The Delight of Hypos

[crafteclaire]

Wow! I've just checked my total insulin intake for today (Low carb diet)... 34.7 units, and average BM was 9.5

Yesterday (normal starchy carb diet) = 70.2 units, average bm 13.2

guess what I'm eating tomorrow?? :lol:

 

[fergus]

Wow indeed! In a single day, you have halved your insulin and improved your average bs by 30%. :shock:
Way to go girl!

All the best,

fergus

 

[crafteclaire]

Well, today I woke up at 3.5 ... might end up reducing my overnight basal, but as I said, will give it a week and see what happens.

Did a workout at the gym - 25 mins cardio, a bit of resistance then 10 continuous lengths. Stuck with the low carb at lunch and no hypos until 2.9 just before tea. Probably self inflicted as I've been chasing my tail all day with it being the first day the kids are at school and I've been able to tidy up a load of loose ends.

Still, looking rather good. Average bm was always around 13 - 15. the last 2 days is coming in at 8. Still room for improvement, but I'm impressed enough to keep going.

"Please let my A1C be below 8 at the end of the month" :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[crafteclaire]

Hello again!

I've not been on here over the weekend - busy one with the kids as per usual, but thought you might like a bit of an update - sorry if I'm boring you with my personal experiences here, but I'm absolutely over the moon with this new regieme.

I've stuck with the low carb thing (average daily intake of carbs = 50 - 60g MAX, usually lower), and am having amazing results.

I went to see the diabetic nurse on Friday for some pump supplies, and took a printout of the summary from my diabetes management software. She looked at it, looked at me, looked back at the paperwork etc. This went on for a few rounds and she was gobsmacked! Asked me what on earth I'd done as since she's know me (since I was pre-teenage years) she's never known me to have an average bm in single figures. My 7 day average is now 7.1.

My average daily intake of insulin is now between 30 - 35 units (It was always a minimum of 70 units per day, when eating the recommended diabetic diet, where my daily carb intake was in the region of 150 - 200g). Thats a 50% reduction :shock: I've regularly checked for ketones, too, and apart from the odd trace on waking, which are starvation ketones, there's been nothing.

When I told her I'd decided to try 'low carbing' as I figured it couldn't make things any worse, she raised her eyebrows in surprise and said it was absolutely brilliant and whatever I'm doing to keep doing it.

Anyway, most of you will already know this, but I'm posting this firstly to re-enforce what fergus and his fellow low-carbers (of which I am now one) are promoting, and secondly to say to any sceptics out there that if they are having spikes in their bms, even if hba1c is ok, just give it a go, even if just for a weekend, when you're not working and you are relaxed at home. Obviously, if you have other added complications, you have to consider your dietary requirements, but with regard to diabetes, as long as you check bms a bit more frequently to start with (to avoid unnecessary hypos), it really can't do your control any harm!

I have always suffered with hypos in the early hours of the morning, and for 31 years have rarely had a full nights sleep. I no longer eat much in the way of carbs before bed - 10g max, and I combine this with something wth a low GI to slow down the absorption of the carbs overnight. olives are a favourite of mine. For the first few nights, I set an alarm to wake me at 2am and 4am, and my bms were around 5 - 6. For the past 5 days, I've slept straight through. Waking bms were a bit low to start with - 3.5 - 4.3, but I just reduced my pump base rate by 0.2units per hour (the equivalent of slightly reducing your background insulin, if you're on injections), and I'm now waking at 5.5 ish each day. Purrrrfect :lol:

Cheers, guys.

TTFN

 

[fergus]

This is wonderful, Claire!
I'm genuinely delighted you're having such success already!
Any credit for your achievement is entirely due to you and no-one else. It's you who have taken the initiative and seen beyond the frankly idiotic dietary advice still promoted by the NHS. You have had the courage to take onboard different ideas try them for yourself. That takes bravery and I'm really happy it's been rewarded.
The only catch is that we'll want to see your experience on the Success Stories thread as soon as you're ready!

