Trying to help my hubby!

[Britt1975]

My husband is a Type II diabetic, who is currently taking 500mg of Glumetza one time a day and is consistently eating less than 30 grams of net carbs per day. And those carbs all come from induction allowed foods. But his Blood Glucose readings are still high. His fasting numbers are anywhere from 180 to 215 and his post meal readings are anywhere from 190 to 220.

He is very active - but has trouble losing weight around his middle. He's hanging on to about 60 extra pounds now... though he think it's more like 75.

I've been doing a lot of reading... and seem to consistently see reports that coconut oil, apple cider vinegar and green tea might help to get those blood sugar numbers regulated and a little more under control.

I know we should start with small amounts of coconut oil... but can that just be mixed into a nightly cup of green tea? Can just a small amount of ACV be added to his drinking water... or do these things need to be taken "straight" in order to be beneficial?

Also... how long before we should be able to see if these things are having any kind of positive effect?

We've spoken with his doctor... who is very supportive of trying holistic methods of lowering his blood sugar numbers... but he wasn't much help with pointing us in a specific direction... so I'd appreciate any advice any of you can give me.

One other question. When he was first diagnosed with diabetes, he was provided with a large number of testing strips, which have now expired... but he's still using them... do they really go bad and could we be getting inaccurate numbers from those?

Thank you all so much! Reading your posts have really given me hope that we can get his diabetes under control!

[BillB]

Originally Posted by Britt1975

My husband is a Type II diabetic, who is currently taking 500mg of Glumetza one time a day and is consistently eating less than 30 grams of net carbs per day. And those carbs all come from induction allowed foods. But his Blood Glucose readings are still high. His fasting numbers are anywhere from 180 to 215 and his post meal readings are anywhere from 190 to 220.

He is very active - but has trouble losing weight around his middle. He's hanging on to about 60 extra pounds now... though he think it's more like 75.

I've been doing a lot of reading... and seem to consistently see reports that coconut oil, apple cider vinegar and green tea might help to get those blood sugar numbers regulated and a little more under control.

I know we should start with small amounts of coconut oil... but can that just be mixed into a nightly cup of green tea? Can just a small amount of ACV be added to his drinking water... or do these things need to be taken "straight" in order to be beneficial?

Also... how long before we should be able to see if these things are having any kind of positive effect?

We've spoken with his doctor... who is very supportive of trying holistic methods of lowering his blood sugar numbers... but he wasn't much help with pointing us in a specific direction... so I'd appreciate any advice any of you can give me.

One other question. When he was first diagnosed with diabetes, he was provided with a large number of testing strips, which have now expired... but he's still using them... do they really go bad and could we be getting inaccurate numbers from those?

Thank you all so much! Reading your posts have really given me hope that we can get his diabetes under control!

I wonder why he's not on a bigger dose of Metformin?

You might look into these:

--gymnema
--alpha lipoic acid
--carnitine
--chromium
--omega 3s (fish oil from wild-caught salmon is my choice)
--CoQ-10
--hydroxycitric
--bitter melon
--fenugreek
--cinnamon

Every body has a different chemistry. You sort of have to experiment. I would lower the carbs just a bit, and no sugars or starches ever.

Have you read Bernstein's book?

Good luck...

--bill

edited to add: bloodsugar 101 dot com

[Britt1975]

I'm not sure of the does, but he was originally on Metformin but they switched him to Glumetza due to some terrible stomach issues he was having. My understanding is that Glumetza is an extended release form of Metformin?

My husband is going back to see the doctor again on Monday - he is going to discuss raising his dosage at that time. He is also taking it with his morning meal, because his evening meal time varies widely due to his work schedule. I've read that it's important to take it at the same time every day... but also that you should take it with your evening meal. However, his doctor told him that taking it with breakfast would be fine. But now I'm concerned that the time he is taking it, is causing it to be less effective.

Thank you very much for the advice on additional supplements to try.

[Griffen]

Once the strips are expired, they're no good. You must get fresh strips in order to get accurate BGL readings.

There's a company on amazon.com that ships 200 non-expired strips for about 120 bucks; I use them every month because my insurance is stingy and only allows me 100 per month. It's worth paying $120 out of pocket for peace of mind. Look for Deep Discount Center on amazon.com and you should be able to get cheap strips relatively easily. (I use a OneTouch Ultra II meter.)

