One of our most stubborn challenges is to control the dawn phenomenon. That’s when our fasting blood glucose readings in the morning are higher than when we went to bed.
The dawn phenomenon is a normal physiological process where certain hormones in our body work to raise blood glucose levels before we wake up, as we wrote in The New Glucose Revolution: What Makes My Blood Glucose Go Up…And Down? Professor Jennie Brand-Miller of the University of Sydney, Kaye Foster-Powell, and I co-authored that book (Marlowe & Co., first edition 2003, second American edition 2006).
These so-called counter-regulatory hormones, including glucagon, epinephrine, growth hormone, and cortisol, work against the action of insulin. They stimulate glucose release from the liver and inhibit glucose utilization throughout the body. The result is an increase in blood glucose levels, ensuring a supply of fuel in anticipation of the wakening body’s needs.
If you take insulin injections, it could be that the effect of insulin you took is waning. Your blood glucose will rise if you didn’t take enough to keep your insulin level up through the night.
A third – and much less likely – possibility is called the Somogyi effect or Somogyi’s phenomenon, named for an Austrian-American biochemist who first described the effect in 1938. The Somogyi effect can follow untreated high blood glucose in the middle of the night by going too low as a sort of rebound. You can check if this is happening by measuring if your blood glucose is high at 2 or 3 a.m. But the Somogyi effect is actually much less common that we previously thought, and otherwise it is probably the “dawn phenomenon.”
The dawn phenomenon varies from person to person and can even vary from time to time in each of us. That much was clear when our book came out.
But how to control it was a different story. A couple of years ago here I wrote about several efforts for “Taming the Dawn Phenomenon.” People have tried everything from eating a green apple at bedtime to high-maize grain to uncooked cornstarch.
None of these remedies that I have been able to try ever worked for me. I always thought that the most promising remedy was one that a correspondent named Renee suggested – vinegar capsules.
“I am still using vinegar tablets (usually 
each night and have used vinegar when tabs are not handy,” Renee just tells me. “I have never added food to that, however. I still do have success in reducing the morning reading as proven by the times when I do not use the vinegar tabs and the reading in the a.m. is usually 20 points higher. I am doing well overall with an A1C of 5.6 for some time now. I have been on Byetta for a year now and have lost 35 pounds.”
This makes sense, because several studies in the professional literature clearly show that vinegar can reduce our blood glucose levels.
One of these studies, by Dr. Carol Johnston and two associates in the department of nutrition at Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona, is particularly intriguing. They reported that “Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity to a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Subjects With Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes” in a 2004 issue of the professional journal Diabetes Care.
Now, Dr. Johnston and an associate have zeroed in on using vinegar to control the dawn phenomenon. Their study, “Vinegar Ingestion at Bedtime Moderates Waking Glucose Concentrations in Adults With Well-Controlled Type 2 Diabetes, appears in the November 2007 issue of Diabetes Care.
They tracked four men and seven women who have type 2 diabetes and were not taking insulin. These people kept 24-hour diet records for three days and measured their fasting blood glucose at 7 a.m. for three consecutive days. They took either 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or water at bedtime with 1 ounce of cheese (8 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrate, and 1.5 grams of fat).
The result was that when they took the vinegar, they cut their fasting blood glucose by about 5 mg/dl (0.26 mmol/l). That was twice as much as what the placebo group did.
And when Dr. Johnston and her associate took a closer look at the data, they found that the vinegar treatment was particularly effective for those people who had a typical fasting blood glucose level of more than 130 mg/dl (7.2 mmol/l). Vinegar helped this group reduce their fasting blood glucose by 6 percent compared with a reduction of 0.7 percent in those people who had a typical fasting blood glucose of less than 130 mg/dl (7.2 mmol/l).
It might not have been just the vinegar that was at work, the authors concluded. Cheese might have a synergestic effect with it. Nobody knows yet, and taking it with the vinegar could be a good idea, especially since it makes the vinegar more palatable.
But “this is the first report describing a hypoglycemic effect of vinegar apart from mealtime,” they concluded. It is a big step forward in our continuing attempts to control the dawn phenomenon.
UPDATE January 9, 2008: Another strategy to control the dawn phenomenon may be to drink a little alcohol with dinner. A study reported in the December 2007 issue of Diabetes Care that the fasting plasma glucose of volunteers who drank 13 grams of wine in the three-month trial dropped 32.5 mg/dl compared with those in the control group.
This is a mirror of one of my articles that Health Central published. You can navigate to that site to find my most recent articles.
192 responses so far ↓
1 Les // Jan 18, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Thanks for the update but 13 grams of wine is less than 1/2 ounce, not a reasonable or modrate amount. The actual study protocol says they used 150 ml which is a more reasonable 5 oz.
I believe the published study reference to 13 g meant 13 % alcohol by volume, the usual for many wines.
For years I have been trying to get into the habit of having a glass of red before bed time. I buy the wine but never get around to drinking more than one glass. Since I have a dawn phenomenon problem I was going to try vinegar, but the taste put me off. Wine, especially Chilean red wine is supposed to have some other good effects on the heart etc. So, 5 oz. a night here I come.
2 Dirk Baeuerle // Jan 26, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Hi David -
I have some Merlot wine and will try this week the 5 oz. of red wine each night before bedtime.
3 Becky // Mar 23, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Can one have a glass of wine with their evening meal whilst using Byetta and Glucophage.. or is that a bad idea or a bad time?
4 David Mendosa // Mar 23, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Dear Becky,
Almost all medical authorities agree that one glass of wine with dinner is a good idea and a good time. The fact that you are taking Byetta and glucophage would not rule against that advice. The bad time to drink is on an empty stomach.
David
5 sita // Apr 7, 2008 at 2:19 pm
What are vinegar tablets? Where should I buy them? Should I ask my doctor about this before I can use them?
6 Chris // Jun 25, 2008 at 7:55 am
I have been struggling lately – going to bed at leves of 8-12 but waking up between 12. I reduced my slow acting insulin as i thought i was going to low over night to wake up at 18.
Any advice would be handy, i have been a diabetic (type 1) for 18 months but only the last month or two has these super high morning readings started.
7 Rhonda // Dec 15, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I’m not taking Byetta but Metformin (1000 a.m. adn p.m.) and glipizide 10 mg p.m. Morning bg is near 140. Have heard of cinnamon but considering vinegar. Is there anything more I should know about this since I don’t take Byetta?
8 David Mendosa // Dec 15, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Dear Rhonda,
I don’t know about anything more that you need to know about vinegar. Whether you take Byetta or something else doesn’t seem to be at issue.
David
9 james colon // Dec 25, 2008 at 8:58 pm
“Almost all medical authorities agree that one glass of wine with dinner is a good idea and a good time. The fact that you are taking Byetta and glucophage would not rule against that advice. The bad time to drink is on an empty stomach.”
how much wine is too much though? i mean not all glasses are the same size you know?
i would hate to drink to much wine and have a negative effect ya know?
10 David Mendosa // Dec 26, 2008 at 9:35 am
Dear James,
Great question. Perhaps the best answer is on the Web at:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro/archive/5327.html
Best regards,
David
11 Rhonda // Dec 27, 2008 at 8:25 pm
After the incident with the reaction to lisinopril and the effects of the steroids Iwas given, my bg is finally down between 90 and 120 morning and evening. It took a lot longer than I thought and I was getting really concerned, but I didn’t give up. Now I have a new year’s resolution, more exercise, better control of my diet and blood pressure.
12 William // Feb 9, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I’m new to the diabetes scene. Currently, I’m way overweight – over 500lbs and since diagnosis 1 month ago, I’ve started a 1600 calorie a day diet and am loosing weight. I’m taking 38units of levamir in the evening with about 5 units of novolog before meals. My fasting blood sugar before meals has come down from the extreme high 200s (270, 280, etc) to 130 to 150 range. My mornings are still in the 170 to 200 range, so it looks like I may have the morning problem. I’m in between referrals from my GP to a diabetic specialist, so I’m kind of running in a information vacuum. Are these readings considered high for someone who is a month in to this whole thing?
I forgot to mention that I’m also now on a fitness regiment. Nothing highly strenuous per doctor’s orders until I get some endurance and flexibility built up.
Any suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated.
13 David Mendosa // Feb 9, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Dear William,
Controlling the dawn phenomenon is essentially a tweak. The key is to control your weight. When you get it down to a normal BMI (body-mass index) you will control it and your diabetes in general.
In your case the insulin shots are necessary. Eventually, however you will want to get off of them, because insulin shots make it harder to lose weight. Ask your doctor about taking Byetta, the only diabetes medication that will help you lose the weight that you need to lose and thereby control your diabetes.
Your diabetes is a blessing in disguise. Now you will begin to be and feel a lot better. I promise!
Best regards,
David
14 Rhonda // Feb 12, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Dear William, Welcome to this great blog. I have been a diabetic for 5 years now. The first six months getting started on my meds wasn’t too bad, but I thought as you do now that 170 was still a little high. But just be diligent and patient. The numbers will come down to more normal. Keep up the good work and let me know how you’re doing.
15 William // Feb 12, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I just wanted to say thanks to David and Rhonda for being so supportive. This is proving to be one of the best resources I’ve found for dealing with diabetes. Surprisingly, the hardest thing for me is not taking the insulin, or dealing with the diet changes. It’s the “mind games” I play on myself when my test results are not tracking. For example, the other day I got up after sleeping in for about an hour and half on a sunday and my before meal test was 259! I tested again on a different finger and it was 200, I tested a third time, using the same finger as the 200 test and got a result of 226. My meter calibrates automatically and I ran a solution test on it and it checked out fine. With that range of values, how do I know what reading is accurate and how much insulin to take? I might also add that it was the morning after switching from humulin to novolog. I had my first dose of novolog prior to dinner the night before. Might that have something to do with the abnormal reading? Normally my mornings are at about 140 to the mid 180s with occasional (becoming more often) tests at 130 to 135. I also started a 500mg evening meal dose of glumetsa. I’ll eventually be increasing that to 1000 or 1500mg nightly.
Again, thanks for being here and being so helpful.
16 Rhonda // Feb 12, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Hey William, I think we all have played the mind games at one time or another. I have also checked my bs with other meters, a different finger, etc. and have gotten different results. Maybe someone will explain the diff to both of us. Just know that having your types of meds and dosages changed will calculate different until your body adjusts to it. My dr’s suggestion is to stick with the same monitor. The change will eventually work out to a more stable number if you are compliant with your meds and meals. Also, and this may be a myth, I’ve noticed when I have lotion on my hands (lotion has glycerine which is a type of synthetic glucose) my bs tends to be slightly higher, so I wash my hands and use an alcohol prep to clean the area before I stick and wipe the stick pen itself. Hope this helps.
17 Channah // Apr 15, 2009 at 10:31 pm
The newer style meters that don’t need the strips coded and use a bit less blood are slightly more convenient (they may save you 15 seconds), but I’ve had horrible luck with them. In my country they’re made by Contour – I believe it’s a USA firm but I don’t know for sure.
At first I thought it was a defective meter so I exchanged it – and had the same problem. I’m back to my old Ultra OneTouch now (I don’t know if you have that brand in the US). It’s one that wants coding for the strips and a full drop of blood and you get the dread Err5 message if the blood doesn’t go ALL the way up the test strip. (If you’ve had a similar meter, you know of what I speak here
BUT – my readings are more realistic now, usually between 5 – 6.5 (90 – 117). Let me explain: with the new style meters, I was getting consistent readings of between 8- 18 (144 – 324), once even when I had a hypoglycaemic crash the meter read 18 (324). My A1c’s have been between 5 – 5.3 for the past four years, so you can imagine how confused I was.
So if it’s a new-style meter, it could be that, or maybe I’ve just been supernaturally unlucky with them.
I just pulled out the new one again – and yup, it’s still doing it. Old-style meter reading: 5.3 (95). New style meter reads 8.3 (150). Wow – one of the lowest readings I’ve ever got from it ; )
Meters are usually calibrated to be within ten percent or so of accurate, they aren’t completely precise instruments. But the new style ones aren’t even that close in my experience.
Also, you do need to wash your hands or at least suck your finger clean before taking a reading – any glucose, including things like glycerin, will give you a wrong reading.
18 Rhonda Dothard // May 19, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Dear David,
Thank you so much for your all your books and research. I am a Type 2 Diabetic, of many years. I weigh 209 lbs. I am on Lantus Insulin, but I also take a small dose of humalog prior to meals as needed. About a year ago, my Dr. put me on Byetta. I was on it for only a short time, and discontinued it because of the nausea, and I did not see any results. I did not understand that it would not work without diet and exercise. Go figure! Anyway, I am now working out both aerobic and weight training and going Low GI. I have lost 9 Lbs. but it has been a slow go. I was wanting to give the Byetta another try, but your book says that it is not for people on insulin. Can you tell me why? I actually still have a prescription I could use, but now I am wondering if I should. My doctor is not a diabetic specialist.
Also, is there a particular kind of insulin that might be better for loosing weight? I have been able to cut my dosage back at least by half since I started the Low GI program and exercising 6 days a week.
Thanks for your help,
Rhonda D
19 David Mendosa // May 20, 2009 at 5:44 am
Dear Rhonda,
Byetta has not been tested in clinical trials for use with insulin yet. Doctors may, however if they wish prescribe them together “off-label” and many do. This would be something that you would probably want to talk with your doctor about.
