Good Morning

[Paintbrush]

I am new to this forum.. I am type 2 and am waiting on my book to come in, haven't been able to find it any where , so I had to order it....I do have other books on low carbing .... but just seems to me like two many carbs for a diabetic.... I just had a DR. visit yesterday and stopped the glucotrol, and avandia.. and started the glucophage xr 2000 mg a day... I have been low carbing 10 weeks and haven't lost any weight yet.... So I am now hopful that with the change in meds , I will soon.... any advice I welcome with arms opened wide.....
I have been able to keep bs down fairly good during the day and night , w/ meds I was taking...but those mornings are always up.. (170).. now I am waiting to see what they will be on the new meds....anyone else have this problem???? My DR. did say that if they aren't lower, he will try me on 2000 mg at bedtime, and none during the day..... Anyone else doing this.???? I would like to hear from some of you diabetics.... As of now I still have not found a buddy......+ :( well I will shut up and get on with my very busy day.....
Happy day to all...

[bellybgone]

I just wanted to say "hi!" and welcome to the forum. I'm new too, but in just a few days of lurking and reading MANY posts, I've learned a great deal. I started low-carbing 2/12/03 and I'm also type II diabetic. I'm on glucophage xr 500 mg. and my numbers were really starting to get out of whack so my doctor wanted to double my RX. Instead, I decided to try low-carbing. I've got my numbers down and managed to lose a few pounds although I've been in a plateau for several weeks now...
I've been experimenting like crazy with different foods to see how my bs reacts and my poor fingers are like pin cushions!! My numbers are back in the normal range, but I'm not able to get into the 85-95 range that I've read some people consider the point in which your body goes into gluconeogenesis and you lose weight. Maybe that's why I'm not losing lately? I really don't know, like I said I'm new!! Sometimes I get really discouraged, but I know that eventually I'll find what works for me. I guess what I'm trying to say to you is that you're not alone - keep up the good fight and regardless the low-carb diet does improve my (our) numbers. We just have to wade through all this terrific advice and information and personalize a plan for our unique bodies. I haven't read Bernstein's book yet, just Atkins and Protein Power, but I'll pick it up this week. Keep coming back to the forum - there are a lot of nice people here!
Kris
P.S. Have you checked out fitday.com yet? I just signed up today and it is awesome!

[Charran]

HI :wave: I am also a type 2 diabetic, but I am not on any meds at the moment. I am controlling my blood sugar with low carb eating. I can't get into that 85-95 range either and have been losing weight very very slowly. Now, I'm starting to wonder if this could be part of the problem. I can sympathize with the fingers that look like pin cushions. I have been testing like mad too to see what's happening, and what i find with this WOE is that my blood sugars are very stable during the day. I used to get the highs and lows constantly, but that is a thing of the past now. They are a little higher than I'd like them to be, but they have been going down abit, so that makes me happy. I wish i was losing weight faster, but I guess i'm bound to be a turtle.

[Lisa N]

My numbers are back in the normal range, but I'm not able to get into the 85-95 range that I've read some people consider the point in which your body goes into gluconeogenesis and you lose weight.

I'm not really convinced that there is any validity to the statement that your blood sugars have to stay in the 85-95 range to loose weight and I'd be very interested in seeing any documentation that shows that it does. Mine were higher than that when I lost the majority of my weight and I'm also a diabetic (type 2).
Insulin resistance plays a big part in our case and if you are taking medications that work by causing your pancreas to produce more insulin, they only contribute to the problem instead of making it better.
Glucophage is one of the few diabetic medications that actually helps insulin resistance instead of contributing to it, but even with medication and diet, it can take quite a while for the insulin resistance to heal enough for weight loss to proceed. There is no easy solution and patience is key.
As diabetics, our first priority is blood sugar control. The weight loss will happen in due time, but while we're waiting for those numbers on the scale to decrease, try to be happy that those numbers on the glucometer are decreasing also! :)

Paintbrush...

