Diabetes

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• August 16, 2011 3:04 p.m.

  AHHHHH sigh. Thank you! I needed to read that. I am 33 and diagnosed with Type 1 - 2 years ago. Although, at times I get frustrated with being diabetic and having to do insulin shots; I am very very grateful to be a diabetic in this day and age. Insulin and needles now days is safe and more convient than it has ever been. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to have it. I'm here because of it! and will be for a very long time! Keep your heads up diabetics!!!

  - Cassie

• August 15, 2011 3:52 p.m.

  Fran, Type 2 diabetes : In recent studies, adults given vitamin D supplementation were shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• August 15, 2011 2:08 p.m.

  Pam: The American Diabetes Association discusses diabetes and alcohol thoroughly. Here is the link: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/alcohol.html

  - Nancy and Peggy

• August 15, 2011 2:06 p.m.

  Obe: Since you have recently had hand surgery and are having tingling you should ask your surgeon about the tingling in your fingers.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• August 15, 2011 2:04 p.m.

  Chuck: The best way to control high blood glucose is through diet, exercise, and diabetes medication/insulin.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• August 14, 2011 12:40 a.m.

  @Fran, I appreciate Nancy and Peggy's efforts, and look for answers here and elsewhere. To demand an answer from someone who is not your primary care provider seems to me to be a bit unrealistic. Always get your final answer from your physician, not a blog or other website. Just my opinion

  - Joe

• August 13, 2011 1:01 p.m.

  i'm a diabetic an i had a trigger finder operation and now i have tingling in my fingers on one hand and in 3 fingers on the other,is this nerve damage or what?

  - obe

• August 11, 2011 11:19 p.m.

  Asked this same question a week ago! Will iron supplements help with abnormally high glucose readings?? I read that this could be a problem with some high readings?

  - Chuck

• August 10, 2011 10:23 a.m.

  Nancy and Peggy, why don't you answer these questions? 99% of the questions go unanswered as far as I can see. Either you're there and ready to answer each and every question and do this job or this is a waste of time and a waste of hopes for answers.

  - Fran

• 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