Effect of "sugar free" on blood sugar
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| Mon, 07-30-2007 - 1:21pm |
I have read that one of the problems with diet soda (for instance) is that the body doesn't know how to differentiate between real sugar and sugar substitutes. What I read indicated that while diet soda -- carbonated, or non-carbonated like Crystal Light -- may be calorie free with zero carbs, it can still affect blood sugar levels. On another board I visit, a woman (who is diabetic) said that she noticed this was the case with her. Crystal Light caused her blood sugar levels to rise and she had confirmed this with her gluco-meter. I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed this.
I'm not diabetic and don't have a blood sugar monitor so I can't track this myself. But diabetes runs in my family and I have several risk factors, so I've been making an effort to eat better and exercise regularly and lose weight, and one of my primary goals has been trying to keep my blood sugar levels as steady as possible. (So, for instance, I've gotten familiar with the Glycemic Index and I tend to eat low-GI foods like fruit, veggies, beans, and low-GI grains.) I do drink Crystal Light at home, and I also have a can of Diet Dr. Pepper most mornings when I get to work. Obviously, since keeping my blood sugar stable is a goal, I wouldn't want to continue drinking Crystal Light (or the Diet DP) if it can in fact cause my blood sugar to go up.
(Part of the reason I'm curious about what others have noticed is because my mother has a friend, with Type I Diabetes, who REGULARLY drinks Crystal Light. Like...constantly. She's gotten my mother to do it as well.)


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Oops Cheryl,
I hope I'm not adding to people's anxieties here. Collapsing is pretty 'run of the mill' for me. It happens 2 or 3 times per week. If it's not one thing it's another.
Due to diabetic complications I have hypertension, which is being treated by medication, which, obviously, brings my blood pressure down. At the same time I have postural (orthostatic) hypotension, which is being treated by steroids to push it back up. I also have hypoglycaemic unawareness, which means that when my blood sugar levels fall, I usually don't receive any warning signals. Invariably, the only time I know about it is after someone (usually my wife) has given me a glucagon injection, and my blood sugar's back on it's way up. Apart from that, I also have 'borderline' narcolepsy (inappropriately falling asleep) ... whatever borderline means.
As my wife tested my blood sugar after finding me yesterday, and it was 7.7 mmol/l (139 mg/dL), I think I can safely assume that I wasn't hypo. At a guess, I would assume that it was something to do with my blood pressure ... most likely low blood pressure that caused it, or the narcolepsy. Apparently, the steroids that they give to combat narcolepsy are contra-indicated with the ones that I take to combat the postural hypotension ... at least, that's the information I was given by my medical team.
I've come to accept that what's happening to my body in this lifetime is as a result of something that I did in a previous existence ... or existences. Obviously, if you don't believe in reincarnation, karma, or return of what you put out, this will sound like absolutely nonsense to you. I respect that view.
Anyway, it's something that I've come to accept, and I see little that I can actively do about it. Maybe my medical team should take another look.
Thank you for your concern, dear lady.
Take care of yourself. That's what I'm more concerned with.
Lots of Love and Light.
Mick
x x x x
x x x
Thanks for clarifying!!!
I do not know what Wikipedia says, but there are two sizes of Dachshunds, miniature and standard size.
2sweet02
Don't be concerned over not responding immediately. I work on a computer all day and some times it really is hard to keep on typing longer!! I also know the feeling of not feeling up to it!!
Dachshunds are I think an amazing breed. We have 2 sizes in the United states, although with a unauthorized third! those who are over 10 pounds but under I think its about 18 pounds usually get called Tweenies!! Most times those do not end up as show dogs, and to be honest some are over 10 pounds not because their structure is bigger than a mini but more due to the eyes and tummmies being bigger!! Doxies tend to be food driven!! If you ever meet a doxie who turns down food, odds are good its not feeling well!! But besides the 2 sizes we have 3 coats, smooth, long haired and wires. The wires have some terrier in them and tend to be the "clowns" or mischievious ones, the long haired are the mellowest theoretically and the smooths(what we have are in between). It amazes me that with those 3 coats you end up with a wire that really does look like Benji of all those movies and the red long haired ones really look like an extremely short Irish setter!!
