Newly diagnosed

[sailboater]

My doctor has just said to avoid sugar, and I don't test my blood. Should I just follow Dr. Bersteins's plan without testing?

Is there any way to find a doctor who treats diabestes like Dr. Berstein does?

[xenopii]

The doctor specifically told you not to test? I can't imagine managing my diabetes minus the input from my meter. Especially early on, when it was important to figure out which foods I could and couldn't tolerate.

[ADE]

Hi Sailboater,
I guess your doctor tought that you're just in the beginning of this disease, therefore he would like you to control it with diet. I, however, believe that you're more likely able to reverse your glucose condition when it's not too late. Your pancrease still has plenty of betacell to keep and you need them as much as you can. Please ask your doctor to give you meter and a class to teach you how to use it. You might also ask for the nutrition class. Although the nutrition class might not agree with Dr. Bernstein teaching, but you, still, can pick up knowledge about counting carbs. Take care.

[sailboater]

Thanks for the input. I will ask about monitoring at my next visit. I guess he thought he would keep testing me to see if I was improving.

I sincerely appreciate the responses.

[Squid]

Early on I really needed the monitor. If I stick to a low carb diet then I don't need to monitor because my blood sugar never rises or falls much.

I don't think you need a prescription for a monitor because I've seen them on the shelf at the drug store. I'm not sure about the test strips, but I don't think so either. Maybe worth a call to the drugstore to find out?

I can't believe he doesn't have you testing especially early in your diagnosis. Frankly, I'd find another doctor. Preferrably an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes. My endocrinologist not only is open to low carb, he told me to do it.

Squid

[Sue L]

You were probably diagnosed as pre-diabetic. You wouldn't need to check your levels then, but would definitely need dietary changes.
But if you are unsure, you should always ask your doctor to be clear on what he/she said.

[Lessara]

My Doctor did the same thing, Because my A1C was 6.6 (Less than 7) Doctors at my clinic feel to just avoid sugar and white flour is all you need to do. I had to fight to be allowed to test my blood, good thing too for so many things other than food can make your sugar rise or fall: TOM, Lack of Sleep, Sickness, Stress...

Testing is the main way I have to control my blood sugar.
Ps. Does anyone know how pregnancy affects blood sugar... for future idea.

[Lisa N]

My Doctor did the same thing, Because my A1C was 6.6 (Less than 7) Doctors at my clinic feel to just avoid sugar and white flour is all you need to do. I had to fight to be allowed to test my blood, good thing too for so many things other than food can make your sugar rise or fall: TOM, Lack of Sleep, Sickness, Stress...

Testing is the main way I have to control my blood sugar.
Ps. Does anyone know how pregnancy affects blood sugar... for future idea.

I'd like to point ou that in the US at least you do not need a doctor's precription to purchase a glucometer and test strips. Several studies have shown that diabetics who test frequently have far better control than those that don't. Why? Because if you wait to have your blood sugar tested every 3 months, that's a long time to go with elevated blood sugars you didn't know you had. If you are testing yourself daily or several times a day, you have that many more opportunities to make adjustments and gain better control. :idea:

Lessara, pregnancy has a tendency to make diabetics even more insulin resistant due to the change in hormones during pregnancy. It's for this reason that oral medications don't tend to work when you are pregnant. I was ultra-careful when I was pregnant because I knew this and didn't want to have to deal with insulin injections if I didn't have to and was able to maintain good control. OTOH, I was being so careful (and it didn't help that nothing tasted right to me at all) that I didn't gain weight in either pregnancy until the 9th month. Every time I went in for a check (which was frequently since I was classified as 'high risk'), my OB would look at my weight and ask, "Are you eating??". :lol:

[Lessara]

I didn't gain weight in either pregnancy until the 9th month. Every time I went in for a check (which was frequently since I was classified as 'high risk'), my OB would look at my weight and ask, "Are you eating??".

:lol: I had to laugh, for the two times I was pregnant, I wouldn't show till my 9th month as well. Matter of fact usually my 5th month was my lightest month. (I had morning sickness with both my children) (I've told my teens that they made me sick before and after they were born ;) :D ) I remember for my first one, they threatened to put me on a feeding tube, thankfully I was able to prove I was eating (Don't ask ;) )

PS
I'd like to point ou that in the US at least you do not need a doctor's precription to purchase a glucometer and test strips.

Oh but isn't it so much more expensive!!:eek:

[Lisa N]

Oh but isn't it so much more expensive!!

That depends on the rules of your insurance company; some do require a doctor's prescription before they will reimburse but some don't as long as you have been diagnosed diabetic. Also, many glucometer manufacturers offer rebates that make the meeters free or nearly so. It's the test strips that will cost ya an arm and a leg. Still...I would consider it small price to pay to actually keep my arms and legs. ;)