[pixyt]

I am 33years old and I have type 2 diabetes and I am really having a hard time dealing with it.
I am over weight and I have really made drastic life style changes I now cycle regularly and if I can not get on my bike I go for long walks. But the weight was not shifting till about three months ago when I started to lose weight and I am now 18kg down.
I went to our local diabetes centre this week and I was told that I am only losing weight because the insulin was not getting into my system ( a combination of injecting wrong and using the wrong needles) and that I will probably gain weight again!
It really just makes me want to cry I feel like I am caught in a catch 22 situation.
I need to lose weight to help control my sugar but the Insulin that is suppose to help me will make me gain weight?
I really feel like stop using insulin period have high blood sugar at least I will lose weight.
I know how insane I sound but I just feel so hopeless at the moment. I eat right I watch my carb intake and I exercise but still my A1C came back at 15.7.
I am just really feeling very down about it

[mtendler]

As I write this, my blood glucose is approaching 400 mg/dl (22.2 mmol/l) so believe me, nobody on this board is perfect. I'm glad you've come here and shared the issues that you are facing.

What I would suggest is concentrating on one thing at a time. Diabetes is very overwhelming, there are so many different areas to work on like weight, insulin management, exercise, etc.

Make sure that you are now injecting in the right place and the right time. The way you will see if it's 'working' is by testing your blood sugar more. That's really the key. Try setting a goal of going to the gym for 45 minutes three times a week, cut out all pasta and white bread, and check your blood sugar before and after every single meal and snack.

Keep you head up and realize that we have ALL been where you are now and you will persevere!

[dano]

It appears that you are on the right track! You have committed to losing weight by watching your carb intake and you have made drastic life style changes to get the exercise that this requires. You are aware of the problems with the combination of injecting wrong and using the wrong needles.

I personally feel that if you continue to get your exercise, watch your carb intake and inject your insulin as directed by your physician the A1c numbers will quickly get better. I feel that tight control is the key to doing this as well.

It is difficult to lose weight on insulin, but not impossible. You may want to take a look at this website. Have you given any consideration to watching your caloric intake? A nutritionist may be able to help you implement the suggested 40-30-30 plan. I hope that this information helps in some way.

[pixyt]

Thank you very much for the information, it seems like I don't have enough information to really help myself. The saying knowledge is power never seemed more relevant than now. I LOVE pasta my idea of a salad is to swop lettuce for pasta a thing I will have to change asap. And I did not know that eating a protein with every meal will be a good thing.
Again thank you for the information!

[g8rduc]

Pixy, I suggest checking out sites that explain the glycemic index to you. If you adjust your diet to it, you will definitely be on the right track.

Keep your head up...you're aware and you're trying, so it will just take some time!

[aprildaniels]

Hi Pixy,

I feel your pain. I just found out I have diabetes (even thought I was diabetic when I was pregnant, I didn't think it would come on so fast afterward). I am only 31 and now faced with dealing with this the rest of my life, and if I don't control it the consequences are horrible. I need to lose weight & learn a whole way of eating.

Anyhow, you are on the right path, keep your head up & stay determined. I wanted to tell you about some pasta I heard about on anther diabetes website (dlife.com) I have joined some support groups there & everyone raves about this low carb pasta (Dreamfield Pasta - available in some store and on amazon.com). It is suppose to be really good. Being Italian, I love my pasta to & I am definatly going to try it.

Good Luck,
April

[alriv25]

I feel your pain, i also am having a hard time dealing with this deal, i have diabetes as direct result of an anti rejection med i am taking because of a liver transplant. I haven't made any drastic changes, ia m depressed, i don't want to excersise and i haven't changed my diet, however i am now starting to take the necessary steps (baby steps) to reach my goals. You on the other hand are working hard on getting things under control and i wish i had that motivation, i suggest that you don't get discouraged and keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will acheive your goals.

[lisadennis]

Try doing the Atkins diet. I dropped 60 lbs on it and have kept it off even with insulin. Talk to your Dr first.

[rdricks]

Originally Posted by alriv25

I feel your pain, i also am having a hard time dealing with this deal, i have diabetes as direct result of an anti rejection med i am taking because of a liver transplant.

Mine was also the result of anti-rejection meds (Kidney transplant). One thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of conditions out there. At least with Diabetes you are in control. There are tools available to manage it as closely as you choose to do so. It is not always easy, but at least you have choices.

[kungpao]

33 here. discovered my diabetes a while back while doing routine bloodwork for high triglycerides. I had lost weight about a year ago (went from 230 ish to 190) Previously, I had yo-yo'd on atkins/southbeach style diets (high protein/low carb)

What really worked for me was purely calorie counting. If I ate it, I logged it. With the help of an ipod app called lose it (not that one needs an ipod to do this), I was able to set a calorie count limit to lose 2 lbs/week. Once I knew how many calories I could eat per day, I ate what i wanted. If I over ate, then i needed to exercise to put calorie intake back.

It doesn't matter if you exercise like hell but also eat like hell. And I LOVE to eat. Sadly, my eating habits went back to their old ways when my son was born due to me not seemingly having time to follow my calories. I'm back to 226 and am getting ready to start counting again because my health (and diabetes) are suffering.

keep the faith!