My sisters first 2 did live to be quite old even for dachshunds and being standards those dont always live as long as the mini's. That probably explains your Bassets ages. A woman in our office sadly lost hers at only 3 years of age to bloat!! Nasty thing and its potentially dangerous for any deep chested dogs and both doxies and bassets are in that category!!
I did have to put Twinkie down also, but the way it happened, there was not really a choice involved. Friday evening she refused yogurt(never happens) and then she was not eating or drinking over the weekend. she would seem a little better and then a little worse and then on sunday she was jerking her head to the side(uncontrollable movement) and she HAD neck problems so I KNEW it was very painfull. One amazing thing is I got Twinkie when she was 3 years old, 1 year after my sister had bought HER DAUGHTER from the breeder. So I had Twinkie and sister had Zelda, but they didnt recognize each other and both believed they were the queen bee !! But I lost Twinkie at 15 1/2 and then over the next couple years my sister lost Zeke(red male) and then Zelda both at almost exactly the same age!
I also have to give Twinkie the credit for me being diagnosed with diabetes as early as I was!! I knew my next dog would HAVE to be a senior doxie and since I rent my house, I had to improve my mobility a LOT. Dr's visit to get OK to exercise found the diabetes!! Those 2 things also have fueled a until this past winter very regular and ambitious exercise program. So far have not gotten another doxie yet, but visit my sisters 2 as often as I can. Sister still has Zack who is actually the grandson of my Twinkie!! Actually Zelda, Zack, Twinkie and now Zena all have Braehaus in their background and that is like the top kennel in Canada for dachhunds. Several of the show dog handlers won't consider showing a dog without that in their background!!
I do expect to see Twinkie at Rainbow Bridge hopefully along with the rest of the doxies!! I miss her, but have often pictured her getting into mischief there!! Although I also picture her being at the gate to shepherd any baby puppies that still need a mother. She loved puppies and apparently other baby animals too!
Found a reference to the smaller doxie.
I did not find a lot of details or exactly where to find them, but it might be more eastern European.
Here is what the one site says:
the diminutive Kaninchen Dachshund (also known as a Rabbit Dachshund) has a mere chest girth of only 11.75 inches (30 cm) or less.
According to that side, the mini would be more than 11.75 inches around.
Hi 2sweet02,
It seems I should have clarified the standards that are recognised by the Kennel Club in the UK. The standards aren't based purely on size, they are recognised in the following categories: smooth-haired; wire-haired; miniature long-haired; miniature smooth-haired; and miniature wire-haired. The American Kennel Club (http://www.akc.org/breeds/dachshund/index.cfm), by all accounts says that Dachshunds are "shown in two sizes, standard and miniature; miniatures are not a separate classification but compete in a class division for "11 pounds and under at 12 months of age and older." Weight of the standard size is usually between 16 and 32 pounds."
I apologise for not making myself clearer.
I do know how you feel about when you lose a dog, 2sweet02. We've lost a few over the years, and I've 'been in pieces' whenever it happens. Two of our present dogs, a Jack Russell Terrier and a Jack Russell Terrier x Yorkshire Terrier, are getting on in age, and are both slowing down noticeably. I'm sure that when their time comes, I shall fall apart again.
I don't doubt what you say about Dachshunds having back problems. Sadly, that's down to us and the selective breeding we put them through to reach Show standards. Shame on the human society for inflicting that upon our pets. I'm pretty fond of the look of short-nosed breeds, but I know that many of them have breathing difficulties ... again, due to our misguided fascination with selective breeding.
Both of the Bassett Hounds that I mentioned in my previous post, who are buried in our garden, lived to roughly 16 years and 13 years of age. We feel privileged that they shared their time on Earth with us.
I'm sorry to hear that your two dogs needed back surgery, and long periods of physical therapy to aid their recovery.
I hope you feel as blessed with your fur babies as we did with ours ... and do with the ones that we have now.
Stay well, 2sweet02.
May Angels watch over you and yours.
Lots of Love and Light.
