[Thalamos]

Hello, everyone. My name is Joe and I'm 41 years old. Just found out that I have Type 2 diabetes 2 days ago. Came to find out that I probably have had diabetes or a long time. The disease runs in my family. My sister has Type 1 which was diagnosed when she was 12 and my grandfather had Type 2.
The diagnosis wasn't a complete shock because of the history of it in my family but as my wife and I do research, we are finding out just how important it is for diabetics to take care of themselves. We have also come to realize that anyone, whether diabetic or not, should know exactly what they are putting in their bodies, have a regular excercise regiment and fully understand the consequences of not doing so.
The ironic part of the whole thing is that for the last couple of days, with treatment, I have felt better than I have in a very long time. I don't want to say that diabetes is a blessing for me but finding out why I was feeling the way I was for so long and being able to compensate for it is.
For the last few months, I was having increasing fatigue, unquenchable thirst (many many potty breaks..hehe, was drinking up to 2 gallons of water a day), severe lower leg and foot cramps at night, loss of balance and lack of coordination. But, my symptoms worsened over the last 4-6 weeks. I chalked it up to my long hours of work and lack of sleep until I finally went to the doc. He ordered several blood tests and my blood was drawn at the clinic. About 8:30 that night, after supper and my evening bucket of Crunch 'n Munch and jug of milk, we received a call from "Dallas". Turns out that the lab was calling to tell me that my glucose came back as 407 and that I needed to head the ER right away. My blood was drawn again at the ER and an hour later my glucose came back at 595. Suffice to say, I was in the hospital for another day and a half.
I'm taking one Lantus injection a day (had to get over that "sticking yourself with a needle syndrome"). Also taking Metformin twice a day, a low dose aspirin and a cholesterol med as well.
Sorry for the long post, but this is first time that I feel I can speak to folks that have the same life changing condition that I have. I will welcome any advice and all of the positive vibes I can get. Love the Glucose Buddy app for the iPhone. It has been invaluable thus far.

Joe

[dano]

Joe;

Welcome to the Forum!

It sounds like you are on the right track. Read some of the threads in the T2 section, especially Blood Sugar 101. Good luck with your control and management.

[andrealuplow]

Hi Joe,
My name is Andrea, and I feel the same as you, as far as the "blessing" of finding out what it is that has been making me feel lousy for the past few months (who knows how long for sure). I am really glad that I was diagnosed when I was, because it could have been so much worse. When I was diagnosed, my BG was the same as yours, then after I got the meter, but before I could get the Metformin, it jumped up to 477.
I hope you were able to get your glucose reading to a good level. I am still working on mine. I have been following a low carb diet, and excercising every night (walking) and it is still in the 150 range most of the time, but steadily decreasing.
Keep up the good work, and good luck to you!

[mymickee]

Hi Joe. Thanks for sharing. My situation was very similar. I was in the hospital 4 days for treatment of ketoacidosis and renal failure last month. When I was discharged, I was on Lantus in the morning and Novolog injections with each meal. Now I'm down to the Lantus only injection and Metformin. My BG average is also 105. My goal is to be off all meds by February by managing with diet and exercise. I wish you the best in your management.

[dessymichelle]

Joe,
I am so Glad you are feeling better! I caught mine early and don't think I have been that high, but I can imagine how awful you felt!! When I got my diagnosis I got the book Diabetes for Dummies.... In there on the first page it says, " the day you find out is the worst day of your live and the best, it will just take a while to realize why it's the best." You got it right away though!!! Keep talking, I have found it really helps!

[diva]

Hi Joe
I too come from a strong hx of diabetes in family. Mother was insulin-dependent for years. There were 5 kids and each one developed it in their 40's. Two are deceased now, I am the worst. Being a nurse I would monitor my BS even before diagnosis. In 2000 I presented to ER in DKA. Was told I would never leave the hospital but I did after a long hospitalization and rehab. All my organs had shut down but I escaped dialysis. I have 2 son and was always telling them to check their sugars often and get A1c done. Well we all know that young people think that they are invincible, I received a call from my oldest about 2 months ago to tell me that he had joined the club. When asked what did he mean was told had BS over 500 and didn't know until a physical on the job. Maybe now they will believe what mom tells them. He is doing so well now on Metformin 2x a day and eating right. No highs so far, I think what I have been going through put a scare in him and hopefully the other one.