Diabetes Type 2

Hi DH, are you taking any anti-diabetic medications?

 

There are safe and effective medications that do not lead to the hypoclycemia that is common with insulin. You probably know by now that keeping a lid on your blood sugar is super important. You also probably know the consequences down the road as you age...Dieting is good as far as it goes, no doubt about it, as for vitamins...What does your doctor say?

This is not a diagnosis, so please ask your doctor, but generally part of the reason you are so tired is that your cells are not getting the sugar they need for normal functioning (due to the lack of sufficient insulin in your system, or because your cells no longer respond to the presence of the little insulin you have) . Diabetes is a bitch of a disease for just that reason, you have tons of sugar in your blood but your cells can't use it. Exercising depletes the little sugar that does get to the cells even faster, which is why you get tired even faster.

 

The American Diabetes Association recommends a post-meal (post-prandial) blood glucose concentration of less than 180 mg/dL (or 10 mmol/L) for diabetics, you stated above that it's at about 200. This is less than optimal for the prevention of the micro- and macro-vascular complications that are associated with diabetes, of which I am certain you are familiar, they are rather nasty over the long term.

The drugs may help you lower the sugar while improving your workout endurance, but again, check this with your doctor.

 

I couldn't have said this any better myself.

I know they are very different, but I've been a type 1 diabetic for almost twenty years (diagnosed a week after my 11th birthday). Diabetes can be a debilitating disease but it does not have to be. When you feel frustrated, try to remember you are more than a diabetic; the disease does not define you, even if people around you may make you feel like it should. (That's not to say you should throw caution to the wind -- bad idea. Diabetes is a serious disease.)

The medications mentioned in this thread can help improve your quality of life. If diet and exercise are not helping you, please discuss additional treatment options with your doctor. From what I know about type 2 diabetes, generally insulin is offered after trying other medications. I've been on insulin since my diagnosis, but again, I'm type 1 and type 1 is often categorized as an autoimmune disease.

If you ever need someone to vent to, please know I'm a good listener (or reader, in this instance). Our situations may be different but I, for one, know what it's like to feel a needle multiple times a day!

Sending you hugs. And again, please voice your concerns to your doctor.

 

Some words of encouragement for you. A family member who is now 70+ has been type 2 since age 16 and takes a daily single injection of insulin every morning before breakfast. She takes reasonably good care of herself but is not fanatical about it. She gave birth to 2 healthy babies in her early 20s, has lived pretty much a normal life and views her Diabetes as more of an inconvenience than a debilitating disease. She has not experienced any of the other problems usually associated with Diabetes. Circulation, eyesight, liver & kidneys all work fine. If not properly managed you can expect problems in these areas. Maintain a healthy weight, avoid problem foods like excessive sweets and too much alcohol. She enjoys an occasional glass of wine and always has some carbs with dinner or will possibly experience low blood sugar during the night. Being exposed to too much sun during hot weather can also cause low sugar reactions. You said you don't like pricking your finger but you'll have to get used to it. She checks her blood sugar about 3 times a day. Especially if she's out and about and it's close to meal time. She will check her blood sugar before driving rather than risk causing an accident. Learn to recognize what a low sugar reaction feels like. Always carry your meter with you and some form of glucose like those little bottles of drink made for Diabetics. Even little packets of restaurant sugar work well. There is a wealth of information available from the American Diabetes Association and their monthly magazine is very informative with articles about diet, traveling and stories from others living with Diabetes. Above all, maintain a positive attitude and learn as much about Diabetes as you can and how your own body reacts to it. Everyone is different. My family member is mostly concerned about low sugar reactions. Your focus may have to be on high sugar. Again, you can live a normal life. There have been numerous professional athletes who enjoyed long successful careers with Diabetes. Notables are Ron Santo, the baseball player and Bobby Clark, the hockey player. Mary Tyler Moore is also a Diabetic. Good Luck, this is not the end of the world.
Editing: As a male Diabetic impotence can be a problem. Like all side effects of Diabetes, proper management will help you avoid it and if you do experience it the medical community has numerous methods that can help.