When I was taking Glucophage, my doctor always had me taking it at night after dinner, possibly because I was having problems with what is called "the dawn phenomenon" where your fasting blood sugars are consistantly higher than your bedtime ones. If your fasting blood sugars continue to be higher than your bedtime ones, it's certainly worth a try changing when you take your medication and see if it helps, but that's between you and your doctor.

[bellybgone]

I've read several of your posts and you really know what you're talking about! :thup:
Knowledge is power and I'm envious. Could you recommend any books or sites that might shed some light on the whole insulin resistant/eating scenario?
Kris

[Lisa N]

Kris...

I'd highly recommend Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution Diet by Richard K. Bernstein. His website is www.diabetes-normalsugars.com and I'd also recommend picking up a copy of Protein Power by Drs. Dan and Mary Eades their website is www.eatprotein.com
Both are excellent sources of information.

[Rufo]

I really appreciate all of you sharing your experiences. I thought I might be alone... I too am type 2 diabetic, and I have been on Atkins for just over four weeks without losing any weight or inches. I have had positive ketosis since a couple of days after I started, have exercised regularly, have not cheated once, and have kept my calorie count to reasonable levels.

Atkins' book doesn't seem to address the possibility of not losing weight during induction when ketosis is present (as opposed to not losing weight later when people can hit plateaus). All his talk about rapid weight loss really built up my expectations. I very badly want to lose weight because of concerns about my health, and I'm really worried about what I should do now... go off Atkins? I have been on many low fat diets; they are always successful for a few months and then I gain back more than I lost.

I take Avandia. I used to take Metformin (aka Glucophage), but my doctor switched me because Avandia is supposed to be better for protecting the pancreas and kidneys. I did some reading at the time and felt good about switching... I really would prefer not to switch back.

I had never heard before the possiblity (mentioned in this thread) that to lose weight I need to reduce my blood sugar to 4.7-5.3 mmol/l (85-95 mg/dl). My fasting blood sugar was in the 6.5-7 (117-126) range before I started low carbing, and is now around 5.5-6 (99-108). A big difference now is that the level changes very little during the day and after meals. I guess the only way to reduce my blood sugar more is see if more exercise will do it, and if not, take more medication. I'm not sure my doctor would agree to up my dosage.

Anyway, sorry for going on and on... all of your comments are very helpful to me!

Ruth

[Lisa N]

Hi Ruth!

One of the ways that Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Atkins differ a bit, is that to loose weight, Dr. Bernstein suggests that you cut back on the protein by 1/3 first at one meal and then at a second if you are still not losing weight after a week or so. There is a level below which I'm not willing to go, protein-wise, because I'm a firm believer in making sure that my body has enough protein to keep it from taking what it needs from my own muscle tissue. I used the Protein Power method to determine what my minimum protein requirements to keep that from happening are and I never go below that. It might be something to consider to get the weight loss moving. You would want to increase your fat intake slightly to make up for the calories that you are losing by cutting the protein to make sure that you keep your calorie level at a good level to loose.

[Rufo]

Thank you! I first read about Dr. Bernstein in this forum earlier today, and went to my local bookstore this evening but they didn't have it. I'll have to order it online. Meanwhile, I'll try cutting back the protein a bit, as you suggest.

I'd love to hear any other thoughts and tips about not losing on low-carb diets, along with the experiences of anyone who, like me, has positive ketosis but no weight loss.

[bellybgone]

I don't want to spread misinformation - if we don't have to necessarily have our blood sugar that low then I'm not going to worry about it. It was something I read on another post somewhere in the forum and I too had never heard of that before. But, like I said - I'M NEW! I'm just trying to get a clue and figure out all of this stuff and getting comfortable with this new WOL. I'm so glad Lisa is here to help steer us in the right direction. Also, when I started Fitday (yesterday), I realized I hadn't been eating enough fat which surprised me. Now I've got my numbers up and I'm sure that this will help. I also think that sometimes it is true that you need to shake things up a bit if you've got a really strong insulin resistant body that also plays metabolism adjustment games. This is a philosophy I've heard dozens of times in the gym - rotate your workout so your body doesn't get used to a routine rut and stops responding to all the hard work you're doing. Hang in there - regardless, low carbing brought my morning numbers down from the 160's to ~ 100. That is significant and that alone convinced me that this is the way I'm suppose to eat for my health. Weight loss is an added bonus and a blessing. Just keep it up!
Kris

