November Chat - Diabetes Support
 

New month and new resolve.

Pat, I'm really glad to see you have joined us. You will find that posting here daily - good or bad - really helps.

I must confess I've really been off track the past few days. I can't really blame the Halloween goodies - they are quite innocent - it's me! There are some things I just cannot resist. Reading back my journals for the past ten years, I always complain November 1st about the Halloween temptations. I guess I need to find a solution so candy and chips are not the treats I give out since I obviously have no self-control! My weight is up to 190 this morning and FBGL is 6.2, high for me.

Today I go see my dear Dr Jack to discuss my bloodwork and a couple of other health issues. I certainly do not expect my HA1C to be the delightful 5.8 it was last year. My weight was 188 on Nov. 1 2011 so I've sure not made progress.

My kitchen is purged of bad stuff now and I am going to stick with lower carb like South Beach induction since pure Atkins induction makes me either crash during the day or go high overnight.

It's time for Ruthless to get tough with Ruthie!

Welcome pat!!
Rie haven't done any more workouts except for that one day I have had the Baby and when we have her you don't get much done. Feeling Kinda crappy. I have seemed to lost my self esteem and will to do anything around here and it is so sad cause I was doing so good and now I am not . It hurts me so bad when I think about it I jest wanna sit down and cry. I see myself as a failure ! As many times that I have started and stopped this you would think I could get it together.. I don't know what to do!!!


Our Aunt is leaving Friday and going to Georgia so we will have the house to our self for the weekend !!1

Hang in there, Bonnie! You are much lower than your starting weight and are definitely NOT a failure! Things will get better - especially when you Aunt is away.

Doc visit went OK - HA1C is still good at 6.0 and BP was "perfect". He changed my glyburide for another drug that I'll take in the a.m. This should prevent those darned extra-low FBGL readings.

We talked about my weight increase and I fessed up and told him why. He wants me to get down to 184 by December 1. Last saw that October 10! He wants me to report in by email on that date so I'm going to see if I can do better than that by then. (I'm pretty sure today's 190 reading was from darned salty potato chips yesterday.)

Now to make my beef stew with mushrooms and some low cal veggies. I wonder if I can pretend cauliflower is potato. I stewed the beef yesterday so may be able to roast the cauliflower before I add it.

It's a dark. cold and rainy afternoon. I am thinking nap but will probably do some treadmill instead.

Thanks Ruth You know I have been looking and I think I might try Carb Cycling Chris powell has a great program I think I am gonna look for his book this weekend. He was on Dr Oz . I dont have a problem with carbs making me shoot up .It is mostly Sugar Products and I can say that I am big on sugar I seem to crave sweets and that where it has becme a problem for me. The thing is his plan is almost like what I am doing now jest gonna end up tweaking what I do. The carbs he suggest is all like brown rice and wheat pasta so I already do that .I think I am gonna give it a shot.

so its my birthday today. We wound up eating out last evening, so I don't want to go out tonight, will stay home by the fire and enjoy my many blessings, including DH. Might make a cake, a hazelnut torte that I can do sugar free and low carb. I too must have more resolve, but I am a bit lighter than for my 50th I think. have a good day all, TGIF?

Thanks for all of your kind words and support. My fbs this morning was 153. I know it is high but it is really low for me. It is usually 290. I have been taking this diabetes thing more seriously and have been religiously taking my meds. I have spent my life in Overeaters Anonymous and have adhered to their food plan with no sugar, no flour, 3 meals a day and nothing inbetween but no cal stuff. I lost 80 lbs on that food plan 30 years ago but my mind has been telling me that is the only way I can get my eating under control. PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE give me suggestions as what to eat. I try to do OA's food plan and feel guilty if I don't weigh and measure every morsel that goes into my mouth...I feel guilty if I don't go to a meeting...I feel guilty if I don't have a sponsor and call my food in. I haven't done these things for 30 years and I still geel guilty. My life is a free for all and I am losing the battle rapidly. I know the bs thing is not good..but I really need to find a new way of eating that will address the diabetes thing. My self esteem has plumeted and I come from work (I am a teacher) and don't do anything and go lay down and fall asleep. I am like a little kid who needs a new way of doing things before it's too late. Thanks for listening...Pat

