Low carb

[pleinster]

My practice nurse absolutely refuses a meter & says that I definitely don't need one

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That is very common, sadly, as many NHS staff just spew out the same general drivel on this issue (which to be fair is driven to a large extent by what they are advised to say based on the simple fact that meters and strips for all Type 2s would be quite a cost to the NHS). I suppose technically she is "right" - it isn't essential to staying alive. It is, however, the only way each of us as individuals can know how our blood sugar levels will respond to particular foods, the only way we can actually see what our levels are in between HbA1c tests (in many instances only every six months) and the best way for us to actually see our own progress on certain diets/approaches. One argument used (badly) is that testing can cause us to be stressed out if we see "bad" numbers; personally, I would be far more stressed out waiting to see what my level is every six months or so (particularly if I was following the general dietary advice provided). It's not your nurse's body, is it? It's yours. My wife is a nurse; she would buy a meter if she was diabetic...I am willing to bet your nurse would too (if he/she actually knew what worked). No offence to practice nurses..but expertise on diabetes is not exactly the forte.

 

[dbr10]

My practice nurse absolutely refuses a meter & says that I definitely don't need one

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That is completely idiotic.

 

[hooha]

Please tell us more about how you did on the ND. How long did you do it for? How much weight did you lose? What proportion of your weight was that? What were your numbers when you finished it compared to at diagnosis?

Hello Tannith. I did 600 to 800 cals per day on ordinary food, simply by cutting out most fast carbs, filling up on boiled vegetables and omelettes . Lots of water, diet coke, black tea and coffee..Sometimes cheated and went up to 1,000 calories for the day... Did the whole 8 weeks, {I think !} Started cutting back about a week before I actually started seriously, then did 55 days. Lost 10 kg the first 3 weeks and got low fasting levels at that time of 60, 80 , 90 ...Think the 60 may have been a fluke . Was not testing or doing everything logically at first, was in a panic as had to learn and do all myself with NO HELP except internet and two books by Dr Mosley. Was scared to prick my finger. Did not know which monitor to buy....Diagnosed with fasting blood levels of 140 and 135. Starting weight was 75 kg, got some good blood levels at 66 kg but am now at 57 - 58 kg with lots of gym. Did not start gym until diet day 55. Am not tall [ 5' 6" ] BMI is 21 plus...
I lost 18 kg from 75 so that is 24% of my body weight. Am all skin bone and muscle now.
Am now experimenting blood levels - with pastries and bread and so on... after reading up on Blood sugar 101, am testing more and more... found that asian root crops like taro and yam are good substitute for spuds, but usually stick to LCHF type of foods.

 

[hooha]

That is very common, sadly, as many NHS staff just spew out the same general drivel on this issue (which to be fair is driven to a large extent by what they are advised to say based on the simple fact that meters and strips for all Type 2s would be quite a cost to the NHS). I suppose technically she is "right" - it isn't essential to staying alive. It is, however, the only way each of us as individuals can know how our blood sugar levels will respond to particular foods, the only way we can actually see what our levels are in between HbA1c tests (in many instances only every six months) and the best way for us to actually see our own progress on certain diets/approaches. One argument used (badly) is that testing can cause us to be stressed out if we see "bad" numbers; personally, I would be far more stressed out waiting to see what my level is every six months or so (particularly if I was following the general dietary advice provided). It's not your nurse's body, is it? It's yours. My wife is a nurse; she would buy a meter if she was diabetic...I am willing to bet your nurse would too (if he/she actually knew what worked). No offence to practice nurses..but expertise on diabetes is not exactly the forte.

HELLO I was told no meter necessary as they '' didn't want me '' to alarm myself. I was pretty well alarmed at the prospects of diabetic secondary problems and no help from the dr...just a bland sort of kiss - off and get used to it and see you next time...although I ASKED about doing ND and helping myself they '' did not recommend that ''
Zilch value.

