HEALTH Diabetes

[naegling62]

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When I was diagnosed(2006) my fasting blood sugar was 600+ and my A1C was too high to calculate they said. My triglycerides were 5,000.

They said my blood sugars were so high because of my triglycerides. So, if I were you I would immediately go have a full work up because if yours is being caused by triglycerides you can't wait that will kill you.

Here's my story. I was having sticky urine and sleepy after meals. I had serious pain under my ribcage left side. I told them I thought it was my pancreas, they laughed it off like how could I know that. Anyway, next day the nurse calls back panicked and tells me to get to the ER at once and that they had already checked me in for a room.

 

[fi103r]

Doc should refer you to dietician and you and dietician work up diet mods
monitor your carbs and exercise
Prayers Sent

 

[oops]

Lotsa luck...as I've bitched several times...today's version of a doctor...is nothin but a screen reader...n are usually less than useless when ya ask for nutritional help...figger out YOUR triggers n go from there...n don't be afraid to do something different from someone else...because few have the exact same reaction to foods...stress...illness...bp... etc...dad's sugar numbers would be all over the place if his BP got off..but accordin to the doc...no bearin... okkkkkk... whatever...you want to see the numbers charts n say that again?...one body...one organism...every system in it directly affects the rest...my issue is anythin with processed wheat...but I've known since hs that I'm sensitive to weight swings from just wheat intake...corn?...lil reaction weight wise...or sugar levels...go figger...

 

[duchess47]

Go on a carnivore diet for thirty days. Bacon is your friend. I’m on my phone so no lengthy message. ADA and their diet and most doctors have no knowledge or desire to cure diabetes, there is too much money in treatments. Dr Ken Berry on YouTube has several videos also on curing diabetes with Keto or carnivore diet. Carnivore cures my husband’s diabetes after 25 years and my pre diabetes. Good luck.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Go on a carnivore diet for thirty days. Bacon is your friend. I’m on my phone so no lengthy message. ADA and their diet and most doctors have no knowledge or desire to cure diabetes, there is too much money in treatments. Dr Ken Berry on YouTube has several videos also on curing diabetes with Keto or carnivore diet. Carnivore cures my husband’s diabetes after 25 years and my pre diabetes. Good luck.

I'm also leaning towards a mostly carnivore diet. Or I've seen it described as a leaning carnivore keto version.

That said, like oops mentioned everyone is different. My trigger is stress events ... but what constitutes a stress event is different for everyone. Even exercise is a stress event for me so all things with moderation.

And I love me some natural "meds" like everyone else, but just like with modern medicine, what works for some does not work for others. Cinnamon, cayenne, and berberine have had no effect on glucose levels for me despite being consistents with them for months. As a matter of fact, each one caused me heartburn from hell.

And a little TMI from a friend ... Miralax. Diabetic meds play havoc with my gut. To the point of pain, discomfort, inability to sleep through the night, and back pain on top of it or because of it. If this doesn't work it is off to the GI doc next. Thus far it seems to be working better than anything else ... no pun intended.

 

[okie-carbine]

My advice: Don't take a single one of those pills. You can probably correct your glucose level by what goes into your machine (body). If you fix the problem on the front end (what you eat), you won't need to fix it on the back end (pills). I would say exercise is not even necessary, but it would help. Keto is also not needed. Like others have said, sugar is the culprit. Eliminate every bit of it that you can tolerate. Don't go cold turkey though. Ease into it. And if you get a craving for something, eat/drink it. If you don't, the craving will consume you. Just get it out of the way, then continue down the road.
Now, all of this is easier said than done. I have been a type 2 for like 13 years, probably more. They have put me on every brand of pill there is probably. And now, injections. But at this point in my life, I say screw it. If I want a damn Pepsi or a Little Debbie snacky cake, I am going to have it, and enjoy it. Life is too short to not enjoy it. Why go without any enjoyment of sweets or things I like, to just live, what, maybe another year or two of not enjoying life? You could die at any time, enjoy life. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, so enjoy today!

 

[Berean]

If possible get someone to prescribe a Libre sensor. No need for finger pricks and you get instant results. It has helped me a LOT. I realize it is expensive without insurance.

 

[Cyclonemom]

Go on a carnivore diet for thirty days. Bacon is your friend. I’m on my phone so no lengthy message. ADA and their diet and most doctors have no knowledge or desire to cure diabetes, there is too much money in treatments. Dr Ken Berry on YouTube has several videos also on curing diabetes with Keto or carnivore diet. Carnivore cures my husband’s diabetes after 25 years and my pre diabetes. Good luck.

