Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)
- 1a.
- Re: I would appreciate your comments... From: Nan Cee
- 1b.
- Re: I would appreciate your comments... From: Jude
- 1c.
- Re: I would appreciate your comments... From: AnaLog Services, Inc.
- 1d.
- Re: I would appreciate your comments... From: Dorothy Wurth
- 2a.
- Re: seeing an endo From: Holly Shaltz
- 2b.
- Re: seeing an endo From: Jude
- 2c.
- Re: seeing an endo From: AnaLog Services, Inc.
- 2d.
- Re: seeing an endo From: Jude
- 2e.
- Re: seeing an endo From: Holly Shaltz
- 2f.
- Re: seeing an endo From: Holly Shaltz
- 2g.
- Re: seeing an endo From: AnaLog Services, Inc.
- 2h.
- Re: seeing an endo From: Jude
- 2i.
- Re: seeing an endo From: Tiamat
- 3a.
- Re: allergic break-out/diabetes From: AnaLog Services, Inc.
- 3b.
- Re: allergic break-out/diabetes From: Jude
- 3c.
- Re: allergic break-out/diabetes From: AnaLog Services, Inc.
- 4.
- Re: BG Testing From: Richard
- 5a.
- foot drop From: Tricia
- 5b.
- Re: foot drop From: Jude
- 5c.
- Re: foot drop From: Kristy Sokoloski
- 6.
- Bariatric surgery From: brian cooper
- 7a.
- Re: why no insulin for type 2s From: Donna
- 7b.
- Re: why no insulin for type 2s From: red5hoops
- 8a.
- glucose reading ups and down Q. Insulin? From: barbhealth2008
- 8b.
- Re: glucose reading ups and down Q. Insulin? From: Jude
Messages
- 1a.
-
Re: I would appreciate your comments...
Posted by: "Nan Cee" nan.cee124@yahoo.com nan.cee124
Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:02 am (PST)
You asked what is my diagnosis? Actually, there are a few.
In February 1989, I had an acute AMI that left me with:
loss of function in 40% of my heart,
an enlarged heart,
a prolapsed mitral valve,
congestive heart failure,
arrhythmia
high cholesterol
Around that time I was also diagnosed with low thyroid
In 1996, I was hospitalized because my heart was "racing". I never
did get a clear diagnosis from the two doctors who were treating me.
I heard tachycardia and another said atrial fibrillation. Uncertain????
I was sent to a "super-dooper" specialist in Albuquerque, NM who wanted
to place me on a table for approximately 8 hours and induce another heart
attack.........insert catheters to see which chamber was misfiring... .then do
some sort of lasar app. He also wanted to insert a pacemaker. I "passed"
on his recommendations (everyone in his waiting room had a pacemaker) and I
told him I'd prefer to stay on medications instead.
Later, I learned I had COPD, an umbilical hernia, a bilobar abdominal aortic
aneurysm, and diabetes type II. (Not all were diagnosed at the same time).
Another diagnosis added to the list was osteopenia.
In 2003, my weight had increased to 280+ and I was diagnosed as morbidly obese.
in or around 2003. That was when I was diagnosed with diabetes and began the
"real" struggle with weight loss and am currently in the 250-260 range but haven't been
able to get below 250 (yet !!! ) It seems that each time I'd try a new "diet", I'd gain
a bit more weight.
The two drugs I am most concerned about are the statins for high cholesterol....but,
they are supposed to be "beneficial" to those with certain heart conditions. The
other drug is Glipizide.......the information sheets that come with my Rx clearly
states that these drugs should not be taken by anyone with congestive heart failure.
All of my medical problems began in 1988 when I went to a doctor to get a
complete physical exam. I wanted to know how much and what type of exercise
I could safely do to lose the 16 pounds I had gained. He never mentioned to me
that my cholesterol was 400+.
I think, in spite of all the health issues, I have been fortunate to have made it this
far.......having been hospitalized only one time since the acute AMI 20+ years
ago. Needless to say, it has definitely increased my faith and the glucosamine/
chondroitin has helped to make it possible for me to spend time on my knees.
Thanks for all the replies to my original request.
Nancy
_____________________ _________ __
From: "AnaLog Services, Inc." <analog@logwell.com >
To: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Tue, December 29, 2009 12:59:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Type-2-Diabetes] I would appreciate your comments...
That is one heck of a drug cocktail. What the heck is your diagnosis? They seem to be treating you for congestive heart failure and high blood pressure / angina. Several of those are fairly harmless and benign like the aspirin and the osteo biflex. Others not so benign, like the cholesterol medicines which I refuse and I probably have a similar diagnosis to yours (our Dr. Ron thinks they are peachy, but I am not so sure about that).
Given all the things going on with you, you might want to consider insulin. I went that route out of necessity after acute renal failure, but it turned out to be a wonderful move.
>
- 1b.
-
Re: I would appreciate your comments...
Posted by: "Jude" peridotjude@yahoo.com peridotjude
Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:16 am (PST)
That's quite a medical history you have there, Nancy-- scary stuff, at least at times, I'm sure.
IMO anytime you have several different specialists vying for access to your med history, drug therapy, and diagnoses, there's going to be therapy overlap, differences of opinion, and often a very scary unawareness of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
I am more sure than ever that insulin is the best course of action for you. If your doc thinks it's a viable option, you might be very pleased with the results. If I were you, I'd get off that glipizide stuff ASAP, but that's just my non-medical opinion, you know, what I'd do for myself.
Again, please let us know how you're doing.
Judy D.
- 1c.
-
Re: I would appreciate your comments...
Posted by: "AnaLog Services, Inc." analog@logwell.com sydlevine
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:41 am (PST)
Nan,
I refuse to take the statins, and my diagnosis is very similar to yours, The blunt reality is that high cholesterol is the least of our worries, and risking the side effects of the statins is a bad gamble as far as I am concerned. As Jude would say, this is only my personal opinion.
I think Jude is right about you and insulin. It was the best move I ever made in the management of my problems. You might talk to the doc about adding Symlin to the insulin after awhile if you go the insulin route. It can result in some fairly impressive weight loss without any suffering (assuming you tolerate the drug well). I lost 50 pounds plus on Byetta, a similar drug used with oral antiglycemics.
Keep an eye on the digoxin. It is a very potent plant alkaloid, and the toxic levels are not much higher than the therapeutic levels. Visual anomalies are a common side effect of too high of a dose. The evidence that it prolongs life is sketchy, but it does seem to improve exercise tolerance in heart failure, so is still popular.
