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Posted 8/11/2008 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there everybody,

Here's my story:

Shortly after turning 54 last month, I was told I have diabetes.  I still have to go through a bunch more blood tests but it looks like I'm Type 2.  My 1st reading in the nurses's office at our local Diabetes Education Centre was 16.8 ... 4 hours after breakfast!  She told me I was probably up around 22 a couple of hours after eating.

BTW:  why does my meter read '7.2' or '8.1' while everybody else's around here reads '169' or '125' ?  Is there a conversion chart around here somewhere?

Like everyone I guess, I am a little scared & confused but determined to do whatever it takes to gain control over this puppy.

The diet/nutrition thing is quite a challenge but just eating 'not-quite-so-stupid-as-I-used-to' since the visit to the nutritionist's office a few weeks ago has already lost me 8 pounds.  This is mostly due to saying goodbye to McDonald's & other drive-thru eateries and also my attempts to follow the nutritionist's recommendations.  My life's a little hectic (up at 5 AM ... supper at 8 PM ... bed at 10 PM) so it is difficult to regiment but I'm trying.

Did I mention I have been trying to quit smoking for the last 30 years?  I know, I know ... I'm a walking timebomb.  High BP, Diabetes, smoking ... all bad.  Its like a treadmill; try to quit smoking ... get bad news ... start smoking ...

I WILL get healthy, no doubt.  Just kinda waiting for the treadmill to slow down a bit eyes

I feel better already and my numbers are looking much better.  I'm testing 5 or 6 times a day & keeping a journal so as to give my doc lots of data to work with.

No meds yet, other than my daily high blood pressure pills.  I will find out more after the blood tests and doctor visit.

Anyway, after reading most of the posts here. I figured its a great place with great people & good advice.  I hope to spend much time here :-)

 

Posted 8/11/2008 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Forum, TVEditor.  Here is the conversion table.  In the US we use the "mg%" figures. 

Conversion table

Blood glucose can be measured in either millimoles per litre (mmol/l) or milligrams per 100 millilitres (mg%). USA.  Some EU countries use mg%, take a copy of the conversion table - it may be useful.

mmol/l

mg%

mmol/l

mg%

1 
2 
2.5 
3 
3.5 
4 
4.5 
5 
5.5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 

18 
36 
45 
54 
63 
72 
81 
90 
99 
108 
126 
144 
162 
180

11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 

198 
216 
234 
252 
270 
288 
306 
324 
342 
360 
378 
396 
414 
432 

 

 

 

Posted 8/11/2008 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again.  Congratulations on losing the 8 lbs.  For advice and examples of how many of us here eat, just search through the old threads (topics) for food and recipes, etc. and you'll learn a lot of tips and ways to help keep the blood sugar under control.  Actually, it's basically very easy:  the more carbohydrates you eat, the higher your blood sugar will be.  So, to control the blood sugar, cut down on the carbs and eat more vegetables (not potatoes or corn) and protein.  This will also help with weight loss.  Add exercise to this and you're on your way.

Posted 8/11/2008 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome Lanie :-) I've gone through quite a few posts here & have been making a list of foods/recipes that appeal to me. As I saw many times, "we are all different".

In my case, my problem is cutting down/out the fruits. I have a bunch of berry bushes (raspberry, blueberry, saskatoon, cherry) & wouldn't you know it? ... this season is turning out a bumper crop mad

Cutting out the potatoes will be hard too -- I'm basically a meat & potatoes guy. I guess another way to look at it is 'I'm halfway to eating right!' tongue

Anyway, thanks again.

Chris

P.S. Thanks for the conversion chart. Now I can better relate to what you're all talking about.
Posted 8/11/2008 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Chris, I was in the same place you are now.  (Not Canada  smurf ) about 3 years ago.  Diagnosed as "borderline" by my doctor and prescribed a glucose meter and all that.  For months I left that blasted meter in its box because I was in denial but for some reason I decided to take it out, test and see what this was all about.  The numbers meant nothing to me until I did some online searching and then found this place.  It was hard facing the facts but I found a way to control the numbers by diet and then I added exercise (cardio and weights).  I grew up in a house where we ate our meals with a piece of bread in one hand and fork in the other, so I know what you mean by it being tough to make these changes.  Stronger than my craving for bread and potatoes though was my determination to bring my blood sugar down and I have, so if I can do it, anyone can.  Honest.

