Sugar levels - some success, some not

[tcpandi]

Hi all..

I started my quest to lower my sugar levels on the 13th.... I've gone from an all time high of 300 down to my low of 112.

Here's my problem.... from before lunch to before dinner my levels are hovering around 115 to 139 (day time levels were hovering in the 180-200 range).... the problem is after dinner, through the night and in to the morning before breakfast. Those levels range from 176 to 225.

Does anyone have any insight as to why I'm relatively normal all day long and then after dinner I shoot up high?? And what can I do to lower the numbers in the evening and night time hours??

I've been given 500mg of metformin twice a day, but I'm trying desperately not to take them as I'd rather try to control this with diet and exercise..

Any insight is appreciated! Thanks
Traci

[rzrbks]

Just off the top of my head I'd ask about activity levels.

Most of us become couch Tators after supper.

[Emm]

Yep ditto that! I often sit a bit higher in the evening.

Also, the evening meal is often the biggest of the day and more likely to fill us up - apparently having a very full tummy, regardless of what you've actually eaten, can nudge the numbers up a bit.

Small meals and a short walk could be the key.

By the way, I think it's great you're trying to do this without the meds! I'd never suggest anyone ditch them if they need them, but it looks like you're going to do great with diet & exercise. WELL DONE :)

[June]

I've found the forum's recommendation of a glass of red wine (kinda makes me feel like I haven't given up EVERYTHING) and a spoonfull of peanut butter seems to help any kind of spike throughout the nite (for me) Probably any little of shot of protein would work. Good work!

[tcpandi]

...yes... i do become a bit of a couch potato when I get home... I used to work in the evenings and got off at 11pm... I would then go work out... the only problem was.. the work out would get my blood pumped enough to the point where i wouldn't go to bed until 4 or 5am!! ....now that i work normal hours... i don't want to work out at 7pm for fear that i'll still be up at 1 or 2am and have to get up at 7am.... ( i know, whine whine whine, i can't have it both ways! sigh....)

okay.... smaller meal at night and activity in the evening... i like wine, but can't imagine it on a nightly basis... and all the peanut butter i've seen has sugar in it... maybe i'll just have some peanuts instead?

thanks for the advice! i do appreciate it!
traci

[EricG]

and all the peanut butter i've seen has sugar in it... maybe i'll just have some peanuts instead?

traci

Peter Pan makes a "peanut spread" with no sugar added, they use Splenda as a sweetner. Tastes as good to me as any "regular" peanut butter. I have some with a few crackers for my bedtime snack.

[tcpandi]

Wow! Great to know!! Thanks.. my next trip to the grocery store, I'll be looking for ol'peter!! :o)

[EricG]

Let us know how you like it. It has a light blue label. Says it is 90% peanuts with 2 grams of carbs per tablespoon.

I think it really helps with my overnight blood sugar. I recently went a week without any medication in the transistion from metformin to actos and was able to maintain 100-120 readings over that time.

[princesslinda]

Hi TC:
Sounds like you're being very proactive in trying to get control of your blood sugars. My doctor said my goal should be to stay within "non-diabetic" levels...the idea being if my levels are that of a non-diabetic then my complication risk would be closer to that of a non-diabetic. A non-diabetic 2 hr post meal reading should be 140 or less and a fasting level of 110 or less. I'm on metformin 500 mg 2 x a daily and, for the majority of the time, I fall within these parameters. I also eat low carb and get as much exercise as I can.

Perhaps if you make your evening meal low in carbs (baked chicken, salad, greenbeans, or lean beef, something like that) you'll see better levels in the evening.

Also, if your doctor prescribed the metformin, I really think you should take it.....the lower your readings (within reason, of course) the better you'll be. I'm all for anything (including taking meds) that will help me longterm. The metformin is supposed to really help with insulin resistence...even some people without full-blown diabetes take it.

It sounds like you are working very hard to control this and you should be proud of yourself! Just don't r/o medication if it will give you better longterm results. Good luck on those evening readings...please keep us updated on how you do.

Linda

[hannahanne]

There also are several brands of natural peanut butter which have no sugar in them. Most supermarkets will have one of those brands. And I have to agree with Princesslinda. In the long run, taking your medication will probably help you. Please try to discuss this with your doctor or another health professional. He or she can help you decide what is best for you. And it's my understanding that keeping your blood sugar as close to normal as possible is the prime goal of a diabetic. And if you need to take medicine to get that control, that is something you should consider. You need to find out what combination of diet, exercise, and medicine is right for you.

[sweetcheeks]

i understand about controlling without meds... however.... it may just be, that you cant, regardless of what you do......... so i would suggest to go by dr's orders take the meds, let them work, once you've gotten your levels down and kept them down, you get your activity level and meals in order, then suggest to your dr you would like to get off the meds....

the metformin is there for a reason, it keeps your liver from producing glucose so much, so your sugar levels should only be rising to what you eat mostly as long as you eat on time every day..... set a schedule, dont miss your meals times, if you set a schedule and you miss a meal, at least eat a snack... this makes your liver think your not starving

[mzizgayle]

It might be whatever you are having for dinner, exercise right before dinner for about a 1/2 hour, try that. The metformin does keep the liver from dumping the sugar into the system, my doctor tried me without metformin since my a1c were good, but off metformin, I immediately would spike up over 200 or more and my dinners consisted of almost nothing so I went on a slow acting type and doing much better. Sometimes you just need the assistance of a drug.

[rwmetcalf]

Hi Tracy,

i don't want to work out at 7pm for fear that i'll still be up at 1 or 2am and have to get up at 7am

I don't like to work out in the evenings for the same reasons as you. I have found that a nice 15-20 brisk walk after dinner will not keep me up and lowers my BG levels significantly. I've found that the higher the level above 100, the further they're lowered. For example, once I started my walk and my BG was 145. When I finished it was at 109, a drop of 36 points. Another time it was at 117 and went to 109, only a drop of 8 points.

Someone else recommended a walk before dinner. I've never tried it but I bet it helps. After dinner walks are nice but can be hard to get motivated for.

Regards,
Roger

PS - A glass of red wine is very nice and helps keep morning numbers low. Red wine such as a cabernet or merlot or burgandy is best, IMO, because they are drier (less sugar) than most white wines.

[princesslinda]

I agree with RWMetcalf regarding having a glass of red wine before bedtime. I started doing this to raise my HDL levels, but have definitely noticed a decrease in am levels...of about 10-12 points on average. I have a glass of wine 3-4 evenings a week. I hope it helps with HDL as well.