Re: Re: I am new diabetic.. what's with this?

[Guest guest]

I wonder why I don't. I use all five fingers (only the bottom side of the

thumb and the pinky) and have for years... test as a rule 6 to 8 times a

day, depending on what is going on. I have olive skin and it is suppose to

scar easier, too. Go figure. The only finger that is sore is the last spot

I used and it won't be by the time I have to test again. This must be

another YMMV thing.

Rita

Re: Re: I am new diabetic.. what's with this?

I have little calouses on my fingers oh how pretty hahaha. They hurt like

crazy cause with all the testing you build up scar tissue and it isn't as

easy to get a sample.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

My father is going through it now... and still eats what he pleases. My

aunt pulled the plug on herself after a year of dialysis and many years of

misery. I can't *make* my Dad comply... yet. I tell him so, too. " Once

you lose your feet and you're blind... then maybe we can get you under

control. " He just gives me a dirty look and grabs another cookie. He

doesn't have any heart or kidney related problems yet... but he has advanced

neuropathy, retinopathy, vascular problems in his extremities, etc. It

breaks my heart sometimes... other times it just makes me mad.

Rita

-----Original Message-----

From: cstouffe

If anyone is not convinced that diabetes must be attended to if you

don't want a slow and very painful death, with years as an invalid,

please email me and I'll tell you my father's story in excruciating

detail. That's why I'm so manic about getting my own diabetes under

control and keeping it there. I absolutely don't want to go through

what he went through in the last 15 or so years of his life as he

suffered through large doses of all of the major complications of

diabetes. He passed away on September 9, 2001.

Christy

[Guest guest]

Hi,

So are you Canadian or from Europe? Why do I ask, your readings are not

in the 100's. ehehehe I am from Canada, and my meter measures that way

to. I post my results two ways, just to help out the rest of the group

(it would be nice if they returned the favour!!!) Just take your

reading and x by 18. So you fasting was 10.4 or 187.2. That is high.

So what are you doing to fix this problem? We can help. Give us a days

readings and a corresponding food diary. i.e. Breakfast meal, reading

1 hour post, and 2 hours post. Same for lunch and dinner, then before

bed and fasting. We can really help!

Jacky

[Guest guest]

Hi,

So are you Canadian or from Europe? Why do I ask, your readings are not

in the 100's. ehehehe I am from Canada, and my meter measures that way

to. I post my results two ways, just to help out the rest of the group

(it would be nice if they returned the favour!!!) Just take your

reading and x by 18. So you fasting was 10.4 or 187.2. That is high.

So what are you doing to fix this problem? We can help. Give us a days

readings and a corresponding food diary. i.e. Breakfast meal, reading

1 hour post, and 2 hours post. Same for lunch and dinner, then before

bed and fasting. We can really help!

Jacky

[Guest guest]

Hi,

So are you Canadian or from Europe? Why do I ask, your readings are not

in the 100's. ehehehe I am from Canada, and my meter measures that way

to. I post my results two ways, just to help out the rest of the group

(it would be nice if they returned the favour!!!) Just take your

reading and x by 18. So you fasting was 10.4 or 187.2. That is high.

So what are you doing to fix this problem? We can help. Give us a days

readings and a corresponding food diary. i.e. Breakfast meal, reading

1 hour post, and 2 hours post. Same for lunch and dinner, then before

bed and fasting. We can really help!

Jacky

[Guest guest]

10.4 (187) is way too high, as I'm sure you know. A lot of us aim for 5.5

(99) with a reading after a meal of no more than 7.7 and a fasting test of

no more than 6 (120). I apologise that more of us don't multiply or divide

by 18 to say our blood test numbers in both the U.S. and European way.

Numbers as high as yours place you at great risk for diabetic complications.

Please read the recommended books, try to cut down on your starchy foods

(rice, pasta, potatoes, breads, cereals, sweets) and increase your exercise.

This should help a good deal.

Barb

> The lowest reading i have had since i got my meter was 10.4... first

> thing in the morning.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/28/02 1:55:54 PM Pacific Standard Time,

whitestarx@... writes:

>

> I am from England and my reading before breakfast was 18.2 (327.6)i

> have got to get this down soon.

