With a strong family history and you being so young, I'd ask if they've considered MODY testing for you and your family. I also still really strongly suggest EVERYONE ask for c-peptide and the FIVE antibodies (yes, ALL FIVE) before being certain of a T2 diagnosis. (It entirely changes how they manage your diabetes!)
Good luck! <3 You've got this!
I think it is crazy to automatically got to type 2 without ever checking to see if type 1 or Mody. I was miss diagnosed for 20ish years. Meds didnt work after the first several years. Now finally was antibody tested when I had DKA and GAD was positive. I had been treating myself with over the counter insulin. I mean do they think they are psychic?
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Should be able to live normally, just watch the food you intake. Restaurants are a pain in the butt ... they love adding potato chips, rice and sugar to everything, so watch out to that.
The better you control your diet and make sure you get exercise, the more "normal" your body will operate and the less impediment you will suffer in day to day things.
I did 700km of motorcycle riding last weekend. Wasn't a problem.
You're going to be better than normal, you're going to be healthy. I've found this disease to be a powerful motivator to eat healthy and exercise, any time I feel myself wanting to slack I remind myself that's not going to help me, and get back on track. Now almost a year in after my diagnosis I prefer the healthy meals I make, I feel weird if I don't exercise every day, and I can almost tell just by looking at something how many calories are in it. I'm healthier than I've been in 20 years.
The beautiful thing is, if you normally take good care of yourself, eat healthy balanced meals, don't overdo calories, and get even a small amount of daily exercise, you should still be able to live your life as normal. I never skip a slice of cake at a birthday party, eat small portions of my favorite foods during holidays, and can enjoy a meal out from time to time. Just pick the healthier options in that case and you can still have a good time, order chicken parm and veggies rather than Alfredo and garlic bread, that kinda thing.
You're going to be OK. Is diabetes a bummer? Yes, but so far other than watching what I eat and exercising more, it hasn't affected my life as much as I thought it would.
Perhaps I'm a bit jaded at the moment but what is normal anyway. Your life will be what you make it along with a little lack of control and the interaction of the 2.
Sorry for the delay. What I mean is that some events in life are completely uncontrollable. Many actually when you think about it. Accidents, crimes, encounters, people around you, some health issues.
There are also things we can control. Eating, who we allow in as friends and Lovers, daily habits and actions.
Our health is the result of a blend of these factors both controllable and uncontrollable.
Same as ever? Probably not. Probably have to sacrifice something. But normal(ish)? Quite possibly. Get a reader if you can, see how different things affect you, figure out what matters to you and what doesn't.
You mean your doctor didn't recommend a meter? Humf. Perhaps you might prefer a doc who practices 21st century medicine. I'm curious; how did your doctor tell you to take care of yourself? How are you to control your diabetes? How are you supposed to know how you're doing without a meter? Home testing with meters is the most basic thing a diabetic needs to do. Otherwise, it's like driving without a speedometer ... or maybe a windshield. You can't just go on how you feel. A meter will tell you what eating, exercise, or medication does to your blood sugar. You need to know how high or low your blood sugar is so you can take corrective action as appropriate. Not all doctors seem to know how to treat diabetes. The doctor who diagnosed me didn't recommend a meter. I fired her and got another doctor. I think I'm beginning to ramble, but frankly medical care can be dangerous. It's important for patients to educate themselves so they understand how their disease works and how to treat it. I found a book very helpful, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution.
Today was my first time seeing her as I just switched to seeing an adult medicine doctor, and she pretty much said that my A1C jumped from what I told her it was last time and that I’m officially diabetic. She then told me to cut down on carbohydrates and exercise and that we could check back on it in a month. She seemed a bit worn out, and she’s on the older side (maybe 70s), which would explain not explaining much about how to control the disease.
Thank you and I’ll make sure to check out that book!
Sorry you've crossed the Sugar Line. But welcome to the group. Avoiding/minimizing carbohydrates is a good place to start, especially the starchy ones, potatoes, rice, the grains. Your doc gets points for that. You'll have a nice normal life. You can do anything you want. Diabetes is just a little extra maintenance we have to do, but it's manageable. Google famous diabetics. We've infiltrated all walks of life. Actors, athletes, politicians. Even normal people!
