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• November 11, 2009 3:59 p.m.

  Linda, any type of stress can raise your blood glucose. If it is long term stress and a pattern of high blood glucoses above target range, see your provider about adjusting your diabetes medication to get your blood glucoses back in target. Better yet, see a diabetes educator to learn dose adjustment of your insulin program for self management.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• November 11, 2009 3:53 p.m.

  Becky, some times people will have their highest readings of the day with a morning fasting reading and this can be hormonally related. If your A1c is in a good range, I don't think you are ready for insulin, but discuss this with you primary doctor. An adjustment or additional medication may be needed in the evening if the fastings are running above 140 mg/dl or 7.7 mmol/L consistently. Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy

• November 9, 2009 1:44 p.m.

  I am Type 2 and was prescribed 1000 mg. in the am and pm. I have been taking it for about 2 years. My fasting blood glucose is never lower than on the average in the 140's and 150's. It does come down at times during the day. I follow a low glycemic diet and exercise 50 mins. 4-5 times a day. My BMI is 26. Do you think I need insulin?

  - Becky

• November 7, 2009 4:35 a.m.

  I am not getting any control with any meds,,Januvia,short acting insulin,metfoemin,Lantis solo star,Nova log pen..I am Type 2 amd excersice 1 hr p day swimming. I weigh 120 and am 5'6 .nevrt had any weight problem...However, I am at the highest stress level I have ever beeen in my life! Can this stess my insulin intake and how much?

  - Linda

• November 6, 2009 9:02 a.m.

  I refuse insulin if I am in the hospital. These jokers want blood suger at or below 100, sending underlings around to constantly to poke your fingers. I watched as they damn near killed the guy in the bed next to me by giving him too much insulin. I told the doctor treating him that he had given me my last shot of it. He hit the roof and had me moved to another room. Insulin will kill faster than high blood sugar!!

  - Dave

• October 20, 2009 11:20 p.m.

  I think it's great that your intent is to educate the public about diabetes and common myths regarding the disease. However, as the mother of a child diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 5, I feel compelled to point out that your blog does not clearly distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes...two very different conditions. It's incredibly frustrating to have well-meaning but misinformed people give unsolicited advice about my child's disease based on their experience with a relative who developed Type 2 as an obese adult! So, please help out those of us who struggle with Type 1 on a daily basis and educate your readers about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. By the way, my son's doing fabulously...he's on the Medtronic pump with a CGM and his latest A1c was 6.7! :)

  - Amy

• October 16, 2009 1:11 p.m.

  Suzanne, your diabetes story is not unusual. If diet and exericise are unable to control your blood sugars, generally, the first drug of choice for most type 2 diabetics is Metformin (if the kidneys are functioning normally). Metformin does seem to decrease peoples appetites a bit and helps lower cholesterol levels. It's the poor blood glucose control that causes damage to the body.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 12, 2009 11:36 a.m.

  i am new to diabetes. i also have a unique story. i was gestational with my pregnancies and within range after. however i had major surgery and of course was tested prior to each surgery. after my second surgery i felt a very slow recovery. it ended up one month after that surgery i had a sugar level of 478! it took a while but with metformin i am in normal ranges again. i would like to look into what drives my diabetes and how to treat it more naturally. is there a gold standard place for this? i am affraid of ending with someone not really equiped to advise me. i feel years of metformin could be bad. is there a more natural approach?

  - suzanne

• October 9, 2009 11:50 a.m.

  Type I is both a genetic and an autoimmue disease. Type 1 diabetes is a complex genetic disorder. It occurs more frequently in families who have relatives with type 1 and other autoimmune conditions. A stressor (virus) can trigger an autoimmune response, setting off antibody responses to beta cells (cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Call your health care provider about the testing for the H1N1 flu. Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 9, 2009 10:06 a.m.

  Diana, diabetes can cause damage to nerves in your body and this is called neuropathy. Gastroparesis means paralysis of the stomach. Normal digestion cannot occur when this condition is present; nausea, vomiting, pain, and fullness after eating are symptoms of gastroparesis. There are a number of medications that people are not advised to take with renal and hepatic impairment, ask your primary care provider for a specific list. Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 9, 2009 9:24 a.m.

  Abbey, thanks for sharing. It sounds like you have a pretty good head on your shoulders.

  - Nancy and Peggy

• October 8, 2009 10:56 p.m.

  Hi nancy. Can a patient's headache and abdominal pain be related to neuropathy? Exactly why do they have pain? Is it a cramping, ischemic, or? etiology? If patient with some renal/hepatic impairment, what kind of meds can safely be tried? Thank you so much!!

  - diana

• October 5, 2009 11:01 p.m.

