Borderline and monitoring the symptoms.

[Baitball Blogger]

I didn't even realize the symptoms I had been feeling over the last twenty years were a premonition of the disease. But now that my dad is diagnosed with Diabetes 2, I realize that I'm prone for it.

So, I have been trying like hell to ward it off and it's the damnest thing. I know I need to lose weight, but I can't go on a diet because I get hypoglycemic if I don't eat every three to four hours. Exercise is helping tremendously, but losing weight is still hard at my age.

I can feel the sense of urgency, however, because symptoms creep up in unexpected ways. For instance, the other night before I was ready for bed, my right ear went numb. Freaked me out. Half an hour later it was back to normal.

What were the early signs for everyone else?

[Holly_Hobby]

1. Blurry vision, thirst, frequent peeing, numb and dry feet

Has your doctor tested your a1C, which shows an average BG over the past 3 months? Anything over 6 isn't a good sign. Mine was 9.3 at diagnosis, a heart attack waiting to happen.

I haven't been diabetic for that long, I'm sure others with more experience will chime in.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. No help from the doc.

Apparently, he's a traditionalist and will wait until the numbers are definitive. When I told him that I read that hypoglycemics eventually become diabetic and that I noticed that after a few days of taking in sugar or carbs to level my hypoglycemia, things begin to go in the other direction, he responded, "Oh, yeah that's happened to me too."

I know the answer is to find another doctor, but, really, that's how my troubles began. My hubby thought we would save money by going on an HMO back when we were younger, which meant we had to switch doctors. Apparently, we weren't as young as we thought we were because the doc prescribed something that would, essentially, steal my health.

I've been fighting it ever since.

Thanks for the info. At least I know what questions to ask.

[Holly_Hobby]

4. Buy a meter...

Test upon waking, before eating, one and two hours after eating. Keep records.

I can recommend what I find to the be the most accurate and cheapest meter and test strips, I've tried them all.

Meter: $10
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-true2go-blood-glucose-monitoring-system/ID=prod6046688-product

Strips: 100 for $20
http://www.amazon.com/TRUEtest-Test-Strips-100-Count/dp/B002CGT09M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394640241&sr=8-1&keywords=true2go+strips

Do not buy Relion from Walmart, extremely inaccurate.

I'm not a doctor, but, keep records and shove them in your doctor's face if you go over 140 after you eat. Your awaking reading should also be under 100. True normal is more like 125 after eating.

If you're borderline, you don't need meds or insulin. It can be controlled with diet and a bit of exercise. I did it, many many others have done it.

You can also DEMAND an a1c on the grounds of genetics. Doctors usually won't refuse if you tell them you won't take no for an answer. Doctors also think diabetes is well controlled when it's not. The only way to control and stop the dangerous side effects of diabetes is to keep your a1C below 6.

Read "Diabetes Solution" by Dr. Bernstein: This book literally saved my life.
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316182699/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394640650&sr=8-1&keywords=diabetes+solution

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Phenomenal information.

I'm glad they started this forum.

[Holly_Hobby]

9. Thank you so much and so am I :)

[woodsprite]

3. I know I'm probably going to end up with it at some point as well.

I had gestational diabetes (diet controlled) when I had my son. I was "borderline" gestational when I had my daughter 7 yrs before that. They said about 50% of those diagnosed during pregnancy will develop diabetes in the next 10-15 years after delivery.

The most important thing I learned from that experience was to balance whatever I ate. If I put something in my mouth that was a carb, I had to have a protein to go along with it, and at night, it could be on the 'richer', 'fattier' side (took longer to break down over night).

Do you have access to a nutritionist, either through work or any community or fitness centers around where you live? I work at a university. We have a nursing/PT program and a state-wide cooperative extension program. They sometimes do nutritional counseling for employees as well as for the general public. The price is much more reasonable than going to a private nutrition counselor. If you live close to a teaching hospital or a Univ/College with a medical program, they may offer the same type of counseling. Another place to look would be your local food co-op. I know ours has one-on-one appointments that you can schedule.

Sending healthy vibes that we can both keep it at bay as long as possible.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. I had gestational diabetes also.

No access to a nutritionist, but I think I'm getting the hang of the diet. I am getting to the point where I don't crave sugar things as much as I use to, so I don't yo-yo as much.

And, I've learned to eat a handful of blueberries to knock out the sugar cravings.

[woodsprite]

7. I'll have to try the blueberries! It'll help my night vision also.

As I've gotten older, I've noticed that is not as good as it was.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Night vision. Ugh.

There are times when everything is running perfect, however, and it's amazing how much better life is.

I told my daughter that the worst thing that is happening in my life right now is that I'm learning to eat healthy. I'll take the inconvenience.

[TexasProgresive]

11. Blueberries are good

for those experiencing sugar highs and lows.

[TexasProgresive]

10. A history of hypoglycemia often comes before hyperglycemia (diabetes)

That was me. I would get shaky and faint from low blood sugar. I would self medicate with a coke, candy bar and a smoke. What happens next is a sugar spike which causes an insulin dump- wash, rinse, repeat,etc. Weight gain and insulin resistance with constant elevated sugars- full blown type 2 diabetes.

I would suggest that you try to limit high glycemic index foods. The snacks that you eat between meals need to be lower carbohydrates not no carbs but as complex as you can find. Stay away from the white carbs; sugar, flour, potatoes and the like.

The problem is your pancreas is over responding to sugars in the blood. This a vicious cycle and if not stopped you will likely end up diabetic. Change your diet, find a way to get 20 minutes of aerobic exercise per day.

[Baitball Blogger]

12. Thankfully, I have been turning everything around in the last two months.

It was easier to settled into proper eating habits once I was healthy enough to tackle the gym forty minutes a day. It made a HUGE difference.

Exercise is medicinal for me.

I was feeling so good that I snuck in a cupcake or two over the weekend...and I lapsed. Definitely, it is a lifetime change that I need to accept. No sugar for me. Or very little.