Best regards,
David
20 william // May 20, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Just checking in. My readings are now dropping mid day and evening to the 115 to 119 levels on a more consistent basis. My diabetic MD upped my levamir to 50 mg once daily and may want to split the dose. My mornings are down to a more sedate 130 to 145 (big improvement over 200!) Since my levels are dropping now, I’m finding myself feeling VERY hypoglycemic at times (particularly on stressfull days – I work in the IT field and stress is a fact of life). The problem I find myself battling now is how to better manage a mid morning or mid afternoon snack when I’m feeling RELLY lousy. Snacks genrally only relieve the problem for an hour or so and my readings are back down into “I feel lousy” territory. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I take sudafed (by prescription) occasionally for colds and such. will that affect my morning readings?
21 David Mendosa // May 21, 2009 at 9:16 am
Dear William,
People do commonly feel hypoglycemic as their levels drop. Often the numbers don’t match the feelings. You need to confirm with a fingerstick test.
Snacks don’t carry far when they are high in carbs. That triggers the release of more endogenous insulin, which in turn makes you more hungry. Try snacks that don’t have any starches or sugars.
Both the sudafed and the underlying condition can affect your morning readings.
Best regards,
David
22 william // May 21, 2009 at 4:56 pm
When feeling rotten I always do a test with my meter. Generally, when I feel hypoglycemic, I’m in the low 100’s. Stress makes it far worse. For snacks I generally try to have 5 grams of carb – in the form of fruit of some sort and 2 grams of some lean protien or cheese. My doctor says that as I adjust to the lower levels I will start feeling better. I know everyone’s experience is different, but how long generally does it take for the body to adjust? Does snacking slow down the adjustment process?
23 David Mendosa // May 21, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Dear William,
The only guideline I have is that it took me about two weeks.
Best regards,
David
24 william // May 22, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I just want to take a moment and say thanks to Mr Mendosa in particular and to everyone who posts here for providing such a valuable service. It means so much to know that there are “fellow travelers” out there who have gone through what I’m dealing with now and are willing to help. Thanks so much.
25 LindaCC // May 31, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I have not been diagnosed as type 2 however it is very strong in my family. My mother has many complications (which has been a consuming motivation for prevention to me).
Seeing this and educating myself…. I have been testing with the meter for about 3 months and eating low carb. I am 175lbs (have lost 15 lbs).
I seem to have normal readings during the day however have morning readings of around 110-115 sometimes up to 125/126.
I have been more diligent with exercise and I am having the wine at night, often take a brisk walk in the evening. I think it does help some.
From what I am reading, I need to get my morning readings down under 100 to prevent potential complications that I see my mother has experienced. Would Byetta help? Can Byetta be perscribed without being diagnosed as diabetic?
26 David Mendosa // May 31, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Dear Linda,
Maybe the best thing for you would be to go back to your doctor and get a standard test that would diagnose diabetes. Your numbers sure indicate to me that you either have diabetes now or are very close to having it.
When and if you get that diagnosis, Byetta would make your weight loss and therefore your blood glucose control rather easy. You could possibly find a doctor who would prescribe Byetta to you. It would be “off-label,” but legal. Some doctors undoubtedly would do it. But then you would have another problem: I doubt if any medical insurance would cover it. And Byetta is expensive. Without insurance it would cost you more than $2,500 per year.
Your alternative is to follow a very low-carb diet. I have written many articles here dealing with this natural approach to weight loss and blood glucose control. Please consider it, especially now that you are on the verge of getting full-blown diabetes.
Best regards,
David
27 Joycell // Jun 1, 2009 at 7:02 am
I wanted to add something regarding the Dawn’s Phenomenon. I have tried everything, I was getting OCD regarding this. I will go to bed and my BS will be 98 and wake up in the am and it was 160, I don’t care whether I ate or did not eat. Well I add the vinegar tablets and it came down to 141. Always 141, no matter. The other night I have been taking the milk thistle and not the vinegar tablets. I took one milk thistle, and 2 vinegar tablets and drank a glucernia before going to bed and it was 112. This has happened now for 3 morning in a row. This is great. Everyone has to find that one thing that works for them. I am not saying this is correct, and my MD does not know, because he does not seem to understand the DP, but this has worked for me.
Just wanted to share this will you.
28 David Mendosa // Jun 1, 2009 at 7:10 am
Dear Joycell,
Absolutely. I agree that different strategies seem to work for different folks.
Best regards,
David
29 LindaCC // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:32 am
David,
UPDATE:
I have gone to my doctor and talked to her about starting on Byetta to help bring my morning #’s down to normal. She of course did blood tests again which did show higher morning BS than would be ok to keep from having complications.
I am very proud that I have brought my A1C down again to 5.9. (Oct 07-6.6/June 08-6.4/Feb 09-6.4/April 09-6/June 09-5.9).
Due to my morning BS still being too high, I am happy to report that she has sent me home with a 3 months supply of sample Byetta pens and will give me more. She gets plenty of samples.
She said I should not be classified as diabetic with my insurence co as she is sure this can be reversed.
I am so happy to be working with a doctor that “Get’s It”. She is very encouraging with the hard work she see’s I have done and what I have accomplished which is why I believe she is glad to help me.
I will be starting my 1st Byetta injection tonight.
Thank you for the amazing information.
I will report my progress.
Linda
30 LindaCC // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:35 am
PS….I am as well reading your new book
Linda
31 David Mendosa // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:36 am
Dear Linda,
Thanks for writing. You are lucky to have such a good doctor!
Best regards,
David
32 Jackie // Jun 19, 2009 at 7:00 am
Hi – I am so glad I found this site! I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes late January, 2009. Since then, my doctor and I have tried different combinations of metformin (regular/er/fortamet/janumet) to try to get my morning numbers down. During the day and evening, my numbers are normal – usually 2 hours after a meal my bg is 115 or so. Mornings are a different story! No matter what I do my bg will go back up! I have tried taking my met at bedtime – drinking wine – eating protein at bedtiem – taking cinnamon – taking vinegar tabs – pretty much everything mentioned on here.
Should I be looking into byetta? I have read that it helps with weight loss and since January, I have lost 43 lbs – but I still have about 50 to 60 more to go to be healthy, I think. I do eat relatively low carb. I only eat complex carbs like vegetables, a little fruit and if I eat any bread at all, it’s 1 slice of whole wheat a day (not often though).
Any advice on getting this dawn phenomenon contolled? It just ruins my day to wake up and see a high number! (it’s usually between 120 and 145)
Thanks!
Jackie
33 David Mendosa // Jun 19, 2009 at 7:09 am
Dear Jackie,
I’m glad too that you found my site.
Byetta and a very low-carb diet are the only really good ways to help you bring your weight down. Those two strategies together are even better. I would seriously suggest that you ask your doctor to prescribe it.
Since your post-prandial numbers are so much better than your fasting levels, the question becomes, What is your A1C? When your A1C is under relatively good control, like below 7.0, recent studies (which I have written about here) show that the fasting numbers aren’t all that important.
What is really important is to bring your weight down to normal! I sure know that from my own experience. Not only am I more healthy and have a very low A1C now, but I FEEL so much better.
Best regards,
David
34 Jackie // Jun 19, 2009 at 7:14 am
My A1c is 6.2, so it’s not so bad. I’d like it to be much much lower!
What does Byetta do? Do you take that with metformin or alone?
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!
Jackie
35 David Mendosa // Jun 19, 2009 at 7:23 am
Dear Jackie,
I agree that a lower A1C would be better. A level of 6.0 or less is normal, and that means much less chance of complications from diabetes. But your high morning numbers aren’t contributing much to your A1C level, so you can stop worrying about that!
I have written dozens of articles here about Byetta. So far it has been approved only as an add-on drug to metformin and some others. I was on metformin at first but then my A1C (and weight) got so good that I asked my doctor to take me off metformin, and he agreed.
Best regards,
David
36 Jackie J // Jun 19, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I have insulin resistance and my doctor recommended “CinndromeX” from Xymogen.
37 tanpuia hnamte // Jun 28, 2009 at 12:24 pm
well,it’s worth reading and knowing that others face same problem as mine makes me feel more comfortable.my mother is diebetic,i am 33 now with a fasting level of 98 and a pp level of 170(2hrs), but am too lazy to take regular exercise and a heavy smoker(20 ciggarettes per day),couldn’t resist meat and so on…tonite or this morning at 12:30 am(after 4to5 hours of heavy meal) my bs is 116, am i diabetic or is it reversible?
38 David Mendosa // Jun 28, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Dear Tanpuia,
You have a good chance now not to have diabetes. But your post-prandial level of 170 after two hours worries me. You can reverse your pre-diabetes or actual diabetes, however, if you do get regular exercise, stop smoking, and follow a very low-carbohydrate diet. The meat you eat is the least of your concerns! I do hope for your sake that you take action now. Certainly, it will not be easy to stop smoking. It was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do! But I am so glad that I did, and now I can’t even stand the smell of tobacco within 20 feet of me.
Best regards,
David
39 Jean // Jul 5, 2009 at 12:01 pm
David,
Like others, I’m glad I found this website. I’ve been type 2 since about 2005. I want to give a little history so others may get some help or support from my experiences. By the way, I’m now 57 and most of this started with menopause.
In late 2005, I started with an A1c of 7.2. With diet (which I prefer to call “appropriate eating”) and no drugs, I was able to lower it to 6.2 and lose about 5 lbs in a 3 month period being about 160 (still too much for my 5′4″ large frame. However, like most newly diagnosed type 2’s, eventually we revert to our “inappropriate eating” and my bs & my weight were on the rise. In 2005, my endocrinologist put me on different types of drugs until we found janumet, which seemed to work. So, my bs levels were again good and I continued to eat wrong! My A1c continued to rise to 7.5, then 7.8, then 8.2, then 8.5 along with my weight that went up to 185 lbs. My mind game was that as long as I had to take medication, I may as well eat what I want. Now it’s 2007 and a new Endo, put me on Byetta & 500 mg metformin x2. Without trying, I did lose 10 lbs over a 6 mo period, but my A1c was still 8.5, so I was increased to 10 mg Byetta & 1000 metformin X2. As of May 2009, my morning bs was 170 – 185 and most of my other readings were in the 150 – 165 range. I do have the Dawn Phenomenon.
Startin June 2009, here’s what I did. I went on the Dr. Atkins diet (appropriate eating). Very, very low carbs for 2 weeks and then slowly add until I reach my maximum. (You would need to read Dr. Atkins book). Over the past month, I have taken my weight down to 166 (still more to go), but I have been able to reduce my bs numbers. Now I am about 145-155 in the morning. Still DP, but will work on that from the vinegar & wine advice in this site. My B4 meal readings are 111 – 120 which is within a good range. My 2 hr after meal readings are about 145 – 155; definitely in good range.
I go to my Endo the end of July for A1c, so I don’t know the impact yet, but I’m sure my Endo will be surprised since I anticipate a good drop.
I also supplement with Chromium Picolinate. I was taking 1 pill of 200mg in the morning. I read that diabetics should take 400 – 600 mg, so I have upped my supplement to 400 in the am and 200 at night, which I believe is helping too. I’m going to reverse that to see if it helps with the DP. I’ve tried cinnamon and don’t see any affect, but other people tell me it’s helped them.
One other thing that I feel has helped tremendously is changing from all the artificial sweetners to Stevia. It is considered a nutritional supplement and not a sweetner, so you may not find it with the others, but in the “supplement” section of the grocery store. (Don’t get me started on the FDA) Go to http://www.stevia.com for a wealth of information, and be careful of the brands you see. I’ve only found one with a glycemic index of 0%. I’ve found the stevia with the low, low carbs has reduced my carb/sweet cravings tremendously.
I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to comment.
PS: I’m not any kind of health professional, nor do I promote anything I mentioned for financial gain; just a diabetic learning from all sources I find.
To better health,
Jean
40 David Mendosa // Jul 5, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Dear Jean,
I’m glad that you found my website. Welcome!
I have “Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution” and have read it. It is wonderful diet and I know that it works. Personally, I follow a very similar diet, very much like that of Dr. Richard K. Bernstein in “Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution.”
I also nowadays use only stevia, and SweetLeaf has become my favorite brand. For one reason, it uses the best bulking agent.
Best regards,
David
41 Jean // Jul 7, 2009 at 8:21 pm
David,
I, too, use only the SweetLeaf brand. It is zero on the glycemic index whereas the new Truvia, Stevia in the Raw and some of the others have additives. One has dextrose. And I do like the bulking agent. The packets do not disolve well in cold drinks, like ice tea, but I found their liquids are great. SweetLeaf liquid also works well for cooking and baking. I made a cheesecake (low carb treat) with it that came out great. The original recipe called for Splenda and it was baked in the oven, but I just substituted the SweetLeaf for it.
By the way, I’m old enough to have the first Dr. Atkins Diet book which I used in 1975! I have the “New Diet Revolution” that I use now, but all those out there who have heard that this diet is bad for you, I’m here to tell you 34 years ago it worked for me. Had I known I was developing diabetes (hindsight is a wonderful thing), I would have stuck to it, but No, I listened to the masses on TV and all the advertising on Low Fat diets. So now, I can say this isn’t a new way of eating. It’s excellent for Diabetics. It’s easy, but like all new things, it takes some getting used to “eating appropriately”.
