Yes. I've been an insulin-dependent diabetic for years and struggling again (due to ignoring my diabetes) to get my blood sugars (especially after meals) under control using a fast-acting insulin (Humalog), but I'm getting there. Back in mid-March2016, my fasting (i.e. morning) blood sugar was 455 mg/dL and today it's 121 mg/dL. Anything containing sugar really spikes my readings as well as mashed potatoes, bread and especially rice, so, I'm trying to avoid those types of foods. My goal is to get my fasting blood sugar to be around 90 mg/dL and my post-meal blood sugar peaks (1 or 2 hours after the start of a meal) to be under 140 mg/dL.

In the past, I didn't like to eat breakfast either but I'm finding if I do, I typically don't have as much of a ravenous appetite in the afternoon which makes it easier to make better food choices & also to have a smaller meal which keeps my post-meal blood sugar spikes down and requires less insulin. Since I'm not that hungry in the morning I just have a protein shake (i.e. 8 oz of 2% milk & 1 scoop of GNC Total Lean protein powder) which holds me until lunch.

LCSt68 wrote: »

Yes. Diabetes Type 2 here. Diagnosed about a year and a half ago. I take 1000mg Metformin twice a day and my doctor says it's well controlled, but I still feel it when I eat the wrong things. Constant fatigue, the jitters, just yucky. I've still got a lot to learn about how diabetics should and shouldn't eat. I've had very little patient training about that. I guess they expect you to dig and learn it all yourself. I wouldn't even know where to begin.

There are a lot of forums for people with diabetes that I found very useful. When I was first diagnosed 9 years ago the advice was to follow the British Heart Foundation healthy heart diet. But that advised to base every meal around carbs. I found if i did that I would always run high. I read a lot of forums and did a lot of research and I know the lower the carbs the better control. It is also about the type of carbs though. Fruit and veg don't really affect me, but bread and pasta really do.

I was in a good position that my sister also has diabetes and she went crazy mad on research and even runs her own forum. So I would just ask her

When I was newly diagnosed I went through a DT2 nutrition class, six weeks, three hours per week, in German. I'm a native English speaker so you can imagine. The instructor withheld the book the entire class period and concentrated on defining diabetes, educating us on the process and its effects on the body. I came away with a decent knowledge of what uncontrolled diabetes will mean long term and no idea about nutrition whatsoever.

Afterward I worked with a diabetic nutritionist for four sessions, also in German (I'm in Germany so who knew), during which we struggled to understand each other more than info was exchanged. Finally she gave me a two page sheet with a sample diet showing examples of what my day should look like, what I should limit and so on. No exaggeration whatsoever, it looked like something a hamster would struggle to remain alive on. For example two pieces of bread per day when in reality copious amounts of bread and refined flour products seem to form the basis of every mealtime. And avoid carbs at all cost, when how? Everything is carbs!

Though I consider those two events a total fail it helps me define my goals for right now combined with your responses. 1.) I need to improve my German posthaste, 2.) I need to get back in that book and see if there's anything helpful, 3.) I need to find a way of eating that works for my body and not expect anyone else's plan to improve me. Bodies are tricky that way. And 4.) I need to educate myself on nutrition on my own because no Nutrition Fairy has shown up on my door to hold up placards and lead me through my day.

I was officially diagnosed about 2 months ago. I had carried an A1C of 6.1 for a long time. I reduced it to 5.7 on my own just with some dietary changes. But when my mom got really sick and subsequently died this past January, it was a stressful time for me and. I ate.... a lot! I gained 24 pounds in 6 months and my A1C jumped to 7.2. I'm now taking 500mg of metformin and obsessively testing myself to see how different foods affect me. So far, my highest number is a 160 peak, but I consistently wake up with it hovering right around 100.

I know I have a lot to learn. My mom had uncontrolled type 2 and it definitely contributed to her death at just 66 years old.

I seem to be taking a whole lot more Metformin than everyone else. :-/ 2000mg per day.

Also whenever I visit my diabetes doctor for a control, my A1C is 5.something and he calls that wonderful. He never prescribed a machine or told me to test, I asked for that on my own eventually and he was reluctant. He donated me a new machine they had around the office but said I'd have to supply the strips myself. So I guess he doesn't think testing is necessary?

From the info the rest of you have given this seems a very nonchalant approach and I could be damaging myself and not be aware of it.

The guidelines for DT2 are on the american diabetes association page, yes? Is that where you get your info?

LCSt68 wrote: »

I seem to be taking a whole lot more Metformin than everyone else. :-/ 2000mg per day.?

An A1C in the 5s is great. That's what I am driving for.. I go back to Doctor next month to find out where I am.

Do you know if your number was that low before taking the high doses of metformin? Or is it that low BECAUSE of the metformin? I think if you are on metformin, there is likely a problem and you should be testing. Im not sure why your doctor wouldn't give you a prescription for a testing machine. I. have found testing very helpful. It gives me a lot of knowledge about food, my body, and my eating habits. Also, my insurance covers my machine, needles, and test strips. I just have a copayment. I would suggest a second opinion.

LCSt68 wrote: »

...I reported that and he just shrugged. I think it's not that he's not incapable it's just that I'm ignorant of so many things and should be doing more for myself than I am. Definitely should be more knowledgeable.

Just my .02 cents, but part of his duty to you as your physician is to HELP you to become more knowledgeable! Both about your health in general and about managing your diabetes specifically!

I've spent a ridiculous amount of time (20 years+) seeing docs for treatment of a chronic immune disease (Sarcoidosis) & most offered helpful information, collaborative treatment plans and encouragement--but a few just shrugged when I asked questions or had concerns about symptoms, treatment, etc.Those were the ones that I told (in choice, VERY direct words) that they were not being helpful to or considerate of me OR my health...before I cut them loose!

By all means, learn as much as you can on your own because knowledge truly is power when it comes to healthcare, but don't be afraid to demand that your provider actually provide you with the tools &/or information that you need to be able to take control of your health!

Again, these are just my (somewhat knee-jerk) thoughts on your post...I do hope you get your #'s where they need to be!

I am just watching Panarama about Type II Diabetes. It was on BBC One about 3 weeks ago and I am just getting around to watching it.

I think I will be keeping this recording and rewatching it every time I'm tempted to eat rubbish. It really hit home what my future holds if I don't do something about it now!