LOW CARB SUCCESS STORIES

[andrewk]

I am 61, have Type 2, and at the time of review in July 11 was approx 19st 8lbs. My HBA1c has been rising over the years and was 9.1 at the review. My medication is 4xmetformin plus both glimepiride and sitagliptin. My GP increased another 2mg to the sitagliptin, but said that was probably the end of the road for oral medication.

Not being the sort of person who would take kindly to sticking needles in myself, I decided that it really was time get myself together. I started researching low carb diets and in mid-July started on the Dukan diet. I found it pretty hard, but in just three weeks, I lost nearly 20lb and my fasting blood glucose fell to 5.4 mmol/l.

I went on holiday in Scotland for the last 3 weeks of August and the Dukan diet fell by the wayside a bit, even though I tried to keep the calories down. I was about 18st 5lb when I got back from hol. I continued the research and started to read one of the Atkins books.

I restarted on a low carb diet on 7 Sept 11. I had to reduce my medication a couple of days back when my BG fell to 3.4 mmol/l just before bedtime and I felt a bit jittery (I believe you call that a hypo). The bottom line is that I have ditched the glimepiride and sitagliptin. For the last couple of days, I have just been on 4xmetformins and my BG is now 5.4 fasting. I also test during the day, about 90mins after meals and it is generally 4.6-5.4 mmol/l.

I think there might be scope yet for reducing or eliminating the metformins too. I am really rather hoping that I can eventually eliminate the metformin, keep the fasting BG at 5-5.4 mmol/l by diet alone, weigh under 17st and have an HBA1c of under 6 when I go back for another blood test in about a months time.

I've bought a rowing machine too (which hasn't yet arrived). I'm sure exercise will help, but cannot get on with walking or jogging.

Andrew

[Princesbold]

The Low carb diet is working for me, its tough leaving behind all those so called staple foods, I think of the bakers shop as the door to the undertakers, come to think of it the same door is available at the italian, chinese and indian restaurants. I learned to treat all carbs as sugar, i measure all food, without cutting out carbs altogether, I use an excel spreadsheet to calculate insulin doses which produces a weekly analysis of BG levels, weight, calorie intake, insulin doses.
Willing to share exel spreadsheet, PM me.

[SparkJack]

Hi Fergus and all other posters on this subject
I was diagnosed with type 2 (probably 2007)- diet controlled at first and am now on metformin. Numbers have not been so important for me until I found this site. I was always told I was ok. After heart health rpoblems etc I decided to take control of my diabetes because I didn't want any extra health complications. I asked for a meter etc but was refused so I bought my own. I joined WW and put on one and a half stones! Persevered and found out that one of my heart tablets had affected my thyroid so I now had extra weight to lose.I tested and my morning readings are higher than some of yours 7-9. Sometimes later in the day readings have been 10.5 but I can equate these with eating chocolate or going out for a meal etc.I have now become besotted with low(er) carb eating. I have just treated myself to Dana Carpenders 1001 recipes. It's like learning a different language and finding some of the things to use has been really difficult BUT my readings have dropped after about 3 weeks of consistently trying. My before dinner tonight was 5.5 (for the first time) and my +2hours was only 6.8 and this was after scoffing half the recipe for stuffed peppers instead of one sixth........I feel tons better. I'm sleeping better etc The only issue I may have and I'm watching it like a hawk is that I take warfarin and I'm not sure how all the changes will affect my INR. Extra seeds and nuts etc. Soya milk whizzed up into interesting shakes etc etc

My recommendations are find what works best for you. I have never had an education course or seen a dietician so this site is fantastic. I have thrown out the carbs. Literally. Re-organised my kitchen cupboards and changed my shopping habits.

When I see the DN next month I shall ask her what my relevant numbers were last year and what they are now so I can start comparing properly.

As an aside do not try Slimming World's low carb crispbreads they are DISGUSTING !

I have learnt how to cope with the sad death of ketatoes and not being able to cook all the recipes in Dana's book until I found the recipre for a clone ketatoes...........see what I mean. I am learning a different language. Sad being that I am I'm really enjoying discovering how to low carb any meals. My family have stopped asking what I'm doing in the kitchen. I think they hope it's just a phase!

[Megsandme]

Hi Guys
Forgive my intrusion, but i'm so motivated and eager to learn more about how the Dukan Diet can help people with Diabetes.
I am T1 and have been for some 32 years, I am now at the point where my high HBA1C is driving me and my medical team MAD I desperately want to loose all of my post baby weight and I am very concerned that my doctor's have said that loosing weight on insulin is very hard as that hinders weigh loss...(not much support there then...)
If anyone who is Type1 and has tried the Dukan diet, did it actually work and was reducing your insulin dosage a hard process??