> .... i am not feeling to well and i feel drained to the bone,

> But thank you.

> Darren.

Hello Darren,

It is no wonder that you feel unwell and tired. With your bg at that level

(18.2/327.6), that is to be expected.

You already know this, but I will say it again---You must get your bg's down

into or at least near the normal non-diabetic range (average 70-110mg/dl or

3.89-6.1mmol/L in your system) to avoid the substantial risk for

complications that your present levels will result in. Glycation is taking

place all the time that you are at these high levels, and it sounds like you

are high most of the time. Is that true?

Have you had a Glycated Hemoglobin test (HbA1c) done? That is the test that

shows your overall average bg level for the last 3 months with emphasis on

the most recent few weeks.

The HbA1c test is the best indicator we have for complication risk. Normal

non-diabetic is less than 6.0%, and that should be the goal, or as close as

possible. Above that level, the risk increases and the higher (such as the

numbers you give), the risk increases rapidly.

I appreciate the humor you have exhibited about sticking your fingers. You

will get used to the testing, and it is a very important part of your

diabetes education process. How else can you know if you are making progress

in getting control of your bg's?

I may have missed it, but what meds are you taking and what " eating plan " are

you using. Perhaps if you could fill us in, we may be able to make some

suggestions for your consideration on how to get those bg's down.

Darren, please know that a diabetic who is in control of their bg's (normal

as described above) can live a long, active and productive life. Not being in

control, on the other hand, will lead to all manner of horrendous

complications: retinopathy leading to blindness, kidney failure leading to

dialysis, neuropathy leading to limb amputation, and cardiovascular disease

to name just a few of the more interesting ones.

I believe every diabetic can achieve good control. It is just a matter of

making the right lifestyle choices (diet, exercise and maybe meds) and

sticking with what works for you. Testing will show you what works and what

doesn't.

I recommend Bernstein's and Beckers books that are referenced in the links at

the bottom of these messages. These are both a very important part of your

diabetes education.

Diabetes is one of the few diseases/conditions that we, the patient can

really do something about, but it is up to us to be educated and pro-active

about it.

You can be in control. Don't let it control you.

, T2

Oregon

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/28/02 1:55:54 PM Pacific Standard Time,

whitestarx@... writes:

>

> I am from England and my reading before breakfast was 18.2 (327.6)i

> have got to get this down soon.

> .... i am not feeling to well and i feel drained to the bone,

> But thank you.

> Darren.

Hello Darren,

It is no wonder that you feel unwell and tired. With your bg at that level

(18.2/327.6), that is to be expected.

You already know this, but I will say it again---You must get your bg's down

into or at least near the normal non-diabetic range (average 70-110mg/dl or

3.89-6.1mmol/L in your system) to avoid the substantial risk for

complications that your present levels will result in. Glycation is taking

place all the time that you are at these high levels, and it sounds like you

are high most of the time. Is that true?

Have you had a Glycated Hemoglobin test (HbA1c) done? That is the test that

shows your overall average bg level for the last 3 months with emphasis on

the most recent few weeks.

The HbA1c test is the best indicator we have for complication risk. Normal

non-diabetic is less than 6.0%, and that should be the goal, or as close as

possible. Above that level, the risk increases and the higher (such as the

numbers you give), the risk increases rapidly.

I appreciate the humor you have exhibited about sticking your fingers. You

will get used to the testing, and it is a very important part of your

diabetes education process. How else can you know if you are making progress

in getting control of your bg's?

I may have missed it, but what meds are you taking and what " eating plan " are

you using. Perhaps if you could fill us in, we may be able to make some

suggestions for your consideration on how to get those bg's down.

Darren, please know that a diabetic who is in control of their bg's (normal

as described above) can live a long, active and productive life. Not being in

control, on the other hand, will lead to all manner of horrendous

complications: retinopathy leading to blindness, kidney failure leading to

dialysis, neuropathy leading to limb amputation, and cardiovascular disease

to name just a few of the more interesting ones.

I believe every diabetic can achieve good control. It is just a matter of

making the right lifestyle choices (diet, exercise and maybe meds) and

sticking with what works for you. Testing will show you what works and what

doesn't.

