[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

This is a reminder that amateur advise on this or any forum does not substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment and recommendations.

What he said.

[wesmin]

I am currently in a 6 month program of diet and supplements. I am taking supplements from Apex Energetics. Some of the supplements are sold only to healthcare practitioners. Type 2 is a short circute in your body due to internal inflamation of a numer of organs and glands. Your body is in overload and fatigued from overe production of insulin and fights it. Gary Null has been writting about prevent and cure of type 2 for years.

[batman911]

I have a question about carbs. For those of us who exercise (running & weight training) seriously. I always believed that you need some carbs to fuel your muscles. That is why runners initially deny their body carbs prior to a marathon and then carbo load right before the run. How can you exercise with no fuel? Anyone have an answer?

[K9-Lovers]

People who are pre-diabetic or diabetic don't usually run marathons, also I'm sure some do. The type of exercise that is recommended is walking, swimming, biking, but not in a tri-athlete sort of way. Therefore, they don't need to carbo load before exercising.

Also, "good" carbohydrates are encouraged (and should be eaten by everyone, not just diabetics) that have a low glycemic rate. That way, the blood sugar does not spike.

[brostholder]

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 would guess that you posted this because you are upset. Your doctor said you are pre-diabetic. He did not say you had type 2 diabetes. You can certainly reverse this with diet and exercise if there is nothing else going on. But your doctor is absolutely right. If you are prediabetic, I am guessing your fasting blood sugar is above 100 but below 130. If this is true, here is what is happening in your body. Due to the high sugar levels, your body is making more insulin to deal with it. After a while, your cells become less sensitive to all the insulin they are getting so your body has to make even more insulin to get the same reduction in blood sugar. After having to make too much insulin for too long a time, those insulin producing cells get burned out. Before that happens, your doctor may try to put you on some drugs that help decrease blood sugar production, increase blood sugar elimination, etc. If those don't help he may try some drugs that increase your cells sensitivity to the insulin you are still producing. If those fail, then you may have to try injecting insulin. (this is a bit of a simplified explanation for a complicated disease).
But all this is way down the line. You can still avoid all this by life style changes....i.e. weight loss, carb control, exercise.
By the way, doctors do not get paid by the number of prescriptions they write. I know it is sometimes tempting to shoot the messenger, but if you don't have faith that your doctor has anything but your best interests at heart, then I would recommend getting a second or even a third opinion. If you think your doctor has been untruthful to you about your health status, then I would make a complaint to the state medical board.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by brostholder

I would guess that you posted this because you are upset. Your doctor said you are pre-diabetic. He did not say you had type 2 diabetes. You can certainly reverse this with diet and exercise if there is nothing else going on. But your doctor is absolutely right. If you are prediabetic, I am guessing your fasting blood sugar is above 100 but below 130. If this is true, here is what is happening in your body. Due to the high sugar levels, your body is making more insulin to deal with it. After a while, your cells become less sensitive to all the insulin they are getting so your body has to make even more insulin to get the same reduction in blood sugar. After having to make too much insulin for too long a time, those insulin producing cells get burned out. Before that happens, your doctor may try to put you on some drugs that help decrease blood sugar production, increase blood sugar elimination, etc. If those don't help he may try some drugs that increase your cells sensitivity to the insulin you are still producing. If those fail, then you may have to try injecting insulin. (this is a bit of a simplified explanation for a complicated disease).
But all this is way down the line. You can still avoid all this by life style changes....i.e. weight loss, carb control, exercise.
By the way, doctors do not get paid by the number of prescriptions they write. I know it is sometimes tempting to shoot the messenger, but if you don't have faith that your doctor has anything but your best interests at heart, then I would recommend getting a second or even a third opinion. If you think your doctor has been untruthful to you about your health status, then I would make a complaint to the state medical board.

