Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 I have a question - alot of you talk about keeping your bg down in the 70 to 100 range all the time. Or else say that it rarely goes above 130 or so. Is this because you are using an oral medication or insulin or is anybody out there keeping their bg this low on diet and exercise alone? I do not take meds and am really trying to keep this in control with diet and exercise but my bg are never that consistently low. What are your results from HbA1c? My last one was 3.8 but I always tend to spike right after meals and then I (usually) try to do some exercise to bring them down again. Thanks - Rebekah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 > > >I think (in regard to the " normal " bg's) that part of the problem is that >the medical community has said oh they're diabetic, they can possibly >maintain non diabetic bg's... so they said ohhhh 115 fasting and 150 after >meals is good enough. In the book " Type II and What To Do " it says that a >bg of 150 is toxic! >I try to keep a better range than that. Some people, unfortunately, can't. >Sometimes even with the help of medication and exercise. So I think it is >wise to try and maintain the best bg's you can while you can. > Meenie I agree. I saw a new doctor last week and she was going to wait to start me on meds until my next appt. three weeks later, till she saw my record of home-testing. Most of the bg's were anywhere from 15 - 23 but there were a couple of 10 from a month ago. She made the comment that if they were all 10 she'd be happy. Silently, I was thinking " no way, I want it down to 5 " . Rosie Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 I was wondering about this myself. Before I healed from the operation last year and the affects of radiation and chemo set in, my BGs were what my doctor considered " normal " and in my BG monitor kit, it said the same thing - 115 fasting and 150-160 after meals. With those levels, I never was put on any meds, oral or insulin, until they started geting higher - then, when my next 2-month blood levels were taken and read 200 average, he put me on orals which brought it back under control for about 3 months - and then insulin, once a day, and now twice a day - Tomorrow, I call in those results and he will no doubt increase my dosages. Thank goodness!! These numbers are getting to me! I can't get them lower than 300. Yes, they dropped another 100 pts this week - I tried hi-carbs just before my chemo treatment - and that lowered the levels 100 pts - weird, or what?! I figured if the lo-carbs didn't work, but raised them, what had I to lose? Like everyone has been saying - each of us is different! Normal has NEVER been in my profile!! in Port Orange, FL In a message dated 99-03-14 01:13:40 EST, you write: << I have a question - alot of you talk about keeping your bg down in the 70 to 100 range all the time. Or else say that it rarely goes above 130 or so. Is this because you are using an oral medication or insulin or is anybody out there keeping their bg this low on diet and exercise alone? I do not take meds and am really trying to keep this in control with diet and exercise but my bg are never that consistently low. What are your results from HbA1c? My last one was 3.8 but I always tend to spike right after meals and then I (usually) try to do some exercise to bring them down again. Thanks - Rebekah >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 > > > >You have a different scale than I am familiar with, Ms Rosie. Does 15 - 23 >translate to 150 - 230? Or is it completly different? >I agree, a lot of doctors seem very complacent with high numbers. I suppose >they see so many diabetics that don't make much effort to control their bg's >except to come and get more meds. (and I think meds are fine.. a godsend in >fact, but should be more of a last resort) I'm in Canada and we use mmol/dl - the conversion is multiply by 18. So bg's of 15-23 would be 270 - 414. I don't mind taking meds as a first resort, I want my bg's down as fast as possible and from what I understand, meds is the only way to do that. Rosie Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 Joanne - my first HbA1c at diagnosis time in Mid November was 5.8 so the doc said that he didn't think I had had diabetes too long and that weight loss would help alot - since then I have lost 44 lbs. (but still have double that to go!). Although my bg at that time were approaching 300. I do have a question for everyone also and especially for those trying to control this with diet and exercise: when you take your bg after eating (1.5-2hrs?) is it in the 130 range? Mind is usally higher than that so I guess I still need to cut the carbs - I am being also 3 & 4 carb choices at lunch and dinner. (1 at breakfast). Also when do you exercise, soon after eating or do you wait the 1.5 - 2 hours for the bg to get highest and then exercise? Thanks - Rebekah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 Meenie - You mentioned a book " Type II and What To Do " . Do you know who that is by or where you got it? Rebekah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 << I think (in regard to the " normal " bg's) that part of the problem is that the medical community has said oh they're diabetic, they can possibly maintain non diabetic bg's... so they said ohhhh 115 fasting and 150 after meals is good enough. In the book " Type II and What To Do " it says that a bg of 150 is toxic! >> Thanks, Meenie! I always did feel that that 150 figure was way off. But, then what do I know - sitting here with over 