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....

[dancefoxtrot]

Soapsuds

What an excellent tip. I watched the u-tube link that you shared below and totally reccommend it. This MD helps T2 diabetics treat the underlying cause of high blood sugar by reducing carbs and sugar. Over time then the cells become less and less insulin resistant. The insulin drops then, meds are lowered and the fat is burned off. He is recommending low low carb and sugar diet. At first no fruit, lots of protein and non starchy veggies. If you don't burn carbs then you burn the fat you eat and the fat on your body. Watch it as it can be a game changer. Other MDs are interviewed by The Diet Doctor on u-tube. Dr. Wortman was one of them who got T2 himself and reversed it. Now mind you he eats less than 20 gms of carbs a day still 11 years later. He eats fats like meat and avocado and nuts even some cheese. They are getting such good results in reducing BG, A1C , BP, weight loss and diabetic symptoms that I want to shout. Lots of pts. get A1c to 5.4-5.7 and that is normal! !!!!  Good bye pasta, bread, rice and other refined carbs. 

Thanks for the good tip.

Barbara G

[WillowTheWhisp]

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@dancefoxtrot wrote:

Willow

So glad that you are using a meter now. It is crucial to know what effect your diet and exercise are making. Are most of your fasting levels close to 5.2 or 93.5?

Are you keeping a log as this provides vital info for you and your doctors. 

Best,

B arbara 

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Unfortunately I seem to be averaging 7.5 which I'm not happy with. I find it very frustrating that doctors here just seem to work on treating symptoms after they appear and not on trying to prevent them in the first place. I'm really waking up to this now, especially having gathered a lot of information myself from the internet (not least of all here). I had a retinal bleed last week and ended up eventually seeing an eye specialist on Sunday. It doesn't help that patients here never see the same person twice and it's usually a diabetes nurse at the clinic rather than an endocrinologist. In fact it's all lumped together under CVR and the team are not always available at our medical centre so even though there is theoretically a "diabetic department" it is only manned on an irregular basis.

It has finally registered with me that to expect the NHS to take care of my health is asking too much and I need to grab the reigns myself and be far more pro-active.

[Elendili]

@WillowTheWhisp  I am having trouble with my A1C too.  It is about the same as yours.  My problem is my fasting levels are too high.  I have been working with a diabetes educator, but I'm not getting very good results.  I am hoping once my digestive issues are identified they will be better able to help me with my A1C issues (I have more tests tomorrow).  In the mean time I am investigating other dietary alternatives.  There has got to be a way for me to eat better and control my blood glucose on a regular basis that isn't bizzare.  But who knows.  I will keep searching and let you know what I find out.  

In the mean time, you keep trying too.  And if you think it would help, maybe a talk with your clinic manager about the availability of help for those with diabetes might be in order.  I know it did with mine.  I am sure you aren't the only T2 diabetic they have!  I agree that being pro-active is really the best way to get the best health care for you!

Elendili

[sinch]

Willow and Elendili, when my A1c gets up into the 7's it is usually because I have been slacking on exercise.  Exercise really makes a big difference with blood sugar, and it doesn't have to be long strenuous work-outs, unless you choose to do that.  Walking 30 min a day makes a big difference, and so does taking a 15 min walk after your largest meal.  Anyone should have time for that. 

I have always had to take the reins and take care of my own diabetes.  When I was diagnosed, I was in the hospital recovering from open heart surgery.  The nurses knew I was diabetic and were testing my blood sugar and injecting insulin, but I don't think they realized I was newly diagnosed.  They were concerned about my heart and nothing else.  All I got was a dietitian who talked to me and gave me a paper with information and a meter to take home.  I wasn't even taught how to test.  By the time I came home they had taken me off insulin and started me on Metformin.  When I went home, I had to ask the visiting nurse to show me how to test.  I don't see an endo, but just my PCP.  Everything I know about diabetes I learned from reading books and forums on the internet.  Asking questions.  Learning what other people do.  The people who have gone through it themselves have the best information. 

[Elendili]

@sinch  I agree with you about exercise and certanily that is an issue with me right now.  I am in some pain due to my digestive issues and I am trying to get my steps in, but not doing very well.  I just have to be more patient and pray the doctors can diagnose my digestive problems pretty soon.  I have been getting tested for all kinds of things since March and still I have no answer yet.  It is very frustrating!

I too have always been a good self-advocate.  I find medical persons that don't like me asking questions and searching for answers are not good for me to work with.  Those medical persons that I do work with always tell me they appreciate the questions I ask.  It is something you really have to teach yourself though. 

Elendili

[sinch]

As much as I like my doctor, I find that medical personnel just want to give you a pill, and if that doesn't work, add another pill.  I want to do things to improve my health without more pills. 