  My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 in April. Can you clarify what the myths are about what causes type 1? Is there more evidence to support the genetic component or the virus theory? Today, she came down with a low grade fever that is being managed with Advil, a sore throat, and body aches. I realize she is considered "high risk" for H1N1 but should I still treat this as any flu and just monitor the symptoms or should I have her tested? Thanks for providing this resource.

  - Nicole

• October 2, 2009 11:16 a.m.

  hi, im 13 and i have type 1 diabetes, It's not that big a deal, I've had it for about 3 years now and i still get shots, i will probably get a pump this summer. most of my friends think it is cool. i hardly ever think about my diabetes, i have a pretty normal life. i didn't even know there were myths about diabetes, thats very interesting, i'll be sure not to tell any myths to anyone. thanks for the info!

  - abbey

• September 16, 2009 9:00 a.m.

  Go to the American Diabetes Association online. That is a great place to start. It has loads of information for your mom, including blood sugar levels. Also, set up an appointment with an Endorinologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diabetes and other disorders of the endocrine glands. Please try not to worry. I know it can be scary, but with diet and exercise, and medication, your mom will be ok. Best of luck to you.

  - Bonnie

• September 15, 2009 4:04 p.m.

  Good day to you, I have been searching on the net to find what is a normal blood reading for a diabetic after a meal. My mom's labwork came back stating she's a diabetic. so I brought my mom a kit to test her blood sugar levels but all it states is level for people without high blood sugar.. ok I really dont understand I have been searching for the past three hours and I have found nothing to help me help my mom. she is actually testing herself three times a day but we are not sure what are the levels suppose to be...I really don't mean to sound like an idot but it is important that I understands my mom's health she is very important to me...The best part we do not know if she is type I or type II. If you could help me I would really appreciate all the help I can get. I gratefully thank you for your time. Marizol

  - Marizol

• September 14, 2009 11:16 a.m.

  Hi Matt, I discussed your response with one of the endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic and we think all the points you raise need extensive discussion. However, we differ significantly in our assessment of the safety and efficacy of insulin treatment. Respectfully, Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy

• September 9, 2009 10:38 a.m.

  I have to disagree with one of your points in concept Nancy. Insulin can cause complications. Type II Diabetics, unless their beta-cells (insulin producers in the pancreas) have failed, tend to have TOO MUCH insulin and are insulin resistant. In which case, they will be better off utilizing the insulin they already have with Metformin as indicated my the American Heart Association. Sulfonyureas and injectable insulin analogs (Byetta and such not included) only increase the insulin levels in the patients blood stream and contribute to the oxidation cycle promoting further insulin resistance. Check the literature. Type II'ers do in some cases need insulin to come into initial control from severe hyperglycemia, or if their pancreas fails, but the fact of the matter is that most type II diabetics will suffer further complications from the oxidative processes of excess insulin (neuropathy, atheroschlerosis, elevated cholesterol). Look at the long-term outcomes of insulin use vs. an oral sensitizer like Metformin. My advice: Choose an endo who is a fellow of the American College of Endocrinologists and promotes as little insulin use as possible and refuses to use sulfonyureas. I really like a great deal of what you've posted. Keep up the good work!

  - Matt

• August 23, 2009 7:41 p.m.

  If insulin use is not bad then why won't a Long Term Insurance Company not even discuss covering me unless I am off it for a year. I'm not taking meds which they seem to feel meds are ok.

  - Mel

• August 1, 2009 2:27 p.m.

  A lady from the carpenters came by the other night to try and sell us life insurance. She said that our 5 year old son does not qualify for life insurance because he's diabetic. Has anyone hear of this? Do you have life insurance?

  - Kathy

• July 30, 2009 3:37 p.m.

  Corn is considered to be high in phosphorus

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 28, 2009 11:19 a.m.

  why is popcorn bad for someone who has diabetes and kidney failure? my friend is on a low phosphorus diet.

  - Carmen

• July 24, 2009 2:44 p.m.

  The real issue on carbohydrates is simple vs. complex carbs! Whole grain carbs are complex and convert to glucose more slowly than simple carbs -- giving our systems time to utilize our own natural insulin which type 2 diabetics still produce. This tells us that we should avoid refined carbohydrates like the plague. I am able to control my blood sugar now for more than ten years without any medication what-so-ever. This I do by mainly watching my diet and keeping my weight at high school level -- approx 175 lbs. I do not follow any extra-ordinary exercise program either!

  - Richard

• July 23, 2009 4:22 p.m.

  Walt, I found this in "Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes" 2nd edition. In type 2 diabetes the risk of getting diabetes from a mother or and father with type 2 diabetes is the same; at 5-20%. Mom's off the hook. Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy

• July 23, 2009 4:05 p.m.

  Hi Kevin, that's OK. I don't function too well in the morning before having my coffee either. Nancy

  - Nancy and Peggy