New to the Group? Introduce yourself here.
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Hi! I am Pam.
I was diagnosed as a type2 diabetic when I was 15 years old. Surprisingly, I was a little pudgy, but not particularly obese or anything. I was maintained on oral meds until I was close to 20 years old. I do have the signature type 2 insulin resistance, but over the years my pancreas has also decreased function. I am currently 53 years old and have been an insulin user since I was 20. I do also continue to take meds for my insulin resistance. I take Metformin and Farxiga. It is an interesting balance for me to manage both the resistance and a very poorly functioning pancreas but I make it work
There have been times in my life where I was wildly out of control, and times where I have help it together pretty well. All in all, I cant complain. I have very few effects..no neuropathy, no circulation issues. I have had my retinas lasered once about 8 years ago for some leaky vessels, and currently have very mild retinopathy in one that has not required any treatment.
I am here to try to finally get the rest of this excess weight off! Thanks for having me!1 -
Hi, I'm Chel. I was just dx with T2 in Feb. It's in my family, but I was trying to eat healthy enough and exercise enough do prevent it. It didn't work. So I'm eating even healthier now. Struggling with exercise. I run, and I did some longer distance races in 2018, but looking back I think I was having sugar issues then. I just didn't know what was going on. Kind of nervous about getting sick while I'm out running. Not looking forward to the needles & blood testing. Ugh. Well, I'm here to improve things--not let it get worse.2
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Hi, I'm Chel. I was just dx with T2 in Feb. It's in my family, but I was trying to eat healthy enough and exercise enough do prevent it. It didn't work. So I'm eating even healthier now. Struggling with exercise. I run, and I did some longer distance races in 2018, but looking back I think I was having sugar issues then. I just didn't know what was going on. Kind of nervous about getting sick while I'm out running. Not looking forward to the needles & blood testing. Ugh. Well, I'm here to improve things--not let it get worse.
Hi Chel! I'm also a runner. Take some form of quick acting glucose with you when running. I currently use Clifblox but smarties candy works for short distances. I also eat an orange before running.
Testing is a thing you get used to, not a big deal. Buy a meter with cheap enough strips that you don't hesitate to test often enough - I use the Bayer Contour next, which also got the highest marks for accuracy in a consumer reports study.
Are your doctors going straight to insulin for you, or trying other meds first?1 -
Hey, Rheddmobile,
Thanks for the advice. I was able to get a glucometer that is mostly covered by my insurance, including the strips. I am not on any medications at this point. I will look into Clifblox or some other sweet to bring on my runs just in case. My head is kind of spinning, but it'll be ok.0 -
Hi there, I’m Laurel. I was just diagnosed in January as T2. I feel like I am just kind of left out here with no clue what to do. I have Kaiser and they referred me to a class but that’s all the way in May.
So in the meantime I am trying to fix things myself with changing my lifestyle. I am still pretty under control compared to some other folks I have talked with so maybe I can change things on my own. My first A1C was 6.3 and my average fasting glucose in the morning is 112 since mid January.
I have started logging my food, meal prepping more, started a couch to 5k plan and mindfulness.
What are your top tips for avoiding meds and what to eat to help support your body’s release of insulin?0 -
mypixiedesigns wrote: »Hi there, I’m Laurel. I was just diagnosed in January as T2. I feel like I am just kind of left out here with no clue what to do. I have Kaiser and they referred me to a class but that’s all the way in May.
So in the meantime I am trying to fix things myself with changing my lifestyle. I am still pretty under control compared to some other folks I have talked with so maybe I can change things on my own. My first A1C was 6.3 and my average fasting glucose in the morning is 112 since mid January.
I have started logging my food, meal prepping more, started a couch to 5k plan and mindfulness.
What are your top tips for avoiding meds and what to eat to help support your body’s release of insulin?
My diagnosis A1C was 12.8, so I was in a worse starting place. They started me on metformin. It was when I reduced carbs that I started seeing results on the meter.
FWIW, the doctor reduced and then later stopped meds. My January appointment was a year after stopping the metformin, and my A1C was 5.4.1 -
So that is actually my profile - not sure how it switched to my old account for a day but - mypixiedesigns is my old profile.
Hi there, I’m Laurel. I was just diagnosed in January as T2. I feel like I am just kind of left out here with no clue what to do. I have Kaiser and they referred me to a class but that’s all the way in May.
So in the meantime I am trying to fix things myself with changing my lifestyle. I am still pretty under control compared to some other folks I have talked with so maybe I can change things on my own. My first A1C was 6.3 and my average fasting glucose in the morning is 112 since mid January.
I have started logging my food, meal prepping more, started a couch to 5k plan and mindfulness.
What are your top tips for avoiding meds and what to eat to help support your body’s release of insulin?1 -
lklimowicz wrote: »So that is actually my profile - not sure how it switched to my old account for a day but - mypixiedesigns is my old profile.
Hi there, I’m Laurel. I was just diagnosed in January as T2. I feel like I am just kind of left out here with no clue what to do. I have Kaiser and they referred me to a class but that’s all the way in May.
So in the meantime I am trying to fix things myself with changing my lifestyle. I am still pretty under control compared to some other folks I have talked with so maybe I can change things on my own. My first A1C was 6.3 and my average fasting glucose in the morning is 112 since mid January.
I have started logging my food, meal prepping more, started a couch to 5k plan and mindfulness.
