Becoming Undiabetic

[em2nought]

she just puts the dogs outside every twenty minutes without even knowing that she just did it twenty minutes ago. The exercise has been good for her at least.

i'm sure the dogs appreciate it

Yes, but the electric bill isn't a fan.

[Isgrimnur]

Since the news for sugar substitutes seems to be getting worse, I’m switching to iced tea. And I’m trying this whole “eat less” thing

[em2nought]

Since the news for sugar substitutes seems to be getting worse, I’m switching to iced tea. And I’m trying this whole “eat less” thing

So which sugar substitutes are we talking about?

[Isgrimnur]

Extremetech

The immunologists’ and microbiologists’ study, published this month in the journal Cell, doesn’t quite answer that question—but it does get close. The team divided 120 study participants (who did not regularly consume NNS) into six groups. For two weeks, each of the four groups was tasked with consuming a different NNS on a daily basis: stevia, sucralose (Splenda), saccharin (Sweet ‘N Low), and aspartame. Another group consumed only the filler material associated with NNS, as conventional NNS brands typically add extra material to bulk up the tiny bits of actual sweetener contained in each packet. The last group acted as a control group, consuming no NNS at all.

Participants logged all food and drink intake during the study period. They also took oral glucose tolerance tests and provided oral and stool samples, which allowed the researchers to analyze their gut microbiomes. Blood glucose responses were steeper in participants who’d consumed saccharin or sucralose; those who had consumed the former also had increased levels of an amino acid isoleucine, which is typically associated with poor metabolic health. Participants from all four NNS groups experienced changes related to gut bacteria, which have an impact on the body’s ability to exercise glycemic control.

Throughout their paper, the researchers suggest that a body’s reaction to NNS is highly “personalized,” relying heavily on the person’s physiology, diet, and other factors. More research is required to determine whether NNS are “better” or “worse” for humans than traditional sweeteners like cane sugar, and those results are unlikely to apply to those with metabolic disorders like diabetes. Still, the study proves that low-calorie sweeteners aren’t as passive as previously thought.

[em2nought]

Extremetech

So maybe Monk Fruit it is then?

[Isgrimnur]

Food Insight

The impact of monk fruit sweetener consumption has not been studied in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Some observational studies have demonstrated an association between low-calorie sweetener consumption and risk for Type 2 diabetes; however, because none of the studies included monk fruit sweeteners, no evidence of an association between the reported consumption of monk fruit sweeteners and Type 2 diabetes has been described in the published literature.

[Jeff V]

Monk fish, on the other hand, are surprising good for diabetics.

[Isgrimnur]

	08/12 |	02/10
Weight-	255.8	243.4
A1C-	9.4	8.2
Triglyceride-	294	194
Glucose-	298	169

[Isgrimnur]

Liver enzymes, cholesterol, and triglycerides have improved significantly. We will keep cholesterol dose the same
Sugars have improved but not quite to the level we would like them. Keep on with your lifestyle changes but I would like to add metformin to your regimen and check back in 3 months to see how you respond to this with your lifestyle.

[Jeff V]

Your numbers are trending well, but I'm surprised he didn't put you on metformin earlier.

[Isgrimnur]

Glucose to 120
A1C to 6.9
Triglycerides to 265

[Kasey Chang]

I am not at that stage yet, but getting this new CPAP AND starting this new job MAY have helped me lost about 7-8 pounds in the past couple weeks.I know I was at over 290 last time I went to the docs. I was so rattled I bought another scale as I can't find my old one. At the beginning of July I was somewhere around 288 and 290. Now I'm somewhere between 280 and 281.

[Isgrimnur]

- Sugars have improved with the medication and your modifications and are now at goal at less than 7% on the hemoglobin A1C. We will continue your medication the same and see you back in 6 months for recheck
- One liver enzymes is elevated slightly, which can occur for many reasons but it typically resolves on its own. Please limit tylenol and alcohol use as well as get plenty of cardiovascular exercise. We will recheck these at your next follow up.
- Your triglycerides, a different form of fat in the blood than cholesterol, were high. These can increase risk of heart disease and if very high, developing pancreatitis. They are controlled by what is in your diet. Please limit starches including potatoes, breads, pastas, and rice. Limiting animal fats and alcohol consumption may also decrease this number.

[Jaymon]

I'm hovering right at the edge between pre-diabetic and diabetic. And I think the numbers this quarter are going to put me over the edge. Been having severe difficulty staying on track. :sadface:

[Kraken]

Before we rented an Airbnb last week, Wife told the host it was for our 40th anniversary. We walked in to find a big "Happy Anniversary" banner, under which was a little table with a bottle of champagne, two champagne flutes, four large elaborately frosted cupcakes, and some balloons. Wife tried to eat one of the cupcakes but it was so sweet it made her teeth hurt, so she only managed a couple of bites. I can only do sugar in small doses, preferably with a meal, or I get all squirrelly and need a nap. Dr. Google suggests that I might be hypoglycemic. But it only affects me if I eat a sugar bomb, so I just never do that.

