Type 1 Diabetic - Obese and addicted to food

[T1Dinsadd]

Hello,

I know some of you will think it's not an addiction but I have physical symptoms when it comes to eating foods...

So, I'm 275lbs and 5ft11in... my A1C (in USA) is 6.2 which is apparently pretty good. I'm obese, I believe.

Anyways, my blood sugar is regulated well. But... I always want to eat badly. Carb heavy meals mostly like Chinese food. If I don't, and I often force myself not to, I start to get the shakes, I sweat and I can hardly focus on anything else... besides all that my stomach literally hurts, pains so unbelievable I get nauseous.

I don't know what to do - I need to lose weight to control my blood sugars even better because although my A1C is OK my blood sugar still gets REALLY high... and I take A LOT of insulin all the time.

I can't get over this addiction I've tried now nearly every month, I try so hard not to eat anything I'm not supposed to or I just drink water to help myself get filled up but it doesn't seem to work I'm hungry the minute I stop drinking water again.

Also, the only thing that has helped me (and you all may laugh) is smoking marijuana... somehow that takes away my addiction and gives me the power to stop eating bad. The only problem is, I can't smoke it because then I can't work, and not because they test me for it but simply because I'm a HUGE lightweight and get incredibly "high" I can't do anything really.

Yes, I've tried CBD and although it is somewhat helpful (the kind you smoke) it, like water, tends to leave me quickly and I just get hungry again.

Please any suggestions would help thank you.

 

[Mike d]

No-one's gonna mock you over the weed. You have a lot of weight to shift though and reduce your reliance on so much insulin. Not knowing your personal circumstances, you need to get a hold on this quickly. Chinese meals are certainly not helping ..... and I know that as I'm familiar with US takeaways.

At 32, you're gonna need a correction. Please look after yourself

 

[Member496333]

From your description it seems like you probably have double diabetes - type 1 with insulin resistance laid on top. Hopefully some experienced type 1s will be along to offer more help.

Welcome to the community. Whatever your troubles, you're in the right place to gain help and support.

 

[T1Dinsadd]

I was very skinny for about 2 years when I was smoking. My blood sugar was completely normal. Thank you for the help though.

 

[T1Dinsadd]

From your description it seems like you probably have double diabetes - type 1 with insulin resistance laid on top. Hopefully some experienced type 1s will be along to offer more help.

Welcome to the community. Whatever your troubles, you're in the right place to gain help and support.

Thank you for your reply however I really do appreciate it.

 

[MeiChanski]

Hello, despite good hba1c, has your endo looked at your readings in depth and suggested something else? I know there are some type 1s who use metformin and insulin to help with insulin resistance if you are running high or take far too much insulin to manage yourself. There are some who use victoza to manage their weight & diabetes. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone on this forum who does so I won’t be able to tag them. Or a change in insulins, there’s different ones out there suited to your needs. Take outs and shakes doesn’t seem to help, it could be you are not eating enough of something to satisfy your hunger - you and I know exercise helps with insulin resistance. But also a change of diet - whether it is low carb or keto may help but under the circumstances you know how to adjust your insulin and count carbs. So you might need to ask for more help from your endo, possibly a dietitian. Have you read much about Dr Bernstein - Diabetes codes?
In terms of addiction to food, is it eating but won’t stop eating? Or not stopping when you feel full? Have you considered seeing a therapist to help with your relationship with food? I know once you’ve tackle your weight, reduce insulin requirements and shift weight, you’ll feel better but what about your relationship with food?

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hello,

I know some of you will think it's not an addiction but I have physical symptoms when it comes to eating foods...

So, I'm 275lbs and 5ft11in... my A1C (in USA) is 6.2 which is apparently pretty good. I'm obese, I believe.

Anyways, my blood sugar is regulated well. But... I always want to eat badly. Carb heavy meals mostly like Chinese food. If I don't, and I often force myself not to, I start to get the shakes, I sweat and I can hardly focus on anything else... besides all that my stomach literally hurts, pains so unbelievable I get nauseous.

I don't know what to do - I need to lose weight to control my blood sugars even better because although my A1C is OK my blood sugar still gets REALLY high... and I take A LOT of insulin all the time.

