Decline in BS control & Frustration

[Carol1957]

I will start with a short history to allow for understanding of my frustration. Five years ago I was diagnosed as Type 2 along with "metabolic syndrome", GERD and impaired kidney function. After doing much research, I opted to embrace PP (to the dietician's disgust) and lost 100lbs, normalized BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, kidney function, etc. The dietician couldn't explain it but insisted I was destroying my kidneys with all that protein. My little white PP book has been my bible since then!

After all this time, I went to an internist for an unrelated issue and she insisted I start eating more fibre so being a good little patient, I did. For a month, I watched the BS rise and finally decided it was enough and quit the regimen. I am also now on BP meds.

My BS has now somewhat normalized but still isn't as controlled as it was before. While I have maintained a 90 pound net loss, I could now afford to lose another 20 lbs and will be working on that by going back to basics. I am still on Metformin but a slightly increased dose now to combat the BS.

Here is my question. Is it possible that I've allowed irreversible progression of the diabetes by changing my eating protocol and taxing those already tired beta cells? I cannot seem to get information from anyone in the medical world on this other than the usual line, "Diabetes is progressive and will only get worse as time goes on".

Here is my frustration. The dietician wants me to increase my carb intake from my maintenance 40-ish to 150. When I express my concern that this will drive my BS into the stratosphere, I'm told that it's ok because they'll just add another med to control it. I can't "wrap my brain" around this concept when I can simply go back to PP basics and keep the BS in control. Anyone else out there had this experience?

Sorry this is so long.....

[gitfiddle]

Oh yeah! :rolleyes:

I'm T2 and not an expert or anything medical, but I empathize with you. I will say that my experience has been similar but not so dramatic. My GP simply told me that if I found a way to lose weight and control my BS to let him know. I have, but for three years he has tried to put me on a statin "because I'm diabetic". I have declined and haven't heard any more this year so far.

My eye doctor, an M.D., told me as long as I kept tight control I would have no problems. My osteo introduced me to PP, although I lost 90+ pounds years ago in the OA program, also low carb. My foot guy just told me last month (as a new patient) that I had a very strong foot pulse and if I kept it that way I'd have no problem with neuropathy. That's after eight to ten years of being diagnosed. I guess I've been very fortunate with my doctors!

I don't pay any attention to mainstream medical advice as far as eating goes. Everything else gets close scrutiny before I go along with it. I've taken charge of my own health, I guess you could say.

I can't give you advice, only my experience. Somewhere, I think on Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution website, I've read where it doesn't HAVE to be progressive. I've been living in faith ever since. I haven't actually read his book, but his site has lots of articles that he wrote. He is death on carbs.

Dr. Mike wrote a blog or two questioning the benefits of fiber. You can connect with his blogs at the top of this page and then do a search. I am pretty much off grains of any kind, except for the occasional lc flatbread wrap. My BS was 93 this morning and I'm not on diabetic meds any more. Used to be.

I hope this is encouraging to you, Carol! (That's my name, too. :cool:) Take care!

[Omlette]

I will highly recommend reading Dr. Bernstein's book. It is really good and full of info.

[Carol1957]

"I can't give you advice, only my experience. Somewhere, I think on Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution website, I've read where it doesn't HAVE to be progressive. I've been living in faith ever since. I haven't actually read his book, but his site has lots of articles that he wrote. He is death on carbs."

Thank you so much Carol for your words of encouragement. It's good to be reassured that I'm not the lone voice crying out in the wilderness. I can't understand why these folks, while well intentioned, insist on trying to make me change what's been working for 5 years!

My BS was 9.1 this am but it's getting significantly better than the 17 that it went to when on the high fibre protocol. This afternoon I had it even down to 5.1...the lowest it's been in 3 weeks. It would appear that PP has done it's magic again.

I will certainly check out Dr Bernstein's site for more encouragement as well as Dr Mike's blog on this site.

Thank you again Carol!!!!

Have a great evening,

Carol...same name, gotta like it. :)

[gitfiddle]

Carol, something's going on with Dr. Bernstein's website. Here is the link to his forum, which has loads of information, like ours here, only on the subject of Diabetes.

http://www.diabetes-book.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

(Hi, Mo! :))

[Belfrybat]

Hello and welcome. I seriously doubt that a few weeks on a higher carb. regime is going to do any permanent damage. Apparently the beta cells, although impaired are tough little buggers. As Carol said, there's lots of information on the Bernstein site--I check the forum a couple of times a week.

I am also a T2 diabetic and have found that the disease in me has been somewhat progressive. I say "somewhat" because it is very slow. When I was first diagnosed, I could keep BS in 100-140 range with just Metformin and low carb (50-60 ECC). But gradually the BS numbers kept increasing and so I added 8 u Lantus. If I kept below 40 ECC, I probably would not have to take the Lantus, but due to another condition, I can't do that, so at around 60-75 ECC, Lantus is needed. But like Carol, I have no neuropathy or eye problems.

I spoke to a low-carb friendly diabetic educator a few weeks ago and will go see her for an appt. as soon as I have the $$. She told me that in her patients who keep their carb. grams below 100 (whole carbs, not ECC), she sees very slow progression in their diabetes and most have low meds need. She is unable to convince the doctors she works with to accept anything lower, which is why she uses the 100 carb. level.

At this point, now you are back on low carb, I would try and relax and allow your body to recover. I honestly believe it will. Also, if you really do need more fibre, consider psyllium husks and almonds. The former has been shown to be beneficial in reducing BS levels and the latter in helping to reduce cholesterol.

Best wishes on your journey. :)

[Carol1957]

Thank you all for your encouragement and help. I've got the AM BS down to a consistent 7 - 7.3 (from 13-17) and in the 5's and 6's all day. I found the Dr. Bernstein web site and have browsed it regularly since. I think I'll keep going back as it's so very helpful.

The only thing I have to remember is to eat regularly and in sufficient amounts to keep the BS in the normal range. If I don't, it zooms up but since I'm watching it like a hawk, it doesn't stay up for any length of time.

As to fibre, I'm not sure whether or not I need more. If it will help with the BS, I'll take it but it sure isn't needed for moving things along. I will look in the blog for those articles.

Thanks again everyone!

Carol1957

[Mom2Boxer]

I just happened to see this post.. thank you to everyone who posted... it gave me the go ahead to purchase Dr. Bernstein's book as I have just been given the word I am T2 also. The Dietician at my clinic said to keep at 100 carbs a day. I am confused enough to find anything to set my mind at ease...so will try this book. (100 carbs a day isn't acceptable)

[gitfiddle]

Hi, Mom2Boxer! Where have you been? ;)

I agree with you. I bought a new glucometer to keep at work and I glanced through the booklet that came with it. It suggests 45-60 carbs per meal. The chart for A1c started (started!) at 6.5 as good and went UP. It's so sad.