Jean
42 Linda Carpenter // Jul 7, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Jean,
Do you mean “You don’t like the bulking agent”??? Trying to learn all this.
43 David Mendosa // Jul 8, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Dear Linda,
I do like the bulking agent in SweetLeaf stevia. It’s a fiber called inulin.
But the other brands of stevia that I’ve found use maltodextrin. They use it in small amounts, but it does have a high glycemic index. And Truvia uses a sugar alcohol that comes from corn — and it is probably GMO.
Best regards,
David
44 Jean // Jul 10, 2009 at 11:35 am
Linda,
Sorry if I sounded contradictory. I do like the bulking agent. It is Inulin which is a naturally occuring simple sugar in some plants. Also, Inulin, the bulking agent in SweetLeaf, has the benefit of increasing calcium absorption and maintaining digestive health. Nutritionally, it is a form of soluble fiber and considered a probiotic – good for your intestines like yogurt, which has carbs and usually sugars.
I like that it has minimal impact on blood sugar. Since diabetics generally have raised triglyceride levels which can contribute to NAFLD – non alcohol fatty liver disease – Inulin does not raise your triglycerides levels like products with fructose do.
So, yes! I like the bulking agent – Inulin.
Jean
45 Linda Carpenter // Jul 10, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Really great clarification. Now I get it. I am trying to cook with and use daily the very smartest choices. Thank you for educating me. I am ordering it now.
46 Gerry Pariseau // Jul 16, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Mr Mendosa Thank you for your article about Vitamin D and diabetics. I had my doctor test me for vit d and found out that I was severely deficient. So I am on therapy now of 50k units per day 3xs per week for 4 weeks, plus I am taking 2 Caltrate tabs per day that totals up to 1200 calcium and 800 vit d. I am now starting to feel really good, have better bs readings, less pain and am sleeping better. So thank you for being there for us diabetics. You are greatly appreciated. Gerry
47 william // Jul 22, 2009 at 11:32 am
Hey! Just got my numbers back from my latest test and had to share the good news. I was put on insulin back in January of this year after my a1c came back as a whopping 8.7.
I’ve been on levamir and novolog and a 1600 calorie, low fat and low procesed carb diet.
My a1c came back yesterday as a 6.5! My cholesterol was down to 137 with a triglyceride count of 165 and hdl ration of 4.28, a ldl calculated of 72. Non HDL-C LDL 105 and a HDL of 32.
When I started posting here in January I was very depressed that my numbers weren’t coming down faster. I was advised to be patient, watch my diet and take my insulin as prescribed, and boost my activity level. It worked and I thank everybody for being so supportive. I’m framing this report and sticking to on the wall above my desk!
48 william // Aug 5, 2009 at 10:01 am
speaking of cinnamon, I’ve been using it as a supplement and in tea form for about 3 months now and it does seem to work. My favorite way to get it is a medium bodied black tea with cinnamon, orange peel, and sweet cloves called hot cinnamon spice. It’s put out by a company called harney and sons. the web site is http://www.harney.com. I generally order it by the pound in loose leaf form. I get the best results that way. It really tastes like it’s beet sweetened with sugar but it DOES NOT affect my blood sugar readings. Must be the sweet cloves. Has anyone heard about sweet cloves before? has anyone noticed any glycemic affect from it?
49 william // Aug 5, 2009 at 10:09 am
I just noticed that my previous post may be confusing. The cinnamon seems to help bring my mornings down to the 120 to mid 130s on a much more consistent basis. (better than the 150 to 160 that I was seeing before). The sweet cloves in the tea blend REALLY sweeten it up. Much better than even stevia does and it doesn’t seem to fight the effect of the cinnamon. Sorry if my previous message was confusing…..
50 mary piparo // Aug 17, 2009 at 4:38 am
Hi – I can’t seem to find an answer to this. Hopefully you can help. I started 5mg of byetta in July 09. Took that for 30 days, increased to 10mg. My appetite has decreased quite a bit, no cravings. My A1C went from 8.2 to 7.2 in just the 30 days. It is great at controling my BS. In addition to the byetta I am also on glyburide 5/500 mg. I take one table in the AM and 1/2 in the PM. Getting wonderful morning #s. Now to my question. I have been eating well and doing a little amount of excerise but there has been no weight loss. I am 30 lbs over weight but nothing is moving, in the last 5 years i had lost 65 lbs and put 20 of it back on. I am a very slow loser. I was hoping that the byetta would help. Any thoughts?
I purchased your book, Lose weight on your diabetic meds, Love it. Thanks for this great web site.
Mary
51 David Mendosa // Aug 18, 2009 at 7:23 am
Dear Mary,
Thank you for your comment on my book. The weight loss on Byetta is not automatic. But it comes from the decreased appetite that you already have. With that decrease you can eat less — and better food. Keep on and also cut back on the starchy carbs and sugars and the weight loss will come.
David
52 Jean // Aug 18, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Mary,
I’ve been on Byetta since Oct 2008. Without changing my eating habits (and going thru the holiday foods) I had lost 10 pounds by April. It takes awhile especially over 50 like I am; however, since I have been following Atkins diet (my own version), I have lost an additional 10 pounds in about 10 weeks. Eating the lower carbs also lowered my A1c. It was 8.8 in April with Byetta 10 mg and 1000 Metformin x2. It’s the exercise (hate it) and the “appropriate eating”, (aka diet) that I will have to do the rest of my life to keep my A1c down. In 6 weeks, I dropped it from the 8.8 to 6.7. Hope to have it lower by the end of this year – along with my weight. Side note: My blood pressure medicine (Micardis) has been cut from 80 mg to 40 mg. I’m on my way to better health and you will be too!
53 dolores // Aug 19, 2009 at 8:55 am
It drives me crazy that if I have a salad for my last meal of the day at 8 pm, my morning sugars are about 102-105. If I add a small potato with the meal, they can be in the low to mid nineties. I consume enough balsamic vinegar to float a battle ship since I have given up adding salt to food and I use it to flavor salads and soups and to sprinkle on white potatoes.
Dolores
54 Jean // Aug 20, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Dolores,
Why not try some protein at night, like chicken or fish; then eat a little less salad. The salad has a few carbs, but the protein has none. Also, I’ve heard some people get help from taking cider vinegar at night with 1 oz cheese. I take the cider tablets with the cheese and I believe it helps. For me, I can’t eat a potato unless I want my sugar to be over 200. Literally, it kills me, but that’s the way my body reacts. I’ve found Diabetes is a lot of trial and error eating and other peoples’ suggestions sometimes help; sometimes not. Also at dinner, you could skip the salad and just have some roasted or pan fried chicken with green beans, spinach or broccoli. You can try lemon juice instead of balsamic vinegar and mix it with a little mustard and olive oil for a salad dressing.
55 Suzy // Aug 26, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I found out I had diabetes about 8 years ago. My AIC was 17. My doctor had never seen anything like it. I started on insulin 4 times a day and gradually got down to diet and exercise. I feel it was a blessing in disguise and a great wake up call. I have gotten kind of lax about my eating and had a recent AIC of 7. I am being more careful and am getting much better readings. I take cinnamon pills after 2 meals a day and think that helps. I have also started taking gymnema. I am very frustrated by my high blood sugar after working out with weights. It’s usually about 150. But I can eat almost what I want at dinner, and my before bed is about 105. I also have the Dawn effect and wake up with my sugar about 140. I have started taking vinegar pills and eating an extend bar before I go to bed. I am a little worried as I have kidney disease and hope none of this affects my kidneys. I am going to try milk thistle. My doctor wanted me to take insulin (3grams) at night, but I don’t want to start on it unless I absolutely have to.
I also have problems with hypoglycemia in the mid mornings, as I exercise then too, so it’s all kind of touchy.
I can’t take Byetta because of my kidney disease, but I wish I could lose about 10lbs. Thanks for reading my ramblings!
56 David Mendosa // Aug 27, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Dear Suzy,
Too bad that you can’t take Byetta. But a very low-carb diet (which I have written a lot about here), would instead also help you to lose weight.
Best regards,
David
57 Judy // Sep 13, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Just signed on today. There is alot to learn about diabetes. The coments and tips are very encourging. Thanks
58 rick // Oct 8, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Dave; wondering if you are familiar with Dr. Neal Barnard’s book and research on reversing diabetes with a vegan diet. Seems very interesting and promising. Thanks, Rick
59 David Mendosa // Oct 9, 2009 at 8:09 am
Dear Rick,
I read it and studied Dr. Barnard’s opinions. I don’t see how a vegan diet could possibly reverse diabetes since it is necessarily high in carbs.
Best regards,
David
60 Michael Cobb // Oct 9, 2009 at 12:44 pm
The best thing I have found to drastically bring gloucose levels down and reverse dawn phenom is to lift a few weights before going to bed. I used to be at gloucose levels of 180 in the mornings but have been 89 to 120 every time I lift 25 pounds in several reps of 10 for each arm. Try it!
61 Suzy // Oct 11, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I have found that my glucose is very high, about 150-160 after I work out with weights in the afternoon. It’s like this for for a few hours, but then I can eat a somewhat carby dinner and have a below bedtime reading of about 90. I don’t know what to do about my after workout high readings. Any ideas?
62 dolores // Oct 11, 2009 at 2:12 pm
For the person who wrote that he lifts weights and afterwards, his blood sugar is 150 to 160. I am not on meds so I do not know if this would help someone on meds. If you are strenuously lifting weights it is possible that your blood sugar does get lower at some time during your exercise. You might want to check a couple of times during your weight lifting session. It is possible that it goes so low that your liver kicks in and pumps out glucose (or whatever the sugar is) to bring the blood sugar back up. I would eat a small potato before weight lifting. I know that is anathema to people on this group. I am one who thinks the Atkins diet is a very bad diet for diabetics. If you read Atkins’ second book you will see he evidently thought so too. He uses a “meat and millet” diet for diabetics which is surprisingly verging on Pritikin.
Dolores
63 dolores // Oct 11, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Someone asked how a vegan diet can control diabetes because it is necessarily high in carbs. Firstly, I am not vegan, but eat a plant based diet. I also do not know about eating carbs if you do not exercise. But I exercise and eat potatoes, rice, bread, fruit, corn etc. However, I have about a third to a half cup of rice or corn or a slice or two of sprouted whole grain bread, or a small potato ( not one the size of Rhode Island) with each of my four meals. Pritikin says it is fat which causes insulin resistance, not whole natural starches like rice etc. What is the sense of getting your blood sugar low because it looks good on your monitor and all the while increasing your insulin resistance.
If you are someone who severely limits carbs and eats more fat and meat and you haven’t had to increase your meds, or take meds at all after several years on your diet then your diet must be right for you.
McDougall says on his site that humans have between 2 and 15 genes coded for starch digestion. Most people have an average of six. If you have only two–the number our nearest primate non starch eating relatives have–then no matter what Pritikin or anyone else says it is possible that starches just are not for you. If you have 15 then I guess you really can eat a potato the size of Rhode Island.
Dolores
64 Suzy // Oct 11, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I am the person who said about the high sugar after working out. I’m not on medication either. I know what you mean about going low during workout but haven’t really checked that out. I will eat some low fat cheese before and see if that helps. Thanks!!
65 Michael Cobb // Oct 11, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I’m not on meds either. My blood gloucose always goes down after a good workout. But another I do before going to the gym is eat a spoonful of peanut butter which gives me a boost of energy for the workout and keeps my gloucose level from going too low during the workout. I can workout for 2 hours after doing this and not lose energy.
66 Suzy // Oct 11, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Great! I will try that tomorrow!!!!!
67 dolores // Oct 12, 2009 at 7:30 am
Suzy, when I was first diagnosed about 18 years ago, I was very frustrated when I would go for a long walk and find my blood sugar higher than when I started out. That does not happen anymore–probably because after 18 years my body functions differently.
I am very interested in what happens if you eat low fat cheese before exercise. Remember that fish, chicken and beef, while they might not raise your blood sugar very high, can raise your insulin levels as much as or more than something like popcorn. I do not know about low fat cheese. It seems to me that what we want is to have the optimum amount of insulin respond to a rise in blood sugar. Too little insulin and the blood sugar does not get absorbed into the cells (if you don’t exercise) and too much means your blood sugar goes lower but then you have all that insulin floating around and doing damage. I am leary of anything that raises insulin–glyburide (the old first drug of choice) or cinnamon which some claim lowers blood sugar. I always want to know the mechanism. Mr. Mendosa would probably be the one with knowledge about this.
For Michael who eats peanut butter, I am assuming it is natural peanut butter with no added fats or sugars. Am I right?
Dolores
68 Suzy // Oct 12, 2009 at 2:28 pm
WOW!! I ate a spoonful of natural peanut butter before workout and just took my glucose. It’s 118. I’ve never had it that low after a hard workout! Thanks so much for the tip! I have tried a string cheese before workout, and it helps a little but nothing like this.
69 dolores // Oct 12, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Suzy, it is so great when we find something that works for us. That is why these groups are wonderful–the opportunity to exchange ideas. There may be people out there for whom this does not work so we should remember that we are all different and someone else might come up with something that works for us. What did people do before the internet?
Dolores
70 Michael // Oct 12, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Suzy, I’ll bet you had planty of energy for the workout too, huh? Very cool.