YES YES YES!!

I have been full carnivore for over a year now. Absolutely life changing for my health. You do NOT need fiber or carbs. Please do research on this topic. You are right to question the entire medical system.

Like stated above, start with Dr. Berry, but there are others as well.

I can't moderate, but I can abstain. I am a true addict, and sugar (and therefore carbohydrates) are my drug of choice. And just like any alcoholic, abstaining is the only way to not fall off the wagon all over again.

If you get the results you desire from keto, then awesome! But if not, don't give up, and consider meat, eggs, and animal fats only.

 

[SlipperySlope]

My doctor handed me a pile of scrips with no advice when I was diagnosed. Pretty sorry huh?

Cutting carbs helped me immensely but I got away from it. Now I am paying for it.

The best thing to do is your own research on the internet. No one else cares as much as you.

If health insurance and prescription coverage is also a problem you can buy all that you need OTC at WalMart. As much as I hate them (WM) they are a valuable resource for diabetics. They carry 3 types of insulin which cost $25 a vial. Also very cheap test strips. In 10 years my family Dr. has yet to look at my feet! They are supposed to be checked at least once a year. I wish we had a diabetic specialist around here but no luck.

 

[Ravekid]

The part that makes me angry. The doc spent a total of 6 minutes in the room (clock on the wall) and prescribed metformin. She gave me no advice, nutritional or otherwise.
Or medical system is broken that I have to come here and ask…

My doctor handed me a pile of scrips with no advice when I was diagnosed. Pretty sorry huh?

I think the reason doctors don’t say much is because society as a whole isn’t listening. Some groups are even attacking certain medical advice. Close to 75% of the adult population is overweight or obese yet doctors have been telling folks to stop consuming so many calories for decades. Eventually the medical community is just going to shrug their shoulders and stop giving such advice. Seems like that is where we are now. One of my employers used to offer $100 for employees to get a wellness check paid for by the employer. Weight, BP, and cholesterol check. Eventually they stopped doing it after five or so years. People wondered why and I said no one ever made changes with the information they got. Most of the overweight employees stayed overweight or gained weight. Eventually the company saw it as a waste of money.

I eat light. After getting close to 170 lbs. in my early 20s, I knew I needed to make a change. Completely cut out sugar water drinks and went water only plus weekend orange juice and V8 splash. Eventually cut the OJ and V8 as well. The V8 splash was just slightly more healthy liquid sugar. For two decades I’ve stayed in the 140-150 range.

I eat bread a lot. One slice, whole grain, cut in half with PB or PB and jelly. Small amount of lower sugar cereal. Sometimes with a small amount of higher sugar cereals mixed in for taste. If you eat out, small french fries only. Try to not even eat all the french fries.

Look into protein powders and bars. The bars have a lot of fillers so I try not to eat them daily. There are some good protein powders with minimal fillers on Amazon.

Significant portion reduction will go a long way and you don’t have to stop foods you might like.

Also get some exercise in. I’m back on my exercise journey as I lost endurance and need to get it back.

 

[NCGirl]

I have found some instances where the "sugar free" version of something actually has higher carbs.

If you need to walk yourself back from snacks, Walmart has a brand of Keto treats and the Atkins brand of stuff also isn't bad. I use this once or twice a week as my carb snack because they really don't have that many carbs.

My dad's endo has him on the following carb control ... 45 carbs with each meal and one or two 15 carb snacks per day. My dad has gotten to be over 200 pounds because he doesn't exercise enough so that accounts for some of it. Most say to try and keep carbs below 100 grams per day if you are diabetic with the occasional splurge day as long as the carbs come from something healthy and not just junk.

Also remember serving sizes. I've got a weakness this time of year. I absolutely adore those stupid little candy pumpkins. Not candy corn, but Brach's Mellowcreme Pumpkins. Four of those things are 120 calories. HOWEVER, four of those things have 30grams of carbs, and 24 of those are sugar. My mother - God bless her - seems to think getting me a "surprise" is something she should do. Well the middle of September when these first started showing up I lamented that I couldn't have them any longer. They've been a favorite since childhood and it was just a bad day and I got the boo hoo's. What did my mother do? She got a small bag of them and then ... get this ... she cut every one of those things into four pieces. Then she took them and put them in tiny medicine zip bags she picked up at Walgreens. She put a date on each bag, the nutrition amounts, and then four quarters of a pumpkin. Each bag has 30 calories, 7.5 carbs. Does my mother spoil me or what?! LOLOLOL. But it has worked. I don't feel deprived. I'm not tempted to eat more than I should. And it is really easy to add to my health journal. LOL You do what you gotta to get through. Don't be ashamed of it. Sometimes it will just make you laugh what you (and others) do so you feel human and not like a science experiment gone bad.

