I love tomatoes but my doctor said they are not good to eat all the time.Ive layed off mainly on the price ($4.99 lb or higher) but cheat every once in a while. Also he told me the best thing to do is to think of vegis this way... anything that is grown undergroud that you have to dig up not to eat.( Carrots,radishes,potatoes ect.) Also to avoid anything green (lettuce, celery,peas,greenbeans,ect) doesnt leave much for a person who likes to gardening.
Gotta run but your help is so helpful. Thanks for being there. Lesia

[chipsmommy]

OK, the juice thing makes sense.

If you eat a piece of fruit, you're getting the vitamins in the skin, you're getting the fiber, you're getting the psychological "I'm chewing, so I must be getting fuller" thing.

If you drink juice, you don't get all that. You can drink a big glass of juice and barely notice it...the amount of juice that might be in five or six pieces of actual fruit, in seconds, really, and it doesn't even make you feel full.

So, juices can be a mightily concentrated form of calories & sugar, with none of the fiber to slow down how it effects your body.

I think the "nothing under the ground" advice is probably good. Although, my diabetic nutritionist is pro-carrot.

And fresh tomatoes...well, I guess they do have sugar in there, but they are also watery, and you eat the seeds, and there is all that lycopene...I can understand avoiding ketchup and tomato paste and tomato soup--you know, sweetened, concentrated types of things--but a fresh tomato with some cheese sounds like a good thing.

And, I am not a doctor...I don't even play on on TV

But, green stuff? Green veggies are great for you. Eat them! Pile them on!

[One tattered Angel]

Thank you. Im glad I wasnt the only one thinking he was nuts!!!

Another question for you. Is it best to pick a set amount of calories for instance to stay on a 1200 calorie diet daily with diabetes?

Have a good day and thank you for answering my questions. Lesia

[chipsmommy]

It sure would seem simpler to be consistent, from day to day.

[flyfisher]

I have a suggestion. I don't know what diet your dietician put you on, but mine put me on a 1200 calorie diet. Make yourself a chart and mark off when you eat something. For example. If you eat a fruit exchange, make that exchange off your chart. On my chart I list each exchange, like breads, milk, fruit, fat, meat, veggies and I have the number of exchanges allowed for each of then right next to it. That way I will know when I've had all I can have for that day. Then as I eat something, I mark it off my chart. This is what I do and it really helps. Your doctor should have books with the serving amounts in it. That serving amount is an exchange. Ask the doctor for a book that will have a list of foods and serving amounts. Mine is called Carb Counting and Exchange lists. I got one from my doctor and it really helped me to understand what a serving size consists of. If you eat consistantly, that will help your sugar levels. Also, be sure to test two hours after you eat. Don't test before then, because the numbers won't be back to normal. It usually takes your sugar levels two hours to back to normal. I hope this helps.

[One tattered Angel]

Thanks ladies. And the idea of marking foods off my list sounds good also. Would the list be a food pyrmid? Thanks. Lesia

[bec415]

My A1c has also been 6.1 what sort of problems are you having with your skin and feet?

[DianaG]

Hi. I've been type II since 2001. I have a few suggestions.

You want to start by testing your blood sugar for a few days before and after eating to see how food is affecting you.

test fasting when you first wake up and write it down.
Test two hours after breakfast and write it down.
Test before lunch and write it down.
Test two hours after lunch and write it down.
Test before dinner and write it down.
Test after dinner and write it down.
Test before bed.

Do this for about three days and look to see if there is a pattern of highs and lows, or if your numbers are consistently in range. Your fasting should be in the neighborhood of 100 (some drs say under 110) and this number should be similar to your pre meal finger sticks.

Your two hour post meal finger sticks should be under 140 according to the ADA guidelines. I prefer to have mine at under 120.

Your meals should be a balance of carbs and proteins. Here is a sample of a days menu for me.

Breakfast: Cheerios with berries, coffee and a piece of breakfast sausage-lean.

Lunch: salad with low fat dressing, chicken breast, green beans, small red potato.

Dinner: Some sort of meat, 2 veggies, 1 carb-either bread, pasta/rice or a potato depending on the meal we are having.

bedtime: a protein/carb snack like peanut butter on a cracker or something, or cottage cheese.

I was on Lantus and actos when first diagnosed. I would continue to take those medicines as directed. The lantus is not a fast acting insulin. It releases over 24 hours to help keep your blood levels even. When you are skipping it at night it is affecting your meals the next day. If you are worried about your number being fine and it going too low due to the lantus you can set an alarm clock and check your number a few hours after going to bed. I always keep glucose tablets in the house or some of those little juice boxes. I can always tell a low coming on because I will start to sweat and my hands will start shaking. Normally I do not get lows, mostly just when I am pregnant and immediately post partum.

It is hard to get use to being diabetic at first. I had to learn a lot of it on my own as far as what food I can eat because the dieticians were pretty worthless. A sample meal from them had peas and potatoes on it and that would be two starches and would send my numbers through the roof. I also found my body reacts to pasta much harsher than potatoes. I can get away with eating a potato, but a little serving of rice will get my number high. These are little things you learn through trial and error.

My advice with food is to stay away as much as possible from foods high in carbohydrates and refined white flour. Prepackaged foods are usually high in both of those. Remember carbs are in fruit, pasta, bread, potatoes, dairy and some vegetables. Also, high fat foods will affect your blood sugar more than lower fat foods. The chart idea is a good one.

When I was diagnosed my numbers were as high as 450! I managed to get my number down to 6.0 in 12 months and it has gotten as low as a HA1c of 4.7. My last one was 5.4 when I had my baby. 6.1 is a good A1c for a diabetic.

You definitely want a Dr to address any feet issues you are having. If your numbers were higher before being diagnosed the damage can be from then not from how good your numbers are now. I would make them check your feet carefully.

Good luck and ((((hugs))))

[Mazarin]

There is lot of good advice given here, so I can't really add anymore..... good luck I am sure given time you will work it out....

It took me a year till I started to take it seriously....