1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Diabetes Diagnosis, In Shock

Posted by babette @babette, Mar 26, 2021

Some background: Once upon a time I was a healthy, active, 60 year old woman. I had low back pain, which I addressed by the occasional cortisone injection, and MS, in remission for years. My R knee began to be painful 2 years ago, and I had a total R knee replacement. The surgeon botched it, the device failed and I had to have another complete TKR on the same knee.

Next up was a long workup for ankylosing spondylitis, which I was diagnosed with one day, then diabetes the next day!

I'm a good cook but pain makes it hard for me to stand for periods of time. I think I know what I need to do, but when I ate high protein, low carb over the past couple of days I was **starving.** I am completely lost, I never thought I would become diabetic and here I am. I don't even now when to take my glucose readings. My dh is also a diabetic so I'm v. concerned for both of us.

Positive things I've done: I'm planning weight loss surgery which is probably the best thing I can do for all of my health problems; I've made 8 PT appointments for the AS; made an appointment for private yoga sessions, and I have a stationary bike.

I would love to hear about what have been your best resources for dealing with this head on?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 20, 2022
In reply to @astaingegerdm "Type 1 is an autoimmune condition, most often diagnosed in childhood. Diet and lifestyle obviously are..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

Type 1 is an autoimmune condition, most often diagnosed in childhood. Diet and lifestyle obviously are important there too, but it can’t prevent it.

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Exactly, totally different disease. Autoimmune attack on the beta cells of the pancreas, that produce insulin.

With the technology available, diet isn't any more of an issue for type 1's than anyone else.

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jun 20, 2022

In my experience, diet and physical activity are still very important in Type 1.

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jun 20, 2022

However, Type 2 potentially affects a large portion of the population, leading to other chronic diseases.

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Jun 21, 2022

@windyshores and @astaingegerdm sometimes it just isn’t as simple as type 1 or type 2. In my own experience and health journey I have been BOTH, plus a pancreas transplant between the two types. I’ve also had many of the complications that come with diabetes (either type) and chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 4). In the 47 plus years that I’ve been dealing with this stuff (learning about diagnoses, treatment options, diet & nutrition, exercise & activity, lifestyle ….. etc) I’ve discovered that information is powerful and beneficial. It can lead to developing helpful habits towards making necessary changes. More important than any of my previous comments is acknowledging that I am a Christian. I have put my life into God’s hands for His care and keeping. I believe that God has directed His children to be good stewards of what He has given us (including our bodies), hence the information gathering and good habits development. I try to live as though everything depends on me. But ultimately I know that the outcomes depend on God. My faith demands that I leave it there and it is good.

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2 replies
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jun 21, 2022
In reply to @cehunt57 "@windyshores and @astaingegerdm sometimes it just isn’t as simple as type 1 or type 2. In..." + (show)
@cehunt57

@windyshores and @astaingegerdm sometimes it just isn’t as simple as type 1 or type 2. In my own experience and health journey I have been BOTH, plus a pancreas transplant between the two types. I’ve also had many of the complications that come with diabetes (either type) and chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 4). In the 47 plus years that I’ve been dealing with this stuff (learning about diagnoses, treatment options, diet & nutrition, exercise & activity, lifestyle ….. etc) I’ve discovered that information is powerful and beneficial. It can lead to developing helpful habits towards making necessary changes. More important than any of my previous comments is acknowledging that I am a Christian. I have put my life into God’s hands for His care and keeping. I believe that God has directed His children to be good stewards of what He has given us (including our bodies), hence the information gathering and good habits development. I try to live as though everything depends on me. But ultimately I know that the outcomes depend on God. My faith demands that I leave it there and it is good.

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@cehunt57 -
Thank you for that wonderful post!
I’m sorry to hear about your CKD- always a fear.
Thank you again!

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windyshores | @windyshores | Jun 21, 2022
In reply to @cehunt57 "@windyshores and @astaingegerdm sometimes it just isn’t as simple as type 1 or type 2. In..." + (show)
@cehunt57

@windyshores and @astaingegerdm sometimes it just isn’t as simple as type 1 or type 2. In my own experience and health journey I have been BOTH, plus a pancreas transplant between the two types. I’ve also had many of the complications that come with diabetes (either type) and chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 4). In the 47 plus years that I’ve been dealing with this stuff (learning about diagnoses, treatment options, diet & nutrition, exercise & activity, lifestyle ….. etc) I’ve discovered that information is powerful and beneficial. It can lead to developing helpful habits towards making necessary changes. More important than any of my previous comments is acknowledging that I am a Christian. I have put my life into God’s hands for His care and keeping. I believe that God has directed His children to be good stewards of what He has given us (including our bodies), hence the information gathering and good habits development. I try to live as though everything depends on me. But ultimately I know that the outcomes depend on God. My faith demands that I leave it there and it is good.

