Help

[Alzebra]

He's fine, thanks I have a question.. When's the best time to test BG. 2 hours after first bite of meal? Or 2 hours after last bite of meal?

I tested 2 hours after last bite of meal and it turned out to be 7.1. Is that too high? Roughly 3 hours after first bite of meal.

Test 2 hours after the first bite ideally. But honestly your results look great. I'm T2 and if I had only one of chips, rice or non-diet soda with a meal I'd be getting results over 10 at 2 hours. Since you managed all 3 and still stayed under the limit of 7.8 you're fine. Healthy diet and exercise is a good idea for everyone but it's also important not to worry yourself unnecessarily.

 

[seadragon]

You really helped, thanks I feel much better now that I know there's a possibility I don't get diabetes for another 40 years.

I had complications in my pregnancy and I haven't recovered yet. Responsibilities of baby and I have other big problems in my life. I don't want an additional stress of diabetes so I'm very concerned.

My gp is not concerned at all. I told her I'm concerned but she wasn't much bothered about it. I had gestational diabetes, I'm Asian and my parents and grandparents and almost all aunties have diabetes. It runs in my family. So I'm VERY worried.

I dont think I can live with diabetes. I can't give up eating delicious food. I eat chocolates to cheer up

If you have family with diabetes then there is a very strong chance you are predisposed to it but it doesn't mean you will definitely get it especially if you can start to make some changes in your eating habits now. I used to eat chocolate to cheer myself up. i could get through a large bag of maltesers in one sitting and loved crisps and chips etc. But I had a family history (mother and aunt ) with diabetes so I should have been more careful especially as having gestational diabetes is also a risk factor. If you can try to reduce your carb intake a bit it all helps and should delay the day you get told you have 'pre-diabetes'. If you have a meter then I would suggest you use it to check your fasting bloods every couple of months if you are concerned. If they start to rise then you may need to look more carefully at your diet. Even a non-diabetic will likely spike after a carb heavy meal but over time those spikes can add up.
I was a carb addict but have fully embraced the low carb lifestyle. I simply cut out all sweets cakes sugary drinks, bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and after a couple of weeks find i really don't miss them because i've replaced them with other delicious food. I can eat bacon and eggs for breakfast and berries with double cream as dessert and because the higher fat foods are so much more filling I don't feel the need for snacks much (occasionally i'l have a few nuts or a handful of blueberries but I'm really not hungry). Your tastes change and veggies start to taste better, In fact just had the most delicious meal tonight with quartered mushrooms and courgette strips lightly stir-fried in a mix of coconut oil and butter. then added a dollop of creme fraiche with a half teaspoon of mustard and a sprinkling of peri-peri seasoning. Served with a baked salmon fillet and some fresh green salad. It was quick, easy and delicious and filling. And I had a glass of red wine with it so I really do not feel deprived in any way.
Really do try to relax and not stress about it as that serves no purpose.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

You really helped, thanks I feel much better now that I know there's a possibility I don't get diabetes for another 40 years.

I had complications in my pregnancy and I haven't recovered yet. Responsibilities of baby and I have other big problems in my life. I don't want an additional stress of diabetes so I'm very concerned.

My gp is not concerned at all. I told her I'm concerned but she wasn't much bothered about it. I had gestational diabetes, I'm Asian and my parents and grandparents and almost all aunties have diabetes. It runs in my family. So I'm VERY worried.

I dont think I can live with diabetes. I can't give up eating delicious food. I eat chocolates to cheer up

Hi Rebecca. Your blood sugars are fine for now, and probably for several years to come. Your GP is right, there is no need to be concerned about it at the moment.

If you one day get diabetes, it does not mean you have to give up eating delicious food. You would just need to reduce some types of food and have things like chocolate in small amounts and as occasional treats.

With so much diabetes in your family, a history of gestational diabetes, and being Asian, you have an increased chance of getting diabetes later in life. I'm not sure how old you are now or what size you are but it is good idea to stay in the normal/healthy weight range for your height. Healthy low sugar/low carb eating is important. It would also be a good idea to have an annual blood test for HbA1c, so that if one day you are heading towards diabetes, you find out early on.

 

[Rebecca987]

Hi Rebecca. Your blood sugars are fine for now, and probably for several years to come. Your GP is right, there is no need to be concerned about it at the moment.

If you one day get diabetes, it does not mean you have to give up eating delicious food. You would just need to reduce some types of food and have things like chocolate in small amounts and as occasional treats.

With so much diabetes in your family, a history of gestational diabetes, and being Asian, you have an increased chance of getting diabetes later in life. I'm not sure how old you are now or what size you are but it is good idea to stay in the normal/healthy weight range for your height. Healthy low sugar/low carb eating is important. It would also be a good idea to have an annual blood test for HbA1c, so that if one day you are heading towards diabetes, you find out early on.

I'm 22 years old. This is no age to get diabetes. I'm very scared I'm Asian. It's our tradition to have rice and nan bread with every main meal and dessert after every meal. My mother has uncontrolled diabetes. She's doing nothing to control it. She eats carbs in big quantities and has rice and nan bread for snacks as well. She gets crazy figures but she hardly cares.

I'm not obese. I lost my baby weight very quickly so I'm back in shape now. It's the family history and gestational diabetes that bother me. Before gestational diabetes I used to have about 5 cans of coke a day with one full box of chocolate and cakes everyday. I have reduced my quantities but I still eat cakes etc everyday. Don't know how will I cope with diabetes.

 

[Rebecca987]

Alzebra I had burger the other day with chips. 1.5 hours after my last bite of food my reading was 9.0. That was approximately 2 hours after my first bite of food. What do you think about that?

