Any diabetics using the FB?

[llchevy56]

Wondering if there are any diabetics out there who are using the FB and working towards weight loss?  I'm insulin dependent and trying to lose weight but more importantly trying to regain my health and physical strength while balancing everything.  A challenge a day! Love to hear your stories....

[AliciaM001]

Hi Superfan,

I find it very encouraging to read everyone's posts and know that we all
have similar issues. I've started Week 6 with my FB Flex, and am up to 7000
steps daily (started w/ 5K). I've dropped more than 21 lbs and have
decreased my Victoza by 1/3 and my Glipizide from 5 pills daily to 2, and
am contemplating dropping my morning pill in another week or so. For the
first time in the last 4 years since I have been diagnosed, my blood sugars
are consistently under 120, and most of the time are under 100. It is
AMAZING to really see what daily exercise and a low carb diet can do. I
really appreciate everyone's comments as it helps me stay on the path that
I'm on. It IS hard some days, but I just get back on plan the next day and
continue on.

Best of health to everyone!

Ann

[hottamal]

My 14 year old daughter has type 1 and is struggling to keep her numbers in range.  She was diagnosed at age 10 (almost 11) and has been on the pump for 2.5 years.  There is so much trial and error to this and with her hormones going crazy, it gets really tough.  Are there type 1 diabetics out there around her age?

[Jaymie]

Thank you for posting. I don't know if folks realize how encouraging it is to read the posts of folks actively changing their own health outcomes. 

Jaymie

[Jaymie]

Can anyone make recommendations on different ways to approach exercise? I've been noticing that exercise can sometimes cause my glucose numbers to go up. 

[Havenocents]

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@Jaymie wrote:

Can anyone make recommendations on different ways to approach exercise? I've been noticing that exercise can sometimes cause my glucose numbers to go up. 

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The key is to know your blood sugar before and after exercise, and whether you're type 1 or type 2.  Increasing glucose is not all that uncommon especially if you exercise with a very high intensity.  If this condition exists it is best to wait at least 1.5 hours  after eating before beginning any exercise.  Also drink a lot of water before, during, and after exercise.

It would also depend on how high your blood sugar is.  If you're normally at 130, and it shoots up to 180 I wouldn't be too concerned.  If you stay well hydrated you should be able to prevent these spikes during exercise.

[LewWagner]

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@Jaymie wrote:

Can anyone make recommendations on different ways to approach exercise? I've been noticing that exercise can sometimes cause my glucose numbers to go up. 

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Jaymie,

I used to go for my walks/jogs/runs before I had breakfast or dinner.  Then I started exercising AFTER the meal (within 20-30 minutes usually).  Being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last Oct 2013 (I was sadly way overweight 300+ lbs and 58 yrs old), I was very concerned with my glucose levels.  I test every morning when I get up (before breakfast).  I found that my glucose levels actually decreased several points when I exercised after eating. 

I'm not a doctor so don't take what I say as medical gospel.  I stick to a calorie nutrition plan religiously so my intake is regular and I can plan and assess my weight loss better.  I'm currently intaking around 1,162 cals, 56 fat, 200 chol, 1,870 sodium, 132 carb, 15 fiber, 64 sugar, and 53 protein.  My glucose reading (using just 500 MG of Metaformin each night at dinner) in the morning is between 90-115.

Hope any of this info is of use to you Jaymie.  Keep up the great work on your goals.

Lew

[Lightsinger]

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@Jaymie wrote:

Can anyone make recommendations on different ways to approach exercise? I've been noticing that exercise can sometimes cause my glucose numbers to go up. 

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Sometimes this high can be the result of a what is sometimes called a "liver dump". When I exercise hard without eating enough to fuel the exercise, I go low midway. My liver thinks I must be starving, so it "helps" by dumping additional glucose into my system. Because I'm diabetic, I can't always utilize that helpful glucose and I go high. Then, maddeningly, I may have a "rebound low" later because I went too high, which puts me on a roller coaster that leaves me feeling well and truly rotten.

So now I wait about an hour after I eat, to be at my peak reading before exercise, or if I'm exercising before I eat, I make sure that I have a snack handy -- something quick acting that will offset that low before it happens -- to keep from going low enough for my liver to decide to "help" me. Everyone is so different, so my suggestion to you would be to test, test, test to see how exercise affects you, and to find the right balance to keep those numbers as even as you can. Peaks and valleys will make you feel bad, and you can avoid those peaks and valleys with careful planning.

[DarasPinkTown]

Hi. Although I am not diabetic, I know of a product that helps diabetics with weight loss and to balance their blood sugars, lipids, and cholesterol. My friend is a diabetic an her numbers went from the 400's to the 200's in less than a couple months. I am not sure if I am allowed to share on here. ?

[Lightsinger]

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@DarasPinkTown wrote:

Hi. Although I am not diabetic, I know of a product that helps diabetics with weight loss and to balance their blood sugars, lipids, and cholesterol. My friend is a diabetic an her numbers went from the 400's to the 200's in less than a couple months. I am not sure if I am allowed to share on here. ?

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I can tell you, as a diabetic, that I'm really not interested in something that would leave me with numbers that bad after two months.  200s is really bad numbers.   

[LewWagner]

DarasPink Town,

My glucose readings are anywhere from 90-115, far lower than this other "thing" you're talking about.

I take Metaformin currently, but my doc said that probably by the time I get to 180 lbs, I'll be able to go without Metaformin and just maintain my glucose leves with the diet and exercise I do now.

So...don't think I need to learn about some other "wonder" solution when diet and exercise wins out every time...

