learning to adjust without spending money

[Trinifar]

I'm on my 10th day or so of monitoring and following a good diet plan. It seemed to go well the first few days with the numbers coming down, but now I'm dealing with fluxuation. My fasting BG had been around 190 to 205 initially, came down to 150 to 170 and is now wandering around. It was 211 yesterday morning, 156 this morning. I'm not panicing, figuring this is part of the learning curve.

Before dinner today BG was 106. I had a ham and cheese sandwich with lots of lettuce and tomato and a small desert. The mistake was way too much bread (excellent fresh french bread!) and 2 hours later BG was 235. !#$! Pissed off at first -- at myself because I knew it was too many carbs but sort of tucked that away in the back of my mind. I love good bread. The bread and desert was probably 90 gm of carbs, pretty much my full allotment for the day in one meal. Bad idea since I had 15 gm carbs at breakfast and another 60 at lunch and hadn't gotten any exercise.

I'm not stupid -- just not being honest enough with myself when it comes to facing the reality of how careful I now have to be with eating generally and drastically reducing the quanties of the things I love in particular. (And the bit about exercise.) Potatoes have been a close friend all my life, as have rice, corn, and pretty much anything with lots of carbs. And I've been baking bread as a hobby for two years and loving it!

After reading lots on these forums I know many of you have struggled with this same stuff for a long time and succeded, and the support shown here is really encouraging. At the same time, the more I learn the more I want to excel at handling my own situation as intelligently and gracefully as possible, because much of what I read scares the bejesus out of me, especially the phrase "chronic, progressive disease with no cure."

I have an appointment with a doctor next week and really want to show up with a BG log that doesn't indicate I should be on insulin injections. Right now I'm on 5 mg glipizide once a day. I'm an American without health insurance and currently without income as well. I can't afford to not treat my condition but realistically I can't afford much of anything until I get a job. When in the hospital recently (for another problem and where I found out I was diabetic) I was given a monitor and about 75 strips and spent some precious cash on the glipizide and some other (nondiabetic) medications.

So....

I figure the best thing to do is become fairly radical about diet and exercise. Really get the religion without overdoing it. The other thing I feel is important is to learn from other people who have more experience.

I'm open to any advice you might have.

[moorejames]

Well, you're on the right track. Your meter doesn't lie.

I love bread as much as the next person, but I can't eat it. Whole grain, multi-grain, whatever - doesn't matter, I can't eat it. I can sometimes get away with a low carb wrap, but even those can be iffy.

Pretty much you have to simply stop eating certain things: bread, potatoes, deserts, chips, pasta.

It's really not all that hard. My diet consists of mainly lean meat and veggies, eggs, cheese, nuts.

I can't imagine baking bread, the smell would drive me nuts.

You might want to talk to the doc about adding metformin, you can get it as a generic from Walmart for $4.

You're numbers are too high. Probably not high enough to see any immediate short term problems, but numbers that high are doing a little bit of damage every day. Nipping it in the bud now can save you a lot of hassles down the road. It bugs me to no end that I went undiagnosed for probably years, and now I have some (thankfully) minor complications already.

The exercise makes a huge difference in insulin resistance. Plus, it's free :)

Good luck getting things under control.

[MJB]

Yes, your numbers are too high.

You can't eat with abandon and expect good BG numbers.

Has your doc suggested you take Metformin? It's the most common drug for T2 diabetics and available generically for very little money.

[volleyball]

Since you are new to this, don't fret over the numbers too much. Your goal is to have good management. But you have to work towards that goal. You cannot be a couch potato and run for a week and think you can run a marathon. It takes lots of practice and so with your BG.
You love bread, you make bread. You want to exercise. Great combination. Make bread with mostly whole grains or other flours. You can get gluton in a can if you are not celiac. Make your bread, eat some, trick is to eat a little at a time, no more half loaves, and then do your cardio. Always check your numbers. See what breads are not so bad for you. There must be some. Do not get hung up on it doesn't taste like the breads you loved, you get new loves and forget about the old ones.
Foods I find acceptable are not the cheapest. so you have to spend more. Since you probably should weigh less, eating less will give you the same overall cost.
Diabetes for some can be managed for very little cost.

[Wildbill]

Pretty much you have to simply stop eating certain things: bread, potatoes, deserts, chips, pasta.

That isn't universally true. As an example I can eat baked potatoes white or sweet with no problem at all. Pasta is available in a protected carb formulation and it doesn't spike me at all.

Everyone is different and an experiment of one.