[Paintbrush]

Hi, Kris, Lisa, Char, and Ruth...

thanks for posting here.. sorry it took me so long to get back....ever since I went to the Dr. and getting my book in on Dr.Bernstein's Diabetes Solution... I have been very busy... reading his book... I am excited about what I am reading... It has already helped me a lot.....I think I will try his way mostly and a little of Atkins along with it..... I did Atkins 10 full weeks and nothing... never did get into ketosis...not even once...now that I am not taking the glucotrol 20 mgs.. I AM IN KETOSIS REALLY GOOD....I knew that medicine was causing me to have high insulin , that's what it does... I have been on it for 6 yrs... well now , I feel like I will soon start to loose weight.....my morning bs is still high... it was around 70 when I was on 20 mg of glucotrol, 2000mg of glucophage, and 8 mg of avandia..... but now it is 181.... got to get that lower.....how did you all get it lowered....

I will try and be here everyday.... looking forward to chatting with you all.... :wave: this is the first forum I have found with diabetics , the rest all have normal people.... we are so different, when it comes to weight loss. don't you agree ?
well it's SAT. and my hubby is hungry, so gotta go for now.... bye
S.Ruth

[Paintbrush]

Just wondering who uses splenda and if it causes a rise in your bs ?
sometimes I feel like it does mine , maybe it's when I have used too much.. ??
OH I HAVE A QUESTION , WHEN SOMEONE POST A REPLY TO MY POST WHY AM I NOT GETTING AN EMAIL TELLING ME OF THIS..... I HAVE NOT GOT ONE EMAIL... I JUST TODAY CAME BACK TO THE SITE AND FOUND REPLIES, TO MY POST ? CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME ? THANK YOU...

[bellybgone]

Excellent question! I've been wondering that myself, but was too embarassed to ask! I'm still not sure how to get around the forum either! :confused:
But I found that you can check and see if anyone has responded to your posts by clicking on the profile button in the upper right hand corner. I'm sure there's another - better way, but I haven't a clue! I'll check back and see if someone enlightens us!
Kris :wave:

[bellybgone]

I forgot to mention that I just bought Splenda today and haven't had a chance to use it and check my blood sugar. I'll keep you posted!
Kris

[a.j]

Hi to everyone.

I just wanted to note that there are glucose testers out there that you don't have to use your fingers. OUCH!!! I hated that and used to put off testing because of the pain and pincushion look of my fingers. YUK!!

Look into the Freestyle monitor. You can use your arms, legs and fingers. Way less blood needed and so much less pain. I have used one for almost a year now and just love it. There are other ones out there like the One Touch that apparently are great too.

I too have noticed that I no longer receive a message that my post has been responded too. What's up with that? Does anyone out there know why not? :q:

Cheers, AJ

p.s. I have not noticed a rise in BG's when I use Splenda but that can certainly be an individual thing.

[bellybgone]

To answer your question about how I got my morning numbers down-
I've been on glucophage xr 500mg for about two years and then last fall I noticed my numbers starting to climb, climb, climb until they were typically in the 160's first thing in the morning. My doctor wanted to increase my medicine, but I decided to try Atkins instead. So over the past eight weeks I've been testing myself religiously and eliminating foods that make my numbers go up - basically the Atkins induction plan is working best for me right now, but I've also noticed that as I'm losing weight, slowly but surely my morning numbers are coming down. Lately, they've been ~ 90's and low 100's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy that I didn't just take the extra medicine and continue eating low fat/high carb like my doctor has prescribed. But I've been doing that for seventeen years and finally had to admit that WASN"T working for me!!
Keep in mind that everyone is an individual - you'll tinker around until you find what works for you.
Although I have to admit, that low fat/high carb devil sits on my shoulder and tsk, tsk, tsk's everything I eat and he's sometimes hard to ignore. I have the secret fear that one morning I'll wake up and my numbers will be wild and I'll have gained all the weight back! It is so counter to what our society tells us is healthy that "bad" habits are hard to break!
That's why this forum really helps. It's so inspiring to find so many other people are doing the same thing and are reaping the rewards!
Have a great low carb day! :wave:
Kris

[Paintbrush]

Kris, thanks for the info.... I am so glad you are loosing weight.....

