Doctor Visit

[Guest guest]

Hi, , well, I'm glad you had it out with your doc and things seem more

positive now.

I really have nothing against the ADA exchange plan except that it's so high

in carbs...so if you want to stick with exchanges and just eat less carbs

that would probably work. However, I'm a math impaired person <g> and for me,

it seems a lot easier to just count carbs rather than " exchanges, " with each

exchange being worth 15. And although I do push lowcarb eating, I personally

follow a more moderate course, usually around 100 carbs per day. HOWEVER,

I'm a type 1 and use insulin, so it's not quite the same thing. If you're

trying to control with diet and exercise only, the less carbs you eat, the

better your BGs will be...also the faster you'll lose weight. So if your

goal is to get off the Glucophage, I'd suggest trying for as few carbs as

possible. Don't cut out veggies...I think I printed a list the other day of

the ones that are pretty benign, if I didn't, let me know and I'll re-send

it. And be sure to take vitamin supplements because if you're not eating a

lot of fruit you need to make up the nutrients you're not getting.

Have you read Dr. Bernstein's book yet? and checked out his URL?

Vicki

In a message dated 08/27/2002 11:02:30 AM US Mountain Standard Time,

indigo@... writes:

> Well, I finally got in my first followup visit with my doctor after my

> original

> diagonosis visit.

[Guest guest]

Well, I finally got in my first followup visit with my doctor after my original

diagonosis visit. I had a long chat with my doctor since I was not sure if I

was

going to be keeping her or not after what I've gone through during the past

month. I let her know about the dietitican she referred me to and how the

woman gave me a diet marked at 1500...but actually was only 1100 per day

and how this dietitian refused to answer questions on carb counting when I

asked. She also was informed about how I was not given instruction on how

to use my meter or when and how often to take my BG levels, even though

she had left instructions with her nurse assistant that I was supposed to have

this done while the doctor was away on her honeymoon. She was chargined

to learn all this in fact. Turns out that I am taking my meds at the wrong time

of day and taking my BG reading at the wrong time of day too, all based on

what the nurse had told me.

I think that I am feeling a lot better about my doctor, however. I got an

apology

from her about her mistake and how I was not given all the information about

my test results at the time and from her expression, I believe that her nurse

assistant is going to be spoken to as well. In the doctor's defense, it was

three days before her wedding and I think that this previous visit was not

normal behavior on her part. All the proper tests had been done at the time

and now that I understand more about what these tests are, thanks to all of

you, I conceed that I am definitely a diabetic and the diagonosis was correct.

At least now I know what questions to ask of her and what and when these

tests need to occur for my health. In the past she has been spot on with her

treatments and information, so firing her for one bad visit I think is drastic.

If

the fun and games had continued at this point, it would have been different.

People are human, even doctors.

We spoke about about my diet plan and it turns out she believes that a good

diet for a diabetic is what she refers to as a " modified atkins " diet. In other

words, a moderate low carbohydrate diet of around 100-120 carbs per day, but

still following the ADA exchange guidelines. She also seemed in agreement

that my HC1 should be 7 or under and that if I could get it to under 6, that

this

would be for the best. All this seems to be in agreement with what I'm hearing

on this list. About the only bad news in this visit is that my husband and I

have to put off trying to concieve a baby yet again, this time for a minium of

two months while I work on getting my weight down enough so that I can get

off the gulcophaze. I'm starting to think that I'm never going to have children

at

this rate, but for now it is better than going on insulin shots.

So in answer to Vicki's original question of me, what is my HC1? It is

presently 7.6. Obviously, I need to get this number down and pronto.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone on this list. You have all made a world of

difference to me in getting educated about this illness and what I need to do to

take charge of it. I'm looking forward to learning more as time goes on.--

Van Camp

sales@...

Indigoskye Bead Fashions - Handmade Bead Jewelry

http://www.indigoskyebead.com

[Guest guest]

I know it's hard to believe but it's true, as many on this list can testify.

(I myself can't because I had high cholesterol pre diabetes and was taking

meds for it already). Also...if you're eating lowcarb you should NOT eat

lowfat. You'll lose weight anyway. Trust me. Vicki

In a message dated 08/27/2002 12:47:24 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

indigo@... writes:

> I'm not sure if I believe all the bacon and eggs in the

> morning is " healthy eating " yet...it goes against a lot of what I've known

> for

> most of my life, but I'm going to take a look at it. Hearing the doctor

> tell me

> that a modified atkins diet is okay with her and what she recommends did

> carry some weight with me.

