Hey Ray,

Good to see you here. I am in Canada and our meter stuff is a bit different here but your doctor can recommend a brand of meter for you. I also have hypertension and some other issues as well. Apparently, in the USA, walmart has some good meters and test strips at a fairly reasonable price.

In terms of food, there is a lot to learn and many of us are still learning. Your doctor or your insurance company can get you into a diabetic education centre and they are a huge help. They will give you a start on food learning and stuff like that. Diet and exercise will do more to help you than anything else. In terms of "reversing" diabetes, well, once a diabetic always a diabetic because you will always have to watch yourself but the biggest thing is, don't get discouraged, some people have come off the meds by really being dedicated to watching their diets and exercising. Thuis is a GREAT site and it is really good to get information from the group as well. LOTS of support here and lots of really good people. Everyone wants to help so don't be intimidated by this, okay?

I run a site where you can keep a log book of your blood sugars, blood pressure and your weight if you want. The site is at http://pcmdr.ca and it is entirely free. We are just starting so please bear with us for a bit but we will get it going for you. The 8.1 is from your A1C test. it is a percentage number and it represents the three month average of your blood sugars, and yes, 8.1 is a bit high. You want to be somewhere in the 6.0 range but your doctor should explain this to you. Don't worry, you are already taking the first steps and we will get there along with you okay?

cheers,

lary

Hi Ray, and welcome. That first day of being diagnosed is very overwhelming.
Did your doctor prescribe a meter? You need to use one, and fairly frequently in the beginning so you know what a particular food does to your sugars. Once you gain control you can test less often.

Like Lary, I urge you to find a diabetes education class. It will be conducted by someone with experience treating diabetes and this person will also usually be a dietician or will be able to recommend a dietician for you.
Carbohydrates and sugar are things you're going to have to watch religiously from now on. You will need a certain amount of carbs daily, but diabetics must ingest a much lower amount than those without diabetes.
Weight loss and exercise go a long way towards good control. Walking is great and so is anything that gets you up and moving for at least 20 to 30 min. at a time. I do 30 min. of cardio 5 days a week.
It is true that once you have diabetes you will always have it, however, with the proper diet, weight loss and exercise you can attain and maintain good glucose control. And maybe even stop your diabetes meds.
Until told to do so by your doctor, take your meds faithfully everyday as prescribed, and preferably at the same times daily.The same goes with food. You should really eat 3 meals a day and try to eat them at the same time every day. A snack in the morning and afternoon are fine provided you count your carbs.
Be prepared to start reading labels.
Managing diabetes is a balancing act and takes practice and trial and error to get it right. You're going to have many questions to come. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor, or your diabetes educator and of course, anyone here will be happy to answer any questions we can. It's daunting, but you aren't alone!

very good suggestions but of course have your doctor refer you to the dietican...and of course watch portion controls, learn to make substitutions no fried but broiled or baked,...no white bread but find a light whole wheat or multigran..pasta not regular, see if your store carries the Dreamfields brand and you cannot tell the difference. Exercise is extremly important..start out slow, go for a walk every day.

The 8.1 is probably the A1C - it is a blood test which gives you the average of your blood sugars for 3 months...your blood stores sugar molecues on the red blood cells, it lasts for 3 months, goal is usually at least under 7 or lower.

It is a matter of controlling, you will always have diabetes but it is not the end of the world as you see it at the moment, it is just another way of life....I still can eat what I want, do what I want with modifications of course...so do talk with your doctor some more

So sorry that you joined our club. I am about a month in and still dealing with the discouragement. Do get a meter...test your blood daily. Get a work out plan...and cut your carbs and refined sugars. Some of it is trail and error. here to support all I can!

You've already heard what other wise folks have to say. Just want to welcome you as well. Everyone here is so encouraging, since we're all traveling down the same road, some further on the path than others. No question is too silly or trivial.

Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

Hello Ray : welcome to the group!!!! There are great people in this group. I felt the same way you did when i was first found out too. I found looking on Kraft food website either Canadian or Amercian site should have it too they have recipes you can use that are great for diabetics you just register it doesn't cost you anything they might be able to send you recipes that can help you. Just a thought. Keep your chin up. We are all here to help you out as much as we can.

Thanks all i took my first tablet tonight , i was delaying it all day i had one togo roastbeef sandwich and 4 when slices with cauliflower ,
7 glasses of water and walked 2.5 miles on treadmill my weight is 247 i am 5 11 i am so freakin scared that i wont have my beloved fuji apple .

do u guys teat any fruits such as grapes or carrots apples just to munch on .

i plan to loose weight as fast as i can .

thanks agin for your kind help and sugeestions

ray

los angeles

eat your fruit, it has fiber etc and good for you...loose the weight carefully, don't go on a starvation diet