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TexasBushwhacker

(20,703 posts)
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 10:49 PM Feb 2024

So I have a feeling I'm diabetic

I was diagnosed with prediabetes about a year ago, altered my diet and brought things back to normal range. I lost my job 5 1/2 months ago and I've lived with depression for my entire adult life.. I'm 67 and at least 100 lbs overweight.

I've been feeling really fatigued and I know that can be a symptom of diabetes. I will be going to the doctor this week but whether it turns out I am diabetic or I'm not, I figure the best thing I can do is eat and exercise AS IF I'm diabetic.

So, any advice for a newbie?

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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So I have a feeling I'm diabetic (Original Post) TexasBushwhacker Feb 2024 OP
I've been diabetic for 35 years padfun Feb 2024 #1
Keep moving. multigraincracker Feb 2024 #2
Great idea to work on your diet. MLAA Feb 2024 #3
Exercise burns carbs and lowers blood sugar. MOMFUDSKI Feb 2024 #4
One of the first things I was told was woodsprite Feb 2024 #5
They will start you on metformin LetMyPeopleVote Feb 2024 #6
Do I ever! mahina Feb 2024 #7
I'm newly diabetic. I find a dietician really helpfull. applegrove Feb 2024 #8
Lose the weight. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2024 #9
When you are elderly that is easier said then done. n/t Jacson6 Feb 2024 #11
I'm 75, which I suppose is elderly. PoindexterOglethorpe Feb 2024 #12
You should go to the urgent care if you have Medicare and get a blood sugar level check. Jacson6 Feb 2024 #10

padfun

(1,857 posts)
1. I've been diabetic for 35 years
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 10:53 PM
Feb 2024

And I am now 68. And both of my brothers are diabetic, both over 65 years old (72 and 66)

At your age you shouldn't have to worry too much. Just keep the carbs low when you eat.
Any serious complications for diabetics usually happens several decades after they have been diagnosed.

MLAA

(18,652 posts)
3. Great idea to work on your diet.
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 10:55 PM
Feb 2024

I’d suggest watching this movie for starters

Here’s a trailer for The Game Changers on Netflix. Best of luck!

Edited to add: if you watch it and want any further suggestions just DM me.

 

MOMFUDSKI

(7,080 posts)
4. Exercise burns carbs and lowers blood sugar.
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 10:55 PM
Feb 2024

Get a carb counter book/app and count the carbs you are eating. See a diabetic counselor to learn a lot. Relax. Breathe. You got this!

woodsprite

(12,231 posts)
5. One of the first things I was told was
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 10:58 PM
Feb 2024

1) Try to limit my carbs at each meal - 45 grams at each meal for males, 30 each for females. 2-3 snacks a day that include protein and no more than 15 grams of carbs at each snack,

2) Walk at least 30 min a day. My dr suggested 10 min after each meal to start.

3) Drink your water! My uro said I should be drinking at least eight 16oz glasses a day flushes the sugars out with your urine. Dehydration can make your sugars go up.

LetMyPeopleVote

(155,012 posts)
6. They will start you on metformin
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 10:59 PM
Feb 2024

About 9 months ago, my endocrinologist started me on Trulicity (which is a version of Ozempic that has been out since 2014). I have lost 50 pounds and I am now on 25% of the insulin that I was taking. There are reports of people who are on Ozempic or similar drugs not needing any insulin and only taking the once a week shot

mahina

(18,977 posts)
7. Do I ever!
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 11:10 PM
Feb 2024

Great timing on the question because I just watched this video this morning. For Christmas I bought the books How Not to Die for my family and myself. Dr Greger's website has all his information on it for free. He is not hustling you. https://nutritionfacts.org

I am persuaded and am changing. Plant-based plus exercise, starting small and improving. will get you there with joy and energy.

?si=Tmq8wTKPdp6rkK3s

aloha

applegrove

(123,423 posts)
8. I'm newly diabetic. I find a dietician really helpfull.
Sun Feb 11, 2024, 11:17 PM
Feb 2024

I'm on an old diabetes med and I find I am losing weight.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,753 posts)
9. Lose the weight.
Mon Feb 12, 2024, 01:48 AM
Feb 2024

Being at least 100 lbs overweight is a serious issue.

Lose the weight. No excuses. Exercise is not going to anything.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,753 posts)
12. I'm 75, which I suppose is elderly.
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 11:54 PM
Feb 2024

Several years ago I dropped 30 - 40 pounds simply by eating less, every day. How bizarre is that?

One huge problem in our culture is that restaurant meals are HUGE, far beyond what anyone actually needs. But most people eat all or most of those meals. And we're surprised we're all overweight?

Plus there's things like soft drinks. Some times when I'm in the grocery store I'm astonished at how many of those huge things of soft drinks people have in their carts. I stopped buying soft drinks about 35 years ago, when I realized my young son was consuming far more of them than was good. It annoyed me a lot, because I like soft drinks, but I gave them up. Not a problem, as it turned out. These days, the only times I have a soft drink is when on a long distance drive, and I'll get one just to control my thirst. Other than that, I haven't had a soft drink in decades. And I don't miss them.

Jacson6

(795 posts)
10. You should go to the urgent care if you have Medicare and get a blood sugar level check.
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 12:53 PM
Feb 2024

and then make an appointment to see your doctor. If your blood sugar level is over two hundred they will send you to the ER right away.

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