Thanks for writing back.

Sure, I was also depressed when i was diagnosed.  Still am, occasionally.  I think everyone with diabetes is once in awhile.  But I figure it does no good to be depressed, so I kick myself and take another step forward.  Mistletoe is right  -  you can live and live well with diabetes.  Unlike other diseases, you are pretty much the boss with this one.  Doctors can tell you what to do, but you have to go out every day and actually DO it.  I don't know about others, but that gives me a feeling of control.

The key, I think, is education.  If you learn all you can about diabetes, you will find that it is not the death sentence that ND's (non-diabetics) believe that it is.  There is a lot of misinformation out there.  A lot of companies are trying to make a quick buck off of you, and the best defense against that is to be an educated consumer.  For instance, don't fall for claims that a certain food is "diabetic friendly" or won't "spike your blood sugar".  Learn to read a food label (sounds like you already know how to anyway) and reach your own conclusion about the appropriateness of a food for YOUR situation.

One of MY biggest problems is dealing with well-meaning friends and family that think they know what is best for me  -  I call them the diabetes police.  They may see you eating something that they don't think you should be eating, and they will say something.  What you are eating may be perfectly OK, but the ND's don't understand the disease so they don't understand your situation.  Please remember that they are only trying to be helpful.  Say something like "Gee, thanks for your concern.  I keep careful track of my food requirements and this food fits into my meal plan."

Diabetes affects everyone differently.  What may really affect your glucose level may not be too bad for me.  For instance, I seem to be able to eat potatoes if I want, but rice wipes me out.  Go figure.  Carbs aren't necessarily carbs, I guess. 

I try to test 2-3 times a day. I would recommend testing before and after SOME meals, but certainly don't go overboard.  (Strips are expensive $$$)  The reason to test more often when you are first diagnosed is to educate yourself about how various foods affect you. 

You didn't say whether you are dealing with a primary care doctor (your family doctor) or an endocrinologist.  I think primary care doctors are OK, but nothing beats a specialist if you have access to one.  The PC doctors can't possibly keep abreast of all the advancements on every possible disease.  I think, also, sometimes the primary care doctors figure that you somehow did this to yourself and they deal with you like they would deal with a smoker risking lung cancer.  Maybe that is a bum rap, but that's how I feel.  An endocrinologist knows the latest advancements and deals with diabetic patients everyday.  I think they are better able to give you useful information instead of just looking at your A1C every few months and passing judgement.

Even better, if you can get a referral or can afford it, is a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE).  This person specializes in education and can help you understand what is going on and how to deal with it.  They can help develope a nutrition/exercise plan, and help you figure out what will work for YOU.

Read all you can, and learn all you can.  I think that is the best way to arm yourself with the knowledge that will allow you to truly believe that YOU are in charge of your diabetes inbstead of your diabetes managing you.

Take care and stay in touch.

Phil