Jump to this post

Yes it can be complicated. Regardless of type or types, I think it is helpful to provide the type when discussing. The generic term "diabetes" is used very often to refer to type 2 without specifying. And type 1 is not caused by diet or other lifestyle factors nor can it be reversed. If someone discusses your situation @cehunt57 I think it should be specific in labelling the type(s) as well.

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jodaer | @jodaer | Jun 22, 2022

Babette, sorry you have to go through this. If possible try to see an endocrinologist for the diabetes, if not then an internal med guy who knows what he is doing. If you can't do that, then self learn. Stop googling (if you do) and go to Mayo Clinic or Web MD web sites for accurate information. Also if you can see a dietician for help with meal planning.

HP/LC diet is good but look at what protein and carbs you are eating.

Good luck

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tula17 | @tula17 | Jun 23, 2022
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@tula17 - I understand your fear. It’s always on my mind. It would help if you..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

@tula17 - I understand your fear. It’s always on my mind.
It would help if you were able to talk to a therapist about your anxiety. It helps when you can just talk about it and get help managing your anxiety.
I was already seeing a therapist to help me deal with chronic illness when this information bomb hit.
It’s genetic with me, my autoimmune illness with chronic inflammation is also a factor.
I still get angry now and then when I think of it. However, I do the best I can.
I’m also lucky to have a good internist- he keeps me on a regular schedule of lab work to make sure that my cholesterol and blood sugar are fine. Since I also have a heart valve problem I have a cardiac echocardiogram annually.
I hope you can find a new good internist, maybe get a recommendation from your local hospital.
If you don’t have any signs of heart disease now you just need regular monitoring of your diabetes and cholesterol. The diabetes classes should help you plan to follow a healthy diet and physical activity.
Please find a therapist to talk to about other trauma you also experienced.
You deserve to have a good life!

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Yes I see a councillor but she does not know much about diabetes type 2 and all you go through, doesn’t quite have the understanding, I wish there were more therapist that were more educated about diabetes, and specialized in this area. Have you heard of the psychologist in the US in his practice all he works with is people with all diabetes, I have forgotten his name he is on YouTube, I think his last name is Polaniski something like that. He really gets it.

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1 reply
tula17 | @tula17 | Jun 23, 2022
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@tula17 - I understand your fear. It’s always on my mind. It would help if you..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

@tula17 - I understand your fear. It’s always on my mind.
It would help if you were able to talk to a therapist about your anxiety. It helps when you can just talk about it and get help managing your anxiety.
I was already seeing a therapist to help me deal with chronic illness when this information bomb hit.
It’s genetic with me, my autoimmune illness with chronic inflammation is also a factor.
I still get angry now and then when I think of it. However, I do the best I can.
I’m also lucky to have a good internist- he keeps me on a regular schedule of lab work to make sure that my cholesterol and blood sugar are fine. Since I also have a heart valve problem I have a cardiac echocardiogram annually.
I hope you can find a new good internist, maybe get a recommendation from your local hospital.
If you don’t have any signs of heart disease now you just need regular monitoring of your diabetes and cholesterol. The diabetes classes should help you plan to follow a healthy diet and physical activity.
Please find a therapist to talk to about other trauma you also experienced.
You deserve to have a good life!

Jump to this post

I have had type 2 diabetes for nine years now. Yes I have gone to the classes and had dieticians, I just hate living with diabetes it’s a huge burden. And have gone through a lot of loss lately , one was my mom six years ago and that loss has effected my depression anxiety, I feel so lost with out her she was my comfort going through the journey of diabetes. All the tears I cried because of this disease could fill a bath tub. She was there every step of the way. Husband not so much, I have to give him credit in the first year he was. He now has diabetes type 2 now also it’s been a year in a bit for him he seems fine with it. Everyone is different. It’s not everyday I feel this way but it sure can get in the way of life. It just takes up so much time, and not much time for things I like doing. That’s my big issue. Oh and the diet, I crave all the time and it makes me really grumpy, yes I cave when it gets unbearable with the cravings I am not going to go deprived. My big downfall is chocolate and ice cream, how about you what’s your cravings?

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1 reply
tula17 | @tula17 | Jun 23, 2022

You are doing all the right things, I was very hungry to, so I changed from real low carb to moderate low carb , I just couldn’t do the low carb, I was starving, are you testing you glucose? Are you on medication for diabetes? I didn’t go high protein just chicken, or pork with dinner, they say in class your protein with meat should be the size of the top of you hand when you make a fist. Which isn’t a lot for me cause I have small hands, I increased it a bit. And the carbs. Do you have a healthy snack in between meals like a hand full of almonds or a low fat yogurt, or an apple with your almonds or yogurt low fat low sugar?

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