What advice would you give to a person new to type 2 diabetes

im always willing to take advice from anyone who has been there and knows what its like to live with this..





i found out i was type 2 6 months ago and ive been doing pretty good i think.What advice would you give to a person new to type 2 diabetes
The advice I give you is :


Keep your great attitude.


Take it slow.


Learn to count carbs.


Learn all you can.


Read books[ check the copyright date to make sure you are reading up to date info and not history ]


Subscribe to diabetes magazines.


Join a support group to learn and make new friends.


Make sure you are seeing an endocrinologist. Your GP will not do.What advice would you give to a person new to type 2 diabetes
My dad has had type 2 diabetes for years, and this is what I know from his experience...





The most important thing you can do is follow a strict, low carb/low sugar diet. South Beach is a good one, or whatever diet your doctor recommends. You can control and almost cure your diabetes by your diet. My dad has not been strict with his diet at all, and is now dependent on insulin shots. He is also losing feeling in his feet. On the flip-side, I have a friend who is also type 2 diabetic, and she has gotten herself off all meds because she has done an excellent job sticking to a good diet, and has even lost a bit of weight.
The answer is pretty simple really, but none of us really ';like it'; when we realize it's a lifetime way of eating. Bottom line is, LOW CARB all the time. Avoid bread and pasta and potatoes and rice. Easy on the legumes, and heavy on the green veggies. Eat all the meat you want, regardless of what some will say, you do NOT have to eat low fat. Adkins diet has proven over and over again that eating fat does NOT make you fat, and does NOT raise your numbers.





I'm taking 3 Metformin a day along with 50 units of NOvalin N at night since I've been diagnosed. I was over 400 to start, and now maintain 80-120 with occasional spikes to 140. I've lost 20 pounds in two months, and would like to drop another 50 with hopes that I'll be able to stop the insulin.





If we're to live long and healthy, we MUST maintain that magical 80-120 AT ALL TIMES. If we don't, we're killing ourself.





Best of luck.





Wes
My first piece of advice would be to understand that diabetes is a metabolic disorder and all the numbers we hear about and the types of food we eat will differ for everyone.





Not all doctors, diabetics, agencies and organizations are on the same page so you have to find what's best for you, probably through trial and error.





My second piece of advice would be to educate yourself about diabetes so you can better understand my first piece of advice.





And lastly...........TEST%26lt; TEST and TEST again along with an A1c test quarterly to show your progress or lack of progress.
Your glucose meter is you best friend!


Take those finger stick measurement 3-4 times a day, or at least as doctor orders. I'd rather have the bruised fingers than the peripheral neuropathy. [had both, still got the bruises]





Watch your diet! A local hospital should have dietary classes available to teach you the RIGHT way to eat. Gotta watch the carbs AND the fat.





Do not skip your medicines. I don't care how good you feel! Take the doses as prescribed.





Make your doctor visits. Don't skip those, either.





Stay away from alcohol. You can have a little, but no more than two drinks a WEEK.





I wish that I had of followed all that as closely as you need to. But that's why I have no trouble telling you. Like Yule Brenner telling the smokers to quit. Only the experienced know better.





After 22 years of being a Type 2 Diabetic, my kidneys have failed, and I'm waiting on dialysis. I have to wear a leg brace. I have to have laser teatments in my eyes every 6 months to keep from going blind.





Can't do much for me -- but YOU don't have to end up this way.





EDIT:


High blood pressur - yea.


High cholesterol - yea


Heart dieases - yea


Erectile Dysfunction - yea


Blindness - yes


Kidney failure - yea


Amputation -yea


What DOESN'T it affect?????
Here is my list:





1. Low alcohol intake.





2. NEVER smoke.





3. Check for minor wounds: we heal more slowly in general.





4. Check your Blood Glucose twice daily.





5. Stick to foods with a GI of 50 or LESS as much as you can.





6. Have the occasional treat and in a moderate portion. Deprivation of favourite foods can lead to cravings and binges.





7. Lots of unprocessed foods, and fresh fruits and vegetables.





8. Regular moderate exercise.





9. Get an annual check up with your dictor (or twice annually is better)





10. Get your eyes checked annually.





11. Keep an eye out for the usual symptoms of Hyper- or Hypo-glycemia.





12. Keep an eye on you blood pressure. Yes a lot, but not all, do have issues here. This is because Type 2 can be triggered by lifestyle issues such as obesity, and by other conditions such as heart disease, vascular diseases or kidney issues. Hypertension stresses out the kidneys and the heart, amongst other things.
Low Carb diet -





No bad carbs (nothing white)





exercise 20 minutes daily


(exercise pulls the sugar out of the blood into the cells)





Never drop the ball, never get cocky and think, oh I'm okay now.





Find an endoncronolgist and go regularly and follow his advice.





Visit a retina specialist annually at least.
Best book I found was Diabetes for Dummies. It gave simple to understand examples. Good luck and I am so sorry to have you as a member in this club.





Watch for your A1Cs and check your feet daily. Also get on a good blood pressure med to help with kidney issues. Find an endocronolgist...it is well worth the money
For your main question:


Take your condtition %26amp; treatment seriously.





For your 2nd question:


Diabetics can bring about many complications including hypertension.





So you have more motivation to follow your treatment %26amp; doctor's advice closely.
Visit my blog site and read my story. The Blood Glucose Level Chart can help you control your daily glucose levels.





Best Wishes