New and want to share my story
nvstlrgrl
Posts: 70 Member
Hi everyone,
I joined MFP about 2 weeks ago at the recommendation of an assistant in one of my doctor's offices. I have been a diabetic for 23 years and on insulin for the last 12. They consider me a type 1.5 (since I still make a little insulin). Until I got into my early 30's I was at a normal weight. Over the last 9 years I have put on 30-40 lbs and dropped it back off a couple of times due to medications and stress. The last thing I want to do by sharing my story is to scare anyone, however I do know first hand how terrible diabetes can be. I lost both my parents to diabetic complications from not taking good care of themselves early on. Unfortunately my father passed at 48 and my mother passed at 63. Both of them had several complications that made their last few years almost unbearable to watch. My mother was also extremely overweight causing issues with her heart as well.
In January of this year, I became extremely ill. I was unable to eat and could barely even drink water without being in severe pain and nauseated. After 3 weeks and losing 17lbs the doctors finally did an endoscopy and a stomach emptying scan. They discovered that my stomach was almost paralazed. Anything I put in it was taking approximately 26 hours to empty just from my stomach. It was slow going at first trying to add some food and water back in. I found that walking for 60 minutes after eating helped. This in turn started my exercisse plan. As I slowly started to recover reality sank in and I decided that whatever I was doing the last 9 years obviously wasn't working and I needed to change. My biggest fear is that I will end up like my parents. I do not want to suffer or be the reason my life ends to soon. So my life changing began. I have changed my eating habits completely. I rarely eat anything processed anymore. Bread still makes me sick to my stomach. I have started working out a bit more each day. Some days I could really use a pep talk though just to get me moving.
At this point I down a total of 23lbs since January. I do still have another 10-15 to go. Also I have been able to cut way back on my insulin. I recently moved and do not really know anyone around here. It is a fairly small town so there aren't many options for making new ones. MFP seems like a great place to start. I definitely could use the support and motivation. I am also a great listener and cheer leader
Thank you for taking the time to read the short version of my story (there is so much more to tell...hahaha). I look forward to making some friends and becoming healthy together one day at a time.
I joined MFP about 2 weeks ago at the recommendation of an assistant in one of my doctor's offices. I have been a diabetic for 23 years and on insulin for the last 12. They consider me a type 1.5 (since I still make a little insulin). Until I got into my early 30's I was at a normal weight. Over the last 9 years I have put on 30-40 lbs and dropped it back off a couple of times due to medications and stress. The last thing I want to do by sharing my story is to scare anyone, however I do know first hand how terrible diabetes can be. I lost both my parents to diabetic complications from not taking good care of themselves early on. Unfortunately my father passed at 48 and my mother passed at 63. Both of them had several complications that made their last few years almost unbearable to watch. My mother was also extremely overweight causing issues with her heart as well.
In January of this year, I became extremely ill. I was unable to eat and could barely even drink water without being in severe pain and nauseated. After 3 weeks and losing 17lbs the doctors finally did an endoscopy and a stomach emptying scan. They discovered that my stomach was almost paralazed. Anything I put in it was taking approximately 26 hours to empty just from my stomach. It was slow going at first trying to add some food and water back in. I found that walking for 60 minutes after eating helped. This in turn started my exercisse plan. As I slowly started to recover reality sank in and I decided that whatever I was doing the last 9 years obviously wasn't working and I needed to change. My biggest fear is that I will end up like my parents. I do not want to suffer or be the reason my life ends to soon. So my life changing began. I have changed my eating habits completely. I rarely eat anything processed anymore. Bread still makes me sick to my stomach. I have started working out a bit more each day. Some days I could really use a pep talk though just to get me moving.
At this point I down a total of 23lbs since January. I do still have another 10-15 to go. Also I have been able to cut way back on my insulin. I recently moved and do not really know anyone around here. It is a fairly small town so there aren't many options for making new ones. MFP seems like a great place to start. I definitely could use the support and motivation. I am also a great listener and cheer leader
Thank you for taking the time to read the short version of my story (there is so much more to tell...hahaha). I look forward to making some friends and becoming healthy together one day at a time.