I can't get over this addiction I've tried now nearly every month, I try so hard not to eat anything I'm not supposed to or I just drink water to help myself get filled up but it doesn't seem to work I'm hungry the minute I stop drinking water again.

Also, the only thing that has helped me (and you all may laugh) is smoking marijuana... somehow that takes away my addiction and gives me the power to stop eating bad. The only problem is, I can't smoke it because then I can't work, and not because they test me for it but simply because I'm a HUGE lightweight and get incredibly "high" I can't do anything really.

Yes, I've tried CBD and although it is somewhat helpful (the kind you smoke) it, like water, tends to leave me quickly and I just get hungry again.

Please any suggestions would help thank you.

I think @Jim Lahey and @MeiChanski are on the right track... There must be more going on than "just" T1 and/or a food addiction. And you'll need additional testing to figure out what's what, we can't do that for you, alas. Do you know what your bloodsugars are doing when you start shaking? Could it be a false hypo, or a real one? Because if your bloodsugars run high and your HbA1c is okay (I'm sorry, I can't figure out what's "okay" for a T1 in US diabetic currency), you might be getting big dips that even out the average for the HbA1c... I dunno, just guessing. Basically, I'm clueless, but these are things to look into, numbers to take to a specialist. If one doesn't help, get a second opinion. I know there's T1's on the low carb diet, which might be an option for you, I dunno... But it's all stuff to look into.

Good luck eh,
Jo
PS: No munchies on weed? Could it be part of the eating is stress related, as you don't feel the need when you mellow out? Just more to consider.

 

[T1Dinsadd]

Hello, despite good hba1c, has your endo looked at your readings in depth and suggested something else? I know there are some type 1s who use metformin and insulin to help with insulin resistance if you are running high or take far too much insulin to manage yourself. There are some who use victoza to manage their weight & diabetes. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone on this forum who does so I won’t be able to tag them. Or a change in insulins, there’s different ones out there suited to your needs. Take outs and shakes doesn’t seem to help, it could be you are not eating enough of something to satisfy your hunger - you and I know exercise helps with insulin resistance. But also a change of diet - whether it is low carb or keto may help but under the circumstances you know how to adjust your insulin and count carbs. So you might need to ask for more help from your endo, possibly a dietitian. Have you read much about Dr Bernstein - Diabetes codes?
In terms of addiction to food, is it eating but won’t stop eating? Or not stopping when you feel full? Have you considered seeing a therapist to help with your relationship with food? I know once you’ve tackle your weight, reduce insulin requirements and shift weight, you’ll feel better but what about your relationship with food?

Yes so both my dietitians (and I've had a few)... as well as endos... the only things they said I could do was use pure will power to stop. They recommended going to a psychologist/psychiatrist and all he could do was prescribe me some anti-depressants as that sometimes is linked to overeating, they say, anyways... therapy didn't help either. I mean I have other mental issues but that isn't linked to my food addiction.

I am almost positive I don't have insulin resistance... my endo said that I don't have that either. based on how much insulin I take and how much I weigh.. I just eat WAY too many carbs.

The reason it gets high is because of the massive amount of carbs I have. Also, the insulin I'm taking is the best for me as the others I've tried actually make my blood sugars slightly worse (because of the reaction time, etc)

Yes I can stop when I feel full, I don't have a problem with that. It's more that I want to get pretty darn full... everytime. *shrugs* I mean if I had the financial ability I would just eat salad most of the time but I don't have enough for that. Anyways, my relationship with food is that I just have to eat a lot... like I said I just do, dunno why... therapist said they think it's just about my will power... with the physical symptoms that I have the therapist got me to a psychiatrist and he prescribed some anti-depressants... many, many other drugs...

Nothing seems to have worked. I would like this to stop but I've been unable to control myself... I've tried home therapies as well...

