Re: advice for Harry

September 8, 2003

Just to be safe Harry, eat 1 glucose tablet if that happens again in the

middle of the night. If you are 45, for example, that would raise you to 65

which is enough elevation in your bgs to prevent passing out.

I think you'll be fine though since you are back on what was working for

you. I'd suggest seeing an endocrinologist that will consider prescribing

you humalog for covering quick acting carbs and help you get that ball

rolling. If he says your a type 2 and you don't need humalog, don't go to

him/her find an endo/diabetic doc that will be aggressive and prescribe you

humalog insulin and help you use it to cover carbs you eat and take you off

the oral meds. This is aggressive type 2 treatment and is what many do to

preserve the remaining function of their pancreas. It's just a suggestion

though, that is all it is.

Monkey wrench in the works?Fw: advice for

> > Harry

> > > >

> > > > > Fasting blood sugar or gbs this morning was 103.

> > > > > For breakfast I consumed two scrambled eggs or equivalent egg

> beaters,

> > > two

> > > > > pieces of Canadian bacon and a glass of tomato juice (6 grams of

> > carbs)

> > > > and

> > > > > a hunk of pepper cheese for a grand total of about 9 or 10 grams

of

> > > carbs.

> > > > > Two hours later my gbs was 149.

> > > > > So I went for a 35 minute walk on the treadmill, and after that,

> which

> > > was

> > > > 3

> > > > > hours after lunch I had a gbs of 116.

> > > > > So what is the monkey wrench?, you ask.

> > > > > Before I started this carb counting I got the new glucose monitor

> and

> > > the

> > > > > booklet that came with it said that Vitamin C can cause higher

> > readings.

> > > > > Well, after abstaining for the past two weeks from my usual

Vitamin

> C

> > > > intake

> > > > > of 8 grams per day, this morning I resumed my Vitamin C and I took

3

> > > grams

> > > > > of C.

> > > > > I plan to continue taking Vitamin C in large doses of 8 grams per

> day

> > in

> > > > > divided doses. Have others experienced this phenomena?

> > > > > Does Dr. Bernstein have any thing to say about diabetes and

Vitamin

> C?

> > > > > I did not eat any lunch, since I did not feel hungry. In fact I

> have

> > > > > noticed that I do not crave food at all today.

> > > >

> > >

September 9, 2003

Probably the insurance might cover it. Exactly what should the doctor say

on his prescription pad?

Monkey wrench in the works?Fw: advice for

> > Harry

> > > >

> > > > > Fasting blood sugar or gbs this morning was 103.

> > > > > For breakfast I consumed two scrambled eggs or equivalent egg

> beaters,

> > > two

> > > > > pieces of Canadian bacon and a glass of tomato juice (6 grams of

> > carbs)

> > > > and

> > > > > a hunk of pepper cheese for a grand total of about 9 or 10 grams

of

> > > carbs.

> > > > > Two hours later my gbs was 149.

> > > > > So I went for a 35 minute walk on the treadmill, and after that,

> which

> > > was

> > > > 3

> > > > > hours after lunch I had a gbs of 116.

> > > > > So what is the monkey wrench?, you ask.

> > > > > Before I started this carb counting I got the new glucose monitor

> and

> > > the

> > > > > booklet that came with it said that Vitamin C can cause higher

> > readings.

> > > > > Well, after abstaining for the past two weeks from my usual

Vitamin

> C

> > > > intake

> > > > > of 8 grams per day, this morning I resumed my Vitamin C and I took

3

> > > grams

> > > > > of C.

> > > > > I plan to continue taking Vitamin C in large doses of 8 grams per

> day

> > in

> > > > > divided doses. Have others experienced this phenomena?

> > > > > Does Dr. Bernstein have any thing to say about diabetes and

Vitamin

> C?

> > > > > I did not eat any lunch, since I did not feel hungry. In fact I

> have

> > > > > noticed that I do not crave food at all today.

> > > >

> > >

September 9, 2003

Harry.

I've been following the posts on this list and the other blind diabetics

list held by acb. One thing I've seen about the accucheck voicemate is the

main complaint is that the beep is not loud enough to hear to let you know

ou have enough blood on the strip. The second complaint, and this is a major

one, is that it doesn't tell you if you had enough blood on the strip so if

you are 70, you could really be 200 or vice versa.

The problem with most blood meters for the blind is getting the blood on the

strip in the unit and guiding your finger to the odd plastic machine/point

to drop the blood on to the strip/unit.