300 everday. But this AM - I broke it - 243 after breakfast !! I am ecstatic - compared to what it's been anyway. I sure hope this is a trend - downward! Where can I get that book - who wrote it? in Port Orange FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 I think (in regard to the " normal " bg's) that part of the problem is that the medical community has said oh they're diabetic, they can possibly maintain non diabetic bg's... so they said ohhhh 115 fasting and 150 after meals is good enough. In the book " Type II and What To Do " it says that a bg of 150 is toxic! I try to keep a better range than that. Some people, unfortunately, can't. Sometimes even with the help of medication and exercise. So I think it is wise to try and maintain the best bg's you can while you can. Meenie Re: bg control >From: clerk@... > >I was wondering about this myself. Before I healed from the operation last >year and the affects of radiation and chemo set in, my BGs were what my doctor >considered " normal " and in my BG monitor kit, it said the same thing - 115 >fasting and 150-160 after meals. With those levels, I never was put on any >meds, oral or insulin, until they started geting higher - then, when my next >2-month blood levels were taken and read 200 average, he put me on orals which >brought it back under control for about 3 months - and then insulin, once a >day, and now twice a day - Tomorrow, I call in those results and he will no >doubt increase my dosages. Thank goodness!! These numbers are getting to me! > >I can't get them lower than 300. Yes, they dropped another 100 pts this week - >I tried hi-carbs just before my chemo treatment - and that lowered the levels >100 pts - weird, or what?! I figured if the lo-carbs didn't work, but raised >them, what had I to lose? Like everyone has been saying - each of us is >different! Normal has NEVER been in my profile!! > > in Port Orange, FL > >In a message dated 99-03-14 01:13:40 EST, you write: > ><< I have a question - alot of you talk about keeping your bg down in the 70 >to > 100 range all the time. Or else say that it rarely goes above 130 or so. Is > this because you are using an oral medication or insulin or is anybody out > there keeping their bg this low on diet and exercise alone? I do not take >meds > and am really trying to keep this in control with diet and exercise but my bg > are never that consistently low. What are your results from HbA1c? My last >one > was 3.8 but I always tend to spike right after meals and then I (usually) try > to do some exercise to bring them down again. Thanks - Rebekah >> > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >New hobbies? New curiosities? New enthusiasms? >http://www.onelist.com >Sign up for a new email list today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 Joanne, What you may not know is that different labs do the hba1c test differently and have different numbers. So while a 7 might be great on the scale for your lab, it might be terrible on the scale for another lab Meenie Re: bg control > > >Rebekah, >Your HgbA1C was 3.8??? WOW. My doc would be THRILLED if mine were that low >.. or maybe concerned. I've only had one ... back in January when I was >first diagnosed, and it was 9. The doc would like to see it between 6 and >7. > >Theo, >I'm relatively new at this too, just diagnosed in January (actually, sort of >diagnosed December 23), so I'm learning a lot too. We're all in this >together, and although we share the common thread of diabetes, you'll learn, >as we all have, that our bodies react differently. What works for one may >not work for another. The information that you get is a good guideline, but >you'll have to test the waters and see what works best for you. In the >meantime, keep asking questions, keep reading, and keep testing your blood >sugars. I've learned that frequent testing and making notes has been the >biggest help to me. When I'm stressed or sick, my sugars are higher (also >when eating pizza, but we won't go there). If I've been exercising more, >I've found they can be maintained in the 120 range, which is just about as >good as I've gotten. > >Edna, >Hugs to you, and a warm hello. You've been through a lot, and I hope you >realize that you have friends on this list who care about you. > >, >You're doing a fine job of moderating this list and trying to accommodate >the various personalities we all bring. Thanks for being there. > >Have a great Sunday, everyone! >Joanne > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Start a new hobby. Meet a new friend. >http://www.onelist.com >Onelist: The leading provider of free email list services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 The name of the book is " Diabetes Type II and What To Do " and it is written by Virginia Valentine, Rn, MS, CDE , June Biermann, and Barbara Toohey. I got it at and Noble and it was suggested reading on another diabetes list. Re: bg control >From: Gr8Scot5@... > >Meenie - You mentioned a book " Type II and What To Do " . Do you know who that >is by or where you got it? Rebekah > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >We have a new web site! >http://www.onelist.com >Onelist: The leading provider of free email community services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 Thats Super, ... I hope it's a trend too The book is " Diabetes Type II and What To Do " by Virginia Valentine, Rn, Ms, CDE, , Jeun Biermann, and Barbara Toohey. I got mine from and Nobles (ooo I love that store!) Meenie Re: bg control >From: clerk@... > > > ><< I think (in regard to the " normal " bg's) that part of the problem is that > the medical community has said oh they're diabetic, they can possibly > maintain non diabetic bg's... so they said ohhhh 115 fasting and 150 after > meals is good enough. In the book " Type II and What To Do " it says that a > bg of 150 is toxic! >> > >Thanks, Meenie! I always did feel that that 150 figure was way off. But, >then what do I know - sitting here with over 300 everday. But this AM - I >broke it - 243 after breakfast !! I am ecstatic - compared to what it's been >anyway. I sure hope this is a trend - downward! Where can I get that book - >who wrote it? > > in Port Orange FL > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Ideas on how we can improve ONElist? >http://www.onelist.com >Check out the Suggestion Box feature on our new web site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 You have a different scale than I am familiar with, Ms Rosie. Does 15 - 23 translate to 150 - 230? Or is it completly different? I agree, a lot of doctors seem very complacent with high numbers. I suppose they see so many diabetics that don't make much effort to control their bg's except to come and get more meds. (and I think meds are fine.. a godsend in fact, but should be more of a last resort) Meenie Re: bg control > > > > > > >> >> >>I think (in regard to the " normal " bg's) that part of the problem is >that >>the medical community has said oh they're diabetic, they can possibly >>maintain non diabetic bg's... so they said ohhhh 115 fasting and 150 >after >>meals is good enough. In the book " Type II and What To Do " it says >that a >>bg of 150 is toxic! >>I try to keep a better range than that. Some people, unfortunately, >can't. >>Sometimes even with the help of medication and exercise. So I think it >is >>wise to try and maintain the best bg's you can while you can. >> Meenie > > > >I agree. I saw a new doctor last week and she was going to wait to start >me on meds until my next appt. three weeks later, till she saw my record >of home-testing. Most of the bg's were anywhere from 15 - 23 but there >were a couple of 10 from a month ago. She made the comment that if they >were all 10 she'd be happy. Silently, I was thinking " no way, I want it >down to 5 " . > > > >Rosie >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >We are proud as punch of our new web site! >http://www.onelist.com >Onelist: The leading provider of free email community services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 Hi Rebekah, I keep mine down with diet and exercise alone. The less you eat with the most frequency is one key to doing this. Another is actually doing enough exercise. and another is testing you BG's when you know that they are likely to be high and then exercising. Still another is not eating much in the way of carbohydrates in one sitting. I have found that my BG's go up to their highest usually about two hours after a meal. So, I try to get in a half hour of exercise either right after I eat or sometime between when I eat and that two hour period. Then I don't eat again until I think that my BG's have dropped at least below 100, and even better, when they have gotten down to at least 70 or so. High fiber foods are good. Salads are excellent. Soups are too. I stay away from fat simply because I am also trying to lose weight. I don't eat too much protein. I don't have second helpings, or even finish my first helping if it is plainly too much food. I try to have a positive attitude towards exercise, since it can be enjoyable. When taking walks, make them brisk walks. After a few, it gets to be habit. You will automatically walk briskly the whole time. The only thing I watch is my watch, not how far the walk is: 15 minutes out and then turn around for 15 minutes back. Ideally, I would do this 3 times a day: once after each meal. I found that if I really went at it hard, walking up and down the hill behind the shop as hard as I could, I could drop my BG's by 80 points (down from 205 to 125)! Gr8Scot5@... wrote: > <snip> is anybody out > there keeping their bg this low on diet and exercise alone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 In a message dated 99-03-14 11:02:39 EST, you write: << The name of the book is " Diabetes Type II and What To Do " and it is written by Virginia Valentine, Rn, MS, CDE , June Biermann, and Barbara Toohey. I got it at and Noble and it was suggested reading on another diabetes list. >> Thanks Meenie!! And thanks for the explanation of the Dawn Effect as well. I seem to go through that every morning! Plus, I can't seem to get food in me fast enough in the morning - I wake up so hungry and my BG is high - it sure is a Catch-22! in Port Orange, FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 > > >Hey, that's cool cause here in Australia we use mmol too! I had up to now, >felt a little different thinking i was the only one that had to calculate >everything by 18! >Helen :-) *relieved to have another mmol user here!