Do you sleep ok at night? Do you need to prop yourself up to breath in the bed? Diuresis is of critical importance to folks like you and me, but most doctors do not tweak the dose critically. I bet you know what it is like to be concerned about where restrooms are located when you are on your daily lasix cycle!
Syd
----- Original Message -----
From: Nan Cee
To: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Type-2-Diabetes] I would appreciate your comments...
You asked what is my diagnosis? Actually, there are a few.
In February 1989, I had an acute AMI that left me with:
loss of function in 40% of my heart,
an enlarged heart,
a prolapsed mitral valve,
congestive heart failure,
arrhythmia
high cholesterol
Around that time I was also diagnosed with low thyroid
In 1996, I was hospitalized because my heart was "racing". I never
did get a clear diagnosis from the two doctors who were treating me.
I heard tachycardia and another said atrial fibrillation. Uncertain????
I was sent to a "super-dooper" specialist in Albuquerque, NM who wanted
to place me on a table for approximately 8 hours and induce another heart
attack.........insert catheters to see which chamber was misfiring... .then do
some sort of lasar app. He also wanted to insert a pacemaker. I "passed"
on his recommendations (everyone in his waiting room had a pacemaker) and I
told him I'd prefer to stay on medications instead.
Later, I learned I had COPD, an umbilical hernia, a bilobar abdominal aortic
aneurysm, and diabetes type II. (Not all were diagnosed at the same time).
Another diagnosis added to the list was osteopenia.
In 2003, my weight had increased to 280+ and I was diagnosed as morbidly obese.
in or around 2003. That was when I was diagnosed with diabetes and began the
"real" struggle with weight loss and am currently in the 250-260 range but haven't been
able to get below 250 (yet !!! ) It seems that each time I'd try a new "diet", I'd gain
a bit more weight.
The two drugs I am most concerned about are the statins for high cholesterol....but,
they are supposed to be "beneficial" to those with certain heart conditions. The
other drug is Glipizide.......the information sheets that come with my Rx clearly
states that these drugs should not be taken by anyone with congestive heart failure.
All of my medical problems began in 1988 when I went to a doctor to get a
complete physical exam. I wanted to know how much and what type of exercise
I could safely do to lose the 16 pounds I had gained. He never mentioned to me
that my cholesterol was 400+.
I think, in spite of all the health issues, I have been fortunate to have made it this
far.......having been hospitalized only one time since the acute AMI 20+ years
ago. Needless to say, it has definitely increased my faith and the glucosamine/
chondroitin has helped to make it possible for me to spend time on my knees.
Thanks for all the replies to my original request.
Nancy
- 1d.
-
Re: I would appreciate your comments...
Posted by: "Dorothy Wurth" dottie.wurth@yahoo.com dottie.wurth
Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:50 am (PST)
Hi Nan Cee,
I usually just lurk here, but I've been reading the posts regarding your situation with interest, so I thought I'ld throw in my 2 cents worth. I've been diabetic for over 20 years. When my doctors first recommended insulin, I was frightened and reluctant, but in the long run I've learned that it was really the best thing I could do. It is the treatment that is most natural to your body and has the least side effects. It allows you to control glucose levels better than any other method. There are some that argue that it leads to weight gain, but that is only if you don't control your diet. With your heart condition, I would be very cautious about trying to reduce your carb intake too strengently especially while you are on Metformin and the Glipicide. This could lead you to some really dangerous lows that your heart might not be able to handle. I noticed in your first post that you go to a VA clinic. Is it possible that you could see a
doctor or someone there who would be able to help you develop a eally good management plan for all of your healthcare issues? I know that may be difficult since doctors are always on such a tight schedule, they don't really have time for us any more. But it sounds like that is what you need. Please keep us informed regarding how you are doing and take good care.
Dottie
--- On Wed, 12/30/09, Nan Cee <nan.cee124@yahoo.com > wrote:
From: Nan Cee <nan.cee124@yahoo.com >
Subject: Re: [Type-2-Diabetes] I would appreciate your comments...
To: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. com
Date: Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 3:38 AM
You asked what is my diagnosis? Actually, there are a few.
In February 1989, I had an acute AMI that left me with:
loss of function in 40% of my heart,
an enlarged heart,
a prolapsed mitral valve,
congestive heart failure,
arrhythmia
high cholesterol
Around that time I was also diagnosed with low thyroid
In 1996, I was hospitalized because my heart was "racing". I never
did get a clear diagnosis from the two doctors who were treating me.
I heard tachycardia and another said atrial fibrillation. Uncertain??? ?
I was sent to a "super-dooper" specialist in Albuquerque, NM who wanted
to place me on a table for approximately 8 hours and induce another heart
attack...... ...insert catheters to see which chamber was misfiring... .then do
some sort of lasar app. He also wanted to insert a pacemaker. I "passed"
on his recommendations (everyone in his waiting room had a pacemaker) and I
told him I'd prefer to stay on medications instead.
Later, I learned I had COPD, an umbilical hernia, a bilobar abdominal aortic
aneurysm, and diabetes type II. (Not all were diagnosed at the same time).
Another diagnosis added to the list was osteopenia.
In 2003, my weight had increased to 280+ and I was diagnosed as morbidly obese.
in or around 2003. That was when I was diagnosed with diabetes and began the
"real" struggle with weight loss and am currently in the 250-260 range but haven't been
able to get below 250 (yet !!! ) It seems that each time I'd try a new "diet", I'd gain
a bit more weight.
The two drugs I am most concerned about are the statins for high cholesterol. ...but,
they are supposed to be "beneficial" to those with certain heart conditions. The
other drug is Glipizide... ....the information sheets that come with my Rx clearly
states that these drugs should not be taken by anyone with congestive heart failure.
All of my medical problems began in 1988 when I went to a doctor to get a
complete physical exam. I wanted to know how much and what type of exercise
I could safely do to lose the 16 pounds I had gained. He never mentioned to me
that my cholesterol was 400+.
I think, in spite of all the health issues, I have been fortunate to have made it this
far.......having been hospitalized only one time since the acute AMI 20+ years
ago. Needless to say, it has definitely increased my faith and the glucosamine/
chondroitin has helped to make it possible for me to spend time on my knees.
Thanks for all the replies to my original request.
Nancy
- 2a.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "Holly Shaltz" holly@shaltzfarm.com hollyshaltz
Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:40 am (PST)
reposting as there wasn't much response and I'm
really interested in hearing from others who've
been referred to endocrinologists....