71 Suzy // Oct 12, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Much more than usual! You rock, Michael!!!
72 Michael // Oct 13, 2009 at 11:09 am
Suzy, did you say that you used to take insulin but now you don’t take meds at all? How did you do that? I have never taken meds but I’m curious as to how you got things under control after being so far out there.
73 Suzy // Oct 13, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Michael, I started out taking insulin 4 times a day and got a diet plan from a nutritionist. My sugars gradually came down, and I started on pills and then finally, just diet and exercise. I am pretty compulsive and was very careful about everything for a long time. I think exercising twice a day really helps.
74 Allie // Nov 2, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I’m ready to give up. I’m a cancer survivor with one kidney, so the development of Type II was just icing on the cake I can’t have. I’m taking Janumet and Glipizide and I’m about 75 lbs over my ideal weight. My endo is also struggling with getting my thyroid into a normal range – it’s about 8. Good diet, bad diet, my glucose numbers are always between 140-180…it doesn’t seem to matter. I wake up with 178 after a 12 hours fast (dawn phenomenon?) and it stays right there in that range. I’m so tired of struggling to eat correctly (I work shift, which makes it really fun) and the meter doesn’t reflect it. I feel overwhelmed and pretty much doomed, regardless. My doctor wants to start me on Byetta, but I hate to spend the money if it’s just another dead end. Needless to say, the depression is awful! Exercise is nearly impossible, I’m so tired I fall asleep as soon as I get home. I’m beginning to feel pretty hopeless.
75 David Mendosa // Nov 2, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Dear Allie,
I certainly understand. Diabetes and depression often go together, particularly when our blood glucose levels are high. I have written several article about this and one of my best friends is working on his dissertation on the subject.
But Byetta won’t be a dead end. You are so lucky that your doctor wants you to take it! I used it for about two years and lost more than 100 pounds! My blood glucose level also improved. Go for it!
Best regards,
David
76 Suzy // Nov 2, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Never give up!! Please buy and read the book, The Secret. It really works!!! Also, weight loss will automatically lower your blood sugars. Give Byetta a try!
77 william // Nov 2, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Please don’t give up! I fought going on insulin for 5 years and eventually wound up on it. Last January in fact. Even then my numbers would skyrocket at night and stay in the 150 to 180 range. They stayed that way for months. My diabetes doc finally changed me to new reformulated glucophage and Januvia and put me on Levamir (24 hour basal insulin) 1 shot per day and a “meal dose” of novolog (fast insulin) before each meal. My last A1c (2 weeks ago) was down to 6.2 and my cholesterol is dropping like a rock. I’m starting to see more and more readings in the 105 to 130 range.
I urge you not to give up. I was so close to throwing in the towel last year and just riding it into the ground. Part of what turned the picture around for me was find out that I have Low T (testosterone) as a result of the diabetes. Since you have it and thyroid issues, it wouldn’t surprise me if you also had it.
Please talk to your doctor about insulin in conjunction with the byetta. I know nobody likes to have to take it, but it’s really not as bad as I thought it would be. The most important thing is stop the ongoing progression of the disease and then take the lifestyle issues – exercise, diet, etc one step at a time.
Don’t let it overwhelm you. You beat cancer, you can beat this as well…..
Please keep in touch and let us know how you’re doing…
78 Allie // Nov 3, 2009 at 5:11 am
You don’t know how much this helped me. My plan was to turn loose and let it run itself out and then end it…it was just too blame much to deal with.
Thank you for your encouragement. I pulled my lab orders out of the trash and I’m going to get them done and start my Byetta – and insulin if I need it. Injecting is not a problem for me, (surprisingly!) what is a problem is all the boo stories about how insulin kills your liver, all the complications and horrors, etc. Sometimes the amount of negative information is just overwhelming.
It really helped to know you guys faced the same issues and that it took time to resolve them but they did resolve. Me, I have the patience of a seat-belt buzzer. Now I know that a lack of instant results doesn’t mean it isn’t working.
William, I’ll ask my endo about the Low-T issue. I’m missing quite a few things, that might be one of them…:)
I’ll let ya’ll know how the Byetta works, esp in my situation. And I’ll look forward to being encouraged by ya’ll’s progress and experience.
Many thanks!
79 Suzy // Nov 3, 2009 at 6:49 am
Allie,
Good for you!! We are all here for you to give you hope and encouragement. Keep us posted!
80 William // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:17 am
We’re all in this boat together. Sometimes we row and sometimes we bail to keep the boat afloat!
You’re going to have good days and bad days. You’ll experience weeks or days when your readings are high and just won’t come down. Generally that’s due to your immune system fighting something. I’ve found out that I can pretty much chart the time period between and unexpected increase in my numbers and coming down with a cold or the flu. Any kind of brewing infection will cause your numbers to surge. It can take days or weeks for you’re immune system to come back down to normal and your numbers to follow.
Again, don’t get discouraged, talk to your doctor about things you can do to help your body compensate – increasing your basal insulin dose gradually, decreasing your carb intake, eating smaller meals at shorter intervals throughout the day, steer to low GI foods at each meal, etc. You doctor can help you put together a “tool kit” of things that you can do.
The most important thing to do is too not get discouraged and to think ahead and plan for these bumps and draw up an action plan of how to deal with it. That way you will be more in control of the diabetes and it will be less in control of you.
Keep us posted, we’re positive thoughts your way!
81 David Mendosa // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:04 am
Dear Allie,
My correspondent Gerry sent me these comments directly that she intended for you:
I can identify with you. I have found that at bedtime a warm cup of water with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey will lower your dawn phenomena. I also leave all white foods alone, they are pure poison to me. I used to fall asleep after every meal, with no warning, makes driving rather difficult. Now I don’t. However, I do take a short morning nap and a short afternoon nap to help my body heal.
The doctor told me to exercise 30 minutes per day. I was in the middle of a severe gout attack and asked her how I am suppose to that seeing as how I can’t walk or stand. She said to sit in a chair and move whatever will move, move it consistently until the blood is flowing within you, it works. I feel much better.
These are just little suggestions but they sure do make you feel like you are doing something to get ahead and I find when I do not do these things, my blood sugar is high again in the morning. Gerry
Then she added:
I forgot to tell you. I was also in a lot of pain last winter and blamed it on the cold weather. David Mendosa had an article on Vitamin D, so I asked my doctor to test my vitamin D, even though I did not show any signs of a deficiency. T o my surprise, the test showed I was severely deficient. I was put on vitamin D and calcium therapy and this winter my pain is gone. I could also swear that it helps with depression also but don’t know for sure. Gerry
82 David Mendosa // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:04 am
Dear William,
My correspondent Gerry sent me these comments directly that she intended for you:
Thank you for your comments, I never knew you could tell the state of your health a few days ahead of it materializing. I will have to look back at my blood sugar charts and see if that is true for me. Thank you, Gerry
83 allie // Nov 4, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Dear David and Gerry -
Wow.
Talk about about being on the money….My last lab showed a severe D deficiency. My endo gave me prescription vitamin D and I felt SO much better – joint pain gone, sugar better and I actually did things on my days off instead of huddling in the house. I didn’t attribute it to the D, but to my new meds (Cymbalta) However, the scrip expired, the Cymbalta continued, and the old cycle of high sugar, inexplicable joint pain and depression returned…I just figured it was another lost cause.
And the sudden sleepiness – almost like you’ve been injected with a sedative, impossible to fight off. Oh Lord, it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one! I’ve never told anyone, but I’ve fallen asleep suddenly at the wheel, so deeply I began to dream. To stave it off I began to pop caffeine tabs. Not the best solution, but I was afraid to say anything, and so afraid I might hurt someone else. Now I know it can be controlled.
Thank you, Gerry, for asking a doctor how we’re supposed to exercise when we’re in pain! And what a sensible answer. A year ago my ankles were so inflamed I had to use my mom’s walker to stand up in the morning. “Too fat!” was my doctor’s diagnosis. “Get out and walk!” On what, doc? My hands?
I am sipping your cider vinegar solution now. I agree with the “white poison” – I’m from the deep South, where the three major food groups are fat, sugar, and starch. A balanced meal is when you put equal amounts of butter on everything.
I need to take a lot more responsibility for my healthcare, including helping my endo by telling her everything and keeping a journal and charts. as ya’ll seem to do. It helps to know I’m not alone. You can’t imagine how it helps. I’m not a freak. I’m normal with diabetes
.
Ya’ll are earthbound angels, for sure – seems like the cloud of despair lifts every time I come here. Maybe once I get straight I can help somebody like ya’ll have helped me.
Until then – well, I got a plan.
Hanging in there,
Allie
84 David Mendosa // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Dear Allie,
I’m so glad that you got tested for vitamin D. I just got my second test (don’t have those results back yet, but the level of my first test was fine). I wish everybody would get this test! MOST Americans have too little vitamin D.
And I wonder if you need to be tested for sleep apnea. Falling asleep at the wheel was something that I fought for years before being treated.
Best regards,
David
85 allie // Nov 13, 2009 at 6:38 am
I just wanted to report that I started Byetta two days ago and my morning numbers have fallen 30 points. During the day, if I haven’t screwed up my carbs, it’s near normal.
I’m also taking 1000 IU of vitamin D a day. Yesterday I accomplished more in four hours than I have been able to in four weeks. I had energy AND focus. And lost the guilt and shame that goes with constant fatigue – “laziness” is how I interpret it, illness-based or not.
Have had some nausea – nothing bad, just an occasionally wave that you can deal with. Some stomach upset. Nothing that would really interfere with your life. The shots are NOTHING, guys; anyone who’s nervous about needles, please believe me – it’s less than plucking an eyebrow.
Also, I use One-Touch but I got an Accu-Check lancet – I don’t know how they do it but it is as nearly painless as can be. This has helped me with the fingerstick.
Still having dawn phenom if I don’t use my Gerry’s formula, but I can see the numbers dropping. Appetite – I’m eating about 2/3rds less. Noticing that it decreases “nervous eating” some but that’s still an issue as it is not appetite based. However, I have found the more I do, the less I eat (energy = movement =decrease in anxiety)
Just wanted to report in.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Allie
86 David Mendosa // Nov 13, 2009 at 8:04 am
Dear Allie,
What a great, positive report! Thanks for sharing it.
I do wonder if 1000IU of vitamin D will be enough. The suggested level that you want to aim for is 40-60 ng/ml. I get my vitamin D tested at http://www.grassrootshealth.net/ with a home test that is quite reasonable. My latest level came back at 105 ng/ml, which may well be too high. I had upped my dose to 15,000IU/day because a high level might protect me from the H1N1 (swine) flu virus until I can get a shot. But taking 5000IU/day will probably put both of us in the 40-60 ng/ml suggested range.
Best regards,
David
87 allie // Nov 13, 2009 at 4:14 pm
David, I get the best info from you and your blog – will check out the home test. I will up my D (I know I’m nowhere near where I should be as I was severely deficient before) to 5k and then test it…
Many many thanks
Allie
88 william // Nov 13, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Allie, thanks for sharing the good news! We all know how discouraging it gets and it’s such a relief when you make a breakthrough. It’s like a 10-ton weight just rolled off of your back.
Keep it up and let us know how things go.
89 Allie // Nov 16, 2009 at 9:14 am
My blood sugar was 108 AFTER EATING!
YEEHAW!
Just had to share
90 william // Nov 16, 2009 at 9:19 am
I’m Jealous!
Keep it up!
91 Saddaf Sultana // Dec 16, 2009 at 7:47 am
Dear Mr. Mendoza
i am following ur website as well as dr. bernstein’s since i was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic 3 years ago. learned a lot as well found the will to continue a fight. yes a fight which i won initially and then lost again. i am trying to cope without any medications. only through diet and exercise. low carb and less portions leave me with hunger pangs and i invariably indulge in wrong eating. it is difficult to prepare a different menu for the family and a different one for myself. constant testing is very expensive, unaffordable to test more than 25 times per month. (i am a pakistani so things are different here). i donot know how you people manage it.
right now, i feel pretty depressed, because i am hungary and the food at the table is not right for me.
do advise how to motivate myself and what can i take. i will be greatful.
by the way, i am 47, 10 kg overweight, typical fasting bg is 125 and one hour pp is anywhere between 170-250.
regards
92 David Mendosa // Dec 16, 2009 at 10:32 am
Dear Saddaf,
You can win the fight! Diet and exercise will work. Two suggestions:
1. Eat even less carbohydrate. Somehow I doubt if you are really eating very low-carb if your pp numbers are up to 250. Cut out the rice completely! That’s probably the biggest problem in the Pakistani diet. Also anything made from wheat, including all the wonderful breads that you have there. No potatoes. In other words all the starches. This will be at first the hardest part. Easier will be to cut out table sugar (sucrose) and anything made with high-fructose corn syrup. That will be easier because we have great sugar substitutes now (after a lot of experimenting, my preference now is stevia). But unless you do this right, these restrictions will make you even hungrier and have even less energy. To do it right you will absolutely need to increase the amount of fat that you consume. That’s because either carbohydrates or fat are the source of all of our energy (protein is necessary in small amounts for other purposes). If you switch from eating the amount of carbs that you are now eating to a very low-carb diet, you might in any case go through a week or two of less energy while your body’s fat burner kicks in. But just hang in there for those few days!
