Re: Hello from a New Member

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your insight. I guess it was apparent from my letter that I have

been really down on myself lately. The doctor does not use the word remission

at this point. When my surgery was done, I still had 9 of 13 lymph nodes that

were positive, as well as the tumor, although it had shrunk enough from the

chemo that the margins were clear. So far, everything is OK, but I am not very

far out of treatment. (Radiation finished the first week of February.) One

thng I found interesting, my oncologist is encouraging me to get my sugar under

control. He says there is a thought that the cancer grows more rapidly when

the blood sugar is elevated. He keeps up with the latest research, and I have

a lot of faith in him. After all, I'm still here!

Does anyone have suggestions how they deal with having a family who is not

diabetic, and wants to have cookies, and other sugary treats around? This is

really one of my downfalls. Thanks for letting me join the group.

Papa wrote:

>

>

> > My name is Dottie , and I am a type II diabetic for about 6

> years, on

> >glucophage and glucotrol xl, and now also taking NPH at bedtime, with not

> >very good control.

>

> Welcome to our little corner of cyberheaven!

>

> >inflammatory breast cancer, and have now been through chemotherapy, then

> >surgery (modified radical mastectomy), and finally radiation. Between the

> treatment

> >my body has gone through, the depression at being thrown into menopause

> suddenly,

> >and the stress of worrying about when it may come back, my diabetes has

> been shoved

> >to a back burner.

>

> Wow...and I was complaining about going to the Podiatrist. <grin> Is the

> cancer now in remission? For what it is worth, I think you made the right

> decision to focus on the cancer first. My mother was a victim to breast

> cancer. Look at it this way, if you had done the opposite you might have

> been a dead person, but your BG's would be great. <smile>

>

> >Now, I am facing the fact that I really have to get it under control,

> >as I do not want to lose a foot or a kidney to it. I am an RN and knew

> >better than to let myself get into this predicament. I guess sometimes

> the more

> >you know, the worse it is for your mental health.

>

> Affirmative...its called information overload. Being a RN is secondary to

> you being a human being first. I don't know too many new mothers who asked

> that their child be named RN. I am a veteran with a service connected

> disability from wounds incurred in combat (2 tours of Vietnam). When I was

> faced with an attack from more that one side, I went after the most

> dangerous first. I figured if I survived that conflict, then I could take

> to task the next one. Why? Because I was alive to do so. You took care

> of the cancer and now its time to face down the diabetes.

>

> >Anyway, I subscribed a few days ago, thinking that I would just read and

> that would help me get back on >track with diet, exercise, accuchecks, etc.

> I had gone for about 3 weeks without even checking my

> >sugar, figuring if I didn't look at it, maybe it would go away! Talk

> about denial and procrastination. I am >due to go back to my family MD

> about the diabetes, and that, too, I have put off, thinking I would get

> >things " in order " first. I have made a promise to myself that I will do

> what is best for my health, and I

> >intend to stick to it. I guess it's sort of like an alcoholic or a drug

> addict--sometimes you have to hit >bottom before you wake up and get your

> life straightened out.

>

> I honestly don't think that denial or procrastination are the words I would

> use. After any battle which is life threatening, so much energy is

> expended, there is a down time. The military calls it R & R. In law

> enforcement we called it eval time. I was not in denial nor was I

> procarastinating, I was recovering which is what I needed. And now its

> time to get back into it. I think that you realize the diabetes now needs

> to be addresses with the same effort that you addressed the cancer with.

> You didn't hit bottom, you survived and recovered.

>

> >Thanks for listening.

>

> Thank you for your courage...

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> We are proud as punch of our new web site!

> http://www.onelist.com

> Onelist: The leading provider of free email community services

[Guest guest]

Dear Sylvia,

Thank you for your note. I'm glad your cancer is in remission. I'm also

glad you joined the Diabetes list. I'm learning a lot from it, and I've only

been here a short while. It's a help to read about others who are going through

some of the same problems I am. I think it also helps when you write the

problem

down, sort of like you are admitting it. I'm back on track with the walking.

The weather is better, now. Can't use that excuse any more. It's great you

have

such a good sense of humor. That helps you get through a lot of things. Take

care.

Dottie, in Virginia.

(thayer@...)

