Type II Diabetes

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. A 600 BG is scary high, I went through something similar the end of 2010. She will have start tracking her food intake and there will be a lot to learn, but I'm sure with your support & her diabetic medical team she can.

I'm an adult onset type 1 diabetic on insulin, and counting carbs is the most important control to bring blood glucose #'s back in line. I suggest you try this MFP group, lots of good people and info available.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/512-diabetes-prediabetes-and-insulin-resistance

In addition you might want to check into DLife.com

Hang in there

I sent you a couple emails
Definately see a nutrionist - it was the first thing they sent me too. I pretty much eat paleo and that has solved alot of problems for me.

And I found out I have sleep apnea. And the sleep doctor says every body that has diabetes has sleep apnea. And he's right - every diabetic I know has sleep apnea. Sleep affects how we metablize insulin and sugar. If I sleep badly, my blood sugar the next morning is a good 40-100 points higher then normal.

I do not have sleep apnea. Interestingly, none of the diabetics I know have sleep apnea. Your doctor needs to re-read his medical books.

You have type 1 daibetes. I was referring to type 2.

It can be done! I like to tell fellow diabetics that there IS a cure. It's them.

True if you have type 2. Not true if you have type 1.

Right. My apologies. The majority of the diabetics I meet are T2. My mom's whole family is T2 as well.

my mom was diagnosed with diabetes.

after 6 months she was completely off of her medicine (off blood pressure meds too!)

she followed a low carb diet. she also got down to 116 pounds =]

she eats 30 grams of carbs per meal.

diabetes isn't the end of the world.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 about 5 years ago but after losing weight I at first cut back from three Glyberides a day to one about 6 months ago and with my doctors okay stopped taking any about 4 months ago. My sugar has been reading in the 80's and 90's since then but of course mine was never as high as your mom's. It never went over 180.

I'm a T1.5 diabetic. I was diagnosed in 2002. Eventually it got out of control and I was put on insulin, and eventually an insulin pump. After I had my first child, I hit rock bottom and knew my life had to change. I was taking massive doses of insulin and metformin. Within a year I was completely drug free.
It can be done! I like to tell fellow diabetics that there IS a cure. It's them.

I am also 1.5 I dont know about a "cure" so much...once a pancreas is damaged the only fix is getting a new one! But, the disease is very manageable. For T2's with no damage to the pancreas you can certainly improve or reverse your insulin resistance which will help you manage your blood sugar better. My insulin resistance that I had is pretty much gone now...but my pancreas still does not produce insulin and I will still require it for life.

So sorry about your mom. Glad she's starting to recover!

The best advice I've come across is to eat to your meter. I don't have diabetes, but I have access to a meter and have learned what foods spike me. Like a previous poster, fruits, even bananas, have no adverse affect on me, but a piece of bread will send my blood sugar soaring.

If she's looking for online support, Diabetes Daily has a good message board.

I was diagnosed w/ Type ll diabetes a few weeks ago. AIC was 7 so at low end. Started MFP and have improved my eating tremendously as a result, and am starting to lose weight. i'm not on meds at this point and if i can control it thru diet/exercise, I may not have to be. I'm wondering though, how do other Type ll's spread out your carbs? How many do you each with each meal? Is there an ideal number per day? How many is too many?

Thanks for any insight on that.

Also, I lived on diet soda. I'm convinced it played a role in developing metabolic syndrome. I stopped when I heard I was diabetic, something i never thought I could do. Now it's water all the time, something else I never thought I could do as I never found it satisfying. But I've discovered it grows on you.

Anyone else have any thoughts on diet soda and metabolic syndrome?

Thanks for your feedback!

From Livingstrong.com:
Carbohydrate Counting
Patients with diabetes often need to count the amount of carbohydrates that they consume each day in order to keep their blood glucose levels low. Because each person is different, you may need to determine the amount of carbohydrates that work for your body via trial and error. Aiming for between 45 g and 60 g of carbohydrates at each meal is a good starting point, the American Diabetes Association notes.

Research which carbs are good or not so good for us, based on how they break down and affect the insulin levels. Choose what works best for you. Choose what you like. Limit carbs each meal so they are shared through the day. I choose carbs that break down slowly. Do not cause ‘Spikes’. I know if I do not have enough carbs. I will experience hypoglycemia and must get my blood/sugar level up. I keep glucose tablets handy in case I have too few, or wait too long. They are only a ‘fix’ and appropriate food must follow very soon after.

But it is a learning process. I eat salad, vegetables with meals. I may have a small portion of fruit for dessert. I avoid potatoes which convert fast. I keep steamed broccoli in the fridge all the time. Nice snack very low in caI but small carb boost. keep peanutes handy in case i need an occasional quick boost.(just a few, chew completely, they will help). Light colored fruits generally contain less sugars than reds or purples. Be very careful with fruits. They convert fast. Again research and if it helps, print out a list of those foods you will likely use on a daily bases, showing the carbs, sugars, & glycemic effect . There are charts available on line with all of this. Do what works for you. A fellow diabetic. Good Luck.

Thank you! Very helpful. I do have that sense of low vs. high glycemic carbs, tho not as clear about it when it comes to fruit. I adore fruit, and now realize I ate way too much of it leading up to pre and now "post" diabetes. So I've cut way back and pick and choose carefully for a variety of nutrients. Your color code on this is helpful. I will look for info online for more specifics.

Thank you for your feedback!