Diabetics Progress Reports

[Cherylg]

Ok - I went to dr this morning apparently my meds are not working. My A1c was 8.7 - He put me on Januvia?? - and just one pill of glimepiride a day - any thoughts?

[Dave L]

Cherylg, I`m just 2 months into mine and when I started taking meds 2-2 1/2 hours after meal I was all over the place mostly low 50 60 70`s, but now I kinda flat lined the last 10 days at 80 to 90 after meals. i`m just high when I wake up. I was 6.9 when I started and next test is in 30 days.

Just give new stuff a try, maybe someone with more info can help us both. Dave.

[Cherylg]

Thanks for your help, Dave,

I am high in a.m. also? - this sure is enough to drive you batty Plus my trygliserides (sp) are very high -

As I say all the time - IT SUCKS GETTING OLD!!

[30something]

Just back from dr. thyroid (TSH) is lower than norm (slight change from 3 mos. ago when it was normal). Dr. is going to wait another 3 mos. to recheck thyroid. Dr. wasn't happy with FBS 113 as last ones have been consistently 104. May be due to inordinate amt of stress and sleepless nights. All other lab work was great. A1C is 5.4 Wt. is stable, lost 54 lbs. over last 2+ yrs.

Think I am doing everything right, just have to reduce the stress. We are leaving for a 30+ day vacation tomorrow! Yeah!

Denise

[Dave L]

Denise, (May be due to inordinate amt of stress and sleepless nights)

Do you have a lot of stress & sleepless nights? I have bad sinus and now use breathright strips, and it seems since BS is somewhat under control (except for mornings) sinus problems seem a little less. I have been losing weight & working out 3-4 days a week, but in sales and have a stressful job. I just wonder if my big problem was being out of shape and not eating right was making for bad nights Dave.

[30something]

Stress is related to "volunteer" job supporting dh who is President of our Co-Op, finally hired several attorneys and seeing the light. My morning FBS rises 20 points with showering or insomnia, stable during the day. I also have the dawn phenomenon from time to time. After several yrs I just accept it and not try to over think it but it is annoying!

Denise

[dreamerdee]

Dave,

I have had sleep disrupted at times due to sinus/post nasal drip. Since seeing Dr. Oz on Oprah talking about the netti pot I tried that and it helps tremendously. I find I only need to use it about every 3 days. I haven't noticed it help or hurt my blood sugars either way. But I am usually pretty even with them, and last A1c was 5.2.
Dee

[Dave L]

Dee did yours act like sleep apnea? I sometimes wake up with heart racing, and clear my throat and blow my nose and then fine. I was thinking about going to a sleep doctor as I ve heard they do Sinuplasty? I may just try what your doing, but the drugest at my store said in long run the pot can make matters worst? Dave.

Originally Posted by dreamerdee

Dave,

I have had sleep disrupted at times due to sinus/post nasal drip. Since seeing Dr. Oz on Oprah talking about the netti pot I tried that and it helps tremendously. I find I only need to use it about every 3 days. I haven't noticed it help or hurt my blood sugars either way. But I am usually pretty even with them, and last A1c was 5.2.
Dee

[luv_my_lulu]

hi everyone. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes 2 years ago. After trying different pills & injections with not much success(even after losing over 60 lbs), my doctor finally prescribed insulin injections. I take 15-20 units of slow acting insulin twice a day and 5-9 units of meal time injections 3 times per day. My readings are all over the place. Sometimes 250's in early morning and then dropping into 50's by mid morning. Sometimes before bed my reading will be high but then I wake up at 3 or 4 and it will 40 or lower which really scares me. I'm thinking of trying a carb cycling eating program. Has any one had any success with this type of plan? My biggest problem is that I crave sweets all of the time. I was never a huge sweet eater before so I don't know if the insulin has something to do with that or not. Thanks for your advice!

[LW3707]

I am sooo happy right now! After 5 days of moderate carbing and 21 days of low carbing my sugar readings have gone down from 337 to 107 without meds! It just keeps going down more and more. I think that I might actually be able to get down to a normal level before my 6 month deadline. That would mean NOT HAVING TO GO ON MEDS AT ALL! Woohoo!


luv my lulu

[Dave L]

LW3707, What is your A1C?