S Segel wrote:

>

>

> Dear Dottie,

> Joined one list yesterday & when I figure what it's all about, should

> enjoy & learn from it. When I read your message it was sad to learn

> there's more out there like me. We have to love ourselves enough to

> tackle this disease called diabetes. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago got

> everything to check my blood sugar but let the info sit around untouched

> & taking up space. Why????????? Don't like the idea of pricking myself

> with needles but deep down I know I must take hold. I'm in remission

> after breast cancer & hardly think about that anylonger. Wanna hear

> something funny? My Dr. said I had half a cancer, caught early. I said

> is that like being half pregant? He got a real belly laugh out of

> that. They say that laughter is medicine & I,m laughing about

> diabetes. No funny matter so I'd better take my self in hand & get on

> the wagon now or it may be too late. I always do better in a support

> situation. Hope this group will stimulate me to the point of action.

> Email if you care to.

> A fellow diabeetnik,

>

> cimi75@...

> sylvia segel

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ta Da! Come see our new web site!

> http://www.onelist.com

> Onelist: A free email community service

[Guest guest]

Dear Susie,

Thanks for your note. I hadn't considered the possibility you raised about

the pancreas not working after 6 years on the glucotrol. I guess I really do

need to get back to my doctor. (I'm about 3 months overdue!) I've been

increasing the NPH I take at bedtime, and I'm up to 25 units, which is doing

better, but still not in the range it should be. One good thing from being on

the diabetes list, is that I'm not feeling so guilty, and am doing better at

doing the things I need to do to get my sugar under control. Feeling guilty and

depressed is really counterproductive--it makes it really hard to accomplish

anything. Thanks again.

Dottie in Virginia

OtterCritter@... wrote:

> From: OtterCritter@...

>

> Dottie in VA writes:

>

> << ... I am a type II diabetic for about 6 years, on glucophage and

> glucotrol xl, and now also taking NPH at bedtime, with not very good

> control. I was really doing OK until last summer when I was diagnosed with

> inflammatory breast cancer, and have now been through chemotherapy, then

> surgery (modified radical mastectomy), and finally radiation ... >>

>

> Dottie, when some clueless person offers you some platitude, like, " The Good

> Lord only gives you as much as you can carry, " do you get the urge to wave

> at him ... with one finger?! )

>

> You are doing a good job, it sounds like, of assessing your situation and

> knowing what needs to be done. You said diabetic six years on glucophage and

> glucotrol XL. I don't know how long you have been on the Glucotrol, but it

> is a member of the sulfonylurea class of drugs, and half of diabetics who

> use them lose pancreas function within five years. (They con't call it that

> ... they call it " secondary failure " to respond to the medication.

> Nevertheless, it means that if that is happening to you, you will need to

> consider injecting insulin.)

>

> I am sorry you have so many things to deal with at once. What I did to

> produce a dramatic improvement in my health was to lower my total

> carbohydrate intake to beneath 100 grams a day, and to try to space the

> carbs out as much as possible. I focus on lean meats, huge salads, nuts,

> olives, pickles, spices, and the veggies which are lowest in carbohydrates

> (cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, etc.). I'm sure others will have

> helpful ideas and will be there for support, Dottie. Glad you found us!

>

> Susie

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ta Da! Come see our new web site!

> http://www.onelist.com

> Onelist: A free email community service

[Guest guest]

> My name is Dottie , and I am a type II diabetic for about 6

years, on

>glucophage and glucotrol xl, and now also taking NPH at bedtime, with not

>very good control.

Welcome to our little corner of cyberheaven!

>inflammatory breast cancer, and have now been through chemotherapy, then

>surgery (modified radical mastectomy), and finally radiation. Between the

treatment

>my body has gone through, the depression at being thrown into menopause

suddenly,

>and the stress of worrying about when it may come back, my diabetes has

been shoved

>to a back burner.

Wow...and I was complaining about going to the Podiatrist. <grin> Is the

cancer now in remission? For what it is worth, I think you made the right

decision to focus on the cancer first. My mother was a victim to breast

cancer. Look at it this way, if you had done the opposite you might have

been a dead person, but your BG's would be great. <smile>

>Now, I am facing the fact that I really have to get it under control,

>as I do not want to lose a foot or a kidney to it. I am an RN and knew

>better than to let myself get into this predicament. I guess sometimes

the more

>you know, the worse it is for your mental health.

Affirmative...its called information overload. Being a RN is secondary to

you being a human being first. I don't know too many new mothers who asked

that their child be named RN. I am a veteran with a service connected

disability from wounds incurred in combat (2 tours of Vietnam). When I was

faced with an attack from more that one side, I went after the most

dangerous first. I figured if I survived that conflict, then I could take

to task the next one. Why? Because I was alive to do so. You took care

of the cancer and now its time to face down the diabetes.

