Lost in the world of diabetes

By yayasista71 Wednesday, July 23, 2008

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My life seems so upside down anymore. I found out I was a dibetic about a year ago. Ive been on between 1000 to 2000 mg of metformin within that year. This past monday I had gone to see my doctor for my checkup and he decided to put me on insulin...talk about scarey. It took me a long time to get used to poking myself int he finger with a needle to check my sugar and now he wants me to stab myself int he stomach everyday... all I could do was cry. Its now been 3 days of taking insulin and it makes me sick. Strange enough it gives me a stomach ache and cramping, along with a head ache and I feel like I have to vomit but cant. Needless to say I called my doctor who said oh its not from your insulin your jsut getting the flu..I am the type of person who only gets sick twice a year and that is when the weather changes..I now my body and I now Im not getting hte flu.. I always seem to feel like I am hungry about an hour or so after I take my insulin, so I am wondering is that is where my head ache comes from. Sometimes I forget to eat and dont realize that I didnt eat when I get a headache. I am wondering if there is anything that I can eat that will take that hungry feeling away and NOT raise my sugar.. does anyone know?

Comments (7) | Add comment

Meg, the Noob

7/24/08 5:05am

What do you eat normally? Are your sugars usually quite high? I ask because I've noticed that I get similar symptoms if I take insulin and my sugars are high. I think it's because the sugars drop so much so quickly. I find that if my sugars are at a lower level normally I don't get those symptoms.

In terms of finding something filling that won't affect your blood glucose, try low fat protein. You could try things like skinless chicken, tuna, or a boiled egg. Protein is the most filling type of food, and it doesn't really affect your sugars.

Meg, the Noob

7/24/08 5:16am

Oh, I forgot to add that forgetting to eat regular meals when you're on insulin is a BAD idea. Your body is primed for the meal, and if you don't eat it you're going to have wonky BG and then feel horrible. I have reminders set on my cell phone to remind me to eat!

KDR

7/24/08 3:27pm

My experience has been that insulin is a double edged sword. It keeps my glucose levels in check, but it makes me RAVENOUS. I understand this and have learned to expect/handle it. I try to eat something every 2 hours. Breakfast>snack>lunch>snack>dinner>snack>sleep. The crazy thing is that I'm not very hungry and I dropped 50lbs. Go figure. :)

It sucks (I get that) but you have to fight through the sadness and deal with your lot in life. It isn't HORRIBLE...it just sucks a little. ;)

bstyt2b

7/24/08 3:59pm

It is obvious that with your past amount of Metformin that you do not understand what you should be eating. The place to start is with your physician, his nurse, a nutritionist, classes that are given at the hospital. Start there. Once you understand what your body is undergoing, you willl understand what food to eat and when.

Work with a trust medical professionals. They will guide you through this difficult time.

rafaelmatuk

7/24/08 5:54pm

Not sure exactly how or what type of counseling you received when you were diagnosed, but frankly, I think (as sometime is the case) you were left basically on your own. It is ok to feel bad, but, at least on my case, that was because I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. We feel bad because we are led to believe that with a pill twice a day, or a static shot here and there diabete will take care of itself. It is not like that. Diabetes is a very dynamic disease, so attitute towards it, and treatment, should be dynamic as well.

So, I would suggest you start with lots of reading, talks with your diabetes educator and nutrition specialist, and support groups (some are actually quite good). Be picky, and choose the ones that are good and make you feel good and progressing. Then move on to actually manage your disease with their help and guidance.

About the snacks - protein foods are a safe choice (I take turkey franks and ham), cheese or nuts in moderate quantities. You have to try which ones are good for you. Stay away from sugar less or fat free food - some times are not really good.

LadyMagnolia1963

7/28/08 6:51pm

I have been a T2 for 7 years this past July. I need to change that on my intro-as I thought it was just 6 yrs. But anyways, it's nice too meet you. My name is Donna, I am 45 and dealing daily with high's lows, what to eat, what not to eat, depression over being a diabetic.

I can seriously understand where your coming from. At one time I was taling 1,000 mg of Metformin and Insulin *Byetta* it's prefilled and easy to use.

But I had to go off of it a few years ago as we could not afford the medicine. So now I am on 2,000 mg of Metformin and 45 mg of Actos.

I keep a journal off all my sugar numbers, what I eat, how I feel that day etc.. It really helps me to write all this down and be able to share it with my Dr.

This past month my sugars go way high 259 and low to 110. It's bouncing every where. I have an appoitment with my Dr. August 5th and I am soooo scared he's going to put me on insulin. We have no medical insurance-so all most all my meds are paid with my husband's check. My Dr. is wonderful at giving me samples of Actos and other medications...Thank God!

Ever since I was diagnosed with Diabetes I have been winging it on my own. All I was told is I had diabetes, here take this med and see me every three months for an A1C.

I am now with a new & wonderful Dr. He has T1 diabetes and has an insulin pump. So he understands how hard it is to have diabetes.

I don't remember if I had the symptoms you have when I was on the Byetta pen insulin. But I have read everyone's comments. They all sound like solid advice.

I just wanted you too know your not alone. I still feel upside down, scared and depressed about being a diabetic. But talking to others who share this disease has helped me understand I don't have to do this alone.

I hope you are doing ok with the insulin. I'm sorry you had to go to insulin (((HUGS))). Keep us all updated daily if you can about how your doing. Also try writing all of this in a daily diary and sharing it with your Dr. It may help him realize what you are really going through.

I look forward to seeing you post often Ü.

HUGS~Donna

Anonymous

8/ 5/08 1:45am

Hi,

I understand what you are feeling. I was diagnosed with type 2 seven years ago. I seems the threat was always that "you don't want to be on insulin". So after all the lifestyle changes and effort to loss weight,exercise and eat healthy leads too... Even a few months ago I was told to watch out cause " you'll gain weight on Insulin". So when I was told to start on Lantus two weeks ago suddenly I'm told its easy, painfree and you won't gain weight. Not sure what to believe. I also spent a night crying and feel so guilty that I havent actually told anyone.

For me it has been easy, painless and my BG is now where is should be again. I did wake with headaches the first week, but feel great now. It is another life style change and does have a big impact on our lives but in the long run that's what it is all about, staying healthy so we can enjoy life :)

Lost in the world of diabetes

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