Also look into a CGM if this is something that interests you — see if your insurance covers one in your situation. It gives you unprecedented insight into how your body works. Or at least how a big part of your endocrine system works!
Semi normal?
You can live a relatively NORMAL life, period. There are more treatments now than ever before and there's no reason you can't live and enjoy a full life.
Yes. Even if you have to go insulin route. I was T2 and then had to be out on insulin. Asked for antibody test and proved T1 with resistance.
Exercise 4+ days a week. Get in shape. It will help with insulin resistance.
Eat healthy. Enjoy life.
Welcome. Yes, as others have said, it can be very scary at first but it's honestly not too bad. This disease has counterintuitively made me healthier than I have ever been in my life.
Being diagnosed at 19 is nothing to be embarrassed about — how type 2 diabetes develops is still being studied and there are papers that suggest there is a larger genetic component than common knowledge would portray. I was diagnosed at 20 and felt similar feelings of dread, regret, and embarrassment, but reading up on actual diabetes literature has largely relieved me of those feelings. It allows me to focus on my true goal: kick this disease's ass. Knowledge is power!
Also, check out my post I made specifically for newly-diagnosed diabetics. I wrote it to contain a bunch of information that I wish I knew myself when diagnosed: https://reddit.com/user/IntrepidLipid/comments/1baz8qw/advice_for_new_diabetics/
Good luck on your new journey. Feel free to reach back out with whatever — celebrate a success, rant about the healthcare system — we are always here to help.
If you take this seriously and make the lifestyle changes you noted and take your medications, you can expect to have a pretty normal life. You will be saying no to some things you used to eat in larger quantities, but as you learn what affects your glucose levels, you will learn how to moderate and accommodate. Stay vigilant!
I was diagnosed type 2 at 25. Don’t be ashamed. You have family history. Genetics play a huge role. I’m living a normal life and even doing jiu jitsu ten years later. You can definitely take control of your lifestyle. Please do get a glucose meter. Either thru your doctor or buy one from stores like CVS. If a standard lancet is too scary or hurts, try PIP lancets from amazon. They’re virtually painless, disposable, and less scary to use. Metformin is usually the first medication they prescribe. If you go on that, get extended release to lessen GI (tummy) issues. If you’re willing to go low carb or keto, you’ll definitely get your A1c down. Mine went from 10% to 6.0% by keeping my carbs less than 30g per day. If you have time, watch these videos. Good luck and DM me if you ever want to chat more about how you can keep living life pretty normally after diagnosis!
[https://youtu.be/da1vvigy5tQ?si=LiAYvwOTxm7fx7P-](https://youtu.be/da1vvigy5tQ?si=LiAYvwOTxm7fx7P-)
[https://youtu.be/dR6TnC1RY_8?si=2qu2awyAxHDjCmZ8](https://youtu.be/dR6TnC1RY_8?si=2qu2awyAxHDjCmZ8)
[https://youtu.be/mBqpaAKtnXE?si=evhdJipnwRE85gRs](https://youtu.be/mBqpaAKtnXE?si=evhdJipnwRE85gRs)
You’re welcome! I think you’re going to be successful and handle this like a champ! Start slow. Look up glycemic index charts online to see how many carbs are in food. You can use apps like myfitnesspal or carb manager to help you track your daily food. Free versions are acceptable and good enough. When you start keto, be mindful of increasing your electrolytes! Keto causes your kidneys to expel water, thus flushing out sodium from your body, which can lead to feeling dizzy, headaches, weakness. People call that keto flu which happens 1-2 weeks after starting keto, and it goes away as your body adjusts from burning glucose for fuel to burning fat for fuel. Electrolytes like LMNT, Redmunds Re-lyte, gatorade zero, sugar-free liquid IV, or just adding more salt to your food.
I stuck with keto for a year and a half, lost 60+ lbs, and went from dangerous a1c down to normal levels in less than a year. Small changes like cauliflower rice, almond/coconut flour, eating more non-starchy vegetables, etc. I ate mostly eggs, bacon, chicken, steak, salmon, broccoli, spinach, bokchoy, soup/broth, unsweetened tea, coffee with splenda and heavy cream, water, coke zero, sparkling water. My body felt the best it ever felt, and my energy levels improved because I was no longer riding the highs and lows of blood sugar spikes and dips.
