Thanks for being here

Hi Everybody. I've have lurked for 3 years and have found this group to be
very helpful so I want to add my own experience.
I am using a fake name. I have some of you (those less than civil) in my
filter list so I may not see replies from other than polite people.

I know we are all different. I also know that "I" could be doing better if I
had more self control.
sex: male
age: 56
height: 5-11"
weight: 172 (195 when diagnosed)
waist: 32 (36 when diagnosed)
activity level: office worker- then & now but run & workout at gym regularly
now and took up dancing.

Diagnosed 25Feb03 (self diagnosed from reading about all my medical problems
on the internet - called the doc and ordered blood tests).
glucose: 311
HA1C: 11.3
all other blood indicators= very heathy (i worked construction earlier in
life)
I estimate 5-10 years undiagnosed (based on symptoms and time at desk job).
I still have feeling in all my limbs but there were (are) other major
problems from poor blood circulation.

I spent a couple of months studying diabetes (with lots of help from this
group), figuring out diet & exercise & working out meds ....then kept the
meds mostly the same ever since:
Metformin: 500MG twice a day
Glucotrol XL: (generic:Glipizide ER)5MG once a day

Blood this week:
glucose: 89
HA1C: 5.3 (hasn't changed in 2 years)
Cholesterol:149
Tryglycerides:62
HDL: 73
LDL: 64
chol/hdl ratio:2.04

I am very regular in all my habit. I test my blood regulalry whever I vary
my routine or diet. I don't test at all when nothing is changing.

I was able to bring the blood sugar under control within a month (Ha1c under
6.0) by imediatley trying to adopt a Neanderthal diet (meat & veggies) and a
higher than now level of meds.
It took about a year to learn eating & exercise self-control. I lowered my
meds as I learned self control (I started gaining weight from eating to ward
off hypoglycemia).

What I eat:
Meat- all I want- all types (I like spam- isn't that awful?)
Fish
Eggs
Veggies- lots of low glycemic veggies (I'm addicted to no sugar coleslaw)
Nuts- (almonds only for between meal snacks - the others make me gain
weight)
fruit (only certain ones (&)or very small quantities at a time)
cheese
yogurt (plain - with lots of cinammon added).
I don't count calories, but I weigh myself every morning and I will
imediately gain 1-2 pounds of water weight if I eat too many calories the
day(s) before.

What I don't eat:
flour based products (wheat or corn)
milk based products except yogurt & cheese
any kind of sugar (sucrose, fructose, honey, etc.)
rice
potatoes

I try not to eat anyting thats high on the Glycemic Index except under
highly controlled circumstances.
I eat small portions at regular intervals.

I drink socially & very moderately. If I drink too much I WILL go
hypoglycemic. I am very careful about this and I strongly suggest that
drinking while on these meds is a very dangerous practice. However, I find
that I can eat pizza if I drink beer with it ...one piece only and one very
high alcohol beer spikes to115 or so. I eat some "sin" food (sin food =
high glycemic index) a few times a week. I buffer the spike from "sin" foods
with wine or whiskey and it work pretty well. Once again, I strongly warn
against doing this casually- you might not see the sun rise if you screw up.
I Tested long and often to work out the quantities when doing this. And I
test regularly when doing it. I also keep glucose tablets handy - just in
case of hypoglycemia.

I think that I could get off meds completely if a didn't have to sit at a
desk all day. I would just stay active all day and eat small quantities of
low glycemic foods every couple of hours.
However, the more highly controlled my blood sugar, the more I'd worry about
hypoglycemia (especially when driving).

OK, thats probably more that I should have said. It was a cathartic
rambling.

I don't claim to have any answers or recommend anything to anyone. I know I
still have lots to learn and wish I worked harder at it. This is just my
experience so far.
Thanks again to all you helpful people.









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