Dusty The Diabetic

[thestrangequark]

^I hated the finge prick. I played the cello, mandolin, and violin as a kid and for a while the poking plus the stings meant for very sore fingers. I eventually developed callouses where I was pricking which, though they helped overall, meant sometimes the whole callous would ache and ache. I much prefer testing in my arm and would never go back.

As for the pens, I used them for awhile but can't get them anymore because they're too expensive. However, the needle on my syringes is just as short and fine so I don't mind too much. I miss the convenience of them, though.

 

[Dusty Ayres]

Just wanted everybody to know: I'm out of the hospital and on my meds like I'm supposed to be, tonight (I was discharged at 4:45 PM.) Thanks to everybody for the insights and wishes of support.

 

[Amaris]

Hope you're up to full health in no time, Dusty.

^I'd never heard that about cinnamon, interesting! I'm going to have to read up on it. Do you know of any studies displaying this effect?

Carrots and celery are a good snack, but I do find that carrots have an effect on my blood sugar, and usually reserve them for an exercise snack.

I still say that the aspartame in Diet Coke is too nasty to risk on a regular basis. Zevia is a good diet soda sweetened with stevia, which is not only natural and healthful, but increases insulin sensitivity and has been used for centuries as a traditional treatment for type 2 diabetes.

According to the MayoClinic, cinnamon seems to (according to a recent study) lower the A1C level after taking it for 90 days. That's one of the reasons why I take cinnamon capsules every day. It helps me when I can't afford my medications.

 

[Ghost07]

I'm Type 2...and on oral medication. As for soda, I gave it up completely, and now drink Kool Aid made with Splenda. As far as I am concerned, Splenda is my godsend. It means I can have chocolate cake (made with cocoa) and sweetness on my oatmeal. I get my cinnamon with rolls...minus any kind of frosting, of course.

Things were going quite well until a couple years ago, when the remainder of my family (my sister, brother, and father) all died...I got depressed and screwed up everything. Now, I'm still trying to bring down my sugar levels.

I didn't know about the peanut butter; think I'll try that. The nutritionist I spoke to told me I should eat as much fruit as I could, and to stick with fruit juices, too; but they don't seem to help much. I also was never told about avoiding carbohydrates.

Well, I guess it's different for everyone...we are all of us unique.

Hope you'll do better, Dusty.

 

[Ood Sigma]

I too am the first in my family to be diagnosed with diabetes. It can be hereditary, but you can also get it from being overweight and eating poorly for years and years.

I went on a pretty strict diet about 3 1/2 weeks ago after ignoring my diabetes for a year or so. So far I've lowered my weight about 19 pounds and my blood sugar has gone from 304 to 96. It's been tough but I'm happy with the results. My goal is to lose another 30+ pounds over the next 2 months and by the end of the year to lose a total of 100.

 

[Marc]

my blood sugar has gone from 304 to 96.

I'm wondering why every damn country wants to have it's on means of measuring things like blood sugar levels - how about some damn standadisation.

For example my most recent A1C was 6.8 (up slightly from 6.6 for them previous quarter's). Now in Canada anything under 7 is considered good and under control

When I was diagnosed in April last year it was over 9 and that's not good.

 

[sojourner]

^Are you confusing A1C with glucose levels? Glucose is measured in the U.S. with a good range of 80 to 120. A1C is as you list anything under 7.

 

[Marc]

^Are you confusing A1C with glucose levels? Glucose is measured in the U.S. with a good range of 80 to 120. A1C is as you list anything under 7.

yes I'm probably confusing the two

 

[Sector 7]

^I'd never heard that about cinnamon, interesting! I'm going to have to read up on it. Do you know of any studies displaying this effect?

Carrots and celery are a good snack, but I do find that carrots have an effect on my blood sugar, and usually reserve them for an exercise snack.

I still say that the aspartame in Diet Coke is too nasty to risk on a regular basis. Zevia is a good diet soda sweetened with stevia, which is not only natural and healthful, but increases insulin sensitivity and has been used for centuries as a traditional treatment for type 2 diabetes.

I cannot quote studies regarding cinnamon, aside from the Mayo Clinic report mentioned. I can tell you that it has helped several people that I have told about it... and of course it helps me. Diabetics tend to have high and low spikes during the day. The practical effect of cinnamon helps to level out those sharp spikes. This is the benefit I have seen to cinnamon.

I really like Truvia, it is stevia plant based also. Some sodas with Splenda not only taste too sweet, but can send your glucose (blood sugar levels) up. I do not know why. I can use one packet of Truvia in a pot of coffee and it is sweet enough for me, YMMV. Since I am the only one who drinks coffee, I make a pot, refrigerate it and microwave one cup at a time. It tastes like fresh brewed coffee, IMO.

If you have any type of arthritis (I have fibromyalgia) aspartame/Nutrasweet will make it worse. It can reduce concentration, cause headaches and stomach cramps, too. If you have any of these conditions, stop the aspartame for at least 2 weeks and it should stop the symptoms.

 

[Ghost07]

That was one reason I stopped using that nutrasweet and sweet n low. I have Ostioarthritis and Fibro, and stopping those stopped most of the headaches and body aches I was getting.

I sprinkle cinnamon on just about everything now; at least at breakfast. Splenda doesn't seem to bother me, but I do use only half a teaspoon in my tea. I've looked for that Tuvia, but have been unable to find it.

 

[Dusty Ayres]

Things were going quite well until a couple years ago, when the remainder of my family (my sister, brother, and father) all died...I got depressed and screwed up everything.

That's been happening to me except it was the cause of my getting diabetes; I ate and ate when I was feeling depressed, and packed on the pounds, becoming a blimp and leading to my current condition.

I didn't know about the peanut butter; think I'll try that. The nutritionist I spoke to told me I should eat as much fruit as I could, and to stick with fruit juices, too; but they don't seem to help much. I also was never told about avoiding carbohydrates.

That's strange, because the diabetic educator who talked to me in hospital told me that I can't have a lot of fruit, or fruit juice, because of the natural sugars (or at least not to substitute fruit for veggies.) Also, I was told to avoid an excess of carbs, and not too much meat (meat servings must be the size of a small fist.)

Well, I guess it's different for everyone...we are all of us unique.

For me too, it seems.

 

[Ood Sigma]

^Are you confusing A1C with glucose levels? Glucose is measured in the U.S. with a good range of 80 to 120. A1C is as you list anything under 7.

yes I'm probably confusing the two

A1C is a measure of your average blood sugar % over the past 3 months, and AFAIK can only be obtained from blood work from a lab.

Blood sugar (glucose) levels are a current snapshot of the level of sugar in your blood. It can swing wildly from hour to hour, but most people who take theirs daily do it in the morning before they've eaten anything, since it varies based on the sugar content of what you eat. The test can be done simply and quickly using a special monitor and test strips.

For the record, as of a month ago, my A1C was something like 13.1. I'm hoping when I get tested again in 2 months to have dropped it at least 4 points if not more.