Problem child in trouble - need help!!

kcaffee1

No, I'm NOT exaggerating. Diagnosed in December as Type 2 diabetic, prescribed to Metformin from day 1, and immediately had nasty side effects to the meds. Tried for over 3 weeks to figure out how to take the blooming stuff in any way that would let me actually EAT. Nothing worked.

With that said, I'll back up a little bit to the reason I claim to be a problem child. I don't take pills, never have, and when I'm forced to due to being sick, or what have you, it's always a hassle to get through the full 1 - 2 week run properly. I ALWAYS have extras at the end. So, when I was prescribed something I would have to take daily for the rest of my life (according to the doctor), I knew I was in trouble. However, I also know that diabetes is NOT something to mess with, so I was determined to do everything right. Thus, the absolute 3 week misery of trying to get my metabolism/body to work with Metformin. No such luck.

So..... Hence, the child in trouble.

Considered morbidly obese, with an almost unintentional weight loss for the last year, I have started trying to kick start the metabolism into doing what it is supposed to be doing in the first place by adding exercise to an already overcrowded schedule. (College student with some rather time intensive classes, and at least 3 more years at the same hectic pace. Forget sleep!) Waking blood sugar levels are high, but over the course of the day I can usually get them down to well within the "normal" range (under 120 through out the day), but, instead of watching my blood glucose numbers drop over night, they either climb slightly, or they outright jump up 15 - 30 points (?). I wouldn't worry about it, except they are starting to climb out of the 130 fasting range into the stratosphere. Definitely do NOT want that to happen.

I have had a couple of days where I managed to wrestle them down into the 90's before bed time, but come morning, they are back up in the 130's again. Even the few days that I had a nasty climb into the 160 range, I was still able to get the numbers back down into a more reasonable range within a few hours. (Barring pulling something stupid, like pancakes and syrup just before seeing the doctor just after being told about this mess!)

Thus, the need help part.

Does anyone know of some alternative to the standard prescribed medication I can take back to the doctor for discussion?? I've read about cinnamon, and have started adding a little to both breakfast and my after dinner snack. It seems to be helping, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there should be something else to go along with it.

I also have read enough to know that I should be getting more protein, but I just cannot seem to find sources. I love cheese, but can't afford to eat enough of it to make a difference. And, I'm not that hungry between meals, so snacking for me is not an option. If I eat when I'm not hungry, then I won't stop. Ever. I've managed to kill my sweet tooth, only having a nasty, overpowering craving once every three or four months (since I started actively using MFP), and it is always for a specific sweet. Once I get that, there is no residual urge for more sweets.

And, the other major problem is that I have trouble with most highly processed ANYTHING. This means, no vitamin supplements, no mineral supplements, and a negative on 99% of the available medications.

Any hints, comments, suggestions that I can look into and take back to the doctor??

BigG59

My immediate thoughts are that you should be having this discussion with your Dr. There are alternatives to Metformin but I have no experience of any so am unable to comment.

There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here who I am sure will help.

My only observation from looking at your food diary, it is very carb heavy. I noted almost 300g of carbs on Thursday and Friday. Reducing that an upping the protein would certainly help. I thought I ate a carb heavy diet for a diabetic and I am around 150g a day.

Others on here are well below that. Sorry to go off track from the question you asked I just thought this high a carb intake will not help with the BG levels.

BigGuy47

I agree with BigB59's observations.

Your carbs are too high. It's good that you are doing a good job of tracking. Step through your food diary and look at the individual foods that you regularly eat that are high in carbs. Try to find substitutes for those high carb choices or reduce the amount you consume. I try to keep my daily intake of carbs under 150gm/day. You can customize your macro goals by clicking on settings, click on goals then click on change goals. For me it was helpful to adjust my goal settings for my particular needs.

On metformin. It took me somewhere between 3 - 6 weeks to adjust to the medication. I was nauseous to the point that I wanted to throw up. It was unpleasant. Eventually my body adjusted and the problems went away. Please discuss this with your doctor rather than just stopping the meds on your own.

Protein sources. Chicken, lean pork, turkey, plain greek yogurt, cottage cheese, fish, eggs, nuts.

RaineyLaney

I have to agree with both the posts above mine. You are very high in carbs and being a diabetic. CARBS are our enemy. Try to get your carbs from veggies more than starchy foods like potato's,pastas, breads. Also you said you don't know what has higher protein. Most animial foods have the protein. Meats are really high in protein, then cheeses. Another great protein is Nuts. They show a higher carb, but then it is high in fiber. so if it shows 18 carbs, and 15 in fiber, subtract the two and you actually have only 3 carbs.

You mentioned you have a hard time taking pills (metformin). You also stated side effects, but didn't say what thos side effects were. What are they??? I started out on Metformin and then my new doctor switched me to Glyburide. it is a very small round pill. You may check on taking that one and you could hide it in a small bite of cheese and just swollow it. They are extremely small.