To my immense surprise, my PA gave me a referral
to an endo without my asking, and I have an
appointment with the endo's DNE in January, then
the endo herself in February. The appointment
nurse let slip that my PA's letter requested I be
seen "urgently". Huh? I figured it out pretty
quick - two A1Cs below 5, and the way she keeps
telling me she's afraid I'll go hypo - oh, she
thinks the endo will convince me to raise my A1C
to a "safe" 6 I bet <g>
I haven't yet gotten the paperwork I have to fill
out and send in, so I don't know what it will ask
for. I did get a letter confirming the
appointments and sending me a brochure that, among
other things, says most diabetics are seen only
one time - just a consultation, not becoming the
endo's patient. Darn! Also said one category for
referral is "complex T2s" I wonder if that's
where I fall? <VBG>
It's so ironic to have this appointment now, when
my PA brushed off my severe BG fluctuations that
made last summer hell. "Everyone's BG fluctuates"
she kept saying. Uh, up 20-30% or more of the
starting point in the space of 5 minutes, for no
apparent reason, making me feel like I was
falling-down drunk without the fun of getting
there? Yeah, right.
But I figured I might as well accept the
appointment, in case big problems come up like
that again in the future. Then I saw that
brochure and realized the chances of working with
this endo as a team are pretty slim. Still, I can
hope, even if I'm prepared for the worst...
Any tips out there on a first visit to an endo? I
plan to be upfront about my diabetes management
goal - to normalize my BGs and A1C, and maintain
them in the *true* non-diabetic, normal range. I
will write a letter to enclose with the paperwork
to that effect, if it's not asked.
Other than that, all the people I've asked have
been uniformly negative about having any hopes of
working with an endo to help me achieve my goal.
I find that quite depressing! Why *assume* she
will not be willing to listen and help? I'm not
stupid enough to assume she is willing, but what
do I gain by assuming she won't be?
I guess I'm hoping to hear that someone on the
list has been to an endo, perhaps found that
person doubtful about tight control of BGs, and
worked with the endo to learn together and achieve
that goal. How did you build a relationship in a
system that isn't usually supportive to
normalizing BGs?
TIA,
Holly in MI
- 2b.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "Jude" peridotjude@yahoo.com peridotjude
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:40 am (PST)
Hi Holly,
I've been going to my endo for about 10 years or so. It might be longer, not sure. I credit them for really giving me the tools I needed at the time to be more self-aware, to test more and get on top of things better. They also were the ones who got me off the old NPH and R insulins and onto Lantus and Humalog, and the ones who put me on metformin, something I should have been taking long before I finally was given it.
IMO any diabetic who is doesn't easily fall into control and stay there most of the time might do well to consult an endo, as would anyone with other endocrine disorders, like thyroid problems, for instance. OTOH, I would never go so far as to say that all type 2s need that kind of specialized care. A lot depends on who the person's PCP is-- at the time I started going to my endo, my PCP was a family doc, and I know now, looking back, that she had no business trying to manage my diabetes. OTOH, my present PCP is a board certified internal medicine doc, and I'd feel okay if she had to supervise me, partly because I think she understands what's going on better, but also because *I'm* smarter about my condition now than ever before, so between the two of us, we can figure most stuff out. Still and all, my PCP is thrilled that I have an endo, and she doesn't have to take on that responsibility.
I think I posted earlier that I imagine your PCP folks are referring you because they have no idea what to do with you. You won't listen to them and their party line, they've never met anyone so motivated and on top of their condition before, and they're simply clueless about how to handle you.
As to what will happen at your first endo visit, I only know what happens at mine. You meet with an intake nurse/assistant/person first for height, weight, a stat glucose test and an A1c. You give them your meter, which will be downloaded into their computer and a print out will be made of your meter's memory. If you also have a written log, the last month or so of info off that is copied and then it's given back to you along with your meter. Then back to the waiting room, and then eventually you see the doc.
The first visit will be a why-are-you-here and what-can-I-do- for-you session while the doc just gets to know who you are as a diabetic, where you think you're at, where he thinks you're at, etc. He'll go over your meds with you and decide about what to continue, change, discontinue, if anything. And then it'll be a "see ya in 4 or 6 months", I imagine.
Your self-care is impeccable, your self-awareness and self-knowledge and your generalized knowledge of the disease process is heads and shoulders over 99.9% of the patients he sees, and IMO if he sticks his fingers in your diabetes pie and tries to change the recipe, the man is a fool and you should RUN away from him. If he can tell you anything you don't already know, I'll eat my hat. Srsly.
He might want you to see the CDE-nutritionist in his office. If you keep an open mind and go in with a smile on your face and a good attitude, not defensive or feeling you need to convince her of anything, you never know, you and she might have a real meeting of the minds. IMO, the CDE-nutritionists, the good ones, are constantly learning from their patients, not just teaching them.
I love you idealistic hopes for possibly building a relationship with this new doc. Hey, miracles happen every day! But I definitely see you as someone who needs a light hand on the reins, gentle guidance, because you have your eyes on the prize, you know pretty darned well how you're going to reach that prize, and honest to god, Holly, I don't think you need anyone's advice or restrictions-- you're on the right path, glowing with good new-found health, well-informed and confident. Why would any responsible doc mess with that kind of success?? It's great to have an endo on your team, because as we know, diabetes is a son of gun, and someday you might need his expertise, but for now? I hope this new doc just lets you soar.
When is your appt?
Judy D.
- 2c.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "AnaLog Services, Inc." analog@logwell.com sydlevine
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:45 am (PST)
You know I am less than enthusiastic about your approach to diabetes management. Nevertheless, do not take any guff off an endo if he is negative about your goals. There is absolutely no reason why he or she should discourage you or belittle your approach. He or she might be skeptical about the sustainability in most patients, but if you are willing to make this extraordinary commitment, you should be encouraged.
I think the approach here is to hope or the best, but be prepare to say "go to hell" if need be. Good luck with the endo! You do not even want to hers the story of my experience with my first diabetes specialist (not a real endo). The fellow got so hot with me he wanted to go out in the parking lot for a fist fight. Now I know I can be aggravating, but he was a doctor for goodness sake.
Syd
----- Original Message -----
From: Holly Shaltz
To: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 8:39 AM
Subject: Re: [Type-2-Diabetes] seeing an endo
reposting as there wasn't much response and I'm
really interested in hearing from others who've
been referred to endocrinologists....
