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Just found out

Hallegirl,

The biggest word of encouragement I can give you is you are young and if you are willing to change you will live a long life with more kids in the future. I was diagnosed about 14 yrs ago, when I was 18, I was first diagnosed as a type 2 then re diagnosed recently as a type 1. I haven't had any children yet, but my doctor keeps asking me when we are gonna get started (my mom has been talking to her, I just know it) . You need to resolve your issues of guilt, yes this disease sucks and can be overwhelming, but it is also controlable. It doesn't need to be a death sentence, for a lot of people it is a wake up call to get off our butts and exercise/eat healthy. You need to see a dietitian they can help you get your eating under control. They will tailor a plan for you to lose the weight and still be healthy. You will be amazed at how much food you can still eat and lose weight. Get yourself moving, if you haven't exercised for a while start with a short walk after dinner like 15 minutes and every two weeks add five minutes until you are walking for a half hour or more, it is great exercise, gets you out of the house and if your husband will do it with you it can be family time and a great way to show your kid how to get and stay healthy. Small changes will make such a huge difference and getting your bs under control will not only lengthen your life, but also help your mood. The thing is that yes your life style and eating choices may have gotten you here, but what you do now to change all that will decide how your future will unfold. You hold your future in your hands, start small and don't beat yourself up if you slide, take a look at it, decide what caused it and promise yourself to do better, then forgive yourself and move on. You will beat this, it will take some trial and error, but you can do it. I hope this helps and remember to come here often, this is huge support and guidance

Jillie

Hallegirl, Jillie was so right on. So many of us had exactly the same feelings(or at least I did) when I was first diagnosed almost two years ago. My mom was diabetic, but I really didn't know that much about it. When I was prediabetic, I ignored what my tests said and did what I wanted, in total denial. Then, when I BECAME diabetic, I put such a guilt trip on myself about why didn't I take care of myself. Okay, those are just some of the emotions you will go through for a few days, or maybe even hours. After this, you will pick up yourself and realize it's not a death sentence, BUT A WAKE-UP CALL to take care of yourself. You will start eating healthier(and raising healthier children) when you decide to have them. You will exercise, lose the 30 pounds, and feel awesome again. You are NOT a burden on your husband. When you eat healthier and are stronger, you will have more energy. Don't put your life on hold. If you were a type 1 diabetic, that would be harder, but once you learn about how to work diabetes into your lifestyle, it will be better. The numbness in your toes will go away once your blood sugar numbers come down. If it stays, you will talk about it with your doctor, as it could be the beginnings of neuropathy. Go out and do something that will make you feel great. Join a gym, walk with your husband like Jillie says, or get a treadmill or stationary bike, if you have the money. You're young, healthy, and will be just fine. My mother started at age 40 and lived until 85. She walked every day with my dad. It's okay to feel the feelings you're having, but when you snap out of the depression...(crawling into bed and numbing yourself), get up and start planning some fun meals together with your husband. He'll appreciate eating healthier too. Take a diabetes class and see a nutritionist. Take charge of your diabetes.Don't let it take charge of you. By the way, a big welcome to you! We're here to support you with any questions you have about diabetes. Fire away when you're ready. Don't be scared. We're here to help you through this initial stage.

Hi, Hallegirl, welcome

I do understand the things you're feeling...guilt is one of the things I do best! lol

Strangely, being diagnosed was a relief to me. I had no idea that the things going on (constant hunger, wanting to fall asleep after meals, no energy, poor brain functioning, irritability, the list goes on...) in my life were medical. I thought I was going downhill due to depression. So to hear that there are tangible things I can do to improve my situation, was fantastic!

I'm real big on not liking "blame." We're pretty quick to try to assess blame in our society, but, often there is no advantage in doing that, indeed it can be detrimental. Some things just ARE. Someone posted the other day about how diabetics come in all shapes, sizes, and situations. Maybe that post can give you a little lift, too

As for being a burden on your husband...i don't really see how. Maybe you fear you will be one day, but today, right now...what will change to make you be more of a burden just because a doctor speaks the word "diabetes" to you? Say you need him to go to a few appointments with you. If you have more children, that would be true, too, but it would be a happy event!

So please....come on out of bed, sit and talk to us or others and know that a different perspective can really change feelings. There are 24 million americans with diabetes...we can't all be bad!

Hi Hallegirl, Welcome to the T2 message board, I have read the replies to your post and it seems you have received much good advice and encouragement. I was diagnosed 6 yrs ago but didn't really seriously commit myself to fully controling my diabetes until a couple of months ago. I started doing the things a diabetic needs to do to help themselves, better carb counting, improving in portion control, added physical activity, getting more rest, really just more vigilant in every area of T2 control. Also I was fortunate to find the Webmd T2 message board and it's many good contributing members. I am also a strong believer that God is in control of all, so I give my highest praise & thanks to him, as the psalmist said in Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up out of the horrible pit and the miry clay,and and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings". You must be strongly committed to do the things you need to do to control this disease,God bless and the best to you in your T2 care

jillie, phototaker, gypsy and rzr - thank you. your replies have brought me to tears and to hope. i don't know what i'd do without the internet and webmd - illness can be so isolating. you have reached out from the goodness of your heart and helped a stranger. thanks for your messages, support and generosity.

i'm still scared, but less so. thanks for telling me that the numbness will go away once I'm on track - i thought the toes were gonna be on the chopping block (weak lol). and thanks for the stories of your own experiences and strength and motivation. they really help me believe that i can get learn to live again, in a better way.

oh and funny thing about the stars - i tried to give everyone a "best ever" but it didn't work except for rzr, so please know that you are all the "best ever" to me!

Hallegirl728,

Welcome to the board. Here you will find valuable information and support. Know that you are not alone, please never feel as though you are a burden to your family or to yourself. This is your wake-up call to make a change and while the road may be rough at times, if you are willing to work at it and give it your best effort you will see improvements. If you live in fear you will succumb to it. I found out in March-08 that I am T2 and everyday I find something different that works or does not work. Those things that don't work I don't repeat. The things that do such as proper testing BG, eating correctly, exercising, rest, and meds do work so I try to stick with them, no two days are the same, but that is life but I manage because I want to be here for myself and my family.

Best of luck in your efforts to work through this. Remember we are a community of support for you.

Ariesboop