>Anyway, I subscribed a few days ago, thinking that I would just read and

that would help me get back on >track with diet, exercise, accuchecks, etc.

I had gone for about 3 weeks without even checking my

>sugar, figuring if I didn't look at it, maybe it would go away! Talk

about denial and procrastination. I am >due to go back to my family MD

about the diabetes, and that, too, I have put off, thinking I would get

>things " in order " first. I have made a promise to myself that I will do

what is best for my health, and I

>intend to stick to it. I guess it's sort of like an alcoholic or a drug

addict--sometimes you have to hit >bottom before you wake up and get your

life straightened out.

I honestly don't think that denial or procrastination are the words I would

use. After any battle which is life threatening, so much energy is

expended, there is a down time. The military calls it R & R. In law

enforcement we called it eval time. I was not in denial nor was I

procarastinating, I was recovering which is what I needed. And now its

time to get back into it. I think that you realize the diabetes now needs

to be addresses with the same effort that you addressed the cancer with.

You didn't hit bottom, you survived and recovered.

>Thanks for listening.

Thank you for your courage...

[Guest guest]

Dottie writes:

<< ...my oncologist is encouraging me to get my sugar under control. He

says there is a thought that the cancer grows more rapidly when the blood

sugar is elevated .. >>

Yes, I have heard this too ... that tumors thrive on sugar!

Susie

[Guest guest]

Edd writes:

<< This is not an in-your-face challenge; I was put on Gluctrol XL just

this past week and my doctor never mentioned this possibility: so I ask out

of a serious concern. I will say this, my glucose readings took a nose dive

assoon as I started taking the medication, which was not the case when I

wason Glucophage 500 mg. 2 X daily [now 850, 2 X daily. >>

Good description, Edd! " Nosedive " ... yep. Glucotrol XL is a

second-generation sulfonylurea ( " Son of Glucotrol " ). It is a timed-release

thing, but still a sulfonylurea. The sulfonylureas were the first medicine

developed for diabetics ... better than nothing, but they go about treating

diabetes the wrong way. Eighty-five percent of type 2's are what Gerald

Reaven and fellow researchers at Stanford University have labeled " Syndrome

X, " a significant hallmark of which is we are insulin-resistant.

Sulfonylureas produce their effect by pummeling the islet cells in the

pancreas to produce even more insulin. Our problem was never lack of insulin

output; it is an inability to utilize the insulin we produce. Sulfonylureas

users share a potentially dangerous prospect with type 1's: both can suffer

severe - even fatal - hypos. The phenomenon - called " secondary failure " -

is widely recognized. My sister, after doing so well on lower-carbohydrate

eating, got talked into continuing her medicines by her doctor, with the

result that she began hypoing. Since then, she has had to increase her

dosages twice, and is gaining weight, because she has to " feed the hypos "

caused by the sulfonylurea. I would not personally take a sulfonylurea

unless every other form of treatment had been tried and failed. You will

likely gain weight on these suckers, feeding your hypos. And the weight gain

in itself is an apparent cause of type 2.

If your doctor isn't familiar with the newer antidiabetes drugs, you may

want to find another. The following is, I think, from the ADA site. I am

having trouble sorting my notes out since moving to another ISP:

Sulfonylurea Drugs:

Currently 10 brands available: Orinase, Diabinase, Tolinase, Dymelor,

Glucotrol, Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase, PresTab, Amaryl.

Prescribed since the mid-1950s, the sulfonylurea drugs have complicated

effects on the body that are still not entirely understood. Initially, they

stimulate the pancreas to increase insulin production, which moves glucose

out of the blood and into the cells, thus reducing blood glucose levels.

However, after several months, blood levels of insulin return to

pre-medication levels, yet blood glucose levels remain reduced. Clearly, the

sulfonylurea drugs must have other effects. Several have been identified,

among them: Sulfonylurea medications slow the rate at which the liver

releases glucose into the bloodstream, and they increase the number of

insulin receptors on cell membranes, thus increasing insulin efficiency.

Those diabetics best suited to taking sulfonylurea medications:

Still have well functioning beta cells, the pancreatic cells that produce

insulin.

Were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after age 30.

Have had type 2 diabetes for less than five years.

Eat regularly, don't skip meals, and understand good nutrition.

