Needs help with type II Diabetes~
 

I need help with diet. I have had diabetes several years and didn't have trouble with my A1c till recently. I don't like the things on the diet. I hate chicken or anything that ever had a feather on it, nor do I like eggs or fish. I can eat very small amounts of them, just not every week. Since I live where it is cold in the winter, I can't seem to exercise, there for, I have gained weight this winter. I will be having my A1c test at the end of the month and I just know it will be high. It was 7.0 the last time and I was warned to bring it down by walking. I have walked some in decent weather. Now with snow and ice, I can't.

I do have a stationary bike and don't use it like I should. I have leg spasms if I walk very long and don't know what to do about that. My husband passed away about 1 1/2 yrs ago and I am dealing with depression too. I have been on three kinds of pills for the diabetes & am now on Actos. The others done nothing for me. I am kinda afraid doc will put me on insulin. I am always thirsty, weak, tired, and hungry. Does anyone have any ideas of food that might help me? I just know I can't keep going on like this. thanks for the help.
Fancylady

I have some natural ideas for you.

First is cinnamon. There have been some great articles about the benefits of using cinnamon to help control blood sugar. I use it on applesauce but I also put a cinnamon stick in my herbal tea every day.

There are even some cinnamon supplements out there that are good too.

Here is a link to a recent article

http://www.topix.net/health/2008/02/...-from-cinnamon

And one of the members Wasabi had a thread about diabetes.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread15584.html

And vitamin D helps control insulin so make sure to supplement with it. Plus based on where you live if you dont get outside much because of the winter you could be deficient in Vitamin d. Make sure to get vitamin D3 its the best.

I'll try to think of more things for you.

Hi Shelley~
 

Thanks Shelley, I can use all the help I can get. I don't want the shots if I can help it. Doc has already mentioned it. I haven't gained any weight lately, but I can't lose either.
Billie:)

I also know of a new supplement that you might be able to get over the internet but I would recommend talking to your doctor about it first.

Its called Insinase by Metagenics.

Here is a link.

http://www.metagenics.com/products/detail.asp?pid=292

Oh and some folks in the PN forum swear by R-lipoic acid supplement to help with Diabetes. You can get that online from I herb.

Here is a link on R-lipoic acid. I buy the one from Biochem.

http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html

I am taking notes on all this, but may need to ask my Dr., for I am on 8 scripts. Thanks Shelley.

The ACCORD study just found an increased death rate in forcing diabetics below A1c of 7. The new target is 7 to 7.5 for safety.

Other things that will bring down blood sugar are:
R-lipoic acid (very strong-- can interfere with meds)
and Chromium supplements. You need at least 400mcg of this.

Cinnamon works too. You have to take at least 2 grams or more a day however.

What really affects A1c values is the spike of blood sugar after meals. So keeping meals small, with low glycemic carbs helps.
You can use Tinkyada brown rice pasta to help with pasta issues. This is much better for blood sugar than regular pasta. And keep the servings small.

Any supplement you try, you have to be very careful, and not go into a hypoglycemic state. The R-lipoic acid is very strong, so monitor your blood sugar and tell your doctor you are going to do it. I would start at 50mg a day in the morning only.
Alpha lipoic acid is the same only less potent, weaker.
Here is an article on it:
http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html

The r-lipoic is the active form found in Alpha lipoic acid and is really strong.
I am using 100mg a day in the morning, for my neuropathy. I noticed a very obvious change in hunger, (reduced) and blood sugar during the day. Mine has been creeping up unfortunately, but now the r-lipoic has changed that.
iherb.com has many to choose from, that are very affordable.

Wow MrsD...2 grams of cinnamon for an effect. I might as well just move into a cinnabon then :D

Yep
 

in fact it is 2gram to 6gram a day!

That is why I offer the r-lipoic... this is really effective!

