- Messages
- 38
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi All
I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 26 years and I have been on a low carb / low calorie diet for the previous 4 years. I recently went to see my DSN as I've been having major fluctuations in BG. Having lows then highs, they suggested that I had a ssensor and today they contacted me to say they are at a loss to the cause of the fluctuations as they are all over the place. I feel really unwell, lack of energy, and even more worrying I'm now having chest pain and breathlessness when I'm either low or high. DSN said could be start of DKA and to test ketones which was 0.2 so still within safe range, but she suggested that due to the low carb it is expected that I would have some ketones in blood and if this has been overtime then this may be reason for Chest pain? Has anyone else experienced this?
She has suggested that I need to start eating more carbs again as she thinks I'm having rebound highs because I am not replenishing glycogen.
I am not on pump, I average around 30 - 50g carbs per day. I do use sweeteners i.e. stevia in coffee and low carb desserts so could this be causing chest pains and / or breathing problems? Does stevia cause sugar spikes? The research I've done on sweeteners is misleading for instance one states;
"Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level. In fact, most artificial sweeteners are considered "free foods" — foods containing less than 20 calories and 5 grams or less of carbohydrates — because they don't count as calories or carbohydrates on a diabetes exchange....Also, be cautious with sugar alcohols — including mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. Sugar alcohols can increase your blood sugar level. And for some people, sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...rt-answers/artificial-sweeteners/faq-20058038)
"The work, done with mice and humans, suggests that artificial sweeteners could raise your blood sugar levels more than if you indulged in sugar-sweetened sodas and desserts." (http://www.webmd.com/diet/20140917/artificial-sweeteners-blood-sugar)
Also Truvia has been linked to dangerous toxic levels of certain chemicals and is also used as a pesticide, but when I checked the back of the product it clearly labelled that it was working in partnership with Diabetes.org.uk??
I just wanted to know what your opinions are as I am aware that the NHS seem to be against low carb diets, but there is alot of evidence on here to suggest that it might also help control the condition.....it's a mindfield to manage the condition best of times, but all this contradiction is so overwhelming, I just want to feel better in myself and thought a low carb diet was healthier, I'm exhausted and fed up with all of it! I'm trying really hard to keep my sugar levels at a constant level but I seem to be making things worse the more I try...Please help anyone? I just don't know what to do.....
I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 26 years and I have been on a low carb / low calorie diet for the previous 4 years. I recently went to see my DSN as I've been having major fluctuations in BG. Having lows then highs, they suggested that I had a ssensor and today they contacted me to say they are at a loss to the cause of the fluctuations as they are all over the place. I feel really unwell, lack of energy, and even more worrying I'm now having chest pain and breathlessness when I'm either low or high. DSN said could be start of DKA and to test ketones which was 0.2 so still within safe range, but she suggested that due to the low carb it is expected that I would have some ketones in blood and if this has been overtime then this may be reason for Chest pain? Has anyone else experienced this?
She has suggested that I need to start eating more carbs again as she thinks I'm having rebound highs because I am not replenishing glycogen.
I am not on pump, I average around 30 - 50g carbs per day. I do use sweeteners i.e. stevia in coffee and low carb desserts so could this be causing chest pains and / or breathing problems? Does stevia cause sugar spikes? The research I've done on sweeteners is misleading for instance one states;
"Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level. In fact, most artificial sweeteners are considered "free foods" — foods containing less than 20 calories and 5 grams or less of carbohydrates — because they don't count as calories or carbohydrates on a diabetes exchange....Also, be cautious with sugar alcohols — including mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. Sugar alcohols can increase your blood sugar level. And for some people, sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea." (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...rt-answers/artificial-sweeteners/faq-20058038)
"The work, done with mice and humans, suggests that artificial sweeteners could raise your blood sugar levels more than if you indulged in sugar-sweetened sodas and desserts." (http://www.webmd.com/diet/20140917/artificial-sweeteners-blood-sugar)
Also Truvia has been linked to dangerous toxic levels of certain chemicals and is also used as a pesticide, but when I checked the back of the product it clearly labelled that it was working in partnership with Diabetes.org.uk??
I just wanted to know what your opinions are as I am aware that the NHS seem to be against low carb diets, but there is alot of evidence on here to suggest that it might also help control the condition.....it's a mindfield to manage the condition best of times, but all this contradiction is so overwhelming, I just want to feel better in myself and thought a low carb diet was healthier, I'm exhausted and fed up with all of it! I'm trying really hard to keep my sugar levels at a constant level but I seem to be making things worse the more I try...Please help anyone? I just don't know what to do.....