Re: Does this sound familiar?

On 25 Sep, 07:46, Helen Back <SiriusC...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Okay -history to date and the reason I probably didnt stand a chance
re: my diabetes diagnosis.

You know my mum's (diabetes, mesenteric arterial thrombosis,
polycythaemia, arthritis of the spine - complex or what!)

My father's side (and predominately predisposed in the men) - hard
time dealing with cholesterol levels (my uncle died at 34 years old
and my cousins were on cholesterol meds forever after that!). This is
going back 30 odd years!! Dad been on low cholesterol diet since, had
heart attack at 55. My Dad's dad (my grandad) had heart attack at 55
and died.

I've been a lean person all my life (yes, I put on a zillion pounds
when pregnant with my boys! but lost it soon after each one).

Had uterine rupture on my second (13 years ago), in labour and lost 8
units of blood at the birth and then another 3 the following morning.
Tranfusions made me lose almost 2 stone in a week - so theres a tip
for anyone wishing to lose weight (only joking!!!!!!!).

For as long as I can remember, I had what I call hypoglycaemic
episodes. I used to think they were panic attacks but as time went
on, I realised if I skip a meal or go too long without food, I'd feel
really weird. Tingly feet, knees and hands. Hands would go blotchy,
like little red dots all over the palms. Even my face would numb up
sometimes. I couldnt eat anything sweet (like a mars bar) because I
think the sudden sugar rush would make me violently sick, so I would
always go for something "savoury" as I used to put it. A sandwich or
meat pasty. Which would alleviate the symptoms.

In the last 5 years I have steadily put more weight on - and this is
the honest part. I have led a rather sedentry life in that time -
whereas before I was always walking long distances to and from work
etc. But a change in partner, home town, and work, I began blubbing
out a bit. Fairly thin arms and legs, but rather large *** (from
sitting on da pc in work and at home) and truncal fat became rather
pronounced. My ex partner always refers to it as a turtle shell (dont
ya just love these men!).

Have always looked and felt healthy (people I know cant believe I am
43, saying I look more like in my 30's - anyone of them can marry me
anytime - lovely people!!) but its really been since say November 2006
when I develoed shingles that I never fully recovered. It was after
that that I felt *ill* - chronic tiredness, nauseuous, lethargic and
even a little depressed - but did put all this down to grief over
losing my mum in the August. And it was simply only down to my eye
test in May this year that I was told there is an anomaly behind the
eye and to go see my doctor for a blood test.

Anyway, since being diagnosed with diabetes and being scared out of my
wits on reading up on the complications if not controlled, plus seeing
the devastating results in my own mum - I have kick started myself
into a healthier lifestyle. Ive lost almost a stone since the change
in diet and my tiredness and ill feelings have gone away.

I do still need motivating on the exercise side of things. Diet seems
to be an easy transistion but my work life tends to tire me out, so I
tend to not want to do much after work, exercise wise. But I have
noticed huge differences in bg when I go for long, very brisk walks in
the evening. ANd I simply have to make more effort on the exercise
front.

If I lose enough weight (body fat), I am hoping the trigs are dealt
with first and then hopefully be taken on the statins. One step at a
time, as they say!

ANyway - I dont think I can be more candid than I have been and I do
hope this gives you pro's an idea of the how's and whys.

Anymore questions?? :P

The moment I was diagnosed - I went surfing the ol' Google and came
across the "mediterranean diet" regime. Purchased a book by Dr. Fedon
Alexander Lindberg called "The Greek Doctor's Diet" and have been
following it on and off. Making the odd adjustments on checking bg's
<--- which you lot taught me to do!! :))))

Basically, its slow carb and promotes incorporating protein (plant or
animal) in with every meal. I think this is aiding my weight loss and
I dont feel tired anymore although my gut thinks my throats been cut
sometimes because Ive been used to piling food on my plate!

Anyone else heard of the med diet as a way of aiding slimming and
keeping blood sugars in control?

.