What are your top tips for avoiding meds and what to eat to help support your body’s release of insulin?
The good news is your labs are not that bad! You should easily be able to stay off meds if that's what you want. However, not all meds are bad - for example I could come off metformin but choose to stay on it because I have no side effects, and it's an appetite suppressant. Work on losing excess weight, getting regular exercise, and staying within your carb tolerances, and you should be back at healthy levels before you know it.
Use your meter after meals until you learn how your body tolerates different amounts of various foods. Morning fasting glucose is not strongly correlated with health outcomes, it's absurd that so much focus is placed on this, instead of post prandial glucose which has a direct connection to health outcomes. Different people are different in how they react to specific foods - for example I can eat a huge amount of fruit without a blood glucose spike, but even a small amount of rice will spike me, and some people are the opposite. They won't tell you this in class, you have to learn about your own body.
My main tip is to learn to use your meals to fuel your exercise. Running is a great help, and I also suggest adding some strength training, because strength training improves insulin resistance. Plan to work out after eating and you will lower your glucose levels naturally. Then plan your snacks for when your glucose is lowered by exercise. Studies have found that three short walks after meals is better for glucose control than one longer walk, for example. I have found that doing bodyweight squats can quickly bring my levels down if they get too high - and you can do squats anywhere, without equipment, even in the restroom of a fancy restaurant if necessary!
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I’m back after a long absence. Diagnosed in 2012, lost 125 pounds in the space of 2 years, at one point my A1C was 4.9 and I was kicking butt. Then I got pregnant with my daughter....suffered a painful, acrimonious divorce.... and I just didn’t care, as awful as that sounds.
The shock to my system came this weekend - my father passed away on March 2, stage 4 renal failure. Caused by.... yes. His T2D.
That’s the slap in the face I needed. He always told me to get back on the wagon, and so I am. I’ve made an appointment for April 4 to see a new specialist, but I’m starting over here early. No reason to wait. Every reason to start again.
Thanks for having me.4 -
@rheddmobile thanks for all that. That is the type of info that is helpful.
@Cathalain welcome. I’m sorry for you loss. Good for you for making a change too1 -
Hi lklimowicz, I’m in a similar situation as you. Recently diagnosed; education class scheduled for the end of May. I’m working on making changes to my diet. I found a YouTube video and learned to use my monitor. There is a pinned thread at the top of this group with a bunch of helpful links to various websites. Ive been reading the blood sugar 101 site today. Very educational. Hope that helps.2
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@chelny
Thanks. I’ll check them out. Sounds like we really are on the same path - my class is end of May as well1 -
Hi 🙂My name is Dana. I am 46 (almost 47). I was diagnosed with Type II last week. I was prediabetic for the past year and taking Metformin but when I went for my physical my fasting BG was 202 and my A1c was 8.5. My doctor upped my Metformin to 500 mg twice a day and I am checking my BG 4 times a day. I have had triglycerides since I was 23 and high blood pressure for 5 years - I got stuck with some very sucky genes. I was already eating pretty healthy and working out a few times a week so this has been hard. I am doing okay but feel overwhelmed at times figuring out planning my food and exercise with all the other responsibilities in life. I am also looking for other people who understand the struggles, fears, and frustration this disease brings. I’m happy to have found this group!2
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Hi I'm Beth. Diagnosed Type 2 on 3/19/19. Been on metformin for 15 years for PCOS and insulin resistance. Starting education classes 4/30. I'm overwhelmed with reading all I can about diabetes. Some friends and family are supportive while others tell me it's all my fault. Looking for friends to share our journey to better health.2
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Hi everyone, my name is Abby, I’m 38, and I was diagnosed Type 2 in September 2018. I unfortunately knew it was going to happen due to both my grandmothers being type 2 and I’m overweight...was just hoping it would be when I was a little older.
I work as a CPhT on night shift at a large hospital, as well as day shifts at a different smaller hospital, so it’s VERY difficult to stay on the nutrition plan my nutritionist gave me. And virtually impossible to stick to a workout schedule as well.
I look forward to the tips and support I hope to gain in this group. Thank you for having me.1 -
I’m type 2... diagnosed in 2004... weighted 210 in 2016... now 178... l go to the gym twice a week.. I’m 63...1
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Hi new people! 1
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Good morning....my name is Tracy and I was diagnosed with Type 2, 3 weeks ago. I was immediately put on Metformin. I have been eating low carb ever since and just had my education class this past Friday. I have been doing a lot of reading....books and online and have been overwhelmed with all of the information and different schools of thought.
Decided to go back to weight watchers because I need that accountability of a group setting, but there really isn’t any support specifically for diabetics and it’s hard to track carbs via their website, so I decided to come over to my fitness pal also. I look forward to getting to know you all and learn as much about this disease as possible to control it. Thanks.2 -
Hey everybody! I'm Raquel. New to the app but a 2 yr diabetes patient. Type 2 at 29 yrs.2
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Hello my name is Nicole and almost 1 year ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I made some life style changes right away and I have lost 25lbs. I've made changes in my foods and I have introduced excersice. I always have questions on what is better to eat and what to "avoid". I have reduced my carbohydrate intake quite a bit. I also try to walk everyday on my treadmill. My A1C, last July was 8.5 and now it's at 6.1. Using MFP has really helped. I need to get motiviated to really...really stick to MFT b/c it does work. Really looking forward to this group to get the "help" or "motivation" that I need.2