[LW3707]

Originally Posted by Dave L

LW3707, What is your A1C?

What's an A1C? Is that the test that tells you how well you've been controlling your diabetes over time? If so, I am not scheduled for 5 more months. Right now the progress I am reporting is solely based on my daily glucose readings at home. I test 4-5 times a day and keep a log of the results along side my exercise/meals for the day and my emotional stress level. I am not on any medication, however. For now I am allowing myself 6 months to see if I can control my diabetes on my own with food/exercise. I am still young (27) and would only agree to meds as a last option. Finding out that I am a diabetic is fairly recent (1 month) and there is still a lot that I need to learn but for now I am focusing primarily on nutrition. I honestly think that I can control it without meds by simply changing some of my bad habits.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by LW3707

What's an A1C? Is that the test that tells you how well you've been controlling your diabetes over time? If so, I am not scheduled for 5 more months. Right now the progress I am reporting is solely based on my daily glucose readings at home. I test 4-5 times a day and keep a log of the results along side my exercise/meals for the day and my emotional stress level. I am not on any medication, however. For now I am allowing myself 6 months to see if I can control my diabetes on my own with food/exercise. I am still young (27) and would only agree to meds as a last option. Finding out that I am a diabetic is fairly recent (1 month) and there is still a lot that I need to learn but for now I am focusing primarily on nutrition. I honestly think that I can control it without meds by simply changing some of my bad habits.

I trying to do the same as you, but on small doses of meds, but never had a reading past 230, and that was just when I wake up. with in 3-4 hours it is 120, then take 2mg ameral eat toast with peanut butter, and 2 hours later its in 70-80s till bedtime. If not for the spike at night I would not have it. Its so crazy. Dave.

[MzAubrey]

Just browsing through this thread and thought I let you know about my very limited experience with insulin. Just started taking it last Monday because of having a.m. readings in the mid 160's for quite a while. I started injecting Lantus once a night - 10 units - and the first morning my FBS dropped by 20 pts., the next morning by 20 more pts. and I'm currently staying around 93 to 112 in the mornings for about the last 4 or 5 mornings - not too high, not too low. I'm also taking one diabetes med per day, which helps keep my BS in check during the day. I Mostly eat low carb, with occasional "slips" but overall do pretty well with a low carb diet.

I will say that the only uncomfortable thing about this is that my body is perceiving these new lows as hypos and is reacting accordingly. I'm a little shaky in the mornings and drowsy. I am told this will pass after my body adjusts to these more normal levels and I'm looking forward to this.

[MzAubrey]

Originally Posted by Cherylg

Ok - I went to dr this morning apparently my meds are not working. My A1c was 8.7 - He put me on Januvia?? - and just one pill of glimepiride a day - any thoughts?

Most people don't want to hear this - I know, because neither did I. But one of my last visits to my doc brought us to the question of insulin or a drug that I just didn't want to take. She gave me a while to think about it, so I went home, did some research, and discovered that insulin wasn't the last hope of a dying diabetic that it used to be painted as. I gained a lot of respect for using insulin as opposed to continuing to take meds that keep forcing some part of my body (liver, pancreas) to keep trying to do something that it is obviously having trouble doing. Instead I made the decision to give my body what it needs - insulin. My FBS has vastly improved and that's just in a little under 2 weeks. I'm taking Lantus, which is a long-acting (22-24 hours) insulin, with no significant problems - no hypers or hypos. Below is a blog that I've found tremendously helpful as far as insulin goes. She speaks from much experience - trial and error. Do a search for specific things like Januvia. Below is the web address. Hope this helps.

I'm not pushing insulin, it's just that so far it has helped me to bring my fasting numbers down and thought it may be something you might want to look into.

http://diabetesupdate.blogspot.com/...sy-insulin.html

[dreamerdee]

LW- Sounds like you are on the right track with how you've brought your numbers down! wtg

Dave- No, I did not wake up with heart pounding or anything like that. I don't think it was blocking my breathing like sleep apnea, but was more like an irritation due to the post nasal drip. Have you been checked for the sleep apea? Some people need to use a device that provides positive pressure via a breathing mask to get enough air/oxygen while they sleep. I've heard it takes some getting used to, but you feel more rested and are at less risk of various complications from the apnea (mostly heart related).
As far as the netti pot making things worse? Hmmm, they are fairly new around here, but have been used in India for a very long time. It is just warm water with a bit of salt. There is only the pressure of gravity. They make a similar thing that does use pressure, and that would be a little bit of concern to me.

