Insulin resistance, fatty liver, alcohol - and the hole in my bucket.

[donnellysdogs]

I waS diagnosed with NAFLD from a ultra sound scan on my organs not through any blood tests...

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

Edit: posted in stages because the web site is being unhelpfully constipated at the moment.

Know what you mean.

While we're on livers, fatty or otherwise, I took a drug called Rosiglitazone, no longer available, which affected my liver function which has never been the same since, although in January 2016, after taking Milk Thistle for 6 months, my GP announced that my liver function was fine. Sadly, January 2017, it's not so good again so perhaps I should get back to the Milk Thistle.

 

[JohnEGreen]

@DavidGrahamJones If you do then it may be a good idea to take Alpha Lipoic Acid and vit E as well the combination is supposed to be very beneficial for liver damage. Especially ALA as it is often used as an antidote intravenously to help repair extreme liver damage done by the consumption of poisonous mushrooms these days.

 

[Kristin251]

Just another good reason to take ALA. Goodness for all kinds of things.

@DavidGrahamJones If you do then it may be a good idea to take Alpha Lipoic Acid and vit E as well the combination is supposed to be very beneficial for liver damage. Especially ALA as it is often used as an antidote intravenously to help repair extreme liver damage done by the consumption of poisonous mushrooms these days.

 

[JohnEGreen]

The only time I know of when it is ill advised is if you have iron anaemia.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

A quick note; I am now into my 6th day without booze and I don't really feel any different.

My weight hasn't changed by an ounce over the last few days.

I have noticed that I feel more hungry and may be eating more to compensate for the lost calories from the alcohol. I don't have any more energy.

At the moment I am still on track to have a 2 week rest from alcohol although I am reluctant to give it up long term.

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

I am reluctant to give it up long term.

Nearly ten years for me. Admittedly prescription drugs messing with my liver helped make the decision. I think I successfully convinced myself I didn't need it, definitely mind over matter. LOL

One side effect was that I thought I'd put my brains in a washing machine, very strange vacant feeling. Bank balance is a lot better as well, I could actually afford a hobby, something I'd been interested in but couldn't afford. All the best.

 

[zand]

A quick note; I am now into my 6th day without booze and I don't really feel any different.

My weight hasn't changed by an ounce over the last few days.

I have noticed that I feel more hungry and may be eating more to compensate for the lost calories from the alcohol. I don't have any more energy.

At the moment I am still on track to have a 2 week rest from alcohol although I am reluctant to give it up long term.

If you are concerned about your liver and also about insulin resistance why would you revert to drinking alcohol? The liver treats it as a toxin and while it is doing that it can't effectively perform the rest of its work.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I understand the thinking is that, apart from sticking to the units recommendations (and they seem to be figures plucked out of the air on a one size fits all basis), it is much healthier for the liver to have 2 alcohol free days each week. This gives the liver a break.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Nearly ten years for me. Admittedly prescription drugs messing with my liver helped make the decision. I think I successfully convinced myself I didn't need it, definitely mind over matter. LOL

One side effect was that I thought I'd put my brains in a washing machine, very strange vacant feeling. Bank balance is a lot better as well, I could actually afford a hobby, something I'd been interested in but couldn't afford. All the best.

Thats the way I now feel about not being able to eat the foods that most people can. I can afford to treat myself with more better things.. like my Newfypoo!! And I just buy organic food as I have so little... it can help me rationalise more now. I couldnt even go to a supermarket for a long time as it really upset me. Now I can at least go with hubby.
Daisy dog is definitely a good replacement for foods that I missed. I get huge amounts more back from her than I ever did with food.

Giving up alchohol is harder too when socialising, as was food with me. At home it was easy as only drank 1/2 bottle with hubby at weekend but with friends out it was hard for food and for drink. I stopped doing that totally. Now I just organise events at home or go to their house(s) in between meals...

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

Giving up alchohol is harder too when socialising, as was food with me.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I got enjoyment out of being different. I try to concentrate on the positives and forget the negatives.

