Thinking I’m becoming diabetic, and scared to death

bluegreysky
bluegreysky Posts: 7 Member
in Motivation and Support
Pretty sure I have a diabetic toe ulcer under my foot. I clean it with hydrogen peroxide, so I’m hoping it won’t become infected. Having a lot of issues having energy to get up and walk/do things. I also need to start eating and drinking a lot better things, and begin tracking again. Going back to caring, making better health choices, buying a scale. I went for a walk tonight the first time in a while, nothing major.

Anyway does anyone have any issues or can relate? I’ve lost a lot of weight at least thirty lbs.. I think I’m about 205 now.. but I feel a lot like using MyFitnessPal is a ridiculous, impossible, annoying journey. But it’s not. I know it’s not, it’s ignorance and giving up easy.

So I guess for now I will eat, serving sizes, drink lesser calorie things, and make better choices, and maybe when I do that moving around a lot more will be easier..

If anyone has had something similar happen to them, do you have any tips on getting away from really bad fast food things, regular pop, and sweets/fattening foods?

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Have you seen a doctor about the ulcer and your concerns?
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,534 Member
    Tips? Plan a menu. Nothing needs to be crossed off your list if you can fit it into your plan. It’s just about living with some limits. There’s no weight loss finish line though.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I would go see your doctor first so you know what you are dealing with for sure and make sure your foot is being properly treated.

    You say your issue is ignorance and giving up easily. I think the best first step with MFP is to just log what you normally eat and drink as accurately as you can for a couple of weeks so you can see where you really are at. Then set a goal like losing 1 lb a week and make smaller sustainable changes over time. Instead of totally changing your diet overnight try alower calorie version, smaller portions, eating out a bit less, adding things like more protein or vegetables to your day.

    When I started here I read the stickied posts in all the forums. If I have a question I use the search feature and almost always find someone asked it before.There is a lot of good information and a lot of helpful people.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    See your doctor
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    Doctor doctor doctor. You can either continue fretting about all the possibilities your mind conjures up or face them head on with professional diagnosis, treatment, and medical care. Which one is really more scary? Some of the things you listed can and should probably play a part, but you shouldn't go it alone here.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    There are wound clinics that can help you heal that ulcer. If it is a T2D thing, you will probably need some help with it. They don't heal easily ... It's how many amputations start. See a doctor and get help.

    For dealing with the T2D, I recommend looking into anything by Dr Richard Bernstein. He has a bunch of YouTube videos (he's a monotone elderly man) and a great book called Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions.

  • PKM0515
    PKM0515 Posts: 3,089 Member
    You NEED to get to a doctor! Please let us know when you have an appointment and let us know the results.

    Do NOT mess around with this, PLEASE...
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Unexplained wounds are not something to mess around with. And they can get out of hand before you realize it. Go to a doctor.

    IMHO, not knowing and letting all the scary possibilities race around in your brain is way worse than just getting an answer and some help!
  • thisPGHlife
    thisPGHlife Posts: 440 Member
    I know this sounds monotonous but it can't be stressed enough. Go to the doctor. If you do have diabetes and it's at the point where you are getting diabetic ulcers, things can get ugly. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association between 14 and 24% of those with diabetic foot ulcers require amputation. If it's an issue of affording it, I don't know how close you are to a major city that may have a free or low cost clinic. If that isn't an option, and I know this sounds crazy, but call 311. You don't have to be specific but you can tell them that you are having a serious medical issue that you are having trouble paying for and you want to know who can help you and what services are available to you.
  • dejavuohlala
    dejavuohlala Posts: 1,821 Member
    You need to see a Dr asap. You don't know you have diebetis do you? Or do you?. There could be another reason for the foot issue, see a Dr that is the first part of taking care of yourself. Once you get a correct diagnosis and treatment for your foot then you can put a plan in place.good luck, come back and tell us what the dr says.
  • MELinTexas2018
    MELinTexas2018 Posts: 23 Member
    someone i know has T2D and he was in denial for a very long time. his dr had him on meds but he wouldn't take them. now he has gained even more weight and is insulin dependent. T2D IS REVERSIBLE but you HAVE to see a specialist and get on a specialized diet and meds.
  • bestlife42
    bestlife42 Posts: 36 Member
    I agree with the other posts.... your first step should be to see a doctor. Diabetes can be treated but you need to know if you have it. I have seen both sides of it. My mom and dad both have diabetes. My dad was on insulin and did not control his sugar properly and his health suffered a lot because of it. Sadly he recently passed. My mom has Type 2 as well and it is very controlled with proper diet and low dose pills. You just need to know for sure and not assume. My brother was recently diagnosed also and is changing his eating habits and exercising. I am so scared to get it.... please get it checked out and go from there. If you are diagnosed with diabetes they will give you a diet plan and explain how you need to watch you carb intake as well. You are already in the right direction with changing your diet for the better.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Knowledge is power. Find out what your A1C is. Get that foot treated. Get dietary advice and if needed, a blood tester.

    Diabetes is not a life ending condition. It can be controlled with the right tools in your hand. Something like Cancer scares me more as there is very little I could do to prevent it and I am generally at the mercy of others to cure it.

    Take control, bud.
  • maureenkhilde
    maureenkhilde Posts: 849 Member
    Do not try to self diagnose through the internet. Make an appointment and see a Dr. Find out what the story is with the wound on the foot. And also explain why you think you are a diabetic or pre-diabetic. Or go to a clinic, walk in, or even an ER if you have a wound that is not getting better and you have been attempting to treat yourself.
    Diabetes can be treated, having said that the key is seeing a Dr. on a regular basis. And one of the things Dr's. regularly do, is check their patients feet and ask questions about their feet at visits. Why to make sure feeling is still good, that the pulse in foot is still good. There are a number of items in relationship to our feet that a good Dr. checks on with patients that yes are diabetic.
    Please take care of yourself, and have someone who is a professional check you out. Then they can also get you in correct direction for healthful eating as well.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    bluegreysky wrote: »
    Pretty sure I have a diabetic toe ulcer under my foot. I clean it with hydrogen peroxide, so I’m hoping it won’t become infected. Having a lot of issues having energy to get up and walk/do things. I also need to start eating and drinking a lot better things, and begin tracking again. Going back to caring, making better health choices, buying a scale. I went for a walk tonight the first time in a while, nothing major.

    Anyway does anyone have any issues or can relate? I’ve lost a lot of weight at least thirty lbs.. I think I’m about 205 now.. but I feel a lot like using MyFitnessPal is a ridiculous, impossible, annoying journey. But it’s not. I know it’s not, it’s ignorance and giving up easy.

    So I guess for now I will eat, serving sizes, drink lesser calorie things, and make better choices, and maybe when I do that moving around a lot more will be easier..

    If anyone has had something similar happen to them, do you have any tips on getting away from really bad fast food things, regular pop, and sweets/fattening foods?

    1) You think you're diabetic, but you don't know for sure. Get it checked out.
    2) You seem to know all the right things you need to do, but you're not doing them. Start doing now.
    3) I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic at 182lbs, and was told a 10lb loss would fix it. I lost 15lbs and am no longer in the danger zone.
    4) No need to change your foods entirely. Just eat smaller quantities, and increase your exercise.

    You can do it. Start now, and don't give up on life.
  • shinycrazy
    shinycrazy Posts: 1,081 Member
    @bluegreysky

    please see your doctor about your ulcer. A colleague spent 8 weeks in the hospital and had surgery for gangrene. Turns out he was diabetic. Scary stuff.

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