2. You can take one drug, metformin, that won’t increase your weight and will help you control your BG. You may want to consider it temporarily in any case.
Your best bet for diabetes control and weight loss as well is a very low-carb diet. It’s worth the fight!
I note also that you write that “the food at the table is not right for me.” Actually, it’s not right for your family either. A very low-carb diet is better for everyone, including those who don’t want to get diabetes and other diseases. But they don’t have the motivation. You do.
Best regards,
David
93 Saddaf Sultana // Dec 17, 2009 at 1:53 am
thanks David
i am thankful for your support which i badly need.
as i told you before, i managed to loose 25 lbs and achieved normal bg levels two years ago through constant testing, exercise and dietry advice found on your and dr. bernstein’s website. and i was prescribed zolid(pioglitazone 30 mg twice a day which i took for only one month). i got better,had a marvelous figure, new wardrobe and no high bg readings.
then i lost control and am in a mess now. and i find myself very lonely.
almost everyone of my mother’s cousins has it and my father’s side suffers from it too as well as from cardiac problems. one of my brother died at 36 due to heart attack, the other at 48, has gone through two angiplasties(3 stunts in place), and my father and his two brothers died of heart attacks/failures. all were active and physically smart. arthritus also is quite common and i also am heading towards it as i am unable to run now. my knees don’t support me. ( i weigh 67 kg with 5 feet 2 inch height)
so exercise for me consists of walking on the road or on treadmill for 30-40 minutes five days a week. i have inheritted a weight problem from my mother’s side and so end up putting on weight if i don’t exercise and eat less. always has been a problem.
i am prone to stress, driving or walking in the sun or staying awake late at night gives me migraine for three four days until i get a full night sleep. i tend to wake up two three times during night and therefore, don’t get a sound sleep as a rule.
i used to hate sweets when i was younger, never took tea with sugar but since i became diabetic, i seem to long for all things sweet, all roti, paratha, buiscuits, fruits, toffees. what not.
now i find it difficult to stick to the diet plan. i invariably endup eating some roti or buiscuits or more than a handful of peanuts or fruits at night while relaxing in front of tv with the kids.
my typical meal plan
tea with milk and without sugar raises my bg 20-30 points so i take it only twice a day. my breakfast now consists mainly of boiled egg, or shami kabab(beaf or chicken) and 1/2 wholewheat roti as well as tea.
my lunch and dinner consists of 1/2 plate meat curry, 1/2 whole wheat roti, some green salad or vegetables.
seems fine except that i tend to eat twice the mentioned amount specially the vegetables.
you are right about our pakistani diet in which roti, daal, chaawal, all grains are the major part.
i have started taking a lot of green tea with lemon.
also, i do occasionally take juice of one bittergourd (karela) in the morning. iam also starting to drink one glass of overnight soaked okra water ( 2 okras only). but can not say much about the impact. becuase i won’t purchase testing strips until next month.
i have written whatever i think is relevant to my condition and would love to have any advise from you.
i know i am taking much of your time but i do need help in knowing how to control my hunger pangs.
allah bless you
regards
saddaf
94 William // Dec 17, 2009 at 9:26 am
Saddaf
You might try pearled barley. Mr Mendoza has written about it here on his blog several times. It’s low on the Glycemic Index and doesn’t appear to spike blood glucose. You can use it as a breakfast staple and as a replacement for pasta and rice in other dishes.
I’ve also started taking vinegar at night. I can double-up on the vinegar on my salad, or pickle my vegetables and drink the brine to get the vinegar. If you choose to try that, try to use a brine that is as low in sodium as you can possibly make it. Use citrus rind to replace some of the sodium in the pickle brine.
Also, you can use natural fat sources like olives, avacados, etc. when you tend to snack. It really helps to manage my sweets craving. I so understand and sympathize with you on the whole sweets issue. I have a tremendous sweet tooth. Do you have access to stevia or sucralose (splenda)? I can use that on occasion to keep the cravings under control.
We have all been in the same situation as you are in at times. Please don’t give up hope. The thing about diabetes is just when you think nothing is going to work and you’re going to throw in the towel, the body adjusts to the changes and you can see a rapid improvement.
I would also suggest you try steeping cinnamon in your green tea and using sweet cloves or citrus rind to sweeten it. It makes the tea sweet enough to satisfy that craving without spiking your blood sugar. Since you have access to the internet, you might want to investigate natural substances that seem to work to overcome your body’s insulin resistance – like cinnamon.
Please keep us updated on how you are doing.
God Bless you and encourage you.
William
95 Linda // Jan 6, 2010 at 1:06 pm
SAddaf
I have found a wonderful tea that not only lowers your blood sugar level, but satisfies your sweet tooth as well, when you crave something sweet, and it is very healthy for you,and a Natural source of Antioxidants. It taste like a big red gum very yummy, It is called Good Earth caffeine Free Original (Sweet & Spicy Herbal Tea) I use it to make Ice tea as well and does not require sugar it is naturally sweet and does not raise blood sugar. Hope this helps. God Bless you, and keep your faith.
Linda
96 Jeff // Jan 13, 2010 at 8:48 am
I am newly diagnosed T2. Was curious if others are experiencing neuropathy in their toes and feet. My toes are quite numb and I get stabbing foot pains, especially at night. Another question I have: does high glucose affect bowel habits? It seems that constipation has coincided with my diabetes diagnosis. Thanks.
97 David Mendosa // Jan 13, 2010 at 10:26 am
Dear Jeff,
Peripheral neuropathy is, sadly, one of the most common complications of diabetes. Even though you are newly diagnosed, you are on average likely to have diabetes for about 10 previous years, according to researchers. The cause of the neuropathy is simply the high blood glucose levels that you have had. Reversing it is difficult but probably not impossible. By far the best way to reverse it is to control your blood glucose level, i.e. to bring your A1C level down to normal, which is less than 6.0.
Your guess about high glucose affecting bowel habits is a good one too. A different form of neuropathy called gastroparesis could be the cause. I think that you need to consult with a diabetes specialist, i.e. an endocrinologist.
David
98 Jeff // Jan 13, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Thanks, David. My last A1C was 7.1 so I have some work to do. I do notice that daily exercise helps. I’m still battling morning levels in the 170-180 range. I’m going to try vinegar and cheese to see if that helps. Is there a good oral medication to lessen the dawn phenomenon? Right now I’m take a 500mg Metformin twice a day. Appreciate the guidance! Also, do you recommend I seek an endocrinologist? Right now I’m see a doctor in Internal Medicine.
99 David Mendosa // Jan 13, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Dear Jeff,
I don’t know of any drugs that will lessen the dawn phenomenon. The only thing that works reliably is bringing your blood glucose level down to normal.
David
100 Suzy // Jan 13, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Jeff,
My internest first diagnosed me with diabetes and treated me, but I really made much bigger strides forward when I started going to an endo. I definitely think you should go to an endo, who is a specialist in diabetes and much better informed.
Suzy
101 ralph // Jan 15, 2010 at 3:23 am
hi
i am diagnosed with type 2….april 28 2009,at age 43,, my FBS was 160,A1c was 8.2///
Today january 15 2010,my fasting is 105-115,i am using metformin 500 mg once,plus some food supplements,i lost some weight,but need to loss some 30.
2 hours after dinner my blood sugar is 150-160 mg,this night,after reading about dawn phenomena i checked my sugar it was 206 mg!!!i hot mad and worry..
my last A1c was 6.1 (one week ago)
what do u suggest??am i diabetic,prediabetic?
can i reverse my condition by lossing these 30 pounds?i am now 228,,,my ideal weight sould be 188. i am using cinnamon+flaxeed oil+fish oil+ALA+garelic tabs,daily with one tab 500 mg metformin….thans.
Ralph/LA
102 David Mendosa // Jan 15, 2010 at 9:07 am
Dear Ralph,
You have diabetes, according to new guidelines just published:
“TUESDAY, Dec. 29 (HealthDay News) — In its latest set of clinical guidelines, the American Diabetes Association is promoting a more prominent role for the hemoglobin A1C blood test in the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
Long used in the management of diabetes, the A1C blood test measures average blood sugar levels for the previous two to three months. The new guidelines call for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at A1C levels above 6.5 percent, and prediabetes if the A1C levels are between 5.7 and 6.4 percent.
“We’ve added another test that can make it easier to find out if you have diabetes,” said Dr. Richard Bergenstal, president-elect of medicine and science for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
The new guidelines will be published in the January issue of Diabetes Care.”
You can put your diabetes in remission and actually be healthier than you ever were, if:
If you lose weight and get down to a normal BMI (do you know what that is?)
If you cut way back on sugars and starches, preferably cut them out entirely (the so-called very low carb diet).
If you follow a regular exercise program.
Meanwhile, I am surprised at your very low dose of metformin. As I remember, many doctors think that anything less than 1000 mg per day might not be effective enough.
Best regards,
David
103 ralph // Jan 15, 2010 at 11:12 am
Thank you David.
I want to ask about the Metabolic Syndrome,is it much worset than Diabetes?is it just overweight+hyperlipedimia+blood pressure of 140/90+high blood sugar?
My last tests shows the following:
Cholestero,total=215 mg/dl
HDL=38
Triglycerides =218
LDL= 133
CHOL/HDLC ratio= 5.7
FBS=109
HbA1c=6.1
what do you think??
any other members have comments on my using of one tablets metformin,
thank you David again
Ralph/LA
104 william // Jan 15, 2010 at 11:14 am
I was put on insulin for type2 exactly 1 year ago when my a1c came back as 8.9 with a FBS of 300. My last a1c – done about 3 months ago – came back as 5.3. It’s taken huge diet changes, exercise, ALA, Cinnamon, and supplemental insulin. I was crushed when I found out I would have to take the “dreaded shots”, but it retrospect it really is NOT that bad. The disposable pens are so darned convenient and it actually keeps me honest on my carb counting. When you take insulin, you can’t lie to yourself about the carbs you’re consuming because it determines your insulin dosage. Take too much or too little for the carbs you’re eating at your meal and you WILL fell rotten – guaranteed.
I just want to encourage people not to resist supplemental insulin if your Doctor recommends it. It need not be permanent. It partially depends on factors such as diet, weight loss, and exercise.
One form of insulin that I take is basal – a 24 hour or “long acting” formulation. It’s helped me bring my evening and morning readings down to the 120 to 136 range from a high of 170 to 205 on a very consistent basis. It’s really helped me with my Dawn Phenomenon problem.
In summary, if your doctor thinks you may need to supplement with insulin to get your diabetes under control, please listen carefully. The choice is still up to you, but I can tell you that I feel SO MUCH BETTER now that I’m on a plan that is showing results. While I don’t enjoy taking the insulin, it’s not nearly as bad as I initially envisioned and the consequences of not getting it under control are FAR worse.
105 David Mendosa // Jan 15, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Dear William,
Thank you for this contribution. Your are doing great and your advice is excellent.
Best regards,
David
106 ralph // Jan 15, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Dear David
what about my question?
please …i am waiting!!
thanks
Ralph
107 David Mendosa // Jan 15, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Ralph,
Diabetes is much worse than the metabolic syndrome, which we can basically consider to be a precursor to diabetes.
Your lipid panel is not good. Your HDL is dangerously low and your triglyceride level is dangerously high. Sounds to me like you are eating far to much carbohydrate.
Your A1C is getting there. But normal is below 6.0.
David
108 Patricia // Jan 16, 2010 at 4:36 pm
“And Truvia uses a sugar alcohol that comes from corn — and it is probably GMO.”
You mean erythritol? : ( I do not like the taste of stevia and was using pure erythritol to make occasional sweet treats. I eat a low-carb paleo diet; some promoters of this diet advocate giving up sweets altogether, advice I might start following.
109 David Mendosa // Jan 16, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Dear Patricia,
Yes, indeed, erythritol is just what I mean. I too have used it straight, but prefer not to because of the reasons cited (probably GMO and sourced from corn) but also because we have to use a lot more of the stuff because it isn’t as sweet. Also it takes some time for the flavor to bloom.
Like you, I pretty much follow a paleo diet as taught by Dr. Loren Cordain. Except he still fears saturated fats and for that reason (and others) disdains dairy. But I had not picked up on the fact that some paleo dieters avoid all sweets. At one time, I thought that way myself. But that was based on an old and not very good study that Gary Taubes cited in Good Calories, Bad Calories. But now, please see “Good News About Non-Caloric Sweeteners” at http://www.mendosa.com/blog/?p=356 (and ignore my praise for erythritol at the end!).
Best regards,
David
110 Abdul Matin // Jan 27, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I cannot go below 10mmol/l, I feel pseudo-hypo. I cannot use any medicine. If I take even 1/4 of a Metformin tablet, sugar suddenly drops. If I eat carb, sugar drops suddenly. Sugar bounces when it tries to go below 10. Lot of stress hormone release if I eat carbs. Sugar is too high. Can any body help me in controlling the situation.
MATIN
111 David Mendosa // Jan 27, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Dear Abdul,
This doesn’t sound like diabetes to me, especially where you writing the eating carbs gives you LOWER blood glucose levels. You absolutely need to tell this to your doctor and have him or her diagnose your condition.
