Diabetes

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• March 16, 2011 6:57 p.m.

  Ive just been diagnosed with diabetes,type 2.My fasting BG was 128.Ive been ''prediabetic' for 6 yrs,and,due to ignorance and no advise,never watched my diet. In all the books I have read so far,it is said that prediabetes is like prebrain tumor.The ADA has set standards so low that we are not called diabetic til most of our beta cells are burnt out. Primarily what I am reading is that by diet and excercise we should keep our BG reading 2hrs after meals at 120,which will prevent complications.If we are unable to attain that,start with meds(plus diet and excercise),then,if still unable to get it down,use insulin. Maintaining normal blood glucose is #1 priopity.

  - ellen

• March 8, 2011 8:15 a.m.

  Hello Everyone, I have been Type 1 since 2006 it is hard to keep track of your conditions i understand.I work Third Shift makes it tough. I just finally saw an Endocrinologist and he put me Lemevir and Novolog. This has helped me control my high sugars.All I can say people take it serious i am now I want to be areound to see me Niece graduate from high school.

  - Ryan

• March 3, 2011 10:49 a.m.

  Diatetees type 2 years ago but exercise, lost over 40 pounds and for 7 years no medications required but still tested monthly: all ok until Dec/Jan-then Feb with test results between 200-400 visited DR. Dr put be back on metformin, ran some blood work and within a week numbers started coming down tremendously. IE this morning premeal 142 and no aftermeal in last two days above 180. However: today after metaformmin 2 pills for one day after my initial visit with him, Fasting blood test the very next day Dr says I must immediately go on insulin ASAP. Serously confused: metformin 2 pills 500MG a day has cut readings in high 300s/low 400 last week to lower hundred premeal (today 142 breakfast) and upper hundreds two hours later. This has been taking for only one week with fast reductions and although still not within limits, just dont understand his insuline ASAP. Could anyone explain possibly since DR tried without sucess? thanks

  - Roy

• March 2, 2011 5:09 p.m.

  My sugar seems to get higher when I take cod liver oil or borage - flax- fish oil combo soppliment 178. Should I skip it? I am not on any meds. I have no insurance. Please respond if possible.

  - jane

• February 26, 2011 10:45 a.m.

  What is the Prediabetes blood sugar level considered by the Mayo Clinic?

  - Ray

• February 24, 2011 10:20 p.m.

  My mother is a severe diabetic. She has had cellutis a lot and her leg calfs are always swollen and look like red leather skin. They often get blistered and cracked. She has seen a lot of docs and they had tried everything. What else may be done for this? I want to help her so very badly. I don't know what else to do or where to go for help. anyone please???

  - Johnna

• February 24, 2011 11:49 a.m.

  Mary: Diet and exercise are key to managing blood glucose. Keep in mind that diabetes is a progressive disease and may need additional treatment to improve blood glucose. Work with your health care team/diabetes educator/dietician for assistance with lifestyle changes.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 24, 2011 11:45 a.m.

  Jean Marie: This sounds like it was an acute episode of arm pain and symptoms improved with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Recommend that you follow with the Orthopedist.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 24, 2011 11:41 a.m.

  Roger: Diabetes Type 1 can occur at any age although it occurs most often in childhood (from infancy on up).

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 22, 2011 8:58 p.m.

  i am a diabetic and have high blood pressure and sleep apnea.. at night when i am sleeping i wake up at night with my thights on the side, burning and it feels like it is needles in my legs along with numbness' the pain started months ago just above the knee now it has moved tto the side of my thight,,it is very tender, and it feels like there is a knot under the skin. could this be neuropathy

  - sarah

• February 22, 2011 6:43 a.m.

  I am a type one since I was sixteen, now I am 48. I wear a pump, and I also haver Crohn's diseaser. yesterday morning I woke up and thought mayube I slept funny on my left arm because it was very painful. I tried to straigten my arm and could not... after an hour the pain just got worse so much so that my sone took me to theER. I was there all day in breath taking pain, and was diagnosed-rather vaguely with a tennis elbow, or a septic joint. the er dr told me to contact an orthopedist, gave me some morpheine and a strong anti-inflammatory. now it is early the next morning and the pain is gone. I wm wondering if this is a diabetic nerve pain situation. it was sooo tender and quite painful even to the touch...my fingers were numb. it was definitely centeredc on the elbow. can anyone offer some insight on this? some help on how to avoid this in the future.?

