How to Overcome the Shock of Being Diagnosed With Diabetes

On August 24, 2009, the series, "Army Wives," on Lifetime Television, touched on the subject of a female character diagnosed with diabetes. She acted with denial and shock, as if diabetes was the worst diagnosis handed her way. She believed her life was totally devastated because of the diabetes diagnosis. I don't deny the diagnosis of diabetes can feel like a complete shock, a jolt to your system, especially because I was in that situation almost 2 months ago, but it's also an opportunity to take control of your body and begin living a healthier lifestyle.

Before being diagnosed with diabetes I suffered through a month of infections. I lost my appetite which I presumably believed was due to the severity of my throat infection, losing weight without really trying. I had severe thirst, couldn't drink enough fluids and immediately felt parched as soon as I finished drinking and developed thrush. I also visited the bathroom frequently, every twenty minutes or so to urinate, and soon developed a urinary tract infection, which I believed was due to my unquenched thirst and frequent urination. My skin became extremely dry with severe itching, in places unmentionable in public. My vision altered, becoming remarkable clearer at distant range and blurry at close range, enough so I couldn't clearly view anyone's facial features. I also experienced fatigue, feeling sleepy and taking naps, which was unusual for me because I'm an insomniac. These were all blatant symptoms of diabetes.

I visited the doctor for my throat and urinary tract infections, and had my urine tested, which revealed there were high glucose levels in my urine. I was called in to obtain more blood work, a fasting glucose blood test and an A1C test that checks glucose levels over the past three months. When you have uncontrolled diabetes there's too much sugar in your bloodstream. Your pancreas either doesn't produce enough insulin or ignores the signal to produce insulin. The A1C test will definitely verify whether you have diabetes. Normal fasting glucose levels run between 66 and 99. A diagnosis of diabetes can be considered at glucose levels above 125.

My glucose levels were above 400 and I was diagnosed with adult onset, type two diabetes. My body was failing to properly use insulin to send glucose from my blood to my cells. I started oral medication and began a diabetic diet, testing my blood sugar twice a day with a diabetes monitoring kit. It measures the glucose levels in my blood via a quick painless finger prick. I also had to visit an ophthalmologist and a podiatrist to evaluate my eyes and feet.

My first reaction to being diagnosed with diabetes was denial, which is perfectly normal. Diabetes wasn't happening to me. I had a lifetime sweet tooth, and the thought of existing on nasty diet drinks and tasteless diabetic diets for the rest of my life became my worst fear. Giving up cake and ice cream, potatoes and corn on the cob, my favorite foods, was going to be difficult. Today you can see a nutritionist to help you with your new diabetic lifestyle of eating. You have to change the way you look at food and be positive. Look at the many nutritious and good tasting foods you can still enjoy and not the ones you can't have. Most of the food you have to give up probably isn't considered healthy eating in the first place.

You may feel frustrated over being diagnosed with a disease that also could have severe consequences if not kept under controlled. Diabetes complications can affect your kidneys, feet, eyes and skin. You're at higher risk for heart disease, bone and joint disorders like diabetic neuropathy, digestive disorders, and dental complications. Listening to the many problems you may encounter with diabetes if your glucose levels aren't controlled, can be enough to take your breath away, but you can live a long healthy life if you follow your doctor's recommendations for diabetic living.

For some people the idea of having to stick their fingers with a sharp point, viewing their own blood, or injecting themselves with needles everyday if insulin dependent can feel like overwhelming terror. Today glucose blood testing is relatively painless, and the amount of blood is minuscule.

You may also experience depression and anger. I did because I had to face another health crisis in my life after having several in the past four years.

Being initially diagnosed with diabetes didn't give me a chance to sit around and wait, thinking what I could do to fix it without changing my life. My body needed help right away to lower an extremely high glucose count so I could prevent serious organ damage. I started reading everything I could get my hands on regarding diabetes care, talked to a nutritionist about healthy eating and diet tips, and questioned and followed my doctor's recommendations. Denial wasn't going to cure diabetes, so I knew I had to accept it and manage it.

You have to face the fact that living a healthier diabetic lifestyle won't deprive you. You're actually enhancing your life for the better. Don't be afraid to question your doctor, your endocrinologist (gland disorder specialist,) or talk to other people who are living with diabetes. You'll be surprised to find out how many people are living with diabetes. Today diabetes is on the rise, primarily due to rising obesity rates, fast food eating, unmanaged stress levels, decreased exercise due to our sedentary lifestyles with the Internet age.

Encourage your family and friends to become part of your diabetic lifestyle. Educate them about diabetes, what to look for regarding symptoms of high and low glucose levels. This information will come in handy in case your family or friends notice you're having complications and require medical intervention.

A diabetic diet is nutritional and can be adapted for all family members. I've learned that I can satisfy my sweet tooth by using a sugar substitute such as, Splenda, in baking and in drinks. This is one of the zero calorie sugar substitutes approved for diabetic diets. Eating smaller but more frequent meals every four hours keeps glucose levels on an even level. Starting an exercise program will lower your glucose levels, help maintain a healthier weight, and lower stress levels. Obesity is a high risk factor for diabetes, and stress can increase glucose levels.

Most insurance will cover the high cost of diabetic supplies, with Medicare fully covering the cost of supplies. Diabetic meters and lancets are relatively inexpensive, but the diabetes test strips you require can be expensive, approximately fifty dollars for fifty test strips. Ask your doctor if they have diabetic testing samples they can give you, and there are always discount coupons offered on varied diabetic websites.

American Diabetes Association has a marvelous informational website, www.diabetes.org You can find information on type 1 or 2 diabetes, find answers to many questions regarding your new lifestyle, and even link up to other people diagnosed with diabetes.

The diabetes monitoring kit I use is Accu-Chek Avivia, and I use an Accu-Chek Multiclex Lancing Device. I find this to accurately, easily, and painlessly monitor my blood glucose levels. They also have a website which offers information on diabetic management. Their information website is www.accu-chek.com

Diabetes is a diagnosis that can be shocking to hear, but even though it's a lifetime diagnosis, it's a diagnosis you can live with. You just have to accept it, educate yourself, and start living your life for the better.

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