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• December 24, 2008 1:25 p.m.

  I am an 81 year old type 2 diabetic, have been on insulin for almost 10 years. Before that on a combination of oral meds. Check blood sugars 3-4 times a day, estimate it takes me 10 minutes to take reading and administer insulin, currently Humalog 10 to 25 units, Bkfst, Lunch, Dinner. At bedtime, take 50-60 units Lantus. Use prefilled pens for both insulins. So far no unresolved complications. Don't count carbs or calories, at my age lifestyle is more important to me. I eat sensibly most of the time anyway.

  - Jerry H

• December 24, 2008 1:15 p.m.

  Sande I am eating 30 grams (2carbs) for each meal and 1 or 2 carbs for snacks. I am walking on a treadmill 3 times a day for 15 minutes each time. I have lost 19 lbs. in 3 1/2 months. I am not very active other than the walking and that seems to really help my sugar level and my weight loss. I do not know how many carbs you have been eating, but if I had followed my dieticians advice I would have gained weight, as it was more than I normally ate. Good luck with the weight loss, it can get frustrating, I have been stuck at 19 lbs. for 2 weeks now. I seem to hit a plateau every month, lol. I do not know what the person was thinking that told you not to worry about your weight, everything I have read says bringing your weight down will help your blood sugar level, your heart and blood pressure, so losing weight is a good thing. Exercising not only helps with your sugar level but helps every part of your body. Until I was diagnosed I was a real couch potato, but feel so much better since I have started walking.

  - Sharon

• December 24, 2008 12:06 p.m.

  I'm an 81 year old male who has had blood sugar levels in the 120s for several years until six months ago when it came in at 142. My family MD then diagnosed me as a diabetic and put me on Metformin with advice that diet didn't really matter that much. I'm due for another blood test after Christmas so we'll find out if meds have helped. I have none of the symptoms of either Type 1 or 2. On the other hand I am having unwanted bowel issues since going on the medication And internet sites seem to offer no good alternative to Metformin. Keith

  - KEITH O.

• December 24, 2008 10:44 a.m.

  I was diagnosed about 10 years ago with Type 2. I have managed with diet and Avandia but I don't spend a lot of time on a daily basis. I eat a modeate diet and to avoid the feelings of denial follow the advice of a dietician who tole me that the body doesn't care where it gets it carbs. That let's me have the "once in a while" sweet treat so long as I take those carbs ito account. Fortunately I don't have a sweet tooth so the treats don't happen too often. I test blood sugar about 3 times a week, get my A1C tested every 6 months, try to exercise regularly, and stay active in other ways. Unfortunately, I can't walk for exercise so I swim and bike when I can. I am facing surgery in January and am concerned about management of my diabestes beteen now and then.

  - Merilace

• December 24, 2008 10:24 a.m.

  Florian, awesome response. We love it. :)

  - Nancy and Peggy

• December 24, 2008 10:21 a.m.

  B J Wakefield, it sounds like you have a few misconceptions about diabetes that should be addressed with your healthcare provider. A person with diabetes can live well and not suffer serious complications by following his or her healthcare provider's advice regarding eating, exercise, monitoring,and when necessary, use of medications. Actually, not everyone with type 2 diabetes is obese. Twenty percent of people with type 2 diabetes are normal weight or slightly above weight. Genetics does play a role in developing diabetes.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• December 24, 2008 10:18 a.m.

  Kate M, I too live in Canada. Metric BS measurements. To convert to US readings, times by 18 or divide. ie: 130/18 = 7.2. I believe the HgbAIC are the same.

  - Sande

• December 24, 2008 9:55 a.m.

  I was diagnosed with Type 2 in 1987, Initially exercise, diet and medication controlled it but latter I thought it was easy. In 2000 The Doc told me to cosult a Diabetologist and I did. He stopped my oral medications and started on Insulin and after some reintroduced oral medications. This has caused a steady increase in body weight and recent I have switched to Insulin Analog, Januvia, Metformin and Amaryl, my weight is coming down and Insulin level is 2/3 of original. I am happy everything is under control and am certain in a short time the requirement of Insulin will further reduce. By the way I am located in India and travel frequently to USA for 4 to 6 months at a time.

  - sudhir

• December 24, 2008 9:40 a.m.