I have a question for everyone , do any of you eat fruit ?

So Kris if you are on the induction, you aren't eating any sweets then huh ?

I am eating a few berries, blueberries, strawberries and cherries.... but that is all.... I know that the Diabetes Solution Dr. did't eat any fruit.... and I may have to quit...

are any of you eating cheese, and cream cheese and heavy cream while loosing weight ? some say they stall the weight loss... I am still eating these. may have to give them up too... the hard thing for me is ...I eat meat, but I'm not a big meat eater....

tell me anything about yourselves, so we can get to know each other.....talk soon....

[Paintbrush]

Kris, I just added you and all the ones that have posted here, under my post as a buddy.... I can see that you are on line... as of now, the others are not... but it won't let me send you a message so I am putting it in a post... if you aren't ok with this let me know.. fell free to add me as your buddy....
SRuth

[bellybgone]

Okay, so I got some club soda and put a tablespoon of DaVinci's sugar-free vanilla syrup in it (which is made with Splenda) and tested my blood sugar before I drank it and an hour later and my numbers were fine. I actually went from a 96 to an 89! Of course not because I drank this, but just because it was several hours after breakfast and I was still coming down off of that meal.
I lost the first 17 lbs. decreasing my carbs, not pure inductions by any means, mostly because I was new and clueless and also because I didn't want to be too strict right off the bat and discourage myself. Looking over some posts I guess I was pretty lucky with my weight loss. It came as a complete surprise to me, but then on the other hand I was really doing low fat/high carb to the letter prior to this and that equaled ALOT of carbs!
Now I'm trying to do induction, but I'm still not perfect. I haven't had any fruit while in induction, though. Earlier, I ate berries, but I found that everything else fruity made my numbers soar. I'm crossing my fingers that when I get to my goal weight that my blood sugar will be much better so I can let go of the reigns a little!
Oh, yeah, at first I also ate alot of sugar free chocolate thinking it was okay. It was made with maltitol (spelling?) in it and I found that:
1) It kept my sugar craving going...
2) I ate too much of it.
3) It stalled my weight loss.
So I reluctantly gave those up. :rolleyes:
Cheese doesn't seem to give me any problems and I eat several ounces - all kinds - every day.
For sweets I was eating (before I learned that aspartame might not be so good for us weight loss wise) sugar free Jello with two tablespoons of whipping cream. I was eating alot of this, too, but recently cut that out as well in an attempt to be more of a Atkins purist!
I've got to run for now, but I'll check back later tonight or tomorrow morning! :wave:
Kris

[Paintbrush]

Is anyone here using the Keto strips....to see if you are in ketosis ? well I tried them when I was taking glucotrol and they never turned....after stopping that medicine, I used them again and now I am in ketosis......just wondering about the rest of you ???

[CarolynC]

Originally posted by Paintbrush
I am eating a few berries, blueberries, strawberries and cherries.... but that is all.... I know that the Diabetes Solution Dr. did't eat any fruit.... and I may have to quit...
I eat small amounts of berries (especially strawberries), cantaloupe, and occasionally grapes. These are relatively low carbohydrate fruits.

I didn't eat these during my first few weeks of low carbing. I waited until my blood sugar had stabilized. (I'm a type 2 diabetic and control my blood sugar entirely by diet and exercise.) And, during my first couple of times eating them, I did test my blood sugar afterwards to make sure that the impact was minor. Fortunately, it was. Your mileage may vary (YMMV). A key to determining what you can eat is to test your blood sugar frequently--at least a first.

As for other sweets, I occasionally eat a sugar free Russell Stovers chocolate (fortunately, sugar alcohols used in moderation don't affect my blood sugar or my digestive tract), sugar free jello, LeCarb ice cream, or low carb cheesecake. But, I didn't start eating these until after my blood sugar was under control and, at first, I tested after eating to make sure that my blood sugar remained low.

