Talk to me about pre-diabetes

I was responding to this discussion while in the midst of an urgent care appointment. Today I see that I failed to post the comment I thought I posted. (I was being checked out for a bladder / UTI and got interrupted with a bladder scan! Yes I’ve got something and was sent to get an antibiotic. Now I’m back to Mayo Clinic Connect trying to remember what I thought I posted yesterday!)

Pre-Diabetes does not necessarily lead to Diabetes. Think of it as a warning that you may be heading in that direction. This gives you an opportunity to start researching the disease and making necessary changes that could be helpful towards prevention. I’ve been diabetic for nearly 50+ years and my husband is pre-diabetic. Don’t become too obsessed with “types” of diabetes. A Mayo Clinic endocrinologist told me “diabetes (regardless of the type) is having too high a blood sugar”.
As other members have pointed out, you have a chance to start making helpful changes:

1) monitor blood sugar - ( @scspalding ) a glucometer is a simple device you can use at home to check blood sugar.
2) diet and eating habits - your provider can refer you to dietitians/nutritionists to help you customize a plan that works for you. In regards to the candy, cake and ice cream; I would suggest that you reduce the frequency from twice a day to once a day and gradually even less down to a couple times a week. Start experimenting with swapping these treats out for things that have a lower carbohydrate level. Be careful of portion size. Teach yourself to savor just a taste. Take it slow and easy. Training should be gradual. Cold turkey and other methods are too drastic and will set you up for failure.
3) exercise - this doesn’t have to be Olympic level anything. Any increase in body movement is helpful. Your provider can point you in the direction of a trainer or program that can help you customize an activity that you can do without aggravating your other medical condition.

Hopefully something here will be beneficial to you. Will you keep us posted on your progress?

You can get a kit to check your glucose level.

Thank you for the info

Depending on age every three months

I was responding to this discussion while in the midst of an urgent care appointment. Today I see that I failed to post the comment I thought I posted. (I was being checked out for a bladder / UTI and got interrupted with a bladder scan! Yes I’ve got something and was sent to get an antibiotic. Now I’m back to Mayo Clinic Connect trying to remember what I thought I posted yesterday!)

Pre-Diabetes does not necessarily lead to Diabetes. Think of it as a warning that you may be heading in that direction. This gives you an opportunity to start researching the disease and making necessary changes that could be helpful towards prevention. I’ve been diabetic for nearly 50+ years and my husband is pre-diabetic. Don’t become too obsessed with “types” of diabetes. A Mayo Clinic endocrinologist told me “diabetes (regardless of the type) is having too high a blood sugar”.
As other members have pointed out, you have a chance to start making helpful changes:

1) monitor blood sugar - ( @scspalding ) a glucometer is a simple device you can use at home to check blood sugar.
2) diet and eating habits - your provider can refer you to dietitians/nutritionists to help you customize a plan that works for you. In regards to the candy, cake and ice cream; I would suggest that you reduce the frequency from twice a day to once a day and gradually even less down to a couple times a week. Start experimenting with swapping these treats out for things that have a lower carbohydrate level. Be careful of portion size. Teach yourself to savor just a taste. Take it slow and easy. Training should be gradual. Cold turkey and other methods are too drastic and will set you up for failure.
3) exercise - this doesn’t have to be Olympic level anything. Any increase in body movement is helpful. Your provider can point you in the direction of a trainer or program that can help you customize an activity that you can do without aggravating your other medical condition.

Hopefully something here will be beneficial to you. Will you keep us posted on your progress?

I eat well, like you, then add the candy, etc. I think that helps us. I do not drink sodas or eat burgers. I just need to be able to exercise and I can't. Do you?

I admit that I’m pretty sedentary. I do like walking and swimming however. I like to walk around my neighborhood, weather permitting. In inclement weather there are indoor places to walk, even in a shopping mall! There is a YMCA near me and I have considered joining. I could walk there, swim some laps and reward myself by soaking in the hot tub! My husband discovered an app called Apple Fitness Plus. It is exercises (all kinds, lengths & fitness levels) of videos & music led by trainers that we can follow along with at home. We started with a senior / beginner program. There are various gentle yoga programs. There are programs that can be done while sitting or even lying down (good for wheelchair or bedridden folks). I’m sure you can find something suitable. But for now your upcoming neck surgery & recovery are your top priority. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.