  - jean marie

• February 20, 2011 4:00 p.m.

  I am a 50 yr old female, recently diagnosed with type 2. Was put on metformin, and reacted very badly stomach pain nausea, unable to eat. I am afraid to take any other kind of medication as i seem to be very sensitive to medications. My blood sugar in the moring is high 175, I was going to try protien snack befor I go to bed, I am on blood pressure medication. Can i try with diet and exercise to lower it or do i need to do something with medication

  - Mary

• February 18, 2011 6:31 p.m.

  Anyone out there?

  - Roger

• February 18, 2011 6:21 p.m.

  What age if any is too young to be concerned about type 1 diabetes? Or, is this disease liable to show up at any age?EgHBgL

  - Roger

• February 17, 2011 4:40 a.m.

  I have type II diabetes. I'm not insulin dependant. Recently, I have had fruity breath. Everything I've read says HIGH Sugar. My last three tests are 115, 91, 113. Definitely not high sugar. So, why the fruity breath for the past few days?

  - Bob

• February 15, 2011 7:57 a.m.

  I am a 53 year old woman who was told I was a diabetic last june. I didn't fit the picture. Lost 16 lbs fast(just by watching my diet)never was prediabetic,no family history. Diet did not lower my sugar nor did metaformin. Did some research and found a good intergrated doctor. Turns out I am a type 1 with celiac diease. People you have to be your own advocate. My first doctor only worried about if I had side effects from the medicine and wasn't concerned about how unusual my case was. I would tell anyone who is thin to demand to have their c-peptide done along with the gad testing. Doctors don't know everything. All of our health comes from the health of our gut. Good luck to all!

  - Sherry

• February 13, 2011 3:50 p.m.

  My cousin is Diabetic and was just told he has lung cancer. How does Chemotherapy affect his condition? Cant find any info on it. Thanks

  - Mary

• February 8, 2011 4:30 p.m.

  Choi, keep talking to Rose and working on your blood glucose control. You are taking positive steps in the right direction.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 8, 2011 4:25 p.m.

  Johnna, If this teenager has symptoms of diabetes (increased thirst, increased hunger, frequent urination, and fatique), they should see a health care provider. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to survive. Prior to the discovery of insulin the only treatment for individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was to severely restrict carbohydrates which extended lifes of these patients who eventually died of starvation.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 8, 2011 4:07 p.m.

  Daidev. If you have type 2 diabetes and have been able to control your diabetes with diet and exercise only, wonderful! Continue to test the blood glucose to keep tabs on the control. The bottom line to preventing diabetes complications is good blood glucose control.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 8, 2011 3:55 p.m.

  Joanie: We advise that you check with your healthcare provider or gynecologist for best method of birth control that best works for you.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 8, 2011 3:43 p.m.

  Lilly, follow the ADA guidelines... 101-125 mg/dl is prediabetes according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA)

  - Nancy and Peggy

• February 7, 2011 10:12 p.m.

  Hi Peggy and Nancy, I have high blood surgar everyday. Because I have alots of pain everyday. I talk to Rose every week. But I still can't get my blood surgar in the right range. You have any Idea for me. I take any idea. Thanks

  - Choi

• February 6, 2011 11:09 a.m.

  I was diagnosed with Type2 diabetes about 4 months ago. I take glyburide and byetta. I am 45 years old and am wondering if anybody has any advice about methods of birth control beyond condoms or a cervical cap. It seems anything hormonal increases risk of blood clots/heart attack. Any advice?

  - Joanie

• February 5, 2011 11:06 p.m.

  After an annual physical recently, my blood sugar read 92 ml. (it was always normal before). I've been stage 1 obese for years, but I know what diabetes can do, and this was a scare I needed--I'm exercising regularly now and have lost 5 pounds. I've been told that if I keep up the exercise and weight loss, my glucose will "probably" go back to normal because 92 ml. isn't considered true pre-diabetes. However, I've read that some experts now consider anything over 90 to be actual pre-diabetes. I plan to make sure that at my next fasting glucose check 3 months from now, my blood sugar has gone down, not up. But I'm confused: am I "pre-diabetic" or not? Why do some medical experts say 92 pre-diabetic and some don't? Thanks for anything you can tell me! I really appreciate your blog.

  - Lilly