I also find that the longer I low carb, the less interest I have in sweets.

[bellybgone]

Paintbrush-
I'm flattered you've added me to your buddy list!
Of course I don't mind :)
Have you tried Fitday.com? It's awesome!
I'm not sure if you're doing Atkins or Bernsteins, but I read somewhere that regardless - pick one and stick with it!
Also, there's a thread in the forum for self-proclaimed "turtles" for those low-carbers who lose s-l-o-w-l-y....they're a neat group, too.
Hope this helps! :wave:
Kris

[Paintbrush]

I too have less interest in sweets.....

I also find that the longer I low carb, the less interest I have in sweets.

SRUTH

[bellybgone]

Although I also have less interest in sweets, I may be low carbing, but I'm not dead!
I still need a little something to get me through the day...
I recently found some Habanero & Honey mustard that only has 2 carbs a teaspoon, but that teaspoon goes a loooonngg way and it gives me a little taste of something sweet. Tonight I'm mixing that in with some olive oil and spreading it on chicken wings - :yum:
I've picked up the keto sticks but wasn't thrilled with the whole testing deal and the color wasn't really impressive and I just got tired of dealing with it. I'll just keep my blood sugar down and have faith in Atkins. Eventually the weight will go - it just HAS to because I'm totally eating differently, my blood sugar is in control (!!!!!!!!!!!!!), and I'm trying to stay around 1500 calories/day. I wish it would come off faster, though!
For us type II diabetics I'm sure it is a little different and probably is tied in somehow with out blood sugar levels. I was reading some posts over in the diabetes thread that discusses several different medications people have been successful on.
Since I seem to be doing fine, I'm not going to change a thing. I just hope my blood work in June is good, too. If not my doctor is definitely going to give me a hard time about doing Atkins.
I've got to run...
Hope everyone has a great day!
Kris
P.S. Paintbrush - we're both creative people! You paint and I write! That means we might also have a tendency at times to be a bit emotional/sensitive/dramatic! Let's make a deal - you won't cut off your ear like Van Gogh and I won't drink myself into a stupor like practically every other brilliant writer that ever existed!
Munching on string cheese and meditating helps me chill out -(especially when I'm feeling like life is cruel and unfair! ha, ha!)

[Charran]

I am definetely a "turtle" and am trying to come to grips with being one. I'm not a patient person by nature, so it's hard not to see those results on the scale or the measuring tape. I do remind myself often though that my blood sugar is in control with this WOE and that does make me happy. I find that I'm not craving sweets that much either these days. I did up my carbs a little and added some fruit into my day. It's amazing how sweet a strawberry tastes these days! Once in awhile I treat myself to a diet soda or some sugar free jello. You know, there are those days that you just have to have something, but I try not to do it too often. Its interesting about the thought that diabetics may lose weight slower than others. I've often wondered the same thing. I've never used the ketostix, but it may be interesting to try and see just what is happening. Well....wishing continued success to everyone and happy low carbing! :roll:

[bellybgone]

Char! Nice to see you again, we met on another post earlier - you were kind enough to welcome me!
I've gotten hooked on club soda and sugar free DaVinci syrup. I read about this on several other posts and it is definitely worth the 1g/carb. It feels like such an indulgence. I need little things like that to keep me from not feeling too deprived. However, now that I'm eating hardly any sugar - or any carbs for that matter - I also have noticed an increase in sensitivity in regards to my taste buds and anything even remotely sweet. It is increasing my pleasure for these more natural flavors. Unlike the overkill effect I had going on with my previous high carb/sugar rich diet that never seemed to satisfy me, it only created more intense cravings! Being diabetic has a direct link for that one because our bodies can't process the sugar properly and our cells are "starving" and triggers that hunger and the carbs gave us a brief feeling of fullness and an energy boost (a sugar high!) and then we crashed....what a roller coaster. I like to say that I gave my body whiplash and that's why my blood sugar was so crazy! It never knew if I was coming or going! And I felt sluggish and tired all the time. In less than two months I have more energy, I feel more alert, and more importantly - I feel empowered. I know that if I just stay patient and keep coming back to this forum for fellowship and support - I'm gonna eventually see my goal weight and hopefully my blood sugar will be much better too. At least I'll feel better, look better, and be healthier! I think I talk/write too much! Sorry! You see what I mean about the energy level!!! :wave:
Kris