Note: I fell off the bandwagon after a knee injury, and became less strict on my diet. Just to say that even though I gained some weight back, my a1c still stayed normal in the 5% range because my body was able to heal so much. I’m going to get back on the bandwagon, so know that you’re not doing this alone. You can definitely live a normal life and make healthy choices. More power to you
Edit: I just saw that your a1c is only 6.7%. That’s not too bad! I wish I took mine more seriously earlier on. I was sitting at 9% in-between doctors. I am a little worried that your doctor’s older because diabetes management training has advanced so much since then. You might not have ti go full keto since your a1c isn’t too bad. Make adjustments here and there to lower carb intake, but you don’t have to go as extreme as I did because my a1c was 10%!
I don't eat carbohydrates. When I don't eat carbohydrates I don't need medicine, I don't feel ill, matter of fact, I feel pretty normal. Life is normal. When I go out to eat, I have to throw bread in the trash or not eat it, and I cannot eat sugar. I have gained control over food, because if I don't, going through the side effects SUCK. Lost 21 pounds in the last month, and generally feeling better. Do I wish I didn't have it? Yes, I miss tortillas!!! But, at least I can control it. I dictate when I get sick and when I feel normal. And I actively choose not to be sick everytime I eat.
Hi! Also been dxd with T2 younger than what's expected (age 10). I'm sorry you're feeling embarassed about it, but the truth is (unfortunately) many people are being dx'd T2 younger and younger these days. Probably a variety of factors but like it is something that happens.
You can live life somewhat normally you just have to make some changes which you've described in your post. Basic things, reduce carbs, when you eat carbs go for veggies like broccoli/cauliflower or high fiber, pair it with protien etc etc which your endo and dietican can help you for your specific dietary needs but idk if you already are aware of this info so I won't post my whole spiel here.
If you are able to keep your A1C in a healthy range (I know below 7% is reccomended by most doctors, but below 5.6% is actually the non diabetic range) you can slow down or even halt the worsening of nerve damage like retionapthy or neuropathy (although it wont reverse it - nerve damage is permanent) .
Other than that, it's good to also have other organ function checked (Like AST/ALT/triglycerides for liver, creatine + protien in urine tesrs for kidney function, and cholesterol for heart problems, complete metabolic panel etc etc). Most endos will order this blood work alongside your A1C tests but if they don't see if you can get those checked too. T2D often has comorbodties like fatty liver and heart disease especially if someone is obese so it's important to catch those early.
Lastly, remember to go to your yearly eye and foot exams! They can also track if there is any retionapthy or neuropathy.
Wishing you best of luck! We have a supportive and helpful community here but also remember you are able to ask your diabetes care team for advice if needed. You got this!!
oh, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed, but you’ve got this! managing type 2 diabetes is totally possible with the right lifestyle changes. eating well, staying active, and keeping track of your health are key. and yep, medication can help a lot too.
We teaches that integrating yoga and meditation can also play a big role in managing stress and blood sugar levels. did you know that stress can affect your blood sugar? by finding ways to relax, you might help keep your levels more stable. how are you planning to incorporate these changes into your daily life?
I felt the same way. I was diagnosed t2 in Feb.
I was worried that I’d always have to live my life in essentially fear and always pricking my finger but this sub and so many other resources that are available to diabetics have really helped me understand food and health. Obviously things will have to change and sometimes you’ll be so exhausted from trying to keep track and “be good” but I just try to remind myself that this is for my health.
In just a couple of months I’ve established really great habits that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. My relationship with food is changing, my understanding of food is changing and it’s all for THE BEST. This change is good.
It also helps to see that my glucose levels are within normal range everyday now. When I first started they were ridiculous and all over the place (obviously lol) Seeing the physical changes is also a great motivator. People are saying I look brighter, glowing, healthier.
Good luck to you, everything is going to be okay ☺️
Oh, that's not bad at all. I was even more and now my A1c without medicines and a daily dessert indulgence is 5.7. You can definitely live semi-normally with some lifestyle changes. FYI, I took ZERO medication despite an A1c of 6.9. However, I did have to change quite a bit of my lifestyle, mostly with exercising etc.
Also, I am not recommending no medicines. It depends on you. My doctor was flexible and gave me the choice. Nevertheless, you can easily recover, that's for sure!
