Seeking some diabetes info.recently diagnosed.

[maineman]

Good Sunday Morning to all. A couple of weeks I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I have been tracking my sugar levels and meet with Doc. tomorrow. My readings have been as low as 180 and as high as 450. The Doc. told me to expect to go on 'injections'. I have gobbled up all kinds of diabetes info...changed my diet...the whole 9. Anyone out there with diabetes..with the type of readings I am getting from the glucometer...are my options limited to injections? My Doc. is hell bent on it..has ruled out tablets. Any thoughts? Thanks a bunch.

[neal1960]

BTW, I have been Metformin free for a year.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Do some research on the following OTC supplements for diabetes related conditions:

1) Cinnamon - May help lower and stabilize blood glucose, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. (Note, just 1/4 tsp a day)

http://diabetes.about.com/od/whatsonthehorizon/qt/cinnamon.htm

2) Vitamin B-1 - Likely prevents many serious diabetes complications, especially renal damage. May work better in combination with garlic.

http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/diabetes/vitamin-b1-prevent-diabetes-health-complications-00686.html

3) Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and Acetyl L-Carnitine (sold OTC individually, as well as a mixed supplement.) May halt and even reverse neuropathy as well as improve vascular function in the extremities.

http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/96legacy/releases.96/14316.html

http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/accarimdiabn.html

[Clintons Are White Trash]

There is another surgery that will reverse Type 2 Diabetes 95% of the time called Duodenal Switch.

There is a 2 part surgery for weight loss but you can also have just 1 part done for diabetes. From what I understand they are doing trials in Europe with this but there are not many surgeons in the US who do this.

I had the 2 part surgery for weight loss 4 years ago and lost 130 lbs. My surgeon was Gilberto Ungson and it was performed in Hermosillo, MX. A beautiful private hospital with wonderful care. The 2 part surgery cost me $13000 including airfare and hotel. I’m not sure what it would be now.

If I were diabetic, I would do this in a heartbeat. Your mileage may vary.

[Calm_Cool_and_Elected]

I agree about seeing an endocrinologist. My readings are nowhere near the highs that yours are at but I have other significant health issues and needed the accountability. I agree about the Atkins diet and I have found that at least for me, a short walk after meals (esp dinner) does wonders for numbers. I don't have time to walk after every meal but I do try to walk after dinner. I don't power walk but 10-20 min leisurely walk does make a difference.

Another helpful tool is the Glycemic Index. You can google it and they also have at least one book out. I choose my fruit and veggies based sugar content (corn and tropical fruits for instance, have higher sugar content therefore I eat less of them). It is just another tool available to help you, don't be overwhelmed by all the info. Best of luck to you.

[Jedediah]

look up a product called Threelac it may help rid you of any yeast overgrowth and then it will allow your body to balance sugars better without the spikes , I have a friend and she is type one and she said this product changed her life and helps keep her from going into commas !
Also look what biotin does to yeast in studies over 7 days it will amaze you !
Some intelligent doctors call this an infection not a disease for type 2 people !

[snuffy smiff]

here’s a few more herbals that may be helpful-do some research:
(yefrag’s list are all good ones also)

1.Gymnema Sylvestre—Helps remove excess sugar from your bloodstream.
2.Chromium—Boosts insulin sensitivity.
3.Cinnamon Bark—Activates insulin receptor cells.
4.Banaba Leaf Extract—Patrols sugar levels in your bloodstream.
5.Bitter Melon—Improves glucose tolerance.
6.Fenugreek Seed—Promotes wound healing, reduces risk of nerve damage.
7.Policosanol—Naturally helps support healthy cholesterol.

Claims will vary depending on vendor-as will price.

I will freely admit to taking them all at one time or another and when first diagnosed actually began taking them all. The only one that I did not seem to feel was very beneficial to me was the Policosanol. I had no side effects(well, no bad ones anyway..)
You will be amazed at just how inexpensive compared to prescription drugs. The best mail order prices I have found is swansonvitamins.com but I have not price shopped in some time.
As always YMMV and it pays to comparison shop. If the claims seem too good to be true then usually the price is jacked up considerably. You may as well start cheap and see how/if they work.

Good luck!

[snuffy smiff]

Ping. I thought perhaps you might like to check out this thread and maybe add some of your expertise.

[aimhigh]

Take the highest dose of OTC Niacin you can tolerate (causes hot flashes and a feeling like a rash at first). Drink 8 oz of water before each meal. Take fiber pills.

Read this first:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091222105449.htm

[slowhandluke]

Checkout the Marshall Protocol for a cure.

