I give up/What to eat?/What does it matter?

KatakaNiki · 12-08-2005, 10:58 AM

Hello everyone,

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes almost 4 years and I am still struggling with the problem of what to eat. It seems like no matter what I eat or don't eat, my numbers are high. I am currently taking Byetta, Lantus, and Amaryl. I have tried almost all of the oral pills and I can tell no difference with my numbers.

There seems to be a fine line of exactly how many carbs to eat. If I eat too many carbs my numbers are high and if I don't eat enough carbs my numbers are higher. I have been eating around 30 carbs per meal with readings around 185 after meals. So I cut back to a lower carb diet this week <around 10-20> carbs per meal and now my numbers are well over 200 after eating. I think my liver must think I am going into famine and dumping sugar or something?

I keep thinking it must be something that I am eating or not eating because they say a big part of controlling Type 2 diabetes is diet and exercise. I also exercise and that too makes my numbers go up and then I have a hard time getting it back down.

I am very frustrated because all I do is work at this every day of my life and it seems it is getting worse instead of better.

Does anyone else have this problem? I read about well-controlled diabetics and tight controlled diabetics. How do you do this? What do you eat? I am very frustrated.

The thing that amazes me the most is when I try Bernstein's plan or Atkin's my numbers will go sky high. It seems like my body wants some carbs.

It shouldn't be this hard. Or should it?

Kat

pipermac · 12-08-2005, 11:37 AM

some thing Weird going on.

first off...185 after eating is not that bad. what are your fasting levels?

also I can not see how exercising will cause your levels to go up or eating less carbs. It just doesn work that way. Are you Stressed alot? Stress can affect your sugars greatly.

desertdiabetic · 12-08-2005, 11:49 AM

I agree with Pipermac here. Something very weird here. I do follow Bernsteins ways and control very well. It is when I stray that they jump up - sometimes up to 130 or so. I only say that because there is something else wrong here. Exercise and low carbs don't raise your Blood glucose numbers. You are taking a lot of meds that do require some balance, again they should not cause what you are describing. If you read Bernstein you have seen that there are other things that raise blood glucose levels. Though you wouldn't think you would have a long running infectionn that you did not know about. High blood glucose after eating is not your body saying it wants more.

If you could give more numbers like mentioned above. Fasting, one hour and two hour numbers.

KatakaNiki · 12-08-2005, 01:45 PM

My BS is around 185 2-hours after eating and around 145 before eating. That is not good. I feel like I try very hard and it is impossible for me to go lower. As far as exercise....... I have read there are a lot of people whose numbers go higher after exercise. It's very common. Your liver kicks in some sugar for you and your body cannot process it. I continue to exercise because it gives me more energy. I use to take Novolog but it also did not lower my numbers. All it did was make me gain weight <which made my numbers higher>. My endo says my body is making plenty of insulin. I could never understand how giving me more insulin will help if my body already has enough insulin that it is not using well.

I use to take Glucophage and my numbers were slightly better but I can no longer take that because of severe diarrhea. I also use to take Actos but I can no longer take that because of the weight gain and swelling of my ankles. I never saw any difference with my numbers while taking it anyway. The Byetta helps a little. The Amaryl helps a little, and I guess the Lantus is working. I'm not sure of that one.

Thanks for any suggestions. Kat

fishdude · 12-08-2005, 01:58 PM

I've never heard of Bernstein, but based on the replies to this post, it seems I should be finding out more. Your situation baffles me. Whenever I follow the Atkins approach, I always get lower BS readings, anywhere from 105-115 2 hours after a meal. If I eat a small carb snack before bedtime(not more than 15 grams), my fasting BS levels are almost always 122 the next morning. You mentioned your Endo says you produce plenty of insulin, so insulin resistence is your main culprit. When you exercise, do you include any serious weight training? I am reading a book written by Gretchen Becker and she mentions the long term benefits of muscle building to help fight off insulin resistence. I know it isn't a short term fix, but if you only do cardio stuff, I would at least consider a muscle-building program to compliment your cardio routine. After reading her book, I am seriously considering adding muscle building to my routine, as well.