No to this forum not to diabetes

[Gerri]

I was diagnosed diabetic over 30 years ago. I am 54 year old female. My diabetes was controlled by diet, until yesterday. (January 30, 2008)

I had a liver biopsy done January 2nd, 2008. I was diagnosed with NASH (non alcohol severe fatty liver disease with inflammation). Now, because I have been diagnosed with NASH, Gastroenterologist, is ordering me to be put on insulin. So not sure what type of diabetes I have.

I have been ordered to loose 43 lbs by July, or at least make good start. I have been trying so hard to loose weight it just won't come off. I follow a diabetic diet and have done so for many, many years. I look at food and gain weight.

I am scared to go on insulin and diabetic medications because of my severe allergies to sulfa, sulfites, sulfates, and all sulfer derivatives. I had anaphalatic shock in past. I know I have no choice about going on insulin, but what????

I am on disability for severe allergies, Central Auditory Processing disorder, Hyperacusis, many arthritis(s), list goes on and I am being investigated for Lupus, diagnosed with Sjogren's by dentist, diagnosed with MS by urologist. Have severe obstructed sleep apnea, also had central apnea. I have lesions on my brain.

I am scared out of my mind. I have been through so much stress in last two years, this is adding to it.

I suffer from depression, diagnosed also with conversion disorder, SAD, anxiety, and much pain. All untreated with any types of medication.

Hugs

Gerri

[Gerri]

Also have cognitive problems - as seen by my typing wrong words in title

Hugs

Gerri

[Penny]

Hi Gerri. :) I sure can symphatize about the weight thing, I have tried many times......I figure I have lost several hundred pounds over many years. Now, I just try hard to eat the right things and exercise as much as I am able. Sometimes it works and I lose a few pounds. I resisted insulin for a long time, but now can't figure out why. I feel so much better since I have been using it. There are many people here who can help you, just ask for what you need.

[xMenace]

Well welcome to the forum.

Insulin will very likely help you quite a bit. I highly suspect your sugars have been high for a long time. You can now control them immediately. You will feel a lot better very quickly. There's things to learn about it, but it's all manageable. Don't be frightened. There's little to fear, especially the needles. Everyone will tell you there's no pain and they are easy to inject. It's the truth.

[princesslinda]

Welcome Gerri, glad you found the forum! It certainly sounds like you've got a lot going on health-wise...and to add diabetes and more meds to the mix must be quite stressful.

I have found that watching my carbs (esp. potatoes, rice, pasta and white bread) helps in controlling my blood sugar. When you mention following a "diabetic diet" do you mean the ADA recommended 3-4 servings of carbs/meal? I found that particular diet to be WAY more carbs than I can tolerate.

Do you check your blood sugars often? What was your A1C?

If you check you blood sugar 2 hrs after your first bite of food, you'll get a good indication of how different foods affect your blood sugar and make smarter food choices.

As for starting meds or insulin...I'm sure this is causing you anxiety, but you have to do whatever it takes to keep your blood sugars in good range, to avoid even more health problems in your future. You'll find that giving yourself a shot is much less painful than sticking your fingers....and you'll feel much better when your blood sugars are more normal.

Look around, ask lots of questions. There are many here willing to help in any way we can. You're not alone.

[Alice]

Gerri, please keep us up to date...this forum will give you a lot of hugs when you need them...and firm reminders when you need those too! (We all do...)

I think insulin may help you deal with your other problems much easier...If your glucose is out-of-whack...so is almost everything else in your body...so, let's look at insulin as a "good thing"...it's been a life-saver in my case. It's also one of the few medications that has basically no side affects...other than watching for low blood sugars.

[Gerri]

Hi Penny, I have never been as heavy as I am now except when I had my first son 31 years ago. They said I had problems with my pancreas then. I have to lose 43 lbs to be within normal BMI.

Hugs

Gerri

[Gerri]

Hi xMenace, I am not so scared of the needle, as I am of what is in the insullin, that I could be allergic too. My readings only got high when I had the glucose solution. It's because my readings are constant between 6-10, and I have NASH the Gastro is ordering I be put on insulin. She said my diabetes, I thought was control isn't.

Hugs

Gerri

[Alice]

Gerri, I just joined my neighborhood Weight Watchers...it's a pretty good eating plan (not a diet) for diabetics...includes fiber and other nice things...not a crash diet. Just healthy eating for a lifetime...nice people too.

I don't discuss my diabetes at WW, since very few there know the "newer" diabetic guidelines such as carb counting.

I find I can adapt the carb counting easily to WW, but they track fat, fiber & calories...combined into a point system. I just keep track of the carbs separately and need the extra carb calories sometimes for low blood sugars...which is fine.

[Gerri]

Hi Linda, I noticed that your on Metformin. I can never go on that medication because it has sulfites in it. My doctor won't even try to put me on it, because I had anaphlatic shock in the past taking sulfites. In fact most likely my family doctor will refer me to an entercrinologist because of my severe allergies. My family doctor doesn't want to cause my death. :)

My highest reading which I take daily was 14, normal being between 4-6. Usually I am constant at 6-10. My Gastro said that's too high and I must go on insulin, because of my diagnoses of NASH.

