Trying to balance diabetes, heart disease and high BP. Od'ing on frustration.

krashzmom · 08-07-2006, 12:19 AM

Sometimes I don't know which board I should be on. Since it started with diabetes, so will I. I had a heart stent put in last Thanksgiving (yeah, I'm a holiday sickie). Anyway, since that got my attention on my diabetes, I've been trying to get my diet together. I was on Byetta (which is a great drug if you can tolerate it) for several months before the nausea began and I had to go off of it. It decreased my BS and Insulin dosage and I lost weight while on it. Now, I'm trying to get my Lantis (24 hour insulin) and BS's stable while still trying to do the lowfat, low salt diet. Does anyone have a suggestion on making this balance simpler? Any suggestions appreciated.

lane413 · 08-07-2006, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashzmom

Sometimes I don't know which board I should be on. Since it started with diabetes, so will I. I had a heart stent put in last Thanksgiving (yeah, I'm a holiday sickie). Anyway, since that got my attention on my diabetes, I've been trying to get my diet together. I was on Byetta (which is a great drug if you can tolerate it) for several months before the nausea began and I had to go off of it. It decreased my BS and Insulin dosage and I lost weight while on it. Now, I'm trying to get my Lantis (24 hour insulin) and BS's stable while still trying to do the lowfat, low salt diet. Does anyone have a suggestion on making this balance simpler? Any suggestions appreciated.

Boy when it rains it pours!! My mom has diabetes, and it started 14 yrs ago. Then five to six yrs later she had hbp and thyroid problems, then it went to heart disease and high cholesterol. I must say that the hbp pills (hctz and clonidine) caused the high cholesterol problem. My mom takes lantus 70units and humalog for her glucose, and she takes verapamil, and clonidine for her hbp, she takes levothroid for her thyroid.

My mom went thru a tough period with the hbp and cholesterol meds. Then she decided to start an exercise program. She walks three miles daily, eats low fat high fiber meals. Her heart disease has gone away and her doctors were surprised. She had one of those nuclear test done, and they didn't see any problems with her heart.

She worked with a dietician and kept all her doctor appts and appts with the dietican. She learned to plan her menus in advance and keep a food journal. Maybe this would work for you.There are a lot of good recipes for low fat diets. Good luck and keep trying.

smallercheeks · 08-07-2006, 01:04 AM

My dh had the high cholestrol and high blood pressure before being diagnosed with diabetes also. We Both went on low fat, higher protein eating plans, and we ride an exercycle every single day, I mean EVERY day, weekends, holidays, birthdays, etc. We walk too, and this started in 2004. He lost 43 lbs. and I lost 82 lbs. And we have been keeping it off, but it is hard work, not easy to do. Going to a dietitian helps alot though, keeps you on your toes. I was an awful couch potato before all this, even got out of breath walking to the mailbox, for pete's sake! So a lifestyle change will be helpful. And it takes it's sweet time too, no overnight or couple of weeks and it's all great either. If you can, have your doctor refer you to a dietitian. The eating and exercise really does work to help it all get better. Success to you!!!

lookin4aclue · 08-07-2006, 11:44 AM

I have Metabolic Syndrome(HBP, High Cholesterol, and Diabetes)as well as Graves disease(but am now hypo thyroid). I was sent to a diatician. I was put on a low carb, and low fat diet, as for the hbp, they really haven't done anything for me about that yet...seems that once I changed diets, and started to do more exerecise I haven't had a problem with the HBP, wow isn't it wonderful what we can do for ourselves with a change in these two things. I have only been on this for about two months but I have lost weight, and am starting to feel so much better. I am on lipitor, and metformin, and Armour. Mind you I am a type 2.

lane413 · 08-08-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookin4aclue

I have Metabolic Syndrome(HBP, High Cholesterol, and Diabetes)as well as Graves disease(but am now hypo thyroid). I was sent to a diatician. I was put on a low carb, and low fat diet, as for the hbp, they really haven't done anything for me about that yet...seems that once I changed diets, and started to do more exerecise I haven't had a problem with the HBP, wow isn't it wonderful what we can do for ourselves with a change in these two things. I have only been on this for about two months but I have lost weight, and am starting to feel so much better. I am on lipitor, and metformin, and Armour. Mind you I am a type 2.

My mom, my grandmother and two uncles are type 2 diabetes. Although, my grandmother doesn't take meds anymore since she lost 100 lbs. She has kept her weight weight off for 20 yrs.My mom had graves disease and then she took the rai treatment. She now takes synthroid (levothroid). I wish her dr. would prescribe armour, but they won't.

I can't understand why not.
Maybe your dr. is waiting to see if the thyroid settles down b4 treating the hbp. My mom was taking zocor, but she can't take statins. She is trying diet, exercise, and cholest-off. I will post next month her test results.

Did I mention she lost 62 lbs or something like that. I know it was a lot of weight. Before the exercise and diet, she could not walk 50 steps w/o stopping for breath. Now she walks three miles daily. Her heart disease is gone. But i know it was hard for her to keep up the regimen. Good luck and keep up the fight.