Talk to your doctor of your issues with the metformin.. He/she may have other options for you, but being a diabetic, you will need to take your medicine to keep it controlled. for the risks are too great not too.

RaineyLaney

Ok problem child... you asked for help and I am going to lay it on the line...You need to wake up and be honest with yourself ! ! ! !

I did a good look at your diary and exercising... I do not believe you are truthful on your exercising or you would be the fitest woman to walk the face of the earth. You list water very high(and it doesn't add up to your notes so feel that is extra fluid on top of the water). I am a waterhalic and there is no way I can drink that much by a long shot. I also feel you probably are eating more than you are listing (this may not be true, but from what I see, your not being honest) Also you need to record your diet dr thunder and flavored carbonated waters. They also contain sodium which yours is way over the top (I figured the sodium in the Dr thunder, but not the carbonated flavored waters). You said you need more protein, but you are way over on that too. You are eating most days between 3,500 to almost 4,000 calories a day. I feel you put different exercises in to make up to eat more calories but honestly, there is no way you can do what your saying your doing. So here goes.. THE BREAK DOWN of your food diary: (From what I see on the diary, you are way over the top on EVERYTHING.

Feb 15th...Calories 3,211...Carbs 292 - fiber 40 = 252...Protein 168...Cholesterol 393...Sodium (listed) 4286mg + 408mg (2-2lt Diet dr thunder) = 4694mg (OUCH)...Water (8oz) = 29 servings plus 5-20oz tea and 2-2 lt Diet Dr thunder...Exercise, 45 min walk leisure (can buy this),5 minutes swimming free style (was that getting in the pool?), 5 min breast stroke, 5 minutes back stroke, 5 min tread water (ok I believe you may of done the water stuff.. it is reasonable), 90 min. walked slow pace (this is believeable too, 1hr 30min of walking), walked dog 30 min. again feesable)

Feb 14th...Calories 3,389...Carbs 286 -Fiber 29=257...Protein 183...Cholesterol 358...Sodium (Listed) 3753mg + 204mg (Dt dr thunder)=3957mg...Water listed 30 8oz servings plus 5=20oz black tea, 1-2 lt Dt Dr thunder, 1-2lt flavored carbonated water....Exercise, 30 min walk leisurely pace (I can buy this), 60 min. Walk slow pace (lots of walking, but feasable), 120 min. walked dog (again feasable, total of 2hrs of walking??? maybe but highly doubt you did this for that long)

Feb 13th...Calories 2,175 (still very high, but one of your better days on calories)...Carbs 193 - fiber 24=169...Protein 162...Cholesterol 310...Sodium 3,055mg + 408 (dt dr thunder)= 3,463mg...Water (8oz)=24 servings + 2-2lt dt dr thunder, 1-2lt flavored carbonated water...Exercise, 5min walked dog (what take him outside to do his duty? 5min??, 50 min. Pushup/situp (thats almost 1hr, highly doubt you did this), 20min. walk leisurely (yes you probably did do this), 30 min. walk leisurely (again very feasable you did this walk too)

Feb 12th...Calories 3412...Carbs 336 - Fiber 65 = 271...Protein 193...Cholesterol 749 (OUCH)...Sodium 5148mg + 306mg (dt dr thunder) = 5454mg (are you trying to kill yourself???)...Water listed 20 (8oz servings) + 1.5-2lt dt dr thunder, 1-2lt falvored carbonated water...Exercise,25 min. swimming side stroke (this is all at one time.. hard to believe), 20min free style swimming (believable), 20 min. backstroke (all at one time, hard to believe), 25 min. breaststroke (all at one time.. hard to believe), 5 min tread water (believable), 25 min walk slow pace (believable).

Feb 11th...Calories 3175...Carb 354 - fiber 30 = 324...Protien 143... Cholesterol 318...Sodium 6427mg(WOW) + 204mg (dt dr thunder) = 6631mg....Water listed (forgot to write it down, but sure it was over the top like the other days) plus 1-2lt dt dr thunder, 1-2lt flavored carbonated water...Exercise,30min. walk slow pace (believe you did this), 30 min.strength training (weights) (feasable depending on weights used), 1 set, 10 reps, 100 lb weight? back extensions(doubt this one), 1 set, 10 reps, 70 lb weights bench chest press (doubt you did this too), 4 sets, 10 reps (that is each set), 40 lb weights. (Yeah right.. dream on), 4 sets, 10 reps 30 lb weights pec dec butterfly (LOL, Yeah right), 4 sets, 10 reps 3 lb weights standing bicept curl dumbell (ok, I buy you probably did this, not all the reps, maybe 1 set, 10 reps and 3 lbs, but not 4 sets of these), 1 set, 10 reps, 70 lb weights bench chest press maching (I am in fairy tale land here folks), 1 set, 10 reps, 8 lb weights Standing bicep curls dumbell (ok, this one is very feasable), 4 sets, 10 reps, 40 lb weights Triceps extensions (Yeah right, Your arms would of fallen off before you even started this one.. NO WAY you did this), 1 set, 10 reps, 55 lb weights.. Again, feasable if weight was lower.