Best regards,
David
112 william // Jan 28, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Mr Mendosa:
You’re probably already aware of this, but I ran across this link on new research into the connection between High Fructose Corn Syrup and NAFLD:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303123802.htm
Confirms everything you’ve been saying…
113 Rhonda // Feb 11, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Things have become pretty hectic the last three months, another shoulder surgery, URGH! Morning BS back in the 150 to 180 then diving to 70 to 90 in the afternoon. Back to the vinegar again! Struggling.
114 Vicki // Feb 17, 2010 at 9:56 am
Hi.I am new to this site,but really enjoy reading it. I have been dx of type 2 for about a year now. Have lost 90+ lbs and my last a1c was 5.6. I take Metformin 1500mg 2x”s a day and Jenuvia 50mg 2x”s a day. I consistantly test ^100 every mornig This is very upsetting to me and was wondering if the dawn phenomenon could be a problem? Also I am now 64 yrs. and still need tolose another 15 lbs I have not lost anything for 3-4 months (but not gaining either) could my dr. order byetta and can I use that with my other meds? I sure do thankyou for this site. I found it very helpful. Just knowing others feel as I do helps…thankyou
115 David Mendosa // Feb 17, 2010 at 11:20 am
Dear Vicki,
Welcome to this diabetes community. You are doing great! Weight loss for people with diabetes is even more important than exercise, because exercise it really hard when we are really heavy. Personally, I am not too concerned with the dawn phenomenon, because as your get your diabetes under great control it will disappear on its own. As to Byetta, yes, you can take it with your other meds. But you may well find that you don’t need one or both of them soon after you start on Byetta.
Best regards,
David
116 william // Feb 19, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Well, just had my follow up for my labs with my endo. My A1c is still in the very low risk range and he wants me to try Victoza (the new and improved byetta). I have a sample pen and will start the regimen tonight. Has anyone had any direct experience with it? Supposedly it has a lower incident of nausea than byetta, supposedly due to it’s closer similarity to the compound produced naturally in the body than byetta.
Byetta is supposedly 53% similar to what is produced naturally by the body and this new stuff is 97% similar.
When starting this class of medication, did any of you notice an immediate effect? or did your Blood sugars go up for a period of time and then come back down?
Any tips or suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.
117 Larry // Mar 1, 2010 at 8:00 am
Hi David,
A friend who is a dietician guided me to your site. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 7 months ago.
I was slightly overweight when diagnosed. Here is my info: at diagnosis I was 5-8 175 pounds FBG was 189 and A1C was 8.2.
I made lifestyle changes adjusting or eliminating carbs, eating more protein and vegetables and exercising and I’ve been able to lose 20 pounds. I am currently on no meds. I was dosing my exercise walking 2 miles in the morning and evening. I’m also taking a diabetic formula vitamin, 2000 mg of cinnamon, 3600mg of fish oil daily. At 3 months my fbg was 111 and my A1C was 5.1.
However lately, I have noticed higher numbers in the morning. The number has crept up to above 120 but is still below 130 and it drops after I eat. I know this is “dawn phenomenon” but I am not sure what to try first. Typically the number is between 122 and 125 in the morning. My doctor is not overly concerned, but I don’t like the variation and I’m a stickler for routine.
Do you have any suggestions for me regarding bedtime snack, exercise, vinegar or all of the above?
118 David Mendosa // Mar 1, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Dear Larry,
Like your doctor, I am not concerned with your dawn phenomenon either. That’s because your A1C level is so good. Especially when you have an A1C of 7 or below, it it how high your BG goes after meals that contributes the most to it, as I wrote here several years ago on the basis of some excellent studies. Furthermore, as you stay on your excellent diet and avoid high carb levels for dinner, even your dawn phenomenon will drop naturally.
Best regards,
David
119 william // Mar 2, 2010 at 11:40 am
Update on the Victoza
I started the victoza thursday of the week before last. I started out on a step up dose of .6 for 7 days and then went to a dose of 1.2. I will step up to 1.8 on thursday of this week.
3 days after starting the regimen, I experience 1 bout of moderate nausea which lasted about 2 hours. I also experienced one bout of nausea 2 days after stepping up to the 1.2 dose. I’m assuming it will happen again after I step up to the max dose. My postprandial blood sugars were high and took about an hour longer than normal to drop below 150 and about 3 to 4 hours to drop below 130. Once I stepped up to the 1.2 dose, my postprandial readings were below 120 within 1 1/2 to 2 hours after eating.
Once thing I’ve noticed is that once readings drop to the 100 to 115 range after meals, they stay there and don’t fluctuate – much better control than the novolog.
One thing I’ve noticed is when my postprandial readings hit the 130 to 140 range, I start to feel a little shaky, but by the time they hit the 120 and below, the shakiness has passed. I’m assuming this is part of a settling in process as my body becomes accustomed to my readings dropping faster than they did on the novolog.
I’m completely off of the novolog , but I’m still taking my januvia, glumetza, and levamir. The doctor said he might take me off of the jauniva and scale back the levamir and the glumetza depending on how well I do with the victoza. So far, so good!
120 Saddaf Sultana // Mar 4, 2010 at 3:09 am
hello david, william and others
past two months have been a failed effort on my part. doing everything which i was not supposed to. today my fbg is 6.2 whereas lipid profile is as follows:
serum total cholestrol: 2.97 mmol/l
hdlc: 1.0
ldlc: 1.30
triglycerides: 1.47
if i eat butter, how would i reduce weight, less carbs and less portions make me really hungry, so much so that i can not stop myself from eating two breakfasts space apart by one hour. i lose control generally after dinner when i watch tv as well as work on laptop from 9 till 12 or later, and then i nibble either on bread or fried chickpeas.
advice me about any weight controlling / hunger suppressing medication.
regards
saddaf
121 Jim // Mar 4, 2010 at 9:06 am
This might take a bit.
I was diagnosed with Diabetes late 2004. I pretty much ignored it. My BS averaged from 350-450 througout. I was also over 430lbs at the time.
Now I’m dealing with nerve pain and other issues and i’ve taken on a quest to lower my blood sugar.
I’ve slowly lost weight to 360lbs now.
I started with Pau D’Arco which lowered my blood sugar from 425 to 325 after about a week without a change in diet. then I started taking my left over Metformin to try and push the plateau.
3 weeks ago I started a low carb diet which has lowered my BS to under 200, usually around 150-175 (no weight loss yet)
I’m taking Pau D’arco, Vitamin C, Cinnamin, Metformin, Krill and DR Udo’s oil.
I’ve recently noticed this “dawn phenomenon” and found this website, which is great.
My BS jumps about 40 points overnight and I usually get up around 4:00am.
I haven’t found a doctor yet. that is my next step although i have been looking for natural ways to take care of this.
after reading some of the posts, I’m going to take more cinnamon at night and see if it helps and look into apple cider vinegar.
I look forward to your insights
122 David Mendosa // Mar 4, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Dear Saddaf,
It will take you a couple of weeks for your body to convert from burning carbs to burning fats. Please see my article “It’s Low Carb Weak” and my other articles here and at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17 on the way a very low-carb diet works for us.
Best regards,
David
123 David Mendosa // Mar 5, 2010 at 12:01 am
Dear Jim,
The natural way to control your diabetes is without drugs or supplements or herbs. It is simply a very low-carb diet. It sure works for many of us, myself included.
Best regards,
David
124 Vicki // Mar 5, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Hi David..first of all thanks for this site..I still think I have this DP problem…have been using the cinn, and vinegar and seem to be keeping my am test below 100 but I want to get it lower..I don”t want to go on lantis or any other injectable insulins…any advice…my last A1c was 5.6 this diabetis thing is making me nuts…to the point of OCD …please keep this site going we need it…thank you
125 Suzy // Mar 5, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Vicki.. Your A1c is great! When I was first diagnosed, my A1c was 17%, and after I got it down, I became also obcessed with the diabetes. It seemed the sugar had been dulling my nerves and they were finally coming back to life, and I became very anxious and OCD. I was a wreck. I went to a shrink, and he put me on effexor, and my whole life changed. Not saying that is for you, but it saved my sanity.
126 Liz // Mar 8, 2010 at 8:51 am
Dear David,
I had been struggling with some mild Dawn Phenomenon for the last month or so… In general, my fasting morning blood glucose numbers had always been in the 80’s range, and they were now climbing to 110’s, in the morning, including 119. I tried everything, you name it: switching to toothpaste and mouthwash with NO sugar alcohol, not eating anything at all after dinner, having a protein snack right at bed time, having vinegar at bed time, exercising closer to bedtime, and having wine. Those things seemed to mildly work, but not by a lot. I might drop to say, 98 mg/dL. One of my additional symptoms during the night, was intense thirst. Now, some might say “check your postprandial meals” etc… But, I have very well controlled BG during the day, and after meals. I generally will not allow myself to surpass 140 mg/dL for any peaks, and for the most part, I stay usually just reach 120 mg/dL postprandial, and lately, even the low 100’s… I stay at the low 100’s or 90’s during most of the day. This is impressive, considering when I was diagnosed, my A1C was 10.5% … so yeah, I have worked really hard to achieve this…. Anywho…. I wanted to let you know that even though I had been drinking a lot of water during the day, that didn’t help… BUT, I decided to have fluids with electrolytes, at bed time… about 8 ounces. (Such as Powerade Zero — with no sugar/no calories/no carbs, but with some potassium, sodium, and vitamin b complex)… And my morning blood glucose numbers have returned to the 80’s, with this morning’s reading being 86 mg/dL. Maybe people ought to consider this if they are dehydrating severely, overnight, and try this, as well… on top of drinking a healthy amount of water, during the day. It has definitely worked for me.
I love your blogs, homepage, and I am thankful to you for all your Diabetic research, knowledge, and fight for all of us struggling to maintain tight control.
Thank you.
127 David Mendosa // Mar 9, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Dear Liz,
That’s great advice! We owe a lot to people like you who will perform all these experiments on themselves. While I don’t have the dawn phenomenon myself any more, you have got me thinking about using one of these no calory electrolytes myself. Thank you!
David
128 LindaCC // Mar 10, 2010 at 12:57 pm
UPDATE:
I ordered one of the home A1C test kits. I hope it is accurate. My last A1C was Nov 09-5.6, the home kit says it is now 5.
As stated above in previous posts, I am on LC. Have lost a total of 30lbs. and hovering for a few months.
I may have stumbled on something that seems to be helping my DP however.
I have not been able to get it below 100, sometimes 110-120. I have tried most all the suggestions (except this Powerade Zero).
Finally a couple of months ago, I discovered the Atkins Peanut Caramel Cluster bar. I ate one at bedtime….boom….down to 81,84,87,92. Now I am in the 80’s and 90’s most of the time. I have even started waiting until I wake up to go to the bathroom between 2 – 3 and then eat it. Works even better.
I will try the PowerAde Zero next.
129 Liz // Mar 10, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Yeah, it’s worked great for me… While I don’t suggest that this is the solution for ALL DP, if there’s a lot of dehydration overnight (like you wake up at 3 or 4 am incredibly thirsty), it does help… I have slightly more on days when I may have a bit of wine, in a vinaigrette, or when I exercise… I just seem to struggle keeping a lot of electrolytes overnight.
130 Vicki // Mar 15, 2010 at 9:35 am
Hi all, I just want to say that I am sooo happy to know there are others out there in the same diabetic boat as I…I’m still struggling with this DP problem and want to loose a final 15 pounds..I have tried the powerade the vinigar and cinn.but with little help has anyone tried the chromium? can I take it at bedtime? with the vinigar? and how much….what about going on byetta (I already take metformin 1500mg 2x”s a day and jenuvia 50mg 2x’s aday) any advice or comments? thanks all and hang in there..oh yea i have heard that they are developing a vacine for diabetis…would be nice for newer generations!!
131 Vicki // Mar 29, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Hi all..well I tried adding the poweraide zero with the Atkins penut cluster bar and was also happy to see that my am bloodsugars have also come down now most mornings the are in the 80’s and lo 90’s! just had a A1C done this past week and the results came back today 5.3!! I am sooo happy. please keep this site going it is so nice to read what others have to say and if we can keep patting each other on the back we can help others…don’t give up keep trying there is always help..and this site is a good source
132 Liz // Mar 29, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Wow, that’s wonderful Vicki! Good job!
133 william // Mar 30, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Victoza update!
working great! numbers now down to low 100’s or high 90’s. Mornings are down from 130 to 140 average to a 120 average.
Appetite is sometimes less, sometimes more, so I still have to watch that. On the whole, however, I’m much happier taking 2 shots a day instead of 4! (1 shot of victoza and 1 shot of basal insulin – levamir).
No nausea since the end of the step up period, but I notice that I have to be careful with high fat foods like avacado. If I go nuts on the guacamole, I’ll have some nausea about 2 – 3 hours after the meal.
Looking forward to my next A1c!
134 minismom // Apr 5, 2010 at 7:01 pm
my fasting after eating fish at dinner is 103, it is other wise 113 to 118. will try a protein shakes at night later, but am still confused which protein powder should i try?
however will try the vinegar tommo, red wine does not help my fasting.
135 minismom // Apr 6, 2010 at 1:40 pm
it works, vinegar is great for the day, my sugar was 94 after a long lunch nap, usually it shoots up after a long day nap. today i added a spoon of vinegar to my lunch and its not all that bad in taste.
136 minismom // Apr 7, 2010 at 5:48 pm
REF pos 196 and 197, i also feel so thirsty at night, maybe thats why wine did not work for me, since i am not a drinker, i felt immensely thirsty after drinking wine at bed time. vinegar helped a bit, but will try the electrolyte too.