What an incredible mom...

 

[NCGirl]

@NCGirl are you on any other meds? Some meds are bad for your glucose numbers. For instance, I found out the hard way that prednisone is NOT something a diabetic should be taking. It will cause dramatic spikes for most people. They gave me a shot of it in the ER and my PCP was furious enough that she made a complaint to the hospital. I spiked from the 100's up to 535 in less that 12 hours. So, no prednisone for me.

Here's just a short list of the most common meds that will spike glucose:

• Steroids (also called corticosteroids) - some back pain meds are steroidal so be careful
• Drugs that treat anxiety, ADHD, depression, and other mental health problems
• Birth control pills
• Drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics
• Statins to lower cholesterol (which is just crazy because they general suggest diabetics be on a statin to prevent heart issues)
• Adrenaline for severe allergic reactions
• High doses of asthma medicines, or drugs that you inject for asthma treatment
• Isotretinoin for acne
• Niacin, a B vitamin (I have to take my B's but I watch the niacin and no longer take it as an individual item)
• Medications for treating HIV and hepatitis C
• Tacrolimus, for organ transplantation

I am on beta blockers for a heart condition and requip for RLS. Doctor didn't say anything about this at all.

 

[WalknTrot]

My doctor handed me a pile of scrips with no advice when I was diagnosed. Pretty sorry huh?

Cutting carbs helped me immensely but I got away from it. Now I am paying for it.

The best thing to do is your own research on the internet. No one else cares as much as you.

If health insurance and prescription coverage is also a problem you can buy all that you need OTC at WalMart. As much as I hate them (WM) they are a valuable resource for diabetics. They carry 3 types of insulin which cost $25 a vial. Also very cheap test strips. In 10 years my family Dr. has yet to look at my feet! They are supposed to be checked at least once a year. I wish we had a diabetic specialist around here but no luck.

Good grief. My primary care doc checks my feet once/year and I'm not diabetic! It's a great assessment tool as to level of self-care, possible depression, presence of edema, etc. as people age. To the topic at hand - can't believe you weren't sent for an appointment with a nutritionist/counselor.

 

[NCGirl]

THANK YOU EVERYONE
for all the great advice!!

 

[kyrsyan]

I am on beta blockers for a heart condition and requip for RLS. Doctor didn't say anything about this at all.

Don't feel bad. I didn't know until she put that list up. Until last week, I didn't know that beta blockers will deplete the melatonin in your body and screw up your sleep. Or that it could trigger weird/cold feelings in your toes.

 

[summerthyme]

I am on beta blockers for a heart condition and requip for RLS. Doctor didn't say anything about this at all.

You desperately need a new doctor!

And to emphasize Kathy's point... docs seem to hand out prednisone like candy these days, for the dumbest reasons. I'd love to see a study of blood glucose levels on people considered "normal" or prediabetic after a course of steroids! I've known several people who went from "well controlled on oral meds" to "brittle diabetic (IOW, poorly controlled and difficult to keep balanced) on multiple doses of insulin daily" after a course of steroids.

And the other is statins... DS's FILs health went from excellent (for any age, and he was 72 at the time) to being a brittle diabetic within 3 months of them putting him on statins. His cholesterol at the time was 203, with an excellent ratio of high:low density cholesterol. They have definitely shortened his life...

Summerthyme

 

[Valann]

I have less than 0% trust in medical professionals at this time.

I rarely go to the doctor but have been feeling so bad I finally went. First a nurse pricked my finger then drew blood. After waiting over 90 minutes the doctor finally came in. She told me my fasting blood sugar was 503. A1C was 13. I understand this is really bad.

The part that makes me angry. The doc spent a total of 6 minutes in the room (clock on the wall) and prescribed metformin. She gave me no advice, nutritional or otherwise. Didn't tell me to get a blood glucose monitor or anything else. Just told me to take the metformin twice a day and come back in 90 days.

