4 weeks in and blood sugars rising??

[Henny Penny]

Hi
This is my fourth week of LC eating and I have lost 8lbs so far. I am an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic and my insulin needs have reduced a lot since starting LCs and I was so pleased to see consistent 5s and 6s when I tested my bloods in the first two weeks, but now the levels are starting to creep up to 9s and 10s (and even higher after 20mins on the cross trainer) but my eating has remained the same ... hand on heart - no cheating!! I also have some ketone sticks and they show I'm at the very high end of ketosis so it looks like eating LC is working but I can't change my blood sugars. Is anyone out there in a similar situation? I get no advice or support from my diabetic Dr as he really disagrees with a LC way of eating, and it's a bit lonely when things don't go as planned. I would be grateful for any thoughts on this. x

 

[noblehead]

As with any diet you will need to increase your insulin in response to your bg levels.

 

[Kallyloo]

I can only say from experience that eventual consistency with readings depends on time, age, initial fitness and degree that you have reduced your carbs. My mum at 76 has taken 7-8months to get consistent results to the point where she can occasionally cheat ( she is a fruit a Holic ).
During this period she kept reducing carbs at a modest level (it's now around 50g per day) and didn't get fazed by the odd swings and roundabouts of the blood meter which can sometimes be affected by illness, stress, exercise etc.

You are doing the best you can just keep with it, if it is possible to lower your carbs a little more, maybe it's worth a try for a day or two and see how you feel. I've found for long term effects and consistency it takes persistence, I know it can be hard but bless you, keep trying. The Drs are NOT always right.

On a practical note taking a teaspoon of virgin Coconut oil at meals has tended to reduce spikes and given more even results but find what works for you, there is plenty of advice to try.

 

[jack412]

the rise after heavy exercise could be a liver dump. back off a bit and see if it helps that issue.

 

[Henny Penny]

I can only say from experience that eventual consistency with readings depends on time, age, initial fitness and degree that you have reduced your carbs. My mum at 76 has taken 7-8months to get consistent results to the point where she can occasionally cheat ( she is a fruit a Holic ).
During this period she kept reducing carbs at a modest level (it's now around 50g per day) and didn't get fazed by the odd swings and roundabouts of the blood meter which can sometimes be affected by illness, stress, exercise etc.

You are doing the best you can just keep with it, if it is possible to lower your carbs a little more, maybe it's worth a try for a day or two and see how you feel. I've found for long term effects and consistency it takes persistence, I know it can be hard but bless you, keep trying. The Drs are NOT always right.

On a practical note taking a teaspoon of virgin Coconut oil at meals has tended to reduce spikes and given more even results but find what works for you, there is plenty of advice to try.

Thank you for your kind words - they are really helpful

 

[Pao wow]

Me too. this few days my reading was high and I just had a very scary moment. After dinner, I was feeling extremely cold, I came to the bedroom and my Whole body was started shaking, laying on the flood. I never feel that way, my back was twitching. Wore 2 jumpers, in 2 duvets. Then went to sleep for an hour. Woke up with a headache but not cold anymore. I tested my BS ... It was 11.3.
I don't know what to do anymore. I so want LCHF work for me !!

 

[j220anm]

Hi Henny Penny.
I've been on a LC diet and fitness regime since December in the hope that I could get my sugar levels and weight under better control... I struggled to loose 7ls in the first 3 months and the LC diet made NO difference to my sugar levels. I also didn't get a good responce from the Diabetic Specialists who said to me "my skin is literally prickling, I'm so scared for you being diabetic and following low carb... do you know how dangerous this is" ..

Not to be deterred I asked her to explain how when I had cut out carbs it had made no difference to my sugar levels and she couldn't... I was then offered a change of medication from fast acting insulin to Byetta, still taking my long acting insulin... I'm currently on the low dose of Byetta and think I will end up on the higher dose as there has only been a slight improvement in my sugar levels but my weight is finally dropping. My sugar levels rise slightly after exercise as well and going by everything the "specialists" say this is wrong.

I'm not going to stop as to be honest following the LC diet and exercising has me feeling the best I have in years. I have tried everything they suggested to control my weight and sugar levles and for years have had comments like "don't you care about yourself and this is your health" also making out that I wasn't trying hard enough.. I never came away from a clinic feeling good about myself. I just wish that the so called "specialists" would look at us as individuals and finally come to the conclusion that there are very different "Diabetics" under the type 2 label and one rule doesn't suit all and that just because your levels aren't so well controled it isn't because you don't care or aren't trying.

Anyway... sorry for the rant but check out this website... This lady has been a great help to me and has done a lot of research into low carb and diabetes... Hopefully it will help you too. Her article on Insulin resistance is brilliant. Let me know how you get on with it.
http://www.carboholiccrisis.co.uk/

 

[Niceaction]

The main thing I would say is don't stress,as this will not help your sugar's. Ive started taking natural foods to help my blood sugars,and they realy work. The doctor told me cinnamon,cardamom,tumeric and best of all bitter melon (available in chinese supermarkets) All diabetics should be on it if you ask me.

 

[Mazzer]

Hi Henny Penny.
I've been on a LC diet and fitness regime since December in the hope that I could get my sugar levels and weight under better control... I struggled to loose 7ls in the first 3 months and the LC diet made NO difference to my sugar levels. I also didn't get a good responce from the Diabetic Specialists who said to me "my skin is literally prickling, I'm so scared for you being diabetic and following low carb... do you know how dangerous this is" ..

Not to be deterred I asked her to explain how when I had cut out carbs it had made no difference to my sugar levels and she couldn't... I was then offered a change of medication from fast acting insulin to Byetta, still taking my long acting insulin... I'm currently on the low dose of Byetta and think I will end up on the higher dose as there has only been a slight improvement in my sugar levels but my weight is finally dropping. My sugar levels rise slightly after exercise as well and going by everything the "specialists" say this is wrong.

I'm not going to stop as to be honest following the LC diet and exercising has me feeling the best I have in years. I have tried everything they suggested to control my weight and sugar levles and for years have had comments like "don't you care about yourself and this is your health" also making out that I wasn't trying hard enough.. I never came away from a clinic feeling good about myself. I just wish that the so called "specialists" would look at us as individuals and finally come to the conclusion that there are very different "Diabetics" under the type 2 label and one rule doesn't suit all and that just because your levels aren't so well controled it isn't because you don't care or aren't trying.

Anyway... sorry for the rant but check out this website... This lady has been a great help to me and has done a lot of research into low carb and diabetes... Hopefully it will help you too. Her article on Insulin resistance is brilliant. Let me know how you get on with it.
http://www.carboholiccrisis.co.uk/

Hi Henny Penny, I am new diagnosed T2 in February and following a LC diet, and although I have not yet had any dietary advice from my GP, I have to admit that I do feel much better than I have for a while. I have had a quick look at your link above and it looks really useful. I have saved it to my favourites and will have a good read later.

Thanks, I will let you know once I have read through it properly.

Marilyn