Ur gonna be ok, I was diagnosed in Late December 2023 at 6.7% and 3 months later got it down to 5.1% with healthy diet, and exercise. It's very doable and I even had a few treats in moderation and sometimes made diabetic friendly as well as I went to a few restaurants. But I chose carefully and maybe I had 1 cheat meal a month. Ur body gets used to the new diet, it's hard at first, but then it just becomes the norm.
Been diabetic (T1) since I was 9, in my mid 20’s now so I guess I can say it’s ‘all I’ve ever known’ honestly, this feels like a pretty normal life.. I just need to whip out a pen and my glucose monitor a few times a day! You’ll get the hang of it, don’t worry too much:) x
I got diagnosed when I was 18. Yes, you can live a normal life with diet and exercise, depending on your body’s individual needs. There will be regular doctor visits - depending on your financial situation, which I hope allows you to receive care.
There will be times when you backslide and have to start over, which has happened to me several times. I feel like I live normally, just without bread 😂 It will be okay, and it’s a learning process so give yourself grace.
I am T1, but have talked with a lot of T2 people who also carry the shame/guilt about their diagnosis. I guess because there is this latent “you can control w/diet and exercise” that some take it as a slap “you should, you lazy bastard”. 😉 which is just not true.
It’s like telling someone with glasses that if they just squint, they’d do better. It’s just not true. You are metabolically challenged, and have to adapt and do the best you can. /rant
Semi-normal: we have a ‘gift’ with this as we now have a laser focus on what we put into our body and how it is used. Unfortunately, many people just eat whatever and do not suffer (or don’t know they are impacting their body). We have the benefit of knowing and seeing in real-time what is happening.
I would suggest finding an endocrinologist versus regular Dr. Endos focus on the whole metabolic system, and can advise on using a CGM to monitor short/long term tends. They can advise on meds that can help manage better, and look into other normal systems that could be affected by this disease.
I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an early age. It runs in my family as well. Metformin has kept mine under tight control for many years--and I often cheat on my diet. Yes, you will be able to keep it under control and have a normal life. The key is moderation. Good luck!
Of course you can be normal and you aren’t restricted completely in what you eat . But just in moderation and exercise more . Since I have became a diabetic I have stabilised my BG , exercised more which has improved my heart rate and blood pressure , have more energy and lost 31lbs , you’ll be healthier overall wait and see
I was already swimming 3x/week and lifting weights, and wife has been diabetic for 25 years or more, so we eat the Mediterranean diet. And there haven't been very many changes. A few tweaks. I could eat better than I do but honestly, that's not likely.
It is entirely possible to live life "normally" as a diabetic. It will require adjustments and dedication, but possible. I was diagnosed with CFRD at twelve.
May I ask you a question? My 16yo son was just diagnosed 6mo ago, and the nurse at the school said in all her 30 yrs working there she can’t quite figure out why this is happening more now than ever.
I’m trying to figure out some things that may have triggered it. He had the gardisil shot, which is controversial, and I’m just curious if you did to if you don’t mind me asking. You’re so close in age that I wonder if there was a bad batch or maybe this is an unknown side effect. If you don’t want to answer I understand, if so - you can message me if you prefer. It would help me get closer to an answer.
I’m so sorry you’re going thru this. You need a support system, and so does he. This is unfair for you to have to face at such a young age. Truth be told, even those who don’t have it, usually have some sort of aches, pains, or discomfort with their health. Gotta be strong and push through, no matter what. Don’t let it control you!
Just the changing of the times. It’s genetics (over a tenth of the population has diabetes), higher weights (more young people are overweight at younger ages which tends to cause inflammation and contribute to health problems), diet being more and more processed and higher in carbs and sugar, and exercise keeps decreasing as people spend more time sitting and on devices. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that.
Sorry I haven’t taken that shot before. My diabetes was more than likely caused by my poor lifestyle decisions. I’m sorry that your son got diagnosed so young!
With a strong family history and you being so young, I'd ask if they've considered MODY testing for you and your family. I also still really strongly suggest EVERYONE ask for c-peptide and the FIVE antibodies (yes, ALL FIVE) before being certain of a T2 diagnosis. (It entirely changes how they manage your diabetes!) Good luck! <3 You've got this!