Posted 8/12/2008 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Chris

 

Another Canuk here roll    I live in Muskoka, Ontario

I'm glad Lanie gave you the conversion chart, it really helps understand the other posts here.

You might have to change your eating schedule and make your 8pm a lighter supper, and have a larger meal for your lunch.  Did your doctor send you to a Diabetic Clinic yet?  Once you go there, (generally a 2 week coarse) you will know exactly what you can have, and how much you can have.  They will give you a full understanding about what high/low sugars can do to you smhair

Dont be scared...it is definately a life change for sure, but hey...it's only food right?  you can do this!  and you are a guy, which means you can have larger portions than us gals tongue

Just try not to overwhelm yourself with making too many changes in your life.  Concentrate on your sugar levels...make sure you journal like the doc told you, and you will get an excellent view on what affects your levels and what doesnt.  you need to be a meat and veggie man now turn    If you do have potatoes now and then with dinner, that portion of your plate should be small, like..I think 1/2 a potatoe.  You will learn all about this if you go to your classes.  I dont know what part of Canada you are, but in Ontario, everyone who is dx type 1 or 2 diabetes is given the opportunity to go to the classes.  They are great means of ongoing support too.

 

Good Luck to you :-)

Diane

Posted 8/12/2008 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ericsmom,

I'm up in Thunder Bay. Yes, the conversion chart makes all the message reading I've been doing much clearer. And yes, I have been to our local Diabetes Education Centre. Good place ... has a nutritionist, a nurse and an endocrinologist. No 2 week course though; just 2 visits. They were both very informative & I was told I could call any time if I had questions. The doctor's appointment in 2 weeks for his evaluation of blood tests & the Ed. Centre's recommendations will tell more.

Your advice & lots of others' around here seems to be based on common sense eating & Living. I think that's do-able!
Posted 8/12/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Nutrition information is important and I hope your counseling is better than ours down here in the States, or at least where I am.  Here, they follow the American Diabetes Assoc. guidelines which still say to eat x amount of carbs with the meal.  mad Now, for some people that might work, but for others, like me, it spikes my blood sugar.  shocked The carbs I get are from the vegetables like cauliflower, bell peppers, broccoli, green beans, lettuce, onions.  They are kept in check by the proteins and fats from the meats, cheese and nuts.  The bottom line is your own blood sugar, which is why testing is so important.  I can eat small amounts of berries or cherries after a meal and not spike but other fruit causes high readings.  This is why some diabetics will eat nuts, cheese or peanut butter with half a banana or some apple slices.  (Hey, Diane, don't you love the new emoticons?  roll )

Posted 8/12/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
idea    Yeah Lanie!!  They are brilliant!!  turn    Couldn't believe it when I logged in this morning...I just love smiley's roll
Posted 8/12/2008 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Right!   smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/12/2008 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
"Nutrition information is important and I hope your counseling is better than ours down here in the States, or at least where I am."

The counselling seems pretty good to me so far but I don't know how up-to-date their info is.  Here too, they seem to push more carbs than what I've read about around here.  Of course most of all medical procedures are covered by our government health programs -- WE pay for them but just in a different way than you guys down south rolleyes     Our problem locally is lack of doctors. 

My GP seems a little old fashioned and due to his own health reasons takes 1/2 the year off but I can't just go see another doctor unless he refers me.

There's also a shortage of plumbers in town but I don't think the two problems are connected tongue

(unless they're all out on the golf course together) roll

I like the emoticons too :-)

Posted 8/12/2008 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Chris, if you read my response to Diane in the other post about my experience with the nutritionist here, you'll see why I stopped going:  too pushy on the carbs.  Shortage of plumbers?  idea   Call an enterologsist then? devil
Posted 8/12/2008 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I eat  2 cups of berries almost every day when they are in season. Blueberries, red raspberries, black raspberries, blackberries, strawberries- I have them all in my garden. when yu have too many- portion them out and pop them in the freezer- the softer berries kind of sauce up after freezing- but they still taste fresh and great in yogurt. I also dry my berries- again in controlled portions and just rehydrate when I'm ready to eat them.

I also grow and 'preserve' peaches and apricots  Nothing better in the dead of winter!

sandy

Posted 8/12/2008 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
One of the simple pleasures of my life has come from the nurturing of my little berry patch up here in the Great White North. I was worried that I might have to give that up.

Thanks for the tip Sandy :-)

Chris
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