To my immense surprise, my PA gave me a referral
to an endo without my asking, and I have an
appointment with the endo's DNE in January, then
the endo herself in February. The appointment
nurse let slip that my PA's letter requested I be
seen "urgently". Huh? I figured it out pretty
quick - two A1Cs below 5, and the way she keeps
telling me she's afraid I'll go hypo - oh, she
thinks the endo will convince me to raise my A1C
to a "safe" 6 I bet <g>
I haven't yet gotten the paperwork I have to fill
out and send in, so I don't know what it will ask
for. I did get a letter confirming the
appointments and sending me a brochure that, among
other things, says most diabetics are seen only
one time - just a consultation, not becoming the
endo's patient. Darn! Also said one category for
referral is "complex T2s" I wonder if that's
where I fall? <VBG>
It's so ironic to have this appointment now, when
my PA brushed off my severe BG fluctuations that
made last summer hell. "Everyone's BG fluctuates"
she kept saying. Uh, up 20-30% or more of the
starting point in the space of 5 minutes, for no
apparent reason, making me feel like I was
falling-down drunk without the fun of getting
there? Yeah, right.
But I figured I might as well accept the
appointment, in case big problems come up like
that again in the future. Then I saw that
brochure and realized the chances of working with
this endo as a team are pretty slim. Still, I can
hope, even if I'm prepared for the worst...
Any tips out there on a first visit to an endo? I
plan to be upfront about my diabetes management
goal - to normalize my BGs and A1C, and maintain
them in the *true* non-diabetic, normal range. I
will write a letter to enclose with the paperwork
to that effect, if it's not asked.
Other than that, all the people I've asked have
been uniformly negative about having any hopes of
working with an endo to help me achieve my goal.
I find that quite depressing! Why *assume* she
will not be willing to listen and help? I'm not
stupid enough to assume she is willing, but what
do I gain by assuming she won't be?
I guess I'm hoping to hear that someone on the
list has been to an endo, perhaps found that
person doubtful about tight control of BGs, and
worked with the endo to learn together and achieve
that goal. How did you build a relationship in a
system that isn't usually supportive to
normalizing BGs?
TIA,
Holly in MI
- 2d.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "Jude" peridotjude@yahoo.com peridotjude
Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:08 am (PST)
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , "AnaLog Services, Inc." <analog@...> wrote: <snip> I think the approach here is to hope or the best, but be prepare to say "go to hell" if need be. Good luck with the endo! You do not even want to hear the story of my experience with my first diabetes specialist (not a real endo). The fellow got so hot with me he wanted to go out in the parking lot for a fist fight. Now I know I can be aggravating, but he was a doctor for goodness sake>>com
OMG, Syd. You've mentioned this before. I know it's not funny, but I'm sitting here giggling about it anyway. Honest to god, I'd've given 50 cents to watch you going at it out in the parking lot over a disagreement about your medical care.
That and your story about ants being attracted to your pee before you got some treatment... classic Syd. I love it.
Judy D.
- 2e.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "Holly Shaltz" holly@shaltzfarm.com hollyshaltz
Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:12 am (PST)
Syd writes:
<<You know I am less than enthusiastic about your
approach to diabetes management>>
No, really? :) I don't expect anyone to be
enthusiastic over it - most people don't need to
do what I do to achieve their goals. That's
perfectly OK with me. Each of us must choose, and
choose wisely, what we want to aim at. My goals
are chosen because I probably have 30 years of
undiagnosed diabetes behind me, and you can't go
that long without some big complications. Those
complications are not pleasant, so I'm working to
try to undo some of that damage. Others, caught a
lot earlier, probably don't have the same issues I
have, and maybe even can eat popcorn <g> without
problems.
<<Nevertheless, do not take any guff off an endo
if he is negative about your goals. There is
absolutely no reason why he or she should
discourage you or belittle your approach. >>
I feel a little gun shy because I've had NO
support for my goals from my PA, my DNE, or my
dietician; nor on the various forums and lists
I've tried. I don't plan to go into this
appointment expecting trouble - but I also don't
expect support, because to do so would just invite
(for me - it's the kind of person I am) a major
disappointment. My mother used to say don't go
looking for trouble - OK, but I'm not going to go
looking for support I might not get, either! :)
<<He or she might be skeptical about the
sustainability in most patients, but if you are
willing to make this extraordinary commitment, you
should be encouraged.>>
Thank you, I appreciate that!
<<I think the approach here is to hope or the
best, but be prepare to say "go to hell" if need
be. >>
I would prefer to say "agree to disagree" :)
<<You do not even want to hers the story of my
experience with my first diabetes specialist (not
a real endo). The fellow got so hot with me he
wanted to go out in the parking lot for a fist
fight. >>
Good grief! But it reminds me of the doctor I had
for my last baby (military hospital in German -
NOT something I recommend!). He literally yelled
at me for 5 minutes when I was admitted to be
induced due to gestational diabetes because I
declined to have the amniotic sac broken before
he'd even started the pitocin, though I politely
told him it was because doing so would put me at
greater risk for a c-section (aside from being
medically unnecessary). He then proceeded to run
a much higher dose of pit than was needed (though
I didn't know it at the time), I'm convinced out
of anger. And complications ensued from that
which may well have resulted in a dead baby had I
allowed him to break the water earlier.
All the civilian medical staff I've met so far
have been amazingly nice - I still can't get over
it, after all the years of snarly, unpleasant
military medical personnel. I don't blame (most
of) the latter - the system they were victims of
was very much to blame (overworked, understaffed,
abysmal facilities, lack of funds, etc etc). I
only ran into a couple doctors who were genuinely
bad in that system.
Holly in MI
and grateful beyond expression to no longer be in
the military medical system!!!!
- 2f.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "Holly Shaltz" holly@shaltzfarm.com hollyshaltz
Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:30 am (PST)
Judy writes:
<<I think I posted earlier that I imagine your PCP
folks are referring you because they have no idea
what to do with you. You won't listen to them and
their party line, they've never met anyone so
motivated and on top of their condition before,
and they're simply clueless about how to handle you.>>
I didn't see a post with anything like that - but
I sometimes don't get posts that others respond
to, so maybe that's what happened.
I'm a born-again skeptic. I also learned to
listen to my body many many years ago, though I
often didn't know what to do about what I "heard"
:) Thank goodness for the internet today! At any
rate, that's why I've gone my own path rather than
the party line. If it doesn't work, then I tweak
it until I find what *does* work, and I ended very
far off the ADA path.
