Not very happy .....small rant!

[catapillar]

It hard for me to keep my blood glucose in this range 50% of the times.The only things in range is my fasting sugar and after breakfast i shot up to 18 mol after 2 hours.

And that would be why DAFNE doesn't recommend testing after meals. Only before. So are you back in range before lunch? If not, I'd be considering whether your insulin to carb ratio in the morning is correct, whether you need to consider pre bolusing for breakfast and whether you basal dosage is correct with a bit of basal testing.

The other important thing to remember about the targets is they are just that, targets, only ranges to aim for. It's perfectly possible to have a hba1c that is within target even if 30% of your finger sticks are over target.

 

[Resurgam]

When the general population is being pushed to eat carbs even though obesity rates are so high, what chance does anyone have of being given the information that carbs aren't actually a good thing in general?
Everyone is being pushed to the limit of what their metabolism can tolerate, not just diabetics - my grandchildren seem to be fed on almost exclusively carb heavy foods - every meal every snack is sugar and/or grain. My tall and slender son is developing a pot belly. We live near the beach and I feel there is a good reason for bringing in a law to have bathing costumes made more concealing.
I did low carb for decades before being diagnosed, but have no idea how long I have been diabetic - when eating the same low carb diet as I always did I have no symptoms. It is only when I eat 'normally' that my inability to cope shows itself.
The way that a type one is expected to cope with what I feel is unnaturally high in carbs seems to be like handing someone on a unicycle a tray of drinks and telling them to carry it across the tightrope.....

 

[Mokkijo]

I need a little rant. This morning, I got up early to go for an appointment with the diabetic specialist nurse. She asked how I was, asked how my diabetes was noted down 10 BG readings. She said they were fine (4-7.4mmols) but I've worked out that the average is around 6. So I asked what range I should be aiming for and she said what I was doing was fine and to keep it under 10. I asked what should I do if it went above 10 and was given a nice clear answer. If it's consistently over 10 for 48hrs to phone for advice. I asked her what range of carbs I should try to limit myself to and she said "We like people to take ownership of their diabetes" My question is, how can I own my diabetes when I'm not being given any information I can use? Since being diagnosed in Aug, the main support and information has come from this wonderful site and warm people. Feeling really fed up and very frustrated. Sorry for the ranting.

If I listened to my primary care doc re: my pre-D, I'd be well on my way to meds. & diabetic complications. My advice is: take matters into your own hands: research, research, research as much as possible. There are a few low carb blogs w/wonderful recipes.I am admin of this https://www.facebook.com/groups/188088054632922/group.--feel free to join. We have lots of recipes, ideas & support. Plan to do a lot of prep work, cooking & maybe baking.
Eat NO processed foods, and go for a low carb (I aim for 50 grams/day, but some have much less). Add a little exercise. Keep your stress level in check, no snacking at night. Monitor your daily bloods until you know EXACTLY what foods /portions you can tolerate.
Remember: protein & fat are necessary nutrients:CARBS are NOT. You don't need them for health--many cultures (Mongolians, Inuits) eat zero carbs & have zero incidence of diabetes.

 

[EllieM]

It seems pretty clear that low carbs are good for T2s, and probably for many people trying to lose weight. However, that's not necessarily the case for T1s, who come in all shapes and sizes. Indeed, many T1s start out underweight, and have to work to gain the kgs. As a T1, there's no real reason why you can't eat the same things that you had before diagnosis (OK, with the proviso that binge eating probably isn't ideal and sweet fizzy drinks are really only a good idea when hypo. )

A hundred years ago T1s were starved of carbs to help them live long enough for a cure to be developed. They still died without insulin.

T1 is a very different disease to T2, and I wouldn't be telling a T1 to go very low carb just because they are diabetic.

 

[Mokkijo]

It seems pretty clear that low carbs are good for T2s, and probably for many people trying to lose weight. However, that's not necessarily the case for T1s, who come in all shapes and sizes. Indeed, many T1s start out underweight, and have to work to gain the kgs. As a T1, there's no real reason why you can't eat the same things that you had before diagnosis (OK, with the proviso that binge eating probably isn't ideal and sweet fizzy drinks are really only a good idea when hypo. )

A hundred years ago T1s were starved of carbs to help them live long enough for a cure to be developed. They still died without insulin.

T1 is a very different disease to T2, and I wouldn't be telling a T1 to go very low carb just because they are diabetic.

my advice was for pre-d’s & T2. No where did she mention T1D.

 

[EllieM]

my advice was for pre-d’s & T2. No where did she mention T1D.

The OP's profile says she's T1?

