Hi, Debbie: My doctor and endo pushed for Actos and I finally gave in because my sugar was so high. It did bring it down but it caused my feet to swell and a weight gain of about 25 lbs (on top of already being way overweight) which really put me over the top. I've been trying to lose it but since I can't do much in the way of exercise due to orthpedic problems, so it is slow going. If your blood sugar is high and Glucophage and/or other meds don't work, then you may have to give in. Discuss it thoroughly with your doctor and make sure he does all the necessary tests. Good luck.
My husband is a Type I and we recently went through nutrition & health training. This is what we heard from the diabetic specialist nurse:
When the blood sugar goes low at night, the liver kicks in to put sugar into the blood stream, but there isn't enough insulin in a diabetic's system to counter it. Having a bedtime snack that includes protien (ie, a piece of cheese & a couple of whole wheat crackers) will keep sugars level and the liver doesn't have to kick in with more sugar. A night snack has definately helped my husband so that he has very few AM highs.
Hi, Debbie: My doctor and endo pushed for Actos and I finally gave in because my sugar was so high. It did bring it down but it caused my feet to swell and a weight gain of about 25 lbs (on top of already being way overweight) which really put me over the top. I've been trying to lose it but since I can't do much in the way of exercise due to orthpedic problems, so it is slow going. If your blood sugar is high and Glucophage and/or other meds don't work, then you may have to give in. Discuss it thoroughly with your doctor and make sure he does all the necessary tests. Good luck.
I know I may have to eventually give in. I just don't think my blood sugars are too high. My average (according to my glucose monitor) is 136 mg/dl. My morning sugars tend to range between 120 and 130. My evening blood sugars are usually around 120 to 140. I do occasionally spike to 170 if I've really been eating badly.
But I really want to try sticking to the Zone/40-30-30 eating plan. Somehow it appeals to me on an intellectual level and I like that it doesn't really forbid anything. Hopefully it'll work before I have to go on Actos (or maybe it's Avandia - I haven't filled the prescription and I forget). Maybe it's time to find a new doctor. I get very frustrated with this one. She really doesn't answer my questions. Just tells me to lose weight, exercise more and take more meds. And somehow the more meds I take the worse my glucose levels get. I actually had better control when I was only taking 1,000mg of Glucophage daily. Arghh!!!
Hi, Debbie. This is my second attempt at a reply. The first one got bounced out for some reason. Anyway, your blood sugar numbers are much better than mine. I don't know the daily average, but I have morning highs of 180s (except right after I eat when they go up to 200). Is your doctor having you do a periodic hemoglobin A1c? This tests your blood sugar over a period of months and is often used to determine the amount of medication you need. If she's not, ask why not? Also, my HMO covers meetings with a nurse educator and nutritionist who explained diabetes management. Do you have access to anything like this? Actually, the nutritionist's explanation is not too far from the Zone diet, so if you can follow it, it should work for you. I'm not one for measuring so I just count calories, reducing fats and carbs. I was doing pretty well for the last two weeks, then fell off when I didn't lose very much. Not being able to do any real walking is a barrier for me, but I'm going to get back on the wagon. If you have a regular exercise program, that should help lower blood sugar and keep you from having to do more meds.
Hi, Debbie. Is your doctor having you do a periodic hemoglobin A1c? This tests your blood sugar over a period of months and is often used to determine the amount of medication you need. If she's not, ask why not? Also, my HMO covers meetings with a nurse educator and nutritionist who explained diabetes management. Do you have access to anything like this? Actually, the nutritionist's explanation is not too far from the Zone diet, so if you can follow it, it should work for you.
I get my hbA1c done every 3 months or so. It tends to range between 6 & 7. Usually it's in the low 6s. I really should try to find a diabetes educator who is covered by my plan (I have Aetna). That might help a lot. The nutritionist I originally used was pretty against the Zone. Maybe it's time to look up another one.
Debbie, your A1c's are like mine. Before I started taking Actos, they were over 7. I just took my quarterly test so I'll find out how I'm doing next week. Also may have found a solution to the corn on my foot that has prevented me from walking so hope that will improve the weight loss when I get back on the wagon. I used to have an Aetna HMO and they paid for a nurse educator consult. I now have Blue Shield and they also cover it. they sent me a free blood glucose testing meter although they won't cover the brand Gluchophage (the generic makes me sick). I just love HMOs. Anyway, I hope you can get some help. You might try the American Diabetes Association website to see what they have. I've recently rejoined so I'll be getting their magazine again. It has a lot of good info and keeps you updated on current treatments.
Well it looks like I found the right place for me to get with a group that is fighting the same fight. I'm deb, I live in Louisiana. You know the food here is killer. No pun intended. But I've known I was type2 for a little over a year. I'm 49 in October, 5'3" and 290. that's why I'm 2round. My doctor is not giving me a very good outlook for the future as I have not been able to loose any of this weight. But he's not full of suggestions as to what I should do. I'm really needing some help and support from gals who know where I'm coming from. Can give me some tips on healthy eating ang if the meds are keeping me fat. I'm on actos and also taking meds for dibetic nuropothy ( hope I spelled that right) in my left foot. any advice will be oh so welcome!
