scared I'll get diabetes?

wkwebby

I am in the same boat as you. In fact, I have it on both sides up to my grandparents on my mom's side and all of my sisters and brother has diabetes already (if you weren't born with it, it is Type 2 diabetes). Diet and exercise is the only way to stave off getting the disease, the other part is the uncontrollable genetics. My mom only got diabetes in her 60's so if I stay active which she did, I should be good well into my 60's. My mom is on the lowest diabetes medication and on days that she gardens, she doesn't even have to take the medicine (her blood sugar levels are at or below 100).

Get blood tests regularly. It showed me that I was pre-diabetic (when I wasn't so good about the working out). As long as I hit the gym regularly (even on my bad days of eating), the bloodwork will show no signs of pre-diabetes anymore and high good cholesterol to boot!

It sounds like you are doing the right things (like me) and trying to keep diabetes away for as long as possible. Keep up with MFP and stay honest with your levels of activity. Good luck!

k8blujay2

While eating right and exercise is a good thing... getting diabetes isn't the end of the world... does it suck? sure. Should you do everything you can to prevent it? of course. BUT even if you do end up with diabetes, you can still live a good and healthy life with it as long as you work with your doctor (or a specialist) and do what you can to keep it in check.

With that said, if you are worried about it go get your glucose levels or A1C levels checked and work from there.

By the way, if you have diabetes you cannot be "cured" of it (as of right now). The symptomes are just not as predominate... only if you are prediabetic can you "reverse" the disease. Unless that is all the diabetes specialists that have been pounding into our heads all the laymans knowledge of the disease during our monthly wellness sessions at work for the past 8 months are totally wrong...

HollisGrant

My husbands brother and father have it. Both are on insulin. Both don't take care of themselves. I know my husband would be the same if he got it. I do worry about him, especially because he has to pee like every half hour. I'm scared to get him tested.

He should get checked for prostate cancer, too. Frequent peeing is a symptom. It's mostly a disease that happens to older men, but young men can get it, too. It's 100 percent curable if caught in time. Make him go for a checkup.

Determined518

Yes. Long family history of diabetes. Had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant, which was miserable. I understand the scare. I worry about that and cholesterol issues. Just means you have to work that much harder.

LorinaLynn

Both my parents had it later in life. As of right now, I'm a healthy weight, perfect bloodwork, and active as hell, so I'm not worried about it.

If something happens down the road and things change, THEN I'll worry about it.

Sylkwyrm

My Dad had type II diabetes so I decided I should loose weight to avoid it. *After* loosing weight I was diagnosed with insulin resistance. A few people encouraged me to start lifting weights to increase my muscle mass. My last blood test shows I'm not longer considered insulin resistant. I would suggest working on building muscles. Also, eating protein helps with building muscles. Personally I don't see a need to kill carbs, but focusing on protein does reduce the amount of carbs I eat.

mizzie1980

Nearly everyone in my family gets it in their 50s and yes, I do worry that I will also. It used to scare me silly and was part of the reason I started working on losing weight. But now I don't worry about it so much. Why?

Because in the course of losing all this weight, I naturally eat lower carb (I don't count carbs, but I do count calories and things higher in carbs tend to be higher in calories as well so I don't eat many of them), I eat healthier and I exercise every day. These are the main things to do if I do get it, so I already have those habits. I've also reduced my own risk by getting to a healthy weight. I may still get it, but I'm better equipped to take care of myself if I do.

abble_pie

I'm also very afraid I will get diabetes. I am on medication for my bipolar disorder which greatly increases my chances of getting diabetes. I wish I didn't have to be on them!

rochey_1

Well my family history/genetics suuuck.

Both kinds of diabetes are in my family...Insipidus( insulin dependent) and Melitus (pancreas don't function properly to break down your sugars)

Matiara

Both my parents have it, along with both my grandmothers, and a couple of aunts. Hypertension and heart disease also run in my family.

