This is probably a dumb question since I am a diabetic, but other than my own case and my mom's (who is VERY

unhealthy w/ the disease) what are the "levels" of the disease? and at what level should one be on insulin? my levels are normally not over 120-130 when i eat (and am being good) and my fasting is in the 80s or 90s usually. when i was prego i was on insulin cuz my sugar got pretty high, but that doc said i didn't have to stay on it after i delivered. i recently moved and i don't have a doc where i moved to so i havent' been in a long time. i am pretty good about eating right, and i get a moderate amount of physical activity (playing w/ my kid, my pets, we have 10 acres, so going around the farm) but i do have bad circulation and things like that. SO, i guess my question is when should you be really worried about the disease, how bad is "bad", and when do diabetics normally go on insulin?

Answers:
Good question! I have been diabetic for over 7 years and insulin dependant for 4 years now. I have a lot of medical problems due to my weight and diabetes. I don't think there is one "correct" answer to your question. Your sugars are really good right now. But your BSL (Blood Sugar Level) alone cannot indicate completely how well you are doing. You have to combine your overall health into it. The bad circulation isn't good, but nothing to panic over. The best thing to do is get into a clinic and get a test called an A1C. that is a 3 month average of your BSL. If you need to talk more, add me in yahoo messenger.

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You sound like your a Type II diabetic, otherwise, you'd be on insulin already.

It might surprise you to know that Type I (juvinile) and Type II (adult onset) are two totally different diseases. One required insulin from the getgo (juvinile), the other does not (adult onset -- usually). The difference between the two is if you are an insulin-dependent, juvinile, Type 1-diabetic, your pancreas does not secrete insulin at all, in which case you must take insulin to live. A Type II diabetic's pancreas works, just not efficiently. Then you have geriatric diabetes that you get when you're much older.

The difference for you in needing insulin or not is how you maintain your sugar today. You are active, eat right, pay attention to your body's needs, etc., you might not ever have to go on insulin. If you start slacking off, slap yourself a few times to remind yourself what a needle three or four times a day will feel like. This will encourage you to continue to do the right thing for yourself and your children.

Keep your eye appointments every year, your dental appointments twice a year, etc., to make sure you are keeping things tip top. As far as poor circulation, doing things that will improve your circulation, like swimming, dance, jazzercize, something like that, will increase the circulation in your legs. Also, a good massage when you're getting a pedicure every week will also do wonders for the circulation in your feet and legs.

Good luck, and good for you!

P.S. In reading your next comments, you want to find a board certified endocrinologist, because the fact that your doctor hasn't explained to you the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 worries me.

Also, check out a book called, "Reversing Diabetes" by Dr. Julian Whitikar. It's all about the diet, baby.
You should be constantly aware.
Find a new doctor and get yourself established with him.
You should get regular check up for your eyes and see your doctor for A1c testing. It sounds like your levels are in or close to the normal range.
have a blood test for
glycosylated hemogobin evry 3 months
if its below 7 ur fine
if its below 6 ur like any other person.
if ur above 7 u need to increase ur drugs or insulin dose
Good on keeping the proper diet. The best thing you yourself can do is to be as educated as possible - which looks like you've started to do. The more you yourself know about yourself, the more of a causitive level you can have over what occurs. Also keep seeing doctors AND HEALTH PRACTIONERS (those who are alternates to docs). My friend has been diabetic since he was very young and his parents kept SUPER informed of ALL the information (standard medical and ALTERNATE TO MEDICAL) so that he could be best kept care of. He is doing great and most of it is because he is because he KNOWS. Two others I know are diabetic (one in good shape and another in really bad shape), both of them have been amazing their doctors about what they have accomplished despite their condition. Both have been keeping in close contact with their doctors as well as the ALTERNATE TO MEDICAL practitioners.
I really think only a doctor could answer this. I lost a sibling to type 2. She didn't die from the disease, but from the complications. Poor circulation: in late stages were suggesting amputation. Don't worry, doesn't sound you are anywhere near that yet. Liver failure: 2 years of dialysis. Blindness and loss of feeling: she burned herself badly with a curling iron, didn't feel it. Finally she succumbed to heart failure. In short, she was on injectable insulin 3-5 per day for over 20 years and was not health conscious either. I've aunts/uncles in their 60's with same condition and are doing fine! My suggestion: Don't worry about "bad" worry about you. Take day by day and take care of yourself!
you should see a doctor right away just to be sure
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