 

[ButtterflyLady]

I'm 22 years old. This is no age to get diabetes. I'm very scared I'm Asian. It's our tradition to have rice and nan bread with every main meal and dessert after every meal. My mother has uncontrolled diabetes. She's doing nothing to control it. She eats carbs in big quantities and has rice and nan bread for snacks as well. She gets crazy figures but she hardly cares.

I'm not obese. I lost my baby weight very quickly so I'm back in shape now. It's the family history and gestational diabetes that bother me. Before gestational diabetes I used to have about 5 cans of coke a day with one full box of chocolate and cakes everyday. I have reduced my quantities but I still eat cakes etc everyday. Don't know how will I cope with diabetes.

I wish I could say something that you would find reassuring enough. You are not about to get diabetes at 22. If you get it one day in many years, you will cope ok. You are a mother and you cope with the needs of a small baby - that means you can cope with just about anything life could throw your way. Living with type 2 diabetes is much easier than parenting.

It's great that you have reduced your quantities, that's the main thing I would have suggested, and you are already doing it. Please try not to worry, but also keep up the good work with reduced portion sizes.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

I had burger the other day with chips. 1.5 hours after my last bite of food my reading was 9.0. That was approximately 2 hours after my first bite of food. What do you think about that?

It's hard to know without knowing what your reading was before the meal. If you want to test it, maybe try testing just before the meal and 2 hours after. A non-diabetic's reading should be no more than 2 points higher at the 2-hour point.

 

[Rebecca987]

If you have family with diabetes then there is a very strong chance you are predisposed to it but it doesn't mean you will definitely get it especially if you can start to make some changes in your eating habits now. I used to eat chocolate to cheer myself up. i could get through a large bag of maltesers in one sitting and loved crisps and chips etc. But I had a family history (mother and aunt ) with diabetes so I should have been more careful especially as having gestational diabetes is also a risk factor. If you can try to reduce your carb intake a bit it all helps and should delay the day you get told you have 'pre-diabetes'. If you have a meter then I would suggest you use it to check your fasting bloods every couple of months if you are concerned. If they start to rise then you may need to look more carefully at your diet. Even a non-diabetic will likely spike after a carb heavy meal but over time those spikes can add up.
I was a carb addict but have fully embraced the low carb lifestyle. I simply cut out all sweets cakes sugary drinks, bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and after a couple of weeks find i really don't miss them because i've replaced them with other delicious food. I can eat bacon and eggs for breakfast and berries with double cream as dessert and because the higher fat foods are so much more filling I don't feel the need for snacks much (occasionally i'l have a few nuts or a handful of blueberries but I'm really not hungry). Your tastes change and veggies start to taste better, In fact just had the most delicious meal tonight with quartered mushrooms and courgette strips lightly stir-fried in a mix of coconut oil and butter. then added a dollop of creme fraiche with a half teaspoon of mustard and a sprinkling of peri-peri seasoning. Served with a baked salmon fillet and some fresh green salad. It was quick, easy and delicious and filling. And I had a glass of red wine with it so I really do not feel deprived in any way.
Really do try to relax and not stress about it as that serves no purpose.

My fasting BG is always fine. It's post meal sugars that I'm concerned about. I will try to reduce my carb intake as I don't want diabetes anytime soon.

Ive never had veggies in my life. First time I had was when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. And that was a nightmare. But I'll try to develop taste for veggies now. No choice I guess?

 

[seadragon]

I'm 22 years old. This is no age to get diabetes. I'm very scared I'm Asian. It's our tradition to have rice and nan bread with every main meal and dessert after every meal. My mother has uncontrolled diabetes. She's doing nothing to control it. She eats carbs in big quantities and has rice and nan bread for snacks as well. She gets crazy figures but she hardly cares.

I'm not obese. I lost my baby weight very quickly so I'm back in shape now. It's the family history and gestational diabetes that bother me. Before gestational diabetes I used to have about 5 cans of coke a day with one full box of chocolate and cakes everyday. I have reduced my quantities but I still eat cakes etc everyday. Don't know how will I cope with diabetes.

Rebecca there is no reason to be scared. Diabetes can be very well controlled with medication if necessary. It is sad that your mother is not taking more care of herself. It is hard to change traditions but maybe it's something you could help each other with in terms of trying to reduce your carb intake. It sounds like you could do with some local support for both of you but I'm not sure what there might be available. The good thing is you have found this site so will have more knowledge to share with your mother. Does she take any medication? The important thing is not to let it distress you and take over your life - there is no need. If the doctors are happy that your fasting bloods are OK then you would probably be better to stop testing and panicking for a while. In the meantime any small modifications you can make to your diet (e.g cut down on soft drinks and desserts) will help you in the long run.
More exercise will help regardless of your current weight and it only needs to be a walk. Try a walk immediately after meals as you may find that reduces your post meal BG. It works for me but may not work for other people but if it works then it it is very helpful if you are not able to modify your diet.

 

[eddie1968]

Basically if you are type 2 you won't be producing enough insulin to convert carbs into energy and the excess sugars your body can't use will be dumped into your bloodstream and your body can only get rid of excess glucose by urinating so you get ultra thirsty. The other mechanism is that your body's cells have become resistant to the effects of insulin and sugar levels increase as well and these will also need to be urinated out. If I don't take my insulin and eat even a moderate carby meal my blood sugars will rise high rapidly and hyperglycemia follows, symptoms of thirst, hunger, extreme tiredness and heavy regular pee peeing. Hope this helps.