New member rocky

[rocky]

About a yr ago, doc told me i had type 2 diabetes. Gave me metformin and a meter. My sugar was at a 173 then. He also told me that my ac1 was at 9.3. i'm supposed to lose wt and i really need to also. all help will be appreciated. thanks.

[Shanny]

Just the fact that your doctor gave you a meter tells me he's a pretty good guy! A great many doctors would have told you to not even test - that it isn't necessary for us type 2s, and that is wrong on so many levels.

One of the best methods we employ around here is eat-to-your-meter. <- click that link and learn all about it.

Then in addition to eating to our meters, we find that using a low-carb/high-fat way-of-eating is the best and easiest way to keep our meters happy, so click that link too, and learn a much better way of eating!     (and hey! This LCHF will take the weight off too . . . without you even thinking about it!)

May I just say thank you for joining us! I hope you'll visit often and we can get better acquainted.
 

[starsign]

  rocky,

This forum is full of knowledgeable people who are very helpful. You have indeed come to the right place. Your A1c of 9.3 indicates that your average blood sugar is 274 (you can use the calculator on right side to verify). That, for sure, is a very high number. Also, please read from the site where you will find lots of helpful articles and information. You can click on "DIABETIC PUB" on the top panel to reach the website.

I'm relatively new, but I can say that if you follow the advice from the members here, you will be reporting good numbers in no time.

Regards

[patdart]

Welcome Rocky!  This way of eating works like a charm!  See my introduction how well it has worked for me.  6 years now and it's still working.  I'd never go back to my old WOE.  It's amazing how well it works to me.

Keep posting and reading.  I'd recommend one website to you www.Bloodsugar101.com.

[Rhiannon]

Welcome Rocky - you have landed in the right place   Lots of truly helpful information and people who are happy to share their own experiences. 

[Timewise]

Rocky...welcome aboard!  You have just surrounded yourself with a group of people that are traveling the same roads you will now travel.   We are all very different and most of us have learned how to take control of our diabetes and overall health.   We have done this by learning how we can eat differently, checking for ourselves how our bodies react to certain foods using our meters.   

The first step is getting the knowledge, you have to understand this disease and what you can do aside from taking medications, that will help you control your blood sugar.   Along with reading the websites noted above by others also check out Blood Sugar 101.  This will give you a very broad understanding of how we all control our diabetes.   

Doing it is easier than you think, check it out and then let us know what you think....

Good Luck

[bigskygal]

Welcome Rocky!!  Not much for me to add to what has already been said.  Please do the reading and ask any questions you may have.  We are a worldwide bunch so someone is usually around to answer you.

Glad you found us!

[Sweety]

Hello Rocky.

I'll add my welcome to the many above. Lot's of help around here, just ask away.

[rocky]

hi pals,

thanks. now pls suggest how do i get started. i haven't used my meter in a long time. and i mean a long time. should i buy another.

[bigskygal]

Your meter is probably still fine.  You may have to get new test strips. Does your ins cover the strips?  Will your dr write you an rx for them?  If not inexpensive meters can be found at Walmart with inexpensive strips. The Relion brand is great.

Follow the eat to your meter protocol link found at the top of the page.  Test everything you put in your mouth and soon you will see the things that make your bg rise and those that are safe to eat.  It is a lot of work in the beginning but soon you will have a list of foods that are safe for you to eat.  Stick with the low carb/high fat way of eating and you will do just fine!

[skb]

Welcome to The Diabetic Pub Rocky.

Check the batteries of your old meter, you might need to replace them. If the meter is not working, then you'll need to buy a new one, and a lot of strips. If you follow our protocols, you will need to really test a lot in the initial stages.

It is very important for you (and us) to know your current levels, without which charting out any further action will be like walking with a blindfold on a busy street. At the same time, do read the Articles from our website, and increase your understanding on the subject. Diet is the major contributing factor for high blood sugar. Control that and control your numbers. As you go along things will become easier and evident to you. For now, this should be enough.

Good Luck.

[rocky]

thanks. i checked but i dont hv the meter with me. must be at home. so i think i will buy a new one. any suggestions. i will need to go into town to the pharmacy. nobody in my company knows this and i dont wanna declare it. so i will not use their pharmacy.

[rocky]

sorry forgot to ask. how many strips i'll need. i'm on deputation till end july.

[skb]

Rocky,

Any meter is as good as the other. Eventually, you will learn to check your meter numbers with the lab ones and establish the accuracy level of the meter. Personally I have many meters but mostly use the Accu-Chek or One-Touch. The first one reads a little higher than the second but is consistent in error margins, which is why I trust it more.

If you test your fasting & atleast one meal everyday, you will need 3 strips a day. To end of July it will be better if you can arrange for 200-300 strips. Please check the expiry dates on the box before you buy. If expiry is short, I'd suggest buying the strips in 2 lots,  half now & half by end of June.

Good Luck. 

[Shanny]

As skb says, any meter is as good as another. If possible, find one with the cheapest strips, so you can test more often.