Doctor report

[Mars]

Hi everyone - here is the report from the doctor.....

Everything is relatively normal - figures. My Cholesterol is 235 (bad), my *bad* cholesterol is 162 (Bad). I am to go on a low fat/low cholesterol diet (basically am already). I am also reducing my sodium due to the swelling.

Thyroid, liver function, etc. is normal.

Blood sugar is 133. Normal is 70 - 105. This was a fasting (12 hour) test. They will retest in one month. (sigh) Seems like a "hurry up and put me off until later" idea! lol

I asked for some medicine for the nausea but don't know if he will call it in to the pharmacy or not. I asked for phenegren (sp) since I know that works.

I guess I need to do some research on the puter. Don't know what I am to do about the diabetic diet so that I can hopefully control this without medication.

I would welcome any and all thoughts!!!!

Till later................. love and hugs!

[starfire]

Gee Mars,
I don't know too much about a diabetic diet. Haven't had to deal with that (knock wood) so far.

I still say if he doesn't call in the med

If it makes you feel any better, my cholesterol was 354 last time it was checked. I go again the 20th of this month. I hope it's down.



Shirley

[tex]

Hmmmmmmmm. I assume that means that the kidneys and adrenals are lookin' good, also. I think he should be re-checking your blood sugar in a week, rather than a month, but I suppose it's not a biggie, since you are already working on stabilizing the blood sugar, anyway. He sure doesn't seem to be in any particular hurry to resolve anything, does he.

I agree with Shirley, if he doesn't come up with something for the nausea, he should be smacked on the head with a dead fish. LOL.

As far as the diet goes, I suspect that Geri can do a better job of advising you than most of us, provided she can get away from her SIL long enough to do so.

Anyway, we're relieved that nothing serious turned up.

Love,
Wayne

[kate_ce1995]

Mars,

I don't know a lot about a diabetic diet, but I do know its about total calories, and ratios of protien to carbs obviously with simple carbs like sugar and starch providing too many calories at one sitting for a normal diet. I'm afraid I'm going to be learning more about it though. Geoff has days he doesn't feel great, and sometimes the feelings come on quite suddenly. He hasn't had a blood test in 6 years, but the last one was on the higher end. His folks are diabetic. His new insurance won't kick in until October, so I am waiting until then to prod him into going to see a doc, but then I am going to insist.

I suspect he is waiting for a month because what we eat in say a week or two prior to a blood test can have an effect. I know many people who have run into off numbers after say the holidays when one indulges, and I know even more people who are very strict on their diets the month or so leading up to a blood test (not a great way to get a diagnosis, IMHO).

Good luck and I hope he calls something in for the nausea. If not, have you tried ginger tea? My nauseauous episodes have always been related to my hormonal issues, but I always found sipping a hot cut of ginger tea to help suppress it.

Katy

[barbaranoela]

Hi Margie--
Well glad to read some of the better parts of your diagnosis
Bad versus good~~~~~~~~~~

I know a little of controlling diabetes with just eating--

Its all in the measurements of food----
like my brother and mother could eat anything BUT in measurments
1/2 cup of this---3 ounces of a meat---and etc.

U know Margie----when all is said and done I feel seeing a NUTRICIONIST is a good way to go-----
This way it is a lead in HOW to start on a diabetic regimentation--

I hope U can work this our without meds,,,,

Take care
luv Barbara

[annie oakley]

Hi Mars...My Sisters Husband Is diabetic and she controls his diet with food. You may want to get a book about it...I think that is what she did. I can however ask her some questions about his diet if you'd like. Love Oma

[Mars]

Thanks everyone!

I am going to try and control this with diet alone. I do not understand this eating thing though. Less sugar I know, including natural sugar that is found in fresh fruits. Minimizing the quantity is what the nurse said. I am researching on the internet now. Lots of studying to do.

I need to change to "sugar free" in as many things as I can. Other than that.................?

I now am supossed to eat a

fat free
cholesterol free
sodium free
sugar free

DIET!!!!!!!!!!!

Mmmmmmmm - I will have to learn to eat all over again. LOL The doctor said I am also to eat Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. This will keep me from *bottoming out* as I call it and also I should loose some weight.

Here's to doing something right in the next month before my next doctor visit!

[starfire]

Good luck, Mars.

Maybe you should consider the Paleo diet also

Shirley

[JJ]

Hi Mars,

My mantra used to be..."No Salt! No Fat! NO Fun!

Hang in there.....and good luck!

JJ

[Geri]

Hi, Margie.

Just stealing a few minutes on the computer while my beloved SIL is watching a movie....LOL.

I'm glad that your blood work showed nothing extreme going on. The elevated BS means that you need to get the sugar out of the diet.

I started by looking up low-glycemic foods on line. I believe diabetics use the glycemic index of foods to determine how fast a particular food raises the blood sugar. You want to eat foods with a low GI number.

Stock up on veggies like green beans, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, sweet potatoes or yams, cauliflower, and snap peas....avoid the high starch foods like corn, white potatoes and rice. Good fruits are strawberries, peaches, pears, apples, cherries, and some bananas...not to many of these. Avoid the high sugar fruits like pineapple, watermelon, canteloupe, oranges and grapes.

I do better with a lot of protein with each meal. Protein holds the blood sugar stable for longer periods of time than a meal of mostly carbs. Foods high in fiber do the same...just watch out for too much fiber, which is not good for us.

I know it is hard, but you can do it, and you will feel so much better for the effort. And if you change your diet now, you can probably prevent diabetes in the future. I felt so bad for all the victims of Katrina who were diabetic, and could not get food or insulin. Six months ago, if I had been deprived of food for more than a few hours, I would have most certainly gone into a diabetic coma...I could not go more than a couple of hours without eating. I can now go for long periods of time without eating....but I always eat often..not more than four hours between each meal with a snack of protein at bedtime.

If I were you, I would go ahead and quit ALL sweets. Just resign yourself to the fact that sugar can no longer be a part of your life. We were given these genes by our parents, and there is not much we can do to change that. It does get better with time, and I hardly ever crave sugar. If I do, I will eat some good fruit.

I'll be here to help ya, Mars. I'm no expert, but I have struggled with this for a long time, and will tell you things that have helped me.

I hope to be on more after next Wed.....Please Lord! I'll be thinking of you in the meantime. I know it is hard.

Love ya bunches,

Geri

[kate_ce1995]

The doc and nutritionists might tell you that the occasional slice of cake (small) or something to celebrate a family member's birthday is okay. But if you're like our family, that really does in my uncle. Poor guy....diabetic and in May he has wife b-day 4th, MIL 13, daughters 23 and 27, and his in there too (8th I think). That is too much cake for him!

You'll figure it all out. And as you feel better on the new diet, you'll not feel so overwhelmed by it.

Katy

[Geri]

You're right, Katy...even diabetics eat the occasional angel food cake. I gave it all up, because my tummy seems to be so much better off sugar.

Seems like we are always having to give something up, or do something or other we don't want to do for our health...gets hard.

Big hugs,

Geri