Hi, everyone,

I'm new here. I've just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Actually, all my doctor said was "You are insulin resistant, give me a phone # to call in a prescription of Glucophage (1000 mg / day) and exercise and eat a modified Atkins diet".

That's all he said!!!! So, now I'm trying to learn EVERYTHING on my own! Do I need to be testing my blood sugar? I don't know what I can / cannot eat. There's the Atkins diet, Sugar Busters, South Beach, et al. Will I eventually have to take insulin injections?

I have so many questions!!! My doctor (an internist) didn't even call it diabetes - he said it's "pre-diabetes" (insulin resistance). I'm going back to see him next Wed. - I need answers!

I feel so frustrated. Not afraid - just frustrated - because I feel like I'm stumbling around in the dark!

Thanks for letting me vent.

If anyone has some basic information for me (like, what my blood sugar range SHOULD be, etc.) I would really appreciate it.

:wave:

Welcome to the Diabetes forum. I think you will learn a lot here if you stick around for a while. There are lots of us that have gone through what you are going through now. I'll try to help as best I can, but remember, everbody is different, and you will need to make decisions about what approaches best fit your lifestyle.

First and foremost - do you know what your fasting blood glucose test results were? Something led the doctor to diagnose you as "Insulin Resistant" - I am guessing that your test was probably somewhere between 100 - 125. Anything over that would be considered Diabetes.

Next, I recommend that you see an Endocrinologist and NOT work with your GP regarding this condition. The frustrations you are already experiencing are typical because most GPs do not know how to effectively treat diabetes. Effective treatment (or prevention) would typically include working with the following specialists:

Endocrinologist: Specialist in Diabetes, Thyroid, and other endocrine disorders

RD (Registered Dietitian): To help you choose a healthful eating plan

DE (Diabetes Educator): Usually a nurse practitioner who will educate you on how to live with diabetes, teach you how to test your blood glucose (and often provide you with a glucometer), and advise you on how to maintain other aspects of your health that are of specific concern to diabetics (feet, eyes, kidneys, etc...)
I am not a doctor, but I am going to give you my personal opinion here... please understand that. I would not take the glucophage until you see an endocrinologist. Especially if your blood glucose numbers are not that high. The 1000 mg dose is a high dose - the medication works by preventing glucose absorption into your bloodstream. You can possibly acheive these results by reducing the amounts of foods you eat that convert into blood glucose. What has your diet been like over the last few years? Are you overweight? If so, by how much? Many people are able to control their diabetes without medication - through significant lifestyle changes including diet and excercise. Medication can make powerful chemical changes to your body and some people (including myself) don't handle that well. Doctors have a tendency to "push pills" because they don't know any other way. And in your case, because you are possibly not even actually diabetic yet, the meds (and dosage) seem a bit extreme to me. It is possible that you will need meds, but without at least attempting to control without them, you will never know. Again, I am not a doctor, so just take this as food for thought.

I also think it is inappropriate for a doctor to recommend the Atkins diet. There are many people who believe that Atkins can greatly help control diabetes, and for many it works quite well. But there is still controversy associated with the diet, and I personally think its a decision you need to make for yourself after exploring ALL your dietary options. Atkins diet can be unhealthy for a diabetic, especially one who is already experiencing problems with heart, cholesterol, kidneys, etc. My personal opinion is that Atkins is an unhealthy approach, especially for a diabetic, but many people here on this board have great success with it. Before you select a diet, I recommend that you read these threads:

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=172467&page=1&pp=5
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=164521&page=1&pp=5
(You may need to cut/paste into your address bar)

As for insulin injections... that is a question nobody can answer - much will depend on how well you control the progression of your condition. In all likelihood, if you gain "tight" control and focus on a healthy lifestyle, chances are you will not need injections.

Please don't hesitate to ask further questions. I wish you the best and keep us posted on how you are doing.

All-right knewly onset diabetes is quite the norm now. There are the prevalent reasons for one coming up w/ d..... And there are the under-hidden reasons.
Thats my main interest. Other organs mal.... causing one to acquire diabetes.

SAY FAIRY GOD.... A NORMAL BLD. SUGAR READING IS 120/80!!!!!




new here. I've just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Actually, all my doctor said was "You are insulin resistant, give me a phone # to call in a prescription of Glucophage (1000 mg / day) and exercise and eat a modified Atkins diet".

That's all he said!!!! So, now I'm trying to learn EVERYTHING on my own! Do I need to be testing my blood sugar? I don't know what I can / cannot eat. There's the Atkins diet, Sugar Busters, South Beach, et al. Will I eventually have to take insulin injections?

I have so many questions!!! My doctor (an internist) didn't even call it diabetes - he said it's "pre-diabetes" (insulin resistance). I'm going back to see him next Wed. - I need answers!

I feel so frustrated. Not afraid - just frustrated - because I feel like I'm stumbling around in the dark!

Thanks for letting me vent.

If anyone has some basic information for me (like, what my blood sugar range SHOULD be, etc.) I would really appreciate it.

:wave:[/QUOTE]

This Was To Fairy God Mo..... A Good Reading (bld Sugar Level) 120/80!!!