ME/CFS and uncertainty over prediabetes

[janeecee]

I never expected this. I had a random test by a doctor some hours after eating and the reading was 7.9. I hadn't eaten anything sugary. I'm awaiting the results of my fasting blood test which I'll probably find out next week. In the meantime I don't know what to do. I've always been slim, my BMI is 20.4, I have no family history of diabetes, I thought my diet was good, not too much fat and sugar... In the past all my routine bloods have been good.

My only risk factors are my age, I'm 50 and I can't do much about that, and my inability to exercise because I have ME/CFS. I'm at my wits end right now because it's not as if I can lose all that much weight and my capacity for exercise is very limited as I'm at the more severe end of the ME spectrum ie currently housebound.

Most of the advice assumes that everyone with pre/diabetes is overweight or obese! I don't smoke, I rarely drink, and it's not as if I stuff myself with cakes or pies. I've never even taken sugar in my tea! So what can I do?

I know that my blood test results have still to be confirmed but I'm thinking ahead and reading up about reversing prediabetes but having ME I haven't got a snowball's chance in achieving the exercise recommendations and if I was to lose 5-10% of my weight I'd probably be underweight. Which leaves the dietary option... and once again, what are my dietary sins? Pasta? Bananas? Any advice appreciated. J.

 

[))Denise((]

As someone who was mis-diagnosed with CFS when it was Vitamin D deficiency. Have you had your vitamin D levels checked as low vitamin D causes higher blood sugar levels.

 

[janeecee]

There is little doubt over my diagnosis of ME/CFS. I have attended two specialist units over the years and I have all the classic symptoms of neurological ME (as distinct from Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue resulting from other conditions). I have been thoroughly checked out by specialists so the likelihood of misdiagnosis is not really an issue. I do understand that vitamin D deficiency is a consideration for many people who are housebound with ME and other conditions. Supplementing my diet and sitting outdoors has not led to any improvement in my ME symptoms so I don't consider it a contributing factor.

My main concern is my recent blood sugar test and the future implications of how I can deal with a diagnosis of either prediabetes or adult onset diabetes, given that I am at the severe/housebound end of the ME scale and the fact that I am nowhere near being overweight.

I have ordered a glucose testing kit and I will do my own tests to check for myself, although I should learn the results of my fasting glucose test next week.

 

[Ayurvedic101]

HI Jancee

I don’t know if you are aware of the science of Ayurveda, Ayurveda describes 20 types of diabetes three to five thousand years before out of which 10 to 15 are pre diabetic conditions which could be reversed. Ayurveda gives holistic approach of herbal remedies massage based Ayurvedic therapies detoxifications and diet and yoga recommendations which can easily follow.
Your main root issue seems to be ME/CFS which will lead to complications such as diabetes so check out the Ayurvedic herbs like Witha Somnifara which are used in treatment of ME as well as Diabetes and there are many more herbs that I could recommend to treat you.
Some of the Ayurveda food recommendations would be:
• Eat freshly cooked meals or at least warmed up meals. Avoid cold meals.
• Eat only when you feel hungry.
• Take some time out to sit down when eating your meals, and be fully aware of yourself whilst you eat (try to avoid distractions such as TV etc).
• Be aware of when your stomach is getting full and avoid overeating.
• Be aware of you chewing each morsel.
• Sip on warm water throughout the day. Never drink cold water. Warm water is ideal, but ambient temperature water is better than cold.
• Avoid drinking any beverages or water during, and in the hour following meals.
• Use only rock salt wherever necessary while cooking.

The positive results of using Ayurveda in treating Pre diabetes are tenfold.The Ayurvedic Consultant will develop a key treatment plan tailored to your needs specifically, helping you gain results and reversing the signs of pre diabetes.
Please let me know if you need any further information,

Warm Regards

Ayurvedic101

 

[))Denise((]

I always ask the question about mis-diagnosis of CFS because I struggled for nearly three years with extreme tiredness. Within a month of being diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency and supplementing the tireness started lifting.

Vitamin D is implicated in higher blood sugar levels http://suite101.com/article/diabetes-ma ... on-a252005

But if this is not the case with you, then I apologise for mentioning it.

 

[janeecee]

No probs, Denise. I know you are only trying to be helpful and saying what helped in your situation. I can manage living with ME within my limitations but add the possibility of pre/diabetes and it's another matter entirely. Especially when the standard advice is to lose weight and cut out all the 'bad' food and take up exercise when I don't have many options.

 

[Grazer]

Try not to worry too much yet. Worry raises blood sugar levels as well. Wait till you get your results, then deal with it if necessary. Your one off reading was a little higher than might be expected, but not diagnostic of diabetes on its own. So let's wait, then you'll get lots of help on here. You'll be surprised at how many ways there may be to trim those sugar levels

 

[janeecee]

Good news. My fasting blood glucose levels were within the normal non-diabetic range so it seems that I've been spared the diagnosis of prediabetes. However, this has been a valuable learning experience and it has taught me that controlling one's carbohydrate and sugar intake is important for all people, paricularly if older or disabled as our bodies cannot use up glucose as efficiently as a young, energetic non-diabetic, and this puts us at risk. So, thankful thought I may be, I won't be complacent.