 

[JohnEGreen]

I have seen and been through too much heartache due to alcohol to ever drink to excess again. Now just the odd glass of wine or the occasional tot of whisky for me any I mean very occasional.

 

[donnellysdogs]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I got enjoyment out of being different. I try to concentrate on the positives and forget the negatives.

Shows how we are all different. Even at a bbq I cant eat meat, bread, only thing from a salad is avocado, olive and skinned cucumber....
could gorge on ice cream!!
So if the enjoyment of being that different is over riable by some sort if enjoyment of being different-I do not understand it..
Even for hubbies 50th which was last time I really, really had to make a huge effort.. eating soup whilst everybody else had huge platters etc.. and only being able to eat a teaplate of food at a time, well it really doesnt actually feel good to be different...

I would rather invite friends and do a bbq here that I did for my cancer therapy unit so I can tuck in to my skinned cucumber in between serving people, so they dont actually realise I'm different.... its easier to be serving and clearing up etc than people saying odd things about your food... when food is hugely restricted some people assume you are anorexic... when in reality I would really, really love to eat..

I concentrate hugely on positives and mindfulness... I am pin up woman for cancer therapy unit because of my positiveness. Helping to start a table tennis group again is hugely positive.

It is very positive to not make food and drink a thing of importance and I do actually do my utter best to diatract to positives in other ways....

Socially I cannot accept going to a pub for a meal and being different but I have adapted and use it as a positive to raise money for important charities and for putting health and social activity groups back in to our community.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

If you are concerned about your liver and also about insulin resistance why would you revert to drinking alcohol? The liver treats it as a toxin and while it is doing that it can't effectively perform the rest of its work.

I am more intrigued than concerned.

As I listed in the original post, there are more questions than answers.
It has given me an avenue to explore and consider.

As to why I would resume? Because I enjoy it and it makes me happy.

If I find enough evidence to suggest that I am personally suffering harm from the amount I drink (and as far as I can tell I am not an alcoholic) then I will take steps. Much as I did with carbohydrates.

I've stopped for a little while just to see if I can notice any difference.

 

[Kristin251]

I am more intrigued than concerned.

As I listed in the original post, there are more questions than answers.
It has given me an avenue to explore and consider.

As to why I would resume? Because I enjoy it and it makes me happy.

If I find enough evidence to suggest that I am personally suffering harm from the amount I drink (and as far as I can tell I am not an alcoholic) then I will take steps. Much as I did with carbohydrates.

I've stopped for a little while just to see if I can notice any difference.

I'm with you. I drink every night. Either wine or vodka bcause I enjoy it. I have given up so many things I enjoy I draw the line with alcohol and coffee. Alcohol make me very insulin sensative too.

No signs of poor liver and I eat an impeccably clean diet and take ALA now. Those have to count for something !!

Most days by the end of the day I'm either tired of fighting , figuring out why bs bs does what it does and doesn't do, tired from work etc so I totally look forward to a cocktail. I love a little cheese and wine around 5 and eat dinner around 6-:630. Usually drinking is over by then unless I have a shot of chilled vodka before bed to help me sleep.

Shows how we are all different. Even at a bbq I cant eat meat, bread, only thing from a salad is avocado, olive and skinned cucumber....
could gorge on ice cream!!
So if the enjoyment of being that different is over riable by some sort if enjoyment of being different-I do not understand it..
Even for hubbies 50th which was last time I really, really had to make a huge effort.. eating soup whilst everybody else had huge platters etc.. and only being able to eat a teaplate of food at a time, well it really doesnt actually feel good to be different...

I would rather invite friends and do a bbq here that I did for my cancer therapy unit so I can tuck in to my skinned cucumber in between serving people, so they dont actually realise I'm different.... its easier to be serving and clearing up etc than people saying odd things about your food... when food is hugely restricted some people assume you are anorexic... when in reality I would really, really love to eat..

I concentrate hugely on positives and mindfulness... I am pin up woman for cancer therapy unit because of my positiveness. Helping to start a table tennis group again is hugely positive.

