Addiction to milk??

mikey38654 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 06:12 AM

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums - I just chose to skip the Introductions thread. Anyway I'm a type-1, 22 years old, not in great control of blood sugars (lots of highs, not many lows), I do take my insulin, especially when eating meals and "plentiful snacks" (I like to eat more often than only 3 meals/day). I see an endocrinologist locally.

Something I have noticed lately, though, is that I get these uncontrollable urges for Milk. I can drink a glass and it makes me want more. I take insulin to go with what I drink, but it's usually 3 or 4 glasses before I can quit again.

Think of it like a cigarette or cocaine addiction - when you crave it you gotta have it, and I crave more than once a day. (FYI I have NEVER tried cigs or drugs, it was just an analogy.)

Does anybody else get dairy cravings? If you can control it - how??

- mike

xMenace · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 06:27 AM

Welcome to the forums Mike.

Only milk? I don't suppose you have a general dislike of sweet foods?

BTW what's your A1C like? This place is great for helping you gain control.

shockme · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 06:54 AM

hi mike and welcome to df! no milk cravings. i do get horrible cravings for sweets-especially chocolate. and salty snacks.....trish

deansreef · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 08:54 AM

I do not have cravings really- but I do enjoy milk every morning or when I have a low- milk & SF cookies

notme · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 09:01 AM

Hi Mike, Welcome to Diabetes Forums.

I used to crave milk also (but could never hold 3-4 glasses). As I got older, the craving went away. Milk is the one food that can raise my blood sugar VERY high and quickly. I use it as a treatment for low blood sugar.

Welcome!

Keezheekoni · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 09:26 AM

My 15 year-old daughter is addicted to milk. Unfortunately I can't help you with matching insulin to it, as she's not diabetic. She does go through a gallon, herself, in less than two days. (If she didn't go to school, she'd go through a gallon in one day.)

Welcome to the board! Glad to have you here.

TenderVittleS · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 10:57 AM

Milk = Bad. Not good for my BS

lisa821 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 11:00 AM

Hi, Mike. Welcome to the Scooby Gang!

Sometimes when our bodies are deficient of something, we get cravings for it... maybe you have a calcium deficiency, or some sort of specific vitamin deficiency? Just tossing out an idea.

Chocolate candy has the same effect on me. If I start eating it, I get huge cravings for more, more, MORE! If I force myself to stop, the cravings eventually go away. It's a lot easier for me to just stay away from it altogether. Maybe I have a chocolate deficiency!

Yeah, that's it.

It would be interesting to see if you stayed away from milk for a few days and the craving for it went away.

~Lisa

cheryl · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 02:41 PM

If you crave something your lacking something in your diet, or if your high a lot maybe your loosing nutrients....how high are we talking.....when I crave something I realize that I am missing out on something, like lately I have been wanting to eat peanutbutter crackers with every meal....then I realized I was not eating enough meat or protien, started putting it back with my meals and the craving went away, I still love my peanutbutter crackers but I don't want them all hours of the day anymore....

Cheryl

mikey38654 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 05:21 PM

I don't generally dislike sweet foods, although I try to stay away from most of them. I don't get the "sweet tooth" as often as most and it doesn't bother me for people to eat in front of me. I do like sweet tea (I'm from Memphis - the South!) although I generally drink unsweet with a Sweet -N- Low and an Equal (2 SNL's not sweet enough, 2 Equals too sweet). But I'm with that 15-year-old on a gallon per 1-2 days. That's happened 2x in the last 2 weeks.

I have no clue why but I'm not the least bit attracted to milk chocolate. I like a little piece occasionally but chocolate is one of those "too-sweet" foods. You know, like when you have a REALLY RICH brownie or something and it's so rich you almost get sick (not diabetes sick, regular sick) eating it? Hershey's Kisses have done that to me before. Dark chocolate - I can hardly stand it.