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:bday2you:MAD!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!:woo:

:welcome2:Pat glad to have you join us. I know exactly how you feel as I'm going through some of the same things. I used to be in OA. Even started the one in the League City/Dickinson area in TX many years ago. I like the support, but I don't like confessing I'm a compulsive overeater. I think that reinforces the problem or perhaps causes more problems. I am working at getting rid of the guilty feelings when I eat something I think I shouldn't have. I really am leaning more toward calorie counting. Something I've fought for years because I got tired of counting. However, I have decided that if I count calories that there is nothing I cannot have as long as I count it. Hopefully this would get rid of the guilty feelings because there would be no eating "off" plan. I think it comes down to learning or finding a way that works for us individually.

Well, I talked to my doctor's nurse this morning when she called about DH meds. DSIL is off next Tuesday and Wednesday. I won't have blood work in advance but they can do the A1c in the office. I'm just not getting things under control on my own. I think a lot of it is mostly caused by stress, but it doesn't matter. I've still got to get it under control. DH has an appointment on Wednesday and I'm going to try to get in to see the doctor around the same time.

Y'all have a great weekend.

Hi Pat. :)
I'm going to try and get help with my anxiety as I have been really good
at ignoring things. I'm hoping it helps to talk to someone outside of family and friends. Maybe that would be an option for you.

My other news - the biopsy says breast cancer. A new health adventure. DH and DD know, told my parents and brother. Next my boys and SILs. Very hard to make those calls as it ramps up the anxiety. Dr gave me xanax and it helps.
More info about mastectomy (after more tests) next Wednesday.

Another twist - I have to answer all telephone calls (for scheduling, etc) and I keep getting election calls!!! We are a vote by mail state and all voting has already been done....

PS - I could hardly eat any dinner last night. Chicken, broccoli and a couple bites of sweet potato. BS was 160. Not normal. But it has been since I had the biopsy and the dr predicted cancer. Question - can sky high stress raise your blood sugar even though there is hardly any carbs to work on??

Froggydawgy, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I understand the anxiety, over health issues. I have had 4-5 friends who have had breast cancer and they have come a long way with all the new medical stuff. Hang in there and talk away if you need to. I have been on paxil for 11 years (my mom died day after 9/11) and I knew I couldn't go on. I went on with husband, 2 grown sons, one who still lives with me plus his wife of now 6 years, grandkids, losing my job 2x and finding another. I have HUGE anxiety and couldn't have done it without my paxil....My older son is a PA and had hodkins lymphoma in 1990 and went through a lot, but is doing fine...Talk if you need to...as much as you need to..stay positive and remember the big guy is in control....Hugs, Pat

Froggydawgy - Prayers coming your way. :hug:

Hi all been bust here the aunt I told you about that broke her neck she has passed away last night. Funeral will be on Sunday . My aunt went to Georgia she will be home in time for the funeral on Sunday at least we get a little piece and quiet.

I better be running have alot to do so I have better be going have to go buy the hubby some shoes.

My condolences about you aunt, Bonnie, and about the other aunt's early return. Remember to take care of you in all the fuss.

Froggydawgy, so sorry for your diagnosis but breast cancer is so curable these days. My friend Claire had both breasts removed three years ago and is going strong. Look after yourself in whatever way you can.

Pat, hang in there. It sounds as if you have a heavy load to carry and I'm not talking weight. Checking in here daily helps me remember to take care of myself.

Mad, your birthday sounds like a nice time. Hazelnut torte? Wow! If I left now and drove down, would you give me a piece?

Patty, hope you can get into your doc when DH is there.

Weight is down another pound - wish that would happen every night - I'd be at goal in no time - well - a couple of months anyhow. Got my x-ray results from the doc yesterday and the left knee is badly deteriorated. :( Dr J got me an appointment on Monday with an ortho guy! Gotta love a doc who pulls strings! I'm hoping to avoid another replacement as long as possible so they may do a minor surgery thing replacing the fluid in the joint. I had it done on the other knee years ago which delayed replacement by a year. Anyhow, I'll just carry on until it happens. Aleve is my friend.