We were sorry to let the obviously expensive cakes go to waste. It was a touching welcome and we wanted to show appreciation. We did drink half of the champagne, even though neither of us like it very much. It, too, was sweet, so I only had one ceremonial sip.

[Jeff V]

Some friends of mine were just on the east coast and brought us...a box of cupcakes. If they are even 1% as sweet as they look, it's diabetic coma time. Wife and I haven't touched them, I don't think the kids have either.

[Zenn7]

I've been pre-diabetic A1C range for about 3 years, then last year, I finally went over. Think I was 7. Doc wanted me to try metformin. I said give me a chance, I can get it down with diet/exercise (because I knew I had been eating particularly bad for the few months before). Got to 5.3 or something like that (below pre-diabetic) in 3 months. 3 months later, back into the low range of pre-diabetic.

In the same appointment as the diabetic, my blood pressure was high enough she wanted to start meds for that. Said same thing about giving me some time. 3 months later, had it down to a borderline but acceptable number and 3 months later, checking it every Saturday morning, managed to keep it low for the most part (one spike).

In general, just watching carbs (sweets in particular, pretty sure i have like 32 sweet teeth), and trying to exercise/lose weight. Switched more can goods to no-salt added/lightly salted, only use real salt (low sodium, we've only used that for years anyway) on a few things, using Mrs. Dash (no salt seasonings) on everything else.

That was easier before.

Last several months have involved massive stress/issues (Father-in-law hospitalized, needs to go to a home, had a rush trip to WI for that, training new person at work to replace the person who quit (this is 3rd person in that position since late 2020), mom went into hospital and very nearly died - more out of town trips for that, kid went into hospital/php (twice, with a couple ER visits as well - mental health, not drugs/addiction), another teammate is retiring soon - hoping to heck we find a suitable replacement, we did, working on training him). Doing the best I can. Probably OK diabetes wise (still pre-diabetic I'm guessing, but not full on diabetic), not quite as well on blood pressure. Put on 5-10 lbs, not putting more on, but not taking any off either. Lots of out to eat (not usually making good choices then), screwed up schedule/overtime for work making regular exercise far less regular and some stress eating.

But i never stop, exercise whenever I can, keep focusing/remembering not to go overboard on carbs. The salt isn't really an issue by itself, only a few things I use it for and don't eat those things very often. More an issue for out to eat (too often)/at other peoples houses for dinner (this is rare enough I don't worry about it).

[GreenGoo]

Carbs are incredibly hard to let go of, and I'm annoyed to find I also have a sweet tooth that hits me late at night.

I'm still pre-, but it's a battle.

[rittchard]

I've been Type II for about 10 years now, been on a number of different meds that seem to keep things under control for the most part. I often feel like I'm just being lazy in terms of not changing my diet and exercising more, but that's another topic.

One thing I thought I'd mention is I've occasionally been using the Freestyle Libre system for glucose measurements and I was really impressed with it overall. Basically you stick a sensor (it does have a small needle prick) onto your arm and you can take manual scans whenever you feel like. Unfortunately for me it kind of gets in my head some times when I'm trying to sleep, and I don't end up wearing it as long as it's intended, but I really like having the data for reference, and not having to do finger pricks is just such a game changer. I'm still hoping Apple or someone will get a completely non-invasive sensor built into their watch or whatever, that would be wonderful.

[Punisher]

I've been Type II for about 10 years now, been on a number of different meds that seem to keep things under control for the most part. I often feel like I'm just being lazy in terms of not changing my diet and exercising more, but that's another topic.

One thing I thought I'd mention is I've occasionally been using the Freestyle Libre system for glucose measurements and I was really impressed with it overall. Basically you stick a sensor (it does have a small needle prick) onto your arm and you can take manual scans whenever you feel like. Unfortunately for me it kind of gets in my head some times when I'm trying to sleep, and I don't end up wearing it as long as it's intended, but I really like having the data for reference, and not having to do finger pricks is just such a game changer. I'm still hoping Apple or someone will get a completely non-invasive sensor built into their watch or whatever, that would be wonderful.

I just picked up one of those about 1 week or so ago.
The first one alerted me it was expired the day after I inserted ot instead of lasting 2 weeks.
2nd one is still going with about 4 days left.
I ended up returning them all. While it's more convenient than finger pricks, it's not what my doctor or me wanted. I'm in the process of upgrading to the Libre 3 which sends out teports every minute without me checking. This way it can alert me if I'm going up or down too much.
Unfortunately this requires more authorization so I'm waiting for that to finish.
The needle does seem bigger than the finger one bit I didn't feel it at all.
No issues sleeping or bathing so far.