I think it's important to note here that his poster is a medicine professional and know what he is talking about.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by brostholder

I would guess that you posted this because you are upset. Your doctor said you are pre-diabetic. He did not say you had type 2 diabetes. You can certainly reverse this with diet and exercise if there is nothing else going on. But your doctor is absolutely right. If you are prediabetic, I am guessing your fasting blood sugar is above 100 but below 130. If this is true, here is what is happening in your body. Due to the high sugar levels, your body is making more insulin to deal with it. After a while, your cells become less sensitive to all the insulin they are getting so your body has to make even more insulin to get the same reduction in blood sugar. After having to make too much insulin for too long a time, those insulin producing cells get burned out. Before that happens, your doctor may try to put you on some drugs that help decrease blood sugar production, increase blood sugar elimination, etc. If those don't help he may try some drugs that increase your cells sensitivity to the insulin you are still producing. If those fail, then you may have to try injecting insulin. (this is a bit of a simplified explanation for a complicated disease).
But all this is way down the line. You can still avoid all this by life style changes....i.e. weight loss, carb control, exercise.
By the way, doctors do not get paid by the number of prescriptions they write. I know it is sometimes tempting to shoot the messenger, but if you don't have faith that your doctor has anything but your best interests at heart, then I would recommend getting a second or even a third opinion. If you think your doctor has been untruthful to you about your health status, then I would make a complaint to the state medical board.

A voice of reason!

The supplement industry frequently demeans the medical community so they can sell more stuff. So if you are gonna mistrust someone, I would start with them.

There is no easy answer for anything that involves the endocrine system.
Brostholder did a good job of simplifying how it works. It takes a lot of information gathering and a lot of communication between you and your doctor and some tough changes in your life when your doctor tells you the tests show you are pre diabetic. A lot of people think you can just take a pill or a shot and all is well. In this situation it is not the case.

In my very humble non medical opinion.

[JenAjd]

Brostholder makes alot of sense. I am NOT a medical person but was pre=diabetic (just like he said) for a handful of years. My provider checked my fasting blood-sugar every 3 mo. or so during that time. In the meantime I was to do my part and do the diet/exercise thing---and did that. However (I am also "insulin resistant"---you can google that for knowing what that's about). Just this past summer I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and put on Metformin. So far I'm doing quite well. I exercise for an hour almost daily and watch my diet. My A1c has actually declined a bit...but I was told I'll be on the Metformin for the rest of my life. Diabetes is a progressive disease and NOT to be trifled with. The supplements probably won't hurt you but if it were me, I listen to your health=care provider. Oh...if you don't trust them get a 2nd opinion. As an aside to this...Monroe Heart offers an excellant class and while I "thought" I was pretty well informed re: diabetes, I found there was alot I needed to learn.
In this we are to have our eyes checked regularily (diabetes can affect our eyes). We should have a base=line check of our feet so find a podiatrist to do this. Diabetics can have circulation issues AND neuropathy...the latter cannot be reversed and I'm not sure about the former. Please take heed...I've seen too many people who haven't and their over=all health isn't good!!!

[2BNTV]

I am not a doctor but this is what happened to me including some observations. I have been in control of my diabetes for four and a half years by eating healthy and exercise.
Every case of diabetes is different so please consult with your doctor if anything in this post raises any concerns.

I went to my doctor for my annual physical four and a half years ago and he informed me that he wanted a follow-up blood test to check for diabetes. My glucose level was 116 and they had just lowered the standard to 100 from 125. The blood test involved taking your blood, drinking the sweet orange drink and then taking my blood one and two hours later. The maximum reading should be 200 and mine was slightly above 200, (216 and 236 respectively). My A1C level was 7.1.
The doctor informed me I had diabetes. I was already exercising vigorously three times a week but needed to lose weight. He recommended eating properly and that I should come back in two months and strongly advised me to lose weight, (I was 182lbs) or he would have to put me on medication. I came back two months later at 162 lbs and the A1C dropped to 5.8. I mentioned to him if the level for diabetes was 6.0 and above, then I no longer had diabetes. He said I should think of it like being an alcoholic, “you can get sober but you can’t drink again.