Made a wonderful veggie-beef soup yesterday with the remains of my beef stew. I do have two stew meals in my freezer stash. So nice to have comfort meals available in this weather.

Hope everyone has as good a weekend as possible.

Oh my, I don't know where to begin. Wishing condolences to Bonnie, and strength to get through the funeral etc.
And Froggy, yes, the stress can affect your sugars big time. Do LOTS of self care things, whatever you like. I am big on the yoga front, but any type of meditation, (and prayer counts for that too) is helpful and important. We have "Hopesprings" support groups here, I am sure there are wonderful supports in your area too, and you must find them.
Pat, welcome to our sisterly supports, and keep coming. I would not get too worried about exactly how you eat, any diet plan that helps you lose weight will help the diabetes and blood sugars in the long run. Plans like atkins and south beach are lower carb and smarter carb in general and may help control the sugars better, but only if they are doable for you! Any exercise, even a little walking is also helpful. So start with baby steps.
I agree with Trish that guilt isn't helpful. I don't like ww meetings for that. I haven't been for a while, and will start doing online meetings I think. I am paying a lot for getting weighed, and haven't even been tracking food, so don't know what I am paying for. May try monthly meetings in town, since part of the reason I don't go is that I don't like the leader much. But I also feel like its AA, (hello, my name is Madeleine and I am fat.....) and I don't much like that either. And guilt is just not helpful.
Haven't seen Rie for a few days, hope you are doing ok after the race and that the knees aren't too unhappy.
I ate regular cake yesterday, and well, no point feeling guilty. Ruth, if you wanna come anytime, I would bake you a cake, and will make it as healthy as possible for us! When is your birthday? I could plan for that, LOL.
Well, its Saturday, and the house really needs a good cleaning and the garden needs clearing before the snow sets in. Looks like a quiet weekend for babies, so better get started here.
Love and hellos to all.

Thanks for all the positive support. :hug:

Bonnie - I am so sorry about your aunt. Please take care of yourself. I am learning that no matter what is going on around me that I can't deal with it very well if I don't take care of me.

Ruthie - Hope things go well with the knee.

Pat - I am reading a book called The Diet Survivor's Handbook and one of the things she says that we do as dieters is that we beat ourselves up when we eat something that isn't on our diets because we feel so guilty. This is so bad for us to do because it ruins our self-esteem. I think we can't use that as an excuse to eat off our diets all the time, but I think we have to realize that as a lady once told me "life happens". We cannot be in control of everything that goes on in our lives, so we just need to control what we can.

I'm trying to learn to recognize when I am "stomach hungry" and eat only what I need to eat to satisfy that hunger with the attitude that when I get hungry again that I can eat again. This author says the reason we overeat or binge especially on forbidden foods is because we are thinking subconciously that we may never get this particular food again. Interesting thought and makes sense to me.

I do have a doctors appt Wednesday right after DH appt. So I am very happy about that. I will have a checkup and hoping for things to be good and bs not as bad as I think it is. Many times the A1c is better than my home readings. I will be glad to get medicine to help with it. My weight seems to be stuck at ticker most of the time or bouncing up and down.

Mad - Thanks for reminder you spoke of to Froggy that stress can cause BS to be all over the place. We just had a new twist to our situation and we had to go buy groceries for the kids yesterday and today. Also had to buy gas for them to go to school/work next week as someone she owes money to has put a freeze on their checking account. She asked DH yesterday "How much more can you do?" DH told her "we can't really afford to do what we are doing. I keep this money in my billfold for emergency situations. We can't do any more." He must have talked to her after I went to bed last night because when I got up this morning, my kitchen was spotless. All I can say is God does bless or we would go under. It is a real miracle that we have done as well as we have.

Froggy You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rie - I've missed you too. Are you okay? Was there an epidemic of whooping cough at work? I've had you in my prayers that all is okay.