I am sorry you are having so much difficulty Elendili and hope you get answers soon. 

[WillowTheWhisp]

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@sinch wrote:

Willow and Elendili, when my A1c gets up into the 7's it is usually because I have been slacking on exercise.  Exercise really makes a big difference with blood sugar, and it doesn't have to be long strenuous work-outs, unless you choose to do that.  Walking 30 min a day makes a big difference, and so does taking a 15 min walk after your largest meal.  Anyone should have time for that. 

I have always had to take the reins and take care of my own diabetes.  When I was diagnosed, I was in the hospital recovering from open heart surgery.  The nurses knew I was diabetic and were testing my blood sugar and injecting insulin, but I don't think they realized I was newly diagnosed.  They were concerned about my heart and nothing else.  All I got was a dietitian who talked to me and gave me a paper with information and a meter to take home.  I wasn't even taught how to test.  By the time I came home they had taken me off insulin and started me on Metformin.  When I went home, I had to ask the visiting nurse to show me how to test.  I don't see an endo, but just my PCP.  Everything I know about diabetes I learned from reading books and forums on the internet.  Asking questions.  Learning what other people do.  The people who have gone through it themselves have the best information. 

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@sinch It's frustrating isn't it but at least you got a metre. I have been discouraged from wanting one by my GP and diabetic nurse but I eventually went and got one for myself afrer discussing the value of it on here. I don't see an endo either, just my diabetic nurse and occasionally GP if they arre not too busy. Never get to see the same nurse or GP twice which is incredibly frustrating. I dont think they really get to know the individual and individual problems/circumstances. I'm making it my mission to get as much information myself from internet and medical journals.

I agree with you about excercise and my fitbit has been a real blessing on that score because it motivates me to get up and go. Unfortunately when I recently had a retinal bleed I was told to take it easy for a day or so - find that very hard to do. However, my BG reading is showing in the 7s even with the excercise. 

[MarkT2]

I have been a diabetic for 21 years and insulin dependent for the past 4 years. Due to what my endo describes as extreme insulin resistance, my insulin requirements have been as high as 700 units of fast acting a day (Novolog) and 150 units of slow acting (Levemir). I have been able to reduce my insulin requirements when on a low carb diet. The challenge has been maintainig low carb over the long term. On July 4th I woke up with severe dizziness, nausea, and both arms and hands were numb. It was so bad that I could not open my eyes even for a moment. I had never experienced anything like this before in my life and dont suffer from any circulation issues so this was scary to say the least. I was so sick I refused to go to the hospital and didnt want to be bothered by EMTs. I just wanted to die. It took more than 30 hours to stabilize during which time I remained in bed and did not eat or drink a thing. I called my endo after the weekend and he thinks it was vertigo (which I never had before) but could not explain the numbness in both arms and hands. Whatever it was, it scared me straight! I have since been on a very low carb diet - 15 to 30 grams of carbs a day. I dont eat any food that is made up of more than 5% carbs including all vegetables except for certain greens and only eat those a couple times a week. I hike for 4.1 miles  6 times a week for exercise. Since July 4th I have lost 26 lbs and totally off all insulin. My BS range every day since mid July has been 78-105 including post meals. I have been able to avoid carbs -- until yesterday when I suffered my first carb attack!   I felt the need for carbs begin to build about a week ago but thought it would pass. Yesterday I had about 350 grams of carbs but interestingly enough my BS did not rise above 160 and by morning it was 106.  No doubt if I were to continue to eat carbs my BS would hit 400+ without Insulin. Today, I am fasting and will eat plain Cream Cheese for the next few days to maintain a fully stable BS and avoid falling into the vicious carb cycle. My question to my fellow type 2 diabetics out there - any tips on how to avoid such carb attacks in the future?

[sinch]

Mark, I know I would have been in the ER if that had happened to me.  I'm glad to hear it went away and hasn't returned, but I would be worried. 

I don't know the answer to how to avoid carb attacks.  My control is not as good as yours, as I do eat some carbs day to day, but I stay in the 70 gm range and a high carb day for me would be around 100-150 gm.  Maybe you need to up your carbs a bit so you don't get feelings of deprivation.  I think your weight loss and good exercise habits are what kept you from spiking from it.  I would just get back on track and not dwell on it.  Good luck to you. 