Feb 10th....Calories 2,228 (better calories but still very high)...Carbs 171 - Fiber 13 = 158...Protein 153... cholesterol 582...Sodium 3687mg + 313mg (dt dr pepper) = 4000mg...Water listed 16 water (feasable) plus 1-2 lt dt dr pepper, 2-2 lt flavored carbonated water....Exercise, 30 min wlak slow pace (yes you probably did this), 20 min swimming side stroke (feasable), 15 min free style (yup you probably did this too), 17 min back stroke (??? possibly), 18 min breast stroke (all at one time??? possible I guess), 5 min swim leisurly (Yup sure you did this one), 30 min. launry (yup you did this I am sure), 10 min swim tredding water.. Yup again you did this), 15 min mild streaching (yeah I believe you did this), 20 min Cleaning light/moderate Yup you did this too.

Your sodium should not be over 2,400 mg a day per the American Heart Associatin. Also too much protein produces acid which calcium neutralizes and can stess the kidneys (it can also weaken your bones). According to my weight loss meeting (held by a doctor) She said woman should get around 50 protein, but not over 70 (it is hard to keep it this low being diabetic, but yours is really high) and men should be around 70 and not go over 100 (again hard if your diabetic) You are even over what a man's should be. Cholesterol should be I think 200 a day (maybe 300) I know it isn't over 300.

I have no idea why you eat so many calories in a day. I don't know your height or weight, but from your picture and from what you said you are morbidly obese. I am sure you calorie intack should be way lower than what it is.. 2000 or maybe a little less?

You really need to be honest with yourself.. Do you want to change? Do you want t die tomorrow or live a longer healthier life? It is up to you, but don't ask for help if you can't be honest with your self let alone all of us here on MFP.

jsiricos

Wow, after reading your food diary I think I just put on weight.

I'm saying this to be kind - your body is screaming for water, pure unadulterated water, no more fizzy stuff, no more diet stuff, your bodys cells need to soak in a bath of water.

Don't "eat back" your calories, try to get them down to 1600. You have made some great meal choices, then a few hours later, gone nuts on something so unhealthy.. why?

Any added calories you get from exercise, are window dressing, dont eat them.

To answer your question - the fastest way to get off meds, is to lose weight, and to do that, you need to eat healthy.
If you are getting hungry between meals, or starving at mealtimes, drink a glass of water.

Change your settings - watch your carbs, sodium and sugar, it'll be an eye opener.

kcaffee1

::Chuckles:: To address your points.

1) Yes, I am a liquidholic. No, I do NOT drink water. When I do, I dehydrate, cannot stay out of the bathroom, and generally have all of the negative side effects of someone who had NOT had any water in over 3 days. (Chapped lips, dry, scaly, wrinkled skin, the works.) So, instead, I hydrate on soda. Not an ideal choice, I'll admit, but one I have found that is feasible and reliable for me. I have tried tea, and when I do not have the carbonation, my stomach goes sour. Not as in nauseous from caffeine withdrawal, but as in the pH gets WAY out of whack. The carbonation keeps that in check. Don't ask me why, it just does.

With that said, yes, I DO go through at LEAST 2 liters of carbonated drinks a day. Usually 1 Diet Dr Thunder, and 1 Carbonated flavored water. Any tea or plain juice flavored water (ocean spray juice drinks @ 5 cal per packet) I list separate. And, unless I am messing up my math (totally possible) 1 - 2 liter is 67.6 fl oz, so 2 equals 135.2, broken down into 8 oz allotments, makes 16.5. What I usually claim for liquids.

2) As for carb heavy, I know. I'll even hand you the 2X4 to break over my head. That is one of the areas that I am having a major fight and am loosing with my self right now. Though, I am doing better than I was, there is still so much room for improvement, that I won't even claim to be doing good.

3) Exercise claims. No, those are NOT exaggerated. When I actually get a chance to get into the gym I am there for at least an hour unless I am just there for the weights.

When I hit the pool, I am there for at least 40 minutes actively swimming laps. Granted, I do not swim ALL of the breast stroke laps back to back, or ALL of the freestyle laps at once. They are broken down into 200 m chunks. 1 "set" of laps is 200 m free style, 200 m breast stroke, 200 m back stroke, 200 m side stroke. 1 "set" takes between 18 and 20 minutes, and I finish at least 2 sets, most days 3, and I have managed 4 once. And, these are not "full" sets. When I established what a "set" was, I had access to an Olympic size pool (50 m), and 1 set was 4 laps each stroke plus 1 "speed" lap of all out effort for each stroke. For the moment, I have had to knock out the speed lap, and accept the shorter "set". And, I have a 5 - 10 minute warm up of a few doggy paddle laps, treading water, swimming as far as I can underwater, etc. So, yes, those exercise numbers are correct.

