Question on Diabetes

I agree 1000% with Jade. Type 2 can be cured. It takes a lot of work and discipline, especially at first, but it can be done. Diet is terribly important. Investigate the Glycemic Load. That will tell you what he can eat. Excecise is important, primarily aerobic like walking. Chiropractic care can help as well. My husband's is always exacerbated by one specific vertabrae that is not aligned properly. It allows the brain to communicate with the pancreas so it is ultimately essential that you are taking care of your spine.

Please don't be scared. Once habit sets in and he gets in a routine, you'll be fine. My Dad has been a type 2 for 43 years. Even at age 93 we can control his sugar fine. He has beautiful feet...nicer looking than mine. And everyone that meets him is amazed. He has eaten right, walked anywhere from 2 to 5 miles a day and routinely visits the chiropractor for maintenance. We still control it with diet!

God bless!
M.

your local hospital should have a diabetes class that you and your husband can take together to learn how he should eat. They will simplify so that it will be easy to manage a balanced meal of the appropriate carbs, proteins and fats for his body type. All it really boils down to is eating the correct way...... which is how we should in theory all eat.

What helped us when my husband was diagnosed was buying a book that lists ALL foods and their carb, protein, fat content. Any bookstore has books like this. We dragged that with us everywhere the first couple of months after he was diagnosed and looked up everything that went into our mouths. We quickly learned to estimate foods making it easier to make choices in restaurants and at home.

Eating correctly (portions matter) along with exercise and supplementation brought my husbands blood sugar to normal.

All that said...... your husband has to want to do this. You can't be there every time he puts something in his mouth. Take the course together, get a book.

If you need a diet plan I'll be glad to send you a link to my program.

Best!

My husband was just diagnosed as well. I believe if he gets his weight off, he'll heal himself.

He had a meeting with a nutritionist less than a week after to learn what he can and cannot eat and drink. He LOVES tuna on crackers, but he can only have so many crackers a day. He used to only drink Coke and Sweet Tea...now he gets unsweet and uses Splenda. He cut WAY back on his carbs.

My husband really has to know what he can and cannot do. I can't (and won't) be his boss or mother. I support him however I can and will continue to find family friendly diabetic recipes, but like my husband, yours should take the reigns and figure out what he can and can't do, eat, etc.

My late Dad had Diabetes Type II.

You NEED NEED NEED, to have his Doctor refer you to a Nutritionist.
You/he need to learn, "how" to eat and what he can or cannot eat.

He needs to exercise. Only per what his level of ability is. Even just walking around the block.

Take classes.
ASK his Doctor.
And yes, read that book you got.

MOSTLY, your HUSBAND has to learn about this. This is HIS condition.

My Dad, regularly saw his Primary care physician, an eye specialist, a Renal Doctor and a Heart Doctor. Why? Because, Diabetes affects all of these things.
Diabetes, no matter what type, is Diabetes.
It affects the circulatory and nervous system as well. It affects the whole body and the organs.

And because he has Diabetes, you need to learn how to cook, per his health requirements. And HE needs to learn how to eat, per his condition. And he needs to learn how to monitor himself too.
So, that is why, it is imperative, that HE, himself, ALSO LEARNS ABOUT HIS CONDITION. Because, you cannot do it for him.

My Mom struggled with my Dad's condition. Why? Because, my Dad was stubborn. And didn't always follow Doctor's orders.
And, the Spouse, cannot "make" the Diabetic, do what they will not do.

Your HUSBAND, should also be actively, learning about his condition.
AND he could try joining some community support groups as well.
Because, a Man... handles this differently than a woman might.
They also may be in "denial" about it.

LOTS to learn.
But your Husband has to do it, too.

Know also that, Diabetes can also affect the libido. Because, Diabetes can or may, affect the circulatory system.

And your Husband, HAS to learn, how to take care of himself.

There is too many things to know which if I put everything down here, it would be a book.