Mick
x x x x
x x x
Bless you Auntydoxzz,
You made me smile when you commented on you working all day on a computer. It's the only thing that keeps me sane ... my computer. Mind you, when I used to work as a Social Worker I used to spend as much time on one then as I did actually dealing with clients, and still found time to get on my computer at home. I love my computer. he he. I won't argue about not feeling up to it, though.
You'll get no argument from me about Doxies being an amazing breed. I like short-nosed breeds, such as Boxers, Mastiffs, Bulldogs, etc., though I've never owned of those breeds myself. In fact, I'm an animal lover generally. I like all types of animals ... even the ones that aren't so nice looking.
Of the three dogs that we currently have, two of those are what you might class as miniature (that's both the Jack Russell Terriers), and the other one isn't that big either. One of the Jack Russells is a wire haired version and the other a smooth coated version. I'll have to see if I can get my eldest son to bring his camera over and take a few photographs. I'll need some anyway for when their time comes.
It's amazing that Twinkie became one of the reasons that you discovered your diabetes. You know, they say that dogs (and cats) can be very good at determining when something is amiss concerning someone's health. In fact, there's been a few news reports on our TV recently, talking about both a cat and a dog, in the United States, that dwell in retirement homes, and both of whom 'befriend' clients that are nearing the end.
I can't say that I've experienced anything as drastic, but our eldest Jack Russell, Pip, does have a tendency to keep licking my face ... I presume in an attempt to bring me round, if I've had a severe hypo. Of course, it doesn't have the desired effect as my body's looking for more glucose, not saliva, but her heart's in the right place, and I love her for it.
I absolutely adore the picture you have in your mind of Twinkie over the Rainbow Bridge. Do you know, from what you've told me of her, I bet she fulfils both of the roles you see her in. I have little doubt that when your time on Earth ends, she'll be there waiting for you ... and I pray that this is the case.
Be well, sweet lady.
Lots of Love and Light.
Mick
x x x x
x x x
2sweet02
Dear 2sweet02,
I know what you mean about pets being more aware when something is amiss. Apparently, they've been used for years to detect cancer cells. My own brother, who's both diabetic and epileptic, has a dog that can determine when he's about to have an epileptic fit. He makes sure that he's seated or lying when that happens as he tends to fit violently.
I'm sorry to hear that you have difficulty in determining how much/when to feed your dog. I know how difficult that can be. Luckily, for us, at least, we don't have a diabetic dog, but we're really silly in feeding one of them in particular. Mind you, she does come and tell me when she wants to go outside ... whether that's for a number one or a number two. She's sensible enough to come and tell me as other occupants of the house just shout at her for 'crying'. It won't be long now before I can speak proper dog. lol.
I appreciate it won't give you a result of what your dog's sugar levels are at that moment, but had you thought about urine test strips? It'll give you a result, but may well correspond to what your dog's sugar levels were a few hours ago. I'm not even sure you can still get urinalysis strips in the United States any more. I stopped using them years ago, purely for the reason that they didn't give me a result I was looking for. i.e., what my sugar level was there and then.
How's your dog's diabetes being treated? Is it insulin injections or tablets?
I pray you'll have a peaceful night tonight ... all of you.
Lots of Love and Light.
Mick
x x x x
x x x
My mother when she was a kid had "frenchies" amd also boston terrier's!! I think Boots was her Boston! I still have a really darling wooden carving I found for her at a dog show!! I do have a doxie carving with 2 pups peeking out of a boot!!
Actually we think Twinkie was trying to tell my sister and I the one time my mother had a seizure. Twinkie was all but crawling her into her lap and whining a little(which she did not normally do).I looked over at her and Merion did too and that was when she had the seizure. It was not a bad one and the only one she ever had, but sure surprised both sister and I.
I must also confess the reason I see Twinkie playing mommy to any lost baby puppies is because on 2 occassions, Zelda had left her pups in the whelping box too long(at least in Twinkie's mind) so she went and got in the box and of course they all curled up around her!!
Zelda was NOT happy! But another time a really tiny bunny was in our backyard, the ears could almost be seen through!! Twinkie was about 6 feet from it, and wagging her tail so hard, I thought it would fall off!! The bunny apparently wasn't trusting so went through the chicken wire fence and stood just on the other side while Twinkie went up to that!!
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