Diabetes

[Tigerhair]

Hi all
Well, not been on here much recently as I am trying to set up an allotment site for our town along with coping with three serious health issues, one of which is diabetes.
If anyone here has diabetes, please feel free to come to my new board to chat about it. http://diabeteschat.forumotion.net/forum.htm
I am currently enjoying tomatos, courgettes, sweetcorn, beetroot and onions from my garden which is also taking some of my time! I hope this is OK to post here.
Imogen x

[Graye]

I'm so sorry to hear about the diabetes.

Is this a new problem or something you have had for ages? How is it being treated? My Dad (now deceased) had diabetes for many years and it gave him no serious problems and it wasn't even mentioned as contributory on his death certificate. In fact I was usually his guinea pig for his "jabber", my fingers were often like pin-cushions! I think his was age-related and was totally controlled by his diet - I can´t even remember him taking any sort of medication.

Plenty of interesting veggies coming up in your garden by the sounds of it anyway! And if I lived full time in the UK I would love an allotment, great idea!

[Tigerhair]

Bonjour!
I have only just been diagnosed (I've had asthma for about 3 years, and my blood pressure medication started about 6 months ago... so this is a new one on the cards!). They aren't sure if it's type 1 or 2 until the results come back!
I have been told to lose weight and sent me for various tests and I have an appointment with the nurse to discuss diet. I believe every person with diabetes is an individual as we all react to different things in different ways... I am finding it hard to cope with emotionally, though.
Thanks for your kind message.
Imogen

[confused]

Hi, i have diabetes had it for 12 years or so, controlled by tablets and of course diet, tomatoes,wheatabix are my fav foods if i know i am going to be somewhere where the temptation will be great to over indulge, i just eat toms or wheatbix for a day before hand,or after! and i never really have to much problem with it , honestly dont let it get you down, you will learn to control it, dont let it control you ! veg is great and producing it yourself is even better , because the exercise will help you even more. all the best keep the smiley's going !

[Tigerhair]

Thanks, confused. I am sure I'll come to terms with it sometime, but food (especially bad stuff) is one of my greatest pleasures.... Must keep positive though, eh?

[Shirley]

I don't know anything about diabetes Tigz but I do know that many people live with it without it ruling their lives. My father in laws ex wife is diabetic and you honestly wouldn't know. She eats the same as everyone else too.

Good for you setting up the forum that will help you and others to come to terms with diabetes and work out how best to tackle it. Just having someone else with the same thing is a big thing - well it was for me on the cleft lip and palate forums.

Best of luck with the lottie - hope it all goes well.

[Tigerhair]

Thanks Shirlz

I agree that it's good to feel supported. I am very lucky in the fact that Richard and Josh are there for me...

[confused]

You will soon learn what foods are bad for you and how to counteract your "good food " "diabetic bad food" 6 month from now you will never give it a thought!

[Tigerhair]

I hope I can get into healthy habits, but I find it hard when my son has his crisps and icecreams, chocs and sweeties around. He eats plenty of good stuff too, though!!

[pumpy]

Hi Tigz,.... if(worse-case scenario), you are diagnosed as type 1,...don't panic. My wife has been type 1 for more than 40 years, &,yes you have to make adjustments,but you can still carry on,more or less as normal. It can be a little bit obtrusive,but it doesn't have to be the be-all & end-all.You may have diabetes,but it does not have you!!

[Tigerhair]

Thanks pumpy... I agree, however, sometimes feelings are overwhelming. I know I am not, by any means, alone with this though!!!

[pumpy]

You'll be fine.

[Rod in Japan]

My Dad has Type 2. Unfortunately, he used to believe the old advertising for Mars Bars, "A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play" ("and gives you diabetes at 65"). He found his nurse very pleasant and helpful, and quickly lost a great deal of weight. Now his arms look like Popeye's, sticks with big muscles bulging out. He's in much better health for it. He really enjoys his "treats" too, and still seems to eat an awful lot of them, although he and Mum seem to keep him within the limits suggested by the nurse.

When I started putting on weight in my 30s, I decided to cut out nearly all cakes and chocolate which I thought I loved. I found it really easy in fact, and realized that I didn't love them as much as I thought I did. Of course, I lost a lot of weight, and have kept it off. I can't really understand why my dad even needs his treats, but everyone is different.

I'm sure you'll be fine, and it may actually improve your health in the long term.

[Tigerhair]

Hi all
Well - a few weeks on and I have lost nearly a stone in weight and have come to terms with everything - and found out a lot of information. I have found that limiting my carbs instead of doing what my nurse said, and having LOADS at every meal, I can control my blood sugar easily.
Thanks for all the responses.

[eccentric_emma]

I am just waiting for the results of my diabetes test (should know monday or tuesday ) *bites nails*

actually im not stressing out too much about it, mainly because my dad and grandad both have it so i kind of know what to expect.

congrats on the losing weight Tigerhair, diabetes can be a tough thing to handle, especially the diet part - i am glad you seem to be doing well!!