Type 2 DM

Specialties Endocrine

Published

Specializes in CCU.

greetings fellow nurses!

i have had type 2 dm since 2000. i have however managed it for the last 7 years with diet and exercise. two years ago i experienced a change in my lifestyle. moving from the city i had called home for 5 years, leaving that state, moving to another. i left my gym and pool that i was at faithfully 3 to 4 days a week and moved to place without such conviences. needless to say i got lazy and exercising by myself got boring and then worse, i fell in love and ended up moving again with my new hubby 1800 miles away! in the last two years i have gained some weight and now i am back on meds. this time glybruride and januvia since i can't tolerate glucophage either the regular acting or the extended release. my blood sugars are coming down slower than i would like but i am finding it harder this time around to adjust to having to worry about having consistent meals. i have always had a problem with remembering to eat on time and have a hard time making myself take the time to do so. i have been making a big effort this time after having my first and only hypoglycemic attack a week ago. however i do not enjoy being this preoccupied with this.

so does any one have any ideas, tips or such for me. i am an old critical care rn and truthfully endrocrinology has always been a challenge for me. i am getting better but still a few new tricks of the trade would be nice. i am no longer at the bedside, i'm 45 and perimenopausal(still menstrating unfortantly ), i ride my exercise bike 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 6.5 miles, i also walk my dog for 30 to 60 minutes a day depending on weather and follow low carb, no sugar added diet. i do not drink any soda, only water and some herbal tea as in chamomile occasionally and don't add anything but a teaspoon of honey. i take mvi, vit c 1500mg, vit e 400 iu, evening primrose oil 1000mg, super b complex and ca+ with vitd and zinc 1500mg and fish oil daily. my doctor knows all this and is happy with it. is there anything else i can be doing?

i do not have insurance and can't afford to go to a nutritionist or diabetic educator at this point. so i am trying to educate myself on eveything i can do for myself. when i was first diagnosed in aug of 2000 i had a huge weight problem. i have since lost over 100 pounds putting back on this extra little bit the last two years but i have started losing it again and have so far taken off 10 pounds since the middle of august. i know i am on the rode to doing the right thing for myself but it seems not to be working as fast as i want. my a1c was 8.2 when my last one last year was 7. so it isn't too bad but worse than i'd like.

any advice is welcome and anyone else going thru this is also welcome to contact me.

thanks

gracie

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Two of my favorite internet diabetes sites:

www.dlife.com

www.diabetes.org

Even if you don't have insurance, a visit to a Registered Dietitian might be well worth your investment. Even a one-hour visit can help get a meal plan on track. Also, many places have sliding fee scales based on income, so it's worth asking. Try this site to find an RD diabetes educator near you: http://www.diabeteseducator.org/DiabetesEducation/Find.html

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I also recommend a registered dietician (NOT nutritionist). Sounds like you are doing everything right, except maybe food portions or choices. If all that is maximized then the MD needs to be consulted about med dose changes.

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Specializes in CCU.

i am following a living with diabetes diet from www.ediets.com which i have gone over with my doctor and also i am a member at www.fitday.com that you keep an online food journal that shows you how your eating balances out in all areas along with calories and nutritents. but i will look in to a diabetic educator or dietician.

thanks for your input.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Hi Gracie it looks like you have some links with some good advice there, unfortunately we are unable to offer any medical advice at allnurses.com so I am going to close the thread

I have provided some other links that you may find useful

http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/

http://www.nhs.uk/Pathways/diabetes/Pages/Landing.aspx?WT.srch=1&gclid=CPyi3qiTmZ0CFVqX2AodeHB-3A

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