Z, like most new diabetics, you are going on a trip called a learning curve. For the first year it will be experimenting with what works and what doesn't. And the words you have to learn right away are, "No thank you. I am diabetic."
Don't wait until your feet are attacking you. The gabapentin will help keep your feet healthy also and preventing more damage inside. I have been on them for ten years and they save me from a lot of pain. I take them because of the graft on my leg. The fact that they help any damage due to the diabetes is a side benefit. Every time you have an attack with your feet, damage is happening inside. I have been very fortunate. I still do not have neuropathy in my feet. Even after being a diabetic for more than 15 years. Only in my leg graft.
As you keep your sugar readings on target, you will find that your A1c numbers go down. You will find that you can reintroduce foods that you had to give up. It is a struggle. But I worked on my numbers and now am off all medications for my diabetes. But that doesn't mean I am not still a diabetic. Because I will be one for the rest of my life. And so will every diabetic.
When someone offers you food like a big piece of cake, the answer is "No thank you. I am a diabetic." If they understand, they will stop offering you that cake. Ignore the stories you will hear about Uncle Willie who is a diabetic and he has cake all the time. You can bet Uncle Willie is not doing well keeping his numbers under control.
I had my one candy bar the other day. A York Peppermint Patty. That's it for me for the year. Maybe next year around the same time I will have my Mounds Bar.
When I was told I had diabetes, I tried every beverage sweetener on the market. They all left a metallic taste in my mouth. So I promised myself, if I can have sugar in my coffee, then I will give up all sugar laden foods. And I have. It wasn't too hard. I don't eat desserts every day, or candy, or other sugar laden foods. But I do have my coffee. I made a trade off and have stuck to it all these years.
Keep at it. I know you are on a restrictive financial food budget. To eat exactly as a diabetic should, is very expensive. My daughter sends me a dish of her Italian makings. But she limits the size, Only two stuffed shells. A very small piece of lasagna. But there is always a couple of meatballs and Italian sausages for the protein to offset the carbs. All of it is smothered in her sauce. I will eat the meats first. Then I feel too full to eat the rest of it.
Fill up on the protein foods first, you won't miss the carbs. And take that gabapentin before your feet attack you. It a way of being kind to yourself.
Good luck and remember you have a whole forum to help you.