Please, please let me know

[Princesbold]

I am not using any particular diet, just reducing carbohydrates, it seems that the fewer carbs you consume the lower your insulin doses will be, i also count calories and try to stay below the recomendations for six out of seven days of the week. I eat huge numbers of eggs; fried, boiled, scrambled, poached, omelettes etc etc any amount of chicken or fish.
When i was first diagnosed type two i just cut down on sugar, looked at the nutritional breakdown of food and just looked at the sugar content, BIG MISTAKE, I firmly believe my diabetes is entirely down to the amounts of carbohydrates I have consumed, often in an effort to avoid fats. My diet now is only about carb avoidance no longer concerned about fat, have gone back to butter on my single slice of bread each week, or my solitary jacket potatoe.
Weigh all your food and understand the nutritional information on food packaging, your insulin doses can be tailored to each and every meal in relation to the carbohydrate level you consume.
Within a short space of time you begin to learn the levels of carbs present in foods, fruit and veg carb levels are quite interesting, leaves you making some interesting choices when you know all of the carbohydrate values. Learning about the GI can also be useful to help you understand your Blood sugar level readings when sometimes they can confuse you.

[jeff-g]

Hi there,Ive just discovered this site and would like to share something interesting.I was diagnosed with type 1 15 months ago at the age of 49 and have been taking novamix 30 twice daily.having noticed the remarkable impact carbs made on my glucose levels and consequent insulin requirements,i decided to cut down on my carbs and experiment with my insulin levels.as of last thursday i have been monitoring my glucose levels at least 8 times daily and they have varied between 5 and 7.no surprise you might say but this is with no insulin.i am not trying to appear reckless as i consider my health to be my top priority,but this does seem remarkable.i have porridge every morning and eat meat and veg and some fruit throughout the day,lots of water too.no bread,no rice potatoes pasta..you know the ones.has anyone else had this type of experience and am i doing myself any harm.i feel fine and dont seem to be suffering any negative symptoms.jeff

[Grazer]

Wow jeff-g, I'm not type 1 but that sounds amazing. Are you sure you weren't secretly a type 2? because I thought type1 meant you couldn't produce any insulin, yet if you're eating as you say with no insulin, you must be producing some to achieve those BGs. I wouldn't say your diet was doing you any harm at all - sounds a bit like mine that I've been on for a while now, and I'm fitter than I've ever been! Wether the "no insulin" is doing you any harm - I don't know, but as its there to control sugar levels and you seem to be doing that anyway, I'd say you're O.k. Hopefully, an experienced type 1 will come along shortly and comment, but I'd be going back to the docs for tests!

[smidge]

Hi Jeff-G!

As Grazer says, back to the doc for tests! There are a number of reasons why you might react as you have, but the most likely are:

1. You are not type 1 - many cases of misdiagnosis are detailed on this forum
2. You are a form of Type 1 but still producing some insulin and the low carb diet is meaning that the insulin you are producing is adequate for the carbs you are eating (I have LADA and have similar reactions to low-carbing - although I can never eat porridge!!)
3. You have given your pancreas a break by not overloading it with carbs - this might only be temporary.

I do not believe your diet is doing you any harm - quite the opposite. At my last hospital visit, my consultant told me that there is no evidence that low carb diets are harmful long-term. As for the insulin, you should only take it if you need it., but keep testing and reintroduce it as soon as you show signs of needing it.

I hope your reprieve continues!

Smidge

[jeff-g]

hi guys,had smoked mackeral for tea,no veg as didn't feel like it and have just done my test...approx 2 hours after eating.Blood reading 4.4!!no alcohol,just water.what is going on cause that seems a bit low to me.a little concerned its that low before going to bed so had a little porridge for safety.excuse my ignorance but i'm just telling you how it is.jeff.

[smidge]

Hi Jeff,

4.4 is actually a very good BG in the normal range. If I hadn't taken any insulin, was sure no basal was left in my blood and hadn't taken any other BG-lowering medication, I'd definitely go to bed with BG at 4.4. If I had taken insulin or some other BG-lowering medication, i'd increase the BG into the 5s before bed.

Smidge

[Grazer]

hi guys,had smoked mackeral for tea,no veg as didn't feel like it and have just done my test...approx 2 hours after eating.Blood reading 4.4!!no alcohol,just water.what is going on cause that seems a bit low to me.a little concerned its that low before going to bed so had a little porridge for safety.excuse my ignorance but i'm just telling you how it is.jeff.

Hi again Jeff. Are you still off the insulin? if so, with those BG's, (normal!), you should definitely be back to the docs for more tests. Can't see how you can be type 1 diabetic unless others on this forum can explain.

[smidge]

Hiya Grazer, Jeff!

I am officially diagnosed as Type 1 (I'm LADA, but they classify it as Type 1). I do produce basal insulin and on a good pancreas day, I could get pre-food levels in the 4s without any insulin. Smoked mackeral has no carb, so it would be possible for my BG to return to the 4s two hours after eating that. This wouldn't last long for me, though - a couple of days at most and my pancreas would need the support of injected insulin. And any carb I had would definitely require my bolus. However, I still think you should get it checked out, Jeff!