[soapsuds]

Sorry, no advice on avoiding carb attacks. I have been lead to believe that if carbs are avoided it is much less likely that carb craving happens. I have been on very low carb and fasting for 6 months and have not experienced such a craving. But if you would, surely to eat a serving or two (15-30 grams) would be OK. How much is a slice of apple pie in grams of carbohydrate? I just cannot think of what would be over 300 grams unless it was LOADED with sugar.
But let go of all that. Look at what you have accomplished!!!!!!!!! To be off over 800 units of insulin a day!!!!!!! You are living proof that reversing this disease is possible and in such a short time!!!!!!!!
Dedication by the boatloads!!!!!!! And, after eating SO MANY grams of carbs to have your blood sugar return to almost normal SO quickly!! You will, in the future be able to indulge occasionally and compensate, as you have by fasting and eating no carbs and you may not even have much of an increase in blood sugar. You will know that you can indulge once in a while and be safe in the knowledge it is OK.
I say congratulations and do not worry. Those carb cravings will not happen very often if you are fasting and eating very low carbs.

[sinch]

Soapsuds, I agree that he has done a fabulous job.  My reasoning was that by calling it a "carb attack" he indicated that it was not one carb item of 300 gms, but multiple carb items, as in a binge.  He went 6 weeks or so on very low carb, and sometimes that can result in a binge.  Eating smaller amounts of carb now and then would eliviate the cravings.  I also agree that the carb attack did not have a big effect and would not hurt him if he did indulge now and then.

[WillowTheWhisp]

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@MarkT2 wrote:

Today, I am fasting and will eat plain Cream Cheese for the next few days to maintain a fully stable BS and avoid falling into the vicious carb cycle. My question to my fellow type 2 diabetics out there - any tips on how to avoid such carb attacks in the future?

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Hi Mark. I'm interested in the idea of fasting and how it would affect my BS. How do you feel when fasting? How long would you fast for? How does it affect your blood glucose levels? Since being diagnosed T2D I have been wary of missing meals as I'd been led to believe it was a bad idea. I'm questioning that now and learning a lot more about my condition, not before time but better late than never eh?

[Elendili]

I have carb attacks.  But they seem to be related to not eating enough rather than lack of carbs or low blood sugar.  In your case, I am at a loss as to how to help.  Sorry.....

Elendili

[Elendili]

This may be a long post guys so skip it if it seems too much.  I just got the final diagnosis from my doctor today and I wanted to share it with you all.  I have IBS.  What?  IBS.  I know sounds so stupid but there it is.  I am in the process of setting up a consult with the dietitian about diet.  He wants me on a low FODMAP diet.  So before I go I am going to investigate what that is all about.  I have a question though that I think several of you here can help me answer.  Does Dr. Furhman's diet follow low FODMAP restrictions?  Would it be safe for me to follow?  Could I combine it with low FODMAP or would that be too rescrictive?  Is his diet well known enough that I could ask my dietitian about this?  I am feeling so confused now!  Type 2 diabetes and IBS with constipation and a low FODMAP diet.  How am I going to work all of this out?

Help please!

Thanks!

Elendili

[WillowTheWhisp]

Hi @Elendili trying to keep to a low GI and low FODMAP diet is a challenge I'm just starting to work on myself.

FODMAP food list This link might help. 

Good luck in working out something which is suitable for you. 

There was an article in our daily newspaper not long ago which advised avoiding cabbage and honey - both of which I love. I'm one of those weird people who actually enjoys brussel sprouts. 

[Elendili]

Thanks Wilow!  I looked at the link.  It is the first place I've seen that shows what you can have - what is safe as well as what you can't have.  I will take this as a startig point until I get my appointment with the dietician.

Elendili

[dancefoxtrot]

Willow 

Love the cruciferous veggies including brussel sprouts.I'll follow the link to the Fodmap. 

Thanks,

barbara 

[dancefoxtrot]

Mark 

You might try eating some extra veggies which have health carbs, even beans as they have resistant starch. 

It looks like you missed a bullet to have your BS up only to 160 with 300 gms of carbs.  Veggies the non starchy kind have fiber and don't jack the BS up super high.

Congrats on the weight loss and keep up your healthy diet.

Barb

[dancefoxtrot]

Elendili

I would call Dr. Fuhrman's site and ask them your questions. IBS folks often have diarrhea I think. My sister was diagnosed with it and it gives her severe cramping at times. She was told to lower stress. Hope the dietician is a knowledgeable one. 

All the best,

Barbara G

[Elendili]

@dancefoxtrot  I have both diarrhea and constipatioin.  IBS can be either or both.  Currently, I am in a severe constipation phase.  Yes lowereing stress does help, but only if your IBS is fairly calm (I know this is circular logic but what can I say?)  I have cramping and pain all the time.  What the doctor said is that a low FODMAP diet can greatly reduce my symptoms.  My research says that this kind of diet reduces symptoms in 80% of the people that strictly follow it.  So I am hopeful.  I see the dietician next Friday.  So we will soon find out.  In the mean time I am reading everything I can.

Thanks!

Elendili