RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (Full Version)

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tazzygirl -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:01:24 PM)

I didnt get in this position over night... I know its gonna be a while before my diabetes is under control. Taking it one day at a time... and arguing with the man over what we cant buy anymore... LOL




barelynangel -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:04:45 PM)

Umm not to be technical, but all veggies have carbs in them, it's usually meats that are considered not to have any carbs in them.

When i was diagnosed a year ago in July, my doc's first order was to lose weight.  My A1C to begin with was 8.2.  I went back to what i knew, Atkins -- though i don't do it as it's designed.   Within three months my A1C was down to below 7 and stayed that way over the next three months, THEN i decided i wanted fruit -- what i didn't realize was it was my body changing due to the weight loss (which wasn't a lot at that point) so i was incorporating apples and berrys - i realized later that i wanted apples because i was craving sugar due to my body changing.   So i went back to the doc and my A1C skyrocketed to 10.6.  All because of apples maybe 2-3 a week.  So after being cussed out by my doc but still not realizing i was craving the fruit rather than wanting it, i went back to Atkins and it went down to 6.3   But then because i had lost more weight my body was changing again and i was ready to KILL for sugar, i was downing boxes of mikes and ikes towards the end of that 3 months and when i went to the doc, my A1C was good at 6.1 again, but i told him about my cravings for mikes and ikes.  And we figured out it was my body changing because of the weight loss (which again wasn't really significant) but he adjusted my meds and feels comfortable enough that if my progress continues, he feels when he sees me again in 6 months (which normally i see him every 3) he believes i will be able to start getting off my meds.

In all this time, he didn't have me test my blood sugar, he said he wanted me to focus on my diet and exercise but mostly diet and use my body to tell me what's wrong.  I understand everyone is different but he was worried i would get so caught up in knowing about and dealing with the "concept" of the disease, i would make it overly complicated

who me???? [8|]

I never went to a dietician or nutritionist because he was comfortable with my knowledge based on knowing low carb eating etc.  He said once we get me off my meds, he wants me to see one to help me correctly incorporate the stuff i tend to stay away from -- i.e., fruits, and pasta etc.  He thinks i will benefit from that once my weight has stablized and my meds are gone.

Mostly, he wanted me to figure out my body and get to know how my body reacts.  He felt using a meter would detract from that for me, personally, due to what he knows.  He thought i would get way to caught up in the numbers instead of taking inventory of how i feel.

Me get caught up in numbers -- WHAT!!?  [:-]

angel




tazzygirl -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:08:10 PM)

My A1C is 13.5.. so not good.

But here is my debate.... low carb or exchange?




KMsAngel -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:11:52 PM)

several people have mentioned individual tolerances. i've got different circumstances as well that complicate things, but i'm highly sensitive to fruits, whether in whole(fibre) or juice, as well as any kind of rice, white, jasmine, brown. every body will be different. start with the generalities, and then work out what you're reactive to and adjust your diet accordingly.

another thing that's not often mentioned is emotions. my sugars shoot sky high when i'm stressed. top that with not watching my diet as close as when i'm not stressed and it's a bad combination. a lot of your first few months will be spent watching what affects your sugars, after that it's more a matter of managing things as best as you can.

frankly, something no one tells you really (cause we're adults and know better), is you may go through a period of denial. not taking your medications, eating foods you know are bad, ignoring the fact that your body isn't well. happens mostly in teenagers, but happens to us adults too [&:]




barelynangel -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:14:49 PM)

Yeah, that's a little high, but if part of what you are doing is losing weight, that could come down very quickly so be prepared for your body reacting to that change especially with the meds. 

I can't help you with what to decide, we went low carb, specifically atkins because it's what i know, i know how to work it so it does what i want it too and such, and i am better with elimination (i.e. cut out breads and pasta and such for now) than i am eat this instead of that because to me, i want taste, not exchange.  In otherwords, if i want bread, a substitute will not due it for me.  So i am better simply not having the breadt than trying to passify myself.

I also learn to exchange when on low carb just in a different thought process.   

I would work with what you know works for you that will do what the doc wants you to do.  For me, it was losing weight.  That is what he wanted me to focus on.   Your doc could be wanting you to focus on something else.  Whatever it is, go with what you know works and what you are comfortable with -- the tweaking can come later when you are in more control of your blood sugars. 




MstrDennynSlave -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:33:03 PM)

Another thing that will affect your blood sugars is how much sleep you get. If you have a very restless night and don't sleep right, your sugars can go up. Another thing to watch for is if you get sick and can't keep food down. Always have broth, juice, tea, coffee on hand for an illness. Also have some kind of drink that has sugar in it. Or glucose tablets or gel. When you are sick and can't keep food down, it is very easy for your sugars to bottom out. And test often when you are sick.




dovie -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:42:12 PM)

Great topic tazzy. My brother is a diabetic with sugar ranges up to 600. He's been hospitalized several times and he has other medical complications (congestive heart failure, COPD) . He's leveled out now, but we have to stay after him to eat right and move. My daughter goes through his house like a General tossing stuff he tries to sneak in. I also have a dear friend I visited yesterday who has had to have her foot amputated because of infection secondary to an injury. She is a diabetic. I'll be reading this thread with interest as I am learning to prepare meal plans to help my brother.  What I will add to this thread is always check your feet or have someone check them for you.

