Diabetics Progress Reports

[Buffy45]

Cheryl, so that will be a total of 2500 mg a day? Please let us know how you do on that, and remember, what you eat makes a big difference to. You WOE says low calorie, do you do that, or are you doing somewhat of a LC woe? I have found that I can lose, and control the BS by doing around 50 a day or so, so you don't have to do super LC and yet you still get the benefit.
BTW, are you one of the gals in your avatar? :-)

Keep us updated, glad you went to the Dr.

[Cherylg]

Buffy - Those are both my daughters - I wish I was that thin. No, I am about 40 lbs overweight. I have been trying for lc these days because everything I read says with diabetes that is the way to go. I think I was scared into losing the weight today - I do not want to take insulin - I worry about my pancreas I need to stop pretending this will all go away on its own. In your opinion, if I did lose my weight, it would have a big significance on my blood sugar level? - I guess I just have to do it and stop whining about it -

[Buffy45]

Cheryl, from all that I read, and hear, definitely losing the weight will help your blood sugar levels, but, you really have to get a handle on controlling it now, via LC eating and your meds. Then, if the weight loss follows, it should help too but you just have to get it under control. Read up on all the side effects of diabetes, it scares me, I hope it scares you too.
BTW, your daughters are beautiful.
And no, it will not go away, we are stuck with it, but, we can control it.

[BrandNewMe2004]

Night before last I added another 500 Metformin at night, and started 1000 mcg Chromium (500 am and 500 pm) yesterday and I got 118, 115 for after meals, and 121 for fasting this morning. They still need to come down a bit, but that is so much better than 140-165.
Such a sense of relief and joy.

[Buffy45]

Yay Melissa, much better. Don't let your guard down, it is so worth it!

[BrandNewMe2004]

Nope. My guard isn't going anywhere. This is just the 1st step in a lifelong process for me. Onward and downward!!

[BABSY]

Originally Posted by BrandNewMe2004

Night before last I added another 500 Metformin at night, and started 1000 mcg Chromium (500 am and 500 pm) yesterday and I got 118, 115 for after meals, and 121 for fasting this morning. They still need to come down a bit, but that is so much better than 140-165.
Such a sense of relief and joy.

what type of chromium
Is it safe to take that much?

[BrandNewMe2004]

Originally Posted by BABSY

what type of chromium
Is it safe to take that much?

It's Chromium Picolinate and the 1000mcg is the dosage I found recommended in research I did years ago. I wish I could remember those sources for you, sorry.
So far so good: it worked, it's working again, and there don't appear to be any negative side effects or health ramifications.

[Buffy45]

My reading first thing this morning was 94! Wow, I don't usually get that low, in fact have trouble ever getting it under 100 in the AM. I did have wings for dinner which were very LC and high fat and increased my fish oil yesterday. I am still taking my 4th 500 mg metformin at bedtime, that seems to be helping as well.

[Cherylg]

Buffy - wow! I have started taking one at bedtime, too - (Since Sat)

[BrandNewMe2004]

WTG Buffy! I bet that felt amazing. KUTGW!!!

[BABSY]

is there a dosage on the bottle?

[BrandNewMe2004]

The dosage on the Chromium Picolinate bottle is 1-500mcg pill daily, preferably w/ a meal.

[HezzieLee]

I'm new to the whole Pre diabeties thing. Does your doctor have any of you testing your blood sugar? Mine doesn't. labs every 3 months and 1500mg of XR daily. I was so overwhelmed by it all that I just forgot to ask- of course he's darn near impossible to get a hold of by phone...
Do you think it would help? My GTT was 146. I know very little else.

[Cherylg]

Maybe I am slow this am, but what is GTT?

[BrandNewMe2004]

GTT is Glucose Tolerance Test.

[BrandNewMe2004]

Saw my primary doc today. Got new scrips for the increased Met dosage, and strips. He also gave me Reglan. They didn't try to weigh me which was weird. lol. (My weight at home is 304, though)
They took blood for metabolic, lipid, and A1C. Will post those results when I get them.
Sitting here having, not my usual coffee, but chai tea. I think the pod ppl got me. lol

[4devochki]

There is a very active and supremely helpful forum of diabetics at Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. Official Web Site. These are people who subscribe to Dr. Richard Bernstein's 6-12-12 carb limits and general philosophy of very low carb for T1 and T2 DM patients. If you don't have his book already I can highly recommend you check it out of your local library.

I'm just in the process of getting diagnosed and don't know yet whether my doc will label me a "mild" T2 or pre-diabetic. To answer Hezzie's question, it is extremely useful to monitor your blood glucose yourself, especially 1-2 hours after meals, to see how food affects you, as well as morning and night.

Anyway, there are just super, super people on the Bernstein forum, who have already helped me a lot. Thought I'd pass it forward...

