Article

 

5 Things Every Newly Diagnosed Diabetic Should Do Today

 

When I was newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes over 22 years ago, I was 33 years old; the owner of a new mortgage, a new job, two little babies and totally stressed out. Being the salesman that I was, I convinced the doctor who had correctly diagnosed my diabetes that I didn’t need to go in-patient at the hospital and that I didn’t need insulin. Oh the things we don’t know. Shortly afterwards I came to my senses.

During the following couple years I fully embraced my disease, and I was fortunate to qualify as one of the participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) during the 1990’s. During that time I decided to take control of my disease so that I could live a full healthy life and be there to watch my children grow up. I did not let denial shorten my life by pretending that diabetic complications weren’t going to happen to me.

I have found that in times of self-pity and anger toward my medical issues, I need only remind myself of how fortunate I am to still even be here. Not that long ago diabetes was a fatal disease, crippling at best.

Over the years, I have been able to help some friends and even a couple family members deal with being newly diabetic, and when I am asked what should they do, I tell them these five things.

 

1. Ask for a recommendation to the best endocrinologist in your city. No offense intended for your regular doctor, but you need a specialist. There are many types of insulin, oral medications and insulin pumps. You need and are going to want the latest and the best information you can get your hands on. Take control of your diabetes and take control of your life.

2. Meet with the dietitian to learn the effect of the foods you are eating on your new medications. Be reasonable, some things are probably going to have to change. Following some guidelines isn’t going to hurt you; it’s going to help you live a longer and healthier life. How bad can that be?

3. Test, test, test. Want to know how you’re doing? Test your blood. Come on, it isn’t that bad for crying out loud. The only way, I repeat, the only way to know what is happening in your sugar loving body is to test your blood sugars frequently. I just takes a few seconds and really doesn’t hurt much, if at all. No pain, no gain. The only way your endocrinologist can help you take control of your diabetes is if you show him how you’re doing. That means test before every meal and bedtime and write down those results so your doctor can review them.

4. How about a little walking every day. Move those limbs. Exercise will only help you. I’m not talking about going to the gym, and jogging everyday, I’m talking about moderate activity. Walking is a great activity and you already know how to do it. Remember, test your blood sugars before you go out and start exercising. Any increase in activity is going to decrease your blood sugars, so be careful, and keep some glucose tablets with you. Test your blood before and after any exercise. Also, check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

5. Share the struggles and problems you are having with someone else. Being diabetic is not easy. It really is an inside job. You don’t look different, but you feel different and no one other than another diabetic is really going to know how you are feeling, both mentally and physically. Find out about joining a support group from your doctor, diabetes educator, or on-line. Think of the word, YANA, (You Are Not Alone).

 

Diabetes is a very serious disease and one that can cause devastating long-term complications. Taken one day a time, diabetes is controllable, and the more you know about your disease and how it effects you, the more control you will have over it. Control begins with the five steps I have outlined, don’t be afraid, and start today.

 

Jeff Meese is the owner of DiscountMeds4You.com and previously founded Preferred Rx of Ohio, a national mail order diabetic supply company. He has participated as a research volunteer in diabetes research programs for over 18 years and has been a regular contributor on Golden Opportunities, a weekly syndicated television show.

Contact: Jeff Meese
DiscountMeds4You
866-933-2434
http://www.discountmeds4you.com