I recommend Bernstein's and Beckers books that are referenced in the links at

the bottom of these messages. These are both a very important part of your

diabetes education.

Diabetes is one of the few diseases/conditions that we, the patient can

really do something about, but it is up to us to be educated and pro-active

about it.

You can be in control. Don't let it control you.

, T2

Oregon

[Guest guest]

Darren, if you get your BGs down you'll start to feel a LOT better.

Please read the Bernstein and Becker books. And check out Dr. Bernstein's

website. Links below, on the bottom of this page. Vicki

In a message dated 03/28/2002 2:55:16 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

whitestarx@... writes:

> Thank you for the wonderful offer of help.. i will try that i think

> sometime.. i am not feeling to well and i feel drained to the bone,

> But thank you.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Darren, if you get your BGs down you'll start to feel a LOT better.

Please read the Bernstein and Becker books. And check out Dr. Bernstein's

website. Links below, on the bottom of this page. Vicki

In a message dated 03/28/2002 2:55:16 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

whitestarx@... writes:

> Thank you for the wonderful offer of help.. i will try that i think

> sometime.. i am not feeling to well and i feel drained to the bone,

> But thank you.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Darren,

Hang in there, it will happen. Try this little experiment for me.

Tomorrow have only eggs and bacon, or sausage for breakfast - no

bread/toast then test after 2 hours. you will be pleasently

surprised...and you will feel a bit better. If that works, try it again

for lunch. Have a nice sized salad with some chicken breast mixed in.

Then test two hours later. For supper, have a nice cut of beef with

mixed veggies - i.e. brocolli, cauliflower, peppers and mushrooms, and

test again. If you need a snack try some almonds or sugar free jello.

However, if you fast on Good Friday try this on Saturday....I can't eat

meat tomorrow so I am going to be creative.

Give this a try...your body will thank you.

Jacky

[Guest guest]

Hi Darren,

Hang in there, it will happen. Try this little experiment for me.

Tomorrow have only eggs and bacon, or sausage for breakfast - no

bread/toast then test after 2 hours. you will be pleasently

surprised...and you will feel a bit better. If that works, try it again

for lunch. Have a nice sized salad with some chicken breast mixed in.

Then test two hours later. For supper, have a nice cut of beef with

mixed veggies - i.e. brocolli, cauliflower, peppers and mushrooms, and

test again. If you need a snack try some almonds or sugar free jello.

However, if you fast on Good Friday try this on Saturday....I can't eat

meat tomorrow so I am going to be creative.

Give this a try...your body will thank you.

Jacky

[Guest guest]

Hi Darren,

Hang in there, it will happen. Try this little experiment for me.

Tomorrow have only eggs and bacon, or sausage for breakfast - no

bread/toast then test after 2 hours. you will be pleasently

surprised...and you will feel a bit better. If that works, try it again

for lunch. Have a nice sized salad with some chicken breast mixed in.

Then test two hours later. For supper, have a nice cut of beef with

mixed veggies - i.e. brocolli, cauliflower, peppers and mushrooms, and

test again. If you need a snack try some almonds or sugar free jello.

However, if you fast on Good Friday try this on Saturday....I can't eat

meat tomorrow so I am going to be creative.

Give this a try...your body will thank you.

Jacky

[Guest guest]

Darren,

I reread your post....18.2 is dangerously high. Are you taking med's?

I think you should call you dr.

Jacky

[Guest guest]

> I am taking Metformin three times a day, Thank you for your

> concern .. it's down this morning... 10.0 (180)

***Oh, Darren, not near enough. Please call your doc, and if he/she is not

concerned, please try to find another. With better control you would feel

SO much better.

www.diabetes-normalsugars.com is Dr. Bernstein's site

www.mendosa.com is full of good information and the glycemic index

Barb

[Guest guest]

> I am taking Metformin three times a day, Thank you for your

> concern .. it's down this morning... 10.0 (180)

***Oh, Darren, not near enough. Please call your doc, and if he/she is not

concerned, please try to find another. With better control you would feel

SO much better.

www.diabetes-normalsugars.com is Dr. Bernstein's site

www.mendosa.com is full of good information and the glycemic index

Barb

[Guest guest]

> I am taking Metformin three times a day, Thank you for your

> concern .. it's down this morning... 10.0 (180)

***Oh, Darren, not near enough. Please call your doc, and if he/she is not

concerned, please try to find another. With better control you would feel

SO much better.

www.diabetes-normalsugars.com is Dr. Bernstein's site

www.mendosa.com is full of good information and the glycemic index

Barb

[Guest guest]

Darren,

How much Metaformin are you taking each time? Three times per day at _____

units?