I don't live in constant fear of it, but I am taking steps to prevent it. I gained 30+ pounds in two years and 7 inches on my waist. My vanity wants my belly gone, but seeing my mom having to inject herself with insulin multiple times a day makes me want it gone *now*. It floors me that with all the health problems in my large family that I'm literally the only one who eats well and works out.

rochey_1

Crap hit the wrong button, second post LOL

Insipidus - is serious and you have to inject. This kind is not reversible.

Melitus - we do it to ourselves by not maintaining our diet and fitness....This kind is reversible..Lose the fat and eat right.

Ya know what else runs in my family??

Depression
Thyroid problems
Varicose veins

Thanks mom and dad )

but seriously get regular checkups, and I'll give you the wisest advice possible...Don't play doctor on the Internet...Let the real doctor do their job...You'll just worry the crap out of yourself and have many sleepless nights.

Case in point - Played doctor last week, didn't sleep the whole night..Was terrified of DVT, varicose veins, blood clots, joint problems etc.. What was really wrong was knee strain from doing lunges with weights.

It's just not worth the hassle, We're naturally curious but curiosity kills the cat...And you should know when you are overweight your weight bears down on your legs so you'll have knee strain, poor circulation, poor posture, weak core, So Just lose the weight..And that's what we're all here for *hugs*

Donald_Dozier_50

I have diabetes. I DO NOT however have high blood sugar and never have but have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by five doctors because I have all of the foot symptoms. I have totally numb feet, I currently have diabetic sores with very bad infection that appeared 4 weeks ago (the infection has been treated and cleared up). The orthopedics doctor at one point had talked to me about the very real possibility of amputating one foot.

He told me I need to be very careful with the diabetes. I asked, how does he suggest me doing that? I said, without high blood sugar I am clueless what I can do to be careful, am I to watch my sugars as diabetics do? He looked at my blood sugar results and they were in the "Very Low" category and at the bottom of the category. He said, no need to worry about your sugars. I said, "then what does be careful mean?" He went in to how to care for the sores, I listened and said I will certainly do that but how can I do anything that he knows of to be careful for the diagnosed diabetes? I got no answer other than "we will talk about it at your next appointment in a week. Four appointments later no answer.

The same has occurred with all of the doctors, I think they are waiting in hopes of a high blood sugar test to treat that but 7 years of monthly appointments and blood test and they only get lower.

NOTE: I do not take any medications but do test my blood sugar at home with the provided test kit daily.

issyfit

well u are misguided high carb diet is the ANSWER...however watch the fat and protein..google this utube this Carbs are not your problem

I fear YOU are misguided!! Carbs like sugar, white flour, white rice, white bread are your worst enemy. It depends on what kind of carbs you are eating. Complex carbs are ok, not the others. And it is a Balance with the diet so your blood sugar doesn't spike then fall.

Yep. This is why I use South Beach guidelines, the plan was first developed to help prevent type II diabetes and heart disease, weight loss was a side benefit.

Christy1759

Diabetes runs in my family, and before I started this low carb diet, I had blood sugar levels indicating pre-diabetes. It is down to a healthy level, and got there within the first two months of the diet. Don't panic - you look young, and type-2 diabetes can almost always be controlled by diet. A low carb diet will bring your numbers within range in a short time if you indeed have high blood sugar. So, don't worry, just be tested, and know that you CAN turn it around!

ereck44

I have diabetes. I DO NOT however have high blood sugar and never have but have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by five doctors because I have all of the foot symptoms. I have totally numb feet, I currently have diabetic sores with very bad infection that appeared 4 weeks ago (the infection has been treated and cleared up). The orthopedics doctor at one point had talked to me about the very real possibility of amputating one foot.

He told me I need to be very careful with the diabetes. I asked, how does he suggest me doing that? I said, without high blood sugar I am clueless what I can do to be careful, am I to watch my sugars as diabetics do? He looked at my blood sugar results and they were in the "Very Low" category and at the bottom of the category. He said, no need to worry about your sugars. I said, "then what does be careful mean?" He went in to how to care for the sores, I listened and said I will certainly do that but how can I do anything that he knows of to be careful for the diagnosed diabetes? I got no answer other than "we will talk about it at your next appointment in a week. Four appointments later no answer.

