De-lurking

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2007
De-lurking
5
Fri, 02-08-2008 - 9:11pm

Hi! I've lurked here for quite some time and may have posted once or twice. I hope to post more often.


I'm Michelle, married and have one son. I have diabetes type 2 and I'm having a very hard time bringing it under control. The Dr. has me on metformin and I have started Weight Watchers, Pilates and walking, yet my B/S numbers are still higher than they should be. I am so frusterated with it that the last few days I am really feeling stressed out over it.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 02-08-2008 - 10:00pm

Hi Michelle!


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 02-08-2008 - 11:20pm

Hi Michelle,


I am the other CL here and I have a couple of questions for you and a comment. I am a type 2 diabetic and a registered nurse. Any advise I may give is not a substitute for seeking medical advise from a health care practitioner of your choice.


My questions are how much do you test your blood sugar, what does higher than they should be mean and how much metformin are you taking?


Now here's my comment: I don't know if there is any science behind this but what I have observed, both first hand and through others on this board, is that you will be more successful with a diabetic eating plan that is designed for you by a dietitian. Please ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian, and hopefully one who specializes in diabetes, to design an eating plan that covers the things that you like to eat, in the manner that you like to eat and keeping in mind your whole family. I was on WW and I was struggling to lose weight. I was then diagnosed with diabetes and sent to a dietitian. I was pleasantly amazed at how the weight came off after the specialized meal plan was developed for me.


In all the diabetes literature that is given to professionals they keep saying over and over again to refer your newly diagnosed diabetics to a CDE (certified diabetic educator)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2007
Tue, 02-12-2008 - 5:30pm

Hi and thank you for your responses!


My family has a major history with diabetes so when I was diagnosed and the Dr. told me a) I didn't need to see a dietitian and b) I didn't need to check my sugar unless I was on insulin I knew that I needed to change Dr.s!! I joined WW before I started seeing this new Dr and she is sending me to a dietitian this week. She mentioned the same concerns that you mentioned here and I can see it to. My non-diabetic husband lost weight on WW, but he was eating a lot of pasta and I can only imagine what that would do to me!!


I'm taking Metformin (500mg) twice a day and the Dr. has me checking my sugar twice a day (morning and evening.) My sugars run around 190-233 in the evening and 170-185 in the mornings. I have been watching my carbs more closely and exercising the last few days and they are begining to go down.


I'm so glad to find a place to ask questions and people understand!!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Tue, 02-12-2008 - 7:48pm

A doctor who said stupid things like you dont need to test unless you are on insulin is one I would literally RUN away from(and since at times i can barely walk....i would truly be desperate to do that!!)


He sounds as stupid as the guy who when he prescribed birth control pills

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 02-12-2008 - 10:17pm

Michelle,


You can see changes with metformin for up to 8 weeks. I wouldn't think that 500 mgm twice per day is going to be your final dosage. So don't be surprised to have it increased.


I would be that the dietitian is going to tell you to test periodically two hours after eating when your blood sugar finally settles down.


Incidentally it is recommended that you slowly get your blood sugar under control so that the nerves in the eyes and the brain cells have a chance to get used to the changes. So it looks like you are doing fine even though your numbers are higher than they should be.


Not testing is like driving a car without a speedometer. When you get stopped for speeding you have no defense. It is also like driving in idiot gear with no idea what is going on. Your meter will become your friend. It will tell you when something is wrong and when everything is going alright.


Keep on getting better and better!!