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
First, check into Metformin.
http://www.worstpills.org/results.cfm?drug_id=391
Drug Recall for metformin (GLUCOPHAGE) reported in May 11, 2011 FDA Enforcement Report
Stay away from white foods. Eat the complex carbs, whole wheat bread, noodles, etc. Lots of good info posted. Don’t avoid all carbs through, just stick to complex/whole grain.
This has kept my sugar in check (100 to 120) for about six years.
http://www.alohamedicinals.com/levolar-forte.htm
Were you always hungry when you were just easting salads three times a day? I always seem to get extremely hungry if I have a meal that does not have much starch.
Take a class on managing diabetes. Most health insurers will pay for it and it is very worth while. Then follow the advice given to you.
If you are at all overweight, lose 5% or better yet 10% of your body weight and you’ll likely see a very significant change in your blood sugar levels. You’ll likely feel better overall too.
Eat smaller, but more frequent meals, so your body doesn’t go into fasting mode. Have a small low sugar snack just before bed if you can. It helps to keep the liver from producing so much glucose while you’re asleep. I think it is about 35% of diabetics have their highest blood sugar in the morning when they wake up.
Wear a medical bracelet that states you are on Metformin in case you’re in an accident. It doesn’t get along too well with some medical imaging dyes.
I hope this is helpful.
Good advice. Mr. RightField has Type 2 and his first doctor sent him to a dietician for nutritional advice. She was overweight, had Type 2 herself, and advised him to increased his consumption of carbs such as saltine crackers and baked potatoes. Count calories, she said. We refused to pay the co-pay for the session, and walked out. They never rebilled us.
After discovering that diabetic cookbooks were just like regular cookbooks (except they gave the carb count for each dish) we retooled our diet ourselves ... no flour, sugar, potatoes or rice ... or any item containing any of these. Lots of green vegetables and moderate fruit. No fruit juices.
The result is that after 15 years as a diabetic, Mr. RightField has had no complications from the disease, has never increase his meds, and has lost weight.
You must be your own advocate. Read up and learn. And pay attention to your own body.
I was on metfornin and constantly had hypoglycemia. My cardiologist took me off ALL diabetes meds.
They’re way to quick to diagnose Type II in my oppinion. I certainly don’t understand why a doctor would give you blood sugar lowering drugs because you’re “close” to having diabetes.
Your blood sugar can usually be controlled with exercise and diet. Be careful and a second oppinion certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Eat meat.
Good advice. If you don’t even know if you have diabetes I would not get on medication. My sister in law’s doctor has been on her for 2 years to take medication. She just kept refusing and she has stayed thin and eats right. She just had blood tests which show she definitely does not have diabetes. He was trying to put her on insulin. You have to be very careful about getting on these drugs.
Cut your carbs!
Please look into the paleo diet. You will be cured for life if you eat that way. No grains or sugar or fake sugar. Just high quality meats, full fat dairy, healthy fats, veggies, and fruit (for you only 2 small servings of fruit after a protein rich meal). You will be cured.
Here’s a great book for you.
I am not a type two but a type one and was diagonised at 9yo that was 40 years ago. So yes you can live with it and do pretty well. :) Watch your carb intake if you eat fruit skip the bread and vice versa.Try to get most of your carbs from vegetable and fruit sources. Exercise should become a daily thing even if that means you haven’t done anyrthing for a very long time. Start slow and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.If you can only make it a little ways do it more than once a day until you work up to a longer walk or buy yourself a treadmill and use it every day.
It is that simple. Type II is diet and exercise. Lifestyle.
You need to stay up with the literature.
Be wary of Metformin! Turns out I was allergic to it after a few months, severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea! I quit and all symptoms disappeared overnight. I take low dose Glipizide now with no problems...
JC
Thank you all for your input. I am very grateful to all of you. It’s been a tough two weeks. Actually it’s been tough since November 4, 2008. This just adds more stress to an already stressful life.
Got a few good takeaways from this. Exercise, cut out white flour, get a good support group and get a second opinion.
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