What are you eating in a typical day? At over 300 you are definitely

harming yourself. How often are you testing?

Art

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/29/02 5:55:07 AM Pacific Standard Time,

whitestarx@... writes:

>

> Yes i am on Metformin 3X a day.. my sugar is up and down like manic,

> this morning it droped to 10.0(180)now it is 14.0 (252).

> It's no where as bad as yesterday but i still feel dizzy and a little

> nausea, drained and tired.. but it is lower

> Darren.

Darren,

The quickest and most effective thing you can do right now is to reduce your

carbohydrate consumption. It is carbohydrates that are making your bg's go

up, nothing else! The Metformin is reducing the glucose secreted by your

liver, and reducing your insulin-resistance a little, but won't make a

serious reduction in bg's if you keep eating too many carbohydrates.

I would recommend avoiding the following foods (like the plague!) at this

time for you:

potatoes, rice, any grain product (bread, pastries, pasta, etc), root

vegetables, milk products (except hard cheese).

Read the nutrition labels carefully on any processed foods for the " Total

Carbohydrate " content in grams. Lower is better!

This may sound very drastic, but with your bg's, drastic is what is needed!

At this time, you don't need to make a lifetime commitment to eating this

way, but you absolutely must get your bg's down, and this is the quickest way

short of insulin injections and sulfonylurea orals (sulf's have their own

built-in problems with hypoglycemia). With your bg's at present levels, you

are doing damage to your body's systems that may or not be permanent and/or

reversible. The time to act is now.

There are some on this list (myself included) that are eating 30grams of

carbs per day and doing fine. I am going on 4 years of doing that, and I do

look at it as a WOE for life, but that is my choice. My bg's are totally in

control doing that and I can see no reason to change. This type of diet may

not be your choice for life, but if you don't do something now, you are

heading for some miserable complications.

Also, you will feel better, which is an issue you are dealing with right now.

If you have questions that may not be appropriate for the list, don't

hesitate to e-mail me privately.

, T2

Oregon

hlmn@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/29/02 5:55:07 AM Pacific Standard Time,

whitestarx@... writes:

>

> Yes i am on Metformin 3X a day.. my sugar is up and down like manic,

> this morning it droped to 10.0(180)now it is 14.0 (252).

> It's no where as bad as yesterday but i still feel dizzy and a little

> nausea, drained and tired.. but it is lower

> Darren.

Darren,

The quickest and most effective thing you can do right now is to reduce your

carbohydrate consumption. It is carbohydrates that are making your bg's go

up, nothing else! The Metformin is reducing the glucose secreted by your

liver, and reducing your insulin-resistance a little, but won't make a

serious reduction in bg's if you keep eating too many carbohydrates.

I would recommend avoiding the following foods (like the plague!) at this

time for you:

potatoes, rice, any grain product (bread, pastries, pasta, etc), root

vegetables, milk products (except hard cheese).

Read the nutrition labels carefully on any processed foods for the " Total

Carbohydrate " content in grams. Lower is better!

This may sound very drastic, but with your bg's, drastic is what is needed!

At this time, you don't need to make a lifetime commitment to eating this

way, but you absolutely must get your bg's down, and this is the quickest way

short of insulin injections and sulfonylurea orals (sulf's have their own

built-in problems with hypoglycemia). With your bg's at present levels, you

are doing damage to your body's systems that may or not be permanent and/or

reversible. The time to act is now.

There are some on this list (myself included) that are eating 30grams of

carbs per day and doing fine. I am going on 4 years of doing that, and I do

look at it as a WOE for life, but that is my choice. My bg's are totally in

control doing that and I can see no reason to change. This type of diet may

not be your choice for life, but if you don't do something now, you are

heading for some miserable complications.

Also, you will feel better, which is an issue you are dealing with right now.