So, here I am.

Any advice? Keto diet maybe? More Exercise? Books to read?

I need a glucose monitor. I don't want something fancy, with apps and all that, need simple. Recommendation?

Or medical system is broken that I have to come here and ask this..

Sorry you have been feeling poorly and got that diagnosis. Some people who are newly diagnosed can correct this with changes in what they are eating. Also, I have several friends that have been on metformin then when off of it. They are taking Mounjaro and it has stabilized their blood sugar. Pretty amazing but it is a newer drug. The bonus is that those taking it are also dropping a lot of weight with it. The con is it is new so long term studies aren't there. Here is more information on it Type 2 Diabetes Treatment to Lower A1C | Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)

 

[John Deere Girl]

Deleted

 

[seraphima]

There is likely a diabetes association or outreach clinic of some sort near where you live. I live in a town of 10,000 people and have one, so wherever you are there should be something.
Things I do:
Always take fastng blood sugar each morning, and then relate it to events from the day before. For instance; if i eat after 6 pm, my blood sugar will go up the next morning. If I eat someone's birthday cake, it will go up the next morning.
I find fats make my blood sugar go up.

Tonic water or club soda are my friend if I want something fizzy, and they are cheap.

I love carbs, but have learned to not eat things I don't like. Stale/blah/ tastes chemicaly/just don't like it- stop eating it, throw it away! (part of me doesn't want to 'waste' 'food' You have my permission- waste it!)

No high fructose corn syrup! the stuff makes my numbers go ballistic! Sugar may be bad, but corn syrup is waaaaay bad. It is in all sorts of things like ketchup, jam, salad dressing, soup, yada yada. Hint: Organic food versions don't have corn syrup.

My dog walks me 20-40 minutes every day. i also wiggle, rotate, bend, stretch my toes,feet and ankles whenever i sit down, part of overall exercise program, but specific in slowing numbness and neuropathy in my feet.

 

[bev]

Good luck, NCGirl. You’ll figure out what works best for you. My DM started after numerous steroid shots. Cortisone.

IMPORTANT,

I just heard about this in the last couple weeks. Hollywood types are taking the new injectable diabetes drugs for weight loss, not for diabetes. Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc. They do lose weight, but there’s a side effect I’d never considered - gastroporesis. Another word for delayed stomach emptying / stomach paralysis, which is why you feel full longer on these drugs. Just think about that for a second. Delayed stomach emptying. Look up “bezoar.”

“The active ingredient in these injectable medications is semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which slows digestion in the stomach. In rare cases, the stomach can take too long to empty out, leading to “stomach paralysis” or gastroparesis. Aug 3, 2023”
https://www.healthline.com/health-n...n these,“stomach paralysis” or gastroparesis.

Ozempic and Mounjaro Could Cause Stomach Paralysis ...​

https://www.healthline.com/health-n...n these,“stomach paralysis” or gastroparesis.
Also see:

Gastroparesis is a stomach disorder. It happens when your stomach takes too long to empty out food. The food can also harden into solid masses (bezoars). They may upset your stomach or create a blockage in your stomach. In most cases, gastroparesis is a long-term (chronic) condition.

Gastroparesis | Cedars-Sinai​

 

[John Deere Girl]

Good luck, NCGirl. You’ll figure out what works best for you. My DM started after numerous steroid shots. Cortisone.

IMPORTANT,

I just heard about this in the last couple weeks. Hollywood types are taking the new injectable diabetes drugs for weight loss, not for diabetes. Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc. They do lose weight, but there’s a side effect I’d never considered - gastroporesis. Another word for delayed stomach emptying / stomach paralysis, which is why you feel full longer on these drugs. Just think about that for a second. Delayed stomach emptying. Look up “bezoar.”

“The active ingredient in these injectable medications is semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro), which slows digestion in the stomach. In rare cases, the stomach can take too long to empty out, leading to “stomach paralysis” or gastroparesis. Aug 3, 2023”
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-mounjaro-lawsuit-stomach-paralysis#:~:text=The active ingredient in these,“stomach paralysis” or gastroparesis.

Ozempic and Mounjaro Could Cause Stomach Paralysis ...​

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-mounjaro-lawsuit-stomach-paralysis#:~:text=The active ingredient in these,“stomach paralysis” or gastroparesis.
Also see:

Gastroparesis is a stomach disorder. It happens when your stomach takes too long to empty out food. The food can also harden into solid masses (bezoars). They may upset your stomach or create a blockage in your stomach. In most cases, gastroparesis is a long-term (chronic) condition.