137 minismom // Apr 7, 2010 at 5:49 pm
sorry i meant 126 and 127, post by liz
138 Seattlemo // Apr 8, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I am also on Victoza — just started on 4/1 /10 and have lost about 10 lbs so far. I did take Byetta for about 8 months, but quit due mainly to the inconvenience of taking 2 shots that are tied to timing with meals. I take Victoza as soon as I wake, then do not have to worry about eating within 30 minutes to an hour after injection. The nauseau is less severe than Byetta, although I find I must be very careful with anything spicy.
David, it would be great if you could write about Victoza in the near future. It really does the trick!
139 Liz // Apr 10, 2010 at 7:19 am
Yeah, I have found some of my biggest issues with numbers is keeping hydrated. (If you happen to have more than one endocrine disorder, like Hypothyroidism or PCOS, on top of the Diabetes, this seems to be even a bigger issue.) So, I take my one 8 oz glass of Powerade Zero in the morning, drink a good amount of water during the day (which we can easily forget to do), and then an 8 oz glass of Powerade Zero about an hour before bed. If I don’t drink enough water during my day, the Powerade will only help me not reach 120, but stay in the lower 100s… If I do drink enough water, I go right down to the 80’s, easily. My numbers for the last 3 days: 84, 86, 87. Not bad, huh?
140 Liz // Apr 10, 2010 at 7:24 am
I have to make a point of drinking the water because I grew up addicted to Coca Cola, and other sodas, and not having water, ever, so it’s hard for me to tell if I’m thirsty (until I am severely dehydrated)… I also make it a point to not sleep on my back, as this keeps your jaw slack, and open, and dehydrates you fast — and also exacerbates sleep apnea issues in people, dehydrating them more…
141 minismom // Apr 13, 2010 at 7:39 am
hit 99 today, kept myself hydrated all day since last 3 days.
i also added studies/ brainwork
) to my shedule, which i had stopped two years back. this kept my devils workshop occupied.
wonder does stress really effect your sugars?
142 Suzy // Apr 13, 2010 at 7:46 am
Stress is huge with blood sugar. When I finally started taking medication for anxiety, I was able to go off all meds and just do diet and exercise.
143 Liz // Apr 29, 2010 at 8:57 am
So, I am in a new phase of my experimentation with getting lower BG numbers, and I’ve discovered one thing: I can have one snack after dinner, around 9 pm (cus I go to bed at 11:30 pm), SO long as it’s a simple sugar carbohydrate, and does not exceed the limit of grams that would make me spike. So, 1 packet of those 100 calorie cookies from Nabisco, or 1 Yoplait Yogurt, with all the fruit, and fat, and whatever… (so long as it’s less than 20 g of carbs), or 1 glass of milk with 1 tablespoon of chocolate milk… Or 1/2 cup of ice cream. Last night I had 1 8 oz serving of milk with 1/4 cup of blueberries, and 1 packet of truvia, and ice, all blended together… and my morning BG was 79 mg/dL! I was amazed… I still have all my 64-80 ounces of water every day… and can’t even afford the Powerade Zero, right now… Pretty neat, huh?
144 Liz // Apr 29, 2010 at 8:59 am
So long as you don’t have a high carb meal for dinner… making you spike at 140 or more… this should be a fine trick. I also try not to eat to late, either… Having dinner around 5-6 pm is fine.
145 sandy // May 5, 2010 at 2:20 pm
i have a very stubborn type 2 diabetes. its genetic and i am not overweight. the last few A1C readings were getting higher and higher. finally its beginning to go down. last one was 7.1 (from 7.4 the reading before). i am very careful to eat the correct foods but my only problem that is preventing me from getting lower A1C’s are my morning numbers – between 135-150. i tried exercising for approx 30 minutes after dinner and have been waking up at 3 AM to have a sugar free jello (which was ok’d by dr). numbers were g8 for approx 2 weeks and then didnt work anymore. can you advise please.
146 sandy // May 5, 2010 at 2:22 pm
i forgot to mention that i dont take any medications for my diabetes. i am still trying to control it with my diet.
147 David Mendosa // May 5, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Dear Sandy,
What do you mean by “correct foods”? In my book they are very low-carb foods. On such a diet your A1C would not be so high.
David
148 sandy // May 5, 2010 at 5:36 pm
thank you for responding. This is what i eat on a typical day. breakfast consists of cottage cheese with a little sour cream and a splenda vanilla or coffee yogurt. for lunch i have a lg salad, no bread with a diet drink. cashews or almonds for snack. and for dinner i have chicken or meat with a veg soup and a veg side dish. thats it. quite bored. but i dont mind as long as my BG is stable.
149 David Mendosa // May 5, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Dear Sandy,
That IS the correct food!
David
150 sandy // May 6, 2010 at 4:08 am
david.
so why were my numbers high this morning at 160.
ate dinner at 7. had 2 quarters of grilled chicken, 2 hot dogs with spice only, veg soup and diet cole slaw. biked for 40 min. and had a sugar free diet jello at 3AM. this is my problem. hoping not to begin meds yet. every time i try something new (such as the snack in middle of night) it works for approx 2 weeks and then back to the high numbers. someone suggested milk thistle (whats that?) and vinegar tabs. what should i do????
its amazing how you respond and communicate to everyone. i feel that i’m not alone in all this.
151 Suzy // May 6, 2010 at 4:41 am
If you’re going to eat something at 3AM to try and stave off morning highs, you need to eat something with carbs to keep your blood sugar from crashing. Like eat a snack glucerna bar.
152 minismom // May 6, 2010 at 11:00 am
my morning sugars are high again, 128 today,
well i know thats cause i stopped the aerobics and strenth training i did for a month.
the results were good, my a1c went down to 6.9 from 8.5 in 50 days flat, i lost 9 lbs in that period and triglycerides went down to 194 from 324.
all this without the metaformin my doc had asked me to take. i went on a low carb diet and kept starving mildly.
but the hdl is still low at 29 and ldl went up from 74 to 90.
can any one explain this? how should i get a good lipid profile?
thanks
153 David Mendosa // May 6, 2010 at 12:01 pm
As you continue to lose weight and reduce your A1C level to normal (from 4.5 to 6.0) you HDL will almost certainly rise to a safer range. Stay with it!
David
154 sandy // May 6, 2010 at 8:29 pm
david.
i was never overweight. b4 i was diagnosed i weighed 142 and now, 2 years later, i weigh 133. my HDL level is 59. LDL is 118. total is 206. cholesterol levels improve every blood test. only problem remains is morning BG. nothing seems to be helping me. can anyone give me some advice about this????
155 sandy // May 6, 2010 at 8:36 pm
i feel that after all i do and no matter how careful i am my A1C cannot get lower than 7.1. to get to this point, i watch what i eat, no carbs, exercise daily.
food goups consist of protein, vegetables and dairy. its one thing if i cheat, but after all the work i put in and not see better results is very frustrating for me. does anyone else have this problem??? my only issue is the dawn phenomenon.
156 saddaf sultana // May 6, 2010 at 11:05 pm
dear sandy
here is a local reipee which you might find interesting to try.
take 2 fresh green lady fingers (bhindi /okra) wash, remove head and tail, place in glass of drinng water overnight in fridge. next morning discard the bhindi an drink its water. it can lower your blood sugar by as much as 50 points . and hopefully, you will see positive effect on your dawn phenmenon. one of my diabetic frinds tried it and told me the good news only today. i will start experimenting from today as it is bhind season in here.
best wishes
157 danam // May 7, 2010 at 2:03 pm
saddaf,
thanks for okra info. Looks interesting. I had read earlier the benefits of okra for diabetes, but I didn’t take it seriously because it it was just a regular vegetable that I had eaten as a tasty dish since childhood. Your post renewed my herbal interest in okra. I will ask my diabetic wife to now eat it almost daily (may be alternative it with bitter melon). Do keep us posted with your analyses.
158 saddaf sultana // May 7, 2010 at 11:47 pm
dear david
i did it. three days on very low carb menu with portion control. already my urge to drink more than 4 mugs of tea a day has lessened as well as declining thirst and lesser trips to washroom. i just prepare the food for my family, place it on the table, plateout my food and leave the dinning room. this way, i am able to contain my greed for carbs on the table. my tummy no longer feels bloated, i am more focussed on my work which involves lots of reserach and writing.(reform related consultancy and software solutions in legal and health areas).
however, two confusions:
1. i have not lost any weight. ( no cheating). is it because:
2. i do take one or two servings of home made full cream youghurt with aspartame( equivalent to 2 tea spons of sugar) and
1/4 portion of a home made whole wheat very light weight roti. ( 3-5 bites of roti or plain boiled white basmati rice to satisfy my urge. i can safely say idonot consume more than two level table spoons of rice in whole day.
3. i take 1/2 dried apricots, one or 2 pieces of peach or almost 100 gm of not so sweet melon(kharboza). is it too much fruit?
i have yet to buy the glucose testing strips but i do know that it will be uner control in a few days. however, not losing any weight is discouraging.
dear danam!
interesting name, from where are you? the feeling of being surrounded with friends and well wishers is great. what is bitter melon? i must thank david for it. as for bhindi experiment, i am pretty excited but unfortunately, my buget does not allow me to buy test strips right now. so i have postponed it till 15th may.
159 David Mendosa // May 8, 2010 at 9:57 am
Dear Saddaf,
You are off to a good start on your low-carb diet. Keep it up and in particular for a few days at least keep a record of how much you are actually eating in terms of carbs and calories. I know from my own experience that the numbers are always higher than I would have guessed.
Best regards,
David
160 minismom // May 8, 2010 at 1:19 pm
dear saddaf, bitter melon is karela!!
161 minismom // May 8, 2010 at 1:20 pm
bhindi? BHINDEEE? i don believe it, will try tonight!!!
162 saddaf sultana // May 8, 2010 at 8:05 pm
dear David!
i get your point. so iam being honest and writing it all down. there is one thing though. i am not exercising at all. there are some days when i just cannot make myself to it, not even walk to local grocery store. i need to push myself in that direction.
i am worried about my calcium and other minerals need. given my age, 46, is 1/2 cup yoghurt enough for it? what about the whole milk milk consumed with tea? almost 1 cup per day.
read about bad effects of aspartame specially in relation to hypertension. so i have dropped it.
right now my prime concern is losing this dreaded belly fat.
163 saddaf sultana // May 8, 2010 at 10:22 pm
oh yes bhindi! i am also experimenting.
164 minismom // May 9, 2010 at 6:48 am
it works!!! BHINDEE works. that was a great alternative to karela and methi seeds,
i had half a glass of one bhindee dipped overnight after checking my morning sugars which were 116 at that pont. four hours later they were 109 and i had been sleeping those 4 hrs. normally this means a rise of 9 points for me, but it came down 7 points.
bhindee is okra friends (reminder)
165 sandy // May 9, 2010 at 7:05 am
what is bhindee and where can i buy it? my morning numbers are high, 150-160 lately!!!! tried everything. no meds yet. i dont eat dinner late, no carbs, exercise on bike for 35 min. snack in middle of night. if someone has any ideas for me!!!!
166 minismom // May 10, 2010 at 7:59 am
bhindee is lady finger or okra.
167 danam // May 10, 2010 at 12:09 pm
hi Saddaf, i grew up in india; when I was a kid i used to like okra (bhindi) so much that I grew a personal patch in garden so my mom could make it for me every morning. besides regular spices, her recipe specifically used powdered fennel(saunf) something uncommon in other dishes.
this weekend we soaked 2 okra. it released a lot of transparent mucilage in water. i didn’t know it had that much of mucilage. speaking of mucilage, I have lot of faith in dana methi (u see love fo rit in my nickname). danaMethi is seed of methi (fenugreek) and i read somewhere that it should be taken in large quantity daily (50-100gm). there are no side effects (may be some initial bloating). i can recall an old saying (by hakims) extolling fenugreek – “one should buy fenugreek even if it is priced like gold”. it is known that fenugreek dissolves hardened masses of accumulated mucus. many organs can suffer from hardened mucus (intestines, pancreas, lungs) . congested pancreatic ducts won’t pass insulin properly and may create a backup causing further harm to pancreas. may be fenugreek diet decongests pancreas and helps in diabetes. i am guessing here as i am not sure. i am just trying to link together bits of info i found on internet and books. earlier my wife occasionally used to drink water of soaked 1tsp fenugreek, but now she wants to consume soaked fg seeds and sprouts in large quantities. we will add okra to the regimen too.
nice article from Karta Purkh, a practicing herbalist (see pages 28-34):
http://books.google.com/books?id=fekDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28
Sandy, okra is readily available in indian grocery stores (fresh $2-3/lb, frozen even cheaper). i have lately seen it fresh & frozen in some Wegman’s supermarket also.
168 saddaf sultana // May 10, 2010 at 12:32 pm
hello danam
methi seeds is also supposed to be very good for diabetes control in hikmat as well as jaman, i donot know the englisg name for jaman. unfortunatley, i have forgoten the quantity prescribed for methi. however, they say take 1/2 tea sp. of ground dried jaman seeds every day. but youknow what, given the very limited eatables range on a low carb, less portion diabetic diet, bhindi and karela cooked with meat or separatley is a very tempting dish for me. also because these consume more than average oil in cooking. and oil is allowed in this diet. as for snacks, i keep a jar of simple green sweet saunf handy. infact, i keep ne every where so that i donot munch on wrong food.
today, i drank 1 whole glass of pure orange juice, and am afraid that it was rather bad for my weight loss goals.
it is the water melon, red tarbooz, season here, and i am afraid it is not allowed for us special people. any ideas?
