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My DH was diagnosed today with diabetes, after a trip to the ER with a blood sugar reading of 604. We did get in to see a doctor who is setting us up with a nutritionist, but we can't get in for a month. So, does anyone have any advice? I think we've caught it fairly early, so I'm hoping if we modify our diets and exercise, that he will only have to use the meds temporarily. (Doctor agrees) But all of her advice was pretty general, we need to know what to do until we get to the nutritionist.
I would start by visiting the American Diabetes Association website American Diabetes Association Home Page (http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp - broken link) They have lots of information.
Go to amazon and check out diabetic cookbooks - see which get the best ratings. Start testing recipies.
It is very common to manage diabetes with diet alone. Good Luck.
My DH was diagnosed today with diabetes, after a trip to the ER with a blood sugar reading of 604. We did get in to see a doctor who is setting us up with a nutritionist, but we can't get in for a month. So, does anyone have any advice? I think we've caught it fairly early, so I'm hoping if we modify our diets and exercise, that he will only have to use the meds temporarily. (Doctor agrees) But all of her advice was pretty general, we need to know what to do until we get to the nutritionist.
Thank you!
I'm a 61 year old type 2 insulin dependent diabetic. A BS (blood sugar) reading of 604 calls for immediate action. This is a very dangerous BS level that can trigger a stroke depending upon the overall and specific medical conditions of the person. You'll want to see an Endocrinologist ASAP. Why the delay in seeing a physician? I'm presuming type 2 diabetes in your situation (adult onset diabetes), with a BS level of 604, IMO, this does not appear to be a "temporary situation". Type 2 diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, weight reduction and oral meds, but insulin is frequently required, at least a long acting insulin that is injected once per day, like Lantus.
I use a long acting and short acting insulin (with meals) plus an insulin facilitator (injection), hopefully, this will not be the case with your DH. The key is to start diabetes treatment as soon as possible. It appears that you are not aware of BS levels prior to the ER, high BS levels can damage blood vessels and organs very quickly. IMO, I would request an A1C test ASAP if not already performed as it will give an indication of BS levels over the past 2 months. Good luck and push for treatment as quickly as possible.
I have been a type one diabetic for almost 30 years. Eat foods high in fiber and watch what your carb intake is. Be careful of pizza, pasta, doughnuts....high fat foods can be put your blood sugar on a ride to highville. I am not a nutritionist. Please make sure you follow up together as soon as you can. The best thing in the world for a diabetic is a supportive spouse. There are lots of us out here and feel free to dm me anytime. I hope your husband is feeling better. I know that felt like he got hit by a train. Its hard to explain how horrible it can make you feel. It sounds like he has a great wife though . Know that life will be normal again, just with a few adjustments with food and exercise! Good health to you both!
Fortunately diabetes treatment has changed and improved tremendously in the past few years, and a lot of the old thinking has been discarded. It is not just sugar you have to watch out for, but innocent stuff like white rice, potatoes and most breads and baked goods.
The supermarket will be a dangerous place in the future - pay no attention to the "no sugar" and "low sugar" promises on packages, they are a scam, because they simply substitute other forms of carbohydrates that are just as bad as sugar.
Don't wait to get diabetes under control, and to learn the latest tips and techniques for managing the situation. I don't understand why so many think the US healthcare system is so great when you have a life threatening condition and yet have to wait days, weeks, months for proper help.
Are you near a city with a major medical facility? Start looking for help now, and ditch the miserable doctor you just saw.
I've been dealing with diabetes for 30 years, and just started insulin, wish I had done so sooner.
Here is a page link to a site that will explain the different types of diabetes and the effects on the human body. Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes is the most common form of Diabetes in the US. Please see an Endocrinologist as soon as possible. Type 2 diabetes responds quickly to treatment, but treatment must be initiated quickly as the damage to blood vessels, body organs and cells occurs without pre-diagnoses symptoms. Time is of the essence.
I doubt the ER sent her husband home with a blood sugar of 604.
If they did, please get the doctors name and report them to the medical board in your state.
Did the ER doctor/nurses show your husband how to check his blood sugar, tell you where to get a monitor, give him medication (insulin +/or oral) to use in the interm?
Everyone here has offered some good advice. If you can, I would see a endocrinologist or at least a internist before your husband goes the the nutritionist. My advice to your husband would be to pretty much stay away from anything white (potatoes, rice, bread). A couple of servings of milk is ok but it does contain sugar so just be aware of that. Read food lables very, very carefully. Look for how many carbohydrates (not just sugar) an item has. 15 grams of carbohydrates is generally considered a serving. Obviously the nutritionist will have to determine how many servings of carbs you husband will need. Just to give you an idea though, I'm allowed to have 9 servings a day. That's probably because I'm 5'2" and I need to lose weight. It's also important that your husband spreads his carbohydrate servings evenly throughout the day. Also if your husband has a meter, he should test his blood sugar before and 1-2 hours after meals. That way he will be able to determine what foods trigger high blood sugars. It's also a good idea to test his blood sugar before exercise to make sure it's not to high or low. Good luck to you both.
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. Know that life will be normal again, just with a few adjustments with food and exercise! Good health to you both!
Types of Diabetes.