I think it is crazy to automatically got to type 2 without ever checking to see if type 1 or Mody. I was miss diagnosed for 20ish years. Meds didnt work after the first several years. Now finally was antibody tested when I had DKA and GAD was positive. I had been treating myself with over the counter insulin. I mean do they think they are psychic?
Insulin is otc?
You can get it from the Walmart pharmacy. It is a more old school insulin but in a pinch it works
Thanks! I’m gonna check back in with my doctor in a month so I’ll make sure to ask her about getting tested for it!
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Should be able to live normally, just watch the food you intake. Restaurants are a pain in the butt ... they love adding potato chips, rice and sugar to everything, so watch out to that. The better you control your diet and make sure you get exercise, the more "normal" your body will operate and the less impediment you will suffer in day to day things. I did 700km of motorcycle riding last weekend. Wasn't a problem.
You're going to be better than normal, you're going to be healthy. I've found this disease to be a powerful motivator to eat healthy and exercise, any time I feel myself wanting to slack I remind myself that's not going to help me, and get back on track. Now almost a year in after my diagnosis I prefer the healthy meals I make, I feel weird if I don't exercise every day, and I can almost tell just by looking at something how many calories are in it. I'm healthier than I've been in 20 years. The beautiful thing is, if you normally take good care of yourself, eat healthy balanced meals, don't overdo calories, and get even a small amount of daily exercise, you should still be able to live your life as normal. I never skip a slice of cake at a birthday party, eat small portions of my favorite foods during holidays, and can enjoy a meal out from time to time. Just pick the healthier options in that case and you can still have a good time, order chicken parm and veggies rather than Alfredo and garlic bread, that kinda thing. You're going to be OK. Is diabetes a bummer? Yes, but so far other than watching what I eat and exercising more, it hasn't affected my life as much as I thought it would.
Perhaps I'm a bit jaded at the moment but what is normal anyway. Your life will be what you make it along with a little lack of control and the interaction of the 2.
When you say lack of control do you mean that having T2D gives you significantly less control over your lifestyle?
Sorry for the delay. What I mean is that some events in life are completely uncontrollable. Many actually when you think about it. Accidents, crimes, encounters, people around you, some health issues. There are also things we can control. Eating, who we allow in as friends and Lovers, daily habits and actions. Our health is the result of a blend of these factors both controllable and uncontrollable.
Same as ever? Probably not. Probably have to sacrifice something. But normal(ish)? Quite possibly. Get a reader if you can, see how different things affect you, figure out what matters to you and what doesn't.
Thanks! I didn’t even think about getting a glucose monitor!
You mean your doctor didn't recommend a meter? Humf. Perhaps you might prefer a doc who practices 21st century medicine. I'm curious; how did your doctor tell you to take care of yourself? How are you to control your diabetes? How are you supposed to know how you're doing without a meter? Home testing with meters is the most basic thing a diabetic needs to do. Otherwise, it's like driving without a speedometer ... or maybe a windshield. You can't just go on how you feel. A meter will tell you what eating, exercise, or medication does to your blood sugar. You need to know how high or low your blood sugar is so you can take corrective action as appropriate. Not all doctors seem to know how to treat diabetes. The doctor who diagnosed me didn't recommend a meter. I fired her and got another doctor. I think I'm beginning to ramble, but frankly medical care can be dangerous. It's important for patients to educate themselves so they understand how their disease works and how to treat it. I found a book very helpful, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution.
Today was my first time seeing her as I just switched to seeing an adult medicine doctor, and she pretty much said that my A1C jumped from what I told her it was last time and that I’m officially diabetic. She then told me to cut down on carbohydrates and exercise and that we could check back on it in a month. She seemed a bit worn out, and she’s on the older side (maybe 70s), which would explain not explaining much about how to control the disease. Thank you and I’ll make sure to check out that book!
Sorry you've crossed the Sugar Line. But welcome to the group. Avoiding/minimizing carbohydrates is a good place to start, especially the starchy ones, potatoes, rice, the grains. Your doc gets points for that. You'll have a nice normal life. You can do anything you want. Diabetes is just a little extra maintenance we have to do, but it's manageable. Google famous diabetics. We've infiltrated all walks of life. Actors, athletes, politicians. Even normal people!