[Dawn]

You are on the right track...you are testing and can see what you are doing is not working. Now comes the hard part...of learning to change what you eat and accepting that it is not going to be the same. It is a process.to face this for some. I am a person who needs to feel like I have a lot of food and I like to feel full. I've figured a way to do that and maintain my weight loss (100 pounds) and control my numbers. I too love comfort food....my most recent is faux mashed potatoes...mashed cauliflower with reduced fat cream cheese and fat free cheddar.

I did not have insurance when I was diagnosed. I went to the health department and they were wonderful. I chose a small rural one and I got such great attention, support and kindness. They helped me by giving me the application for drug companies that would either give drugs free or very reduced rates. They gave me samples. They had a sliding scale fee. Also, I have insurance now but since this was a pre-existing diagnosis they will cover it for a year. I buy my strips on e-bay (make sure you check expiration date prior to bidding) and I spent $38 rather than $102 which it would cost in the store for the exact same product (Accu-check compact 6 barrels).

I know it takes a lot of work...especially at the beginning...but again you are on the right track. I now eat a restricted carb diet and feel very satisfied, not deprived and soooo happy that I am have good control. Good for you for keeping a log and being honest with yourself!!!

[grace girl]

When it comes to bread you have to experiment with different types, brands, and the serving size. My dad is type 2, and before insulin he found that there were certain brands he could eat with no problem, and some that messed his numbers up every time. And I mean good bread, like French bread. D is very individual, and it does take time to find what works for you. Don't get discouraged...high numbers suck, but if you learn from it, it's just a part of the experience.

[Trinifar]

Thanks everyone.

This morning my BG was 176 (which is better than 200+) and I had some yogurt and went out for a long, brisk walk. Lunch was a salad: no dressing, half of an awesome local tomato, lots of lettuce, small amounts of other vegies, a few oz of ham, and a couple slices of swiss cheese. Very satisfying. No desire for sweets or carbs.

(Rechecked my meds. I'm on 2.5 mg glipizide not 5. I've been taking 2.5 and wrote the 5 down incorrectly above.)

Comments on your comments:

Stop eating bread, potatoes, etc versus learning to eat small amounts of them. Both points of view have merit and the approach I think is quite personal depending on how able you are to just have a little and stop. For me and alcohol, I know I should just not touch it. With potatoes, I can handle a half a baked potato and stop there. Bread maybe somewhere in between. With the monitoring of BG I'm going to experiment and see what works and what doesn't.

As for the bread baking hobby, I'd rather change it than quit. I'll get out the small loaf pans and make six little ones rather than two bigs ones and stick the extras in the freezer. That way I can have two thin, small slices with a couple of oz of meat in between and feel like I'm eating a real, if quite small, sandwich. I've been playing around with different kinds of flours for quite a while and now will start paying attention to the effects of different combinations. Noticed references to flax seed flour on these forums and I've used that in the past as an additive, so that and ground nuts seem like things to try again. Never thought of gluten in a can. I'll check that out too if necessary.

I'll have to look for the special low-carb pasta and see what that is like. Pasta is another favorite.

Also picked up a couple of cookbooks for diabetics from the library today.

I'd like to eventually be able to say what Dawn said above, "I now eat a restricted carb diet and feel very satisfied, not deprived and soooo happy that I have good control."

Meds. I'll ask my doctor next week about metformin. The price is right and I saw somewhere it is often indicated for people who are overweight, about 50 pounds in my case. Also read that losing even 10 pounds is quite helpful, and with this diet I'm pretty sure I'm already on the right path to getting lighter. Hopefully the doc will give me some samples for the other meds I need (not related to diabetes).

Insurance and money. I've applied for a special state-run insurance program and was told I'll likely qualify for at least a 90-day period but that it will take 2 to 3 months to find out. If it kicks in, its retroactive. The idea of getting strips for less on E-Bay is just fabulous, I'll look into it. Right now I'd love to be checking my BG more frequently but am doing it 3 times a day to conserve strips (on advice from the hospital that gave me the monitor and the initial batch of strips).

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement! If any other thoughts spring to mind I'm all ears. I'm really motivated to get this under control so I have the energy and confidence to handle the other things I need to do in the coming months like getting a job, selling my house, .... It's a tall order.

[superemt]

I can eat Yukon Gold potatoes which have less carbs and it won't spike my readings. Also, same is true for Dreamfields pasta. It's formulated not to spike readings. I know some people save on strips by using the Reli-On meter from Wal-Mart. Around $9 for the meter package and 100 strips for around $43. Most strips are twice that for 100. E-bay is another great idea, definitely look into it. The main thing is the have the confidence that you can and will live a long happy life with diabetes. It takes time when you are first diagnosed but educate youself (as it seems you are already doing) and dig in for the fight! Prayers to you!