  Sande, we understand your frustrations. Counting carbs is a learned skill and takes a lot of practice. Human nature has a tendency to under estimate the amount of calories or carbohydrates taken in. One of the benefits of Metformin is that it decreases the appetite for some people. We do not endorse the low carb diets and recommend that you see a registered dietitian. Thanks, great questions.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• December 24, 2008 9:22 a.m.

  I have been type 2 for 4 years. I am still in denial over the diagnosis, but with all my other health issues, really must make a better effort to treat it seriously. I really want to lose weight, any sensible advise? I I dont like fish! I liver in Canada, so my blood sugar readings are different,why? I am always high in the mornings too. I take Glumetza, a slow release version of Metformin, as the former medication gave me uncontrollable diarrhea, yuk. I so want to be healthier,to live longer. Any hints would help!

  - kate m.

• December 24, 2008 6:44 a.m.

  Just diganosised Type 2 in May 2008 and am sick of counting carbs. Nothing seems to work. I exercise for 40-60 minutes 6 times a week and don't lose weight. Still ended up on Metformin. Been told that weight loss shouldn't be my goal but if losing weight helps lower sugars, then shouldn't it? I too was told 3 carbs per meal and snacks and found I was gaining weight. Debating about trying a low carb diet, aitkens type focusing on 15 g carbs per meal in veggies only. Nutritionist not recommending but I am frustrated. Feel hungry all the time.

  - Sande

• December 24, 2008 3:45 a.m.

  I've been a type 2 for about 15 years. I check my BS MWF @ wake up. I try to eat right but cheat at times. I work to stay around 130. Today is birthday and Christmas so I won't even check until Friday or Monday. I know it will be high. Merry Christmas

  - Burr

• December 23, 2008 7:37 p.m.

  I have been a Type 1 for almost 32 years. No insurance for many of those years. Another disease made Medicare available. I count carbs and think everyone is different with that. Had open heart surgery in my late 40's. Cannot walk so get very little exercise. Have no family support so do the best I can. Wish I liked fish but don't. Eat a lot of chicken and nothing white but cauliflower. Just do the best I can. Linda

  - Linda

• December 23, 2008 6:22 p.m.

  Although I do not have full blown diabetes, I have recently been diagnosed as borderline for type 2 diabetes. Maintaining or controlling this problem is on my mind every waking hour; it is frightening to me that for a person who has always been careful about eating a balanced diet, that anything I do might cause me to become ill. I haven't even started (as a real diabetic) and already I want to hang it up; let come what might. I have been on the American Diabetics Association website and have obtained a number of the recommended cookbooks, etc. I do quite a bit of baking and enjoy cooking. I am not overweight and have dropped an additional 19 pounds during the last several months. For several years I have been utilizing whole wheat flour, wheat germ, wheat bran, flax, and anything else I can use that is made from the whole kernal in almost everything I bake and do not use real sugar if at all possible. I also have alot of fresh fruit and vegetables in my diet. I also eat only fish and chicken and an occasional steak (but only the most lean fillet) once or twice a year. I also exercise daily for an hour at minimum and take an hour's walk when weather permits. My question is, now what? It's not like I have been existing on fast foods or sitting on my butt watching videos and eating junk foods.

  - B J Wakefield

• December 23, 2008 4:53 p.m.

  How much time do you spend managing your diabetes every day? As a practicing Type 1 since 1967 I spend a lot of time managing my diabetes and trying to keep my blood sugar in a normal range. I do it so I can stay healthy and fit for the cure when it comes. Have you ever been tempted or even tried taking a vacation from your diabetes self-management? I have been tempted many times to try taking a vacation from adjusting basal rates,counting carbs, bolusing,testing blood sugar, eating healthy and practicing portion control,exercising,visits to the medical care team,and all the other things that people with diabetes do,but I have not done it. If so, what happened if anything, and what did you learn from the experience? I don't think the learning experience would be a good one. But it would be nice to be able to go to a Diabetes Resort where I could have trained people around me do all the things that I do. For example I could be lounging by the pool and order a pina colada and someone would deliver the drink,test my blood sugar, and give me a bolus with the Animas Ping remote to cover the carbs in the drink. I would just lie there and enjoy my Pina Colada :)

  - Florian

• December 23, 2008 4:31 p.m.