[Dave L]

Babsy, that is to much to take if you are on meds. Take this Multi-vitamin, and you will see your BS get lower and it has everything you need. Dave.

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Chromium



Alpha betic B Mulit Vitamin, number 1 nutritional supplement for people with diabetes - alphabetic.com


Supplement Facts
Serving Size:1 caplet
Servings per Container: 30


Ingredient Amount % Daily Value**
Vitamin A 2500 IU 50
Vitamin C 120 mg 200
Vitamin D-3 400 IU 100
Vitamin E 60 IU 200
Thiamin 1.5 mg 100
Riboflavin 1.7 mg 100
Niacin 20 mg 100
Vitamin B-6 2 mg 100
Biotin 300 mcg 100
Pantothenic Acid 10 mg 100
Calcium 100 mg 10
Iodine 150 mcg 100
Magnesium 200 mg 50
Zinc 15 mg 100
Selenium 70 mcg 100
Manganese 5 mg 250
Chromium 200 mcg 167
Potassium 100 mg 3
Alpha Lipoic Acid 100 mg
Lutein 1.5 mg
Vanadium 100 mcg

Originally Posted by BABSY

what type of chromium
Is it safe to take that much?

[Dave L]

Being overweight is what causes it. (most type II)

Originally Posted by Cherylg

Buffy - Those are both my daughters - I wish I was that thin. No, I am about 40 lbs overweight. I have been trying for lc these days because everything I read says with diabetes that is the way to go. I think I was scared into losing the weight today - I do not want to take insulin - I worry about my pancreas I need to stop pretending this will all go away on its own. In your opinion, if I did lose my weight, it would have a big significance on my blood sugar level? - I guess I just have to do it and stop whining about it -

[Maeve]

Originally Posted by txtapper

I've been skimming through the posts. Does anyone lift weights or do any kind of resistance training to develop more muscle? Isn't it supposed to be good to have more muscle because muscle feeds the glucose better than fat ....or something like that.

I am not diabetic but I can't get my fasting glucose levels below 103. I can keep them below 120 during the day even after I eat and sometime my level will be lower before I go to bed than in the morning. I don't eat real low carb but I do limit my grains and sugars. I may have to go on a strict low carb diet to get them under control. Not sure yet.

Two years ago, my fasting blood glucose level was 108. In October 2008, it was 90. I ate low carb for a long time and also, joined a gym. I did cardio 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, and resistance training/weight lifting every other day, 3 days a week. For example, I went M-F, doing the resistance/weights Mon, Weds, Fri. I have been taking 1800 fish oil a day.

I used Ezekiel bread when I wanted bread, and had the occasional blueberries. Almond butter sometimes, too. Sometimes, I had oatmeal in the morning with Splenda and nuts. But mostly, I ate bacon and eggs, salads w/protein, olive oil and vinegar, chicken, meat, fish, green beans, broccoli, greens, etc. I felt like I had to eat the oatmeal, even though some may think it bad for this WOE because I felt like it was good for my cholesterol (which, by the way, showed the highest HDLs I've ever had, and low LDLs).

I am in the process of getting back on the wagon. I've had a very traumatic 7 months as my DH was laid off; it was our source of income. I ate whatever. I tried to keep it right but that whole situation wreaked havoc with my head and my wallet. It definitely costs more to eat low carb. I also lost the joy to try to cook and was basically just grabbing whatever. I also didn't have the energy or joy to go to the gym. Please, don't anyone flame me for this. I am telling you what happened to me.

I guess I sort of went off topic a little but I saw your post and wanted to respond. My blood report in October was better than it's been in years. And I haven't been on any medication.

[Dave L]

Goodcelt, I do not know why, but when I eat oatmeal (with rasins) for breakfast my BS is lower 2 hrs later and for the rest of day more so than any other food I eat. My numbers are also better. I have to say oatmeal lowers my blood sugar.Dave.

[Maeve]

Wow...even with raisins That's awesome.

[Dave L]

When I got up 7:00 AM My FBS was 115, ate oatmeal with rasins 2% milk, 2 eggs, sausage and 1 piece of wheat toast at Bob Evans @ 9:00 AM and tested at 11:00 AM and BS was 82 and skipped my meds this morning. I have been getting low on weekends (when not at work) so my doctor told me to try to skip them on weekends and see what happens. Stress at work can raise mine 50 points.

Originally Posted by goodcelt

Wow...even with raisins That's awesome.

[Maeve]

Originally Posted by Dave L

When I got up 7:00 AM My FBS was 115, ate oatmeal with rasins 2% milk, 2 eggs, sausage and 1 piece of wheat toast at Bob Evans @ 9:00 AM and tested at 11:00 AM and BS was 82 and skipped my meds this morning. I have been getting low on weekends (when not at work) so my doctor told me to try to skip them on weekends and see what happens. Stress at work can raise mine 50 points.

