[BuckeyeNuts]

Hello everyone!

I do not trust doctors anymore. I got results back today...pre diabetes. They say that their is no cure for type 2 diabetes...I think they are not being truthful and just want me on their drugs. I believe it can be reversed with diet and exercise...and possibly a few vitamins, herbs or minerals.

Has anyone here sent their diabetes packing? If so...what would you recommend? I realize that you are not doctors...but I trust people that have actually had this thing more then doctors that are merely prescription pad jockeys.

Thanks! V

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNuts

Hello everyone!

I believe it can be reversed with diet and exercise...

Thanks! V

For those of us that aren't diabetic I guess you'd classify all of us as pre-diabetic. Diet and exercise should handle your issues. I'm no medical expert but I did stay at Jill & Johns Red Neck Inn once.

Slim & Not So Trim

F16

[Russ_Boston]

Not a doctor but you can stave off diabetes (type II) with diet and exercise. You see it all the time on Biggest Loser. Those people lose the weight, exercise like crazy and get off their pills. Diabetes, as you know, is nothing to fool with. Get yourself on a relatively strict diet which limits (not eliminates) your carbs and hit the gym for some weights and the road for some cardio.

It can be done but you need to be consistent with it.

Good Luck - Russ

[graciegirl]

It takes four years of college and three years of post graduate training and then several years of residency in Endocrinology to become one of those pad jockeys who jerk you around about diabetes.

Getting regular exercise, eating a lowfat diet and losing a few pounds will sometimes reverse your slide into diabetes. Taking extra vitamins and supplements without proper medical supervison can sometimes cause you trouble with a capital T. The holistic trend is also padding someone pockets. I am sticking with traditional medicine.

[SteveFromNY]

Pre-Diabetes means your blood sugar is above 100 and below 125) Not too long ago, diabetes was defined as a blood sugar level of over 140. recently (a few years ago) they refined that definition to being over 125. I guess the real message is keep an eye on your sugar levels and keep them below 100.
I was diagnosed pre-diabetic as well, as my sugar was running around 110-115. Adding exercise and watching the "white foods" as my doctor described the "bad" carbs (white bread, white rice, potatoes and sugar) did reduce it.
I bought a meter to use to meter to use to keep track of my sugar at home.
My doctor did in fact make the diet and exercise suggestion so I would either see another doctor for another opinion or specifically ask why this doctor did not prescribe diet and exercise for your particular case.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNuts

Hello everyone!

I do not trust doctors anymore. I got results back today...pre diabetes. They say that their is no cure for type 2 diabetes...I think they are not being truthful and just want me on their drugs. I believe it can be reversed with diet and exercise...and possibly a few vitamins, herbs or minerals.

Has anyone here sent their diabetes packing? If so...what would you recommend? I realize that you are not doctors...but I trust people that have actually had this thing more then doctors that are merely prescription pad jockeys.

Thanks! V

Mostly I post silly stuff, except for sometimes when I post about real estate or about the economy in general. But this morning I am going to preach a sermon.

I could be nice and say, "Oh my. Oh dear. You sound upset. Ohhhh, you poor thing."

But nope. I am going to say, "That was a number your doctor showed you. Your doctor wants your attention. Your doctor does not want to have to give you drugs."

Here's the good part though. That diet and exercise thing you are talking about. A very good friend of mine, an RN, in fact, has headed off her need to go on insulin by dropping weight and walking every day and exercising indoors when the weather is just too awful to take a walk.

I kind of doubt that your doctor started chasing you around the office trying to shoot you up with insulin for a pre-diabetes reading. Your doctor wants just the opposite for you. Your doctor wants you to head this thing off at the pass and to not need insulin.

I probably do not need to preach about the things diabetes can do like take out your vision and mess with your heart, along with demanding a toll from just about every part of your body. This thing is nothing to mess with.

Actually, you sound more than upset right now, you sound angry. That's OK. Direct that energy toward exercising, getting a handle on what you eat, and educating yourself about diabetes. You are right about that part.

A pre-diabetes diagnosis should mean that you are still in the driver's seat. But do not ignore that number. I'll bet that your doctor told you to go the diet and exercise route. (Insulin or no insulin, that advice always stands.) With diet and exercise, you may be able to keep that insulin out of your life for a very, very, very long time. Maybe forever. It has been about 3 or 4 years since my friend got the same scare you just got. And she is still fighting off insulin with exercise and diet. It is not easy for her. She was not into exercise or diet before. It is amazing what getting scared can do.

You asked about vitamins, herbs, and minerals. I would not pretend that there is a magic bullet for diabetes, not one that comes in a bottle anyway. But, like I keep saying, I really do know someone who is still doing well because she was scared into diet and exercise. But I also know people who ignored what they needed to do. I seem to know a lot of diabetics. That's why I think I have the right to preach to you this morning.

I wish you the best. And I hope you will let us know how you are doing. Keep an eye on that number. Stay aware and work hard. It's not easy, I know.

End of Sermon. (But after all this big long sermon where I defend the doc, sort of, it just occurred to me to say that if your doctor did not talk about diet and exercise, get a new doctor.)

