[dhhaabwh22]

Greetings. I'm a newbie to this website and to having blood sugar readings and a HbA1C that likely put me in the Type II category. My doctor will make the definite determination in August. For the past few years I have checked my blood sugars with a glucometor. I was not diabetic but occasionally had a few abnormal readings. Last summer I began to have high morning fasting values as well as high values following a meal (3 hours post). I went to my doctor and did the bloodwork. My HbA1C was 1.0 higher than it should be. I am working on diet and exercise right now but am afraid I will need meds. I experience dawn phenomenon in which my morning values exceed acceptable fasting levels and I'm very concerned. Right now I have fairly normal daytime values that are being controlled by diet and exercise. What concerns me is that I am running out of modifiable risk factors that I can change. I exercise regularly (swimming and walking) am about 15 pounds overweight (but started this last summer at 30 pounds over), and my diet is healthy. I am working on losing the additional 15 pounds by the next lab work in mid-August. Aside from losing the extra 15 pounds, I'm covering all the bases with diet and exercise. So I'm afraid that diet and exercise alone might not be enough. Why am I so bothered? Both of my parents were diabetic (dad at age 30 and mom at age 50). Mom lost a leg to the disease, had extreme neuropathy, and vascular involvement. Dad had vascular problems and retinopathy. He died at age 63 so I don't know the longterm implications of his disease. Further, two grandparents were diabetic and about 50 percent of my aunts/uncles. Clearly, genetics are not on my side. From seeing what this disease can do firsthand, it is frightening. I'm wondering how others lived through this type of thing and how you came to cope with it. I recognize that I must accept what I cannot change. Any suggestions. Diane HH

[dano]

Diane;

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. Good luck with your control and management.

A diabetes diet is not about restrictions - it's how everyone should eat - lean proteins, low fat, unprocessed carbs from fruits and vegetables and plenty of exercise. A diabetes diagnosis is not a death sentence, as many people lead a very productive life after diagnosis. The trick is control. Take your diabetes diagnosis, should this happen, head-on. Control your diabetes, don't let it control you.

There are many success stories on this site. Here is one that you may find interesting.