Posted on 05/21/2011 6:36:59 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz
Sorry to bother everyone with vanity post. Two weeks ago I started on Metformin, a drug used to control sugar. My doctor told me I am close to having diabetes, if I do not already have it.
I wanted to hear about your experiences when you found out you had diabetes, the symptoms and how you live your life now. (diet, exercise, drinking)
I appreciate your input. I have no clue what to do, what to eat,when to eat. Going to endocrinologist next week.
Thanks
You don’t say how old you are, or if you’re overweight. The most valuable I’ve seen above is that you can get over this. I didn’t know that until my internist told me I was no longer diabetic.
When I first learned that I had it, my first thought was, “I’ve sure blown some good genes.” A close friend and mentor on diabetes told me the day he learned he was diabetic, his second wife had just divorced him and he was so low he could dangle his legs off a cigarette paper.
I started exercising more regularly—exercise bike works well for burning sugar in your largest muscle groups.
I ate less beef - turkey sausage and ground turkey has worked well for me. Don ‘t even feel like I’m suffering, but losing weight steadily—Have lost 94 pounds in the last six years.
I took metphormin for four years. Haven’t taken a diabetes med for two years.
ONE CAVEAT: I lucked out that my blood sugar levels were extremely stable. I started out testing once a day, then once a week, and now I only get the A1C level twice a year.
Good luck to you.
If you test before eating breakfast it should be in the mid 80s and not over 100. This is what the endorinologist told my husband.
If you test before eating breakfast it should be in the mid 80s and not over 100. This is what the endorinologist told my husband.
Concur with the comment that exercise is as important as metformin. Take the classes that will inform you of diet requirements and provide you with guidance of how to change parts of your lifestyle.
Do the tests (blood sugar tests) when directed. Get a ‘feeling’ of how certain foods affect your tests and your sense of alertness and strength. Things get better and you won’t miss sugar. You will have to watch what you eat. There are foods that produce too much sugar as part of your body’s metabolism. Eat ‘junk’ and you will get negative results immediately.
Self discipline (food you eat, things you do, taking medicine as directed) has immediate and long term effects that you will easily see / feel. Your medical support (Doctor et. al.) will congratulate you as you progress.
Enjoy life! You can and will do it.
There’s a doctor who offers a ton of information and natural treatments at www.stayhealthymd.com
I had this exact diagnosis about five years ago. The dr put me on metformin. Since I was always active, exercise was not a problem but I did three things and was off the drug in six months.
1. Stopped eating anything white. Sugar, potatoes, and rice in particular.
2. Not a fan of alcohol anyway, but stopped altogether.
3. Ate mostly salads for awhile and dropped 25 pounds. 180 to 155. Final weight turned out to be 160.
I check my blood sugar every once or twice a day to monitor the situation.
Look for the slow release Niacin...or the Niacin flush will drive you crazy. I’d suggest taking it at night when it is less apt to be noticed.
E is the master Vit of the body, and Zinc is the master mineral. Or so Earl Mendell maintains. 10 mg of zinc and your taste buds and sense of smell will drastically improve.
E can be toxic if taken in to large of doses, lay off it at least once a week.
Make sure you get adequate B vits.
Portion control is important too. A good diabetic nutritionist can explain the process.
READ labels on processed foods.
bttt
bttt
It’s likely that at some point your blood sugar will get
TOO LOW, and you need to recognize this situation. I notice mine when it gets to about 70 or below. I start to get a little light headed or dizzy and my hearing starts to diminish. If this happens, check your blood sugar and if it’s too low drink some orange juice or eat a piece of candy and then eat some carbs.
Exercise is good, of course, but beware that too much exercise on too little food can cause your blood sugar to get too low.
Good advice. I did it, they put me on Metformin and then Junevia....then one day, after losing weight and eating right, I became hypoglycemic with numbers in the 40s, I went off all meds and have been good ever since. No meds today. YEAH! It can be done.
Good luck.
While you may not have “full blown” type II diabetes, it is very possible that you have insulin resistance. Glucaphage can help with that, but the advice you have gotten from other Freepers to immediately gain control over your lifestyle with proper diet and exercise is exactly what is needed, imho. You will like yourself very well if you do.
I got a similar diagnosis as yours several years ago and subsequently have lost (after a couple of tries) and kept off 90 pounds for 2 years.
I recommend you look into the Take Off Pounds Sensibly(R) group. They are a non-profit lifestyle support group. Dues are quite nominal when compared to for-profit weight loss organizations. They do not tell you what to eat, nor sell anything like some weight loss groups do. They emphasize getting your doctor on board for your weight loss program, and the TOPS members support each other with encouragement and incentives and education about lifestyle. I credit them for helping me stay focused while pursuing my new lifestyle.
I have a friend who has said, “if you are not overweight, you should probably consider gaining a few pounds so you can join! This is a WONDERFUL group people!” LOL! I concur!
I have my life back, and I’m so very grateful.
http://www.tops.org/default.aspx
Have your doctor refer you to a Certified Diabetes Educator - preferably one that also has a Dietician working with them in their practice - and get your treatment program crafted specifically for you.
What works for all the arm-chair experts here may be fine for them, but not for you.
I suffered digestive upsets for a few years taking “the gold standard” metformin. Finally said no more. Then Avandia and nearly had heart failure from this terrible drug now pulled from the market. After a couple more new “wonder” drugs that gave me nasty side effects, I said “STOP!” to my doctor.
For the past couple of years my Type II diabetes is managed well with just one glyburide 5 mg. tablet a day and NO side effects. My A1C hovers around the 6.5 range which is very acceptable.
But here is the real kicker: My wise doctor ordered a Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy test and discovered my level was an extremely low 10. After faithfully taking 2 Hectorol tablets a day for a couple months, it is now up to 26 and will hopefully be in the 32 normal range with next test.
The rise in my vitamin D also lowered my triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose! A major discovery. Do your Vitamin D hydroxy 25 checked with a blood test. Can be vital to your overall health. Good luck everyone.
I’m on metformin for a couple of years now. My glucose which I test every morning was trending high and although I was not clinically a diabetic it was deemed desirable to be on this oral med. Not a big deal. The goal is to eat properly and there is a ton of information on what to eat available. Exercise regularly and lose weight. Otherwise live a normal life. It’s not necessarily a big deal and stop worrying. BTW, there is such a thing as the “dawn phenomenon” when you will test high. That does not necessarily mean you have diabetes. Test it two hours after eating and see if you are in the danger range. You want to stay on top of this because of cardio and vision problems. Eat right, exercise, lose weight and monitor your glucose.
Looks like he/she was not amused
Or wanted her all to himself
How old are you and what is your height and weight? I may be in the same boat as you.
Numbers 1 and 4 have been the bane of my existence.
My father had it later in life. Lived till 77 with minor diet change.
1. Did not stop all alcohol drank only vodka
2. Limited all processed sugars-
3. Grew, froze and ate veggies. Developed a strange taste for Jerusalem artichokes.
4. Walked in the neighbothood when he could.
Several posts have mentioned that in a serious, long-term disaster, diabetics unable to maintain a store of insulin will have a high death rate.
The following may help. Note that Jerusalem artichokes contain Inulin, not Insulin; however, the effects are similar for stabilizing blood sugar levels, according to several online sources (see Jerusalem artichoke, diabetes, and inulin). Inulin works for diabetes, pre-diabetes, and hypoglycemia; and helps with overweight which is related to a variety of medical conditions. It may also help to prevent the development of diabetes for those prone to it, or with mild cases.
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