Go figure...

[BrianSCohen]

Originally Posted by Dave L

Being overweight is what causes it. (most type II)

Dave,

I have to tell you I really disagree with this. Sure, many people are overweight when they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but it is false to say that being overweight was the cause. Often, people suffer from diabetes for years or even decades before being diagnosed. During this time, their bodies produce large amounts of insulin attempting to compensate for the building insulin resistance. Unfortunately, a result of this high insulin level is a large build-up of bodyfat. Yes, that is right, insulin is the hormone that signals our bodies to store fat.

I think it is a sad day when we turn around the causal effect and blame people for their medical condition. Most overweight type 2 diabetics are overweight because of their diabetes.

[BrianSCohen]

Originally Posted by Dave L

When I got up 7:00 AM My FBS was 115, ate oatmeal with rasins 2% milk, 2 eggs, sausage and 1 piece of wheat toast at Bob Evans @ 9:00 AM and tested at 11:00 AM and BS was 82 and skipped my meds this morning. I have been getting low on weekends (when not at work) so my doctor told me to try to skip them on weekends and see what happens. Stress at work can raise mine 50 points.

Dave,

That is good news. The two primary treatments for diabetes are a low carb diet and exercise. You may be in the fortunate position of being able to manage your diabetes without medication. That is great news. With proper care, you might be able to manage things for quite some time.

I usually have elevated morning fasting blood sugars. Usually about 110-120 mg/dl without medication. I find that a good breakfast, with a measured carb like oatmeal effectively resets my system. It is the only carb dish I regularly have. If I don't eat a hearty breakfast, my blood sugar will tend to continue high during the day. Just always get yourself a big breakfast as a practice.

[Dave L]

Good info, I guess I thought that what the news says everyday. I still have to take meds Mon-Fri. I have lost 35 pounds since June 08, and my numbers keep getting better. I was 215, now 180. Oatmeal, nuts, fruits, & veggies is where 90% of my carbs come from. I still think you are right about over the years it is a result, but its a result from being inactive and eating the wrong foods and when we get older (35+) you can not do it unless you live at the gym.

Originally Posted by BrianSCohen

Dave,

I have to tell you I really disagree with this. Sure, many people are overweight when they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but it is false to say that being overweight was the cause. Often, people suffer from diabetes for years or even decades before being diagnosed. During this time, their bodies produce large amounts of insulin attempting to compensate for the building insulin resistance. Unfortunately, a result of this high insulin level is a large build-up of bodyfat. Yes, that is right, insulin is the hormone that signals our bodies to store fat.

I think it is a sad day when we turn around the causal effect and blame people for their medical condition. Most overweight type 2 diabetics are overweight because of their diabetes.

[txtapper]

Originally Posted by Dave L

Being overweight is what causes it. (most type II)

I'm not overweight and I have prediabetes. The only risk factor I have is one family member with type II my mom. I am 5'4 and 1/2 inches and I weigh 115 after having lost five pounds the past two months by going "lower" carb. But my FBG is still not where I'd like it to be. It's usually around 100 and I'd like to get it down to 90. I have been doing Rosedale but lately I've been reading a lot about Dr. Bernstein (haven't bought the book yet). I try very hard to keep my carbs to 40 "net" carbs a day. This helps keep it between 110-130 after meals.

Everyone I know who has type II is overweight. I feel like something is off somewhere (besides my glucose levels...yes!!). I'm too old to be diagnosed with type I.

[Dave L]

Kids' Worst Health Habits - AOL Health

Its a weird thing, I just read this about kids, no one in my Family has it, it must just be all the crap in our foods the last 20 years. The FBS is the only thing I can not control. It was 160-180, and I got it down to 100-120. My doctor says that is fine but all the posts I read here want it under 100. I guess the A1C is the most important thing. He tells me if I stay with my diet and keep exercising I will not be on any meds in 3 months, Should I see another Doctor, because he says 120 & under FBS is ok. (PS 2-2 1/2 hours afer meals mine is in the 80s on baby dose of meds.

Originally Posted by txtapper

I'm not overweight and I have prediabetes. The only risk factor I have is one family member with type II my mom. I am 5'4 and 1/2 inches and I weigh 115 after having lost five pounds the past two months by going "lower" carb. But my FBG is still not where I'd like it to be. It's usually around 100 and I'd like to get it down to 90. I have been doing Rosedale but lately I've been reading a lot about Dr. Bernstein (haven't bought the book yet). I try very hard to keep my carbs to 40 "net" carbs a day. This helps keep it between 110-130 after meals.

Everyone I know who has type II is overweight. I feel like something is off somewhere (besides my glucose levels...yes!!). I'm too old to be diagnosed with type I.