Gastroparesis | Cedars-Sinai​

My husband was encouraged to try ozempic, so he did. It caused him chest pain, trouble breathing, and severe eye pain.

 

[PghPanther]

I have a lot of understanding of this subject.

If you were not born with Diabetes type 1 (familial or genetic) then you have acquired Diabetes type 2 which in most Western cultures is a result of primarily diet and in part a sedentary lifestyle.

That stated, your first line of defense that can actually reverse type 2 is eating a diet in nutritionally dense whole foods and never drink calories (any sugar in liquids is a destroyer of health including fruit juices) ....

....most important make sure the carbohydrate sources of your meals come from those long chained carbohydrates or in other words.................eat carbohydrate foods with low glycemic index/loads which are almost all veggies and some fruits and a few select grains.

Google search low glycemic index and low glycemic load foods to understand this if you don't know what I'm talking about.

There is no need to be on meds for type 2 if you catch it soon enough you can reverse it with a diet humans were evolved to eat (not processed made up foods)

Also of course a regular exercise program will help manage blood sugar but diet is 80% in the control of it.

The medical field is not completely broken.............it suffers from doctors over booking/understaffing and not paying enough attention to each patient because they just can't find the time.

That is why it is important to you because it is your life to find out as much about your condition and implement lifestyle changes and share that information with your doctor so they know what you are doing.

In most cases people don't or won't make any changes and ask for pills instead which will eventually lead to chasing side effects with other prescriptions while destroying the liver and kidneys over time.

 

[pymaf]

I will share my story.

After battling diabetes for 3 years , taking metformin 2000 MG a day, and 45 units of Insulin daily...my fasting blood sugar was 398. A1C was 14. I decided to make a change. 14 months ago I started on a low carb diet, less than 30 carbs a day. This is not easy, I wont lie to you. I also did some weeks of intermittent fasting (not eating between 7pm and 10 am for a few weeks) I'm currently down 83 pounds, stopped taking insulin in May, Reduced to 1000 MG of metormin in May, Now no metformin. My current blood sugar the last two doctor visits are around 109 and my A1C is 5.7 .

The first two weeks are the toughest but then you adjust . No cheat days, NONE....lol

 

[dunebuggy]

I second everyone who has mentioned Dr Berg's videos. Dr. Ekberg is pretty good too. He has a video where he ate carnivore for a month and showed how well his vitals improved.

Also, I have heard and read many good things about Earthing, or "grounding", concerning diabetes. Earthing is basically walking barefoot on grass to absorb the earth's electrons. It balances your electrical system. Yes, this is a slightly "out there" option, but the Earthing book devotes a large section to diabetes patients and how they improved by this one simple change. And it's basically free, though you can get grounding mats for ~$70 or less, so you can stay grounded through the night.

I'm not diabetic, but I recently started earthing and am now going through a bad detox: lots of soreness and headaches, which I never get. We'll see if this is for the good or not...

 

[naegling62]

Y'all do realize you're gonna need a Shock Collar for French Fries.

 

[school marm]

Hi NCGirl,

First off, condolences. T2D is a drag.

2nd, here's my experience. DH is type 1 and has been since February 1983, so 40 years now. He was a super skinny track and cross-country athlete until his diagnosis. He's pretty relaxed about everything else in life except his blood sugar control. He obsesses over that. He sees his endocrinologist or the associated NP every 3 months. The NP said DH was his 2nd best patient in terms of control.

I became T2D earlier this year. Doctors removed 70% of my pancreas due to cysts 15 years ago and assured me I'd become T2D at that time. I didn't, but age, a little excess weight, and menopause have done me in.

What others have said about being admitted to the hospital, lab work, and especially needing a new doctor are all spot on. Over 500 is way too high. And your insurance should line you up with a nutritionist. There are competent ones out there that won't just parrot the ADA's recommendations.

Many have mentioned exercise, and you should definitely start now if you haven't already. HOWEVER, you aren't supposed to exercise (and this includes sex) if your blood sugar is above 180. You risk doing even more damage.

I've been controlling my blood sugars with diet (just less sugar, not low/no carb), exercise, and supplements. I won't go on metformin; I don't trust Big Pharma anymore. If necessary, I'll do insulin, but I don't think I'll have to go there.