Glad to have found this site as I am a diabeic on Avandia and Amaryl. Have high A.M. readings of 170-160. Seem to be hungry all the time. As a senior I find it very hard to lose lbs. Will try cheese and crackers at night. Also have bouts with low glucose about 4P.M. Any one have a snack idea for this with few calories? For those who have lost-congrats- as I know it's not easy.
9216
Welcome to you both, 1 round and 9216. I, too, am glad to find a site to discuss the problems of being overweight and diabetic. Deb, you do live in the land of temptation! Somehow you're going to have to figure out how to keep the spicyness of your regional foods while tossing out most of the fats. I'm in the same boat as you. I already have the complication of gastroparesis (my stomach muscles have slowed down so I can't process meals without taking a pill). I have had some orthopedic problems which make it hard for me to walk so I've put on lots of weight. Then I started taking Actos which makes the fat from inside (bad fat) move to the outside (less bad fat) and causes edema so I've put on about 30 lbs since March. I'm now down to 15 mg of Actos. What strengh are you taking, Deb? I also take Glucotrol XR and Glucophage (1000 mg). My doctor has assured me I can lose weight while taking Actos but I've found it's not easy. I've been very discouraged but a few weeks ago, I decided to try. I went to WebMD and used their calorie calculator to figure out how many calories I needed to maintain my present weight. It was about 3300. So I decided to reduce that and went down to about 1300 calories. I did this off and on for a few weeks and I did lose weight -- but not a lot. However I fell off the wagon and have put it all back on again. But I felt much better when I was on the low calorie diet. During that time, 9216, I had to figure out what to snack on that wasn't too high in calories. I ate apples, which are bulky and make me full. Also small containers of yogurt (about 11-150 calories). I also tried some snack bars under the brand name of Glucerma (Walgreen's has them). They are made for diabetics and supposedly keep the blood surgar even. You might want to try that. Well, I've blathered on quite a bit. So I better stop. Hope we can keep this thread going. It's nice to have support.
welcome 9216 and round 2 i have had diabetes 2 for 6 years. i took actos and that does make you gain when i told the dr. i wanted off he took me off and said now maybe you can lose weight. went on ameryle and metform. then i went low carb and i now take only metform went my sugar gets high. talk to your dr. i will write more about snacks later. pat
Thanks to Rosetta and Paperdoll. Have tried Glucerna snack bars which seem to be O.K. Now I have Glucerna Shakes which will try. Apples seem to be good and will start eating them more often. I lead a very busy life for a senior in northern MN with much traveling so I am not always able to eat small meals more often. The snack bars have helped. Seems what works well one day doesn't the next. Cholesterol is down and blood pressure also but it seems I'm taking too many pills. OH Those Golden Years!!
Sorry it's taken me a few days to get back. But I've been working some really wierd hours this last week. I think that makes it hard for me to loose too. My system dosen't know when meal time is. and taking meds is hard to do at the same time everyday. Well I'm glad to get the insite on the Actos. I feel like calling my doctor and giving him one of those talks he's so apt to pass out. sounds like I could learn alot here. I'm really trying to watch the carbs right now and also drinking as much water as I can get in. That one is hard for me as I'm not a real water drinker. Your right about the land of temptation and I do like my spicy foods. I'll have to see if I can adapt but won't be easy. Well got to go for now as I'm at work and I think they really don't mean for me to be chating. Be back tomorrow have a good morning all
Deb
Hi guys. I haven't posted in here for a while, but saw the thread. I'm type II and have lost almost 20lbs since being diagnosed (November 2003). I was originally on 1000mg of glucophage per day, but w/the weight loss, I'm now down to 500mg/day. Hopefully very soon I'll be off it altogether.
I just wanted to share some of what has been helpful to me and some things my doctor and nutritionist told me. I do realize everyone is different and we all need to follow our doctors guidelines, but hopefully some of this might be helpful.
I, like many of you on this post didn't want to take meds, but after MANY discussions w/my doctor, I did end up on glucophage. She assured me that glucophage would not make me gain weight, and could also help me to lose weight, which it did. She also said that it is the only drug for diabetes that doesn't make it harder to lose weight or make you gain weight. So, I'm feeling very fortune that I didn't have to take any other meds.
She also said that if I lost some weight, I could probably reduce or eliminate the glucophage, which has also been true.
And now, the thing that made the biggest difference, was seeing the nutritionist. We went through the review of my meds and my blood sugar readings and he was saying that eventually the glucophage won't work as well and then my body will need a different type of drug or drug in addition to the glucophage. This scared me. I knew from what my doctor had said that those other drugs make you gain, so I decided right there that I was going to lose weight and get off the drugs if at all possible. It just seemed like such a depressing, sad situation to have my body deteriorate to that extent. He made the future seem sooo bleak. I don't think it was intentional, just honest.