<<If he can tell you anything you don't already
know, I'll eat my hat. Srsly.>>
Goodness, Judy, I'd hate to see you get
indigestion that way :) I'd be a fool to think
that an *endo* has nothing to tell me that would
be new (or any other doctor, for that matter)!
I've learned a lot, and I trust what I've learned
and what I'm doing, but that doesn't mean there
isn't still lots more to learn and try.
<<honest to god, Holly, I don't think you need
anyone's advice or restrictions-- you're on the
right path, glowing with good new-found health,
well-informed and confident.>>
Thank you, but there are always challenges....like
those severe BG fluctuations I was having last
summer that my PA farted off. I think I
understand what was going on now - trigger happy
liver dumps when my BG would drop just a wee bit
from slightly-above-normal activity. And I think
I know how to treat them now - glucose tablets.
But it would have been SO comforting and have
saved me a LOT of anguish if I'd had a HCP who had
taken them seriously and trouble-shooted (shot? :)
the problem with me.
And then, I'd *like* to be able to eat a *few*
more carbs! Like a quarter of an apple even
<sigh> But if I do that, my BGs will shoot up,
for sure, not to mention and the inevitable
wooziness that entails, and then my A1C. Any
thoughts on convincing the endo that I want to
consider insulin sooner, rather than waiting til
my aging pancreas creeps my A1C to 7?
<<When is your appt?>>
I see the endo's CDE on Jan 13, and the endo on
Feb 23. I'm *supposed* to get a packet of papers
to fill out but they haven't come yet, and it's
been about 3 weeks since the office called to make
the appointment - I was told the person who sends
them out was sick. I will call them in a week, to
let them catch up after the holidays, if I still
don't have anything. I'm looking forward to
seeing what's in that packet :)
Thanks for all the kind words.... I needed the
boost today!
Holly in MI
who can always count on Judy for comfort when
needed :)
- 2g.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "AnaLog Services, Inc." analog@logwell.com sydlevine
Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:09 am (PST)
Both are absolutely true stories. The disagreement with that jerk doc was not really over my medical care (I did not know enough about diabetes at the time to even have any opinions). What happened was that due to the incompetence of the lab at this small town hospital, I was told I had very serious liver problems. A little web research led me to believe it had to be a mistake since I had no symptoms consistent with how bad the numbers were. It turned out my sample was one of the last runs on a defective old machine that had been replaced, but clerical error had resulted in no notice being issued to the little local satellite clinic. So I straightened the mess out, and scheduled a new draw (they had discarded the excess sample already and I was just thrilled to have to be stuck again in less than a week). The new results were absolutely normal for liver function.
So I go in to see the jerk for my next appointment, and he immediately starts bragging about how he caught the mistake. I suppose he did not know I had done all the calling and investigating and thought he could safely take the credit. Anyway, I could not let that comment pass, and he did not react well to it. In his defense, he was a country boy from Eastern Kentucky where differences are often settled in less than the most intellectual of circumstances. Nevertheless, I was a bit surprised when he wanted to settle it in the parking lot. I have not been back in the place since even though he is long gone. I did register and maintain a sucks site on the web for a year after the episode with his name, and it received many hits. Always better to get even than to get mad!
Syd
Syd
----- Original Message -----
From: Jude
To: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 10:08 AM
Subject: [Type-2-Diabetes] Re: seeing an endo
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , "AnaLog Services, Inc." <analog@...> wrote: <snip> I think the approach here is to hope or the best, but be prepare to say "go to hell" if need be. Good luck with the endo! You do not even want to hear the story of my experience with my first diabetes specialist (not a real endo). The fellow got so hot with me he wanted to go out in the parking lot for a fist fight. Now I know I can be aggravating, but he was a doctor for goodness sake>>com
OMG, Syd. You've mentioned this before. I know it's not funny, but I'm sitting here giggling about it anyway. Honest to god, I'd've given 50 cents to watch you going at it out in the parking lot over a disagreement about your medical care.
That and your story about ants being attracted to your pee before you got some treatment... classic Syd. I love it.
Judy D.
- 2h.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "Jude" peridotjude@yahoo.com peridotjude
Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:05 am (PST)
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , Holly Shaltz <holly@...> wrote:<snip> <<If he can tell you anything you don't already know, I'll eat my hat. Srsly.>>com
> I'd be a fool to think hat an *endo* has nothing to tell me that would be new (or any other doctor, for that matter)!>
Naturally the doc knows a lot more than any of us about the biology of our digestive and metabolic processes, and if we wanted, we could certainly get more informed about that. But what I meant was, I doubt he can show you anything about your day-to-day self-care than you already either know or have tried. OTOH, I'd love to hear all about it, if I'm proven wrong! <G>
Judy D.
- 2i.
-
Re: seeing an endo
Posted by: "Tiamat" tiamat99@comcast.net lulamoon99
Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:11 pm (PST)
Had good results from visit to endo some years ago. Took about 3 visits to tweak insulin just right to get A1C to 6.
He was happy with that. Haven't seen him since altho I wrote every year for him to renew same insulin he rxed.
Was in hosp in Oct and original endo sent his new associate, [young woman with 3 Board Cert Specialties]
to supervise bg in hosp, coordinate with all the meds and order food. She substituted a completely other regime and bg not in good control all the time in hosp...not her fault: was on prednisone and other IV meds and the food was strict ADA...major carbs.
Have seen her 2x at her office since and she rxed new insulin to replace the "old" insulin regime I had been on. I have been going up 2u/day and now fasting bg is good. Will see her again in Feb. when she will rx short term insu to cover late meal. She also rx Vit D which a test showed as very very low. [IMO it has made a huge difference]
Docs don't want to chat: they are working, they don't have time and some people like to tell long stories with all the details...ramble around as if it's a personal 'visit'. Docs don't really want 'relationships', this is their *work*, they have 'patients' and you are both there for a specific purpose. Keep it in that place. ...the best thing is to not talk much at all, have the main points you want to address in clear, precise, brief manner and be quiet in between to allow doc time to think. Answer questions very briefly and to the point. Ask to clarify anything you aren't sure of [briefly] and that's it.
I write a list of points on a Post-It note and stick it to my blouse or sweater so I don't forget and don't ramble.
You write about a goal of 'normalizing bgs'. IMO this may be a bit too tight...you don't know what 'normal bgs' are for everyone at every time of day and every condition, so this is not a fact-based realistic goal. IMO it would be better to shoot for 'good enough'....'close enough'. Your endo may have that as a more realistic goal and so don't go in prejudiced ahead of time. It's not that they are stupid or ignorant..it' s more a question of balancing out the dangers [severe] of too low and too tight control against the safer 'good enough'...low enough to avoid complications but not constantly in danger of death.