Thanks Dorrie for the info. I have done better lately and now on the cinnamon. i have been exercising too and lost 4 pounds. Sometimes my sugar is high tho and have been watching careful. I see the doctor Thurs.
Fancylady:)

Long term daily usage of cinnamon make be troublesome because of build up of impurities due to manufacturing process.Cinnamon supplements recommended. Moderate exercise also important and quitting smoking if thats a factor. :)

Thanks barbou. I finally bought some cinnamon supplements

The cinnamon really works gals. I have lost 15 pounds since I started it. I have enery I haven't has in a long time. Thanks so much for the advise. My sugar is down to normal now.
Billie:)

YAY Billie way to go.

So how do you take em. With meals, between meals? Do tell? How many? What brand?

I bought a brand from New Chapter Organcis called Cinnamon force

Hi Shelley, I got my Cinnamon at Walmart, its the Rexall brand. Cost about $4.86 or something like that 60 caps. I take the 1000 mg. (I take 1 X 2 times daily with meals.) (breakfast & supper) I never run out of energy unless I'm having a stressful day, then rest and I am good to go. I exercise also. Best thing that ever happen to me.:hug:

When does Gestational Diabetes normally start?
 

Ok, I know everyone doesn't get it but even before I was pregnant I was on a controlled diet to maintain my blood sugar and it's getting worse but I’m only 16weeks so I was wondering if may be I have it already. Thanks for your answers and I’m going to ask my doctor at my next visit just was kind of wondering now. When does Gestational Diabetes normally start?

Oh my! You got me there!! I am not too sure. I was tested around my fifth month of pregnancy.
Anyone else in our little corner know?
By the way Katrinafransisco, :welcome_sign:to Neurotalk!!!!!

I found this over on MedlinePlus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000896.htm

Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed during the 24th - 28th weeks of pregnancy. All pregnant women should receive an oral glucose tolerance test during this time period to screen for the condition.


I don't know if it can be diagnosed sooner or not... but in my humble opinion (i'm not a doctor) if it can be diagnosed sooner that's a good thing. I'd rather have it caught sooner than later.


Best wishes,
Abbie

Hey Dorrie:

How nice that you mentioned my name. I haven't been here since February I believe I must be trying to erase the fact that I HAVE DIABETES.

It's hard to make changes in one's lifestyle. And it's even harder to change the menu.

I had to do both.

And I did it late in life.

But it is not impossible. Believe me, I used to be a junk food junkie.

I used to sit in front of the tv and just chill out with a bag of Chips, party mix, dip, some ding dongs, and some yodells.

And I'm a diabetic!!! I really can't believe I used to do this.

It's been at least 6 years since I've done this.

And it's very hard taking off weight at my age.

But I did it. Lost the major amount in my 50's.

I have about 30 more to go. Whether or not I lose it, well, it doesn't show on my body. I look at least 40 lbs less than what I weigh. I have no idea why this is.

and I WALK EVERY DAY.

Can't run. Because I have arthritis. But when I can move, I walk.

I put on my IPOD, and I walk!!

Depression has a lot to do with sitting and zoning out in front of the tv.

I used to eat to make the pain go away. It didnt.

So now I've learned better coping skills, and I actually re-wired my brain.

Can you believe that I was able to do this.

No cravings, no eating anything that I'm not suppose to eat.

And sure, I have days when I wake up and my sugar is higher than I would like. I'm in the Cornell Program in NYC. My a1c (when I began 4 years ago), was 9.0. It is now 6.5.

The key is to keep the stressors down, and put GOOD STUFF INTO THE BODY.

All kind of colors, in my veggies, in my salads, etc.

I do not eat any Red Meat. I literally live on fish and I have no problem with that. I absolutely love it. I make creole fish, cajun fish, I add cumin. I splash some lemon. I mean, what is better than fresh fish.

I go to the fish market and the truck pulls up at 8 am. and I get the fresh catch of the morning. I've developed a relationship with the fish guy so we are on a first name basis. I'm told which is the freshest, which is the best value. They clean the fish for me.

Fish works for me. I also take fish oil.

So I am very happy to have found this forum. Should have come here a long time ago.

I should have also had my lightbulb moment 20 years ago when I was diagnosed with Type 2.

But hey, better late than never.