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• August 10, 2011 10:19 a.m.

  I have Type 2 Diabetes, am not overweight and eat well to control my blood sugar. I'm not on any medication. I've found that many people believe eating any dessert is forbidden. I've explained what I eat, greatly effects my blood sugar. Pizza and pasta are the culprits for me. I can eat dessert, but it's best eaten with a meal. I've also heard that a diabetic should never drink alcohol. I have a glass of wine, a scotch, or a beer now and then and don't think it's proved detrimental to controlling my blood sugar. What do you think?

  - Pam

• August 7, 2011 1:01 a.m.

  I shiver sometimes even when it is hot out and I get blurred vision when I eat sweet, or even worse, I get sick to my stomach. and the room just goes round. I oven over urinate, even when I'm not taking diaurtics. What must be the problem.

  - Jo Ann

• July 12, 2011 2:04 p.m.

  Maureen: Good question! Diabetes Type 1 used to be called Juvenile Diabetes as it was once thought to occur only in those below the age of 20. In fact, type 1 can occur at any age. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes which used to be called "adult onset diabetes" is occurring more and more at a younger age, even children.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 9, 2011 7:09 a.m.

  NANCY I FOIND THIS INFORMATION TO BE VERY INTERESTING. I was just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and insulin dependent. I am 50 years old and not overweight. I'M ASSUMING I ACQUIRED IT FRIM MY MOM EHO WAS DIABETIC ALSO. MY QUESTION IS , I THOIGHT TYPE 1 WAS JUVENILE DIABETES?

  - Mauureen

• July 4, 2011 7:20 a.m.

  I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE 2 11 YEARS AGO, AND FIRST I WAS ONLY ON METFORMIN AND NOW METFORMIN AND INSULIN. WHY DO DIABETICS GET SUGAR CRAVINGS? BEFORE I WAS DIAGNOSED, I NEVER ATE AS MUCH SUGAR AS I DO NOW. I MENTIONED THIS TO MY DOCTOR AND HE JUST SHRUGGED THIS OFF. I TALKED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ALSO HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES, AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING. IS IT THE MEDICINE CAUSING THE INCREASE URGE FOR SUGAR?

  - CAROLYN

• June 26, 2011 12:47 p.m.

  Add my voice to all the others who take exception to your advice to make carbohydrates 50% of your diet. This is extremely poor advice. Please read up on Dr Bernstein, Gary Taubes, or this site: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/. These are not quacks, but people with intelligent, well-researched information, that is gradually becoming more and more accepted.

  - Nancy

• June 26, 2011 10:49 a.m.

  I have angina high bp im on medication and anti deppressents i need to go to the toilet constantly started eating sweet things after 8 years feel weak somtimes no energy get an ich on my legs when it starts more i scratch the more it itches was thinking might need to get tested for diabtes

  - renee

• June 1, 2011 11:59 p.m.

  I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in Dec.2010. My BG readings had been high during repeated admissions following open heart surgery in Jan.,2010,followed by a number of complications requiring readmissions and a significant amount of steroid administration. The decision by the PCP was education, diet control, exercise and monitoring of my BG. My reading is most generally highest in the early morning--Up to 200 --so I was told to increase my bedtime snack. That helps the BG but also increases my weight which is NOT good for my cardiac status. The rest of the day readings are in the 150-180range. Last HA1C was 6.6. I am not on any meds. For diabetes. Any suggestions for consideration? thanks!

  - Mag

• June 1, 2011 4:00 p.m.

  Two years ago, when I was diagnosed, I went on a low carb diet (rarely over 50 g per day), and greatly increased my intake of fats. All my lipid numbers went from out of range to excellent within ninety days. I gradually lost fifty pounds without trying. I've been able to control my D2 with metformin alone. If I were to eat 50% of my diet in carbs, low- or high glycemic, my blood glucose would go through the roof. I'd have to be on insulin, with its attendant problems of insulinemia, weight gain, and, worst of all, the ongoing danger of hypoglycemia, which can be fatal, not to mention all the muss and fuss of constant testing, carrying insulin around with me, and so on. Fortunately, I never have to worry about any of these dangers. I haven't seen a number below 80 or over 140 in a year. I regard my life as unaffected by the disease. Based upon my reading and the advice of my endocrinologist, the information in this blog entry seems hopelessly outdated and incorrect. Were I to follow it, it would also be dangerous. At the very least, these ladies should read the Bernstein book, some of more accurate online material (bloodsugar101.com, for example) and the studies of the last twenty years and bring themselves up to date.

  - Tom

• May 27, 2011 1:14 a.m.

  Carbohydrates should be 50% of your diet? You obviously have no idea what you're talking about! Go read "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes and get a clue.

  - Aware

• May 24, 2011 1:38 p.m.

  I have been diagnosed as diabetic for two years know I was put on insulin right away and i am on a insulin pump ,I eat better know then I ever did but I have put on 30 pounds very up set and deppressed about it I just feel stuck . I have been walking and riding my bike still gaining

  - cathy

• May 20, 2011 9:12 p.m.