Have a good weekend.

wasn't well for a bit yesterday, a little tummy trouble. Got to sleep ok last night, but woke up at 5, which would have been 6, and haven't slept since. Got the laundry done, and read for a while. just have one visit to do today. Will go out soon and be done with work stuff.
Have a lovely Sunday all.

Mad - Sorry about you feeling ill, hope you're a lot better today. Hope you can sleep good tonight.

Went to church this morning and then had a bad coughing spell at the end. Sure is embarrassing. Maybe I should have stayed at home, but did enjoy the service.

Bonnie - Thinking of you and funeral service for your aunt today. Hope you are okay and taking care of you in the process of all you have to do.

Y'all have a nice Sunday.

DD is here for a couple of days, and tempting me with popcorn! She has agreed to keep it away from me after this. LOL

Just checking in. Plugging along and trying to stay on plan - although I was attacked by a school of Goldfish crackers yesterday. :nono: That could have been avoided if I'd just had lunch when I got home from the nursing home pet therapy visit. Felt droopy the rest of the afternoon from the carbs.

Wishing everyone a good start to the week of brighter mornings and darker suppertimes.

Good Morning Chickies,

A quick check in to stay accountable. I'm actually using the Intuitive Eating principles, but I guess I don't trust me. So I am counting calories with it. I count the calories of everything I put in my mouth. However, I'm not setting a certain amount of calories that I "have to eat" because I know how that works against me rather than for me. I find that some days I eat more than others but seldom more than 1500 - 1600 calories. My weight went up yesterday from adding carbs into eating plan, but I'm happy to say the scale is moving down again.

Baby has therapy this morning. Laundry in the dryer and more to wash. Will do some cleaning today. Suddenly DH and DD has started cleaning so I'm happy about that. DH cleaned baby's room and vaccumed the house last night. That sure helps me a lot since my house looks nice today except for the girls bathroom and I'll take care of that today. They are out of school tomorrow and I will make them clean it when they get home from school.

Y'all have a good day.

fbs 5.2 this am, didn't weigh in though. Enjoying visit with DD, she is happy to sleep well. Her student apartment is too noisy for her, too much partying. She thought that by having older roommates this wouldn't happen, but they still party a lot, and she is a light sleeper. She slept 10 hours overnight, and I had a great sleep also. Off to work now, busy day.

I'm going to step back for a while.
Anxiety is a little high and I need to concentrate
on keeping my thoughts occupied with other stuff.
I'll check back later on and I appreciate all your
good thoughts. Everyone have a good November!
xoxoxoxo

The funeral went well Sunday. Went to the Dr today for the biopsy and they told me that it wasnt me they called it was my daughter and I told them they talked to me. They said all my test were fine and that it was her that needed the biopsy . They made her a appointment next week so I will be taking her in.

Things here are good I stared the carb cycling and I had to stop today I was having severe head aches and I went to bed with them and woke up with them . Feeling much better now but I need to get back on a plan.

Good morning. Weight up a tad this morning but I know it's fluid retention - my homemade veggie/beef soup was tad salty since I added some bouillon cubes to crank up the flavour. Never mind - I have a diuretic for those situations and will glug lots of water today.

Have not been testing FBGL lately as the doc says there's no need. He was pleased with my bloodwork and has changed the meds a bit - no more glyburide at night. (I think I've already said this - humour me. I'm old!)

Need to work up some enthusiasm for cooking again. I just cannot get excited over winter veggies so must check out the frozen veggies section. I get so spoiled with my garden-fresh produce all summer!

Have a good Tuesday and I do hope you are going to vote if you are in the USA.