Lew

[AliciaM001]

To DarasPink Town,

I agree with both Lew and Lightsinger. There is no 'magic' pill that will
make our diabetes go away. We have to work at it, with diet and exercise,
which has dropped all of our blood sugar readings well below 200 (mine are
consistently under 120 now). So please sell your snake oil somewhere else.

AliciaM

[Lightsinger]

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@LewWagner wrote:

DarasPink Town,

My glucose readings are anywhere from 90-115, far lower than this other "thing" you're talking about.

I take Metaformin currently, but my doc said that probably by the time I get to 180 lbs, I'll be able to go without Metaformin and just maintain my glucose leves with the diet and exercise I do now.

So...don't think I need to learn about some other "wonder solution" when diet and exercise wins out every time...

Lew

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My doctor just took me off metformin, and I'm controlling with diet and exercise at this point, so I'll report back in five or six months when I get my next A1c.  Been at 5.6 for so long, my doctor is wondering if I'm really diabetic.  LOL!  I am....no question.  One big meal of pasta would remind me fast, too. 

[Jaymie]

Thank you Lightsinger - I'm experimenting with all the suggestions and yes - test, test, test!

[Jaymie]

Lew, 

Thank you for the advice and insight.  I'm starting to find that I do better if I exercise after I eat.  I also have to be a little careful with intensity at this point.  I was diagnosed on 5/1/14 with an A1C(?) of 6.6. I retested Friday and am now at 6.0.  I probably should have waited the extra two weeks for a full 3 month window but I was making myself a little crazy with the waiting.  I am also overweight (294 on 5/1/14) but have lost over 30 pounds so far.  I seem to lose easier when I concentrate on my blood sugar rather than my weight.  I'm hoping that I can pick up the intensity of my exercise once I lose more weight. Thanks again!

Jaymie

[Jaymie]

Havenocents, 

I am type 2 and have been a maniac with testing my blood sugar since being diagnosed on 5/1/14. I will be taking your advice and increasing water before, during, and after exercise. My "spikes" are actually fairly low numbers but alarming to me.  Intensity is definetly a part of the equation in my case.  Thank you for the suggestions!

Jaymie

[Ellie2014]

Hello Lonnie,

That sounds like a good advise. I had a blood test done in June, after 12 hours fasting my sugar was 132 and my A1c was 6.8. My doctor recommended to repeat the test, this time my levels were 120 and A1c was 7. She sent me an email to tell me I am diabetic and need to go see her soon to discuss treatment. I've been very tired and sleepy, is that a side effect of diabetes? I started walking, but I need to do more. I am so confused right now, I'm trying to lose weight and eat less carbs, hopefully my doctor will help find a way to reverse my diagnosis if that's possible. Any suggestions will be appreciated. How do you add someone as a friend?

Ellie

[LewWagner]

LIghtsinger,

I'm interested.  You said earlier that you recently came off Metaformin, correct?  My doctor said I could very well go off mine soon, but I have a very real concern that my glucose and A1C might shoot up because of that.  I mean, I'm getting 5.7 A1c with Metaformin and an average glucose reading of around 90-110.  What has been your experience (or anyone else reading this post) when coming off diabetes oral medication?

Lew

[Malpeg]

I got down to 500mg of Metformin at one point. My doctor thinks that dosage is beneficial because of cardiovascular benefits. As I tighten my control I use the home A1c kits every 6-8 weeks to better track the effects of the changes in my lifestyle.

[Lightsinger]

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@LewWagner wrote:

LIghtsinger,

I'm interested.  You said earlier that you recently came off Metaformin, correct?  My doctor said I could very well go off mine soon, but I have a very real concern that my glucose and A1C might shoot up because of that.  I mean, I'm getting 5.7 A1c with Metaformin and an average glucose reading of around 90-110.  What has been your experience (or anyone else reading this post) when coming off diabetes oral medication?

Lew

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I'm weaning off by taking a half dose right now.....couldn't bring myself to just go cold turkey because of the same concern.  I've had such good numbers all this time -- morning readings between 80-95 most days -- and I hate the idea of watching those numbers move up.  So I'm taking one 500mg metformin every day for a while, and so far, no change in my numbers at all.  (I was taking two a day).  In a week or two, I'll try not taking it at all, but it's a little like my security blanket right now.  Metformin costs me so little, I'm not in that big a rush.

[Rubes]

I have been diabetic type II for 16 years.  On Metformin ER and Actos the whole time.  Weighed 125 when I was first diagnosed.  A few years ago I convinced my doctor to let me drop starchy carbs and sweets and just eat green, yellow, and red vegetables and meat so I could drop by meds.  My readings were really good for about a month and then went back up.  Had to go back on meds in spite of really good diet.  I have exercised around an hour a day since I was 19 and now am 64.  The exercise + good diet seems to keep diabetes under control but I can't do it without the exercise.  Fitbit Flex has helped so much.  I have been using it for only a couple of months.  It's so easy for me to underestimate how much I have eaten.  I have to log food to keep me honest!  My co-worker and I walk ten minutes of every hour at a pretty fast clip (at our desks to fast music), and I get my 10,000 steps by 2:30 in the afternoon.  I used to wear Bodybugg but Fitbit is so much better for me!  Sugar sometimes goes up for a little while after I exercise, especially when I do a long workout,  but it always comes right back down.  Guess my body thinks it needs to fuel the exercise!  I feel better and have lost 15 pounds since I started using it.  About 6 pounds to goal now.  But I will use it from now on!  I only take it off to recharge it!