 

[dbr10]

HELLO I was told no meter necessary as they '' didn't want me '' to alarm myself. I was pretty well alarmed at the prospects of diabetic secondary problems and no help from the dr...just a bland sort of kiss - off and get used to it and see you next time...although I ASKED about doing ND and helping myself they '' did not recommend that ''
Zilch value.

No. Realising they weren't actually helping you wasn't going to get you alarmed, was it. It DID me.

 

[pleinster]

HELLO I was told no meter necessary as they '' didn't want me '' to alarm myself. I was pretty well alarmed at the prospects of diabetic secondary problems and no help from the dr...just a bland sort of kiss - off and get used to it and see you next time...although I ASKED about doing ND and helping myself they '' did not recommend that ''
Zilch value.

It's ridiculous. Without a meter, I would be simply guessing at what was working for me as an individual and would be left hoping I was making progress until "they" test me every few months. As a renal transplant patient, I am not prepared to wait and see if my diabetes is having a negative impact on the one kidney I now have (courtesy of my lovely wee sister). Fortunately, my renal staff made sure I was given a meter and the nurse I saw totally recognised its value (not only to me but to any diabetic).

 

[Tannith]

Hello Tannith. I did 600 to 800 cals per day on ordinary food, simply by cutting out most fast carbs, filling up on boiled vegetables and omelettes . Lots of water, diet coke, black tea and coffee..Sometimes cheated and went up to 1,000 calories for the day... Did the whole 8 weeks, {I think !} Started cutting back about a week before I actually started seriously, then did 55 days. Lost 10 kg the first 3 weeks and got low fasting levels at that time of 60, 80 , 90 ...Think the 60 may have been a fluke . Was not testing or doing everything logically at first, was in a panic as had to learn and do all myself with NO HELP except internet and two books by Dr Mosley. Was scared to prick my finger. Did not know which monitor to buy....Diagnosed with fasting blood levels of 140 and 135. Starting weight was 75 kg, got some good blood levels at 66 kg but am now at 57 - 58 kg with lots of gym. Did not start gym until diet day 55. Am not tall [ 5' 6" ] BMI is 21 plus...
I lost 18 kg from 75 so that is 24% of my body weight. Am all skin bone and muscle now.
Am now experimenting blood levels - with pastries and bread and so on... after reading up on Blood sugar 101, am testing more and more... found that asian root crops like taro and yam are good substitute for spuds, but usually stick to LCHF type of foods.

Thank you. That is encouraging to read. What were your FBGs when you finished - and now? Could you eat carbs now without raising them too much?

 

[kokhongw]

I lost 18 kg from 75 so that is 24% of my body weight. Am all skin bone and muscle now.

Lean muscle, muscle loss is the main considerations for very low calorie diet and extended fasting. That is why it is not recommended for those who are older as it becomes more difficult to regain the lost muscle mass...

 

[ringi]

Lean muscle, muscle loss is the main considerations for very low calorie diet and extended fasting. That is why it is not recommended for those who are older as it becomes more difficult to regain the lost muscle mass...

The Newcastle Diet being limited to 8 week (not up to 12 week max) is partly due to this.

Muscle loss can be prevented with fasting by drinking bone broth that has a little protein in it, but it is unwise to fast for more than about 5 days without medical advice.

The most effective way to stop muscle loss is to use them, hence resistance training is of such great benefit.

 

[JohnEGreen]

My grandson's other grandparents situation has highlighted for me the different levels of diabetic care you get with the NHS they are both T2 she when diagnosed over eight years ago was told by her doctor you are diabetic because you are fat so loose some weight and take 500mg of metformin a day and that was it for the next eight years she is now terminally ill with vasular diementia. He however when diagnosed had a doctor who took things more seriously and was eventually put on insulin though more recently because of unremitting high blood sugars his doctor recommended LCHF to him he now no longer requires insulin but is on a larger dose of metformin only and his diabetes is under control .

A couple both T2 different doctors different out come.