169 danam // May 10, 2010 at 2:19 pm
dear saddaf. i think other names of jaman are jamun, jambul, Syzygium cumini. thanks for mentioning its dosage. we are also planning on using its powdered seeds that someone got from india. For american readers: ‘Jambul’ tincture/extract is sold by herbpharm. i am yet to find supply of seeds in usa (may be ebay).
regarding Watermelon (tarbuj), i heard that it helps in reducing weight. i believe it is quite healthy but i remember my mom telling me a restriction that milk should not be consumed before and after it.
btw, it seems fenugreek seeds are quite rich in proteins (30%), etc. From below excerpt , it appears to be more than a multi-vitamin (Mg, Cr, Zinc, K, Phos).
“Fenugreek: Bulk of the seed is dietary fiber (50%) and protein (30%) . Bitterness is mainly due to the oil, steroidal saponins and alkaloids. For 100 g of mature seeds, there is 30 g protein, 30 g (gel-forming) soluble fiber (15% galactomannan in the endosperm), 20 g insoluble fiber, 7.5 g lipids (6.3 g neutral- mainly triglycerides, 450 mg phospholipids- mainly phosphotidyl choline & phosphotidyl ethanolamine, 135 mg soluble lecithin), 2 g sapogenins (diosgenin, gitogenin, furastanol, yamogenin etc.), 160 mg Ca, 1.5 mg ionizable Fe (total Fe 14 mg), 370 mg phosphorous (phytin 157 mg), 19 mg Na, 530 mg K, 33 mg Cu, 100 mcg Cr, 1550 mg Mn, 160 mg Mg, 7 mg Zn, 16 mg S, 165 mg Cl, 50 mg choline, 380 mg trigonelline, traces of gentianine & carpaine, 43 mg ascorbic acid, 96 mcg carotene, 340 mcg thiamine, 290 mcg riboflavin, 1100 mcg nicotinic acid, 84 mcg folic acid of which 14.5 mcg is free folic acid and 120 U of heat-labile trypsin inhibitor.”
170 minismom // May 10, 2010 at 6:13 pm
great research danam, also bay leaf powder, bay leaf is called tejpat, is good for sugar control.
171 minismom // May 10, 2010 at 6:15 pm
water melon is not a very good fruit for diabetics or weight loss as well as i remember.
172 william // May 12, 2010 at 9:21 am
Two things that work good for me are legumes (pinto and navy beans) and sweet potato or yam. (as long as you don’t add sugar or maple syrup or anything like that to it) I usually fix my sweet potato with cinnamon (good for glucose control) and nutmeg and sometimes a little cayenne pepper.
I’m still having good results on the Victoza (reformulated byetta). Maybe 2 or 3 minutes of nausea after a meal once a month. My morning readings are consistently down to the 103 to 115 range. I go in this week for my labs, so in 2 weeks I should know what affect it’s had on my A1Cs.
I’m going to try the okra and see if I can get it down into the 80’s and 90’s!
For everyone who’s fighting high numbers – be patient. 18 months ago my A1Cs were in the mid to high 8 range and my morning readings for 200 or more.
I would also say not to panic if your doctor recommends insulin. It’s continuing to work for me and it need to be permanent. The most important thing is to get the numbers down and make positive changes for healthier lifestyle.
173 william // May 12, 2010 at 9:22 am
Oops, the typo gremlin strikes again! I meant to say that insulin therapy need NOT be permanent….
174 minismom // May 12, 2010 at 5:45 pm
why do number range so wildly? i was 102 today, yes i have been on okra water and also fenugreek water all day!! but i had a all carb dinner yester day night and was expecting a reading of 120 atleast. plus i dont feel hungry now due to the metformin. my number will be anything from 116 to 99 in the morning.
175 saddaf sultana // May 14, 2010 at 1:43 am
the effect of drinking bhindi juice will prbably take more that three weeks of consistent effort and tight control on diet to show worthwhile results.
personally, i have been following rules for the past week, except exercise which i did not at all. and i did not lose a single gram of weight. it is very frustating, and today i just took a revenge on myself, ate a small potato chips packet and half cup of boiled rice with daal, and half cup of orange juice, one spoon of icecream. so where would it land me??
i should have lost atleast one pound. what is happening?
176 minismom // May 14, 2010 at 4:50 am
he he, i had two full chappatis last night followed by a mango, not to mention the fish burger and breakfast toast, this time my morning sugar did not forgive me, it was 120 after metformin.
177 saddaf sultana // May 14, 2010 at 8:14 am
dear minismom
perhaps losing weight is not your problem. i am carrying atleast 4 kgs on my belly. ugh! hate it.
178 william // May 14, 2010 at 8:26 am
Saddaf –
I currently tip the scales at just over 500lbs. I spend most of the last year obsessing about it.
While it’s true that I have to loose weight, the first goal is get my diabetes numbers down, make my diet changes, take my medicine and now I’m starting to make small changes in my activity level.
What I’m trying to say is that we overweight diabetics have a lot on our plate (no pun intended) to worry about. We can try to take it all in one gulp (impossible) or we can break it up into manageable pieces and deal with each issue individually. Start making small changes in your activity level like wearing ankle weights around the house or when you walk around in your yard. Park farther away from your workplace – that will force you to walk more.
I’ve started doing these things and It’s having a result. I’m loosing steadily but slowly. I also don’t weight myself every day since weight can fluctuate daily and I’m already an obsessive personality type. I generally weigh once a month or every other month. That gives me a much better grasp on how I’m doing over time.
keep it up and don’t get discouraged. 90% of battling this is tenacity.
179 David Mendosa // May 14, 2010 at 9:01 am
Dear William,
The best thing you can do to reduce your blood glucose level is to lose weight. You and I and everyone else knows how hard it is to lose weight, and I know only three ways to do it:
1. A GLP-1 inhibitor like Byetta or Victoza. It was Byetta that helped me come down from 312 to 180 pounds, and I liked it so much that I wrote a whole book about it (”Losing Weight with Your Diabetes Medication”).
2. A very low-carb diet. By eating almost no carbs our bodies don’t trigger the release of too much insulin, which in turn makes us hungry, so we eat too much. In 2007 I decided to see if I could control both my weight and my diabetes without any drugs. Since then I have been able to bring my weight down to about 155 (with my height of 6″ 2.5′ that’s a BMI of 19.6). But until I read Gary Taubes’s book, “Good Calories, Bad Calories,” I thought that a very low-carb diet would not be safe; it is.
3. For people who are morbidly obese we now have a third option, bariatric surgery.
Certainly, when we compare any one of these three approaches to weight loss, all the evidence shows that any of them are more successful than other strategies.
Best regards,
David
180 william // May 14, 2010 at 9:52 am
I completely agree, I’m currently taking victoza and my levamir and while it has reduced my appetite somewhat, I’m still finding psychological issues play into “nervous eating” etc.
One thing I have noticed recently, particularly since my 2 hour postprandial readings are consistently under 120 and often into the low 100’s, is that I find myself reaching for a snack. Prior to starting victoza, when my readings would drop this low (rarely), I would start to feel very hypoglycemic and on the advice of my diabetes doc, would have a snack. It’s now no longer necessary, but I’ve established the habit. So much of weight management or mismanagement seems to be oriented around our habits.
My point in my previous post was to encourage people who are fighting it not to get overwhelmed or become discouraged if they don’t see progress immediately. Sometimes we need to make changes and stick with them in the face of discouraging short term results. My apologies if that didn’t come across clearly.
Bariatric surgery is not an option for me because my insurance does not cover it and I can’t afford to pay for it.
I have to trick myself into getting more exercise, and I’m sure that others are in the same boat. Hence my suggestions re ankle weights, finding more ways to get more walking in, etc. They aren’t a replacement for a more intense exercise regimen, but they are a place to start.
Thanks again for all of the encouraging work you have done for all of us who have to deal with this on a daily basis.
181 saddaf sultana // May 14, 2010 at 10:37 am
dear william
thanks for your concern and suggestions. yes, i am depressed and that takes the will out of me to keep trying. if it was not for this supportive community, people like you and specially david as expert mentor, it would have been much more tougher and lonlier.
so thanks for understanding.
182 danam // May 14, 2010 at 10:50 am
Thanks to David for reminding about importance of reducing obesity.
btw, i read in a book (by dr. Blaylock) that excess fat inside ABDOMEN causes more insulin resistance than fat in other area. I just googled to find online quotes: “The major culprit is what we call internal fat — or visceral fat — which is found inside the abdomen….these particular fat cells are producing all kinds of chemicals known to cause diabetes, hypertension and abnormal blood lipids (high LDL and triglycerides with low HDL). And they are doing so in large amounts”. (courtsey http://www.lakeschiro.com/Blaylock%20Reports/blaylock_Diabetes_12.pdf)
Saddaf, keep excercise as an integral part of ur weight loss regimen. Along with diet (doesn’t that remind of pharma tv-ads), abdominal workouts may help you get rid of that 4kg and some insulin resistance. and there are no downsides to this approach; only upsides (or in-sides?).
183 minismom // May 17, 2010 at 1:04 pm
i want to rake up an issue here.
the issue is candida, yeast….. i read a book on it the candida diet cure. the book tracks down the cause of diabetes and many other auto immune diseases to growth of fungus/yeast called candida in the body, caused by death of friendly bacteria due to drugs and other allopathic cures,
any thoughts? it made a lot of sense to me.
184 saddaf sultana // May 18, 2010 at 5:28 am
it is mango season here in pakistan. some studies suggest mangoes and grapes are well ‘good’ for us? any help? i do love mangoes.
185 karen // May 26, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Thanks to everyone — been reading you for years, controlling w/diet and exercise my type 2 pretty well but dawn phenom. driving me crazy.
Milk Thistle and 1 tbsp of ‘liquid’ lecithin at bedtime with a small snack – usually nuts and a few berries -have really helped — keeping my fingers crossed that this is a long-term answer. All the others worked a little — this really works!
Also have gotten candida under control… virtually gone with Three Lac — just by the way to minismom above.
Thanks David for all you do!
Oh – and what is Byetta?
186 LindaCC // May 27, 2010 at 6:45 pm
I have been having a glass of red wine sometimes while cooking dinner. Since I am taking Byetta, should I take the pm dose prior to the wine or prior to eating my meal. Will I bypass the Byetta window if I wait?
187 David Mendosa // May 31, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Dear Linda,
Very good question, but I don’t know. Please call the Amylin-Lilly support line for the answer.
Best regards,
David
188 william // Jun 1, 2010 at 8:10 am
I’m taking victoza (same class of drug) and I’ve missed my dosing window by as much as 2 hours and have not noticed a negative or positive impact. My readings dont’ change.
While I don’t recommend that as standard practice, my experience has been that an occasional slip up doesn’t seem to hurt.
BTW, my last A1c prior to starting victoza was 6.2. My last one (got the results last week) was 5.9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5% club!!!!!!
When Mr. Mendoza suggested byetta, I was unsure of it since I’m prone to nausea as it is.
I tolerate the victoza very well and have had 1 or 2 mild (10 minutes) bouts of nausea in the last 4 months since I started the victoza. If you can’t tolerate byetta, I would still give victoza a try since it’s supposed to have a lower incident of nausea.
Thanks for suggesting this class of medication.
189 Natalie // Jun 25, 2010 at 10:45 am
Hi – I am new here, but have been lurking for a while. I appreciate the info and experiences shared on this site. I have not yet been “officially” diagnosed, but after a few years of being pre-diabetic, my last FBS came back at 126. I began testing myself and have discovered that I have DP – only my FBS is on the high side, all other numbers are fine. I have been trying various supplements in addition to weight loss and exercise. Each supplement seems to help a little. Using vinegar tabs, cinnamon caps, and aloe, I went from the mid 120’s to the mid teens. In the past two weeks I added a product by NOW Foods called Glucose Metabolic Support which contains an extract from crepe myrtle, and my morning numbers are now below 110. I am probably spending a lot on supplements, but they do seem to be helping and I hope to back off of them once my weight gets in line. I hope info helps someone just like the rest of you have helped me!
190 minismom // Jul 7, 2010 at 10:01 pm
hi karen have you heard of red clover tea?
how do i know my diabetes is a result of candida? and does milk thistle help people with a not so strong liver? my liver reading alt ast etc go up when ever i am on any antibiotic medication. so could milk thistle help me?
regards
191 Liz // Jul 8, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I seriously doubt that yeast growth causes Diabetes… In fact, it has been shown many times that yeast infections or outbreaks are a symptom of Diabetes, and that they clear up as soon as blood sugar levels are controlled… but impossible to deal with if your blood sugars are not controlled. I myself had yeast infections that simply would NOT go away at all, until the blood sugars were level. While I have no doubt that candida feeds on friendly bacteria, I think this is a great oversimplification of Diabetes, and the complexity of our immune systems. In this case of what came first, the chicken or the egg… I would say… The chicken, of course.
192 Insulin Pen // Jul 13, 2010 at 2:03 am
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