New here...question about BGLs

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zrebiec replied on Thu, Aug 6 2009 7:41 AM

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Your personal target blood glucose goals should be discussed with your healhcare team.

Our general Joslin Clinic target goals are:

Before meals: between 90-130

2 to 3 hours after meals: less than 160

Bedtime goal: between 110-150

John Zrebiec, MSW, CDE

Joslin Moderator

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Spirit replied on Thu, Aug 6 2009 8:22 PM

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Your numbers look good.  One thought I have is to perhaps increase your exercise schedule to a daily one.  Exercise is extraordinarily effective in improving insulin restistance, which is a major component of many Type II diabetic issues.  If you test for exercise as well as foods your meter may bear this out.  I suggest even a brisk 10-15 minute walk after each meal and then see what your glucose levels are.  You may be in for a very pleasant surprise!

Spirit

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Sandee replied on Thu, Aug 6 2009 10:19 PM

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Wow, guys...thanks so much for the information! It really helps. I am really worried about having diabetes, as I am only 35 years old.  According to my BMI, I am about 20 lbs overweight, so that's my ultimate goal, and of course, to get my sugars low.  I have a 1 1/2 year old, and I want to live to see him grow up.

Spirit...you are right about walking daily.  I need to do it everyday, not every other day.  And Ron, thanks so much for your advice!! May I have your menu? LOL!  I bought a book about eating low glycemic, so I hope that helps.  Thanks so much! I hope to be around here more often!

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Ron AKA replied on Thu, Aug 6 2009 10:57 PM

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I have no magic recipes. A good standard breakfast is 1/2 grapefruit, 1 small container of 0 fat, yogurt, and 1/3 cup(dry) of oatmeal, microwaved with 1/2 cup of water. To make it extra healthy, put in a tablespoon of freshly ground flax. If you can find some books by Dr. Mirkin, he (well I think actually his wife Diana) has some good recipes, for low fat and high fiber. While you do have to check the glycemic index of what he promotes, in general it is good. Try this link for starters:

http://www.drmirkin.com/recipes/recipeListType.html

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jen1229 replied on Fri, Aug 7 2009 9:19 AM

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 I am really worried about having diabetes, as I am only 35 years old.  According to my BMI, I am about 20 lbs overweight, so that's my ultimate goal, and of course, to get my sugars low.  I have a 1 1/2 year old, and I want to live to see him grow up.

I was diagnosed at age 38 and have had diabetes for 20 years. Just because you take the steps outlined above, does not mean you will never get diabetes.  You could still get the disease, but of course the healthier you are the easier it is to deal with it. 

I resent the idea that if you did get diabetes you would not live to see your son grow up.  Many people have lived with diabetes for well over 50 years, it is much easier to live with today than it was when my grandfather had it.  In those days there was no choice but insulin and there were no glucometers, and needles and syringes had to be boiled on the stove and used over again.  There was only one type of insulin and lows were a part of life.  Diets were much more stringent than they are today, so we are very lucky that we have places like Joslin and all the wonderful people doing research for us to make our lives easier. 

You make it sound like being diabetic is some kind of curse. It's really no different than any other chronic illness.  I just don't understand where people get these ideas, although the current crop of commercials on TV could be part of the problem. There are a lot worse things to get than diabetes;

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Simi_Papa replied on Fri, Aug 7 2009 1:05 PM

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I think Jen is being overly critical here, but the key point she is making is that being diabetic can result in you being healthier than before being diagnosed.  It is not unusual for people to be diagnosed with diabetes and they end up turning their lives around to control their disease.  I think I am healthier today than when I was diagnosed.  I have lost significant weight, eat healthier foods and get more exercise than I did before being diagnosed.  My HbA1c is below 6.0 and is considered in the "normal" range, but I am still a diabetic and I work hard to keep my bg levels low enough to stay in that range.  We have numerous members who have lived 50 years or more with this disease.  If you keep your bg levels under control there is no reason you shouldn't live to play with your great grandchildren.

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Sandee replied on Fri, Aug 7 2009 1:58 PM

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"We have numerous members who have lived 50 years or more with this disease.  If you keep your bg levels under control there is no reason you shouldn't live to play with your great grandchildren."

And this is the point I was trying to make.  If I take care of myself, and if I manage by BLGs, then I can live a long, healthy life. 

Jen, I am sorry if you took offense, but I have 3 family members who were diagnosed in their 30's/40's who did not get to see their children grow up. Why? Because they did not take care of themselves! So, that is why I stated "I want to see my son grow up", therefore, I am going to get healthy. I think you completely mistook my post.  I am aware than diabetes is not a death sentence, IF you take care of yourself, which is my point. You'll have to excuse me, but I am a recently diagnosed diabetic (less than a month), and I am scared. I came here for support.

And on that note, thank you Ron for the link!!!

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jen1229 replied on Fri, Aug 7 2009 3:36 PM

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Sandee:

I'm sorry if I posted with an "attitude."  I have seen diabetes from both sides.  I had an 11 year old cousin who was Type I and died at the age of 11 from meningitis.  Her pediatrician said there were drugs they could have given her, but they wouldn't because of her diabetes. I was 17 at the time and couldn't understand why they wouldn't give her the drugs and deal with the diabetes later.  She was one of my favorite cousins, we spent many Saturdays going to services together and then back to her house for lunch and spent the afternoon with her grandparents.  This was the first time I had really to deal with death other than my grandparents who died when I was quite young.

My grandfather was in his 70s when he died (he might have lived longer, but he and my grandmother were hit by a drunk driver while waiting for my mom to pick them up. My grandmother was killed and my grandfather was an invalid and lived with us for two years until he died).  He was diabetic for a long time, but I don't know how long.  My mom became diabetic when she was 40 and she did have complications, but even though things had come a long way by then, it was still more difficult to control than it is today. They did not have the variety of medications and insulin that we have now.  She was 76 when she passed away.

Then there's me.  I was diagnosed in 1989 after a bout with acute pancreatitis. I have been heavy all of my life in spite of the many times I have tried to lose weight. I was expecting it both between the family history and the fact that pancreatitis causes damage to the pancreas.  I was sick in July and diagnosed in November. For a long time my A1C ws 5.3, but then I let things get out of contol and now it is back down to 6.3 and I'm hoping that it will be lower next time.

The more we learn the easier it is to live with this disease.  What you said here is that your family members did not take care of themselves.  This is the whole crux of the matter.  If you do become diabetic, you are more likely to see your grandchildren because you are being proactive. 

Anyway this post has gotten way too long.  Again, I apologize for my "attitude."

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Sandee replied on Fri, Aug 7 2009 4:08 PM

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No hard feelings! I completely understand where you are coming from. I'm sorry to hear about your grandparents. That's very sad. Thank you for your input!

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Spirit replied on Fri, Aug 7 2009 6:20 PM

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When I was first diagnosed, I read a quote from a doctor (forget his name now) who said, "The diagnosis of a chronic disease is often the first step in a long, healthy life."

There is tremendous truth in this.  Yes, diabetics have a chronic disease.  But we are often better informed about medical issues, eat a healthier diet, are more conscious about weight and maintain better contact and communication with our health care team than the average person. There can be a silver lining if you look for it.

Spirit

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tylersydney replied on Sat, Aug 8 2009 5:11 PM

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Splitting exercise AM and PM helps. Esp PM.

I have had similar numbers but never on meds.....did it all with diet and exercise...