Does This Sound Like Good Advice?

[SJC]

About two or three weeks ago I went to my GP for some results of routine blood tests. The GP said my blood sugar was the high end of normal and that I was prediabetic. The only other thing he said was that I should 'watch my diet'. I didn't ask any questions because my time was up and to be honest I was a bit shocked.

I saw my regular GP a week later and asked what to do about my diet. I am already on a low salt, low protein, low fat, diet because of other health problems. I only weigh about 8 1/2 stones having just lost about 10lbs through nausea and being poorly ( waiting to find out if I have M.E). I despaired at this new diet I would have to get to grips with. I asked what to do re foods. My GP just said swap all white carbs for brown, eat lots of fruit and vegetables and cut down on sugars and carbs.

I got home and realised that I was totally confused. With so many different components of my diet to watch out for, I am almost at the stage where food has just become a nasty word. I can't afford to lose more weight. My nausea is made better for eating actually but my IBS and acid reflux is playing up terribly right now. I am just snacking every 3- 4 hours. Then I read about the LCHF diet on here and worry about my kidney disease in my one remaining kidney. There seems to be mixed opinions about this for kidney disease so I am reluctant.

Obviously I can ask my kidney specialist when I see hime in three or four weeks time, but until then I admit to being totally confused. If I eat one thing I am harming a different physical complaint. Vegetables, whilst good for me are giving my horrendous wind and pain. I am also waiting to see a gastroenterologist to talk about this daily nausea and digestion difficulties. It's getting where I am almost scared to eat (nausea aside).

I am amazed that my GP said I will be tested again in one year! It's like I have been told and left to get on with it. I wasn't even given a pamphlet! I would have thought, given my diet difficulties already that my GP would have referred me to a dietician.

Who would you see privately if you were in my boat? Nutritionist? Dietician?

I'd welcome any thoughts on this.

 

[Totto]

Hi! Firstly I would get a bg monitor and test strips. High bg will damage everything so you want to keep bg normal and that is far from what is regarded normal at your GPs. So you need to test, mostly before and after meals to see what that particular food or combination did to your bg. Test before and every hour after until you bg is back to where it was. Good site on diabetes and normal bg is
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16422495.php

You may want to reconsider the low fat part of your diet. We all know the low fat rage of the past decades that has lead the the diabetes and obesity epidemic. Low fat wont take you far. There is a host of new evidence there isn't anything wrong at all with fat, quite the contrary. Look at the science http://www.dietdoctor.com/science

 

[SJC]

Hi! Firstly I would get a bg monitor and test strips. High bg will damage everything so you want to keep bg normal and that is far from what is regarded normal at your GPs. So you need to test, mostly before and after meals to see what that particular food or combination did to your bg. Test before and every hour after until you bg is back to where it was. Good site on diabetes and normal bg is
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16422495.php

You may want to reconsider the low fat part of your diet. We all know the low fat rage of the past decades that has lead the the diabetes and obesity epidemic. Low fat wont take you far. There is a host of new evidence there isn't anything wrong at all with fat, quite the contrary. Look at the science http://www.dietdoctor.com/science

Thanks...all taken on board The low fat thing is because of my kidney disease, more prone to heart problems I was told so to watch cholesterol. Also I have ordered a meter and it should be here by Tuesday.

 

[CollieBoy]

Thanks...all taken on board The low fat thing is because of my kidney disease, more prone to heart problems I was told so to watch cholesterol. Also I have ordered a meter and it should be here by Tuesday.

i have CKD 3/4 and my nephrologist was happy for me to stay away from low fat (in fact my eGFR is rising on the low carb diet, and I am safely on the CKD3 side of the border)

 

[SJC]

i have CKD 3/4 and my nephrologist was happy for me to stay away from low fat (in fact my eGFR is rising on the low carb diet, and I am safely on the CKD3 side of the border)

Wow, that's good to hear. Thanks for letting me know. Theres nothing like actual personal experience of something. Hope your GFR continues to rise and I feel better about fats now.

 

[Debmcgee]

I totally know how you feel. I don't have the complications you do but was treated the same by two GPS and was shocked at the lack of support for a disease we can prevent. So short sighted.

I too have ordered a monitor based on recommendations here. It is the only way to know. Shame it's so costly but health is more important than money.