Ruth, a lot of docs don't think we (type 2's) need to test much. Its really important when we are learning what causes spikes, (though some don't even encourage this, and I am talking diabetes educators as well) and I think its an important part of understanding diabetes any how. I think it was really important for you to know about the lows you were getting on the glyburide as that affected your meds overall. I do mine a couple of times a week, not daily. I also do a couple of post meal sugars each week, especially after a "treat" meal. My strips are not covered by my plan, (my choice not be labelled, and since my group might be changing insurers in the near future, I am glad I made that decision) but I still feel its been worth it for me.
Bonnie: hope all is well with DD and that the biopsy goes well. A little glitch with the docs office though!
WIll miss froggy and hope all goes well with her treatments.
Weight down a tad this am, have made a couple of "muffin-in-a-minute" things for breakfasts this week. I know why we like toast or cereal, no cooking and breakfast is ready right away. so easy. So maybe having this made up will help. carby breakfasts are my downfall, and get me off track all day.
I have a free day today, so will take the dog for a trail walk, and see what else I can get up to!

I just typed a long post and got bumped off line. FBS back in the 130x this morning from 170s and weight still coming down although not @ ticker. Docs appt. tomorrow. Retaining fluid a little more than I like. I try to handle it by sleeping most of the night with legs propped up on a pillow as I don't really like taking fluid pills but will discuss it with him. Looking forward to getting on a good bs medication.

I am so thankful to say that things are going good with the kids. Although we're in a tough situation having to provide groceries and gasoline etc for them right now, I can honestly say that I feel they are very appreciative. They are carpooling right now which means DSIL has to get off work a little early and DD has to stay later while she waits for him to pick her up. Plus their attitude is (after the shock of the situation) was ashamed and upset that we have to help this way. I see growth on both ourside and theirs especially in me. I know it can't be helped and I am at peace about it. A big change in me. The situation will be corrected DSIL's BIL is a lawyer and I'm sure he will get it taken care of so it is temporary especially since what happened was illegal so kids will have their money eventually. I heard DD tell her Daddy they would pay us back. I just appreciate and so thankful that we are all agetting along so well. As for me, I think I needed to see that they do appreciate what DH and I have done. That makes it easier for me, because I thought they were using her Dad and I see that isn't the case. I did find out that his family didn't know how bad things were so that helps DH and me understand why they seemed to think that we should do everything. Glad to know the truth. Tony's DD is starting to feel more like a daughter to me. She is good about texting me to let me know when she is going to be home etc. Even at times when she doesn't really have too. My own DD didn't do that. LOL

Mad - So glad things are going so good between you and DD.

Bonnie - Praying for you and your DD. Being a Mom, I know you are as concerned for her as you were for you... probably more.

Ruthie - One nice thing about our ages is that DH and I get to vote absentee and we did our voting weeks ago. So that is already done.

Froggy will be missed and I pray things go well for her.

Rie - Hope all is well with you.

Hope I got everybody. If not, I'm sorry I didn't mean to.

Hope everyone will have a good Tuesday.

:wave: plugging along.

bs 5.1 this am, even though I stayed up late last night. Went out to a music night, got home about 1130, but stayed up watching US election results. I admit to being a bit of a news junkie, and we are fascinated by our neighbours to the south, so I got to sleep about 2. Up early to go to work, and have a long day, so will be drinking lots of tea with caffeine to stay awake.
DD went back to town yesterday. I am not happy with her about how she is planning nursing school, not making choices based on the school's program or what is offered, etc. I have booked her for time with a couple of friends of mine, to learn about nursing from the inside out. I love her, but while she has grown up a lot about some things, on others her attitudes are like that of a 12 year old. I guess thats a young adult for you. My saying anything won't help, better to show her alternatives.
Stayed on plan mostly yesterday, but had a few carbs this morning to give me some energy. Hope you all have a nice Wednesday.