If you have questions that may not be appropriate for the list, don't

hesitate to e-mail me privately.

, T2

Oregon

hlmn@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/29/02 5:55:07 AM Pacific Standard Time,

whitestarx@... writes:

>

> Yes i am on Metformin 3X a day.. my sugar is up and down like manic,

> this morning it droped to 10.0(180)now it is 14.0 (252).

> It's no where as bad as yesterday but i still feel dizzy and a little

> nausea, drained and tired.. but it is lower

> Darren.

Darren,

The quickest and most effective thing you can do right now is to reduce your

carbohydrate consumption. It is carbohydrates that are making your bg's go

up, nothing else! The Metformin is reducing the glucose secreted by your

liver, and reducing your insulin-resistance a little, but won't make a

serious reduction in bg's if you keep eating too many carbohydrates.

I would recommend avoiding the following foods (like the plague!) at this

time for you:

potatoes, rice, any grain product (bread, pastries, pasta, etc), root

vegetables, milk products (except hard cheese).

Read the nutrition labels carefully on any processed foods for the " Total

Carbohydrate " content in grams. Lower is better!

This may sound very drastic, but with your bg's, drastic is what is needed!

At this time, you don't need to make a lifetime commitment to eating this

way, but you absolutely must get your bg's down, and this is the quickest way

short of insulin injections and sulfonylurea orals (sulf's have their own

built-in problems with hypoglycemia). With your bg's at present levels, you

are doing damage to your body's systems that may or not be permanent and/or

reversible. The time to act is now.

There are some on this list (myself included) that are eating 30grams of

carbs per day and doing fine. I am going on 4 years of doing that, and I do

look at it as a WOE for life, but that is my choice. My bg's are totally in

control doing that and I can see no reason to change. This type of diet may

not be your choice for life, but if you don't do something now, you are

heading for some miserable complications.

Also, you will feel better, which is an issue you are dealing with right now.

If you have questions that may not be appropriate for the list, don't

hesitate to e-mail me privately.

, T2

Oregon

hlmn@...

[Guest guest]

Yes i am on Metformin 3X a day.. my sugar is up and down like manic,

this morning it droped to 10.0(180)now it is 14.0 (252).

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Darren:

How many units each time????

Art

[Guest guest]

Yes i am on Metformin 3X a day.. my sugar is up and down like manic,

this morning it droped to 10.0(180)now it is 14.0 (252).

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Darren:

How many units each time????

Art

[Guest guest]

Yes i am on Metformin 3X a day.. my sugar is up and down like manic,

this morning it droped to 10.0(180)now it is 14.0 (252).

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Darren:

How many units each time????

Art

[Guest guest]

hey Darren

are u eating a lot of carbs? reduce them follow the advice in this group and

tell the dr you are changing your way of living believe me i ate a high carb

diet for 13 years i excecised moderately and never understood why my sugars

were not normal over time my wt went up 18 kg still climbing.....then i

started to read i got bernestein's book before i joined this group and have

been gradually changing my way of living, attitude and soacialising. i would

eat left overs from my kids plates thinking its money wasted NOW i leave my

own portions for the dust bin. reduced my portions cut out the pizzas and

fast food which was a good thing for everybody in the long run. i committed

my time to excercise everyday refused parties because it was clashing with

my walk time. unfortunately once my wt went down i relaxed and started

adding carbs and reduced the excercise and within 3 wks my sugars went up

along with the weight. so now i am back on the wagon like vicki says its day

by day. the better readings sure encourage. good luck try again and again

and again....cheeky

>

>Reply-To: diabetes_int

>To: diabetes_int

>Subject: Re: I am new diabetic.. what's with this?

>Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 09:57:17 -0000

>

>I have got a glucometer now and your all right .. it does not hurt..

>much beyond the manic screaming.. just joking.

>

>Thought i am a little bothered that my levels are higher that what i

>have been told they should be.

>

>The lowest reading i have had since i got my meter was 10.4... first

>thing in the morning.

>

>

>

> > Vicki,

> > Thank goodness for this list and all the people on it. I changed

>my lancet

> > earlier and suprise it didn't hurt. It was getting to hurt and I

>just

> > chalked it up to testing more often.

> > Kathy

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