[BillB]

Glumetza is expensive!

You can get metformin ER (extended release) at a popular superstore chain for $4 a month, or $10 for 3 months.

Of course, I know this because I have no insurance...you probably do.

--bill

[Britt1975]

We do have insurance - but our doctor gave my husband three months worth of samples to try because he had such a difficult time with the Metformin... so we haven't had to purchase it out of pocket. I'm kind of alarmed now, because our formulary doesn't list Glumetza even as a non-preferred drug... so they might not cover any part of it.

Thanks for the input. I'll definitely have him discuss Metformin ER with his doctor.

[BillB]

I am not a doctor, but it seems like the dose your hubby is on is on the low side for his situation. I'm a "metformin advocate" since it has helped me so much, but I take 4x as much as your hubby does.

Also, it takes weeks or even months to really kick in. Seems like nobody ever discusses that aspect.



--bill

[Merski]

I take metformin twice a day and it does cause havoc with my stomach. doc wants to see if following this food plan will really make a difference with my next a1C, etc and then we will talk about going off the metformin.

Is your husband following a food plan? Since you are considering other therapies, do you have a MD/Naturalpath in your area? I have heard very successful stories from folks who see one and they are doing well on the herbs, etc.

[BillB]

Merski,

Are you on Metformin regular or ER?

--bill

[Britt1975]

Originally Posted by BillB

I am not a doctor, but it seems like the dose your hubby is on is on the low side for his situation. I'm a "metformin advocate" since it has helped me so much, but I take 4x as much as your hubby does.

Also, it takes weeks or even months to really kick in. Seems like nobody ever discusses that aspect.



--bill

I didn't know that it could take a little longer to see results... thanks so much for the information! Hubby when back to his doctor today and discussed Metformin ER. He prescribed 500mg of Metformin ER twice a day along with the Glumetza that he's taking.

Originally Posted by Merski

Is your husband following a food plan? Since you are considering other therapies, do you have a MD/Naturalpath in your area? I have heard very successful stories from folks who see one and they are doing well on the herbs, etc.

DH is following a food plan. He completed Atkins induction approximately a month ago, and is now adding foods back in on the OWL. He's currently keeping his daily carbs under 30 and is not eating any grains or sugar. His main problem is portion control of 'legal' foods. So we're working on that and I was hoping that the Coconut Oil might help him feel full. I don't know of a local Naturalpath... but I will definitely look into that. Thanks so much for the advice.

[BillB]

Coconut oil is a great appetite suppressant. It's also great for skin and hair. You have to work up from a small dose.

I have always had a huge appetite. I learned that a lot of my portion control issues were more habit than hunger.

Dishes based on ground beef (meatloaf, crack slaw, whooshie pie, etc) are good appetite suppressants too.

Encourage your hubby to start weighing his portions and tracking his food intake on FitDay. It has helped me tremendously.



--bill

[txtapper]

Originally Posted by Merski

I take metformin twice a day and it does cause havoc with my stomach. doc wants to see if following this food plan will really make a difference with my next a1C, etc and then we will talk about going off the metformin.

Is your husband following a food plan? Since you are considering other therapies, do you have a MD/Naturalpath in your area? I have heard very successful stories from folks who see one and they are doing well on the herbs, etc.

I've been seeing a Traditional Chinese Medical doctor who gives me herbs and accupunture.......a little over a month now. My glucose readings are excellent.

[Merski]

Bill, I take regular metformin. one 500 morning and night, with food. I still can have problems with it at times.

txtapper: can I ask how long u have been seeing your dr? how often do you receive accupuncture? Does your insurance cover any of your treatments? r u also following a lc food plan?

[chiody]

Originally Posted by txtapper

I've been seeing a Traditional Chinese Medical doctor who gives me herbs and accupunture.......a little over a month now. My glucose readings are excellent.

Do you have baseline readings and the "new" results?

Thanks...

Suffered a severe rotator cup injury that meds did nothing but sedate me (as strong as Vicodin)...

Acupuncture (with electrical stimulation), spinal re alignment, and heat/cold compresses, completely cured the symptoms after 2 sessions over a 7 day period!!!! Was able to participate in the Velodrome races the very next day......