Had my docs appt today. I did get a mild diuretic to use as I feel I needed. I don't want to take it all the time. I am still going to be on the Metformin, but waiting for my insurance approval to get the time-released. I thought we decided for me not to take the Fenofibrate although I told him I would take it if he insisted. He when online and put my prescriptions in and when I got to the pharmacy it was one of the meds that was ready... so I guess I'm going to continue taking it. I know keeping the cholestrol and trigycerides down and that seems to be the meds for that. My A1c was 7.0 which I was thrilled it wasn't higher. DH was 7.4 and he's on his meds. He told the doc it was all his halloween candy. DD told her Daddy it was all they candy he's eaten in the last 120 days. LOL His was .1 down from 3 mos ago. Mine was up about .8 from May. Doc doesn't want to put me on any other diabetic med because he says it is too easy to gain weight on. I really pray timed-release Metformin works because the regular did curb my appetite and kind of kept me regular and of course, I know the other benefits from him and our Mad. So I will do what he said. He also gave me orders to go have a mammogram at the women's center here in town. I've got to call and make an appt as I find out when DSIL is off work. So overall I am happy with the results of my visit even though he didn't change my treatment much. I read that you need to drink a glass of water before you go to bed to stop leg cramps so I'll trying that. INTERESTING thing... found out today that Doc counts calories when he needs to. He showed me how he used myfitnesspal.com on his ipad. He tried to show me how to use my Smartphone to do it but he couldn't figure it out.

Catch y'all tomorrow.

Good morning. Patty, it sounds like your doctor is a good one who really cares about his patients. Too bad all of them aren't like that. The occasional use of a diuretic sounds good - being water-logged is not good for the heart!

Chugging along with weight up and down a lot. Tester FBGL this morning and am up to 5.6 - probably from having most delicious pork and beans last night. My neighbour Cathy is village-famous for her pork and beans and I just "happened" to run across some in my freezer. Very delicious but I know she uses maple syrup in them. The good news is that they are now gone.

Off for a haircut appointment for 10:30 and need to go to Staples which is right next to the dreaded Chinese Buffet! My strategy is to get my butt in gear right now and go there before I go for the haircut. Then I'll be able to come straight home from the haircut. Wish me luck!

Mad, glad you have recovered from the election. I cannot imagine staying up that late. I'm usually wakening up around then. Sure hope DD gets her act together and doesn't give you grief.

Bonnie, hope all is OK. Haven't "seen" you since Monday. Remember to put yourself first as often as possible.

I took a regular Metformin last night with my usual breakfast oatmeal meal. I guess I can't eat that at night. My FBS was 202 this morning. I have never had a FBS that high. So I had a lower carb breakfast this morning. I forgot to check my bs just before eating, but I will do a 2 hr after check any way. No leg cramps last night even after taking the Metformin and the Fenofibrate so I guess drinking the water helps. I drank a glass before I went to bed and I drink just a little when I get up to go to the bathroom. I read last night on a diabetic site that we should check our bs at bedtime. The writer said that if the blood sugar is too high or too low it keeps us from sleeping. I thought that was very interesting.

Ruthie Good luck passing up the Chinese food. I have difficulty with that too. Don't feel too bad about the pork and beans if made with maple syrup as I've read that is one syrup that is not too bad for diabetics. Of course, I'm not sure as my doc says that someone is always coming out with new ideas that a food they want to eat is good for them. I've decided that maybe we need to check out who did or had the study done. I agree my doc is very good. I tell DH all the time that I love him because he takes time to talk to us. In fact, he ended up talking to me so much about counting cals and why he felt I should stay on the meds that he and I both forgot to have me do the urine test he wanted. Oh well, guess he'll do it next time if it is important. I'm using Livestrong to keep up with my calories and of course it also keeps up with the carbs. My cals for today so far are 1074 and my carbs are 46. DH made up a copy of the monthly sheets for keeping up with recording my bs that he made up for his 1st wife to use when she was living. So I'm ready to really get serious with all this again. Also found out yesterday looking at my part D insurance that it doesn't cover diabetic testing strips. So I don't think I'll be getting prescriptions for them any more. That way I can purchase them when I want. A prescription has test one a day and I can only get them every 50 days or so. So I always buy extra on my own. I thought Medicare helped with them but if they do they don't help that much. Have to test several times a day to get them free from Medicare and send them a copy of my tests each month. I just don't want to do all that especially when I don't have to and not sure I want Medicare/government in my business that much.

Funny thing about doc. He did a pap smear and as he was preparing to do it, I told the nurse that I thought every man should have to have at least one of those horrible things. He said that he thanks God that he is a man. He said not only would he not want to have one, but he thought it must be horrible to have to carry a baby for 9 months. LOL

Mad I guess I'm a news junkie too. However, if elections here in US didn't affect my life as it doesn, I don't think I would have stayed up as late as I did to see the results. BTW I told my doc about you and how you encourage me to take the Metformin and why. He was impressed. I think he was glad I'm on a good diabeti thread.

