Health change in wife.

[vintner]

My wife just found out that she has diabetes.

She just had her first sit down with her doctor to be followed up soon with the other members of the health care team. Luckily, at this point it looks to be a diet and exercise change to control the problem. She is subscribing to a magazine for diabetics and is now eating less carb foods. I am learning that carbs turn into sugars and that is part of the problem. She is on the fast track to learning everything, and she is bringing me a long with her as I do most of the cooking. I tend to eat more healthy than she does, but I think we will both be changing our diets. Alcohol turns to sugar too. She does not drink much. I will need to watch the amount that I drink. With wine being a big part of my life, that would be difficult change if I had to stop completely.

She will get her testing down, find out when her blood sugar is wrong and work at adjusting her eating timing and foods she eats. It will be a lifestyle change for the both of us, but I think it will be for the good.

I kid her that it was my fault, that I was just “too sweet” to her.

Ya know, being over 50 is hell on a body. Wonder what will happen if we do make it to 60.

[bigfrank]

I have 2 of my best friends who have had it for years. They watch for the most part and they both go off slightly once in a while. They both drink wine but less than they used to.

[BocaBum99]

My father has diabetes. I remember vividly when he called me to let me know. I was devasted because I thought that meant he was going to die soon. That was more than 10 years ago and he seems to be doing all right with it. He does need to take insulin now, but he gets his eyes checked by my sister a couple times per year and he seems to be managing it pretty well.

We, too, spent a lot of time learning about diabetes when my father first got it. He was able to control it with exercise and diet. He actually lost a ton of weight and for many years he was in better health than before he got it.

Now, the insulin is causing weight gain as his appetite has increased dramatically because of it. But, he needed to take it because the pills stopped working.

Part of the reason why I decided to change my lifestyle in terms of diet and fitness is because I am high risk for contracting diabetes and I really don't want to get it. What I am doing my not prevent it. But, it may delay its onset if I am going to get it.

Good luck. Diligence and care and make it a livable disease.

[Pstreet1]

I have a friend whose doctor wanted to hospitalize him the DAY he was diagnosed, but he begged for some time to try with diet to get the limits down. The doctor gave him a week. In that week, his wife (a health food nut or guru, depending on your position) started him on supplements and made diet changes. In a week, the doctor was stunned. He's been fine with diet ever since.

When my husband received the same news (dangerously high, medication called for immediately, but he was not menaced with hospitalization that day), he, too, begged for time to see if he could lower the levels. I called my friend and said "What do I do; tell me exactly." When my husband went back in two weeks, the doctor said, "Keep doing whatever you are doing; as of now, you simply don't have diabetes, and I'm removing the diagnosis from your chart." We both get blood checks once a year. He has had no spikes, and remains a person who has never been diagnosed with diabetes.

It is truly amazing what you can do. Don't be discouraged.

[BoardGirl]

DH is juvenile onset. twice daily insulin. Keeps it under control. His best friend, Type 2, doesn't really seem to Get It and has not made changes. I fear that when the complications come, they will come in force. he is a very large man and has continued to eat like he's without a care in the world. We have simply been unable to get thru to him that this is Serious. He looks at my husband and thinks, eh, what's to worry? he's had it for years and is fine!

sure.

[Joe L]

Vintner,
If her doctor said it can be controlled with diet, exercise and medication, it's not something to worry about. My mom and sister have/had it. They control their diets and see the doctor often. Both Mom and sister have been taken off the medication when the blood work shows well. The doctor said they no longer had the disease. If the blood work is bad, they go back on. Sometimes i think doctors diagnose the worst, so they won't be sued.

This is not a life threatening disease. If controlled, it's nothing to worry about.

[vintner]

Well the DW has come back the drug store where she loaded up on some new drugs and supplies. She still needs to talk with a couple other people over the next day or two.

Her levels certainly are high, but in the first couple pills, she is noticing a difference in the level, it is coming down.

There is a lot to learn, for her and for me. But the information about your families and friends that have experienced this and are living with it, is very helpful to me. Kim is totally under control, I am not as much, but am learning.

Thank you all.

[BoardGirl]

Originally Posted by Joe L

This is not a life threatening disease.

I disagree with this. I consider diabetic coma to be life-threatening. I consider insulin shock to be life-threatening. I consider irreversible damage to internal organs to be life-threatening. I consider minor injuries that don't heal to be life-threatening.

Type 2 is easier to manage but is not without dangers.

[longtimer]

Leading a healthy diet will be good for both of you. If there is a diabetes center near you (a place that specializes in the care of diabetics - usually affiliated with a hospital or clinic), take advantage of whatever programs they offer. You may also want to see if your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association has any support groups. My dad had type 2 diabetes for 30 years. For about the first ten, he was able to control it with diet and exercise. Then after, he only needed pills to manage glucose levels. His biggest obstacle was estimating portion sizes. For quite a long time, he would eat large quantities of "healthy" foods and snacks because they were OK to eat. But, after some nutrition counseling (which I highly recommend), he found that he still needed to watch how much of those safe foods he ate. After gaining better control over his diet, he lost a lot of weight and felt so much better. Plus, his need for medication was reduced.
Diabetes means a lifestyle change. But it doesn't mean you have to give up all the foods you love. There's usually still room for an occassional treat, as long as you adjust your diet accordingly. It's important to keep those blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible because, if they aren't well controlled, over the long term, type 2 diabetics are at higher risk for a number of serious chronic health problems. PS - Don't forget to exercise. It's just as important as a good diet in keeping diabetes under control.

[The Conch Man]

Two months ago I was treated for Type II diabetic at the fine age of 65. My wife has been a Type II diabetic for more years than I can remember, its controllable as mentioned in other posts. Its tough getting old! We both are taking the pills to lower our sugar, wife keeps hers around the same number almost every day but I haven't got mine below 120 yet, bummer.

Your wife will do good in the upcoming months & as time passes!

Originally Posted by vintner

Ya know, being over 50 is hell on a body. Wonder what will happen if we do make it to 60.