Smidge

[simply_believe]

Hi Guys
Forgive my intrusion, but I'm so motivated and eager to learn more about how the Dukan Diet can help people with Diabetes.
I am T1 and have been for some 32 years, I am now at the point where my high HBA1C is driving me and my medical team MAD I desperately want to loose all of my post baby weight and I am very concerned that my doctor's have said that loosing weight on insulin is very hard as that hinders weigh loss...(not much support there then...)
If anyone who is Type1 and has tried the Dukan diet, did it actually work and was reducing your insulin dosage a hard process??

Please, please let me know

hi,just started the ducan diet yesterday and being type 1 i use the novamix insulin and take two injections daily , up until yesterday i was taking a huge 130 units in a morning and 120 units at night just trying to keep my BGL to around 10 , my diabetic nurse who i am in touch with every two weeks advice me to increase 3 units every three days to get it under 10 but by taking so much insulin has greatly increased my hunger and at the weekend i weighed over 26st and then i read about the ducan diet , and on the first morning i took my normal amount of insulin and also my slow release metformin 500mg and by mid afternoon i was having a Hypo so something sweet to adjust and bring back my BGL up to an acceptable level . But when due to take my evening jab i checked my BGL and found it to be 8.1 so decided not to take any insulin and just my metformin . On checking my morning BGL i found it to be 12.4 so decided to take only 30 units instead of 130 units and my metformin, after another day of the ducan diet i did check my BGL several times and at no time was it over 10 so this evening i did not take any insulin just my metformin and just recently checked my blood before replying to your message it was 11 , which i am extremely pleased with . and really looking forward to how this pans out . my GP had put me forward for a gastric band which looks like being given the go a head after several hospital visits for compatibility but i would really prefer to go down this road before i get a date for the operation and who knows may not need it . also my diabetic consultant did say if i did not want te gastric band opp he would prescribe the new once a week injection for type 1 diabetics as this will also help reduce your weight . i really think i will give the ducan diet all my dedication to make it a success so i will then go on the once a week only injection that acts in a different way to insulin and automatically controls your BGL for a full 7 days without any further injections until the following week . i hope to keep intouch re the diet and let you know how i do but the tip for you is to do lots of regular blood checks during the day and adjust your insulin accordingly but also give your diabetic nurse a call and you can also phone them on a daily basis if you wish and they should be able to help you with your doses of insulin , hope to speak to you again , kind regards lee.

[simply_believe]

Wow jeff-g, I'm not type 1 but that sounds amazing. Are you sure you weren't secretly a type 2? because I thought type1 meant you couldn't produce any insulin, yet if you're eating as you say with no insulin, you must be producing some to achieve those BGs. I wouldn't say your diet was doing you any harm at all - sounds a bit like mine that I've been on for a while now, and I'm fitter than I've ever been! Whether the "no insulin" is doing you any harm - I don't know, but as its there to control sugar levels and you seem to be doing that anyway, I'd say you're O.k. Hopefully, an experienced type 1 will come along shortly and comment, but I'd be going back to the docs for tests!

hi, being a type one for over 20 years and having BGL sometimes of over 20 i know its all about balance between you food intake and medication , and a big factor can be your own body weight the more carbs you have the more medication you need but again a major factor being how many carbs you burn during the day if you do some short but high intensity exercise your medication will be lower than if you are a couch potato and over the years i should know as i have been all these but due to a serious bike accident i have been left disabled and con no longer exercise to a reasonable effort , i have now started the ducan diet which is a low carb diet but if you try this you must follow the pland with multiple daily BGL checks your body also has a great way to let you know how your feeling, but i suppose the answer to your question is yes it is possible to lower your amount of medication by altering your diet and weight , you may be able to do this in the short term but to be able to keep this up for the rest of your life will take all your dedication to keep this up and all the factors involved , ie food , weight , exercise , sleep etc ,but if you can you can prove the medics wrong but also to give you hope you would not be on your own as many have committed themselves to this with great success . also for any reason you may find this too much of a commitment why not ask you consultant for the new once a week injection that replaces your twice daily or more injections and controls your BGL for one week . you can look this up on the Internet and see if its suitable for you , my diabetic consultant says its not on licence yet but that would not bother him and he would prescribe it. hope this helps kind regards lee.

[angecave]

diagnsed type 2 2002 blood sugars regularly 13-18, on max metformin and max glycicide twice a day, bp 220 over 195, weight 100kilos (early 16stone) mid fifties female co director with loads of stress things were looking and feeling bad, sold the company, moved to southern spain and 9 months ago was given a copy of the DUKAN diet, read half of it, thought, why not give it 5 days? lost 5 kilos in 1st week, now 30 kilos in nine months, back to size 12 feel wonderful, blood sugars below5.5 bp normal, i walk as part of the diet two hours every day, swim often, and....... best bit of all, doctor told me not to take any more medication, cholestral is normal, bp normal, blood sugars normal, however.... i am still diabetic i realise so i substitute oat bran for carbs, never have sweet things, or bread, rice, pasta, nor alcoholal but i am healthier than in past ten years. my attitude is: i foud a formula that works, and with all the fish, low fat dairy and eggs i am stronger and better looking than i can remember!! haha and my sense of humour has improved too. oh yes and the sleep apnoa has gone, bliss i can sleep through/