 

[Kathy in FL]

I second everyone who has mentioned Dr Berg's videos. Dr. Ekberg is pretty good too. He has a video where he ate carnivore for a month and showed how well his vitals improved.

Also, I have heard and read many good things about Earthing, or "grounding", concerning diabetes. Earthing is basically walking barefoot on grass to absorb the earth's electrons. It balances your electrical system. Yes, this is a slightly "out there" option, but the Earthing book devotes a large section to diabetes patients and how they improved by this one simple change. And it's basically free, though you can get grounding mats for ~$70 or less, so you can stay grounded through the night.

I'm not diabetic, but I recently started earthing and am now going through a bad detox: lots of soreness and headaches, which I never get. We'll see if this is for the good or not...

May work for some, but I've walked primarily barefoot my entire life ... I mean entire life. There is no change and it did not prevent diabetes.

Diabetes type 2 can be genetic, not necessarily the result of sedentary lifestyle or being fat. My husband is lucky, he did not win the genetic lottery and has - thus far - been able to avoid all of his family's medical problems. I have not despite having just as active a lifestyle as my husband and eating the same restricted diet.

Everyone is different. Sometimes you just have to deal with what life hands you and stop the blame game which will never, ever change the past. The point is to do what you can with what you have and move forward from this point onward.

 

[momma_soapmaker]

You absolutely need a new doctor. There's no excuse for this epic medical failure.

Highly recommend Dr Jason Fung and intermittent fasting. He has books and YouTube videos.

Dr Ken Berry and the "proper human diet" are worth watching on YouTube as well.

I second checking your kidneys and your blood pressure. If my sugar is up, usually my BP is too. Kidney failure can have ZERO symptoms until it's done extreme damage.

I know it's overwhelming, but you have to be your own advocate. Knowledge is your weapon.

Prayers going up for you!

 

[John Deere Girl]

May work for some, but I've walked primarily barefoot my entire life ... I mean entire life. There is no change and it did not prevent diabetes.

Diabetes type 2 can be genetic, not necessarily the result of sedentary lifestyle or being fat. My husband is lucky, he did not win the genetic lottery and has - thus far - been able to avoid all of his family's medical problems. I have not despite having just as active a lifestyle as my husband and eating the same restricted diet.

Everyone is different. Sometimes you just have to deal with what life hands you and stop the blame game which will never, ever change the past. The point is to do what you can with what you have and move forward from this point onward.

As I mentioned before, my husband is a type 2 diabetic. He was in top physical form when he was diagnosed. He's still not overweight, eats extremely healthy, organic but he has an illness that affects his vagus nerve, which affects all the organs in the body. The only people in his family with diabetes are veterans. In fact, every veteran we know has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Odd...

 

[philkar]

Thought I would chime in! Strong family hx landed me square in the lap of big D for 4 years now. I use cinnamon and chromium picollinate. I walk everyday. My first A1C 4 years ago was 11.3. About 4 weeks ago it was 5.3. My words of advice would be to go to ER to get that 500 down. After that I would encourage you to not do drastic stuff. Cut back but don't eliminate. You will never manage if you get it in your head that life is going to be one of depravation. Count carbs not calories. And go talk to a nutritionist or diabetic educator. This whole change starts with a pretty steep learning curve and if you are like me you will still learn something new about diabetes every day! And lastly any bit of weight you can lose is to your advantage. It will take less to control D when you lose weight. And don't think I am saying you are overweight. Petite people get D too! Good luck on your journey!

 

[Terrwyn]

I have no advice only sympathy and prayers for your scary diagnosis. It sounds like your friends on here are giving you some very helpful advice however.

 

[Redcat]

I am type 2 (some say type 3) from severe pancreatitis. First acute, then chronic for the past 40+ years.

They told me that I would end up diabetic, and I held it off until around 40 years old. At that point my sugar was 580 and I honestly don't know what my A1C was. I was sick.

Started on regular metformin and that was good until around 60 years old. Then I needed to add Glipizide. Fine until 65.

Now I am on Lantus and Humalog insulins and Metformin ER and Glipizide. I can not take the Ozempic type of insulins (even if I could afford them, which I cannot), because of my damaged pancreas. Plus I already have motility issues with my digestion, I don't need more..

My last year of A1C has been 7.5 and my sugar is normally 145 or so. It does bounce around depending on what I eat, and when I have taken my meds. I do still cheat here and there, but with insulin, I can. My cheat twice a week is a glass of lemonade. I look forward to it, and adjust for the carbs.