I recently came across a blood glucose meter called the lifescan sure step.

I am considering purchasing it for one reason... you apply the blood to the

strip by scraping your finger across the actual strip and then you insert it

into the unit. This over simplifies having to fight the unit, the place to

put the blood, etc.

I'd suggest checking it out at www.lifescan.com. It measures plasma not

whole blood and can be used with a speech box you can get/your doc can

order. I called last month and guy said it was $90 at his local drug store

with a $60 mail in rebate so costing really only $30 total. That doesn't

include the speech box though, you'll have to askt eh customer care rep

where to get it when you speak to one. I have a lifescan profile and it uses

a speech box but it is difficult to use and get the blood on the strip since

it is in the meter then I must apply like the accucheck voicemate. The sure

step meter lets you put the blood on the strip and then insert the strip

into the unit.

HTH

Monkey wrench in the works?Fw: advice

for

> > > Harry

> > > > >

> > > > > > Fasting blood sugar or gbs this morning was 103.

> > > > > > For breakfast I consumed two scrambled eggs or equivalent egg

> > beaters,

> > > > two

> > > > > > pieces of Canadian bacon and a glass of tomato juice (6 grams of

> > > carbs)

> > > > > and

> > > > > > a hunk of pepper cheese for a grand total of about 9 or 10 grams

> of

> > > > carbs.

> > > > > > Two hours later my gbs was 149.

> > > > > > So I went for a 35 minute walk on the treadmill, and after that,

> > which

> > > > was

> > > > > 3

> > > > > > hours after lunch I had a gbs of 116.

> > > > > > So what is the monkey wrench?, you ask.

> > > > > > Before I started this carb counting I got the new glucose

monitor

> > and

> > > > the

> > > > > > booklet that came with it said that Vitamin C can cause higher

> > > readings.

> > > > > > Well, after abstaining for the past two weeks from my usual

> Vitamin

> > C

> > > > > intake

> > > > > > of 8 grams per day, this morning I resumed my Vitamin C and I

took

> 3

> > > > grams

> > > > > > of C.

> > > > > > I plan to continue taking Vitamin C in large doses of 8 grams

per

> > day

> > > in

> > > > > > divided doses. Have others experienced this phenomena?

> > > > > > Does Dr. Bernstein have any thing to say about diabetes and

> Vitamin

> > C?

> > > > > > I did not eat any lunch, since I did not feel hungry. In fact I

> > have

> > > > > > noticed that I do not crave food at all today.

> > > > >

> > > >

September 9, 2003

Harry, Would insurance cover the cost of a talking machine? Usually, if the

doc writes the prescription correctly, the insurance will cover it.

Re: advice for Harry

I am not seeing a diabetic specialist at present. I wondered about the

blood sugar being low at night when I awake with a rapid heart beat, but I

do not wish to awake my wife in the middle of the night to test my gbs. So

I will decline to do that unless the problem persist. I may have to resort

to buying a glucose monitor that a blind person can use, but they are too

expensive.

Monkey wrench in the works?Fw: advice for

> Harry

> > >

> > > > Fasting blood sugar or gbs this morning was 103.

> > > > For breakfast I consumed two scrambled eggs or equivalent egg

beaters,

> > two

> > > > pieces of Canadian bacon and a glass of tomato juice (6 grams of

> carbs)

> > > and

> > > > a hunk of pepper cheese for a grand total of about 9 or 10 grams of

> > carbs.

> > > > Two hours later my gbs was 149.

> > > > So I went for a 35 minute walk on the treadmill, and after that,

which

> > was

> > > 3

> > > > hours after lunch I had a gbs of 116.

> > > > So what is the monkey wrench?, you ask.

> > > > Before I started this carb counting I got the new glucose monitor

and

> > the

> > > > booklet that came with it said that Vitamin C can cause higher

> readings.

> > > > Well, after abstaining for the past two weeks from my usual Vitamin

C

> > > intake

> > > > of 8 grams per day, this morning I resumed my Vitamin C and I took 3

> > grams

> > > > of C.

> > > > I plan to continue taking Vitamin C in large doses of 8 grams per

day

> in

> > > > divided doses. Have others experienced this phenomena?

> > > > Does Dr. Bernstein have any thing to say about diabetes and Vitamin

C?

> > > > I did not eat any lunch, since I did not feel hungry. In fact I

have

> > > > noticed that I do not crave food at all today.

> > >

> >

September 10, 2003

Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he recommended I

stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the Actos which

deals with insulin resistance?

Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

September 10, 2003

It should make it better, Harry. It may take some adjusting as the amounts

of insulin you will need as everyone has a different amount they need to

lwoer their BS for every 15 grams of carbs, but your and your doc should be

able to figure that out before too long. For instance if your BS is 95 and

you eat 15 grams of carb and take 1 unit of insulin and it is at 95 2 hours

post pranial, you will need 1 unit for every 15 grams of carbs. If you are

insulin resistant, you may need 2 or 3 un its for every 15 grams of carbs.

Time will tell.

Re: advice for Harry

Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he recommended I

stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the Actos which

deals with insulin resistance?

Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

September 10, 2003

Hi Harry.

Congrats man on getting humalog!! From what I've seen with all type 2

diabetics (400 or more I know from another list) that are practising using

insulin instead of oral meds, they have gained much tighter control and are

not ashamed at all to use insulin. After all, lets face it, your not ashamed

to take pepto bismol if your tummy is upset, right? Well, if your bgs is

high then there should be no shame/regrets in taking insuin. After all, it

is what your body requires so give it to it smiles. I only mention that in

passing since many feel that taking insulin is the end of the world or have

problems starting it. Your gunna love it Harry, trust me partner!

You'll find over time that by using the humalog to cover carbs, you'll be

much happier and in much better control.

For now, do what the doc says and pitch the oral meds and in 3 weeks,if you

don't have your bgs under control, then call him back. Your body will take

about 3 to 5 days to get use to humalog and give you measurable results so

be aware of this. It just doesn't happen in 1 or 2 days. Give yourself a

*solid* 3 weeks to get your bgs under control. This way, you don't expect

results to quickly.

Warning! Warning! Warning! humalog is a powerful insulin. As soon as you

take it, you have to start eating in 20 minutes! It's ok to take it 20

minutes prior to a meal but after 20 minutes, you gotta start eating. It

takes humalog an average of 20 minutes to start breaking down and working in

the body.

Since your just starting out, I'd say to take it when the food is sitting in

front of you so you won't lose track of time and forget and get low/pass

out. So, when plate is in front of face, take humalog smiles.

Your gunna love the flexibility that humalog gives you Harry so get ready

partner! This is gunna be exciting. Just stick to 1 unit per 15 grams of

carbs for now for each meal and then adjust that down as needed. However,

make certain to repeat the 2 hour post test pattern at least 2 or 3 days

prior to adjusting the ratio. I.E you eat breakfast and 2 hours later are

160. If you repeat this for a second day, then it is safe to bump your

ratio down to 1 unit per 13 grams of carbs etc. However, you should never

bump your ratio down by 1 or 2 points... you must work with small numbers

not large ones! I.E you'd never change your insulin to carb ratio from 1

unit per 15 grams to 1 unit per 10 grams, that is way to much! Only adjust

down by 1 to 2 grams when adjusting insulin to carb ratio.

Recall, 1 unit of humalog insulin will drop your bgs 50 to 60 points so keep

this in mind for highs.

I'm gunna post you some homework to the list so get ready!! Others, if you

wish, feel free to practise it as well.

Re: advice for Harry

> Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he recommended I

> stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the Actos

which

> deals with insulin resistance?

> Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

>

September 10, 2003

One thing I recommend Pat, which is not the real standard, is to adjust the

carb grams down rather than the insulin units up. The main reason for this

is some blind diabetics can't measure half units and only whole units. Half

unit measurement is possible with some insulin pens and certainly with

insulin pumps. However, it is good to know just as information. This way,

you are preserving the whole unit measurement and adjusting down the carb

grams. I.E like you stated, which is true, Harry may be insulin resistant

and require more insulin. So, you showed that most would up the insulin

ratio such as 1.5 units or 2 units per 15 grams of carbs, which is good, but

the other way of doing it is 1 unit per 12 grams of carbs, 1 unit per 11

grams of carbs, etc. bumping down the total carb grams rather than uping

the insulin units. I'm not saying this way is correct, just pointing out

that there are 2 ways to calculate the insulin to carb ratios and whatever

works best is a YMMV.

Re: advice for Harry

>

> Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he recommended I

> stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the Actos

which

> deals with insulin resistance?

> Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

>

September 10, 2003

Hey Harry make certain to post your bgs results to the list so we can work

with ya man. Like was saying, if you are insulin resistant, your

numbers will change such as 2 units of humalog per 15 grams of carbs or I.E

1 unit of humalog will drop you only 30 points instead of 60 etc. However,

start out using the standard numbers of measurement and then after 1 or 2

days of trying this out using the starting point standard numbers, you can

begin to tailer the numbers to your body. In other words, use the standard

starting point then after a few days begin to tailer the numbers to your

body's YMMV.

Re: advice for Harry

> Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he recommended I

> stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the Actos

which

> deals with insulin resistance?

> Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

>

September 10, 2003

From what I read about insulin, this stuff can be toxic to your system.

Isn't hyperinsulinenimia associated with higher incidence of heart attack

and stroke? It certainly makes me wonder about injecting this stuff into my

system.

Re: advice for Harry

>

> > Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he recommended

I

> > stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> > He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> > In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the Actos

> which

> > deals with insulin resistance?

> > Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

> >

>

September 10, 2003

higher stroke and heart attacks are not from insulin, they are from high bgs

and uncontroled bgs, not the insulin. BTW you mentioned reading information

that insulin was toxic to your system... can you point me to that

information? I'd like to browse it since it is ludicrus and I want to see

what the source is. Bernstein has been on insulin for 61 years as a type 1

with no complications at all. I've been on insulin for 25 years and lost my

eyesight from poor bgs control, partially blame the ADA for this since I was

following their high carb diet which contributed to my unmanageable bgs, and

I have no complications from 25 years of taking insulin. I understand your

concern though Harry, you've had some hefty heart conditions but keep in

mind, it is the high bgs that cause this, not the insulin.

Re: advice for Harry

> >

> > > Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he

recommended

> I

> > > stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> > > He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> > > In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the Actos

> > which

> > > deals with insulin resistance?

> > > Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

> > >

> >

September 10, 2003

I don't know exactly where I learned that hyperinsulinenimia was directly

associated with heart attacks and stroke, but just plug in the term

hyperinsulinenimia into a search engine, and you will find links that say it

is.

Re: advice for Harry

> > >

> > > > Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he

> recommended

> > I

> > > > stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> > > > He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> > > > In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the

Actos

> > > which

> > > > deals with insulin resistance?

> > > > Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

> > > >

> > >

September 10, 2003

From the few pages/hits I've read, in no where did it state that it was

*directly* related to heart attack but rather *could be* related to heart

attack in *combination* with other factors such as high blood pressure, high

cholesterol, hhigh bgs, etc.

So, it appears that if you keep your bgs under control and follow a low carb

diet approach, even though you are insulin resistant, you can greatly reduce

the risk of another heart attack.

The reason I state this is that by lowering your carb to 60 total grams or

so a day, your bgs will be under control, greatly reducing the strain on

your heart, and your cholesterol levels will drop, greatly reducing the

strain on your heart, even though your insulin requirements might be high.

Heck, if your eating only 60 grams of total carbs a day, your insulin

requirements might not even be that high Harry. For example, I was eating

250 to 300 grams of carbs a day requiring nearly 100 units of insulin a day

and now eat 60 grams a day and require only 20 total units a day. See the

difference?

Re: advice for Harry

> > > >

> > > > > Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he

> > recommended

> > > I

> > > > > stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> > > > > He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> > > > > In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the

> Actos

> > > > which

> > > > > deals with insulin resistance?

> > > > > Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

> > > > >

> > > >

September 10, 2003

BTW for example, some insulin resistant diabetics may take 200 units a day,

based on their carb intake being higher of course, and with you only eating

60 grams total a day, your total insulin might only be 30 to 50 units. Most

diabetics would do anything to only have to take 50 units of total insulin a

day. You won't know what your total insulin requirements are per day til you

set your total to be 60 grams, a constant, and split that up to 20 grams per

meal so you can get good measurable results. Another way to better use the

insulin you inject is to work the muscle around the area you injected so the

muscle will better absorb it. I.E if you inject into your stomach, do like

30 situps or abb crunches after injecting it and it will use it better. If

you inject into your leg/thigh, do some leg/thigh lifting exercises to get

the muscles to absorb the insulin better etc. I'd say before you try working

yoru muscles to get the insulin to absorb better, first, try just injecting

and working out the insulin to carb ratios. Once you get those down with

eating 20 grams per meal, and if the insulin still seems to much to you,

then try working the muscle you inject by to see if it helps lower the

insulin requirement.

Re: advice for Harry

> > > >

> > > > > Today the doctor gave me a prescription for Humalog, and he

> > recommended

> > > I

> > > > > stop taking both my oral medications glyburide and Actos.