Maintain a fasting blood glucose level below 250 mg/dl through diet and

exercise.

Do not use insulin.

However, many diabetics cannot use sulfonylurea drugs. Some simply don't

respond to them. Others respond well for several years, but then stop

responding. Finally, these medications are ineffective for people who have

few functioning beta cells.

In addition, people with any of the following should not take sulfonylurea

medications:

Type 1 diabetes.

Pregnancy or nursing.

Major surgery.

Severe trauma or stress.

A history of problems taking related sulfa drugs.

A predisposition to severe hypoglycemic episodes, particularly those with

liver disease or severe kidney complications.

For those who can take sulfonylurea drugs, many are currently available. The

drug choice and medication regimen for any individual depends on individual

medical and lifestyle circumstances.

Severe hypoglycemia is the most important side effect of the sulfonylurea

medications. To reduce your risk, your health care team should:

Start you at a low dose and increase it slowly over several weeks.

Assess your eating patterns and nutrition consciousness. Those who eat meals

at regular times, don't skip meals, and practice good nutrition may use

longer-acting drugs (i.e. those with long half-lives). Less nutritionally

conscious people should stick to the shorter-acting drugs.

Assess your risk of kidney complications. Those with or at risk for kidney

complications may use some sulfonylurea drugs but not others.

Make sure you understand potentially hazardous drug interactions. Many drugs

can interfere with sulfonylurea medications, among them: aspirin, alcohol,

beta blockers, steroids, and estrogen.

The other side effects of the sulfonylurea drugs vary. Some may cause water

retention, which may raise blood pressure and cause a bloated feeling.

Others deplete sodium, which may reduce blood pressure in some people, but

interfere with muscle function. Be sure to ask your doctor and pharmacist

about the possible side effects of any medication you take.

After several months of sulfonylurea therapy, doctors often discontinue the

drug to see if the person can maintain good glucose control through just

diet and exercise. If not, the person may return to drug therapy.

However, after about five years, approximately half of those who initially

responded well to sulfonylurea medications stop responding as well, or at

all.

Factors that reduce sulfonylurea effectiveness include:

Significant weight gain.

Lack of exercise.

Stress.

Other significant illness in addition to diabetes

Loss of beta cell function.

Increased cellular insulin resistance.

[Guest guest]

Otter,

Can you substantiate your statement, " ...half of the diabetics who use them

[Glucotral XL] lose pancreas function within five years... "

This is not an in-your-face challenge; I was put on Gluctrol XL just this

past week and my doctor never mentioned this possibility: so I ask out of a

serious concern. I will say this, my glucose readings took a nose dive as

soon as I started taking the medication, which was not the case when I was

on Glucophage 500 mg. 2 X daily [now 850, 2 X daily.

If you do have substantial data, please share.

Thanks

Edd

Re: Hello from a New Member

>From: OtterCritter@...

>

>Dottie in VA writes:

>

><< ... I am a type II diabetic for about 6 years, on glucophage and

>glucotrol xl, and now also taking NPH at bedtime, with not very good

>control. I was really doing OK until last summer when I was diagnosed with

>inflammatory breast cancer, and have now been through chemotherapy, then

>surgery (modified radical mastectomy), and finally radiation ... >>

>

>Dottie, when some clueless person offers you some platitude, like, " The

Good

>Lord only gives you as much as you can carry, " do you get the urge to wave

>at him ... with one finger?! )

>

>You are doing a good job, it sounds like, of assessing your situation and

>knowing what needs to be done. You said diabetic six years on glucophage

and

>glucotrol XL. I don't know how long you have been on the Glucotrol, but it

>is a member of the sulfonylurea class of drugs, and half of diabetics who

>use them lose pancreas function within five years. (They con't call it that

>... they call it " secondary failure " to respond to the medication.

>Nevertheless, it means that if that is happening to you, you will need to

>consider injecting insulin.)

>

>I am sorry you have so many things to deal with at once. What I did to

>produce a dramatic improvement in my health was to lower my total

>carbohydrate intake to beneath 100 grams a day, and to try to space the

>carbs out as much as possible. I focus on lean meats, huge salads, nuts,

>olives, pickles, spices, and the veggies which are lowest in carbohydrates

>(cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, etc.). I'm sure others will have

>helpful ideas and will be there for support, Dottie. Glad you found us!

>

>Susie

>

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Ta Da! Come see our new web site!

>http://www.onelist.com

>Onelist: A free email community service

>