* I read somewhere that the US is the only country to use mg/dl. It just seems like so many people use it because there are so many Americans on the net LOL. Rosie Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 I agree, when they are very high use the meds. I was on micronase at first, but soon got off of it. And I was so glad cause it made me feel awful! Gave me the jitters, and also cause me to have lows. Meenie Re: bg control > > > > > > >> >> >> >>You have a different scale than I am familiar with, Ms Rosie. Does 15 >- 23 >>translate to 150 - 230? Or is it completly different? >>I agree, a lot of doctors seem very complacent with high numbers. I >suppose >>they see so many diabetics that don't make much effort to control their >bg's >>except to come and get more meds. (and I think meds are fine.. a >godsend in >>fact, but should be more of a last resort) > > > >I'm in Canada and we use mmol/dl - the conversion is multiply by 18. So >bg's of 15-23 would be 270 - 414. > >I don't mind taking meds as a first resort, I want my bg's down as fast >as possible and from what I understand, meds is the only way to do that. > > > > >Rosie >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >If you like orange and blue, then you will love our new web site! >http://www.onelist.com >Onelist: ing connections and information exchange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 1999 Report Share Posted March 14, 1999 You are most welcome, . Often diabetics will actually set their alarm for 3am to test their bg just to see how much is their own bg and how much is the dawn effect when they test again in the morning! I havent been that ambitious, LOL. There have been different experiments with different types of insulin before bed, differnt types if bedtime snacks.. etc. I can't tell you much about insulin since I dont use it but I'm sure there must be sites that go into it... or someone on the list here might be more familiar with fighting the dawn phenomonen?? Meenie - wish I could help more >Thanks Meenie!! And thanks for the explanation of the Dawn Effect as well. I >seem to go through that every morning! Plus, I can't seem to get food in me >fast enough in the morning - I wake up so hungry and my BG is high - it sure >is a Catch-22! > > in Port Orange, FL > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >We are proud as punch of our new web site! >http://www.onelist.com >Onelist: The leading provider of free email community services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 1999 Report Share Posted March 15, 1999 Is there a scale or a formula for comparing the two systems? What do " mmol " and " mg/dl " mean, anyway? Ms Rosie wrote: > > > > > > > > >Hey, that's cool cause here in Australia we use too! I had up to > now, > >felt a little different thinking i was the only one that had to > calculate > >everything by 18! > >Helen :-) *relieved to have another mmol user here!* > > I read somewhere that the US is the only country to use mg/dl. It just > seems like so many people use it because there are so many Americans on > the net LOL. > > Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 1999 Report Share Posted March 15, 1999 > > >Is there a scale or a formula for comparing the two systems? What do " mmol " >and " mg/dl " mean, anyway? To convert mmol/L to mg/dl, multiply by 18. There is a place online where you can enter the number and it will calculate for you. The URL is: http://www.banting.com/dcenter/b2b.html mmol/L is millimoles per litre mg/dl is milligrams per decilitre Rosie Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 1999 Report Share Posted March 15, 1999 From: clerk@... Date: Sunday, March 14, 1999 10:30 PM <SNIP> >. . . . I wake up so hungry and my BG is high - it sure >is a Catch-22! That hungry feeling is your body burning muscle and fat to get energy. Drew from Cold Spring, Putnam Co., NY + Researching: HERLIHY, GOULDING, & LENT/LYNT/vanLENT Modeling: NEW YORK CENTRAL RR + Homepage: <http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/3731/index.html> Grading Scale for Magazine Resale <http://home.att.net/~railfiles/MagazineGradingScale.htm> Diabetes List Subscription: <http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/diabetes> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 1999 Report Share Posted March 15, 1999 >From: Gr8Scot5@... snipped >Also when do you exercise, soon after eating or do you wait the >1.5 - 2 hours for the bg to get highest and then exercise? Thanks - Rebekah I find if i exercise straight after i eat, my bg doesn't get a chance to get that high in the first place, so that's what i do. Helen :-) > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >We are proud as punch of our new web site! >http://www.onelist.com >Onelist: The leading provider of free email community services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 1999 Report Share Posted March 15, 1999 > snipped >I'm in Canada and we use mmol/dl - the conversion is multiply by 18. So >bg's of 15-23 would be 270 - 414. Hey, that's cool cause here in Australia we use mmol too! I had up to now, felt a little different thinking i was the only one that had to calculate everything by 18! Helen :-) *relieved to have another mmol user here!* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 1999 Report Share Posted March 15, 1999 This dawn affect explains alot for me....a few times, for some unknown reason, my blood would be REALLY high before bed (like 400!!) and in the morning i would be low! Helen :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 1999 Report Share Posted March 16, 1999 > > > > >I read somewhere that the US is the only country to use mg/dl. It just >seems like so many people use it because there are so many Americans on >the net LOL. > > > >Rosie >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Wow, i never knew that! Now i feel better! <g> Helen :-) > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >If you like orange and blue, then you will love our new web site! >http://www.onelist.com >Onelist: ing connections and information exchange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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