[gbasden]

I've been Type II for about 10 years now, been on a number of different meds that seem to keep things under control for the most part. I often feel like I'm just being lazy in terms of not changing my diet and exercising more, but that's another topic.

One thing I thought I'd mention is I've occasionally been using the Freestyle Libre system for glucose measurements and I was really impressed with it overall. Basically you stick a sensor (it does have a small needle prick) onto your arm and you can take manual scans whenever you feel like. Unfortunately for me it kind of gets in my head some times when I'm trying to sleep, and I don't end up wearing it as long as it's intended, but I really like having the data for reference, and not having to do finger pricks is just such a game changer. I'm still hoping Apple or someone will get a completely non-invasive sensor built into their watch or whatever, that would be wonderful.

I just picked up one of those about 1 week or so ago.
The first one alerted me it was expired the day after I inserted ot instead of lasting 2 weeks.
2nd one is still going with about 4 days left.
I ended up returning them all. While it's more convenient than finger pricks, it's not what my doctor or me wanted. I'm in the process of upgrading to the Libre 3 which sends out teports every minute without me checking. This way it can alert me if I'm going up or down too much.
Unfortunately this requires more authorization so I'm waiting for that to finish.
The needle does seem bigger than the finger one bit I didn't feel it at all.
No issues sleeping or bathing so far.

My insurance is only covering the Libre 2, but I've had really good luck with it so far. I've only had one sensor that didn't initialize, and Abbott replaced it for free. I'm interested in hearing about the Libre 3, though!

[Isgrimnur]

After over a month of back and forth with my doc and the new pharmacy insurance, I get to start Rybelsus today.

[Kasey Chang]

My A1C is hovering over 7, between 7.2 and 7.5. I did lose 100 pounds since last year, so I guess next is starting to exercise some more...

[Punisher]

I've been Type II for about 10 years now, been on a number of different meds that seem to keep things under control for the most part. I often feel like I'm just being lazy in terms of not changing my diet and exercising more, but that's another topic.

One thing I thought I'd mention is I've occasionally been using the Freestyle Libre system for glucose measurements and I was really impressed with it overall. Basically you stick a sensor (it does have a small needle prick) onto your arm and you can take manual scans whenever you feel like. Unfortunately for me it kind of gets in my head some times when I'm trying to sleep, and I don't end up wearing it as long as it's intended, but I really like having the data for reference, and not having to do finger pricks is just such a game changer. I'm still hoping Apple or someone will get a completely non-invasive sensor built into their watch or whatever, that would be wonderful.

I just picked up one of those about 1 week or so ago.
The first one alerted me it was expired the day after I inserted ot instead of lasting 2 weeks.
2nd one is still going with about 4 days left.
I ended up returning them all. While it's more convenient than finger pricks, it's not what my doctor or me wanted. I'm in the process of upgrading to the Libre 3 which sends out teports every minute without me checking. This way it can alert me if I'm going up or down too much.
Unfortunately this requires more authorization so I'm waiting for that to finish.
The needle does seem bigger than the finger one bit I didn't feel it at all.
No issues sleeping or bathing so far.

My insurance is only covering the Libre 2, but I've had really good luck with it so far. I've only had one sensor that didn't initialize, and Abbott replaced it for free. I'm interested in hearing about the Libre 3, though!

Been using the 3 for a while now. It's great that it is all automatic. The only bad thing is that there is an alarm for super low blood sugar, around 55 or lower, that you can not disable. It tends to go off in the middle of the night.
My sugar has been doing weird things.
Example.
Thanksgiving. I had a decent plate of food including Mac and cheese and 3 slices of apple pie. The low alarm STILL went off. I have been only taking 1 pill each morning for the most part. Insulin only if the sugar doesn't go down within a full day. No insulin that night.

Also they apparently discontinued the 3 and changed to a 3 plus. No idea what the difference is.
Still this is sooo much more convenient then pricks..

[dbt1949]

I finally got my blood sugar under control and they took me off all my medicines.

[Kasey Chang]

Also they apparently discontinued the 3 and changed to a 3 plus. No idea what the difference is.

3 plus has an extra day of battery (15 vs 14 days), indicated for kid as young as 2 (3 is only rated for 4 year old and up), and 3 plus will work with AID (automatic insulin delivery) system, but not the regular 3.

[gilraen]

I finally got my blood sugar under control and they took me off all my medicines.

That's great!

[Punisher]

Also they apparently discontinued the 3 and changed to a 3 plus. No idea what the difference is.

3 plus has an extra day of battery (15 vs 14 days), indicated for kid as young as 2 (3 is only rated for 4 year old and up), and 3 plus will work with AID (automatic insulin delivery) system, but not the regular 3.

Thanks!