BTW tazzy, I've experienced that achilles tendon pain you have. It will heal, however, it took me 2 years, physical therapy and some very ugly shoes to do so.
Best to you.

dovie




ShaharThorne -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 6:51:07 PM)

Mom is always after me about my feet.  I try to keep them moist with lotion but with my big belly, it is hard to reach.  A baby oil footbath does wonders for me.

Keeping a good eye on your feet is a good idea.  Lets not forget the legs, especially if you shave them.  I nicked around my ankle one day and kept gauze on it to be sure it did not get an infection.  This is why I prefer waxing or sugaring.




Arpig -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 7:45:42 PM)

quote:

That may be your experience with it, but clearly this is not the case for all.
Well of course it's my experience with it, who else's experience would I give? [8|]




yourdarkdesire -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 8:08:03 PM)

It sounds as if all of you are using the diabetic diet that involves exchanges. Here in Canada, they have done away with that and all foods are now assigned a carbohydrate value, which is then used to calculate insulin dosages.

I don't understand your blood glucose values as again we use a different system (darn metric!), but your A1C numbers sound like a good fit. My girl was 19 when first diagnosed (that's as high as the scale goes) and was in DKA. Her A1C is now around the 8 mark and her pediatrician is very happy.

Food: Eat fruit instead of drinking juice - unless you're using the juice to treat a low blood sugar. Learn to read labels on EVERYTHING. When counting carbs - don't forget to subtract the fiber content. Cali - there is nothing wrong with Mac & Cheese - they have new products out now using whole wheat.

Vegetables don't always count: Mushrooms are free! I think lettuce and celery are free too. Corn isn't worth as much as you would think because it goes thru most people unchanged.

TEST. TEST. TEST. TEST. It might be nice for the doctor to say they don't want you caught up on the numbers, but it is not realistic. Keep a food journal with exact portions and test 2 hours after your meal. That is the only way to learn how certain foods affect you.
Now, granted my girl is only 8 years old (she's been diabetic for 5 years), but I write down every single thing that goes into her mouth! After a time you will be able to eat certain meals and know exactly what the values are - just because you've done it so many times.

Learn about glycemic indexs on fruits and veggies. For example, cantelope has a much high glycemic value than an apple does. This means that it will convert into sugars faster and cause a faster spike in your blood sugar.

Feet: Take care of them. Inspect them daily (if you can). Good hygiene is important. You don't want to leave them covered in lotion all day as the moist skin can macerate and break down. On the other hand - you don't want them so dry that the skin cracks and lets in bugs. You need to find a happy medium. Always dry between the toes! Keep your toes nails trimmed.




DeviantlyD -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 8:37:06 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Arpig

quote:

That may be your experience with it, but clearly this is not the case for all.
Well of course it's my experience with it, who else's experience would I give? [8|]



You're being purposely imperceptive.

You stated to the OP "Just take your shots and that's about it. It's really a very simple disease to deal with and one that other than remembering to take your needles has almost zero effect on one's day-to-day life." Clearly you are wrong to say this to the OP because you have no idea what her medical condition is, nor do you for anyone other than yourself. To make such a deliberately blanket statement, as you have done, is just the height of ignorance. And please don't try to spin it as a response that reflected only your experience because you did not present it in that manner. It is not a simple disease for everyone. If it were that simple, some diabetics wouldn't suffer side effects such as blindness, gangrene, etc. You may believe you know how it works for you, but you have no authority to state how it works for anyone else.




DarkSteven -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 8:42:35 PM)

angel, the A1C is an average of blood sugar levels for three months.  Making a last minute change shouldn't affect the level that much.




Awareness -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 9:26:20 PM)

  Actually, I'm curious about something.  Is anyone here taking Konjac root  - or the active substance in it known as Glucomannin.  I've heard that it's given to diabetics in Japan and effectively smooths out the sugar spike because it's a soluble fiber which allegedly absorbs up to 100 times its own weight in fluid and consequently slows down the breakdown of foods in the stomach.

The only health risks are to ensure you take it with a good deal of water - to avoid potential choking risks - and not to take it just before bed.  I wondered if anyone had personal experience with it.




LinnaeaBorealis -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 10:54:48 PM)

Oh horseshit!! This is the fucking internet. When anybody makes a blanket statement without adding "this is my experience" someone, if not all of the people reading it will read it as a universal, not a personal statement. It's not that hard to add, "IME" or "IMO". Then you wouldn't have to get into an argument. Oh wait...maybe that's the point.