So, my diet now consists mostly of vegetables and low-fat protein. I only eat carbohydrates that are high in fiber. No junk, nothing processed. If I can't make it myself, I don't eat it, or much of it. Anyway, it has really helped me to lose weight without being hungry which has only added to the success.
The other thing that I found that really keeps my blood sugar in check is running in the morning. If I run in the morning I am assured of very good readings throughout the day. I can also tolerate a little more carbohydrate that way, and still lose weight.
Thanks for letting me share. I'm glad a thread started back up again for those of us with diabetes. It is definely harder to lose weight with this disease, but it can be done.
I have to admit, it really isn't easy trying to eat right, lose weight and control the diabetes. But I have also accepted that the only way to do it right is the tried and true - eat healthy and be more active.
I've been doing better on the food. And the key (for me) is planning. It's much easier for me to cook healthy if I've actually planned meals and done the shopping for the week, then I prepare food. Otherwise I slip into whatever is quick and available (frozen dinners & takeout). I slide but I have stopped beating myself up about it. And I find this is also helpful. If I take a "well I've already screwed up so why even try" type of attitude I eat lousy all day. But if I accept that I might've messed up on this meal but I can do it right on the next then I tend to stick with it.
And the exercising - well I do it a bit at a time. When the weather is hot I hate exercising - but I love dancing around my house like a lunatic So every little bits counts - even baby steps.
This is my third attempt at posting tonight. I am so frustrated. Both prior times the computer claimed I wasn't logged in when I was. Grrr! I'll try again.
9216. Glad the Glucerma bars worked for you. They're a little sweet but come in handy when there's nothing else. What do you do running around Minnestoa? Sounds like you're pretty active. I'm nearing senior hood and already know about the pills. Ugh! At the way things are going, by the time I retire, I won't have to worry about meds because I won't be able to afford them.
2round. Sounds like you're getting motivated to do some serious losing. I've heard that spices rev up you're metabolism. So if you can cut the calories and keep the spice you'll get more benefits that you expected. As for the pill taking, if you have microsoft office, you can set your computer calendar to remind you to take the pill. I do this at work and it works. Also, I take pills first thing in a.m. and last thing at night so I remember them. I hope your work hours stablize soon.
Kerri - you got the message that we all need to get.
Debbie - yes, it's all in the mind. I've played many stupid mind games and got myself into the bad state I'm in now. It's one day at a time and don't let one bad moment be the excuse to screw up the rest of the day.
High AM Blood Sugar Explained
Somehow you're going to have to figure out how to keep the spicyness of your regional foods while tossing out most of the fats. I'm in the same boat as you. I already have the complication of gastroparesis (my stomach muscles have slowed down so I can't process meals without taking a pill). I have had some orthopedic problems which make it hard for me to walk so I've put on lots of weight. Then I started taking Actos which makes the fat from inside (bad fat) move to the outside (less bad fat) and causes edema so I've put on about 30 lbs since March. I'm now down to 15 mg of Actos. What strengh are you taking, Deb? I also take Glucotrol XR and Glucophage (1000 mg). My doctor has assured me I can lose weight while taking Actos but I've found it's not easy. I've been very discouraged but a few weeks ago, I decided to try. I went to WebMD and used their calorie calculator to figure out how many calories I needed to maintain my present weight. It was about 3300. So I decided to reduce that and went down to about 1300 calories. I did this off and on for a few weeks and I did lose weight -- but not a lot. However I fell off the wagon and have put it all back on again. 
But I felt much better when I was on the low calorie diet. During that time, 9216, I had to figure out what to snack on that wasn't too high in calories. I ate apples, which are bulky and make me full. Also small containers of yogurt (about 11-150 calories). I also tried some snack bars under the brand name of Glucerma (Walgreen's has them). They are made for diabetics and supposedly keep the blood surgar even. You might want to try that. Well, I've blathered on quite a bit. So I better stop. Hope we can keep this thread going. It's nice to have support.
and taking meds is hard to do at the same time everyday. Well I'm glad to get the insite on the Actos. I feel like calling my doctor and giving him one of those talks he's so apt to pass out. 
sounds like I could learn alot here. I'm really trying to watch the carbs right now and also drinking as much water as I can get in. That one is hard for me as I'm not a real water drinker. Your right about the land of temptation 
and I do like my spicy foods. I'll have to see if I can adapt but won't be easy. Well got to go for now as I'm at work and I think they really don't mean for me to be chating. Be back tomorrow have a good morning all 
So every little bits counts - even baby steps.
I've heard that spices rev up you're metabolism. So if you can cut the calories and keep the spice you'll get more benefits that you expected. As for the pill taking, if you have microsoft office, you can set your computer calendar to remind you to take the pill. I do this at work and it works. Also, I take pills first thing in a.m. and last thing at night so I remember them. I hope your work hours stablize soon.