I'll be very interested in hearing a report of yur visit: please share!!
Happy New Year!
Tiamat
----- "Holly Shaltz" <holly@shaltzfarm.com > wrote:
>
reposting as there wasn't much response and I'm
> really interested in hearing from others who've
> been referred to endocrinologists....
>
> To my immense surprise, my PA gave me a referral
> to an endo without my asking, and I have an
> appointment with the endo's DNE in January, then
> the endo herself in February. The appointment
> nurse let slip that my PA's letter requested I be
> seen "urgently". Huh? I figured it out pretty
> quick - two A1Cs below 5, and the way she keeps
> telling me she's afraid I'll go hypo - oh, she
> thinks the endo will convince me to raise my A1C
> to a "safe" 6 I bet <g>
>
> I haven't yet gotten the paperwork I have to fill
> out and send in, so I don't know what it will ask
> for. I did get a letter confirming the
> appointments and sending me a brochure that, among
> other things, says most diabetics are seen only
> one time - just a consultation, not becoming the
> endo's patient. Darn! Also said one category for
> referral is "complex T2s" I wonder if that's
> where I fall? <VBG>
>
> It's so ironic to have this appointment now, when
> my PA brushed off my severe BG fluctuations that
> made last summer hell. "Everyone's BG fluctuates"
> she kept saying. Uh, up 20-30% or more of the
> starting point in the space of 5 minutes, for no
> apparent reason, making me feel like I was
> falling-down drunk without the fun of getting
> there? Yeah, right.
>
> But I figured I might as well accept the
> appointment, in case big problems come up like
> that again in the future. Then I saw that
> brochure and realized the chances of working with
> this endo as a team are pretty slim. Still, I can
> hope, even if I'm prepared for the worst...
>
> Any tips out there on a first visit to an endo? I
> plan to be upfront about my diabetes management
> goal - to normalize my BGs and A1C, and maintain
> them in the *true* non-diabetic, normal range. I
> will write a letter to enclose with the paperwork
> to that effect, if it's not asked.
>
> Other than that, all the people I've asked have
> been uniformly negative about having any hopes of
> working with an endo to help me achieve my goal.
> I find that quite depressing! Why *assume* she
> will not be willing to listen and help? I'm not
> stupid enough to assume she is willing, but what
> do I gain by assuming she won't be?
>
> I guess I'm hoping to hear that someone on the
> list has been to an endo, perhaps found that
> person doubtful about tight control of BGs, and
> worked with the endo to learn together and achieve
> that goal. How did you build a relationship in a
> system that isn't usually supportive to
> normalizing BGs?
>
> TIA,
>
> Holly in MI
- 3a.
-
Re: allergic break-out/diabetes
Posted by: "AnaLog Services, Inc." analog@logwell.com sydlevine
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:40 am (PST)
You might experiment with some OTC antihistamines. Chloro-Tabs are $2.00 per 100 at Wal Mart and are safe and effective for many (equivalent to Teldrin, Ornade, Chlorotrimeton). The classic antihistamine for skin allergies is Bendryl., also available cheaply OTC. Both of these have been around since before dirt (like me), and are very safe and effective.
----- Original Message -----
From: GJ
To: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 9:59 PM
Subject: [Type-2-Diabetes] allergic break-out/diabetes
in response to jude, the allergic reactions i was having was prior to diabetes diagnosis and medication, so the meds arent my problem. the prednisone shot my bg up as i was apparently already high, and of course had the excessive thirst prior, SO then discovered diabetes.
as for why the allergist thinks auto-immune, basicly because he doesnt know what else to think!?!?!? lol, since I have never had any problems with food types, soaps, perfumes, pets, asthma, pollen, etc...I was SO hoping there was some diabetic correlation, because I cannot seem to find any other solution and I hate to have to take anything. ho-hum.
I am on metformin, 2am/2pm, and up to 27 unit Lantis insulin shots, adding a unit each night until my bg is hitting 120 for fasting every morning. after getting off prednisone was help, and i am still learning how to eat of course. I am also on lisinopril and simvastatin for high bp and cholestrol.
i do have a little extra weight, but im not a big guy.
now someone here replied about the zyrtec...i dont agree/disagree, i just know that before going on it i had swelling and hives everyday, sometimes lips swollen, fingertips swelling, went to er twice because tongue swoll. being on it no problems, and as i said when i stopped it for a day or two it all started back up. I changed to alergen/dye free chems to just check off the list, stopped eattin dairy, double checked other foods, but pretty much eat the same stuff all the time, so again, its a mystery. when im done with what zyrtec i have lft and if starts up again the allergist wants to check my blood for a few things, so im just waitting on that. so like i said before, it was just weird that the two problems kinda came up together, of course the diabetes has been there, undiagnosed and just got worse. so in a way im thankful to have had it found out before i wound up seriously ill from undiagnosd diabetes.
- 3b.
-
Re: allergic break-out/diabetes
Posted by: "Jude" peridotjude@yahoo.com peridotjude
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:55 am (PST)
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , "AnaLog Services, Inc." <analog@...> wrote:You might experiment with some OTC antihistamines. Chloro-Tabs are $2.00 per 100 at Wal Mart and are safe and effective for many (equivalent to Teldrin, Ornade, Chlorotrimeton)com . The classic antihistamine for skin allergies is Bendryl, also available cheaply OTC. Both of these have been around since before dirt (like me), and are very safe and effective>>
Benadryl has the huge disadvantage of causing profound sleepiness, something I think most people would find troublesome to deal with every day. As I understand it, most OTC sleep aid meds have the same active ingredient as Benadryl.
Judy D.
- 3c.
-
Re: allergic break-out/diabetes
Posted by: "AnaLog Services, Inc." analog@logwell.com sydlevine
Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:08 am (PST)
And most OTC sleep aids are pretty much a joke. Most antihistamines make somebody drowsy, but you develop a tolerance to em in many cases. I have been on antihistamines my entire life. I was just suggesting a little experimentation to find the mildest and cheapest that would do the job.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jude
To: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 9:55 AM
Subject: [Type-2-Diabetes] Re: allergic break-out/diabetes
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , "AnaLog Services, Inc." <analog@...> wrote:You might experiment with some OTC antihistamines. Chloro-Tabs are $2.00 per 100 at Wal Mart and are safe and effective for many (equivalent to Teldrin, Ornade, Chlorotrimeton)com . The classic antihistamine for skin allergies is Bendryl, also available cheaply OTC. Both of these have been around since before dirt (like me), and are very safe and effective>>
Benadryl has the huge disadvantage of causing profound sleepiness, something I think most people would find troublesome to deal with every day. As I understand it, most OTC sleep aid meds have the same active ingredient as Benadryl.