> > > > > He just wants me to be on Lantus and Humalog for carb dosing.

> > > > > In a type 2 diabetic is it advisable for one to stop taking the

> Actos

> > > > which

> > > > > deals with insulin resistance?

> > > > > Is all this insulin going to make things worse or better?

> > > > >

> > > >

September 13, 2003

Well, this morning I did it! I have gone for more than three days without

any oral medications for diabetes and only taking my nightly bedtime dose of

Lantus 7 units. Last night before bedtime my gbs was 130, so I ate a

handful of walnuts before going to bed andinjecting Lantus 7 units. This

morning my fasting or before breakfast gbs was 172, so I consumed 16 carbs

for breakfast and took 2 units of Humalog. One hour later my gbs was 199.

Two hours later my gbs was 199. Three hours later my gbs was 199 and six

hours later my gbs was 192.

So I was hungry and had lunch of 18 grams of carbs along with another 2

units of Humalog. I think my brain is trying to figure out how to

metabolize this new foreign substance called Humalog, and that is why it is

taking so long to drop into the " normal zone " . It is kind of like the first

time I smoked marijuana, when I was 37 years old. All it did was make me

hack and cough, but nothing happened. I commented that this stuff has no

effect, and my experienced companion said my brain was figuring out how to

metabolize this new chemical ingested into my system. So wait a couple of

days and try it again. So, Idid, and wow!, what a different experience. It

was great!

I hope my brain figures out how to deal with this Humalog soon.

Re: advice for Harry

>

> > That is good to know:

> > 1 unit of Humalog drops the gbs 60 points without any carbs consumed.

> > Hey!, that's scarey!

> > So, one must not only know their gbs before meal, but also calculate the

> > number of carbs consumed in order to estimate the proper dosage. One

> > doesn't want to go too low!

September 13, 2003

Hey congradulations Harry!! I am so relieved you are finally taking the

humalog! if you get these results for the next 2 days, then do 2 units of

humalog per 15 grams of carbs like suggested. However, keep us

updated on your bgs readings.

Re: advice for Harry

> >

> > > That is good to know:

> > > 1 unit of Humalog drops the gbs 60 points without any carbs consumed.

> > > Hey!, that's scarey!

> > > So, one must not only know their gbs before meal, but also calculate

the

> > > number of carbs consumed in order to estimate the proper dosage. One

> > > doesn't want to go too low!

>

September 13, 2003

BTW you might also need to say that 2 units of humalog lowers your bgs 60

points and not one. However, don't adjust the equation until you have got

the same results for 2 or 3 days. Give your body time to adjust to the

humalog. If after 2 or 3 days you are getting the same results, then adjust

the equation to be 2 units for whatever instead of 1.

Re: advice for Harry

> >

> > > That is good to know:

> > > 1 unit of Humalog drops the gbs 60 points without any carbs consumed.

> > > Hey!, that's scarey!

> > > So, one must not only know their gbs before meal, but also calculate

the

> > > number of carbs consumed in order to estimate the proper dosage. One

> > > doesn't want to go too low!

>

September 13, 2003

Another thought Harry is for the next 3 days keep all your carb grams the

same per meal for best results with figuring out how many units of humalog

per 15 grams. So, I'd say keep each meal 15 to no more than 18 grams of

carbs until you get the dose figured out. Make certain you are using the pen

correctly and that you are getting the amount of insulin you think you are.

I.E is one click or notch of the pen one whole unit or half a unit? If it is

a half a unit, then it is 2 clicks of the pen per unit and not 1 click/turn.

Re: advice for Harry

> > >

> > > > That is good to know:

> > > > 1 unit of Humalog drops the gbs 60 points without any carbs

consumed.

> > > > Hey!, that's scarey!

> > > > So, one must not only know their gbs before meal, but also calculate

> the

> > > > number of carbs consumed in order to estimate the proper dosage.

One

> > > > doesn't want to go too low!

> >

>

September 14, 2003

Harry, Your brain is not trying to figure out what this " foreign " substance

is. Humalog is almost exactly like the insulin your own body makes. You

apparently need more than 2 units to bring your BS down when it is that

high. Also, if your BS stays up like that for 4 hours, you can give

yourself enough to bring it down and then enough to cover the cars you made.

Remeber that as a typ2 diabetic, you may be insulin resistant and need more

than 1 unit to bring your sugar down 60 points. I have a friend-a type

1-who is insulin resistant and takes 4 units for every 1 unit that I would

take for a similar BS.