Well I don't remember my A1C off the top of my head but I know it's higher than it should be (not critically high but my endo's starting to show concern). I have a history of high A1C's and BG's as I have never obtained and then maintained a good blood sugar for a whole two weeks at a time.

I don't want to be a victim of diabetes any more; i.e., I want to be in control of it (not vice versa). I have been hospitalized several times with DKA (no fun!) and I'm ready to quit playing games. I am coming to realize that yes, diabetes really does affect your health - especially in the future. I want to grow old with somebody, and it's not going to happen as long as I treat my body the way that I do.

I am going to start looking for an accountability partner Now. I have an odd schedule so I will post it on this thread along with what I need help with. Perhaps somebody here, along with my endocrinologist, could help me get a bigger handle on the big "D."

mikey38654 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 05:42 PM

OK, I am looking for an accountability partner to help me get in better control and lasso these blood glucose levels and A1C levels. I may need help setting goals, too, but here are some that I'm thinking of right now:

- Set a schedule
- Abide by the schedule
- Set up a good eating plan
- Don't eat against the plan (too often, that is)
- No super sugary items
- TEST SUGARS regularly (simple to you, big to me)
- Get tighter control

Maybe some of those are too broad, perhaps some are too specific. But, I need help either way. Before you volunteer read about my schedule:

I work nights at FedEx Express. I am a labor worker, and I do intense work (walking and lifting) from 11:30-ish till 2:45-ish. Sometimes the start time is 11:15 or 11:45 (during the holidays, likely to be 11:00), sometimes the end time is 2:30 or 3:30. In summary, I leave for work at 10:30 P.M. and get home at around 3:30-4:15 A.M.

College's about out, and I'm skipping the next semester, so we won't have to worry about the school schedule yet. You should know, since I'm a college student (and what you may assume of a college student), that I have never touched any type of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, etc., and do not plan to do so. I'm trying to live a Godly life and these things only hinder those efforts.

So anyway, that's my schedule. About contact: I communicate through e-mail regularly; I'm always on it. So, ideally, I need someone who "does" accountability by e-mail. However, if I don't answer after 2 or 3 days without explanation, I need somebody who will not hesitate to call me on it via phone and give me an earful. Okay, maybe not an earful unless you think I need it, but call me anyway. I want e-mail help because that's how it will be "in my face" - I'm on the e-mail a few times per hour unless I'm out and about.

This (accountability) is not something my endo will do for me (he's too busy) and I really need this help. I think I need somebody who will ask me what my sugars are, what I did about it (if necessary), what I ate today, etc. I mean, if you think I need different help, let me know, but that's my $0.02.

I would ask my parents or family to help, but mom's too... we have a rocky relationship and the rest of the family is not familiar enough with Diabetes to know what to do or ask.

So, if you're interested, let me know. You can message me on here and we can trade e-mail addresses.

Thanks-
Mike

JediSurfer · #12 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 05:52 AM

If your bg's are high your bodys not absorbing any carbs. you could be craving milk because of its high sugar content. Personally I find myself craving sweet high carb foods and drinks when my BG is high.

mikey38654 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediSurfer

If your bg's are high your bodys not absorbing any carbs. you could be craving milk because of its high sugar content. Personally I find myself craving sweet high carb foods and drinks when my BG is high.

Yeah the BGs are high. I like milk anytime, but I'm usually only craving it when high.

JediSurfer · #14 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 06:04 AM

Test when you get the cravings. Do you have a problem with testing?

mikey38654 · #15 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 06:09 AM

Well my problem is just not doing it in general. I don't even know why - I can't explain it - I just don't actually test all the time. Not even most of the time.

You may have seen my post about wanting an accountability partner - it's to ask me about my blood glucoses to prompt me to keep in check.

I have always kept a whacky schedule too but that's not an excuse, in fact I guess it's a reason to test. I recently have started to realize that I need to just play the game like everyone else and not try to sit out on diabetes care.