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Replies
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Welcome! There are plenty of supportive people here and we all have the same things in common. I was diagnosed in May of 2011. I am the first one in my family to have developed diabetes (and I hope the last). I took Amaryl and Metformin in the beginning and since I felt fine, I did nothing to change my eating habits. Last May, I resolved to change my life completely. I came to MFP, started eating right and exercising regularly. Last September, my Dr. took me off the Amaryl and now I only take the Metformin. The goal is to totally control the BS through exercise and diet and get off the meds completely. Many have already done so....I hope to sometime this year.
Congratulations on your weight loss so far and continued success!0 -
Hello I am also a good listener and a good cheerleader. I can't really cheerlead though lol! I have two left feet. I have family members who are diabetics. My mother is one she got hers when she went for heart surgery. My Uncle has really bad problems with his and has a pump that he uses but has a hard time with his bp levels. Even with the pump you have to set it . I am not sure how hard it is but my aunt does it for him.
My mother had a simluar problem with her stomach too. She ended up at Cleveland Clinic and they fixed her up! Some kind of a blockage so her stomach would not empty out. She would end up vomiting it all up. She was so sick. She didn't eat for a month finally one of the doctors found out what it was and sent her to Cleveland Clinic. For a long time I would buy her the protein shakes because she could keep those down. I am so glad she don't have to go through that again.
Take Care Glenda0 -
Welcome to the group, this group has been a tremendous source of knowledge and inspiration for me. Thank you for sharing your story.
I have to say that with everything that you have been through you sound like an incredibly positive person
I was only recently diagnosed, when compared with yourself. I was diagnosed in late summer last year. So I have had 8 or 9 months to come to terms with it and do something about it. I have been lucky in that with my weight loss, my T2 is under control without any medication, just diet and exercise.
Well done on your loss.0 -
Welcome to the group. Feel free to ask any question you like. Add me as a friend if you want. I am a type 2 diabetic (controlled). I haven't had to take my meds for awhile now (cross's fingers). I have an open food diary to all on MFP too.0
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Hi there nvstlrgrl, welcome!
Thanks for sharing your honesty and experiences. Your story has touched my heart. My sincere condolences to you for the loss of your parents at such an early age. I commend you for your determination to ensure your doing your best in overcoming the health challenges you've faced and taking control over your future health. Your parents would be proud.
You'll quickly find, this is a wonderful, supportive and encouraging group of people with likewise desires and goals to be the best controlled diabetics we can be.
Congratulations on your successes so far and I wish you more of the same.
Bob0 -
Welcome to the group. You've made a good decision to make changes and improve your health and this is a wonderful group to help you through. We're all working on similar goals and helping when and where we can. Sometimes just knowing you have people who understand and can help support you makes a real difference. So again, welcome and good luck as you make the changes you know will help you.0
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@nvstigrl Hi and welcome to this group. Thanks for sharing your story. You have lots going for you and the really great news is that MFP is a fantastic tool to help us get a good level of control of our blood sugars. If you haven't yet been on a Diabetes Education course then you should try bfor a place as soon as possible. Most people who do these courses, find them to be of great benefit. Information is power and I suggest that you read over the various threads to get a feel for the site and that you pay particular attention to the many references to sound information sources listed on the site. When you're ready to ask questions, you will find lots of genuine people on here who are willing to share their experience and to provide lots of encouragement and support. I wish you well on your journey to a healthy and active life and will do all I can to help.0
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Thank you all for the warm welcome and I look forward to making new friends and providing eachother the motivation and support we all need at times.0
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I am a little delayed, but wanted to wish you a warm welcome to MFP and to this support group. AS other have said, you will find some very knowledgeable people here that are friendly and always quick with an answer or suggestion.
How has the last week gone?
I am a type 2, have been for 7 years, and have been on insulin for 6 years. Since being serious about my diet and exercise since 1/3/13, I have dropped 26 lbs and more importantly have been able to decrease my insulin. I am very excited about this.
I wish you much success in your goals. It sounds like you have had some major health issues in the past.
Add me as a friend, if you want.
Nancy0 -
Hi and welcome! You will find such good support and wonderful people on MFP - it's been a real help getting me started again. Congratulations on your loss thus far and continued success. You sound like you have the decision to do it this time! If you need someone to talk to and/or want another friend I'm always here.
Carole0