 

[Alison Campbell]

@Mokkijo are you using the mobile app, rather than the website?

 

[catapillar]

my advice was for pre-d’s & T2. No where did she mention T1D.

Well you are posting on a thread in the type 1 sub forum. So it's not really an appropriate place for advice to pre-ds and type 2s. And the OPs avatar clearly says she is type 1.

 

[Mokkijo]

The OP's profile says she's T1?

SO sorry, that missed my glance. Time for an eye check.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi and thanks
What does limiting your carbs actually mean? Do you have a bench mark?

Hi @SueJB ,

A "moderate" carb intake for type ones generally bandied about, is 180-200g per day..?
Of course I would stress you would need to know what kind of carbs do what for you in conjunction with your personal insulin regime..

I'm not sure of your carb intake day to day. But starting off with an honest log of what you eat when you eat. Along with bolus & test results, may help build up a picture of what needs a tweak for you...

 

[EllieM]

SO sorry, that missed my glance. Time for an eye check.

No worries, it's an easy mistake to make, hope my post didn't seem like a personal attack.

And as a T1, I'm on moderately low carb myself...

 

[pollensa]

I need a little rant. This morning, I got up early to go for an appointment with the diabetic specialist nurse. She asked how I was, asked how my diabetes was noted down 10 BG readings. She said they were fine (4-7.4mmols) but I've worked out that the average is around 6. So I asked what range I should be aiming for and she said what I was doing was fine and to keep it under 10. I asked what should I do if it went above 10 and was given a nice clear answer. If it's consistently over 10 for 48hrs to phone for advice. I asked her what range of carbs I should try to limit myself to and she said "We like people to take ownership of their diabetes" My question is, how can I own my diabetes when I'm not being given any information I can use? Since being diagnosed in Aug, the main support and information has come from this wonderful site and warm people. Feeling really fed up and very frustrated. Sorry for the ranting.

Hello, I think she means, everyone knows their body best and adjust accordingly, having said, that it was not and is not a professional answer to you by any means.

Really, personally, not every one things the same, I don't trust the medical carers, no disrespect or doctors, but many if not majority really do not UNDERSTAND what Diabetes is, ask them to explain what they feel and view diabetes, I bet you don't get a straight answer, i.e. its a Diet Disease, and higher sugars indicate our body is not working well, and take caution for example.

I suggest as well as following your supposed specialist nurse, certainly does not deserve this title for sure, pop onto diet doctor website, www.dietdoctors.com its a most helpful website food, keto eating and also look up Dr. Jason Fung on the website, a person, I hold in highest esteem.

Owning Diabetes, this is what I do owning my Pre diabetes, changed lifestyle.

• keto eating low carb wonderful meals
• Exercise daily as much as you you can depending on lifestyle commitments, best to exercise I find after a meal also keeps the levels controlled
• Intermittent fasting, no special day just when you feel like it, I do two morning no breakfast, only green tea no sugar or milk, and I do one day 24 hour fast, that is no breakfast and no lunch, only dinner in the evening.

Following this simple routine, I have dropped now 22 kilos in 11 months, eatng fabulously, better foods than before, and my numbers are fasting 80mg/dl, 2 hr after eat 85mg/dl random any time 87mg/dl only check fingers every 4 months now, and guess what, they are continuously consistent, with only a mere number up or down one way or the other, and even the same on two occasions, my Doctors said, oh, your lucky just a good day, for goodness Doctor, four months space inbetween finger testing, over period of 11 months, and levels are continuout without any form of medication whatsoever.....this indicates, a person if far better off taking charge of their diabetes, and body in my opinion anyway.

Hope this assists

Mallorca

 

[Mr_Pot]

Hello, I think she means, everyone knows their body best and adjust accordingly, having said, that it was not and is not a professional answer to you by any means.

Really, personally, not every one things the same, I don't trust the medical carers, no disrespect or doctors, but many if not majority really do not UNDERSTAND what Diabetes is, ask them to explain what they feel and view diabetes, I bet you don't get a straight answer, i.e. its a Diet Disease, and higher sugars indicate our body is not working well, and take caution for example.

I suggest as well as following your supposed specialist nurse, certainly does not deserve this title for sure, pop onto diet doctor website, www.dietdoctors.com its a most helpful website food, keto eating and also look up Dr. Jason Fung on the website, a person, I hold in highest esteem.

Owning Diabetes, this is what I do owning my Pre diabetes, changed lifestyle.