Boomer

[billethkid]

then you may want to consider changing doctors.....per all the comments above.
My wife was "pre-diabetic" a couple of years ago. The first thing the doctor said was...work at cutting down sugar consumption in everything you eat...cut out all the cookies, cakes, ice cream, juices, etc, etc. Eat/drink only sugar free products or no sugar added. This alone will make a big difference and wis difficult for most to do....but if you don't you won't remain pre-diabetic....you will graduate to diabetic.
And yes exercise...daily...is another difficult task you need to undertake.
It's pretty simple. If you do both you will most likely return to normal. There are of course exceptions.
The choice is yours.
Don't forget to can your doctor if he is recommending medication...unless it is for other reasons not mentioned.

BTK

[chelsea24]

This subject is very close to my heart. My mother was diagnosed with diabetes at 59. Back then they didn't go to the doctor as often as we do nowadays. By 63 she had passed away. I'm not trying to scare you, but my mom did not listen to anything the doctor told her to do. She went into a depression, took the pills sometimes (we tried to watch her) stopped eating (the worse thing you can do) deteriorated to the point of having to take insulin shots everyday, and at 63 died of heart failure -- diabetes related.

My mother's entire side of the family had diabetes. My two aunts (watched themselves and lived to a ripe old age) my grandmother lost both of her legs to this awful disease. Consequently, I am always being checked. My eating habits are not the greatest either. So your post is helping me too.

My point is first get a second opinion. There are too many doctors that are just pad jockeys. But, if you do receive the same opinion and advise from another doctor as well, please, please listen to him.

And as stated above, it is so controllable. Bad Carbs -- good-bye, diet, exercise, eat small portions six times a day. Diabetes is simply something that cannot be ignored.

I was 26 when my mom died. I was angry at her for not taking care of this because I adored her and wanted her with me forever. I'm sure your family feels the same way.

OK, lecture over. Maybe I did want to scare you after all. Take action now!

Here's a website I like that might help. It helps for Pre-diabetes too.

http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowCo...FQFqxwodhDMb0w

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by billethkid

The first thing the doctor said was...work at cutting down sugar consumption in everything you eat...cut out all the cookies, cakes, ice cream, juices, etc, etc. Eat/drink only sugar free products or no sugar added. BK

I would only caution against the 'sugar free' thing for one reason. Remember that ALL carbs and starch get converted to glucose in your body. Use low glycemic carbs in place of others http://www.glycemicindex.com/

If you have a sugar free cookie the carbs will still convert but the total carbs will be less due to the lack of added sugar. But it is a good start.

Try one of these books: http://www.glycemicindex.com/diabeteshandbook/

[diskman]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNuts

Hello everyone!

I do not trust doctors anymore. I got results back today...pre diabetes. They say that their is no cure for type 2 diabetes...I think they are not being truthful and just want me on their drugs. I believe it can be reversed with diet and exercise...and possibly a few vitamins, herbs or minerals.

Has anyone here sent their diabetes packing? If so...what would you recommend? I realize that you are not doctors...but I trust people that have actually had this thing more then doctors that are merely prescription pad jockeys.

Thanks! V

I didn't listen when my doctor gave me this warning to lose weight and restrict the things I eat. Now I have been suffering with type II diabetes since 97 and it is not fun. Heed his warning and take action as I am told you can prevent getting it.
The only people I have heard who got rid of diabetes effects are those who have had Gastric Bypass.

[rshoffer]

weight loss is the key
aerobic exercise
reversing sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) by resistance training (weight lifting)
eliminating refined carbohydrates
minimum of 40 grams of fiber a day--- take metamucil with every meal
chromium picolinate 200 micrograms


go to www.lef.org and learn about cinnamon as well as other supplements and tips.

Type II diabetes is a lifestyle problem for most people. It is due to "insulin resistance" (insulin doesn't work like it should on insulin receptors)... unlike Type I diabetes where the pancreas cannot make insulin.

[BUC]

Several years ago my Doctor told me the same , my A1c number was alittle high and he suggested I change my diet and exercise. I didn't and now take medicine for Tp2 diebeetes: however last year I lost 44lbs and plan to lose another 30-35 this year. I waited to long and may never get off pills, but I still feel better than I have since I was 40 years old. Good Luck!

[mitchbr47]

I think what hasn't been mentioned in the discussion is your relationship with the doctor and how much confidence you have in their advice. I too am a pre diabetic with blood sugars near 120. As someone stated earlier, the criteria for diagnosis has changed. Her advice was diet and exercise and loose some weight. I have seen the ravaging effects of this disease with my daughter diagnosed when she was 12 and now my mom in hospice care at age 89.

[Russ_Boston]

Mitch - In my training as a nurse I've seen the horrible effects of this disease first hand, both Type I and Type II. My youngest cousin has type I and he has been helped greatly by the use of his insulin pump (and strict carb control and monitoring of course). I wish your daughter the best and we should all do what we can to stave off this disease while we can.

[Mikitv]

My husband was diagnosed a few years back with type II and at first it was his number was pre-diabetes and then it was Type II. He is taking glucophage for it and trying to diet and exercise. Hard at times. We do the small meals and test his sugar. We did learn that some of the over counter meds he was using for pain helped to spike his sugar. Do go to some of the diabetic web sites and read up on everything. Mayo Clinic also has a very good book out that I just saw at Barnes and Noble. No matter what type of medical care you need, you have to be informed and ask questions. If not happy with you doctor, try some else. Good Luck.