[c6h6o3]

Try the Atkins Advantage bars. They contain no maltitol. I've been able to maintain much better bg control after giving up the De-Lite chocolate bars, which I just adore. But, the maltitol in them definitely stretches out periods of high blood sugar.

I joined the GNC Gold Club and buy the Atkins bars by the box the first week of every month for a 20% discount. (One thing about all Atkins products - they're way too EXPENSIVE!)

Jim

[Paintbrush]

Thanks for posting.... I read everything and try to learn from it all....I see you are loosing quite well ....I know that must make you happy..... I hope someday to join all you loosers , I can't wait.....

[Paintbrush]

Are any of you having any swelling in your legs ??? well I sure am.... really bad.... as much water as I drink I shouldn't have any swelling...... would like to know if you all have any problem with this.......

[CarolynC]

Originally posted by bellybgone
I've gotten hooked on club soda and sugar free DaVinci syrup.
:wave: This is also great with a tablespoon or so of cream (or half and half) to make an Italian soda.

[Paintbrush]

Well since I went to the Dr. last week and started taking glucophage , my bs have gone up a lot 150 to 202.... so I am working on how to get these down again... maybe it will just take some time to adjust to this medication.....I read in the Diabetes Solution book about how to adjust the meds... am going to try this ,tonight and tomorrow... just checked bs and it is 198 now.... so I added 500 mg more to the 1000mg ,hoping this will lower morning bs... mine has been high for the past week... tomorrow I am going to start taking one pill before every meal and one and a half at night.... the Dr. told me to try different ways until I found what worked... I had enough of the same drug left from a former time... to add the extra 500mg a day. so I feel this just might do the trick...

I feel that I have been eating right... except when I read the DS BOOK and it said that you might need to cut back on the proteins.....all of this is so confusing to me... but I will read and try everything I can , til I find what works..... wondering if I have been getting enough carbs ????

I asked before , but have any of you had any swelling in your legs ???
talk soon...

[Paintbrush]

Well my bs is up this morning again.. 187 ... have anyone of you ever had this problem ? who out is just taking glucophage ?? just need someone else's stats while taking this med.....think I'll go and get dressed and take out the garbage and then jump on the treadmill, to see if that will lower it some..... I can't exercise like I would like to because of my left leg and foot .... they hurt bad all the time and hurt when I work out..... It's strange ,but I read about others that have pain in the left leg and ankle...and nothing rarely helps the pain.......I know that there are many,many diabetics out there.... but sometimes I feel so alone in all of this.... and discouraged when I see others are loosing weight and seems like no matter what I do the weight isn't coming off... but I won't ever give up.....sorry if this post seems like a downer....

[c6h6o3]

Paintbrush-

Have you or your doctor considered insulin? With such high bg numbers maybe you should, although you must still be producing at least a little of your own or else the numbers wouldn't have gone up so much when you stopped the sulfonylurea.

Jim

[c6h6o3]

Paintbrush -

Are you keeping your carbohydrate intake below 30 grams per day as recommended by Dr. Bernstein? (6 for breakfast, 12 each for lunch and dinner?) I also find that my bg is elevated in the morning in inverse proportion to when I last ate in the evening. I never consume anything except water now after 8 P.M. Even a 100% protein snack after 8 will elevate my morning bg reading by at least 10 mg/dl. Perhaps gastroparesis is part of the problem.

Jim

[c6h6o3]

Don't worry about the weight. Worry about the blood sugar. Get that under control and the weight will take care of itself.

It's the high blood sugar and resultant insulin which put the weight on in the first place.