  I too was recently diagnosed with type II. My initial fasting was 140. I knew it was coming. Since then I have attended all of the education classes that I could. I have also made exercise the priority, weight loss of 50+ pounds since March 2008. I was a yo-yo dieter in the past and obese. Now down to overweight. Hardest parts for me are remembering to take medication with food and checking blood sugars on a rotating basis, brkfst 1 wk, lunch 1wk and supper 1wk. I think about diabetes all of the time. Remind myself of health complicationns whenever I go to put food in my mouth. I will on occasion allow myself a "vacation day" within reason. I might have a small piece of a birthday cake or other treat. It is important to give myself permission to do that and then I don't hold on to feeling bad for the rest of the day. It helps to talk to friends who understand my desire to manage my diabetes. True friends no longer focus food as the activity. It has had to be a total change in my personal perspective about food. I fortunately have a great "healthy" support group of friends.

  - Julie B

• December 23, 2008 3:54 p.m.

  I was diagnosed with type II Diabetes approximately 18 months ago. It honestly feels like I spend all my waking hours trying to manage it. I also have osteoarthritis so a balanced diet really helps with that issue as well. I am too nervous to even think about taking a break. My diagnosis came out of the blue when my eyesight changed drastically. I worry that it could happen again so I am very careful with my diet.

  - Karen

• December 23, 2008 3:30 p.m.

  My dietician and Dr. said your level should be under 110 before breakfast and under 140 2 hrs. after a meal. You should have had nothing to eat for at least 10 hrs. when you check it in the morning before breakfast.

  - Sharon

• December 23, 2008 3:25 p.m.

  I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in September. I immediately saw a dietician, who showed me how to count carbs. She recommende that I eat 3 carbs (15 grams for each carb) for each meal, and 1 to 2 carbs for each snack. It did not take me long to figure out that was to much. I reduced it to 2 carbs (15 grams each) for each meal and snack. I have lost 19 lbs. in 3 months. I also walk on a treadmill 3 times a day for 15 minutes each time. So far this has kept my sugar level within the correct limits without using any medication. I have just had my first AIG test, and do not know the results yet, but hope I can keep doing this without medication. I have heard that dark chocolate, besides being good for your heart, does not raise you blood sugar level. Does anyone know anything about this? I read it on a diabetes site, but do not remember which one.

  - Sharon

• December 23, 2008 2:46 p.m.

  Why don't you gaive us statistical informoation perteining to diabetes 2? Specifically, what should the glucose levels be before breakfast, before dinner, before bedtime. Also, why is ti that glucose is higher before breakfast than before dinner. What should dinner meals consist to have lower readings in the morning? How critical is exercise? My reading range between 97 & 190, higher in the morning before breakfast and usually lower before dinner. I take no medication at the moment.

  - Nikos

• December 23, 2008 1:42 p.m.

  I have had type 1 diabetes for over 42 years and have maintained strict control over it with HB A1C's that average 6.3 for the last five years. As to the questions: I spend approximately 30 minutes each day managing my condition. I do not take a vacation from my condition. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I have been having hypoglycemic reactions, a number of them severe, for the last four years. I have attempted to correct them with my physician's and diabetes educator's help, but I problems maintaining control over them. Is there such a condition as "addictive hypoglycemia?" For the last month I have attained some success in handling this condition as an addiction and tell myself each morning that I will not have a reaction today. I have been on a pump for over six (6) years, am in good health, and have continue a moderate exercise program of jogging and weights. There are

  - Lew R.

• December 22, 2008 7:49 p.m.

  I would like to add to my earlier post that I have been battling a few respiratory infections in the past month. I've read that infections of that sort will cause a higher glucose reading. Is that true?

  - Peggy Truelove

• December 22, 2008 12:32 p.m.

  I have a problem getting my diabetes in good shape. But it is hard because I have so much pain . Will you please help me. Thanks, Choi Biermeier choibiermeier@usfamily.net

  - Choi Biermeier

• December 21, 2008 9:53 p.m.

  what is workup specialized testing on exam for type 2 diabetes.

  - susana

• December 21, 2008 7:13 p.m.

  I have D2 now, but suffered 2 small strokes a week apart last month. Though, I was considered borderline I tried my carbs out of the way in the morning then ate protein, veggies and fresh fruit the rest of the day. Apparently that was not working well. Since my strokes whenever I take my meds my levels shoot way up. I'm on Insulin 35 unit at night only. I take Lisinpril, Aggrenox (started 12/20/08) which me makes sick w/a bad headache. I also take Lipitor too (my trigs, cholestral was very normal). So can meds make a differance in levels?

  - Brenda