Judy D.
- 4.
-
Re: BG Testing
Posted by: "Richard" rfine999@yahoo.com rfine999
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:40 am (PST)
Holly wrote:
> You can test along the tip and sides,
> fairly close to the fingernail (not actually into
> the cuticle, of course). And don't forget your
> thumb!
I skip my thumb intentionally because I have difficulty getting a sufficient amount of blood from it (even with a fresh lancet). Otherwise I rotate fingers: right side right hand, right side left hand, left side right hand, left side left hand.
Not getting enough blood is an annoyance when the meter gives me an error code resulting in a wasted strip.
Rich in NY
- 5a.
-
foot drop
Posted by: "Tricia" psimmons1219@gmail.com psimmons1219
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:43 am (PST)
I was diagnosed with "foot drop" about 20 months ago. I started having trouble with the foot drop about 3 years ago. Does anyone have any information about this and what can be done to help it. I am in a wheel chair anytime I leave the house because I can not walk very far and it hurts so bad. I can grab things around the house to help me walk so I do not have to put as much weight on it.
I can not figure out how I got it. In everything I have read you know what happened to you because it is either a pretty severe injury or diabetic neuropathy. I had a back problem (a spondylolisthesis) that I had surgery for. It was something I was born with or that happened while I was still a child. This is a back problem that can cause the foot drop problem. My surgery was in 1999 so it was fixed before I developed the problem. I was not diabetic until around a year ago so it could not be that either.
I am desperate to fix this so I can start walking again and I am afraid to have surgery on my feet because of the diabetes.
Tricia
- 5b.
-
Re: foot drop
Posted by: "Jude" peridotjude@yahoo.com peridotjude
Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:08 am (PST)
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , "Tricia" <psimmons1219@com ...> wrote: I was diagnosed with "foot drop" about 20 months ago. I started having trouble with the foot drop about 3 years ago. Does anyone have any information about this and what can be done to help it. I am in a wheel chair anytime I leave the house because I can not walk very far and it hurts so bad. I can grab things around the house to help me walk so I do not have to put as much weight on it>>
Just be careful about falls at home. It's possible to trip on the darnedest things, and those at-home injuries are painful and sometimes debilitating, the last thing any of us needs. Can you use a cane around the house to help you with your stability?
I'm sorry; although I've heard of foot drop, I know less than nothing about it. I assume it is not diabetes related, but more of a neurologically-based thing? If you have diabetic peripheral neuropathy and have lost some of the awareness of what's going on with your feet, then of course that would highly complicate the whole thing.
<I can not figure out how I got it. <snip> I was not diabetic until around a year ago so it could not be that either>>
A lot of type 2s are glucose intolerant/outright diabetic for literally years before formal diagnosis, so it's possible you incurred some nerve damage way before you knew you were diabetic.
<snip> I am afraid to have surgery on my feet because of the diabetes>>
If your diabetes is in good control, with an A1c of say 7.0 or less, I imagine your doc would tell you that the surgery carries no more risk for you than it would for anyone. Naturally, the lower the A1c, the better. But diabetics can and do have surgery all the time and do just fine, as long as they're in reasonable control.
Judy D.
- 5c.
-
Re: foot drop
Posted by: "Kristy Sokoloski" sokokl@yahoo.com sokokl
Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:22 pm (PST)
Tricia,
I have a foot drop. Mine comes from having had surgery to fix my right ankle: the Achilles tendon was tight and short and also the fact that I have Cerebral Palsy (mine is mild but creates problems).
A foot drop can occur after surgical procedures such as like the one that you had as well in addition to other neurologic conditions. There are things that can be done for a foot drop that does not require surgery. One of the things they can do is to prescribe a brace that helps keep the foot in proper position.
A Podiatrist can tell you more about the various options. Also, on the surgical front as Judy said if your sugars are under good control then your Primary Care Physician will let the Podiatrist know that it's ok to proceed if surgery should be necessary. Also, the Podiatrist will run some of their own tests to make sure that your circulation and pulses are good before they do anything with the surgical aspect.
Before I had my surgery my doctor checked the pulses in my feet to make sure that all was ok, and if he was concerned he would have run any other tests to make sure it was safe before he did anything.
Daughter of Type 2 Insulin Dependent Diabetic,
Kristy :)
- 6.
-
Bariatric surgery
Posted by: "brian cooper" brianevans_99@yahoo.com brianevans_99
Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:47 am (PST)
Syd,
I couldn't agree with you more about the desirability of having effective and safe medications to aid weight loss.
I wasn't advocating any kind of bariatric procedure, just saying that there are reasons why one is considered less drastic than the others.
Brian
_____________________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
--- On Wed, 12/30/09, Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. <Type-2-Diabetes@com yahoogroups. > wrote:com
> From: Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. <Type-2-Diabetes@com yahoogroups. >com
> Subject: [Type-2-Diabetes] Digest Number 3845
>
- 7a.
-
Re: why no insulin for type 2s
Posted by: "Donna" sdbmshad@yahoo.com sdbmshad
Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:16 am (PST)
Hi Kristy,
I am one of those that thier insurance pays for one visit one time. No more education approved! lol. The really funny part of all this is when I went to the class I noticed that the CDE nurse spoke to the men and the CDE cooking side, she spoke to the women. There was also a guy who wanted to run the whole show and would quite frequently speak up and say that she was wrong about what she was saying. So while I knew most of what was said it was a totally frustrating endevor. I have spoken with our Human Resourses officer that has control over the insurance and what is and isn't paid. He agrees that it's rediculus to not offer more education for more than Diabetes. They are going to look into weight loss education and adding more coverage for diabetes education and making it more often than once in a life time. We shall see what happens.
I think that adults figure they know what they need to eat (lets face it we all get the pamphelts from the dr. When I first signed up for the class they sent me a booklet and some papers to fill out. It's pretty weak when they charge 700.00 for someone to tell you that if you don't get control you're gonna die. I think most of the time people who are still in denial go to these classes and since they don't believe they really have diabetes they don't really care for what is being said. I saw a young man there that said he didn't have diabetes but his dad did and he was there for support of his dad. His dad shook his head and said the son had diabetes as well. It was a huge argument.