[bellybgone]

First of all - an Italian cream soda!?!?!?!?! Oh, my gosh, what a great idea! Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Paintbrush-

I've never heard about the left leg/anke pain thing before? But it is funny that you should mention that because I went for a walk and the next morning I could barely put any weight on my left foot. I don't remember twisting it or anything and the pain was pretty intense! No bruising or anything to indicate what was going on...just the sharp pain that radiated from deep in my foot and seemed to move around to my ankle, the middle of my foot, the side of my foot...I had no idea what had happened and it took days to heal and it still feels a little off. I've been really careful with it and have barely "walked" (like I was) since I'm afraid of reinjuring it before it is completely healed. Could you tell me more about this?
Call your doctor and get your numbers down! I'm not familiar with everything you're taking, but I'm not sure if you should be experimenting without your doctors knowledge. Maybe you need to see a diabetes specialist (if you're not already)? The ADA has a list of specialists.
:wave: Don't despair, together we can do this!
Kris

[Charran]

Hi Paintbrush....I read your posts and I really wish that I could help you. I am not on any meds at the present time so I can't really comment on the increases in blood sugar. I know I pay attention to certain times of the month. Hormones seem to play a role in raising and lowering blood sugar. I did have a lot of leg pain at one time and swelling. Thats one of the ways that I was diagnosed with diabetes. I started taking a B complex vitamin, as its supposed to help with diabetic neuropathy. I'm not of course saying thats what you have, just saying that the B complex seemed to work for me. I find that exercise really helps with lowering blood sugar, as does this WOE. I too have not lost much weight, not like I read about with others, but I know it does do good with my blood sugar levels. They didn't drop the day after I started, although I did notice slight immediate improvements. It did take some time and they are steadily improving as time goes on. Don't give up though. After all, what are the alternatives. To keep having higher and higher blood sugar and keep gaining weight? There is an answer out there somewhere, just have to find it. I know it's a struggle. I spend hours searching through books, magazines and the internet to find answers. Don't worry about being in a downer. It happens and there are people here who care and can offer some advice. You may want to see about starting a journal and then folks can drop in to offer advice and encouragement. Anyways...keep the spirits up. Keep asking questions! :)

[bellybgone]

Char!
Pat yourself on the back- you're doing great! As we all know, every lost pound is a hard won battle.
I was at the veterinary clinic yesterday for my dog and they had a rubber model of what a pound of fat looks like. It was disgusting! It made me realize that EVERY pound makes a significant difference and apparently takes a lot of hard work to lose (for us diabetic girls especially!). As I looked at that model - I visualized the 22 pounds I've lost (it would have covered the entire counter! gross!) and how much better I feel already and it was pretty motivating. Although I wish it would come off faster, I know that eventually it will.
Have a great day!
Kris

[Paintbrush]

My bs was perfect as long as I was on avandia, glucophage , and glucotrol....for 6 yrs.... but with those 6 yrs, came the weight....and no matter what I did I could not loose it.... the Dr. told me to loose 50 lbs and I could get off the meds.....so I have tried and tried.... was just sure atkins would do it and after over 2 months realized it didn't.... so the more I read and read, and searched on the pc.... all I could come up with was I needed to stop the pills that were hurting me, avandia, and glucotrol.... when I seen the Dr. last week he agreed... so I ask him to try me on just glucophage...most diabetics that take meds, loose weight when they just use this.... so I am going to give it a few weeks and if nothing happens, then I will go back to the Dr... but he knows it's a personal thing trying to see what works and what don't..... I feel if I don't get too upset about my bs for a little while, and keep working on everything.... I will someday loose some weight......I am now trying the Diabetic Solution, Dr. Bernstein says the same thing about the meds....and yes I am keeping my carbs down.... don't snack at night.... drink lots of water, haven't eaten real sugar since Jan, 1st 2003.... I do use splenda, sometimes I wonder about that.....
thanks for all of your help....
concerning insulin, my Dr. won't give it to me.....

OH I HAVE A THOUGHT AND A QUESTION... DOES ANYONE KNOW IF DR. BERNSTEIN IS STILL ALIVE ???HE WROTE HIS BOOK IN 1997....