The calisthenics may not be the right thing to call it, but it is the closest thing to what my trainer is having me do. And, when we meet is for at LEAST 45 minutes. And, it is all body weight resistance training. And, yes, when we get done, I am lucky to stagger down to the showers. (The school's weight room is on the second floor.)

As for the weights. Yes, those ARE The correct numbers. Either that or the machines are miss labeled on the weight stacks. And, I do not see that as true. Too many of the body builders use the machines for them to be miss labeled. I was actually very surprised myself when I started setting the starting weights. I have always been strong (grew up around horses and heavy farm work), but I would never have expected the strength to last this long. I keep a record AT THE TIME I USE THE MACHINES of each weight setting. And, 1 set of reps for me is a set of 10, unless I specify otherwise. So, again, these numbers are right, and I am NOT fooling myself.

Walking numbers might be a tiny bit inflated, but if they are, it is from the walking between the car, class, and study areas on campus. However, I have talked with our gym director, and she said it was legit to add a few minutes (no more than 2 per stretch) if I slowed it down seeing as I AM carrying the backpack, and am not logging it as "backpacking". Though, when I timed myself the other day, I actually was only off by 1 minute for any one leg of the scramble between my stopping points. (4 minutes from car to class, not 5.) The other walk times I claim are either from time with my trainer (10 - 15 minutes) or from work (180 minutes total). I have a 4 hour shift on the nights I work, and as I am t he cashier it would seem normal to find me behind the register. This is not true. I am usually scrambling BACK to the register when someone comes in, else wise, I am out of the floor helping our busser, doing my side work, cleaning tables, cleaning up spills, helping clean the cold bar, etc. I actually do NOT claim all the time I am on the move because there are still stretches where I DO get stuck behind the register for 15 - 20 minutes, and all I can do is sway or fidget as I try to get people in. So, those walking numbers are NOT exaggerated. If anything they are low.

4) Actual food consumption is another area that gets kind of gray. No, I do not exactly weight and measure my portions. Yes, I do have trouble with portion control. Yes, I am working on this. However, I estimate portions from those I know (have measured in the past) or by size.

Any straight portion - meat, rice, pasta, etc is usually close, and I do try to remember to OVER estimate, rather than under. I fall apart when I start getting into mixed portions (salad with meat, red beans with sausage chunks, etc.) Though, I am getting better about scaring up a measuring cup when those types of meals come through. I will not swear, promise, or get upset if someone wants to say the portions claimed are wrong. They are close, they are approximations, and I may be completely wrong. I'll even hand out 2X4's for this issue if anyone needs it.

And, yes, as soon as I can get back IN to the doctor, I will be talking to them. I am just leery about the effects of a new medication this semester. I HAVE to get the grades, and cannot afford to have a reaction like I did with the Metformin - could NOT retain information, massive muscle cramps, nausea to a point I could not eat, lack of appetite, massive decrease in attention span, blood pressure crash, BLOOD sugar crash (before I started breaking the pills up for 2 X day, instead of only in morning), and additional issues with breathing (but that might have been an unrelated matter.) I have some other bad habits that I am in the process of strangling, but those are the problems directly related to the Metformin. Traceable, because when I stopped and let the stuff clear my system, the symptoms stopped. And, my blood sugar went on a roller coaster ride for the next 4 days while my metabolism readjusted.

BigGuy47

While exercise is important, diet is far more critical for weight loss and blood sugar control. It's said often, "You can't out exercise a bad diet".

JaceyMarieS

And, the other major problem is that I have trouble with most highly processed ANYTHING. This means, no vitamin supplements, no mineral supplements, and a negative on 99% of the available medications.

Any hints, comments, suggestions that I can look into and take back to the doctor??

I won't really comment on your diet as others have pointed out that your carb consumption is quite high. I

I did find it interesting that you think you have problems with processed ANYTHING and pinpoint medications as being processed. Take another look at your diet, which is packed with processed foods, especially that soda. I will point out that I see NO carbs from non-starchy vegetables and you should definitely work on adding in some greens. Change your fruit choice from canned pineapple to berries. Ditch that cereal for breakfast. Dump the white rice. Eggs are inexpensive and packed with the protein you're struggling with. Glucerna, while certainly marketed to diabetics, is also packed with carbs. Have you been using your meter to check what your food choices are doing to your blood glucose? A better choice would be a low-carb protein powder ( I also like Pure Protein, which I see you use) mixed with unsweetened almond or coconut milk (try the Blue Diamond blend - it's great!)