 

[T1Dinsadd]

I think @Jim Lahey and @MeiChanski are on the right track... There must be more going on than "just" T1 and/or a food addiction. And you'll need additional testing to figure out what's what, we can't do that for you, alas. Do you know what your bloodsugars are doing when you start shaking? Could it be a false hypo, or a real one? Because if your bloodsugars run high and your HbA1c is okay (I'm sorry, I can't figure out what's "okay" for a T1 in US diabetic currency), you might be getting big dips that even out the average for the HbA1c... I dunno, just guessing. Basically, I'm clueless, but these are things to look into, numbers to take to a specialist. If one doesn't help, get a second opinion. I know there's T1's on the low carb diet, which might be an option for you, I dunno... But it's all stuff to look into.

Good luck eh,
Jo
PS: No munchies on weed? Could it be part of the eating is stress related, as you don't feel the need when you mellow out? Just more to consider.

Yes I do my blood sugars are within normal range at the time. It's more of a "jonesing" kinda shake.

Anyways, yes I do have munchies on weed but I'm always able to control myself when I smoke weed. Dunno why exactly other than I just don't have any phsyical symptoms, my stomach doesn't hurt.. etc...

Yeah I guess it could be stress related.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Yes I do my blood sugars are within normal range at the time. It's more of a "jonesing" kinda shake.

Anyways, yes I do have munchies on weed but I'm always able to control myself when I smoke weed. Dunno why exactly other than I just don't have any phsyical symptoms, my stomach doesn't hurt.. etc...

Yeah I guess it could be stress related.

Still could be a false hypo then... With the shakes and the pangs. If you're very high at some points and in the normal range when you get shaky.... I used to get hypo symptoms when I was a perfectly good 5.5, my body was just accustomed to being 18,5 and such, so it freaked out on me when it started seeing numbers in the normal range. It had to get used to being relatively low. (And making a very tenuous connection: a body can't freak out if it's mellow, I suppose....?) If your numbers vary wildly throughout the day, that could be the problem right there. Steep drops can make you feel downright awful. I don't know if you carb count for your insulin, (if you're on a steady dose this won't work, you'd hypo), but I really do think low carb/high fat eating could help. If you have fewer up and down swings, which LCHF would accomplish, and a more even keel...That would help even if it is double diabetes (T1 plus insulin resistance). I'm just guessing though. Just seems semi-logical to me, but I'm a T2 and I've been told I talk out of my *** sometimes, especially when it comes to T1's. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ check this, so you know what kind of diet I'm talking about, and maybe discuss it with your doc/specialist. Because you shouldn't have to deal with this on your own.

 

[T1Dinsadd]

Still could be a false hypo then... With the shakes and the pangs. If you're very high at some points and in the normal range when you get shaky.... I used to get hypo symptoms when I was a perfectly good 5.5, my body was just accustomed to being 18,5 and such, so it freaked out on me when it started seeing numbers in the normal range. It had to get used to being relatively low. (And making a very tenuous connection: a body can't freak out if it's mellow, I suppose....?) If your numbers vary wildly throughout the day, that could be the problem right there. Steep drops can make you feel downright awful. I don't know if you carb count for your insulin, (if you're on a steady dose this won't work, you'd hypo), but I really do think low carb/high fat eating could help. If you have fewer up and down swings, which LCHF would accomplish, and a more even keel...That would help even if it is double diabetes (T1 plus insulin resistance). I'm just guessing though. Just seems semi-logical to me, but I'm a T2 and I've been told I talk out of my *** sometimes, especially when it comes to T1's. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ check this, so you know what kind of diet I'm talking about, and maybe discuss it with your doc/specialist. Because you shouldn't have to deal with this on your own.

Low carb/high fat huh... you know that's an interesting thing right there. Can you give me some examples of low carb/high fat foods? Besides almonds lol. Oh and something that doesn't have much protein.

 

[Member496333]

Low carb/high fat huh... you know that's an interesting thing right there. Can you give me some examples of low carb/high fat foods? Besides almonds lol. Oh and something that doesn't have much protein.

If you have even a passing interest in low-carbohydrate eating, there is no finer resource for getting to grips with it than Diet Doctor. Absolutely chock-a-block full of easy-to-understand information and loads of recipe ideas. It's the Gold Standard for online low-carb info;

https://www.dietdoctor.com/

 

[T1Dinsadd]

If you have even a passing interest in low-carbohydrate eating, there is no finer resource for getting to grips with it than Diet Doctor. Absolutely chock-a-block full of easy-to-understand information and loads of recipe ideas. It's the Gold Standard for online low-carb info;

https://www.dietdoctor.com/

Thank you for the link.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Low carb/high fat huh... you know that's an interesting thing right there. Can you give me some examples of low carb/high fat foods? Besides almonds lol. Oh and something that doesn't have much protein.