Suggestions:

1) Find a better doctor, yours sucks.
2) Ask for the ER or XR version of Metformin, it is far easier on your digestion.
3) No soda, no sugar, no diet soda, no sugar free anything. My sugar will rise with any diet product.
4) Reduce your carbs. No fruit other than berries, no peas, no beans, no corn. No bread, pasta or rice of any kind. Ditto, no cookies or pastry.
5) Have your eyes checked. See an endocrinologist.
6) Drink water, it dilutes the sugar in your system.
7) Get a Relion meter at Walmart and test test test. Minimum three times a day. You need to see what is going on.

Your sugar is so high, you may need the ER to give you insulin to bring it down to safe levels. If you feel faint, or equally sick, go.

Keep us posted on your progress. You can do this.

 

[Texican]

I had a reading near 500 and the doc put me in the hospital to bring my blood sugar down.

My blood sugar has been under 100 most times, but will go into the 120's depending on what I eat.

Eating lots of protein and green veggies and cutting down on the carbs will help a lot. Just as others have stated.

Texican....

 

[AlfaMan]

I have less than 0% trust in medical professionals at this time.

I rarely go to the doctor but have been feeling so bad I finally went. First a nurse pricked my finger then drew blood. After waiting over 90 minutes the doctor finally came in. She told me my fasting blood sugar was 503. A1C was 13. I understand this is really bad.

The part that makes me angry. The doc spent a total of 6 minutes in the room (clock on the wall) and prescribed metformin. She gave me no advice, nutritional or otherwise. Didn't tell me to get a blood glucose monitor or anything else. Just told me to take the metformin twice a day and come back in 90 days.

So, here I am.

Any advice? Keto diet maybe? More Exercise? Books to read?

I need a glucose monitor. I don't want something fancy, with apps and all that, need simple. Recommendation?

Or medical system is broken that I have to come here and ask this..

First off, I'm sorry to hear you have contracted diabetes. It's an irritating disease; I got diagnosed with it when I was 41 (I'm now 59). It's also not going to go away-you're in for a marathon, not a sprint. Manage the affliction, don't let it manage you.

I'd be shopping for a new doctor pronto. No ifs ands or buts. Your doctor is a self centered, profit motivated ass. With a horrendous bedside manner to boot. That doc should have spent time with you to explain what to expect, short term and long term goals, etc. And given you at least a smidgeon of moral support! Getting diabetes is a big step in life, and not necessarily for the better. Even the most simple words of guidance would make all the difference. Your doc tossed you to the (diabetes) wolves with zero preparation. NOT cool.....replace your doc.

When a person is first diagnosed with diabetes the setting up of medications, lowering blood sugar RIGHT NOW ! and A1C RIGHT NOW! can honestly be a rollercoaster. And stopping eating this and now trying that can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate wildly when first diagnosed. You may be at 503 now; a week in you could have the metformin kicking in and you skip lunch. And then your sugar levels plummet. And you're on the other end of diabetes and feeling BAD (and kicking into full blown ketosis) all of a sudden.

My doc put me on the Atkins diet almost immediately after the diagnosis. Three days into it and my sugar was in the 40s and I felt worse than before the diagnosis. That's part of the managing part of diabetes-everyone responds differently so one size diet or medication regimen does not fit all. Please remember that. You are unique and your meds and diet are for your best outcome.

Personal advice-maintain an even strain, so to speak. Your diet will need to change. Getting a glucose meter should be a first step. WalMart has serviceable meters at good prices. Start checking your blood sugar-I started with doing it an hour after each meal. That way you can find out what food triggers high sugar levels and what foods are good for you. I found fried chicken drives my sugar levels though the roof ! On doc's advice I'm down to 2 pieces of bread a day-carbs are sure fire ways to raise blood sugar. But again, your mileage may vary. Everyone is different.

Another tip-keep nibbles around you! As your sugar levels settle down, some times activitiy, or cold weather (I work outside) can cause you to burn more calories (and sugar) than normal. You may begin to feel irritated, or confused and sluggish. Your sugar is crashing; the nibbles (pack of peanuts, bag of potato chips, my favorite-packs of Lance snack crackers) are a godsend in stabilizing your sugar levels. Feel goofy? A pack of crackers and you start to feel like yourself again. I work outside in cold and heat so you may not need that sort of thing. I do and it's saved my butt many times. Again, everyone is different.

