Introducing myself here.

[cfine]

Hello everybody I have been LCing AGAIN for about three weeks now, and am so happy to have found this site. I decided to check out the diabetes forum because, even though I haven't wanted to admit it to myself, I have a problem with my blood sugar.

There, I said it!

Last year when I went to the doctor, my fbs was around 103. She put me on Metformin, and I took it for a while. I am really bad about denial, so I quit taking them. I have known for a while that I needed to check my bs but just didn't want to deal with it.

My family and I recently moved in with my aging parents to help out. Both of my parents have diabetes so I decided that I would start checking my levels with my Dad's meter. The numbers were not good. My fbs was around 130-140. Yikes! It scared me.

I have started exercising four-five times per week. I have tried to keep my carbs to between 20-30 per day. For the first week or so, my fbs was around 97. I was so excited. This last week, they have been running around 101-103. I'm not sure what I should do at this point.

Yesterday, I decided to limit my calorie intake and see what would happen. I had three eggs, 1tbsp. of veganaise, a few small dill pickles, about three oz.roast beef, and maybe two oz. cooked carrots. Oh, and one Atkins shake.

I didn't eat anything after 6:00 last night. My fbs was 101 this morning.

Any recommendations? I am going to the doctor Monday and get them to run some bloodwork. I am worried that I have really messed myself up by not taking care of myself.

I am 40 years old, and have lost 12lbs. since starting LC.

Thanks!

[Vilya]

Welcome to our little diabetic corner of LCF.

Fasting numbers of 101 or so are not terrible, but I hear you on wanting them to be lower.

It took me about 6 weeks to see fasting numbers consistently in the 90's. That was with exercise, carbs limited to 20 per day, and 1000 mg. of Metformin-ER daily. My fasting at diagnosis was 300!

From what you posted about your food that one day, I don't think it's enough. And I would stay away from carrots completely until you've been under control for a while. I can eat the occasional carby item now, but it's been almost 8 months and my pancreas has gotten a nice long rest. Even so, I limit any carby thing to maybe once a month, and then only in a small quantity.

I wouldn't worry too much about your fasting number right now, as you've only been managing for a short while. See where you are in a month. Are you back on the Met?

[cfine]

Hi Vilya. Thank you for the warm welcome.

It took me about 6 weeks to see fasting numbers consistently in the 90's. That was with exercise, carbs limited to 20 per day, and 1000 mg. of Metformin-ER daily. My fasting at diagnosis was 300!

I know it's not terribly bad but I still think it's considered "pre-diabetic." I'm not happy about that at all.

From what you posted about your food that one day, I don't think it's enough. And I would stay away from carrots completely until you've been under control for a while.

I'm sure you are right about the carrots. I will try to just cut them out completely. As far as the low calorie day went, I have decided to try and do the JUDD program for a week or so and see what happens. That was my DD menu.

Are you back on the Met?

No, but I have a feeling that when I go to the doctor on Monday, they are going to want me to start back on it. I have taken it before, and for some reason I fool myself into thinking that I don't need it anymore. Stupid, I know!!

[Vilya]

There's no harm or shame in going on Metformin. It's a very safe drug, and effective. My BG runs between 80 - 100 almost 100% of the time, and that's because of the Met (and LC'ing, of course). I don't think I would have such great numbers with diet alone.

I looked into JUDDD too, and I came to the conclusion that it probably isn't the best choice for diabetics. I like my BG to be nice and stable, and I think that the DD's would make me swing too much. I haven't actually tried it, though.

[cfine]

I definitely have to do some planning on DD. I make sure and space out my food. If it doesn't work I will just switch back to a more traditional WOE w/LC of course.

My BG was down to 91 this AM!! I am hopeful that I won't have to go on meds. Also hoping that they will be able to reduce some of my BP medication. Did I mention I hate taking pills? LOL!

[Vilya]

91 is great! There's plenty of people who are able to control their BG with diet and exercise alone, so keep on doing whatever you're doing. Just don't be afraid of the Met if you happen to need it in the future.