Four and a half years later, My A1C level has been hovering slightly above 6.0and I do not have to take medication and or check my blood level by sticking my finger. I do exercise rigorously three times a week as it helps to lower the blood levels. I will always have an elevated glucose reading or as least it seems that way, as I ask for a copy of the blood work results so I will have a record handy.

My diabetes has been in control for four and half years with healthy eating habits and vigorous exercise. My doctor has commented that I have been doing a great job.

They recommended several small meals a day and advised me to look at eating food as a lifestyle change instead of being on a diet. The small meals should give one enough energy to get to the next meal and allows your body to burn off what you have eaten.

My particular diabetes is affected by the fat contained in foods. The guideline suggests that one doesn’t eat something that has more than 30% fat of the total calories contained in a product.

My observations:
1. I do cheat once in a while.
2. I do get tired of eating certain foods every day.
3. I find by eating healthy foods, the processed foods don’t taste as good as I use to remember.
4. I try to look at eating certain foods as taking poison into my system, (like candy, chocolate and processed cake). I tend to ask myself if I really need to eat this food or is this yearning just psychological.
5. Yes, some of the food they recommend like sugar free jelly, syrup, cereal, (fiber one) taste lousy initially but one gets use to them and gets to like them. I find when I do eat certain foods that have a lot of sugar, they taste lousy depending on what it is, (processed cake).
6. I don’t try to eat anything that has more than 10 grams of sugar.
7. I don’t try to eat anything that has more than 30% fat content per 100 calories.
8. Use Splenda, (one packet); on oatmeal as according to my doctor, “it won’t hurt you”.
9. Almonds are a great snack.
10. Lean Cuisine and similar but watch the fat content and sugar. Some are not good.

Note: There are many more hints but I can’t remember them off the top of my head.

When I first had a counseling session with the nurse practitioner, she was under the impression that I would not take my health seriously and tried to scare me with, you can lose a limb, get heart disease or organ malfunctions. She stated that most people have an attitude of just give me some pills and don’t talk to me about changing eating habits and or exercise. I feel better since being diagnosed because of weight reduction and eating healthy. I have not suffered from the debilitating symptoms that one could get as this is an insidious disease and one cannot tell without periodic monitoring of blood levels.

Any good doctor will have all the literature that one can read to control their diabetes.

I don’t know about supplements to treat diabetes as my doctor never recommended them. My experience with a supplement is for a prostate condition and that doctor said, “some people swear by them and some people don’t think they do anything”. They work like a charm for me.

I feel you must be an advocate for your own health. I always think that if I don’t take care of my diabetes, it will take care of me in causing serious problems. I fight very hard so I won’t have to take medication and perform checking my blood levels several times a day.
It requires constant vigilance. It is a pain to be dedicated but it can be controlled. It’s better than the alternatives.

Assuming one is healthy enough to exercise. When people complain about coming to workout, I tell them it’s a case of mind over matter. When they ask what I mean when I say that. I tell them, “if you don’t mind, it don’t matter”.

I sincerely hope this helps someone to take care of themselves as my grandfather, father and older brother had diabetes and they shortened their life by not taking care of it.

[JenAjd]

2BNTV...you're a voice of reason. When I came home from my diabetes education class I told my spouse that it is a "high maintenance disease" and it is...if one want's to remain healthy. We cannot be lazy about this (as you indicated with some wanting a pill and NOT the education)!!! I'm overweight still and trying to lose, I'm on the medication and prick my finger 1X daily as my numbers are pretty good (so far). I exercise and try to eat sensibly---though in our culture AND living here one has to be really, really intentional. Diabetes isn't like having allegies or something like that where you can just pop a pill and go on your merry way. It's a hideous disease (my endo told me that) and is progressive so we need to be vigilant. Taking supplements shouldn't hurt..."IF" you do everything else a medical practioner would advise. One take-away from the class was "if you hear that there's a 'cure' RUN AWAY as fast as you can as there's no such thing!"!!!!!