I hope you get some answers. It's a minefield!

X


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[SJC]

I totally know how you feel. I don't have the complications you do but was treated the same by two GPS and was shocked at the lack of support for a disease we can prevent. So short sighted.

I too have ordered a monitor based on recommendations here. It is the only way to know. Shame it's so costly but health is more important than money.

I hope you get some answers. It's a minefield!

X


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Thanks Imagine how many people are borderline diabetic and either don't know or who do know but are not even given good support or advice. Good luck with your meter. I am going to be posting some of my meter results some time soon, but I just realised it only comes with 10 testing strips and I will have to order more. Like you say it's money well spent at the end of the day.

 

[Debmcgee]

It's a disgrace. I know we are accountable to an extent but what about the food manufacturing process and bad advice that have added to risk factors?!

I'm a determined person but even I felt like giving up last week when my test came back the same as previous one despite cutting diet drastically. I almost feel scared of food which isn't good!!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[SJC]

It's a disgrace. I know we are accountable to an extent but what about the food manufacturing process and bad advice that have added to risk factors?!

I'm a determined person but even I felt like giving up last week when my test came back the same as previous one despite cutting diet drastically. I almost feel scared of food which isn't good!!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Know how you feel. Glad I found this site though because my GP gave me such flimsy advice really.

 

[Debmcgee]

Me too. Mine told me to go to patient.co.uk and that was it!

Reckon I'll go through my hundred strips in a week!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Brunneria]

There was another thread a couple of days ago where someone said they had one kidney? Was that you?

The thread ended up having some very interesting links, and contributions from at least two people who said that their kidney function had improved on a LCHF diet.

It might be worth revisiting that thread since I think it covered some of your queries here...

 

[AnnieC]

Sorry that you have so many medical problems and then to be told you are also prediabetic must have been a blow. People here are so supportive and will help you all they can Many have had bad experiences with their GP's and joining this forum has changed their lives for the better.
I am prediabetic myself but fortunately I do not have any other problems. Joining this forum has enabled me to make changes to my diet which I hope is helping me and like you I do not need to loose weight I am just over 81/2 stone. I would never have known about high carbs being bad for us if I had not joined the forum I am now moderate carbs having cut out the starchy ones like rice pasta root vegetables sugar stuff and bread ...excecept 2 slices of Bergen bread a day... I.hope that you are able to work out what you can eat by testing with your meter so good luck and remember you can ask as much as you want to here and someone will always answer you

 

[SJC]

Sorry I didn't see this second page! Many thanks for your input. Much appreciated

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[SJC]

Sadly I had some blood tests done today and my GFR (kidney function) has reduced from 5.4 to 5.3 since eating differently. That doesn't mean it definitely is the LCHF diet but it is the first time it has gone down since I was diagnosed with kidney disease.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Debmcgee]

Sorry to hear that but it's only 0.1 so within margin of error range so may not be any worse?

Xxxx


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Diagnosed prediabetic Easter 2014.

 

[SJC]

Hi Deb. Long as it doesn't continue to go down

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[Debmcgee]

Hope it doesn't x


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Diagnosed prediabetic Easter 2014.

 

[collectingrocks]

Hi SJD

The fact that your GP said your numbers were on the high end of normal putting you in the prediabetic range....firstly do not take this as a concern. Use this as an immediate course of action. This is an early warning for you which means you can take action now and reverse it.

I personally have done so myself with good results - therefore I speak from experience.

At least you don't need to lose weight so things should be easier for you

Your worst enemy is sugar. All carbs reduce to sugar but the worst ones are those with a high GI that spike your blood levels quickly. Look for foods with slow-release carbs.

You will get loads of advice/good ideas from the members here.

 

[sally and james]

@SJC asked, "Who would you see privately if you were in my boat? Nutritionist? Dietician?"

I don't think I would bother with either, but we found an appointment with a private GP, who specialises in diabetes, very helpful. We were already doing low carb and had things under control, but it was very good to have an hour with someone knowledgeable and go over everything. As for low carb, he was right behind it, going over all the things you shouldn't eat and saying it was the right thing to do. We found him via a Nuffield Hospital.
Sally

 

[Debmcgee]

How bad is that, that you had to go to a private doc for advice. Such a shame but glad you got good advice


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

Diagnosed prediabetic Easter 2014.