• keto eating low carb wonderful meals
• Exercise daily as much as you you can depending on lifestyle commitments, best to exercise I find after a meal also keeps the levels controlled
• Intermittent fasting, no special day just when you feel like it, I do two morning no breakfast, only green tea no sugar or milk, and I do one day 24 hour fast, that is no breakfast and no lunch, only dinner in the evening.

Following this simple routine, I have dropped now 22 kilos in 11 months, eatng fabulously, better foods than before, and my numbers are fasting 80mg/dl, 2 hr after eat 85mg/dl random any time 87mg/dl only check fingers every 4 months now, and guess what, they are continuously consistent, with only a mere number up or down one way or the other, and even the same on two occasions, my Doctors said, oh, your lucky just a good day, for goodness Doctor, four months space inbetween finger testing, over period of 11 months, and levels are continuout without any form of medication whatsoever.....this indicates, a person if far better off taking charge of their diabetes, and body in my opinion anyway.

Hope this assists

Mallorca

Despite the remarks above you have not noticed the OP is Type 1 and so your advice may well be inappropriate.

 

[ringi]

@SueJB This history will be useful, until recently it was common for people with Type2 to be given mixed insulin, told how much to take and at what time, along with being told what food to eat at each meal. The nurse may have thought that you wanted to be on that type of system, hence the comment about your taking ownership.

Much better results (regardless of carb levels) are got by the modem system (MDI) when people measure their own BG and change their own fast acting insulin dose to match what their body is doing and what they are eating.

As to the level of carbs, anyone (regardless of having or not having Type1) will give themselves insulin resistance if they have more carbs than their body can cope with. As I understand it, in the USA “double diabetes” is now common due to people with Type1 having a VERY high sugar and carb intake, then matching it with high insulin usage.

At his stage provided you don’t have lots of high sugar drinks etc, or lots of fruit juice you are unlikely to need to change your diet. You already have enough to lean without considering a new diet at this time.

 

[therower]

@pollensa . Heaven forbid you should find yourself injecting insulin multiple times a day like the OP.
As pre diabetic your understanding of the OP's condition is apparently limited and some advice given could prove detrimental to the OP's well being.
Please be careful what " information " you give.

 

[Fearless36]

My original post got edited. I had previously called her a swear word and moderators here changed it to more politically correct language but superior wasn't my original wording.

Hi and thanks. She wasn't superior but either she was not well-informed or not willing to share the secrets... I felt it was both. I've got a planned meeting with the dietician in Jan and the consultant in March. In the mean time, I'm just guessing what to do. The blind leading the blind spings to mind

 

[Gabrielle_Tai]

As

@pollensa . Heaven forbid you should find yourself injecting insulin multiple times a day like the OP.
As pre diabetic your understanding of the OP's condition is apparently limited and some advice given could prove detrimental to the OP's well being.
Please be careful what " information " you give.

As someone who injecting multiple times a day, poking my finger until it full of hole, and watching my mother panic and cry every times i get a hypo.I do not wish this even to my worst enemy.Please keep yourself healthy.

 

[phdiabetic]

Thanks Juicyj, big and deep breath taken. The problem is in the wording. You talk of limiting carbs, great but to what? also within range .. that's great but what is the range? bring your BG back into range... fine but what is the range, running high, testrict carbs... but what is high? This is exactly why I'm frustrated as I have no bench mark to start from

When I talked about the amount of carbs I eat with my endo, we decided that I would have between 15 and 60 g per meal. She recommended that I have at least 15 due to safety concerns (making sure that I had plenty of stored glucose in case of hypos - glucagon sometimes works less effectively if you don't eat a sufficient number of carbs.) She recommended that I stay below 60 per meal so that I'm not giving large insulin doses, as there is more room for error there. I think these guidelines are very reasonable and would recommend you start off with something like this for your meals. Obviously you can change things over time once you get an idea of what suits you.

 

[spaceman]

I need a little rant. This morning, I got up early to go for an appointment with the diabetic specialist nurse. She asked how I was, asked how my diabetes was noted down 10 BG readings. She said they were fine (4-7.4mmols) but I've worked out that the average is around 6. So I asked what range I should be aiming for and she said what I was doing was fine and to keep it under 10. I asked what should I do if it went above 10 and was given a nice clear answer. If it's consistently over 10 for 48hrs to phone for advice. I asked her what range of carbs I should try to limit myself to and she said "We like people to take ownership of their diabetes" My question is, how can I own my diabetes when I'm not being given any information I can use? Since being diagnosed in Aug, the main support and information has come from this wonderful site and warm people. Feeling really fed up and very frustrated. Sorry for the ranting.

 

[spaceman]

well try yo be 2 steps ahead of your diabetic nurse , write every detail down. ps what ever you do youll always be wrong