I would strive to have mine as under control as you do! I will continue the eating right and exercise and perhaps it will get even better for me!!! As you said...we're all different!!!

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by JenAjd

2BNTV...you're a voice of reason. When I came home from my diabetes education class I told my spouse that it is a "high maintenance disease" and it is...if one want's to remain healthy. We cannot be lazy about this (as you indicated with some wanting a pill and NOT the education)!!! I'm overweight still and trying to lose, I'm on the medication and prick my finger 1X daily as my numbers are pretty good (so far). I exercise and try to eat sensibly---though in our culture AND living here one has to be really, really intentional. Diabetes isn't like having allegies or something like that where you can just pop a pill and go on your merry way. It's a hideous disease (my endo told me that) and is progressive so we need to be vigilant. Taking supplements shouldn't hurt..."IF" you do everything else a medical practioner would advise. One take-away from the class was "if you hear that there's a 'cure' RUN AWAY as fast as you can as there's no such thing!"!!!!!

I would strive to have mine as under control as you do! I will continue the eating right and exercise and perhaps it will get even better for me!!! As you said...we're all different!!!

Jen Ajd:

Theres is no cure,only controlling diabetes. Once you have it, you have it.
It's an individuals choice whether to control or suffer the consequences of not caring enough about their future heath.

I posted about my diabetes in the hope that someone could benefit from my experience. You are thinking correctly in what you need to do and I wish you well. I know it's constantly on my mind in making food choices and it's an unending battle. Some people may think I am fanatical in my wanting to control it but the alternative is unthinkable to me.

I found that by making good food choices and eating the amounts of food that is recommended, the weight easily came off but the initial battle was tough as I was hungry a lot in the beginning. Yogurt and almonds are a great snack. I always take almonds to work, (on person all day when one need something to hold me over to next meal).

If I told you that I didn't have cravings for certain foods, I would be lying but I try to limit my intake of food that I know are bad for my diabetes. I do cheat once in a while but I try to keep it down to a dull roar.

Another hint is when you go to a restaurant, ask for a doggie bad before your dinner is served and put half of your dinner in the bag before you start eating. Restaurants serve twice the normal amount of food that one requires. Share your dessert if you have one with your spouse. One more hint is to not have anything that is bad for you in the house as far as snacks. I know this is almost impossible when you live with another person.

I am fighting to avoid having to take medication and having to prick my fingers for the bood test and my hope is that you lower your A1C level enough so you won't have to do this going forward.

You can do it and I know it's not easy.

[springfield]

Four years ago, my wonderful doc diagnosed my full blown diabetes even though I didn't have the usual symptoms. I was mad and freaked out a bit. I now see that for me it was a good thing. I was way too heavy and didn't watch my portions. I went to a diabetic clinic and learned what my body was doing and how our bodies convert food into energy. I was on Medformin, an old reliable drug for type II. I found that I was testing my blood all the time to see how my body reacted to different foods. When I started watching my portions, carbs, and exercised more, the weight just fell off. I take 2-4 cinnamon capsules a day which is supposed to help with blood sugar control. The diabetic clinic even confirmed that it can help. I am off any medicine. Before I moved here this summer, my doc said she didn't consider me to be diabetic anymore. I know I can't go back to my evil ways, and I will always be a candidate for type II.