Hope Bonnie, Rie and others are doing okay. Hope they check in when they can.

Have a good Thursday.

Hi all: Went to see a lovely movie last night, "Stories we tell" by filmaker Sarah Polley. She found out she was a product of her mother's affair, and documents the unfolding of this. In reality, I see it as a love letter to her mother, who died when she was 11, and finding her mother as much as her biological father. Her "real" dad, who raised her, was warm and understanding too. All in all a beautiful film to see if you are able.

Stuck to plan yesterday. Off for the weekend, so plan some yoga and walking. DS wants me to go to see my father and help get house ready for sale, apparently little has been done since the garage sale in the summer. She was there for a day, and did quite a lot, according to her! So I may go there tonight or tomorrow, depending on his wishes. I am asking DH to call and talk to him about what he wants, because I feel so strongly about not pushing seniors around (I am a takeover kind of person naturally) that I am concerned about overdoing it.

Still having trouble with constipation, took some clearlax last night. I have been adding fibre1 to breakfasts, but not helping. Time for the big guns now.
Hope everyone has a good friday heading into the weekend.
Bonnie and Rie haven't been over for a while, and I miss froggy, but glad for you Ruth and Trish. Stay well

Hi -

I just got diagnosed with diabetes, and have been prescribed Metformin (which I'll start tomorrow - as I wanted to wait 'till a non-work day to start in case I had nasty side effects). I'm starting with 500 mg once a day for a week, increasing to 500 mg twice a day for a week, then increasing to 1000 mg twice a day. I also just moved into a new place and didn't have a working frig until last night.

So I'm heading to the grocery store after work...and could really use some suggestions for what types of groceries to get. As a general rule, I know I should stick with whole grains/high fiber for carbs, as well as veggies and some fruits, and mostly high protein/low fat stuff. But if anyone has any specific suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate them.

What's the max number of carbs I should eat in a meal? Or the max for a day? In some online research I learned that overindulging on carbs can increase the chances of the nasty side effects of Metformin.

I could really use any advice, suggestions, websites, resources you'd be willing to recommend.

Thanks so much,

Michelle - :welcome3:This is a good place to learn. There are others who have been doing this longer than me who can give better advice. One think I would say is that any diet or woe will work... my doc told me that any diet would work; I just needed to find what I could live with. After 2 yrs of trying different diets, I've finally settled on counting calories which was what he told me to do when he first diagnosed me. He wanted me to go on a 1600 cal diet and what I've done recently is settle my mind to eat limit myself to 1600 cals daily. I read where someone said they would rather be able to eat what they want within a calorie count than not. I find it so much easier not to have any food I can't have within the calorie limit. It seems to work for me.

Some here do or have done Atkins, South Beach, WW... so decide what you can live with and go for it. I researched diabetes on line... there are loads of info out there. If your doc recommended or referred you to a dietician, then take advantage of that.

Mad - Good luck working to get things ready to sell your Dad's home. Do they have another place picked out?

I called today and have my mammagram scheduled for Monday morning. I was so surprised that I got it so soon. I'll be glad to have that done.

Bonnie, Ruthie, & Rie - Hope you are doing well.

Have a great weekend everybody.

