[listradinger]

Hi! My name is Alicia! I am 26, 112 pounds, mother of one, active duty army, and just diagnosed type 2!

I am slightly unsure of a few things and would love some help from some more experienced woman out there! I am unsure what I should really stay away from or how soon after eating I should check my blood gluclose levels. I also have PCOS and Hypo Thyroid so I take Metformin, Thyroxin, and iodine supplements. On top of all this I am lactose intolerant, a vegan, and have gastroparesis (I am missing intestine from an IED explosing in 2005, so its kinda similar to chrones if you don't know what gastroparesis is).

I am hoping some people out there have some lots and lots of information for me!!

[dano]

Welcome to the Forum!

Thanks for your service! The vegan diet is probably a good thing for your control, some of my best control comes when I have tried the vegan diet.

Read the first three threads in the Type 2 Section when you get a chance. Successful management of T2 diabetes begins with a lifestyle change. Read and learn all you can on your condition, education is key. Good luck with your control and management.

[type1rachelle]

Hi there! I was just curious - did you have gestational diabetes with your child? how were you diagnosed with T2? did the IED explosion cause trauma to your pancreas?

I only ask because someone so young, at such a healthy weight and diet and with hypothyroidism would point me to T1 diabetes, but I don't know how you were diagnosed, etc.

MANY people with T1 are also diagnosed with Hashimoto's which is hypothyroidism of the auto immune variety - were you told that's what you had?

Did your primary care physician diagnose you with T2 or did you see an endocrinologist?

How long have you been on Metformin? While it doesn't necessarily delay gastric emptying the way Symlin does, the most common side effect is GI related (nausea, vomiting, gas, diarrhea) so you should be aware of that. A lot of patients with gastroparesis have issues with it.

If you're definitely T2, I wonder why you weren't put on a sulfonylurea type of drug (stimulates the pancrease to produce more insulin and has less gastric side effects)...

I'm not a Dr (just a soon to be RN) so I'm sure your Dr has his/her reasons, but just things to question/keep in mind.

As for your questions - what you should stay away from? since you eat a plant based diet already, I'm assuming it's lower fat and very little processed as well? you might benefit from checking out the idea behind glycemic index - certain things raise your BG faster than others, regardless of the amount of carbs.

and usually your BG "peaks" from a meal 2 hours postprandial, so you should be checking 2 hours after you eat (although, keep in mind, this number might be high initially until you figure out the exact plan that works for you).

good luck!