It is very positive to not make food and drink a thing of importance and I do actually do my utter best to diatract to positives in other ways....

Socially I cannot accept going to a pub for a meal and being different but I have adapted and use it as a positive to raise money for important charities and for putting health and social activity groups back in to our community.

I agree with you too @donnellysdogs. Eating out isn't fun. I drool at others food and get angry I can't have it. I will go to a pub and sit at the bar and have a nice glass of wine or vodka and then come home to my own food. Stops me from continuing to drink too haha.
It makes no sense for me to order food for x amount of dollars to eat a handful if even. I don't want to take left overs home as it's not high quality food. Not to mention you never know what's in it.
People see me eating small meals but don't realize I eat many through out the day. I am thin too but you can't really get fat eating the way we do. I've always been thin and always preferred small meals.
I'd rather serve and clean as well to distract myself. It's hard being around food for hours and not being able to enjoy it.

On a positive note, you're more positive than me !!!

 

[donnellysdogs]

I'm with you. I drink every night. Either wine or vodka bcause I enjoy it. I have given up so many things I enjoy I draw the line with alcohol and coffee. Alcohol make me very insulin sensative too.

No signs of poor liver and I eat an impeccably clean diet and take ALA now. Those have to count for something !!

Most days by the end of the day I'm either tired of fighting , figuring out why bs bs does what it does and doesn't do, tired from work etc so I totally look forward to a cocktail. I love a little cheese and wine around 5 and eat dinner around 6-:630. Usually drinking is over by then unless I have a shot of chilled vodka before bed to help me sleep.


I agree with you too @donnellysdogs.

On a positive note, you're more positive than me !!!

Thank-you.

My Prof Oncologist said a couple glasses of good quality red wine a week is not seen as detrimental on current data/research.

You and I have very similar foods and reality on how our digestive systems slowly chugg and its good to know that I'm not the only one that appreciates just how certain foods dont just spike our bloods but also react so badly inside us.

I handle my food situations the best way to keep me happy and I think we both do that.

Thank you.. you are so positive to me and I love reading some of your inventive ideas... helps me alot..

 

[Kristin251]

Thank-you.

My Prof Oncologist said a couple glasses of good quality red wine a week is not seen as detrimental on current data/research.

You and I have very similar foods and reality on how our digestive systems slowly chugg and its good to know that I'm not the only one that appreciates just how certain foods dont just spike our bloods but also react so badly inside us.

I handle my food situations the best way to keep me happy and I think we both do that.

Thank you.. you are so positive to me and I love reading some of your inventive ideas... helps me alot..

You're so welcome and you're a bright shining star in my world !!

Most days I just plod along as usual but I do have my melt downs. That's where wine comes in!!!To be honest, if I'm having a good day I want wine and a bad day....I want wine.

If my tummy isn't happy after dinner I don't sleep and seems anything can set it off at any time. I try to be very careful at night. But every day is different as I'm sure you know. I'm jealous you can eat all those veg without spiking. That's the other thing, if I'm not digesting I spike. So challenging dealing with an over reactive gut AND diabetes.

It's nice for me to know I'm not alone either!! At least we both have avocado lol

 

[donnellysdogs]

My standard food is broccoli and courgette. Bnut squash occasionally and aubergine the same. Always weighed. Thats it. Nothing else besides it can all go into my corned beef hash without the spud but cauli rice with it. Or it all goes into a homemade curry sauce or sort of fish pie without the spud. Wish I liked avocado as much as you do!! Sometimes I can put it with spinach into a smoothie from coconut milk or soy milk now. Was avoing soy but my Onc said the majority of drs and consuktants giving wrong info ref soy products to women... so I'm having that starting tomorrow when shopping.
I do miss my salads but skinned cucumber and avocado do not maketh a salad-lol!!! So better off with my veg, despite it meant to be summer. I do have avocado in choc mousse though when I want a pud. -Thats rare!! And then got to be in mood to make it.