*backs out to find something more amusing to do with my time*




KMsAngel -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 11:28:55 PM)

truly, linnea, since there's not anything being discussed about diabetes.
any links to this Konjac root, awareness? is it something available in Aus? i try and add cinnamon to my coffee or chili or what have you when i remember, as it's got a fairly good history medically (Eastern and Western) for helping to even out glucose as well.




LinnaeaBorealis -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/25/2011 11:34:15 PM)

Oh yeah, Angel. I remember hearing about that effect of cinnamon before.




tazzygirl -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/26/2011 12:18:41 AM)

Someone at the drug store mentioned cinnamon as well. Will have to look that up.

With the mention of feet and moisture. Anyone have a particular type of moisturizer they use? Light (baby oil) or something thicker?

Arpig... thank you for not insulting my intelligence [:D]... but in this case, I would rather be insulted. Just consider me a newbie with all this. Would rather read through pages of information I do know to get the one gem I dont know.

I dont view any of this as lecturing... I need help. There is so much information. Went to the Library and it worries me that most of the books there are often 10 years old.

I did hit the ADA web site. They have what looks like an amazing muffin recipe.... Banana Ginger. Anyone tried it?

Oh, and does anyone cook with artificial sweetners? Which are the best?




KMsAngel -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/26/2011 12:25:52 AM)

i don't bake often anymore, but when i do i don't use artificial sweeteners. they have that aftertaste, and make me ill on top of that. instead, i restrict my baking and use oatmeal and cinnamon when i can. i also make homemade chunky applesauce with pink ladies (fave) and dark brown sugar sprinkled, lots of cinnamon, and a tiny bit of apple juice. it's not brilliant for my sugars, but i don't eat a lot at one time. put a couple kilo's in a crockpot with the above ingreds, let it simmer all day on low. such a wonderful smell to come home to.

the Australian Diabetic Association (and more than likely the American Diabetic Association - or whateever country you're in), tend to have very good cookbooks. i highly recommend you get them out form the library and pick and choose what you like and what works for you.




DeviantlyD -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/26/2011 1:20:29 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

Someone at the drug store mentioned cinnamon as well. Will have to look that up.

With the mention of feet and moisture. Anyone have a particular type of moisturizer they use? Light (baby oil) or something thicker?

Arpig... thank you for not insulting my intelligence [:D]... but in this case, I would rather be insulted. Just consider me a newbie with all this. Would rather read through pages of information I do know to get the one gem I dont know.

I dont view any of this as lecturing... I need help. There is so much information. Went to the Library and it worries me that most of the books there are often 10 years old.

I did hit the ADA web site. They have what looks like an amazing muffin recipe.... Banana Ginger. Anyone tried it?

Oh, and does anyone cook with artificial sweetners? Which are the best?



It's my understanding that Splenda is used for cooking since it can withstand the higher temperatures that might alter other sweeteners. I don't know how Agave nectar is viewed by dieticians. It has a lower glycemic index than other traditional sweeteners and so it wouldn't impact the blood glucose the way refined (or even unrefined) sugars would. But I understand it will still affect blood sugar, as it is primarily fructose. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-dietitian/archives/index.jsp?page=3#is-agave-nectar-ok-for-people.html

Stevia is also supposed to be good for baking. I don't care for Stevia as I found it had an aftertaste. In all fairness, I only tried one brand so maybe others process the leaf differently and provide a different taste.

I've heard of people using applesauce in place of sugar for a sweetening effect in baking.

If it's any consolation, your taste for the sweet stuff will likely change once you eliminate as much sugar as possible. I know it has for me. I don't have diabetes, but there is a family history, so I've decided to eliminate it as much as possible, as one measure to avoid becoming type II. I echo what others on here have said in that reading labels will be a good learning experience as to what does or doesn't contain sugar, as well as the carbohydrate content. I hate to say it, but it's so disheartening to discover just how many foods contain a sugar of one type or another. Almost all bread, for example, does.

Have you considered joining an online diabetic support group? I'm sure they could offer far more information for you. I found the following one, although I cannot speak to its usefulness. http://www.diabetesforum.com/forum.php




LinnaeaBorealis -> RE: One stop Diabetic Chat (9/26/2011 1:29:09 AM)

And I'm sure that you remember that anything ending in -ose is a sugar of some sort. Malitol is found in some sugar-free candies, but it's not a good thing for diabetics. These are the links I was mentioning which talk about splenda:

http://www.medicinenet.com/artificial_sweeteners/page9.htm
http://jstevens.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/how-sucralose-aka-splenda-is-made-and-why-you-want-to-avoid-it/

For myself, I prefer my foods sweetened with fruits & fruit juices. Pear & white grape juices work very well as sugar substitutes. But they do still have sugar in them, of course. Anything that tastes sweet will have sugar in it in some form or another.




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