As far as problems with metformin, you don't mention what dosage you are taking or what form. Metformin absolutely causes gastro-intestinal distress during the first couple of weeks. The side effects can be minimized by taking the extended release (XR) version, by taking it with meals, splitting the dosage throughout the day (which you said you did) and by increasing the dosage slowly (ie., a week or two at 500 mg, then increasing to 1000 mg, etc)

BigGuy is correct - you cannot out exercise a bad diet. For that matter, you cannot out-medicate a bad diet. Check out bloodsugar101.com for suggests on lowering your carb intake and using your meter to make better food choices.

Good luck

bdubya55

And, the other major problem is that I have trouble with most highly processed ANYTHING. This means, no vitamin supplements, no mineral supplements, and a negative on 99% of the available medications.

Any hints, comments, suggestions that I can look into and take back to the doctor??

I won't really comment on your diet as others have pointed out that your carb consumption is quite high. I

I did find it interesting that you think you have problems with processed ANYTHING and pinpoint medications as being processed. Take another look at your diet, which is packed with processed foods, especially that soda. I will point out that I see NO carbs from non-starchy vegetables and you should definitely work on adding in some greens. Change your fruit choice from canned pineapple to berries. Ditch that cereal for breakfast. Dump the white rice. Eggs are inexpensive and packed with the protein you're struggling with. Glucerna, while certainly marketed to diabetics, is also packed with carbs. Have you been using your meter to check what your food choices are doing to your blood glucose? A better choice would be a low-carb protein powder ( I also like Pure Protein, which I see you use) mixed with unsweetened almond or coconut milk (try the Blue Diamond blend - it's great!)

As far as problems with metformin, you don't mention what dosage you are taking or what form. Metformin absolutely causes gastro-intestinal distress during the first couple of weeks. The side effects can be minimized by taking the extended release (XR) version, by taking it with meals, splitting the dosage throughout the day (which you said you did) and by increasing the dosage slowly (ie., a week or two at 500 mg, then increasing to 1000 mg, etc)

BigGuy is correct - you cannot out exercise a bad diet. For that matter, you cannot out-medicate a bad diet. Check out bloodsugar101.com for suggests on lowering your carb intake and using your meter to make better food choices.

Good luck

Excellent and sound advise right here!

RaineyLaney

I apologize if you do not drink water (even though you posted you do) and I apologize for not believing you lift all those weights with the amount of weight you are lifting. the 100 lb one got me for 10 times in a row? But if you say you are doing all that.. which is every day of the week, then why are you in first post saying you don't have time to do any exercising? You do mega amounts if it is true what you are putting down.

I really think you need to concentrate more on your food than the exercising right now. As others have stated, eat more fresh/frozen veggies to get your carbs. (if it is in a can or jar, the sodium is rediculous).

Did you ever concider that the reason your body is having all the side effects of water, medicines, foods etc is because it has not had the healthy stuff before and is fighting the good stuff your trying to do for yourself? It may just take time for your body to adjust to eating better/healthier

I do wish you luck, but your food diary speaks for itself. You need to change if you want to 1. Lose weight and 2. get your diabetes under control.

Also, I did my research on the Diet Dr thunder . For every 12 oz it has 35mg of sodium. there is 33.814 oz in a liter. so when I broke down per ounce (35 divided by 12) then multiplied that answer by 34 (the rounded 33.814) it gives 102 sodium per liter. You are drinking 2 liters at a time which is 204 sodium per bottle and some days you had more than the 2 littersl. The diet Dr pepper had even more sodiumthan the Diet Dr thunder. (I did my research on this issue.. did you?)

kcaffee1

I won't really comment on your diet as others have pointed out that your carb consumption is quite high. I

I did find it interesting that you think you have problems with processed ANYTHING and pinpoint medications as being processed.

With a few rare exceptions, when I have to take meds, I wind up with exactly the opposite effect that is supposed to happen. ie - if I get hit with bronchitis, and use albuterol, I am in the hospital on oxygen for at least 6 hours because my lungs lock down. The reaction to metformin actually hit faster than expected - with in a day or two of the first dose - blood sugar crashed at 47 1 hr after a meal, etc.

Take another look at your diet, which is packed with processed foods, especially that soda. I will point out that I see NO carbs from non-starchy vegetables and you should definitely work on adding in some greens. Change your fruit choice from canned pineapple to berries. Ditch that cereal for breakfast. Dump the white rice.

[\quote]

Yes, to most of this. The past week has been an abnormal week for food SELECTION, however the actual ratios are sadly normal for me. I have admitted, and continue to admit that carbs are a major issue to be dealt with, and I am trying to focus on this. Trying to get the carb/protein ratio over to 3 protein for every carb and having heavy going of it.

Glucerna, while certainly marketed to diabetics, is also packed with carbs.

[\quote]

Tried once, and immediately scratched off the list. Not because of the meter readings, but because of texture and flavor issues.

Have you been using your meter to check what your food choices are doing to your blood glucose? A better choice would be a low-carb protein powder ( I also like Pure Protein, which I see you use) mixed with unsweetened almond or coconut milk (try the Blue Diamond blend - it's great!)