All in all when I look back I found it to be not at all helpful when I look at what I could have done with my time. I got duplicates of the books my dr had already given me. I knew the material in them and while it was nice to be given a refresher bit of info I know there is no way I can eat white bread, potatoes or drink sugary drinks. I also don't eat regular ice cream or candy. I know that sometimes these things are not healthy but I have a problem with someone telling me it's okay to eat Ice Cream made with sugar for desert every night and trying to justify it. When people see things like this they think twice about going. My husband (who is Type 2) said he would leave it to me to do the cooking. Now he understands that he needs to be responsible for his own health and not dump that on me! I still plan the meals but he know's what to eat and what not to eat when we go out. Kinda learned by seeing what we ate at home. It's a nice way to teach!
I am glad that your mother got good numbers (I hope I read that right!). I don't understand why some doctors don't follow up more closely with patients that need more closely monitoring. My son has an ENT that way. He say's once a year but don't call us we'll call you and I haven't heard from them. My son is not having any immediat problems so we'll see.
Take care and I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years!
Donna
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , Kristy Sokoloski <sokokl@...> wrote:com
> Some insurance plans if they cover it may only allow for one class (I think someone on the list mentioned that they had a plan like this) per year or something to that extent and that's it. <snip>
As for why full grown adults can't be taught, another reason is that there are some that don't want to learn. If they don't want to learn that is their personal choice. No one can make them do something if they don't want to do it. Sure the doctors and such can try to use the scary stories to make the person take this seriously, but there are still going to be those that just don't want to do it and those are the ones that are going to learn the hard way if they learn the lesson at all.
>
- 7b.
-
Re: why no insulin for type 2s
Posted by: "red5hoops" red5hoops@gmail.com red5hoops
Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:15 am (PST)
Hey, that must have been Syd <g>. Right?
Isabella
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , "Donna" <sdbmshad@..com .> wrote:
The really funny part of all this is when I went to the class I noticed that the CDE nurse spoke to the men and the CDE cooking side, she spoke to the women. There was also a guy who wanted to run the whole show and would quite frequently speak up and say that she was wrong about what she was saying.
- 8a.
-
glucose reading ups and down Q. Insulin?
Posted by: "barbhealth2008" barbhealth2008@yahoo.com barbhealth2008
Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:21 pm (PST)
Hi All:
I had a fantastic wake up glucose reading! 106
I'm so glad about that, because many times I have the dawn phenomenon, and my numbers are up first thing in the morning, and that sure puts me in a bad mood because I have to figure out what to have for breakfast that has barely any carbs. The only thing there is just about is low-carb yogurt, or nuts. Oatmeal made just with water and nothing added can be okay sometimes because the fiber count off-sets the carbs and so it doesn't usually make my numbers go up. Then I have to drink a lot of water just to end up with normal numbers (if I'm lucky) 2 hrs. after I eat.
This is a really challenging disease.
But miraculously, when I was losing weight, the dawn phenomenon stopped happening a few months ago.
Now, I've changed my meal plan a bit, and suddenly my numbers are going up again. Not dangerously high, but much higher than they were.
For example, 2 hours after I had breakfast, my reading was 164. I was watching what I ate, and I took my Metformin -- so, I wasn't expecting that high of a reading.
How have you all been doing?
I have noticed that if I wanted to start eating sugar ever again, it seems I would have to go on insulin. Even then, I don't know how that would work. Does anyone here know?
I'm assuming that you could adjust your insulin if you wanted to eat a candy bar? (If you could stop at ONE candy bar that is!) But -- is that true -- does anyone know?
Thanks for being here.
Hugs, Barb
- 8b.
-
Re: glucose reading ups and down Q. Insulin?
Posted by: "Jude" peridotjude@yahoo.com peridotjude
Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:13 pm (PST)
--- In Type-2-Diabetes@yahoogroups. , "barbhealth2008" <barbhealth2008@com ...> wrote:had a fantastic wake up glucose reading! 106 I'm so glad about that, because many times I have the dawn phenomenon, and my numbers are up first thing in the morning, and that sure puts me in a bad mood because I have to figure out what to have for breakfast that has barely any carbs>>
Try to remember that the fasting # is only one spot in the whole day. While it's important not to let your post-meal numbers soar much higher than 150ish, many researchers think that the A1c level, the glucose average, is the important number.
I see a lot of my list sibs obsessing over their fasting numbers that they've judged as being too high, which can result in a lot of unhappiness, disillusionment and a generalized "I give up, what's the use, this is impossible" attitude that gets people nowhere. Not saying that's your attitude; I'm just saying, it can happen.
<snip> This is a really challenging disease.>
A condition, actually, IMO, not a disease. And challenging? Well, you said a non-carb mouthful there! <G>
> But miraculously, when I was losing weight, the dawn phenomenon stopped happening a few months ago>
Losing excess weight and keeping it off is part of type 2 diabetes gold standard treatment. Losing even 10% of excess weight usually results in a dramatically improved A1c.
> Now, I've changed my meal plan a bit, and suddenly my numbers are going up again. Not dangerously high, but much higher than they were>
How'd you change it exactly?
> I have noticed that if I wanted to start eating sugar ever again, it seems I would have to go on insulin. Even then, I don't know how that would work. Does anyone here know? I'm assuming that you could adjust your insulin if you wanted to eat a candy bar? (If you could stop at ONE candy bar that is!) But -- is that true -- does anyone know?>
Insulin gives you more freedom for dietary choices and can dramatically improve type 2s's well-being and overall health, not to mention helping them feel more a part of things at family gatherings and parties where there's food served. But it's not the license for indulgence that people sometimes think it is; they think, "well, I can just take more insulin and cover ____ "(fill in the blank with something junky or even with too much of something good for ya). But that way lies weight gain, feeling yucko, poor yo-yo'ing control, and overall, it's just plain a bad idea.
Insulin is for control purposes, not for self-indulgence. Pretty much, whatever a type 2 uses to gain control, refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white flour foods and a lot of starchy foods are always going to be on the never-a-good-idea foods list.
Judy D.
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*** All information discussed on this list is not to be taken as medical advice but the experience of each member based on discussions with their doctors. ***
*** Please always consult with your doctor about what treatment options are best for your situation. ***
*** Please always consult with your doctor about what treatment options are best for your situation. ***
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