One good thing though is that I can now make cakes to take in to my cancer therapy unit. I went years without making anything. With hubbys help I can get my mind round making things for other cancer people. This has given me great joy as they love my white choc n lime cheesecake. I tried to make a cake a few weeks ago... put ingredients in tin, stuck in oven and thought "that mixture looks a bit odd, must be right though"... turned round to do washing up and realised all the dry ingredients were still sat in bowl ready to be mixed in!! Thats why hubby buys and makes with me! Brain not cope!

Foods spike me with slow digestion but not before odd ones not moving at all and causing lows. Got to be careful when I even time bolus which is a complete pain!! Still working on this....bit like you for timing of basal jab. We have to be so accurate with our timings.

So glad to know you are around. Thank you.


Sorry to detract... as usual with me!!

 

[Kristin251]

My standard food is broccoli and courgette. Bnut squash occasionally and aubergine the same. Always weighed. Thats it. Nothing else besides it can all go into my corned beef hash without the spud but cauli rice with it. Or it all goes into a homemade curry sauce or sort of fish pie without the spud. Wish I liked avocado as much as you do!! Sometimes I can put it with spinach into a smoothie from coconut milk or soy milk now. Was avoing soy but my Onc said the majority of drs and consuktants giving wrong info ref soy products to women... so I'm having that starting tomorrow when shopping.
I do miss my salads but skinned cucumber and avocado do not maketh a salad-lol!!! So better off with my veg, despite it meant to be summer. I do have avocado in choc mousse though when I want a pud. -Thats rare!! And then got to be in mood to make it.

One good thing though is that I can now make cakes to take in to my cancer therapy unit. I went years without making anything. With hubbys help I can get my mind round making things for other cancer people. This has given me great joy as they love my white choc n lime cheesecake. I tried to make a cake a few weeks ago... put ingredients in tin, stuck in oven and thought "that mixture looks a bit odd, must be right though"... turned round to do washing up and realised all the dry ingredients were still sat in bowl ready to be mixed in!! Thats why hubby buys and makes with me! Brain not cope!

Foods spike me with slow digestion but not before odd ones not moving at all and causing lows. Got to be careful when I even time bolus which is a complete pain!! Still working on this....bit like you for timing of basal jab. We have to be so accurate with our timings.

So glad to know you are around. Thank you.


Sorry to detract... as usual with me!!

I wish you felt better. Why did I think you were in remission? Or are you and I'm being dense haha?

Yeah, you never know what's going to happen even if you do the same thing and eat the same thing. It shouldn't be this hard.

I went pretty much veg free for a bit but missing them. Going to have a small lettuce and turkey wrap tomorrow. I just need to keep portions low so if I do have issues they don't last long.

It's not all that I love avocado that much, it's how much it likes me. Keeps me from those drops you speak of and then stops the spikes. It acts like a bridge with insulin and food timing. There are ways to disguise it. Wondering how your bs is when you eat it and don't eat it.

When you get up to bolus in the wee hours do you eat something then as well? For DP if I don't eat when I take insulin it does absolutely nothing.

 

[donnellysdogs]

No evidence now for cancer, just 2 diff ops to be done. Not cancer related and one before christmas for tidy up on 1st mx. So good news, but I am acutely aware of keeping my whole body happy, not just my diabetes.. more so now although being lean all my life didnt help as it meant boob wise the cancer went to 0.1ml of my chest wall.... if I'd had more boobs it wouldnt have gone so close-lol. Go to fantastic talks from a really top UK Oncologist now as well. Amazing how insulin resistance is now being linked to this awful disease as well.

Going to buy some avocado tomorrow and use as a bridge now... good idea..

No eating at 4am.. if I insulatard it keeps me good for the 5 unit rise I get without it before 8am. It then kicks in nicely for 4 hours when I also need a bolus as well. Just trying now to sort out when I do morning walks with my Daisy dog as these are spur of moment and these will knock me down. Other days mornings ok. Get rises currently at 4pm and from 9pm with and without eating. Have tried tresiba at night and mirnings, no difference. Dont like having two basals but not much choice as none of them work singularly with dawn/waking phen....if I add eating in 1st thing in morning its horrendous for highs.