Delighted to have you as a friend, Carolyne!

I know the feeling of confusion with the meter numbers. When I got mine the nurse showed me how to do it but forgot to tell me what to do with it. Being a nerd, I tested and tested and documented the numbers, made line graphs and looked for trends. What I didn't do was adjust my diet very much. I always thought it was backwards - I test, eat, test, then say, "Crap, I shouldn't have eaten that or so much of that". I then waited and did it again. Once I got into an eating routine where I had exactly the same thing for breakfast, then tested, then changed one thing the next day, then tried to come up with what made me spike and what didn't. I started to eliminate foods. I discovered that it was mostly complex carbs that gave me the spike. True, some fruits have a big affect, but mostly starches. I then cut out starches and saw my overall numbers lowered. I then discovered Dr. B's book and read it in about two days (I started with his second beek, Dibetes Diet). That just confirmed what I had discovered, so I bought his second book and read it.
I was at a point that I was inquiring about insulin that many type 2 people find stability with a basal and some with bolus. What worried me was that I didn't want to gain back any of the 30+ lbs I had shed and what I read is that it can happen when you take insulin since you are now using or storing energy more effectively. I still have it in the back of my mind (as well as confirmed by my Endo) that I will be on insulin someday, but I want to hold off and run my beta cells to the end.
I have tried some other social networks (dLife, ADA, Facebook) but I find this one absolutely the best. It is well focused and supportive. I like that it is run by the members. I tried to blog before but here I feel like I actually have something to say and that people listen.
Beat the heat! todd.

Hello! I am at work but wanted you to know I work in Olympia (live in Centralia) and would more than happy to discuss this with you. I will take the time later to read your site. Take care for now. Dean

Welcome Carolyne, Yes I am from Olympia. Type II myself and a follower of Dr. Bernstein, not to the T but pretty close. Over the last few months of knocking out especially the complex carbs (bread, pasta, rice) I have dropped an additional 5+ lbs and more importantly stablized my BG. Sorry you are having trouble narrowing down your type and having problems with the Dr. & hospital, but it sounds like you are doing something about it.

Hello! Welcome to Tudiabetes! If you need anything or have any questions let me know.

Cherise

Hey, Carolyne. Welcome to the community. So glad you're jumping right in to discussions!

When you get a chance, click on "Settings" in the upper right. From there, you can add a profile photo, change your page layout, or update your email settings.

Hi Carolyne - just read your story about your stay in the hospital - it was really well written - I almost felt like I was in your shoes reading it. I've been a diabetic a long time - it's sort of part of me - but the advise you will get from many of the gang here is AWESOME. Even I am learning new things after many years. I'm just reading Linda's comment below about writing with pen and ink! LOL - I'm the same way - sad to say that with the way the world is now - receiving things via post/handwritten/nice paper is not the way of the world - but when it comes to Tudiabetes - this way of communicating to not feel so alone - vonderbar is all I can say. So, have a great day!

Hey Carolyne! I know where you're coming from....2 years ago, computers were another world for me. I'm not and never was a techno person. I'm the one who will go the extra mile and write a letter using a "real" pen, with india ink...searching for a lovely rice paper to send out a letter in elaborate calligraphy!! Then came tu.diabetes!!!
This is such a great site...so much info....so many nice people....stick around!...Take care, linda!