[nomorediabetes]

Hi everyone. I have to say I'm very impressed with the knowledge of most forum members.

When I was diagnosed with type 2 it brought me to a place where I have chosen to take control my health, and it is exciting to me when others such as yourselves do the same.

After reading through some of the posts here as a new member, I noticed that there are people here who have better BGL and a1c levels than I do. Considering I don't use any medications I was curious to know if there is anybody else here who doesn't use meds either.

Thanks,
Wishing us all good health

 

[jaynetype2]

Hi
I am new here and, so far, impressed!
I have type 2 diabetes and I have been controlling it with diet and exercise since July of 2007. I am interested in learning more about this disease and what progress researchers have made to date.

 

[Shanny]

Welcome Jayne!

 

[Shanny]

We all just do what it takes to maintain the best levels we can. It isn't a contest to see who's the most stalwart to do it without meds. We consult with out medical teams and try different methods to see what works best - what regimen we can maintain without driving ourselves crazy.

For me, 1500mg metformin and 50-60 grams of carbs per day gets me where I want to be for the time being. If my numbers begin to creep upward, I'll discuss with my doc about moving on to insulin. My doc already thinks I eat too low-carb, but that's his problem - not mine!

 

[nomorediabetes]

We all just do what it takes to maintain the best levels we can. It isn't a contest to see who's the most stalwart to do it without meds. We consult with out medical teams and try different methods to see what works best - what regimen we can maintain without driving ourselves crazy.

For me, 1500mg metformin and 50-60 grams of carbs per day gets me where I want to be for the time being. If my numbers begin to creep upward, I'll discuss with my doc about moving on to insulin. My doc already thinks I eat too low-carb, but that's his problem - not mine!

Good for you Shanny. I particularly like your last statement where it shows clearly that you know what works best for you, and you're going to continue to do it (with all due respect to your doctor).

That's what I call taking charge of your health. That's really what it's all about. Isn't it? No one else can do that for us.

I consider myself fortunate that I was able to come off metformin after the first two months of diagnosis by eliminating as much carbs as I could. As a result I lost 35 pounds. Diet modification, nutrition, and supplementation has worked well for me since then, but I realize not everyone has been that fortunate.

The unfortunate thing to me is that so many instances of diabetes type 2 could be avoided by providing our bodies with healthy fuel.

I honestly think there should be more emphases placed on prevention. Unfortunately most of us (like myself) have to experience a "wake up call"

 

[Shanny]

You are correct in that, by adopting and maintaining more healthful lifestyles, many people could possibly postpone the onset of diabetes and avoid complications almost altogether. But we need to be clear that this is not our own fault - we did not "eat" our way into this - we did not bring it on ourselves. There are a multitude of mitigating factors involved in each case, and there are way too many obese/sedentary people who DON'T have diabetes for anyone to make the claim that type 2 is wholly a lifestyle disorder.

I think many more people are becoming educated about this, and I know there are many people on this board who have managed their diabetes for most of their lives and they know whereof they speak. There is far too much yet unknown about this condition for any of us to be making sweeping statements about what works. It's different for each one of us, and the education that each person needs most is that they should eat to their meters and take responsibility for their own diabetes, without expecting their doctor or anyone else to give the orders.

It's as simple as eating a meal, testing an hour/two hours later, and if your level is too high, start weeding out which foods are causing the spike. As far as supplements are concerned, they need much better regulation before we start suggesting that they are an across-the-board option here.