All the best,

fergus

 

[Lel]

Hi Claire & Fergus,

I want to thank you for all your posts on this thread.
I just sat and read through every one of your replies and i feel so much more positive already.
I'm so glad things are getting better for you claire and just seeing the changes you ahve been making and the differences you have seen have spurred me on more to try and get myself under better control and hopefully avoid getting any complications when im older.

i've had very little help from my diabetes clininc or my gp and as soon as i was put on insulin i was told to experiment! my thoughts were 'HOW??' i didnt know anything about this disease at all.
i have been using anothe Diabetes forum also and between that and you guys the knowledge you have given me has benn totally invaluable and i cant thank you enough.

I really want to lower insulin dose as i've noticed that since iv been on it im now a rather chunky monkey and it's making me quite miserable and i know that the insulin is definately the culpirt as i have been on diet after diet the last few months and nothing seems to be happening at all.

fingers crossed ill start to see things change and then i'll soon have more motivation to keep up the good work.

Thanks again xx

 

[crafteclaire]

Hi again.

Thanks for posting your comments, Lel - I was quite moved that my experiences have had an effect on you - I'm glad I logged on to take a look.

I'm still sticking to the 'low-carb' regieme. I've had a rough few days, being totally whacked out with a nasty cold and upper respiratory tract infection - 7 days of antibiotics for the fun of it, however, my bms have still been reasonable - apart from 16.8 today which shocked me, but on reflection is no real surprise as I've not been to the gym for a few days, have a bug and am on antibiotics

My average bm is now down to 7.8, average daily insulin still around 35units. I've lost 6lb in the last 15 days, and my body fat percentage has reduced from 31.8% to 28.4%, and all without calorie counting or eating 'low fat' this and 'low fat' that!! I haven't once felt hungry, either.

Please keep the posts coming and ask any questions you like - I'll give you any info I've gathered from my own limited experiences in this area, and I'm sure Fergus and the rest of the gang on here will have plenty of advice for you too - everyone here is so nice and helpful - this forum has been a god send to me just lately.

Speak soon,

 

[fergus]

Hi Lel,

Thanks for your kind words, it's great to hear from people who have benefitted from the forum.
You have hit the nail on the head about keeping the insulin doses to a minimum if you can. It's so important but so many people don't want to hear it, unfortunately.
Keep in touch and just ask if you need any advice.

All the best,

fergus

 

[Lel]

Hi Claire,

When you say your total insulin intake is down to 35units do you include your lantus(or whatever backround med you are on) to this total?? just so i am clear lol

so far im managing....it's been one day lol and it's not that hard which makes me wonder why i left it so long in the first place.

i think the hardest bit for me is thinking of meals to have but im sure as time goes on i'll get better at this.

Hope you feel better soon i had exactly the same things last week but my BG's were all over the place...wasnt nice.

Take care xx

 

[crafteclaire]

Lel,

I use an insulin pump, so only have rapid acting insulin. The total of 35 units includes the amount of background I take so yes, this is a total insulin intake in 24 hours.

It does vary between 32 and 41, but on average, 35 is the golden figure!

I know exactly what you mean about wondering why on earth you didn't try it earlier. When you actually sit down and think about it, it makes perfect sense, but after 31 years of having 'eat plenty of starchy carbs' drummed into you by the specialists, it isn't a thought that really enters your head, is it?

I'm a bit better today than I was yesterday, thanks - bms haven't been any where near as bad as in the past when I was ill ..... long may it continue.

Keep going with it and I promise you will reap many rewards, if you get the same results as I have. Going to the gym tomorrow so will be getting weighed in again ...... watch this space!

TTFN

 

[Lel]

Hey again Claire,

Well yesterday i got down to 35 units!!! That was the first day of trying and I more than hlafed my intake. Including my background insulin I was on about 80 units or something pretty close.

I even feel a little better already. it's gonna take me a little time to get the hang of it but so far im quite proud that i've taken the step to do something rather than bury my head in the sad like always and just muddle by. Fingers crossed we see the weight coming off soon.

 

[fergus]

Brilliant, Lel.

I have no doubt that you'll start to see your weight falling straight away. I'll also predict that your cholesterol ratio will improve significantly. I used to get through around 80 units a day when I followed the recommended diet too. The weight started to disappear as soon as I began using less insulin and 1 year later I had lost 4 stones. That was 8 years ago and they never came back.
Make sure you keep a diary by the way, otherwise one day no-one will believe you when you tell them you once had a weight problem. :wink:
All the best,

fergus

 

[crafteclaire]

Lel,

Excellent! It sounds asthough you're following the same path that I did - halved total insulin dose on the first day. WELL DONE! :mrgreen: I've never looked back.

