Diabetic Recipes
sixuntilme
Up and down. That's the way it's been lately. Numbers are up, numbers are down, nothing is making sense, patterns are confusing, emotions are frustrating. I've seen some wildly high numbers in the past week or two that are completely blowing my mind. Go to bed at 109 mg/dl, but wake up at 5 am in the 300's.
I've hit a rough patch lately, and it's been a struggle to get out of it. I'm not burnt out, but I'm confused. It seems like every few months, I need to do a complete D Overhaul, complete with new basals, tweaked insulin-to-carb ratios, and a whole new set of patience. It's not difficult, but it's frustrating as can be to go through the "lather, rinse, repeat" routine to get my numbers back under control, even when the external variables haven't changed!
/rant
There was a summer carnival near my office a few weeks back, when I was at the peak of re-tweaking. From the top of the ferris wheel, I tried to imagine that my diabetes frustrations were as small as the lemonade stand below. I need to remember that this disease can't be managed by simply following the rules - because some days "the rules" don't seem to apply.
How do you guys manage your diabetes frustrations?
Okay, this is weird. I just wrote a post where I compared my diabetes to a see-saw - all ups and downs. I also went through my "stages" - blame myself, decide that "it will all be better in a few days", and then have an ah-ha where I may have figured out the big problem. (Of course, there isn't always a big problem.) All I know is, I've had enough of the see-saw.
Karen
Diabetes IS frustrating and a roller coaster ride... I have found that though I have to be constant in my diabetes management, I do not have to be "consumed" by it.
I , too, get tired of the testing, testing testing and science experiments with myself as the subject more often than I would want. But in the long view of things, these efforts are worthwhile.
We all get Diabetic burn-out, It comes with the territory. But there are so many other things in my life that I want to be healthy for":My family, friends, my gardening, my crafting, my volunteer work in the community. Yes I have a busy, but happy life. I suggest that you continue to look down from, the
Ferris wheel andto view the reality ofyour diabetes management trials ,but also see the the joyful parts of your life that you have. It may sound trite, but counting my blessings always works when I am burned out. And when I get highs that are out of range and lows that are unexpected, I take them as par for the course and keep on truckin'. I try not to think that my health will be forever damamed as I have never really felt that diabetes would be my downfall ( Now my big mouth (LOL) and inability slow down causes some consternantion and lack of complete success, but I just keep pn truckin' with that. and Honestly, Prayer and faith are my biggest allies.
GOD BLESS
Brunetta aka Sweetnstormy
Hi!
I am somewhat in the same situation, although my BG has taken dramatic increases -- it just stays around 200+ no matter what I do or eat. I was taking oral meds, and Byetta (which I don't think has done a thing for me!) and am now on insulin (Lantus)and no oral meds.
It has been very frustrating for me also -- my dr. has no patience for me not losing as much wait as she thinks I should lose (I've lost about 25# in last 7 months) -- of course she and the registered dietician are twigs, so they can't relate to the struggles.
Anyway, I am new to this website and could just use a few friends who understand what I am going through.
Thanks
Hey I wrote a comment down there, not sure if you can see it? but my boyfriend of 3 and a half years is 19 years old and just discovered [with a week in a specialty hospital and trip to ER] that he was diabetic. Luckily, my parents and many relatives are so I knew the warning signs. But, he was prescribed LANTUS, he takes it at bedtime 45units, and it works GREAT. he has Dawns phenomenon, so it peaks in the night or early morning hours. his meal plan is good management as well: 4 carbs per meal, meaning with each meal - whether its bread or potatoes or something else, he eats 4 carbs with some protein and it works. & looking at boxes of things say the Total Carbohydrates says 30g per serving, that would be 2 carbs because 15g = 0NE carb. and at bedtime a snack of like 2 carbs and a protein [like his fav of cinnamon grahamcrackers with peanut butter] but to balance the meals has kept his in check. That, and Lantus. Hope this helps?