Just learn all you can.
Your Husband as well.
AND ASK HIS DOCTOR.

Hi M. -

Is your hubby up for a challenge? Type 2 diabetes is not just treatable, but it can be CURED with hard work and dedication!! A daily exercise routine (even if it's just walking!) and a healthy diet can do the trick. Encourage him to take control of his health!! Start exercising together, grocery shopping together, cooking healthy meals together, etc... This may bring you two closer together - and before you know it, he'll be disease free and you'll both feel younger! Good luck!!!!

Hi M.!
Both of my parents have Type 2 and I work in the health field. I'm not sure where he was diagnosed, but there should be somewhere that you can schedule an appointment with a diabetes educator and a dietician. Access to both of these will be extremely beneficial right now. Did they start him on insulin or oral medication? Does he have to check blood sugars? I'm not sure what you mean by "what will this do to my life with him?" Are you asking what things will change with your personal life? PM me if you want to talk or ask questions. I will be glad to help you any way that I can.

Hi M.,

My husband was also recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I went through exactly the same thing as you. I was so worried, I didn't know what to do, what kinds of foods I should make for him, etc. We found a diabetes educator and she was absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend her. She took the time to explain everything to us and she will work with your budget if need be. Her name is Jennifer Raines and her number is ###-###-####. She is located in Corinth. I know you are in Plano, but it isn't too far, maybe 45 minutes. You should give her a call and make an appointment for you and your husband. She will really put your mind at ease.

call his dr's office & request a referral to your local hospital's nutritionist or dietician. That's what I did when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes! & it saved me from having to go on insulin!

Years down the line, when my DH was diagnosed with diabetes, he & his Mom did the class......& they learned a lot. As far as I'm concerned, the best thing they learned was that I was not lying/pulling their leg! What I was preaching & changing within our home....was true, accurate, & required! BUT they're from a long line of hardheaded Germans....& that night, after class, my MIL ordered a pasta bowl for her dinner. Hello! Did you not learn a single thing? !! :) 2 funny, & soooo typical of her. Miss her dearly. :)

Here's our daily plan: complex carbs, go for the whole grain. 15g is considered a serving. Read the labels closely for serving size! 15g is usually one slice of bread.

We try for 5/day on fruits/vegies....always leaning toward the vegie side.

All salad dressings, snacks, etc are low/fat free. No more fully-loaded.

All meats are grilled, lightly-sauteed (olive oil only, if at all), baked, etc. We allow ourselves one fried breakfast each wkend.

All sugary products are "no sugar added". Blue Bunny ice cream is delish! I prefer baking with Splenda....it's = amts to sugar.

There will be surprises: milk is considered a carb! Watch portion sizes on milk & other drinks. Booze will knock the entire diet off! So watch it!

Oh, an absolute powerhouse snack: graham crackers & milk. The crax are considered a complex carb, take longer to breakdown, & will hold you over longer!

AND #1 RULE: walk, walk, walk! My DH can drop his #s by 100 points if he walks the block a couple of times....it's amazing. What's also amazing is how stress, arguing/fighting, & other triggers can raise the # by 100 points. Regular monitoring is imperative..... Good Luck!

M., please go online right away to

www.diabetes.org (Be careful -- go to .ORG, not .com)

This is the web site of the American Diabetes Association and its members are people like you and your husband -- people with diabetes and their family memers. The association exists to answer the kinds of questions you are asking here. Their web site talks about all aspects of life with diabetes. They probably can even put you in touch with a local support group where you and he can meet other people in the same situation!

Also, his doctor needs to refer you both, as soon as possible, to a good registered dietitian (RD) who is a specialist in diabetes nutrition. This professional can work with you on a shopping and eating plan.

Diabetes does not have to have any negative impact on your life together unless he refuses to take his treatment seriously. And be sure that HE, not just you, is reading the books, spending time on the web site, and finding and attending support meetings. This must be his effort too, not just yours to support him!