Hugs

Gerri

[Gerri]

Hi Alice,

I have had so many stressors these last two years, right now is not a good time to join weight watchers. I am going to go for diabetic counselling again at the nearest hospital.

I have so many diabetic cook books, and have followed my diet reasonibly well, except these last two years. I still try it's hard. I can do better and will try, but until I get moved from my home and resettled in new home in Kitchener, Ontario. It is going to be severely problematic. I am back and forth to doctors for my arthritis(s) and other health issues. My family doctor is 2 hours away from where I am living.

I am so loosing it.

Hugs

Gerri

[princesslinda]

You'll definitely not want the metformin.....but there are other medicine options you can consider.

When diagnosed, I have abnormal liver tests and fatty liver. The doctor said this is often the case when blood sugars have been high, esp. in obese people. 3 months after diagnosis, these levels went back to within normal limits. This may be the case with you as well.

I'm thinking there has to be some type of insulin you can take and not be allergic to.....otherwise what options will you have down the road if your body totally stops producing its own (which usually happens in us T2s at some point)? I'd definitely talk to my endo/doc or even an allergist/immunologist and see if there's some sort of "allergy" test they can do with just a small amount of insulin to check for an allergic response to it.

[Evermont]

Hi Gerri and welcome to DF. Sorry for all your troubles dude. I noticed that you didn't mention exercise. I'm sure the arthritis doesn't help, and I don't even know about your other issues. So I'm just wondering - can you exercise? 43 lbs in 5 months is certainly doable but it will be so much easier to accomplish if you can exercise regularly. Losing that weight will help you in so many ways it's not funny. Do you walk much? Can you walk more? Got snowshoes?

[Gerri]

Hi Linda, the anaphalatic shock is what will limit my use of most medication. An allegist won't even test me with sulfa, sulfites, sulfates, and/or any derivatives of sulfer. Because they don't want to be responsible for my death.

Hugs

Gerri

[Jan B]

Hi Gerri,

I don't think Keith meant to call you a dude! Anyway, it's possible than many of your problems are related to high blood glucose. It could be that needing insulin, and taking it, will actually start minimizing your long list of issues. The better control I have, the less I hurt with arthritis. Also, with better control, depression and anxiety tend to lighten up. Friends and support are sometimes the best medicine of all.

A few months ago, I had a long list of problems, including the possibility of having Lupus. I believe since you came here for support, you are on the road to getting better, not worse. Please give yourself a big hug and know you are not alone, ok? Maybe baby steps will work best for you -- you don't necessarily have to join Weight Watchers, you can learn a lot about their plan from the internet I'm sure . . . or a book.

Try to be your own best friend. I know it's not easy, but think of the advice you would give a good friend in your situation. You can make it! I bet there is an insulin choice that will work for you. Stick around Gerri!

[Gerri]

Hi Keith

I have different forms of arthritis, exercise is good for some, but for the osteopenia, Osteoarthritis, not good, but I still try until my legs give out. I also have Fibromyalgia, and Ankylosing Spondylitis. MS diagnoses has been on, off and back on, could change again. I am being investaged for Lupus and have been diagnosed with Sjogren's by dentist (so still up in air). I have arthritis up and down my spine, and in every joint. I hurt all the time, and can't have pain meds - so I sneak in some exercise, until I hurt and then suffer often throughout the night.

I walk but my legs give out after moderate walking, definately not fast walking, some poor soul will be pulling me off the sidewalk, because I tripped and fell again.

I have a treadmill, I do use it but again I can only use it in moderation. It's hard dealing with all the pain without any medication. My doctor will not give me medication. I live with pain, now I have to make more pain to try and lose the weight.

Hugs

Gerri

Sorry about the poor me syndrome.

I appreciate all your comments, sure helps with the depression.

[Evermont]

Hi Gerri,

I don't think Keith meant to call you a dude! ...

I use the word in its gender neutral (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dude) sense sometimes - of course I meant no offense.

...I have a treadmill, I do use it but again I can only use it in moderation. It's hard dealing with all the pain without any medication. My doctor will not give me medication. I live with pain, now I have to make more pain to try and lose the weight....

Most people are very used to the idea of avoiding pain. I'm a little different in that regard. You are in the very unfortunate position of choosing between avoiding pain at the risk of serious health consequences. This is most unfortunate. If you think it could help you I'm willing to try to coach you through some of the pain.

[princesslinda]

With all your problems, you certainly have the right to say "poor me." Hopefully, they'll find a way to get your blood sugars in control, which will help the fatty liver and also make you feel better.

As for exercise....there are some resistance exercises that you can do sitting down, that would still help with your blood sugars...the same type exercises wheelchair-bound people do. Might want to check online (Amazon) to see if they have some exercise DVDs of that type.

