A new Type 2 diabetic
 

My name is Brenda. I am 56 years old and I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes within the past year. I'm still learning what to eat and drink. I know I need to reduce my carb intake and I'm learning to read labels for carbs as well as what a serving size is for that particular food.

On Tuesday, my blood sugar took a nosedive while I was at work. My employer called the ambulance which took me to the hospital. I felt awful, weak, dizzy, and exhausted. The ER doctor could not determine why my blood sugar tanked. However, it became stable while I was in the ER so they let me go home.

Tonight will be my first night back to work. What I learned is how I feel when going through a blood sugar low. Not a great feeling at all.

Welcome to the Forum! :)

Read through the first three threads in the Type 2 Section, when you get a chance, if you have not already done so. These threads will most-likely help you a lot. Self education is one of the keys to successful management of your diabetes, along with a healthy / sensible diet and exercise. Basically, diabetes requires a life-style change for the better.

When you are experiencing a hypoglycemic condition, do not over treat the low, eat a 15 carbs and test 15 minutes later (IE the Rule of 15).

Good luck with your control and management.

Brenda
Stress can cause a quick unexpected drop in sugar levels
Snack management is as important as meal mgmt.
apple & string cheese make a quick snack diabetes is a balancing act between food, activity, & life stressors. Keep trying you can have good control
You just need to learn what works for you. I am still learning after 23+ years. I also am type 2. I try to keep my carbs under 20-25 per meal. 15 on snacks. I also am doing Weight Watchers-I have lost enough to have to change meds. I am now on VICTOZA 1/2 of the minimum dose. I am happy with the better control. Let me know how you are doing.

Thank you Danny. I checked out the Rule of 15 and found it very informative. Since the first low blood sugar attack at work, I had another just yesterday. I was asked to work over three more hours and had not eaten anything in six hours. I began feeling the symptoms and knew what to do. I did not have any extra snacks since I had not planned on the extra work. However, I do carry glucose tablets with me. They helped bring it back up. Do you know they taste like sweetarts?

Hi nberg. I am beginning to understand this diabetes will require a life time of effort to learn to control my food intake and my stress levels. Also to record what I eat, when I eat, and my blood sugar readings an hour after eating and two hours after eating. And to think my PCP didn't think I needed to test my blood. Thank goodness Walmart has Relion testers and strips that don't cost lots of $$$. Are you on WW Online? I do the free parts online.