[Dave L]

Dee, I got a Neti Pot and it has helped. I have found out that after like 20 minutes after I use it, if I do like toe touchs, it will still drain, which I read was normal, but with me only from 1 side. My left side is not getting as much air as right. I will have to get that looked into. Thanks Dave.

[lizardspitlisa]

Originally Posted by Butternut

Anyone on Byetta? I just started it 4 days ago. So far so good. Blood sugars were running 180s just on Glucophage, now 112.

I've been on Byetta for the last 6 weeks, and have lost almost ten pounds. I use the 10 mcg pen 2 times a day, along with 1500 mg of Glucophage (Metformin)- 1 pill three times a day.

All the low-carbing and exercise in the WORLD was not helping my blood sugar levels or my weight loss attempts, until I began the Byetta! I love it, even though I've had a few hassles with it (itching, bruising, some nausea, pen backflow, etc).

[Burnz]

Originally Posted by lizardspitlisa

I've been on Byetta for the last 6 weeks, and have lost almost ten pounds. I use the 10 mcg pen 2 times a day, along with 1500 mg of Glucophage (Metformin)- 1 pill three times a day.

All the low-carbing and exercise in the WORLD was not helping my blood sugar levels or my weight loss attempts, until I began the Byetta! I love it, even though I've had a few hassles with it (itching, bruising, some nausea, pen backflow, etc).

how much is Byetta? how long did you suffer those side effects?

[NurseMonkee]

Hi everyone.
It's LW3707. I changed my screen name.
Just a quick post to report that a few days ago I saw my first sugar reading UNDER 100! I couldn't believe it. I tested 5 times to make sure that it was correct. I was so excited. I am now officially a believer in LC and exercise. Last month my readings were through the roof at over 300 and now I am under 100. I love it!

On a related note.....
Has anyone used milk thistle to help lower blood sugar? I was reading my prevention magazine and in it is a letter from a reader stating that after reading an article (listed below) in prevention magazine her dad (type II) started to drink milk thistle and within 2 months his numbers were way down.

I wonder if theres any truth to it.


=====================================

The Herb That Battles High Blood Sugar
By Sara Altshul , Former Prevention alternative medicine editor Sara Altshul is now a freelance writer based in Rome, Italy.

Studies of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) show that silymarin, the herb's main compound, safely detoxifies the liver and can treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which contributes to diabetes. Silymarin may also help reverse chronic liver inflammation, a suspected cause of insulin resistance, says University of North Carolina biochemist Kevin Spelman. Iraqi doctors recently saw a 20% drop in the fasting blood sugar of people with type 2 diabetes who took 200 mg of silymarin with their diabetes drug daily for 120 days.

HOW TO USE: Not all milk thistle supplements contain enough silymarin, according to a ConsumerLab.com independent test. Two that do: Trader Darwin's, sold at Trader Joe's stores, and Thisilyn by Nature's Way. Try 200 to 500 mg daily (tell your doctor).

[Dave L]

Can you share a couple days (meals) of what you are eating? Dave.

[NurseMonkee]

Originally Posted by Dave L

Can you share a couple days (meals) of what you are eating? Dave.

Here is 10 days worth in no particular order. I just randomly pulled them from my meal journal. I do Atkins and stay under 20g of net carbs a day. My protein is moderate. I try to keep it under 100g now since I noticed that protein (in excess) can also raise my sugar. I also take my vitamins after dinner. (multi-vitamin, biotin, probiotic, and one that combines B6, B12, folic acid, green tea and cohosh)


B: veggie omelet w/bacon and avocado
L: loaded broccoflower
D: homemade cheeseburger (bunless) + green salad w/rw vinegar


B: vanilla whey protein shake w/flaxseed and virgin coconut oil
L: salad (romaine, english cucumber, feta cheese, chopped egg, olive oil and rw vinegar)
D: salmon w/garlic and lime + asparagus w/butter