I just started taking Lantus just 20 unites, It's been about 3 weeks. and my sugar is 300 when I get up in the morning. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.could you tell me what kind of meals you eat for a day.Is there a certain amount of protein you are supose to eat at each meal. Seem like all I eat is meat and salad. please help.
oh, & with that 'low carb' type of situation, he has lost 30 lbs. & that helps too but still :]
I have found the perfect combination. I take lantus and byetta together. I know it is 4 injections but my blood sugars run between 80 and 120. I take 15 of lantus in the morning and 10 at night and the byetta 5 twice a day before breakfast and dinner with one hour of exercise a day..a half in the a.m. and half an hour at night. i know it is a lot of work and I sometimes hate myself but do get results. My weight stays steady I don,t have to lose weight however your doctor should know that it is hard to lose weight with insulin and 25 lbs in 7 months is super good.
I completely know what you mean, it is a struggle! My cousin talked me into joining a gym but it attached to our local hospital and there are people there who do care. I had been over 200 when diagnosed with type 2 last year and actually expected it since I am a 3rd generation diabetic. It is very hard, I just lost my dad and all i want to do especially at night is too munch! If you would like to e-mail me I would love to hear how you are doing, mtsterrn@aol.com
Testing Testing
Hello, I have been away for a while a long while. My husband died on May 27, 2008. Since his death I have been eating everything my hands touch. I need someone to talk to. When i try to express myself to my family or friend to topic always fall back to them. I have been trying to adjust to my new changes but with little success. A few words of encourgement is greatly appreciated.
dmcarlisle, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, I know how difficult it is to become a widow, my husband passed away in 2003. The stresses that come with a death can become nearly overwhelming. Having a chronic disease makes it harder to get back to the business of life. I can tell you that the pain and stress gets better with the passage of time. When dealing with stress it is so easy to resort to food for comfort, it might help to try to eat seasonal fruit and veggies, like fresh tomatoes and cherries or blueberries. Also it helps me to add sugar free yogurt to fresh or frozen fruit for dessert. I would be glad to talk with you via email if you would like. cehowland@zoominternet.net
Hey! my boyfriend turned 19 on the seventeenth of may this year of 2008 and discovered he was a Type 1 insulin dependent diabetic. He had only exhibited signs [thirst and frequent bathroom] for MAYBE 4 days, when he felt more bad than he had. That night, my parents both being diabetic, I advised him to let me check his BS levels. It registered high twice [meaning more than 550] and the ER confirmed it with a blood test to be 686 [extremely high & dangerous] all night at the ER then regular physician that morning and off to a Johnson City Medical Specialty Hospital, to spend a week to get it all in check and be told. WELL his problem was yours, it peaked in the night, and early hours. It is something known as Dawns Phenomenon; something everyone has, but affects diabetics more so. He takes a 24-hour acting 0NE dose a night, insulin known as Lantus, 45 units. He really likes it, one does of that at bedtime and it keeps it all in check and occassionally takes A SINGLE does of 4 units [hes on a sliding scale] of Novolin R insulin during the day, saves a lot of hassle. He using the Lantus Pens now also, more convenient. & yeah, but the Dawns Phenomenon was his problem so maybe a 24 hour insulin could help? Thanks! Hope I was of some use. www.lantus.com for some information of 24 hr. insulin.
I do the best I can and appreciate the support of others - my co-worker who is a whiz at placing my Pods and is happy to help, my mom who listens to me complain - yes complain I'm able to admit I'm not at all graceful about my dlife, my friend Jen who brought serving size and carb information for the homemade food she made for a picnic and the way she discreetly shared that information with me.
The hard part for me is when I get really high blood sugars that take days or more to clear or lows that stop me in my tracks. I had a lot of trouble with it when I changed jobs a couple years ago and am sorry that I got off on the wrong foot at work. But, things have improved. Interestingly, after a hospital stay for an infection and DKA a year ago, I'm doing much better. The hydration, clearing up the infection, and rest helped a lot. I have gotten support through a company - Fit4D - who I've hired to provide nutrition, exercise and advise. That has has helped a lot, too.
I don't know what to say about your current ups and downs other than I've been there before. Sometimes it seems diabetes needs attention minute by minute and sometimes it seems it takes months to sort out. I empathize.
hi all!
I have had diabetes since I was less than two years old. it sucks. i also have celiac disease...double sucks.
i recenly was diagnosed with dystamia and major depression and my life...which will always have diabetes and celiac disease init looks pretty bleak.
i know how to stay in control, but I am having a really hard time devoting myself to diabetes control..it takes so much time!
how is it possible to stay positive and upbeat?
i recently read that keeping type one in control your whole life only lowers the chance of complications. only lowers!