Soy and almond milks both give me massive problems with gas, cram the stomach, cause nausea, and low-grade headaches. So, I try to stay away from those. Not sure if it is an intoloerance to something in them, or if is the way they are prepared, but just can't handle the side effects.

As far as problems with metformin, you don't mention what dosage you are taking or what form. Metformin absolutely causes gastro-intestinal distress during the first couple of weeks. The side effects can be minimized by taking the extended release (XR) version, by taking it with meals, splitting the dosage throughout the day (which you said you did) and by increasing the dosage slowly (ie., a week or two at 500 mg, then increasing to 1000 mg, etc)

[\quote]

Dosage for the Metformin was at the 500 mg XR dose. And, the side effects were horrid. I could live with the gastro-intestinal issues (I had been warned about them before I started), it was the crashing blood sugar levels, low grade headache, and lack of memory retention that I could not live with. Granted, these do not seem to be nasty side effects, but as I am fighting GPA in school, I cannot afford to have two bad semesters back to back. And, last semester because of other medical issues was almost as bad as my first year in college which caused the GPA fight in the first place.

edited for formatting (didn't work.)

And, I do thank everyone for the responses. I'm making a list of items to take with for the discussion with the Dr. And, yes the meds top the list.

kcaffee1

Wow, after reading your food diary I think I just put on weight.

I'm saying this to be kind - your body is screaming for water, pure unadulterated water, no more fizzy stuff, no more diet stuff, your bodys cells need to soak in a bath of water.

Don't "eat back" your calories, try to get them down to 1600. You have made some great meal choices, then a few hours later, gone nuts on something so unhealthy.. why?

Any added calories you get from exercise, are window dressing, dont eat them.

To answer your question - the fastest way to get off meds, is to lose weight, and to do that, you need to eat healthy.
If you are getting hungry between meals, or starving at mealtimes, drink a glass of water.

Change your settings - watch your carbs, sodium and sugar, it'll be an eye opener.

I have dropped them significantly from the default settings.

As for cutting back calories, not a chance. When I do, I actually plateau, and for the moment, I am dropping 1 - 3 pounds per week with the current settings.

I do not eat between meals, as I am not hungry, nor do I gorge AT meals. I am having to make a ton of changes, and the biggest two are portions and carbs. Though, the carbs are giving me the most grief because I seem to be more addicted to them than I realized.

kcaffee1

I apologize if you do not drink water (even though you posted you do) and I apologize for not believing you lift all those weights with the amount of weight you are lifting. the 100 lb one got me for 10 times in a row? But if you say you are doing all that.. which is every day of the week, then why are you in first post saying you don't have time to do any exercising? You do mega amounts if it is true what you are putting down.

I really think you need to concentrate more on your food than the exercising right now. As others have stated, eat more fresh/frozen veggies to get your carbs. (if it is in a can or jar, the sodium is rediculous).

Did you ever concider that the reason your body is having all the side effects of water, medicines, foods etc is because it has not had the healthy stuff before and is fighting the good stuff your trying to do for yourself? It may just take time for your body to adjust to eating better/healthier

I do wish you luck, but your food diary speaks for itself. You need to change if you want to 1. Lose weight and 2. get your diabetes under control.

Also, I did my research on the Diet Dr thunder . For every 12 oz it has 35mg of sodium. there is 33.814 oz in a liter. so when I broke down per ounce (35 divided by 12) then multiplied that answer by 34 (the rounded 33.814) it gives 102 sodium per liter. You are drinking 2 liters at a time which is 204 sodium per bottle and some days you had more than the 2 littersl. The diet Dr pepper had even more sodium than the Diet Dr thunder. (I did my research on this issue.. did you?)

Not so much the sodium levels, as the other preservatives. Though I started drinking the Dr Thunder for financial reasons, I have chosen to continue with that one because I also tend to run lactic acid deficient, and that is one of the preservatives. As for the sodium content..... with as much fluid as I push through my system, if I DON'T have abnormal sodium levels from somewhere (and I do not salt food at the table), then I tend to wind up SODIUM deficient, craving salt in any form, and generally miserable for several hours until it has a chance to absorb. Though, in the summer when it is so hot that eggs fry on the ground without a skillet, I prefer less fizzy stuff. The soda does not slack the thirst then. But, even so, I still cannot drink WATER straight. It has to have something in it, or else I do not retain it. Half strength juice, pickle juice, or water with ginger in it are the mainstays at that time, and the consumption then tends to go up to somewhere over 3 gallons per day. That is NOT imagined. If I am working outside, even in the shade, I live with a 2 L bottle of liquid glued to my hand. It is the only way I survive without heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

When I had my A1c run back in December, the doctor also ran the electrolyte test. And, I was on par with all of the ranges except the glucose. If anything I was on the low end of the sodium scale. The few numbers that were trying to range up into the high end are related to a completely different issue that I am ALSO working on.