S: cube cheddar cheese
B: turkey sausage links cooked in oil + decaf coffee w/heavy cream and splenda
L: broccoflower w/butter + meatloaf
D: salad (spring mix, spinach, flaxseed, rw vinegar, olive oil) + fried parm eggplant w/mozz (no marinara - ran out of my carb allowance)


B: spinach quiche + coffee w/heavy cream and splenda
L: chicken caesar salad w/out croutons -- dressing on the side
D: chunky shredded beef and cactus in red chili sauce + mexican cream


B: turkey bacon + cream cheese muffin (from LC recipe)
L: chicken club lettuce wraps
S: sunflower seeds
D: shrimp cooked in butter and tossed in a bowl w/spinach, romaine, cilantro, tomato, onion and avocado w/olive oil and a squirt of lime


B: skipped
L: egg salad deviled eggs
D: chicken alfredo over veggies (zucchini, mushroom, spinach)
S: warm water w/heavy cream, coconut oil, vanilla and splenda


B: coffee w/splenda and heavy cream + fried eggs + turkey sausage + reduced sugar ketchup
L: celery sticks + sliced chicken breast w/buffalo sauce
D: salad (spinach, romaine, cilantro tossed w/red wine vinegar, olive oil, sriracha chili
parm) + bacon wrapped shrimp


B: coffee w/heavy cream and splenda + handful of walnuts
L: roasted turkey/deli thin sliced, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard, avocado on cheesy "bread" (mock bread from LC recipe)
D: big bowl of hearty seafood soup (carrots removed)


B: EAS chocolate protein powder w/water and heavy cream
S: boiled egg
L: cobb salad (no croutons --- dressing on the side)
D: green beans + steak w/buttered mushrooms & A1 sauce (very little)


B: coffee w/heavy cream and splenda + turkey sausage links
L: rotisserie chicken breast (w/skin, no bone) + lemon wedges
D: romaine salad w/buttermilk ranch + chili (no beans)
S: cream cheese muffin x2

I've also had a few days where I've had some slip-up's. A piece of bread here, a mini brownie there. Nothing major but enough to cause a sudden spike in my levels on a few isolated occasions. Seeing the affects has really kept me from completely going over the edge though. For the most part I stay on plan but I am human and sometimes there’s a temporary glitch.

[Dave L]

Thanks, mine looks like that except the dairy, I take whey protein in low fat milk the 3 days I go to the gym to work out. Thanks Dave.

[Jewelthief]

Morning y'all!

Nursemonkee, I have to chuckle a little to myself as I read your sample menu because of all the years people who've tried to "diet" have literally almost starved themselves (me included) desperately trying to fill the gaping maw of hunger that results from eating low cal/low fat and subbing "diet" foods that just never seem to cut it. I always ended up feeling deprived, hungry, unsatisfied, and ultimately my "diet" was shortlived. I might lose a pound or two only to gain it right back, plus some when I resumed eating "normally."

Your menu sounds like a dream! And I bet it's yummy and filling too. It amazes me how I could eat FATS (butter, cream, cheeses, etc.) and enough food to fill me without feeling like I was hungry all the time--and my blood sugar results showed it was good for me.

One thing I wanted to say about your post is this:

Try not to feel as if your having a bite of "no no" food like a brownie or whatever you deem not good for you as a cheat or something negative to guilt yourself over. I say this to you mainly because I say it to myself too...

Feeling deprived and like we "can't" have something is often the downfall of all our good work. If you're seeing good results from your way of eating, and it shows in your clothes, your general feeling of well-being, and in your test results--enjoy that yummy bite of "no no" food now and again--and get right back on plan with your next meal or snack!

My love is bread, and I almost never have it... don't even keep it in the house. BUT, at a restaurant once a week, if I want to have a bit of the little loaf they bring as you get settled in, I slice off about an ounce, butter it generously, and eat it in as many small bites as I can stand. It's decadent and delicious--and then I order something on plan for my meal.

Satisfy the tiny cravings now and again, and you won't face an avalanche of cravings that threaten to undo all your good work.

Oh, and you are right on about too much protein... I find that if I eat too much at a sitting, it can adversely affect my test results similar to having eaten too many carbs. Weird, huh? the way our bodies process the things we eat.

Karyn