Something tells me the quick-start guide's link isn't working again? As it's all in there. (Honestly, I don't know why sometimes it works just fine and sometimes it doesn't. Sorry. ) But yeah, okay. Breakfast could be eggs with bacon and cheese, high-meat content sausages, maybe a tomato or something, stuff like that. Or full fat greek yoghurt with some berries, nuts, coconut shavings. Or keto mug bread (15 grams of melted butter, 22 grams of almond flour, one egg, half a teaspoon of baking powder mixed and nuked in a mug for a minute) with cheese, ham, whatever takes your fancy. With real butter of course. Lunch could be a salad with tuna or salmon with capers olives, avocado, mayo, or leafy greens with a big chunk of half melted goat's cheese and apple cider vinegar and olive oil. (The leafy greens don't fill you up, but things like bacon bits, fatty fish, avocado and full fat cheeses will). In the evening I just go for meat, fish or poultry with more often than not cauliflower rice or broccoli rice with cheese and bacon, and whatever herbs/spices I feel like tossing in. But spinach and the like'd be perfectly fine too. For snacks, extra dark chocolate (a piece, not a whole bar), walnuts, pecans, macadamia's, olives, cheese, pork scratchings, that sort of thing. If there's anything you like which you think you'd miss, just google the meal with keto added into the search bar, you'll get alternatives.

Good luck!
Jo

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Low carb/high fat huh... you know that's an interesting thing right there. Can you give me some examples of low carb/high fat foods? Besides almonds lol. Oh and something that doesn't have much protein.

Oh, about the protein... If it's a concern because of the sugar levels, carbs spike you harder than protein do... So you might want to figure out what your bliss is. Your meter'll tell you. If it's a matter of kidney disease, then i'm kind of lost. Sorry.

 

[EllieM]

If your hba1c is 6.2, that's 44 in UK units, which is pretty good for a T1. So I'm thinking that if you're running very high a lot of the time then you're either running very low a lot of the time or there's something wrong with your meter or your hba1c (there are certain blood conditions which give misleading hba1cs). What kind of meter are you using - (eg the libre is notoriously inaccurate for some people.


As a T1 I've struggled with weight ever since running my levels more tightly (and I'm a bit suspicious of lantus since it's ever since I started taking it that my issues began). The only way for me to avoid weight gain, and occasionally lose a little, seems to be to watch my carbs and hence my insulin. (I'm pretty sure that I could omit insulin to lose weight but I'd rather keep normal blood sugars and be overweight than go the DKA, high blood sugar, diabetic complications route. I prioritise my blood sugar levels, but I curse every time I go hypo and am forced to eat when not hungry). But @T1Dinsadd 's hunger issues do sound like the problems people have when they are addicted to sugar/carbs, which suggests that a cold turkey avoid carbs and replace by fat might be the way to go. Sugar is very addictive, but you'd probably have to wait out a fortnight of "keto flu" before getting any relief. Maybe some T2s who've gone the low carb route could comment.

I can't get over this addiction I've tried now nearly every month, I try so hard not to eat anything I'm not supposed to or I just drink water to help myself get filled up but it doesn't seem to work I'm hungry the minute I stop drinking water again.

I take it you've been tested for the various genetic disorders which lead to disordered hunger? (I'm not clued up about this, but I know there are some people who genuinely don't feel full when they've eaten.)

Good luck.

 

[ickihun]

Yes so both my dietitians (and I've had a few)... as well as endos... the only things they said I could do was use pure will power to stop. They recommended going to a psychologist/psychiatrist and all he could do was prescribe me some anti-depressants as that sometimes is linked to overeating, they say, anyways... therapy didn't help either. I mean I have other mental issues but that isn't linked to my food addiction.

I am almost positive I don't have insulin resistance... my endo said that I don't have that either. based on how much insulin I take and how much I weigh.. I just eat WAY too many carbs.