Again, I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis. But technology and medications make it a minor inconvenience in life compared to the death sentence it was prior to the discovery of insulin. Take a little extra care here and there and you'll do just fine. I know it.

You can do this!

 

[rondaben]

I have less than 0% trust in medical professionals at this time.

I rarely go to the doctor but have been feeling so bad I finally went. First a nurse pricked my finger then drew blood. After waiting over 90 minutes the doctor finally came in. She told me my fasting blood sugar was 503. A1C was 13. I understand this is really bad.

The part that makes me angry. The doc spent a total of 6 minutes in the room (clock on the wall) and prescribed metformin. She gave me no advice, nutritional or otherwise. Didn't tell me to get a blood glucose monitor or anything else. Just told me to take the metformin twice a day and come back in 90 days.

So, here I am.

Any advice? Keto diet maybe? More Exercise? Books to read?

I need a glucose monitor. I don't want something fancy, with apps and all that, need simple. Recommendation?

Or medical system is broken that I have to come here and ask this..

new doc. now. preferrably an endocrinologist but dont wait for an appointment. If you have to wait more than a week, go to the hospital for admission and treatment.

metformin wont cut it. you need basal and bolus insulin, now. if you are on farxiga, jardiance or diuretics stop now. If you are on lisinopril (meds that end in -pril) or losartan (meds that end in -artan) those need to be stopped too. If BP is high, go to the ER. Drink ridiuculous amounts of water.

report this doc to the medical board for malpractice

 

[Breeta]

I was diagnosed in the ER with a blood sugar of 541 back in 2015. A few months earlier my A1C was 5.7 - after several months of keto dieting and constant bloody diarrhea from metformin, my blood sugar was still in the 300s. (They told me it might take several weeks to get in the normal range which is bull.) After then taking another medication to make my pancreas produce more insulin didn’t work, I had them test me for type 1. Turns out I had type 1 diabetes, not type 2!! My pancreas is dead and doesn’t produce insulin. But type 1 is rare. I had them test me because type 1 acquired in adulthood runs in my family.
Anyway. I hope they ran blood tests to make sure you’re not in diabetic keto acidosis. If you’re not, drink lots of water and exercise (simply walking is enough) will bring down the sugar. It takes years of high blood sugars to cause the major damage, they told me when I was first diagnosed and concerned. (as long as you’re not in dka). So odd they didn’t send you home with a glucose monitor. my regular one (not the continuous dexcom one i wear), is a one touch verio.
Hope you can get your sugar to come down soon. Being “high” is the pits.

 

[pauldingbabe]

new doc. now. preferrably an endocrinologist but dont wait for an appointment. If you have to wait more than a week, go to the hospital for admission and treatment.

metformin wont cut it. you need basal and bolus insulin, now. if you are on farxiga, jardiance or diuretics stop now. If you are on lisinopril (meds that end in -pril) or losartan (meds that end in -artan) those need to be stopped too. If BP is high, go to the ER. Drink ridiuculous amounts of water.

report this doc to the medical board for malpractice

Thank you!

 

[phloydius]

If you are on lisinopril (meds that end in -pril) or losartan (meds that end in -artan) those need to be stopped too.

For my own edification about a family member that is on two of those meds, and has diabetes type 2 -- Why?

 

[Breeta]

Oh yeah thought I’d add- the nurse at work told me a blood sugar level over 500 is a life threatening emergency and they made me scoot over to the ER pronto. The ER took me in immediately and ran all kinds of tests, including a very painful arterial blood gas test to make sure I wasn’t in DKA. They also shot ne up with insulin & wouldn’t let me leave til my sugar was under 300. Started me in blood pressure meds (lisinopril for my kidneys), metformin and gave me a glucose monitor & referred me to follow up with my doctor.
I then went home and had pizza because I hadn’t eaten all day. lol. That’s about the worst food i could have chosen to eat. My sugar was right back up to 500 again!
It’s a scary diagnosis but please know you’re not alone & there’s a bunch of us here you can lean on if you need a shoulder.
It’s going to be ok. One step at a time.

 

[Breeta]

For my own edification about a family member that is on two of those meds, and has diabetes type 2 -- Why?

I was told those medications are to protect the kidneys. I had to go off lisinopril due to dry cough, but currently take losartan. They want diabetics’ blood pressure even lower than the reccomended… so i too want to know why.