Coflicted and confused

Like usual, when I am confused with my health concerns, I always turn to this wonderful site!

I turned to Healingwell a couple months ago when my doctor diagnosed me with pre-diabetes due to an overnight fasting of 117. I lamented my frustration that I was not told with a reading of 101, then 6 months later 108, that I was pre-diabetic. It was not until 6 months after that, and a reading of 117 that my doctor told me I was considered pre-diabetic, and he gave me a copy of the ADA diet. Which confused me, because it has far more carbs than I ever eat.

He also prescribed a glucose monitor, but didn't really say when to use it, and what to watch for etc. So I have been consuming info on line and through books daily trying to figure out what is the right course of action.

Needless to say, it's all conflicting information. I am my own worse enemy. It's like I don't know where to start, so I do a lot of healthy things, balanced with some unhealthy things until I can find "the one best way" to get me on the correct course to prevent this disease.

So, here is my main concern right now. I have been using the blood monitor as a once in a while overnight fasting test to see how things change.

about 6 weeks ago, after overnight fasting it read 116. I was happy because I thought "wow, ok, the good things I am doing pushed it down a bit. I waiting a few weeks and tested again, it was 125! I freaked.

My husband and I had a long weekend at the lake coming up with very good friends, but when we are all together we don't watch what we eat or drink. I did better than most; low carb wraps, none of the fatty meats, etc. But I did drink wine every night while we all played cards etc.

I waited a couple days to test my fasting level. I tested it this morning and it was 126! I have googled everything trying to find out if this one reading means I truly stumbled right into diabetes rather quickly, from prediabetes. In my mind, my thoughts are once you get out of the pre-diabetes range even once, it means you now have diabetes. But nothing I have read on line has been helpful.

Can anyone tell me what this might mean. I know it certainly means to continue to make better choices and activity at an even faster pace. Unfortunately, I have always battle an all or nothing mind set, and if I can't be perfect, I sometimes sabotage myself. I'm really worried that the one reading means I am now a full blown diabetic. Any suggestions?? Any advice?? I mean, for me to have 2 readings so close that increased both times is freaking me out. When I read at the doctor every 6 months it appears to have gone up gradually over the course of 6 months, not 1 week, or 1 month. He never tells me what my A1c is, but the fasting glucose.

Thanks for any advice, I truly appreciate it!!!

Post Edited (Virgogirl67) : 7/21/2016 8:16:09 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Lanie,

Yes, I indeed bought the book. It certainly is a strict lifestyle. I have incorporated low net carb wraps, and only one fruit a day etc. But really relaxed on vacation. Still ate bean based high protein nacho chips with my guac, but I know that is still carb.

Low carb diets really make me constipated for some reason. But I know I have to work harder. I was looking into a diabetes coach; However, most of them go by the ADA, and I know that is not right for me. I never ate that many carbs in the first place.

I have watched some youtube on Dr. Mowll, which are pretty good. He advocates low carb, and explains things really well. If he were local, I would visit his practice for sure!

I did not catch the link the last time, or maybe I just don't remember reading through it because at this point, I've gorged on info, so much so, that I am allowing myself to become stymied by all of it.

I'm also realizing, even if you have pre-diabetes, that does not mean you get that under control and then never get diabetes. I have to treat it like I have diabetes already for the rest of my life. Because that is becoming more and more clear to me, I think I am in the "freaked out" stage, and mad at myself for letting my health get so bad, knowing full well diabetes is a complete epidemic on my dad's side of the family.

I was very active most of my youth, and well into my early 40's. But still, my annual reading of 99 almost always, never gave me reason to be concerned because it was steady every time, but my doctor didn't tell me it was probably too high. I Irish danced from age 12 a couple days a week, walked my hilly neighborhood a few times a week. In the winter I would do exercise videos etc.

4 years ago this month I had dual foot injuries, had to have surgery, and was basically in some form of air boot, or surgical shoes for a year of my life. On top of that I lost my job, and had to go back into bank branch management, which is intense and so very stressful. Really, no one would ever know it unless you live it daily. I've been very lax with my diet and exercise, put on about 50 pounds in those 4 years. So I have to own this situation and be a better host to my body!

I do have a couple hearty glasses of red wine most nights, it's how I "relax" from long tough, impossible to meet goals to save my job, short staffed, customer complaints, micromanaged to death etc.. kinda days. That really needs to stop now!!! I need to once again make exercise my release!

I will take a look at that link again Lanie. I have used this site for a couple other health issues over the years. I must say you are such a kind hearted moderator. All of them are, but you are so engaged, honest, and knowledgeable for sure. Thanks so much!

Thanks so much Lanie. You certainly help put things in a better light, relative to the resources available to us now. Though some advice is conflicting, I think over all, awareness, and all the other tools is a personal balance as to what works for each of us. And that is what I hope for myself, you, and others. Though it seems you have a good handle on yours for sure.

Yep, Berstein is really strict. I love smashed cauliflower, so to eat a bit more than he feels is reasonable, won't hurt me as much as it may impact him. At least that is how I feel.

I saved that link you sent to my favorites. I took the rest of the week off after our lake trip to read up, and put some sort of plan into action for wellness. Thanks for being a part of that plan!!!

Anita

I forgot to mention this but you wrote that you sometimes had constipation. I would recommend broccoli! If you eat a few raw florets with a salad or much on them between meals a couple of times a day, that may help. And of course drink enough water.