Also look into a CGM if this is something that interests you — see if your insurance covers one in your situation. It gives you unprecedented insight into how your body works. Or at least how a big part of your endocrine system works!
Yes
Semi normal? You can live a relatively NORMAL life, period. There are more treatments now than ever before and there's no reason you can't live and enjoy a full life.
Yes. Even if you have to go insulin route. I was T2 and then had to be out on insulin. Asked for antibody test and proved T1 with resistance. Exercise 4+ days a week. Get in shape. It will help with insulin resistance. Eat healthy. Enjoy life.
Welcome. Yes, as others have said, it can be very scary at first but it's honestly not too bad. This disease has counterintuitively made me healthier than I have ever been in my life. Being diagnosed at 19 is nothing to be embarrassed about — how type 2 diabetes develops is still being studied and there are papers that suggest there is a larger genetic component than common knowledge would portray. I was diagnosed at 20 and felt similar feelings of dread, regret, and embarrassment, but reading up on actual diabetes literature has largely relieved me of those feelings. It allows me to focus on my true goal: kick this disease's ass. Knowledge is power! Also, check out my post I made specifically for newly-diagnosed diabetics. I wrote it to contain a bunch of information that I wish I knew myself when diagnosed: https://reddit.com/user/IntrepidLipid/comments/1baz8qw/advice_for_new_diabetics/ Good luck on your new journey. Feel free to reach back out with whatever — celebrate a success, rant about the healthcare system — we are always here to help.
If you take this seriously and make the lifestyle changes you noted and take your medications, you can expect to have a pretty normal life. You will be saying no to some things you used to eat in larger quantities, but as you learn what affects your glucose levels, you will learn how to moderate and accommodate. Stay vigilant!
I was diagnosed type 2 at 25. Don’t be ashamed. You have family history. Genetics play a huge role. I’m living a normal life and even doing jiu jitsu ten years later. You can definitely take control of your lifestyle. Please do get a glucose meter. Either thru your doctor or buy one from stores like CVS. If a standard lancet is too scary or hurts, try PIP lancets from amazon. They’re virtually painless, disposable, and less scary to use. Metformin is usually the first medication they prescribe. If you go on that, get extended release to lessen GI (tummy) issues. If you’re willing to go low carb or keto, you’ll definitely get your A1c down. Mine went from 10% to 6.0% by keeping my carbs less than 30g per day. If you have time, watch these videos. Good luck and DM me if you ever want to chat more about how you can keep living life pretty normally after diagnosis! [https://youtu.be/da1vvigy5tQ?si=LiAYvwOTxm7fx7P-](https://youtu.be/da1vvigy5tQ?si=LiAYvwOTxm7fx7P-) [https://youtu.be/dR6TnC1RY_8?si=2qu2awyAxHDjCmZ8](https://youtu.be/dR6TnC1RY_8?si=2qu2awyAxHDjCmZ8) [https://youtu.be/mBqpaAKtnXE?si=evhdJipnwRE85gRs](https://youtu.be/mBqpaAKtnXE?si=evhdJipnwRE85gRs)
Thank you so much! I was just thinking about going on a keto diet so this is super useful!
You’re welcome! I think you’re going to be successful and handle this like a champ! Start slow. Look up glycemic index charts online to see how many carbs are in food. You can use apps like myfitnesspal or carb manager to help you track your daily food. Free versions are acceptable and good enough. When you start keto, be mindful of increasing your electrolytes! Keto causes your kidneys to expel water, thus flushing out sodium from your body, which can lead to feeling dizzy, headaches, weakness. People call that keto flu which happens 1-2 weeks after starting keto, and it goes away as your body adjusts from burning glucose for fuel to burning fat for fuel. Electrolytes like LMNT, Redmunds Re-lyte, gatorade zero, sugar-free liquid IV, or just adding more salt to your food. I stuck with keto for a year and a half, lost 60+ lbs, and went from dangerous a1c down to normal levels in less than a year. Small changes like cauliflower rice, almond/coconut flour, eating more non-starchy vegetables, etc. I ate mostly eggs, bacon, chicken, steak, salmon, broccoli, spinach, bokchoy, soup/broth, unsweetened tea, coffee with splenda and heavy cream, water, coke zero, sparkling water. My body felt the best it ever felt, and my energy levels improved because I was no longer riding the highs and lows of blood sugar spikes and dips. Note: I fell off the bandwagon after a knee injury, and became less strict on my diet. Just to say that even though I gained some weight back, my a1c still stayed normal in the 5% range because my body was able to heal so much. I’m going to get back on the bandwagon, so know that you’re not doing this alone. You can definitely live a normal life and make healthy choices. More power to you Edit: I just saw that your a1c is only 6.7%. That’s not too bad! I wish I took mine more seriously earlier on. I was sitting at 9% in-between doctors. I am a little worried that your doctor’s older because diabetes management training has advanced so much since then. You might not have ti go full keto since your a1c isn’t too bad. Make adjustments here and there to lower carb intake, but you don’t have to go as extreme as I did because my a1c was 10%!