The reason it gets high is because of the massive amount of carbs I have. Also, the insulin I'm taking is the best for me as the others I've tried actually make my blood sugars slightly worse (because of the reaction time, etc)

Yes I can stop when I feel full, I don't have a problem with that. It's more that I want to get pretty darn full... everytime. *shrugs* I mean if I had the financial ability I would just eat salad most of the time but I don't have enough for that. Anyways, my relationship with food is that I just have to eat a lot... like I said I just do, dunno why... therapist said they think it's just about my will power... with the physical symptoms that I have the therapist got me to a psychiatrist and he prescribed some anti-depressants... many, many other drugs...

Nothing seems to have worked. I would like this to stop but I've been unable to control myself... I've tried home therapies as well...

I'm my family experience some antidepressants add weight. If you can get talk therapy it can help some better.
OK I'm treated medically as type1 with type2 severe Insulin Resistance. So we hv been treating both. I'm on mdi and just had a bariatric op to lose currently 5st in 4mths. It is refreshing not to crave food to satisfy my hunger. I was on over 300units of insulin but 30units today. Metformin on IBS can be tricky but not impossible. I'm coping better than I thought I would. It's a fine line for me just getting over an infection. I hv suspected gallstones or fibroid too so on painkillers. They help with spasms and pain from my back/pelvis and neck. One painkiller relaxes my muscles so I can sleep.
Could you be over stressed too? Any thoughts on aided relaxation more?
Cortisol can be dumped on us which increases are need for more insulin. Myself I hv to reduce insulin to treat the cause. Otherwise I still need same amount. Be careful though. This should be only done under medical supervision. I'm allowed to reduce as I've been managing insulin injections for 13yrs now. You should Always consult with your team before reducing insulin. We here are not medically trained so cannot advise on levels of medication. Seek out your Endo and ask if you can get support whilst you try to reduce your insulin and don't do stressful exercise. Gentle and very often works better once you hv reduced your units. Dog walking or walking gently for miles can also reduce cholesterol. Changes which can reduce meds. Take medical support first.

 

[ickihun]

Research currently into Leptin resistance. Could your Endo check your levels, at least?

 

[T1Dinsadd]

If your hba1c is 6.2, that's 44 in UK units, which is pretty good for a T1. So I'm thinking that if you're running very high a lot of the time then you're either running very low a lot of the time or there's something wrong with your meter or your hba1c (there are certain blood conditions which give misleading hba1cs). What kind of meter are you using - (eg the libre is notoriously inaccurate for some people.


As a T1 I've struggled with weight ever since running my levels more tightly (and I'm a bit suspicious of lantus since it's ever since I started taking it that my issues began). The only way for me to avoid weight gain, and occasionally lose a little, seems to be to watch my carbs and hence my insulin. (I'm pretty sure that I could omit insulin to lose weight but I'd rather keep normal blood sugars and be overweight than go the DKA, high blood sugar, diabetic complications route. I prioritise my blood sugar levels, but I curse every time I go hypo and am forced to eat when not hungry). But @T1Dinsadd 's hunger issues do sound like the problems people have when they are addicted to sugar/carbs, which suggests that a cold turkey avoid carbs and replace by fat might be the way to go. Sugar is very addictive, but you'd probably have to wait out a fortnight of "keto flu" before getting any relief. Maybe some T2s who've gone the low carb route could comment.


I take it you've been tested for the various genetic disorders which lead to disordered hunger? (I'm not clued up about this, but I know there are some people who genuinely don't feel full when they've eaten.)

Good luck.

Yes they actually test me for those things quite often lol dunno why.

Anyways, I actually don't have that much addiction to sugary things. I just like very starch/carb heavy things like pasta, pizza and toast lol.

As far as the A1C thing goes I'm not what kind it is all I know is I've been tested by 5 different ones that all have very similiar readings, usually off by 1% or less.

 

[Resurgam]

I am sure there was mention of someone in Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution who had symptoms similar to those you describe - I have a couple of copies of it, different editions, so I am not quite sure of where it was, but the physical need for carbs struck a chord. From memory low carb and supplements were required to stop the symptoms appearing - the standard American diet being deficient in various micronutrients.