The same has occurred with all of the doctors, I think they are waiting in hopes of a high blood sugar test to treat that but 7 years of monthly appointments and blood test and they only get lower.

NOTE: I do not take any medications but do test my blood sugar at home with the provided test kit daily.

First off all, congratulations on not losing your foot!

Were you diagnosed with diabetes? You definitely have peripheral neuropathy, but that doesn't mean that you are diabetic. Not all who have PN are diabetic and not all diabetics get PN, but PN is a fairly common side effect of diabetes.
Your physician should have told you to check your feet every day. Use a good moisturizer, avoid walking in your bare feet, make sure that you wear good quality cotton socks, and that there are no wrinkles before you put on your shoes.
I don't know if you are a smoker or were a smoker, but, if so, quit the cigs. Most people with PN are smokers, were smokers.
Some meds help with the pain of neuropathy--not sure if you are taking any meds.
Anyway, google peripheral neuropathy on the net.

ppdes

well u are misguided high carb diet is the ANSWER...however watch the fat and protein..google this utube this Carbs are not your problem

Provide the research on this please. A person who finds himself at risk of suffering from such a bane as diabetes better not be misguided. Published research literature and really decades of medical treatments have established why carb control is the answer. Therefore when you are making such claims, please act responsibly and post evidences supporting your claims.

LaserMum

I'm a type 2 diabetic. You don't have to be scared, but you do have to take control. You've already received some horrible advice on this thread. There's a lot more horrible advice that will be thrown at you by so-called experts.

1- Get checked by your doctor.
2- Get a meter and start testing.

You can probably guess the obvious things to avoid like cookies and candy, but there are some other so called healthy foods that are dangerous to eat. What's bad for me, may not be bad for you, and vice versa. A rule of thumb that works for me: Be wary of vegetables that grow below ground (onions, carrots, potatos) and fruit that doesn't have skin that you can eat. I can eat an apple, but not an orange, a pear is fine, a banana is not.

At last, someone has posted something sensible!

You really have some very bad advice given to you on this thread. One poster advised that Type 1 is insulin resistance - it's not! Type 2 is generally insulin resistance. Type 1 is not juvenile, although it often is. There is a type called LADA which is a late onset type that develops in adulthood. There are types called 1.5 that cross over between types 1 and 2 with sufferers often being diagnosed initially with Type 2 but then the disease not responding in the way that Type 2 normally would.

Diabetes is so complex that it cannot be addressed in a forum thread.

PLEASE GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AND GET PROPER ADVICE.

A good site to get information about diabetes from is www.diabetes.co.uk.

Good luck.

(BTW, I have diabetes)

wannabeadancer27

I'm a type 2 diabetic. You don't have to be scared, but you do have to take control. You've already received some horrible advice on this thread. There's a lot more horrible advice that will be thrown at you by so-called experts.

1- Get checked by your doctor.
2- Get a meter and start testing.

You can probably guess the obvious things to avoid like cookies and candy, but there are some other so called healthy foods that are dangerous to eat. What's bad for me, may not be bad for you, and vice versa. A rule of thumb that works for me: Be wary of vegetables that grow below ground (onions, carrots, potatos) and fruit that doesn't have skin that you can eat. I can eat an apple, but not an orange, a pear is fine, a banana is not.

Thanks for the advice.
I had no idea that you were supposed to avoid certain vegetables. I knew that fruit had lots of sugar, but I didn't know that certain types were ok and certain types should be limited.

CyberEd312

I'm a type 2 diabetic. You don't have to be scared, but you do have to take control. You've already received some horrible advice on this thread. There's a lot more horrible advice that will be thrown at you by so-called experts.

1- Get checked by your doctor.
2- Get a meter and start testing.