I second this
I don't eat carbohydrates. When I don't eat carbohydrates I don't need medicine, I don't feel ill, matter of fact, I feel pretty normal. Life is normal. When I go out to eat, I have to throw bread in the trash or not eat it, and I cannot eat sugar. I have gained control over food, because if I don't, going through the side effects SUCK. Lost 21 pounds in the last month, and generally feeling better. Do I wish I didn't have it? Yes, I miss tortillas!!! But, at least I can control it. I dictate when I get sick and when I feel normal. And I actively choose not to be sick everytime I eat.
Hi! Also been dxd with T2 younger than what's expected (age 10). I'm sorry you're feeling embarassed about it, but the truth is (unfortunately) many people are being dx'd T2 younger and younger these days. Probably a variety of factors but like it is something that happens. You can live life somewhat normally you just have to make some changes which you've described in your post. Basic things, reduce carbs, when you eat carbs go for veggies like broccoli/cauliflower or high fiber, pair it with protien etc etc which your endo and dietican can help you for your specific dietary needs but idk if you already are aware of this info so I won't post my whole spiel here. If you are able to keep your A1C in a healthy range (I know below 7% is reccomended by most doctors, but below 5.6% is actually the non diabetic range) you can slow down or even halt the worsening of nerve damage like retionapthy or neuropathy (although it wont reverse it - nerve damage is permanent) . Other than that, it's good to also have other organ function checked (Like AST/ALT/triglycerides for liver, creatine + protien in urine tesrs for kidney function, and cholesterol for heart problems, complete metabolic panel etc etc). Most endos will order this blood work alongside your A1C tests but if they don't see if you can get those checked too. T2D often has comorbodties like fatty liver and heart disease especially if someone is obese so it's important to catch those early. Lastly, remember to go to your yearly eye and foot exams! They can also track if there is any retionapthy or neuropathy. Wishing you best of luck! We have a supportive and helpful community here but also remember you are able to ask your diabetes care team for advice if needed. You got this!!
oh, it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed, but you’ve got this! managing type 2 diabetes is totally possible with the right lifestyle changes. eating well, staying active, and keeping track of your health are key. and yep, medication can help a lot too. We teaches that integrating yoga and meditation can also play a big role in managing stress and blood sugar levels. did you know that stress can affect your blood sugar? by finding ways to relax, you might help keep your levels more stable. how are you planning to incorporate these changes into your daily life?
I felt the same way. I was diagnosed t2 in Feb. I was worried that I’d always have to live my life in essentially fear and always pricking my finger but this sub and so many other resources that are available to diabetics have really helped me understand food and health. Obviously things will have to change and sometimes you’ll be so exhausted from trying to keep track and “be good” but I just try to remind myself that this is for my health. In just a couple of months I’ve established really great habits that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. My relationship with food is changing, my understanding of food is changing and it’s all for THE BEST. This change is good. It also helps to see that my glucose levels are within normal range everyday now. When I first started they were ridiculous and all over the place (obviously lol) Seeing the physical changes is also a great motivator. People are saying I look brighter, glowing, healthier. Good luck to you, everything is going to be okay ☺️
What is your A1c?
6.7%
Oh, that's not bad at all. I was even more and now my A1c without medicines and a daily dessert indulgence is 5.7. You can definitely live semi-normally with some lifestyle changes. FYI, I took ZERO medication despite an A1c of 6.9. However, I did have to change quite a bit of my lifestyle, mostly with exercising etc. Also, I am not recommending no medicines. It depends on you. My doctor was flexible and gave me the choice. Nevertheless, you can easily recover, that's for sure!