 

Just to add to the discussion: Type 2 diabetics normally start with diet and exercise, then go on to the medications, most of which do not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Eventually however, insulin will be necessary. But here's the thing: if you control your blood sugar adequately with the meds, proper diet, regular monitoring and exercise you can potentially delay the need to go on insulin.

I worked on this disease for a few years while conducting clinical studies. A most exciting relatively new class of drugs are the DPP4 inhibitors (which prevent the degradation of a natural hormone in your gut, called GLP-1, that stimulates insulin release only when your blood sugar is too high), at times used in combination with the metformin mentioned above (they are complementary). Again, I cannot stress enough that you need to consult your doctor (do you have an endocrinologist?) on this.

 

I have diabetes. But I got it from over using allergy medications. Of course NOW they come with a warning "May cause kidney and liver damage".......but they did not when I was taking them.

I hate taking meds! SOOOO many damned pills to take! Plus vitamins!

If you go to a Vegan ritual of eating nothing but Vegan foods, that should help your blood sugar level. Keeping away from whole sugars, heavy starches, and fried stuff.

It sounds like you are doing a good job keeping it down. Wish I was able not to have to take a handful of pills everyday!!!!


Everybody gets diabetes for different reasons. Some people inherit it, some people get damaged kidneys somewhere down the line, some people eat way too much starch and sugar most of their lives, some drink too much, some abuse drugs.......it all really depends on what you are doing to your kidneys before you hit 30 or 40.

Some people are born with it, even though there is no history of it in their family. It's just the way your DNA formed in the womb. Just like being born with an extra toe, webbed feet, no fingers........some people are born with, or prone too, diabetes.

As long as you can keep it under control, you are doing good. Unfortunately since I got diabetes, it is difficult for me to lose weight without going on a harsh diet......which I cannot do, because it would affect my kidneys even further.

Your doctor should be able to test your blood to the extent he can tell why you are diabetic. If not, then he's not very competent, or maybe you should see a specialist, if you really want to find out "why me".

 

This is one of my specialty areas...so here we go!

Have you had your A1C checked? That's a good indicator. It's an average of your blood sugar over three months.
What are your lows? When you wake up in the morning, what is your sugar? That's another factor.

There are people who are able to stay off of medication, but these are people who are very active and very healthy. Their sugars are close to normal. Just talk to your healthcare provider.

(A side note - if you're really taking all these vitamins, are you sure they are safe?)

 

Well, this is interesting!

A stem-cell researcher has developed a way to generate the millions of beta cells needed for transplant, they have already been working like a charm for months in diabetic mouse models!

Don't be surprised if Dr. Melton wins the Nobel Prize for this in a decade or so from now, this work is as significant as the discovery of antibiotics! There is the potential for a functional cure for Type I diabetes and for type 2 diabetics who are dependent on insulin.

To the OP, keep taking good care of yourself, there are exciting things happening in this field and I'm sure you'll want to be around to take advantage of them!

 

You should definitely check your A1C as it will give you a decent picture of what your more or less average blood sugars have been for the past 3 months. Check the link that I provided in my post for a link to the article. These beta cells won't be tested in humans for a few years yet, but this is a significant breakthrough for a treatment that might just be there by the time you may need insulin.

 

Again, I'm no professional but this screams denial. I know it sounds silly to say this, but maybe you need to focus on that, first?

 

Wow....that was rude.

Really rude.

You are essentially ignoring what you need. Either you're in denial or you don't care. Frankly, I hope it's denial!

By the way, I've worked with diabetes patients for years and am in nursing school. So medically, I know what I'm talking about.

However, you don't want to hear us give our opinions. I understand. I just know that you are going down a very risky path. It isn't safe. Above all, tho...it's your body. So best of luck!