  Is it common to have a constant sweet taste in you mouth are diabetic?

  - Lola James

• May 18, 2011 1:06 p.m.

  What is the recomendation for over the counter vitamin suppliments for Diabetes Type 2. My Doctor is advising 5000 units of D...triple fish oil...no calcium+vitamin D. Metformin 4 a day...Actos...Plus my regular Multi Vitamin...Zero Carbs...One fruit a day...no vegtables except lettuce or raw... I just was diagnosed in Feb...shouldm't I at least give diet and exercise a chance??? I am swimming an hour a day and/or walking an hour a day...My blood levels are 113, in the am...and will be starting a support group, where I am going to find a different doctor. He seems to be just wanting to give pills and more pills. What is the thought on this pill taking approach???

  - Maryjo

• May 18, 2011 12:52 p.m.

  Diabetic drugs Januvia and Onlyza turn off a tumor suppressor gene that proects against prostate cancer. Any truth to this and will it's use cause prostate cancer?

  - Tomb

• May 18, 2011 12:15 p.m.

  @Tim Okay, not eveyone who has type 2 diabetes "eats themselves into it". Some people have diseases that make them prone to getting it, such as myself. Thyroid conditions or P.C.O.S. (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) can make people gain weight and increase the chance of getting Type 2 Diabetes.

  - Sarah

• May 12, 2011 8:10 p.m.

  Nancy ~~ You indicated in your discussion of Myth #3 that carbohydrates should be approximately 50 percent of one's daily food intake each day. How is this to be measured? Grams (or ounces) of non-carb food versus grams (or ounces) of carb food? Or versus carb grams? I would like to be comparing apples with apples. Thank you (and thanks for this useful feature!)

  - Lee

• April 26, 2011 2:38 p.m.

  I"m so confuse about all this diabetic thing

  - Maria

• April 26, 2011 2:33 p.m.

  how do I know which type of diabetes I have?

  - maria

• April 25, 2011 12:30 a.m.

  I was the caregiver to my mother that began having diabetic symptoms due to an onslaught of medications. She was relatively fair in weight ~ not overweight, was active, but had sever autoimmune diseases. Granted her situations of health demanded such medicinals, we learned that carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and certain vegetations were key in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. Upon a time in which I was carrying my first child, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. Granted it isn't a permanent diabetes but it is treated as such and a balanced diet in a healthy wave or peak levels is key. I was hardly over-weight when diagnosed...even with being expectant. You also CAN be border lined diabetic! It's called hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. These types of glucose/pancreatic disorders are pre-cursors for the building of more damage ~ Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes depending on the particular body at hand. Please, unless you are fully educated on the subject of diabetes, refrain from "myths" as someone may not take the time to read the educated comments.

  - Joanna

• April 24, 2011 7:22 a.m.

  My friend with type 2 diabetes said he was not suppose to take ibuprofen only tylenol if needed.Is that true?

  - Jane

• April 7, 2011 10:07 p.m.

  does insulin cause rapid weight gain?

  - Jaimee

• April 7, 2011 6:10 p.m.

  I have type 2 diabetes. I am not over weight, i've been active my hole life; a cheerleader in high school and the Navy after that. I have been reading, and it seems like people are saying its my fault for having diabetes... How???

  - Amber

• March 30, 2011 6:12 p.m.

  So, I've been told that I am "pre-diabetic". It appears from your blog that this is just a nice way of saying that I AM diabetic? I have regular hemoglobin Ac! and fasting glucose tests. They are 'slightly' elevated. What do you think? Should I just be told I am diabetic or what? I prefer a straight answer!

  - Pauline

• March 29, 2011 12:10 p.m.

  I agree with the comment that type 1 should be called something different. Being diagnosed at 33 one year ago was awesome, but please don't group me together with type 2's. I'm not fat, have never been fat, and I didn't eat myself into the disease. I was the only type 1 in my diabetes 101 classes at the hospital. The other 20 type 2 people were all overweight. If you are type 1 get a pump. Best technology ever invented!

  - Tim

• March 25, 2011 8:29 p.m.

  Having had no insurance for the past four years, my diet has consisted for the most part of leafy green vegetables and lean meat. I can now not afford to even purchase test strips or meters. However, I fully believe that going off of the insulin stimulating medications, as well as keeping a close eye on the amount and type of carbohydrates that I consume, has been the dietary regimen that has allowed me to shovel off the extra 45 pounds of body fat that had made me feel totally miserable in the past. I am of the belief that keeping my insulin level low has helped me cut down on the amount of fat that my body wants to retain. I hope that I am not the only person who has been aided by going off of the insulin-stimulating drug regimen. There must be a significant correlation between the amount of insulin in the body and the body's ability to burn off, rather than store its extra blubber. I no longer feel the low blood sugar shakes, and I seem to never fall asleep due to excessive blood sugar levels. I can only surmise that there is a great and powerful God who makes it available for me to disregard the medicines and progress in health. May He bless you all!

  - David