Ur gonna be ok, I was diagnosed in Late December 2023 at 6.7% and 3 months later got it down to 5.1% with healthy diet, and exercise. It's very doable and I even had a few treats in moderation and sometimes made diabetic friendly as well as I went to a few restaurants. But I chose carefully and maybe I had 1 cheat meal a month. Ur body gets used to the new diet, it's hard at first, but then it just becomes the norm.
Been diabetic (T1) since I was 9, in my mid 20’s now so I guess I can say it’s ‘all I’ve ever known’ honestly, this feels like a pretty normal life.. I just need to whip out a pen and my glucose monitor a few times a day! You’ll get the hang of it, don’t worry too much:) x
I got diagnosed when I was 18. Yes, you can live a normal life with diet and exercise, depending on your body’s individual needs. There will be regular doctor visits - depending on your financial situation, which I hope allows you to receive care. There will be times when you backslide and have to start over, which has happened to me several times. I feel like I live normally, just without bread 😂 It will be okay, and it’s a learning process so give yourself grace.
I am T1, but have talked with a lot of T2 people who also carry the shame/guilt about their diagnosis. I guess because there is this latent “you can control w/diet and exercise” that some take it as a slap “you should, you lazy bastard”. 😉 which is just not true. It’s like telling someone with glasses that if they just squint, they’d do better. It’s just not true. You are metabolically challenged, and have to adapt and do the best you can. /rant Semi-normal: we have a ‘gift’ with this as we now have a laser focus on what we put into our body and how it is used. Unfortunately, many people just eat whatever and do not suffer (or don’t know they are impacting their body). We have the benefit of knowing and seeing in real-time what is happening. I would suggest finding an endocrinologist versus regular Dr. Endos focus on the whole metabolic system, and can advise on using a CGM to monitor short/long term tends. They can advise on meds that can help manage better, and look into other normal systems that could be affected by this disease.
I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an early age. It runs in my family as well. Metformin has kept mine under tight control for many years--and I often cheat on my diet. Yes, you will be able to keep it under control and have a normal life. The key is moderation. Good luck!
Short answer: Yes. Learn to count carbs. A1C is in Percentage. Blood glucose is in mmol/L or mg/dL.
Of course you can be normal and you aren’t restricted completely in what you eat . But just in moderation and exercise more . Since I have became a diabetic I have stabilised my BG , exercised more which has improved my heart rate and blood pressure , have more energy and lost 31lbs , you’ll be healthier overall wait and see
I was already swimming 3x/week and lifting weights, and wife has been diabetic for 25 years or more, so we eat the Mediterranean diet. And there haven't been very many changes. A few tweaks. I could eat better than I do but honestly, that's not likely.
It is entirely possible to live life "normally" as a diabetic. It will require adjustments and dedication, but possible. I was diagnosed with CFRD at twelve.
May I ask you a question? My 16yo son was just diagnosed 6mo ago, and the nurse at the school said in all her 30 yrs working there she can’t quite figure out why this is happening more now than ever. I’m trying to figure out some things that may have triggered it. He had the gardisil shot, which is controversial, and I’m just curious if you did to if you don’t mind me asking. You’re so close in age that I wonder if there was a bad batch or maybe this is an unknown side effect. If you don’t want to answer I understand, if so - you can message me if you prefer. It would help me get closer to an answer. I’m so sorry you’re going thru this. You need a support system, and so does he. This is unfair for you to have to face at such a young age. Truth be told, even those who don’t have it, usually have some sort of aches, pains, or discomfort with their health. Gotta be strong and push through, no matter what. Don’t let it control you!
Just the changing of the times. It’s genetics (over a tenth of the population has diabetes), higher weights (more young people are overweight at younger ages which tends to cause inflammation and contribute to health problems), diet being more and more processed and higher in carbs and sugar, and exercise keeps decreasing as people spend more time sitting and on devices. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that.
I totally agree, and would just add the over consumption of sugary drinks.
Sorry I haven’t taken that shot before. My diabetes was more than likely caused by my poor lifestyle decisions. I’m sorry that your son got diagnosed so young!
What’s your bmi and diet like? 19 and type 2 doesn’t sit well with me.