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

If/when you do get pregnant you will most likely have to have insulin shots.

Tight control is for the baby's sake as well as your own.

Rita

" Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just. "

-- Jefferson

Doctor Visit

.... but for now it is better than going on insulin shots.

[Guest guest]

> I really have nothing against the ADA exchange plan except that it's

> so high in carbs...so if you want to stick with exchanges and just eat

> less carbs that would probably work. However, I'm a math impaired

> person <g> and for me, it seems a lot easier to just count carbs

> rather than " exchanges, " with each exchange being worth 15. And

> although I do push lowcarb eating, I personally follow a more moderate

> course, usually around 100 carbs per day.

My carbs are around 100-120 per day as well. I like the ADA exchange

system since it gives me a ballpark figure to use when creating meals or

converting recipes, but I'm finding that I am counting the carbs anyway and

using that number when figuring my " exchanges " . Most of my old recipes

were already lowfat and pretty healthy, it is more a matter of learning portion

control at this point. I was on six carb exchanges before I saw the dietitian

and now am attempting seven per day...but I might drop back down to six

since my BG numbers are slightly higher after I did this. I like the idea of

counting carbs, but it is a new concept and I'm still learning about it. For

now,

ADA Exchanges gives me a framework to use.

I've started to use the fitday.com website that someone on this list

recommended. It has proven to be a great tool! Turns out, the diet I'm on is

around 1200 cal...which is perfect for weightloss. It is allowing me to not

only

track the food, but the calories burned in activity. Seems to be motitaving me

to get with the excerise more. I am taking my dog on the walks with me since

she is also diabetic and on insulin. I think the regular excerise is helping

her

too...although her BG is far better controlled than mine!

HOWEVER, I'm a type 1 and

> use insulin, so it's not quite the same thing. If you're trying to

> control with diet and exercise only, the less carbs you eat, the

> better your BGs will be...also the faster you'll lose weight. So if

> your goal is to get off the Glucophage, I'd suggest trying for as few

> carbs as possible. Don't cut out veggies...I think I printed a list

> the other day of the ones that are pretty benign, if I didn't, let me

> know and I'll re-send it. And be sure to take vitamin supplements

> because if you're not eating a lot of fruit you need to make up the

> nutrients you're not getting.

I am going to look into supplements in anycase. Possibly pre-natal ones. I

am lactose intolrant and having trouble getting enough calcium as it is. I'm

just taking a general purpose vitamin at this point, when I remember to take it.

> Have you read Dr. Bernstein's book yet? and checked out his URL?

> Vicki

I've read the articles on his website and checked his book out of the library

yesterday. I haven't had a chance to read it yet. But I'm finding his story to

be very interesting. I'm not sure if I believe all the bacon and eggs in the

morning is " healthy eating " yet...it goes against a lot of what I've known for

most of my life, but I'm going to take a look at it. Hearing the doctor tell

me

that a modified atkins diet is okay with her and what she recommends did

carry some weight with me.

--

Van Camp

sales@...

Indigoskye Bead Fashions - Handmade Bead Jewelry

http://www.indigoskyebead.com

[Guest guest]

If you're looking for a dietitian and you want to follow a lowcarb diet be

very careful who you take on. Most dietitians -- but not all -- follow the

ADA line faithfully, which is pretty high carb. I was lucky - by chance I

drew an RDE -- a registered diabetic educator, which is a a dietitian who

specializes in diabetes, which is what you want -- who was a convert to

lowcarb. And this was five plus years ago. I got the luck of the draw!

Vicki

In a message dated 08/27/2002 7:32:23 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

indigo@... writes:

> This was part of the reason why I wanted to find a good dietitician to help

> me

> with all this. I'm in unknown territory when it comes to controling carbs.

[Guest guest]

LOL. You are right about the weight loss. My doctor tells me it is from the

meds, but I think it is the combination of the lowfat diet and the lower carbs

I'm

doing right now. I'm using the fitday.com program to track what I eat and

noticed that I only went up to a 1200 calorie diet even after I added in an

extra

fat allowance and 2 more oz of meat. Gives me a little more to cook with and

a decent portion of meat with dinner...still small portions and the carbs are

controled. And yes, I'm eating plenty of veggies too.