[moorejames]

That isn't universally true. As an example I can eat baked potatoes white or sweet with no problem at all. Pasta is available in a protected carb formulation and it doesn't spike me at all.

Everyone is different and an experiment of one.

Well, I did mention eating by your meter.

I should have said that the OP needs to be "prepared" to have to completely give up certain foods.

Eating them is obviously not working for them right now....

[princesslinda]

Hi Trinifar...it is hard to make changes to the diet you've had for so long. I'm from the south, and we love our bread and rice and corn. When I was diagnosed, I was so scared that I was willing to do ANYTHING to get my numbers down quickly. I went on a very low carb diet, and saw really good results quickly.

As far as food goes, I agree with Jim, you have to "eat by your meter." The first month or two, I kept a food journal, writing down EVERY BITE I put in my mouth and what my corresponding blood sugar was 2 hrs after that first bite. Anything that caused me to go above 140 2 hrs after eating, I didn't eat....or ate only rarely. This is the best way for you to make smart food choices.

Since you are having financial difficulties at present, I understand this may be difficult for you to do, however, you need to do it a few times to find foods that cause little or no rise in your blood sugars...and then eat these regularly.

I eat a lot of salads, green beens, any green vegetable (frozen or fresh) tuna, chicken, lean beef, eggs, cheese, nuts. I have the occasional apple or pear and eat s/f jello and pudding. You can buy the s/f puddings and jellos and make them yourself much cheaper than buying the prepared ones. You can also buy canned tuna quite inexpensively. Yes, it is challenging and sometimes difficult, but the long-term results of too high blood sugars are not something you want to experience.

Also, increase your activity a little each day and this will also help your blood sugars.

Hang in there! You can do this....it just takes a little practice to become comfortable with things.

[Jill-O]

Is insulin more expensive than oral meds? I'm thinking insulin may be a less expensive option than many oral meds, but am unsure.

Before I started on insulin, I really dreaded it and felt like I might faint when my doctor told me he wanted me to go on it.

However, the injections absolutely do not hurt. the first time I did it, after working up the courage for about 5 minutes, I had to look down to see if it was really in. I did NOT feel it at all. The finger tests hurt way much more!

If the doctor said he wanted me to go back on oral meds vs. the insulin, I would not want to do it. I want to stay on the insulin. It's easy and I think healthier.

My results are MUCH better on insulin and I feel like it's better to give my body what it needs vs. trying to force it to make more of what I'm lacking.

[volleyball]

Taking insulin instead of meds or vice versus because of cost does not seem like a prudent thing to do over the long run. Especially for someone new to this.

[Jill-O]

I agree! Doing what is best for your BODY is most important and in reality, the least expensive in all possible uses of that word.

But, if cost issues are weighing on your mind and that is your excuse not to let the doctor put you on insulin, I do really think it's cheaper than some meds in terms of dollars. And, like I said, I personally have found it to be what I want for my body without any thought as to what I have to pay in money.

[Kubilee]

That isn't universally true. As an example I can eat baked potatoes white or sweet with no problem at all. Pasta is available in a protected carb formulation and it doesn't spike me at all.

Everyone is different and an experiment of one.

THANKFULLY I am the same way. Potatoes were the first thing I was told to get away from, but they are my very favorite food if I had to pick just one. BUT I tested, I ate potatoes in various forms and waited to see what they were going to do to me and luckily they don't bother me one little bit.

NOW, pasta, rice, white bread and some multigrain bread will shoot me to the moon. Even at this though, I was told when I got myself in check, I could have these things within reason, like one or two times a week, but not every single day. I have, or used to have, pasta, rice or potatoes with every single meal, but I cut back on all of it but the potatoes. I don't have them with each meal, but I CAN have them without any complications.

I actually like the foods I am supposed to eat, so I have been extremely lucky. We even keep cakes and cookies and things around for the kids and I am only tempted about once or twice a month.... otherwise, I know I am not supposed to have them so I just don't. I had to get in my head that they are "poison" so I just stay away, but I can't forbid my kids to completely collow my diet, even though they really don't seem to mind MY food at all. :)

[Trinifar]

Taking insulin instead of meds or vice versus because of cost does not seem like a prudent thing to do over the long run. Especially for someone new to this.

I couldn't agree more. But right now without income or insurance I have no choice. (This is the USA after all, the greatest health care in the world if you can afford it). Eventually my job search will turn up something and then I'll have more choices. While I have some strips to work with, I've been discovering which foods work and which don't. Too bad that means pretty low carb intake, but better to know that than igonre it.