In the meantime, cut your carbs more than the typical "ADA diabetic diet" recommends. This will probably help you see better numbers....and test your blood sugar often.

[Keezheekoni]

Hi Gerri! Welcome to the board. Glad to have you here. :D

I'm highly allergic to sulfas/sulfites as well. In fact I've had this breathing problem for a year that I've been tested for over and over and have no diagnosis. Then a doctor looked at my list of meds and saw that I was taking atenolol. Apparently atenolol has a slight bit of sulfite in it, but not enough to be reported anywhere, since most people with sulfa allergies just get a rash... I guess they figure that you can take a little of the allergen and be fine. Well, if the atenolol is the cause of my breathing problems, then it destroyed the ability of my lungs to exchange CO, O2, and CO2. Yay for me. :) Not.

Anyhow, the modern insulins do not contain sulfas/sulfites. You should be fine on them.

Again, welcome!

[Gerri]

Hi Jan

Your right I am not a dude, I will forgive Keith for that. :)

I definately plan to stick around.

I think taking insulin, if it helps as you say, it will may make my doctor's day. He said he never seen anyone with such a list of health issues. Some I have had for many years. Arthriis comes with age I guess. The deterioration in my bones will not change. Maybe lesson some of he pain from Fibromyalgia, sure hope so anyway.

Thanks for being there for me Jan

Hugs

Gerri

[Gerri]

Keith, I figured that was how you intended by using the word dude, no offense taken.

Hugs

Gerri

[Jan B]

I use the word in its gender neutral (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dude) sense sometimes - of course I meant no offense.

Oops, no insult to be called a dude; I'll know better next time!

[Gerri]

Hi Linda, I will look up the resistance exercise for wheel chair bound. It's hard following eight different diets. I am going to get diabetic clinic to help organize my diets.

Hugs

Gerri

[princesslinda]

Hi Linda, I will look up the resistance exercise for wheel chair bound. It's hard following eight different diets. I am going to get diabetic clinic to help organize my diets.

Hugs

Gerri


I'll be interested in hearing what type guidelines you get from your diabetic clinic. You'll have to share them with us and maybe we can help "tweak" them based on some of our own experiences.;)

[xMenace]

Hi xMenace, I am not so scared of the needle, as I am of what is in the insullin, that I could be allergic too. My readings only got high when I had the glucose solution. It's because my readings are constant between 6-10, and I have NASH the Gastro is ordering I be put on insulin. She said my diabetes, I thought was control isn't.

Hugs

Gerri

I'd ask for, even demand, supervision for your first injection(s). There are different types. Some here use the old pork/beef insulins as they can't tolerate the new ones. I don't know what's what anymore, but your doctors certainly should.

[Evermont]

My take on 'diet' isn't like many other peoples. I started with the notion of "diets don't work, adopt a healthy lifestyle". From there I went on to discover general and then more specific aspects of nutrition. Asking "what is the best fuel for my body?", then following the answers I'm finding. I committed myself to this general approach as a permanent change. Long term health being my main motivation. Shortly after that I was surprised with my Type 2 diagnosis. Upon further review, I determined that I was already on the right path with diet and nutrition. Learning about diabetes had very little effect on my path to better nutrition and fitness. My A1c results are a strong confirmation of my approach.

It helps that I like salad and water for example. It helps even more though, that I'm very willing to place my desire for my favorite foods a distant second to putting the right amount of the best possible fuel into my body. It seems that most folks have a real hard time with that. Some of us become T2 diabetics for only this reason.

So I just don't believe in diets - in general. I'm becoming quite convinced that this is the best way. It seems very clear that merging 8 different diets is a recipe for frustration and worse. I suggest coming at it from another angle, start with optimum nutrition - the kind that's good for everybody. Tweak that as needed based on personal requirements. I won't dispute that this is difficult, but I wonder if all the alternatives aren't yet more difficult in the long run, let alone the consequences which would be the most difficult. If I'm right, then this approach is the least difficult long term.

For you Gerri, I can see that nothing is easy. Regardless, that's the approach I would take. Best of luck to you and by all means, let me know if I can help.

[Gerri]

Hi Keith,

My diets are as follow:

1) celiac disease - eat no glutton free - no starch diet
2) diabetic - follow Canada food guide
3) Food allergies - many - Eggs - (anything with sulfa, sulfites, sulfates, and /or sulfur - I avoid) had anaphalatic(sp) shock in past Most food companies put preservatives in foods to lengthen shelf time of their product. I eat mostly home made meals, only buy stuff from outside rows, but even then I have to watch. I check everything.
4) Lactose intolerance
5) Hypertipidemia (Cholesterol)
6) Hypertension (Blood Pressure)
7) NASH - reason for insulin now
8) Osteopenia (borderline Osteoporosis)

I don't ever go for these fad diets - I tried once nearly killing myself - cause my diabetes - to go below normal - from then on eat what I make for myself, because I know what I put in them, following as best I can staying to diets listed above.

Hugs

Gerri