Going off the meds

CountYourselfIn · #1 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 09:57 AM

Has anyone... come back from the brink and ditched the insulin, met, etc... ?

As I'm getting better control of my BG levels, I'm taking progressively less and less insulin, and finding more natural ways to cure what ails.

I'm really hoping to get off the shots without something crazy, IE gastric bypass / coin purse stomach. I'd rather take shots the rest of my life than something like that.

Also... (christ this is embarassing)...

Come home from work late last night, so unbelievably tired... just quit smoking... not in a good mood.

Eat a 320g bag of Lays, crash. No insulin, but I did take the nightly pills - 1g met, couple garlic capsules, 200mcg chromium.

Wake up 5hrs later, my BG is at 5.8.

It should've been at least 10 points higher... all things considered.

I'm thinking Humulin must have a super delayed reaction... or the chrome/met combo is just that effective.

Handybear · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 10:04 AM

Good going on reducing you medication.
I was able to get off all my meds by following low carb. I have been off for over 6 months now and A1C is 5.7. Good luck.

Barberian · #3 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 10:30 AM

My brother a T2, who had #'s up into the 700's when he was at his worst, has gotten off diabetes meds all together. He was close to 300 lbs at his heaviest, now he's just skin and bones. He was on insulin and orals. He lost the weight because of his heart. He has a bum ticker and is pretty much unable to do anything but get up and watch tv all day. Don't know what his diet is, we stopped talking last year.

CaptainMike · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 05:59 PM

I was diagnosed around 2 years ago with a double digit A1c and put on Actos and Metformin. I have been off all meds for about 10 months. I eat very low carb and exercise about 10 hours per week. My last 3 A1c's have been under 6.0. So yes it is certainly possible but as always YMMV.

Caravaggio · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 02:49 AM

I haven't gotten off meds yet, but that's my goal. Whether or not I'll ever reach that goal remains to be seen, but I'll continue working towards it.

Kanga · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 02:57 AM

Good for you, that is also my goal.

matingara · #7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountYourselfIn

Has anyone... come back from the brink and ditched the insulin, met, etc... ?

this is a tough question and the answer is different for everyone...

insulin is not a medication. it is a natural hormone. i am using it to augment my pancreas. maybe if i preserve enough beta cells my pancreas will make a comeback or there will be a way that modern medicine can assist it to make a comeback.

because it is not medicine i have no desire to "ditch it" at this stage.

the other "medicines" are not right for me - so avoid them - these include glucophage, sulfonylureas etc.

insulin therapy allows me to do this.

my goal for the moment is to keep my BGLs under good control. that is my only goal.

i do not want to ditch any "natural" thing that may be helping me or may help me to take advantage of a curative therapy in the future.

getting "off meds" for the sake of getting "off meds" is, in my opinion, not a goal i would set in and of itself.

-- Joel.

Tilly · #8 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 03:19 PM

Hello,
I'm a new person to this forum. This is a response to Countyourselfin. I am type 2. About two years ago I was off of all my insulin after having taken it for about 1 year (I think). I am now back on two types of insulin as well as Simalin and have quite a bit of neuropathy. A1C is double digits.

The difference? My car had broken down and I walked or took the bus everywhere. Lost 50 pounds. Rah Rah. However, got a job and a car, put 30 pounds back on and here I am. I again have lost some weight, but the insulin is still here. I hope I can get on track again. I still have hope to get off of my insulin.

CountYourselfIn · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tilly

Hello,
I'm a new person to this forum. This is a response to Countyourselfin. I am type 2. About two years ago I was off of all my insulin after having taken it for about 1 year (I think). I am now back on two types of insulin as well as Simalin and have quite a bit of neuropathy. A1C is double digits.

The difference? My car had broken down and I walked or took the bus everywhere. Lost 50 pounds. Rah Rah. However, got a job and a car, put 30 pounds back on and here I am. I again have lost some weight, but the insulin is still here. I hope I can get on track again. I still have hope to get off of my insulin.

How'd your A1C get back up?

Were you dieting or being thoughtful and careful about what you ate when you were off the shots?

Were you on any oral meds during this time?

I'm curious. = ) Thank you for sharing.