You can probably guess the obvious things to avoid like cookies and candy, but there are some other so called healthy foods that are dangerous to eat. What's bad for me, may not be bad for you, and vice versa. A rule of thumb that works for me: Be wary of vegetables that grow below ground (onions, carrots, potatos) and fruit that doesn't have skin that you can eat. I can eat an apple, but not an orange, a pear is fine, a banana is not.

Thanks for the advice.
I had no idea that you were supposed to avoid certain vegetables. I knew that fruit had lots of sugar, but I didn't know that certain types were ok and certain types should be limited.

I wouldn't being using this as the holy grail either, there is nothing wrong with eating vegetables that are grown below the soil even if you are diabetic. You mainly need to focus on your BS numbers and not allow massive spikes of your insulin levels which is where blood sugar monitors come into play. Not every single diabetic will have the same effects from eating certain foods. I was diagnosed in 2009 with Type 2 with A1c running over 10.0 @560lbs. but when I started working with my dietician she Never told be to stop eating below ground veggies, they are a complex carb and do not tend to spike your blood sugars because they take longer for the body to digest.. I eat turnips, radishes, onions, potatoes to name a few daily and have never experienced any problems. The only restriction she ever gave me was to moderate my intake of simple carbs not to completely rid them of my diet but monitor them. I do tend to stay away from any enriched flour products and use more whole grains but other than that in the beginning she set my carb intake at 240 grams a day (roughly 40% of my macros) and over the last 4 years I have increased that to over 400 grams a day current because carbs make up the majority of my macros split (50/25/25) and I do this because I exercise 6 days a week and need to fuel my body... My A1c have average 5.3 for the last 2 years and my diabetes is in remission and I hope to keep it that way.... So do your homework, don;t be afraid of it, you can find a way to manage it and live a healthy life... In my personal opinion I believe that exercise is a major component in the fight against this disease atleast it has been for me..... Best of Luck....

CoderGal

I'm a type 2 diabetic. You don't have to be scared, but you do have to take control. You've already received some horrible advice on this thread. There's a lot more horrible advice that will be thrown at you by so-called experts.

1- Get checked by your doctor.
2- Get a meter and start testing.

You can probably guess the obvious things to avoid like cookies and candy, but there are some other so called healthy foods that are dangerous to eat. What's bad for me, may not be bad for you, and vice versa. A rule of thumb that works for me: Be wary of vegetables that grow below ground (onions, carrots, potatos) and fruit that doesn't have skin that you can eat. I can eat an apple, but not an orange, a pear is fine, a banana is not.

Thanks for the advice.
I had no idea that you were supposed to avoid certain vegetables. I knew that fruit had lots of sugar, but I didn't know that certain types were ok and certain types should be limited.

I wouldn't being using this as the holy grail either, there is nothing wrong with eating vegetables that are grown below the soil even if you are diabetic. You mainly need to focus on your BS numbers and not allow massive spikes of your insulin levels which is where blood sugar monitors come into play. Not every single diabetic will have the same effects from eating certain foods. I was diagnosed in 2009 with Type 2 with A1c running over 10.0 @560lbs. but when I started working with my dietician she Never told be to stop eating below ground veggies, they are a complex carb and do not tend to spike your blood sugars because they take longer for the body to digest.. I eat turnips, radishes, onions, potatoes to name a few daily and have never experienced any problems. The only restriction she ever gave me was to moderate my intake of simple carbs not to completely rid them of my diet but monitor them. I do tend to stay away from any enriched flour products and use more whole grains but other than that in the beginning she set my carb intake at 240 grams a day (roughly 40% of my macros) and over the last 4 years I have increased that to over 400 grams a day current because carbs make up the majority of my macros split (50/25/25) and I do this because I exercise 6 days a week and need to fuel my body... My A1c have average 5.3 for the last 2 years and my diabetes is in remission and I hope to keep it that way.... So do your homework, don;t be afraid of it, you can find a way to manage it and live a healthy life... In my personal opinion I believe that exercise is a major component in the fight against this disease atleast it has been for me..... Best of Luck....

^smart guy, this.