Welcome to Michelle: it looks like you have already lost quite a bit of weight, and if most of that is recent, I don't know that you need to change your diet much. Many people prefer lower carb diets (south beach, atkins) which may be higher in fat, because fat has not effect on blood sugar and can make a smaller meal more satisfying. But if you have been doing low fat and its working, it may be ok.
That is a high dose of metformin you are heading towards, and quickly. And do you have an appointment with a diabetic educator and dietitian? Are you testing?
Our usual suggestions are to learn A LOT about type 2 diabetes, a site like Blood sugar 101 is excellent. And get a glucometer, right away. Start testing your response to different meals, and you can soon learn what to cut out. For instance, I really had high spikes when eating white bread, it was still high but a bit lower with whole wheat bread, and lower still with sprouted grain breads. If I add peanut butter, the fat helps slow the sugar getting into my system. I rarely have bread now, as I don't want the spikes in blood sugar, (sprounted grain bread with peanut butter still has me at a blood sugar of 9mmol or more, 2 hours later) so its a real treat.
SO checking your sugars can really help you learn about your personal reactions, since we are all different, and you can decide what you are willing to cut from your usual diet. I am not a bread person, so no big deal. But I love my steel cut oats, and have them every once in a while, even though my blood sugar doesn't love them.
If you don't have a prescription for the strips, (the glucometer is free if you buy strips, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!) walmarts relion seems to be the cheapest. I like the onetouch ultra, and their strips are cheaper than many other brands too.
It takes a good month to get used to the metformin, so be prepared, the gas and squirts can be serious. I personally also find that I still get symptoms like that if I eat breads and cereals, but not otherwise. If you are having pretty severe symptoms when you are on 500 mg twice daily, check with your doc about waiting to up the dose. (But only if your doc agrees, I am not a doctor and can't give you medical advice, your doctor may have good reason to want you at the dose as soon as possible)
The good thing about your diagnosis is that you can head off negative effects of diabetes. GOod Luck, and hope you will continue to come to this thread.

On a personal note, weight seems to be staying down at 172, so am please about that, and I am staying on track. Going to Dad's this afternoon. He already has possession of an apartment near his house, he didn't want to go to a seniors place yet. But we didn't want the house empty to sell, but he is having trouble decluttering etc. So I will help him move non-furniture items and get rid of other stuff as able today and tomorrow. We will see how that all goes.
Trish, good luck with the Mammogram, shouldn't be any worse than a pap, a bit unpleasant and uncomfortable, but not horrible.
Ruth: if you didn't get past the dreaded chinese buffet, don't beat yourself up, and don't weigh for a few days, as you know the salt ALWAYS puts your weight up for a few days. LOL.
Hope everyone else is doing well.

well quiet since I was here yesterday. Got quite a few things tossed at Dad's and while he is at church, will do much more. I packed meds to bring, and forgot them at home, am I really only 51 and this forgetful? oh dear.
His fridge is also pretty sparse, as he has supper at his lady-friend's place 3 times a week and she sends food home, so we made supper last night, from his freezer, but not to my way of eating. Will have to get back on track tonight when I get home!
Have a nice Sunday everyone, weather forecast here is warm and sunny, late autumn treat.

Didn't realize I hadn't checked in for a while. First of all, :welcome: to Michelle. Mad has certainly given you the word on being a Type II. I agree that controlling carbs is key.

Spent most of yesterday hard at work purging and cleaning my barn. I have a cousin who is a contractor and he lent em his dumpster. I can't believe we filled it! My husband, may he RIP, was a real packrat and we pitched a lot of useless stuff and gave away things too. There is more to do but at least I now have room to move in there. I served the crew of friends a lasagna and salad lunch and tried not to feel like one of those women on "Hoarders".

Leg is still giving me grief but I do plan to get back to the gym tomorrow morning and have a consult booked with my PT. I really need to strengthen my knees so we will be working on that. It's 67ºF right now so I am going to get out there right now and do some raking. I was at Church and then at the Memorial Day service today and just finished lunch here at home after making an appearance at the Legion after the service and gushing at the ladies over the lovely lunch they had laid out. (Nobody noticed I just had coffee since it was the kind of affair where everyone stands and chats and they pass the food.)

Need to plan some menus for the week while I'm raking. Maybe I'll take my little tape recorder - nothing like multi-tasking!

I got out in the sun for a while to walk the dog when I got home. DH has a migraine, so quiet evening at home with him. Getting back to plan. Ruth, good for you for purging stuff. Its a bit of a challenge, but I got Dad to let me take the typewriters, (he had 2, and uses a computer now of course!) and some other electronics to be disposed of properly. I am pretty happy with his tossing, and plans for other stuff to go. How much more to go RUth?
Have a good day, everyone.