Diabetes is nothing to mess around with. Watching a friend die of it due to complications convinced me to be careful. As a result, I am healthier now due to exercise and better eating habits. I don't diet, I just know how much and what I can eat. I'm pretty lazy now with daily testing. The A1C test every 3 months provides a picture of how my blood handles glucose. Good luck, don't be mad at your doc, be thankful you found out.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by springfield

Four years ago, my wonderful doc diagnosed my full blown diabetes even though I didn't have the usual symptoms. I was mad and freaked out a bit. I now see that for me it was a good thing. I was way too heavy and didn't watch my portions. I went to a diabetic clinic and learned what my body was doing and how our bodies convert food into energy. I was on Medformin, an old reliable drug for type II. I found that I was testing my blood all the time to see how my body reacted to different foods. When I started watching my portions, carbs, and exercised more, the weight just fell off. I take 2-4 cinnamon capsules a day which is supposed to help with blood sugar control. The diabetic clinic even confirmed that it can help. I am off any medicine. Before I moved here this summer, my doc said she didn't consider me to be diabetic anymore. I know I can't go back to my evil ways, and I will always be a candidate for type II.

Diabetes is nothing to mess around with. Watching a friend die of it due to complications convinced me to be careful. As a result, I am healthier now due to exercise and better eating habits. I don't diet, I just know how much and what I can eat. I'm pretty lazy now with daily testing. The A1C test every 3 months provides a picture of how my blood handles glucose. Good luck, don't be mad at your doc, be thankful you found out.

springfield:

Congraulations that you brought your diabetes under control. I was also mad when first diagnosed four years ago as I didn't want to have limits placed on me. It was a blessing in disguise as I feel better by eating properly.

I slipped one time in four years as I thought I was bulletproof in my eating habits and my A1C shot up to 7.1. They wanted to put me on Medformin but I refused and two months later, I brought it back into control again, (A1C = 6.2). I don't have to get my blood reading daily ot take medication. I control it by heathy eating habits and exercise. They call the new eating habits a "lifestyle change" as opposed to "diet:. Diet is "die", with a "t" at the end. Whoever goes on a diet is doomed to fail - IMHO. It a mindset that people automatically think they are being deprived of foods they like or want. As you know, you can everything you want but in moderation but there are some exceptions that need to be limited.

My doctor told me that even though my A1C was in control, I had to look at my diabetes as being an alcoholic, "you can get sober, but you can't go back to drinking again". Constant vigilance is the key to controlling this deadly disease.

My grandfather, father, oldest brother and sister had diabetes. Sister probably passed away from it but it was listed as a heart attack. My older brother just had a heart attack and had surgery and was informed he had a "diabetic heart" whatever that means. He was never diagnosed with diabetes and his blood work never indicated he was a diabetic.

Best wishes for your future good health and Happy New Year!!!

[Mikeod]

2BNTV. You are so correct. In my years of working with diabetics, I had to keep reinforcing that they were not on a diet, but were changing their eating habits PERMANENTLY. Most told me how difficult it was for them initially. But after a while, different for each person, it became almost automatic, and they were much more comfortable with the changes.

One humorous memory I have is the patient who was concerned because his 50th anniversary was upcoming and he knew there would be a cake. He was afraid of eating any cake, but didn't want to not celebrate with his wife. I told him to have a small piece of cake, but watch his other food intake. Diabetes involves choices. If you're going to eat one thing that could elevate your blood glucose, eliminate something else so that your overall intake is not much different from normal. I had a patient that liked to eat potato chips watching football and rebelled at eliminating them. We discussed it with his dietician and came up with the solution to measure out a small bowl of chips (He used to have the whole bag by his chair) and eliminate something else during that day. He did well.

BTW, I am not a dietician, but worked in a multidisciplinary setting for diabetics and met regularly with all the other people involved in diabetic care. My involvement was evaluating retinopathy. In most cases, I could tell how well they were controlling the disease by how much retinopathy I saw. And what I saw in the eye was happening all throughout the body.

Another aspect to diabetes control is that everyone's control is personal. I can't count the patients who complained that their physician was pushing them to improve their control when they had a friend or neighbor whose physician was happy with a higher A1C. They did not realize that there is a balancing act with control and cardiovascular complications.

[Ohiogirl]

What's the difference between the A1C reading and the glucose level reading on a glucose meter?