Pre-nursing diabetics

Published

Are there any pre-nursing students that are diabetic? If so, how do you guys go about your day with all the symptoms?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I would not say that I am diabetic. But, I was recently (3 wks ago) diagnosed with insulin resistance and put on 1500mg Metformin per day. I guess that's something like being diabetic? Anyway, my Dr. referred me to a nutritionist who changed my diet to 5-6 small meals per day to keep my insulin levels stable. I am doing well with it now because my schedule allows for it, I have no idea how I will cope if/when I get into the nursing program and have to go to clinicals. One thing that I was told is to try to keep nuts, fruit, and cheese handy to snack on instead of sugary snacks. HTH

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

What kind of diabetes? I am insulin resistant. The problem is more mine and staying on a low carb diet! I am still making plenty of insulin. I've only had two incidents of what you might call low blood sugar (in the 60's) and they occurred while I was exercising and hadn't eaten. (Bad, Daytonite! Bad! Bad! Bad!) Even when I eat low carb fruits and vegetables like I'm supposed to my blood sugars hang around in the 90's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho/Neurosurgical.

Hey there...unfortunately I know all too much about this junk. I had severe gestational diabetes when I was prego with the monkey known as Livey....I never lost all my baby weight (managed to only put on 40lbs....which could have been worse and now have an extra 20 hanging on me)....although the GD went away I am pre-diabetic...hanging on the edge of type 2 though. Food totally affects everything about me. When I do low carb diets, I lose alot of weight (like zone or south beach..which include fruits and veggies...just no processed sugar), but are tough for me to manage the multiple meals. Here is a suggestion...chicken greek salads will leave your BS level and heck, so will snickers and pb cups because the fat/protein in the peanuts offset the sugar and allow you to stay level. Just not low fat. Anyhow, I'm reverting back to good behavior this week, but it is a struggle, my office loves sweets. Temptation is everywhere...but I did everything to take care of my baby while she grew inside of me, now I need to take care of my baby so I can be AROUND for her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Endocrine (Diabetes), Pediatric Psych.

Type 1 or 2? I've had type 1 for 15 years now, just got accepted to nursing school...anyways, I actually have an insulin pump, which makes things SOOOOOOOOOOO much easier, so I'd definitely say to get one if you have the means to do so, 'cause I couldn't imagine doing this on shots. But either way, I'd definitely say to keep a strong eye on those blood sugars - I'm cranky when high, and just non-functional when low, so either way as a future nurse is bad, but my pump has leveled that out SO much! PM me if you want to talk!

~Adria :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So pre-diabetics are still reversible right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
So Prue-diabetics are still reversible right?

Diabetes is controllable. Despite what you read, on the net, it is never reversible. You can reduce or stop taking medication but the long term effects of the disease are still being studied. And there is some research that eventually people, who have controlled their disease with diet and exercise, eventually need medication. By the time you are diagnosed 'pre-diebetic' your body's organs have already undergone microscopic changes, your kidneys, your heart, your liver, your pancreas. As you age they undergo more change which eventually leads to a return to medication.

Grannynurse:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho/Neurosurgical.

I agree with Granny, DIABETES is not reversible. However, there are varying degrees. Type 1-like the young lady on the pump..it's a done deal...and those pumps make a world of difference for those patients. Type 2, depending on severity, you cannot "heal the damage you've done" but you can definitely get it under control with diet/excercise and in some cases it can go away with weight loss (if that is your problem)...which is mine. I guarantee if I lost a cool 25lbs, I would be fine. I have a tendency to be hyperglycemic.....which means high blood sugar...so when I'm "normal"...I get the shakes really bad and just zone out all together.....unfortunately, sugary foods you also have to detox from....isn't it weird. it really has kept me from criticizing smokers and drinkers thats for sure. My house is still glass. Hope this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

My doctor ignored my complaints of symptoms of hypoglycemia for a while. He mentioned that it is a 'fad diagnosis' blah blah blah. Then one day it got really bad and I went to urgent care. My blood sugar was 32. My eyes were blurred, and I was peeing every 5 minutes. This is perplexing because those are hyperglycemia sx, not hypOglycemia sx. Anyway, he stopped ignoring me about the blood sugar issue. With so many diabetics in my family, I feel I must exercise and eat quite healthy to stave it off as long as I can. I do think many of us can control a significant part of our blood sugar 'destiny' if we will eat in a meticulous fashion and exercise. Hard to always do. I also have a vendetta against artificial sweeteners, but that's another thread.

So yes, I personally control my bs quite well and it tests normal without medical intervention.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree with Granny, DIABETES is not reversible. However, there are varying degrees. Type 1-like the young lady on the pump..it's a done deal...and those pumps make a world of difference for those patients. Type 2, depending on severity, you cannot "heal the damage you've done" but you can definitely get it under control with diet/excercise and in some cases it can go away with weight loss (if that is your problem)...which is mine. I guarantee if I lost a cool 25lbs, I would be fine. I have a tendency to be hyperglycemic.....which means high blood sugar...so when I'm "normal"...I get the shakes really bad and just zone out all together.....unfortunately, sugary foods you also have to detox from....isn't it weird. it really has kept me from criticizing smokers and drinkers thats for sure. My house is still glass. Hope this helps.

I lost almost 100 lbs over a year ago. I've been a diabetic for almost `16 years and was started on insulin in 2001. My unit dose is way down but had to go back up, along with a forty pound weight gain, after being put on prednisone. I suffer from none of the complications that accompany this disease but fully expect to develop one or two of them the longer I live.

Grannynurse:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Watch the language!!!

I've been a LIVabetic for 24 years now type 1.:lol2:

Testing blood sugar often and learn your carb/insulin relationship. If I keep a daily moderate/intense exercise program, my bs and a1c's stay well. I'd recommend seeing an endocrinologist 3x year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Endocrine (Diabetes), Pediatric Psych.
Watch the language!!!

I've been a LIVabetic for 24 years now type 1.:lol2:

Testing blood sugar often and learn your carb/insulin relationship. If I keep a daily moderate/intense exercise program, my bs and a1c's stay well. I'd recommend seeing an endocrinologist 3x year.

Oops, my bad, you're most certainly correct, let me correct my words...

I've been a LIVabetic for 15 years now, also type 1. :D

By the way, to KungFuFtr (love the name, by the way!) - there's a t-shirt waiting for you, check it out at http://www.speakupbeheard.com (go to the diabetes area - they had you in mind!)

~Adria :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion