Well, first off, here are some hugs! (((Debbie)))
I know that feeling of disbelief when I was told to come in for more blood sugar testing and then was prescribed a blood sugar meter to test my own blood sugar. So, I know a bit of how you (and your hubby) feel.
Please do not let this get either one of you down. I understand you don't want one more thing to worry about
or suffer from - I see by your signature you do have some other health issues. Having IBS and being a vegetarian will be a challenge for you because most of the control at this point is going to be what you eat. And this is true for your husband, too, of course.
As always, read the two stickies at the top of our forum. And here is a website that will give you a lot of information about
blood sugar, how to control it better, what the goals are and lots of studies:
www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.phpIn a nutshell: carbohydrates raise blood sugar. If you eat a lot of them, your blood sugar will be high. Anything made with flour, or anything with sugar, potatoes, rice - these will keep your blood sugar high. Most vegetables have some carbs in any case, but potatoes, carrots, and corn (and this is a grain that is eaten as a vegetable) and most root veggies are higher in carbs than bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, aspargus, green beans, eggplant and so on.
Meats, fish, poultry and eggs are a great source of protein and have no carbs. Dairy products do have carbs. Whole milk has fewer carbs than skim or low-fat milk.
Processed and combined food products have hidden carbs that we don't think about
so be careful if you buy any food that you prepare from a mix or that's in boxes or packages. Cheese, pure, real cheese is fine but it you read the back of the shredded cheese packages, you'll see that there is often added ingredients like cellulose or potato starch as fillers which add carbs. So, if you want shredded cheese, it's best to shred it yourself from a block of cheese.
Nuts are good but eating too many will add calories and pounds. Beans should be limited. They have good nutrients but also have carbs and if you eat too many, it's like eating bread.
Besides the eating plan, activity, specifically some sort of sustained exercise like walking, biking, swimming, running really helps, too. And using weights to tone up muscles for both of you is also beneficial.
Debbie, pain, stress, illness and certain medication can also elevate blood sugar and I would suggest that the doctor tests you more to see what's going on. Was the 117 a random test (not fasting?) because you were feeling weak and shaky? Being very low and also being very high can produce those feelings. I would think the doctor should have you monitor your own blood sugar to see what it is in the morning fasting and other times during the day. If you're on any steroids at all or certain BP meds, they can raise blood sugar.
Maybe your husband would like to join HW himself and see what's going on. If not, then let him read the stickies here and also the website I posted above.
Do either of you have family members who have diabetes?
Please don't stress yourself over this. I have to say that I am healthier now and eat much better and healthier now than I did before I was diagnosed, so maybe this is going to be a positive turning point for both of you!