It worked for me: http://bacteriality.com/2008/06/19/interview22/

If your risk tolerance isn't that high, wait and watch for the results from the trials at West China Hospital.

[taxcontrol]

First time I have heard of that. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

[LadyPilgrim]

Ping...

[I still care]

Geez, I hadn’t had my coffee yet. That is one carbo meal a DAY. Sorry.

[TigersEye]

Thanks for the ping. It looks like an interesting thread.

[Miguk]

Hi,

I too have a diabetes history. The genetic history of it in my family is on my mum’s side of the family. She has it, her brothers have it, both my sisters have it, and I was finally diagnosed with Type II diabetes sometime in early 2008.

I spent almost a year in denial, I felt fine some days, but generally got worse as the year progressed. Finally went back to the doc in Dec 2008. By that time, my blood sugar was over 250 and my weight over 300.

She was very nice, but very clear. Blindness, losing my hands/feet/toes/fingers, etc. I guess by that time I was ready and willing to listen. She told me I had to lose weight. Simple as that. Also, that I would have to go on insulin. I told her no way, no how, was I going to stick a needle in me.

So, she put me on Glipizide 1/day, and Metformin (1000mg) 1/day. My sugars went on a rollercoaster ride for a while. Then upped the Metformin to 2000mg per day (2 - 1000mg tablets). And the medicine made me nauseous and throw up for a good 2-3 months.

The most difficult part for me was the exercise. I didn’t necessarily eat crappy foods, just didn’t get much, if any exercise, at all. That had to change. My sugars started coming down, consistently in the 170-210 range after about 3 months on the pills, but I still wasn’t exercising enough.

Went from 300+ lbs. to about 290 in Jan-Feb 2009 (from being sick from the meds; no better, er, faster, weight loss, than being sick), to currently hovering around 250 lbs. today.

As a recovering fat guy, I hate to sweat. :-) I started really watching my food intake, portion sizes, cut out most sugary foods, breads, carbs, etc.; and began eating more veggies/fruit/lean meats. Started seriously walking (there’s a park across the street from my house); now I walk about 5 miles every day, 7 days a week.

Perhaps the most hated word for someone trying to change their lifesytle is: Discipline. We know what we need to do/should be doing, but we rarely, if ever, do it. Took me 31 years of overeating, no exercise and lack of discipline to get me to this point. And about a year to lose over 75 lbs. and bring my sugars down to the 85-110 range, consistently.

I still struggle, daily, with my cravings for ice cream and other sweets, and as Homer Simpson says: “Going cold turkey is not as delicious as it sounds.”

So, here’s my advice: find an exercise that you like to do, for me it’s walking. Discipline yourself to do that exercise every day; if it’s something outdoors, don’t let crappy/cold weather be an excuse for not doing it. I walk mostly at night—quieter, less people. I’ve walked in the snow/ice, bitter cold, and pouring rain. Pick a time of the day to do that exercise, and stick with it. I know that by the time 6 pm rolls around, and I haven’t gone for my walk, my enthusiasm is very low, but I make myself do it.

Cut back on your portion sizes (that was a big one for me). Eat more veggies, if you get a sweet craving, try to eat a sweet fruit (not canned) or veggies instead (I know, easier said than done). Cut out bread, rice, pasta, potatoes—basically all the delicious things in life. The occasional ice cream/candy/cookie can be eaten, just be aware of what/how much you’re consuming and why.

Over time, my cravings for sweets have almost faded. I still have the odd cookie or donut or ice cream, but not so much. Baby steps. I don’t think I’ve changed my diet all that much, but have increased my exercise more.

I hope to be down to 200 lbs. or less in the next year or so and eventually be able to stop taking the pills, but most of that is up to me. Remember, for all the advice people are going to give you, do this do that try this try that, ultimately (and cliche), it’s all on you. No one is going to lose my weight for me, no magic pill, elixir, just discipline and sweat. And no blindness or amputation.

Good luck.

[Uri’el-2012]

Here is good resource

Dr Ron Rosedale
endocrinologist specializing in Insulin and leptin

[MetaThought]

Wow, you must be pretty swamped with info.

Well, here’s a good book for diabetes, you can read parts of it online too.
http://www.diabetes-book.com/

Good Luck!

[maineman]

Thanks so much!

[Pining_4_TX]

Well, I am completely out of step with most recommendations, but I believe the oral meds just mask the underlying disease. They lower the numbers, but the numbers are not the disease. They are the symptom.

Suggest you read the book Worried Sick by Nortin Hadler.

Hope you find your way through the maze. There is so much conflicting advice out there. Never trust a study that reports results in terms of relative risk. Too many studies are done just to prove what the sponsors want to hear.