RaineyLaney

Can you eat almonds with out any issues? If so, then you should be able to drink almond milk..It is ground up almonds and water.

Lots of people have given you suggestions, and tried to help you, but all I see in your response is an argument as to why you do what your doing. Do you not understand, your body is in the shape it is in because of what you do/ eat/ drink? It needs change and those changes are going to be hard at first. I think something that is a normal response for not eating / or / drinking something, you shove off as a bad side effect. Your body is trying to fight you to keep unhealthy.. Oh well, It is your life. You have been given very good advice here if you would only stop fighting it and disagreeing with everyone. We have lived with diabetes, losing weight, carb, sodium, protein control for a long time. Good luck on your adventures

kcaffee1

Thank you all for your suggestions. Obviously, as I am too set in my ways, and determined to keep up bad habits, and have no idea how my body functions then I do not need to be wasting your time.

Yes, getting asked for advice that is not in line with expectations can sting. Yes, it does sting me more than I thought it would. No, I am not being deliberately obstructive.

However, I "obviously" am not going to "improve" here. So, I will just slide back into lurker status, and watch.

Again, I am sorry to have wasted your time and mental efforts on my behalf. And, I do thank you for trying.

RaineyLaney

Thank you all for your suggestions. Obviously, as I am too set in my ways, and determined to keep up bad habits, and have no idea how my body functions then I do not need to be wasting your time.

Yes, getting asked for advice that is not in line with expectations can sting. Yes, it does sting me more than I thought it would. No, I am not being deliberately obstructive.

However, I "obviously" am not going to "improve" here. So, I will just slide back into lurker status, and watch.

Again, I am sorry to have wasted your time and mental efforts on my behalf. And, I do thank you for trying.

I don't want to discurage you at all. I really see where you need to try to go with some of the feelings your having when trying to eat better. Yes you, yourself know how your body is. I just wanted to point out, that what you think is bad side effects and throwing up your hands to those foods/drinks, may very well be just your body fighting what it doesn't know. Our bodies do weird strange things. I know you said you were losing weight and didn't know how.. I am worried about that with you. You may want to let your doctor know the weight is coming off with out lower calories etc. (it may be an underlying issue.. don't want to scare you, but they say cancer will make you lose weight like that... I know first hand, I saw my sister lose weight and she didn't understand why, but was..hey I need to lose so what ever I am doing, yeah for it.. then we found out she was terminal). I sure hope that isn't the case with you. I do wish you the best of luck and would hope that you do take heed to what we all are suggesting to you about meds, and to get your sugar under control. It would help you too, to monitor your meals, do test right before eating, then 1 hr after wards, then 2 hrs after. See how much your sugar is spiking per meal. that tells you a lot that way. You don't have to test like that all the time. but try it for one day. Do a fast, then before and after your main meals. I think you will be shocked. I know I was when I first did that.

JaceyMarieS

Something is really off with your testing. Your morning numbers are high, but not that high. You've stated that post-prandial numbers are below 130 most of the time (I think...I swear I read this and then went pback to confirm and can't seem to find that post from you now?? Maybe I have some Met brain fog! ;-P ) Yet your A1c is 7.1 - so you've got higher numbers somewhere!

Do NOT get discouraged. Do NOT give up. I commend you for remaining calm and rational throughout the discussion here. Take a deep breath and dive into bloodsugar101.com (you can also access at http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.php). More than any other site, Jenny really helped me understand and feel more in control of my own destiny.


I'd also suggest you post the same intro you posted here at the diabetes.org forums. Lots of knowledgeable helpful folks there as well. through diabetes.org forums, I also found two extremely helpful blogs
Alan - http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
Lizzy - http://lizzysdlounge.com/

RaineyLaney

Agrees with ^^^^^ definently check out www.bloodsugar101.com Very helpful and full of info. You will learn a lot on that sight. It even goes through all the different meds and how they actually work on/in your body.

jsiricos

Change one thing then.

Instead of logging the amount you drink as water, log it in that time span as exactly what it is.
That will give you a more honest picture

Sometimes what we think is a salt craving, is actually a need for potassium (I worked in a garden center) on some days, the best thing to assuage the muscle cramps, and the cravings was (you'll love this)... a banana split

Other things for the low potassium/sodium itch are baked potato skins, tomatoes, and (my favorite) bacon.

kcaffee1

Calmer now, and after doing a bit of spot research on the dawn effect, and rebound, have another cat to chase for the moment regarding those high morning numbers. Back to the discussion at hand....

KD, I just went through my log books and the wonderful reports you can get with the mobile app that are NOT available on the PC for some ridiculous reason just to make sure I wasn't reading my OWN numbers wrong. And, I am not. The times may not be exact for the spread sheet I put together, but from the numbers I DO have.....