This was part of the reason why I wanted to find a good dietitician to help me

with all this. I'm in unknown territory when it comes to controling carbs.

However, I'm doing okay on the 1200...not particularly hungry and my BG are

looking pretty decent. My main concern is the long term, getting enough

vitamins and nutrients, calcium. I know that I'm not totally there yet...but

I'll

keep reading and working on it. Anyway...I'll stop rambling.

> I know it's hard to believe but it's true, as many on this list can

> testify. (I myself can't because I had high cholesterol pre diabetes

> and was taking meds for it already). Also...if you're eating lowcarb

> you should NOT eat lowfat. You'll lose weight anyway. Trust me.

> Vicki

--

Van Camp

sales@...

Indigoskye Bead Fashions - Handmade Bead Jewelry

http://www.indigoskyebead.com

[Guest guest]

> I'm using the fitday.com program to track what I eat

Isn't that a cool program? I've only used it for a week and I'm

totally hooked on it. It speaks to the obsessive compulsive in me,

LOL! I have been averaging about 130-150 carbs per day, but around

100 to 120 once I subtract out the fiber.

My main concern is the long term, getting enough

> vitamins and nutrients, calcium. I know that I'm not totally there

yet...but I'll

> keep reading and working on it.

Do you take a calcium supplement? That's one of the best things

about fitday - when I finish putting in all I've eaten for the day I

look at the total nutrients. I'm usually around 85 percent of my

daily calcium needs from foods eaten, but I take a centrum, a calcium

and magnesium tab, a vitamin c and two fibercons each morning along

with my coated aspirin, so I know that with this additional boost I'm

well covered. One question - because I don't drink milk, I seem to

not be getting any vitamin D in my food. I do get it in the Centrum,

but does anyone know of another food source besides fortified milk

for vitamin D?

Christy

[Guest guest]

> Isn't that a cool program? I've only used it for a week and I'm

> totally hooked on it. It speaks to the obsessive compulsive in me,

> LOL! I have been averaging about 130-150 carbs per day, but around

> 100 to 120 once I subtract out the fiber.

Yeah, fitday.com is a great tool. Easy to use, free. And it is giving me a

good ballpark as to where my calories/carbs are doing. I know it is not exact,

but it is far better than I could have done on pencil and paper.

> Do you take a calcium supplement? That's one of the best things about

> fitday - when I finish putting in all I've eaten for the day I look

> at the total nutrients. I'm usually around 85 percent of my daily

> calcium needs from foods eaten, but I take a centrum, a calcium and

> magnesium tab, a vitamin c and two fibercons each morning along with

> my coated aspirin, so I know that with this additional boost I'm well

> covered.

I'm taking the centrum, when I remember. I do drink lactaid milk..and just

found a version that is calcium fortified...but other than that, I am not taking

supplements. I was thinking of the asprin, but since I want to concieve, I was

told that I can't take that either. I want to make sure I'm getting enough

folic

acid and C in addition to the calcium.

One question - because I don't drink milk, I seem to not be

> getting any vitamin D in my food. I do get it in the Centrum, but

> does anyone know of another food source besides fortified milk for

> vitamin D?

It is in the centrum....and you also make that one via your skin I believe.--

Van Camp

sales@...

Indigoskye Bead Fashions - Handmade Bead Jewelry

http://www.indigoskyebead.com

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you did, Vicki. I'm not sure if I want to do an atkins diet

completely. I don't mind the exchanges or the ADA diet. I simply don't think

that 11 carb exchanges is the right way to go. There must be a happy

medium in there somewhere.

> If you're looking for a dietitian and you want to follow a lowcarb

> diet be very careful who you take on. Most dietitians -- but not all

> -- follow the ADA line faithfully, which is pretty high carb. I was

> lucky - by chance I drew an RDE -- a registered diabetic educator,

> which is a a dietitian who specializes in diabetes, which is what you

> want -- who was a convert to lowcarb. And this was five plus years

> ago. I got the luck of the draw! Vicki

--

Van Camp

sales@...

Indigoskye Bead Fashions - Handmade Bead Jewelry

http://www.indigoskyebead.com