I read an article in "DiabetesForecast" (It's free and is put out by the Diabetes Assoc.)
It was about stages of emotional changes after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
or pre-diabetes.
I think I have almost gone through them all pretty quickly!!
It states it pretty clear in this article too.
The stages turn out to be the same as the stages of grief.
(This is me)
1. Denial: They must've mixed me up with someone else! I'm thin and fairly active and I'm not overly thirsty or peeing all the time!!!
2. Anger: Well, damn, why did this happen now! I'm just getting over my belly problems and dealing with back and arthritis problems! It's not fair!
3. Bargaining: OK, I'll watch my diet a little. If I do good, maybe this will just go away. If I just eat this much now, maybe I can have all that cake and ice cream later before bed!
4. Depression: This is what I've got to do??? Watch what I eat all the time! Eating was a big pleasure of mine and I love carbs! This isn't fair. I'm 72 and deserve to enjoy my life.
Poor me, poor me.
5. Acceptance: (I'm working on this one!) I can do it. I'll be healthier.
Things I've found out so far:
•Body size and weight is only one of the predisposing factors in Diabetes Type 2.
Genes can play a factor too. Oh, I have that!
•Exercise helps your body use excess sugar in your blood.
•Pre-diabetes is just diabetes caught very early.
•If you do something about it right away you have a better chance of avoiding any bad complications of the disease. And I don't want them!
•Count and limit carbs in each meal, not so much to count the grand total for the day.
•Start monitoring your blood sugar to find out what foods and how much would make you have a spike. Keep a food and blood meter journal. Record how you feel physically and mentally, etc.
•Your primary doctor basically, at this stage, orders blood work, tells you about it and writes Rx's if needed. Other than that, you're pretty much on your own to track down info. I have to say that my doctor brought in a dietician/nutritionist that was also diabetic to give a talk. That was very helpful.
Things I've found out so far:
•Body size and weight is only one of the predisposing factors in Diabetes Type 2.
Genes can play a factor too. Oh, I have that!
•Exercise helps your body use excess sugar in your blood.
•Pre-diabetes is just diabetes caught very early.
•If you do something about it right away you have a better chance of avoiding any bad complications of the disease. And I don't want them!
•Count and limit carbs in each meal, not so much to count the grand total for the day.
•Start monitoring your blood sugar to find out what foods and how much would make you have a spike. Keep a food and blood meter journal. Record how you feel physically and mentally, etc.
•Your primary doctor basically, at this stage, orders blood work, tells you about it and writes Rx's if needed. Other than that, you're pretty much on your own to track down info. I have to say that my doctor brought in a dietician/nutritionist that was also diabetic to give a talk. That was very helpful.
So here I am trying to make my way though this and other ailments I haven't mentioned in this post. Aging can be the pits sometimes but I'm probably, now, not that different from other 72 year olds. Just the names of ailments change!!
Shirley
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