High Blood Sugar levels

[JudyT in Oregon]

I was diagnosed with type2 diabetes about 5-6 years ago, and have only recently started really trying to get it under control. For the first 40 years of my life, I was obese (5'3'' and 215 lbs. at the greatest weight). For approximately the last 8 years I have had my weight under control - ranging from 117-133. But, about 3 months ago I became very ill and dropped about 15 lbs fast and now weigh about 105lbs. I take readings 3-5 times a day and my readings average 285 or so. I never miss taking my medication and I walk at least twice a day for a total of about 3-5 miles. My medication is glucophage and glyburide. I have reduced my carb intake to less than 50 a day - but my bs readings are still sky high. I have read that taking these medications when you are slightly overweight is much more successful than if you are too thin. Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone with an underweight problem tried the Atkins diet with success? I don't know what to do to put back on some weight.

[JudyT in Oregon]

I forgot to say that I don't want to have to go on insulin if I can avoid it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[cjmellor]

Hit the road.... your only hope is to increase muscel mass... and really cout your carbs. See the net carb hoax article. I recently fell for it and it hit my waist line immediatly. It 's a good reason for the Atkins food bankrupty.

[LunaCat]

thats a tough one really.
I have just been diagnosed with gestational diabetes which (u probably already know) is diabetes in a pregnant woman which normally goes away after she gives birth. I am also not overweight by much (maybe 10 pounds). I am on a medication called Metformin which seems to control all readings but my fasting in which I have been put on insulin. It really isnt that bad. I cried when I first had to inject myself. I can not say I am used to the injection, nor do I like it, but it is not that bad. Afterall, it is for your health.

Maybe you could try eating like a body builder. I am not a body builder but I know there are healthy foods you can eat that will build muscle and add weight. I just do not know what they are. or perhaps eating in the last phase of Atkins will work but I do not think so. I think you would just maintain.
Hopefully someone here can be a little more helpful.

Good luck and welcome to the board.

Tonya

[Bliss Pirate]

While you were sick, was your activity greatly restricted? Like bed rest? If so, you probably lost a lot of muscle due to the inactivity...and of course muscle is a great sponge of sugar--so anything you could do to increase your muscle mass would be a big help to you. Starting a moderate weight lifting program would be good for you in so many ways...adding muscle mass will also add weight but not fat, you will be stronger, your bones will be stronger, and your body will burn more sugar....

While muscle building, you will need to eat more protein...and fat....and perhaps you'll be good at 50 g of carbs, but you will know based on how you feel.

I'm concerned enough by your weight loss and status that I think consulting with an medical expert might be a good idea--at 115 you don't have a lot of extra body reserves if you were to become ill again! (Muscle is the body's front line reserve of energy...not fat....so being strong and muscular is an important resource for your body.)

GOOD LUCK

[firelady]

I think Bliss gave you great advice. You need to get muscle up.
Do resistance excercises and make sure you get lots of high quality protein (sirloin steak, a good whey protein). Also omega 3
oils and monounsaturated oils help with blood sugar. Make your fats olive oil, macadamia nut oil, avocado oil. Eat throughout the day (6 small meals). Avoid most sugar alcohols (I like erythritol and Xylitol) Maltitol, however, really impacts my blood sugar badly make sure you avoid it.

Make sure that you talk to a doctor about the weight loss. If you're eating well and not gaining there may be some other medical problem. This diet did cure me of the Type II diabetes but it takes a while. If your body is no longer making insulin though it will not work. The literature I've read says you need to keep on such a diet for 2 years to really affect things.

Good luck.

[Glad2beme]

I so appreciate this post. Thank you!