Carbs are all over the chart - from up around the 400 g per day range clear down into the high 90's, but the blood sugar numbers are pretty steady with only a few abnormal (relative only!) ones staying between 110 mg/ml and 145 mg/ml after meals. However the MORNING levels are mostly in the 133 - 138 mg/ml range, and by bed time (usually MANY hours post meal) the numbers are pretty solid in the high 90 to low 110 range. There are a few nightly exceptions, but when I verify against a calender, those are work nights, and I don't get home to eat until after 8 PM (some times as late as 9 PM if we get people still trickling in steadily! LOVE the boss's idea about what our "business hours" are!)

Rainey - I have started the test runs as of yesterday. Finally was able to afford enough strips to have the extras. I'll see what they say in about a week, and compare to the first numbers I got when I first started testing.

Jsiricos - I know most people dehydrate on sodas, but I REALLY do hydrate properly on them and DEhydrate on water. In fact, it irritates the living daylights out of me that I CAN'T drink water with out dehydrating. I get enough flack from people watching me put away as much liquid when I do, but when I manage to get started on water, and keep the stomach pH from going crazy, the quantities I'm consuming are obscene! Even for me, and I make a joke about going through 4 L of liquids a day for the most part.

I may try the potassium substitution next time I think I'm craving salt. Though, usually a pickle solves the problem quite handily. (And, pickle juice just won't work at those times.) Thankfully, my body and I have enough of an understanding that when I get a craving, it is for a specific food... say an apple, or a navel orange (mandrins WON'T do), or even romain lettuce. The days that are just downright frightening and tend to make me such a bear even my best friends go running for the hills are the days I am craving something, and nothing particular even looks good. Those are the days mom loves to send me to the grocery store to do her shopping. Walking up and down the isles, looking at every item, and nothing even remotely looks good. Makes sticking to the grocery list a snap. (and, thankfully those days are fairly rare!)

RaineyLaney

MFP lets you track your potassium... If you think this may an issue. Put that as one of your values. I use to be really low on Potassium (per blood tests) and didn't realize I was only getting around 500 to 700 a day. Now I track my Potassium and it is up close to the value of 3500... big difference.

kcaffee1

All ready beat you to that one. ::Chuckles:: Especially with the mobile side of MFP. For some reason I can manage to make up a weekly deficit in the 2 days I'm at work.... Oh, wait, that's because they don't have anything but tea I can stand drinking! ::Light goes on::

RaineyLaney

Your food diary looked lots better for yesterday. Lower carbs and protien, sodium etc. Although if you had tested right before eating the general tso's chicken (love that stuff). and then again 1 or 2 hrs after you starting to eat time.. I am sure your sugar would of been through the roof. It had 66 carbs for 10 oz and only 1 fiber... meaning a total of 65 carbs... and you will learn this too. Carbs are not our friend with being diebetic

Just wanted you to know, I see the effert you made in yesterdays diary. Good job and keep up the good work. It does take trial and error and testing

kcaffee1

Missed the before dinner test, and the 1 hour, but the 2 hour was still a bit high. Came down nicely the rest of the night, until about 2, the spiked for no reason (Hadn't eating ANYTHING since about 10:30 with the cheese sticks and cinnamon). Overslept this morning, but the fasting number was 107.

RaineyLaney

Missed the before dinner test, and the 1 hour, but the 2 hour was still a bit high. Came down nicely the rest of the night, until about 2, the spiked for no reason (Hadn't eating ANYTHING since about 10:30 with the cheese sticks and cinnamon). Overslept this morning, but the fasting number was 107.

Most likely your 2hr after was down quite a bit from the high you would of seen in the 1 hr mark.

kcaffee1

I'll believe that. Someone really needs to knock me on the head.. hard.. about getting the dinner numbers. I can get the rest OK, but when I get called into dinner, I usually run (don't walk), and then clean up right after, so by the time I get back to my room it has been at least an hour and a half since I ate. And, Then, I usually get lost trying to get dinner logged while I can still remember what mix of yummies mom made tonight. So, when I DO get the test, it's a little late to catch any true peaks. (minimum 2.5 hours after, most nights closer to 3)

Guess I'll need to start carrying the dumb thing with me, so I'll remember!

kcaffee1

Think I missed the sugar crash last night. But, when I tested at 4 (109), then at 5 (119), the numbers were climbing. But, even so, they still are much better for morning numbers than I have seen in a while. Thanks to the thumps on the head about the carb counts, the numbers are starting to run around.

djshari

"With a few rare exceptions, when I have to take meds, I wind up with exactly the opposite effect that is supposed to happen. ie - if I get hit with bronchitis, and use albuterol, I am in the hospital on oxygen for at least 6 hours because my lungs lock down. The reaction to metformin actually hit faster than expected - with in a day or two of the first dose - blood sugar crashed at 47 1 hr after a meal, etc."

If you had low blood sugar it was not the metformin - it just doesn't work that way.
I had stomach troubles at first as well - I ate at the beginning or middle of a meal and that helped me adjust. I know other people have gone with the ER and had better luck there.