Expect a few hiccups here and there, but when you hit them, don't be discouraged. 1 desert spoon of Aunt Bessies mash sent me up to 14 (an increase of 8 ) yesterday - I was gosmacked, and as I've been running so low for a few weeks, I was narky as hell! Won't be doing that again!!

Post on here or PM me if you want to compare notes with a low carb newbie, or if you need more experienced advice, Fergus and the other guys on here have loads to give!

I'm off to the gym now - will be back on later on today and let you know my progress so far.

 

[Lel]

Thanks for the support (claire & fergus),

I've already lost a total of 7.5stone over the years and since i've been on insulin i've put on nearly 3 which is why im so desperate to stop it in it's tracks.

The last couple of stone came off to easily though so this was definately due to the fact that my body was scremaing out for help.

I cant believe the difference in my moods already thats made a big diffrence. i no longer feel so doom and gloom about things I believe that i can lose weight and dont feel downhearted at the fact that it may take me a while to do so.

Only had 14 units so far today and levels aare normal i think im doing pretty well i'm not hungry at all and at work my concentration is so much better....if only i knew to do this sooner.

xx

 

[crafteclaire]

Hi guys!

Lel, it sounds asthough you're doing really well - keep it up. I'm sure you'll see the pounds falling off as you follow this new eating regieme - I didn't get chance to go back online on Friday as I was knee deep in packing for our weekend holiday, but .......

I hit my half stone target, as I anticipated!!! Yeee Haaaa!!!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

The celebration for reaching that target was to go on a sea fishing trip this weekend with the family while we were on Anglesey .... we caught over 30 Mackerel between us so have plenty of freshly caught oily fish available for the forseeable future (Ok it's going to have to be frozen, but I still know there are absolutely NO hidden additives!!!)

I still want to lose another 11lb which will take me well into my target zone. This actually means losing a bit more than 11lb as I'm back to working out at the gym regularly and as we all know muscle weighs more then fat but I know that when I used to work out regularly, I was at my fittest and could wear my clothes comfortably at 9st 10lb so my aim is to reach that by the end of October.

I'm at the hospital tomorrow for my blood tests and will have the results when I go to see the specialist on Thursday, so Thursday night I should be putting a post on the 'Success Stories' thread which will list all my levels.

Everyone keep up the good work and I'll speak to you all soon

all the best

 

[Lel]

Hey Claire,

Well done!!!

i've lost about 4/5lbs in 3 days and im pretty impressed.
i thought things would be harder over the weekend but i coped surprisingly well it's great how it's almost a game with myself to keep things low carb, keep my insulin low and make sure my levels are normal.

I have a wedding at the start of november so it's my goal to lose maybe a stone before then and get a dress that looks really nice on me.

wish me luck xx

 

[fergus]

I'd wish you luck if I thought you needed it Lel!

All the best,

fergus

 

[crafteclaire]

Lel,

It looks like we both have similar goals - I want to reach my goal by end of October, you by beginning of November. Lets see who gets there first, eh?

 

[Lel]

Hey,

I think that's a great idea would be nice to know that im not doing it alone as i usually have to.

My dress of choice is a gorgeous leopard print number in primark no less lol i'm an alternative kinda girl but think just need that little less weight to look good in it...may go buy it and have it there as my insentive.

xx

 

[crafteclaire]

Well, if its Primark, I'd definitely buy it when you see it or you could well be disappointed. Where are you based? Our nearest Primark is Manchester City Centre. If you're doing that, I might go out and buy myself something in a size 10 and hang it up in my bedroom to taunt me, too!!

I went to the vampire room at the hosp this morning and had my bloods done, so the results should be ready for clinic on Thursday. I managed to persuade the nurse to put a drop from the end of the needle onto my BM machine so I can compare the result to their result. There will be some variance, but it'll give me an idea of how big a difference there is.

I received a Breeze 2 blood sugar machine through the post this morning, foc. I wont be using it, so if there's anyone on here who needs a machine, let me know and I'll happily donate it to you. There were no strips with it, just the machine and case and fingerpricking device, but its all unused so shout out if you're interested.

o-oh - feel a hypo coming on - speak soon.