[CattieCannSlugg]

Hi! I don't post things on many sites but I have been having trouble controlling my glucose levels. I came across this site and everyone seems so supportive and nice, so I thought this couldn't hurt. Let me introduce myself. I've been a diabetic for 14+ years and have never had real control over this disease. I actually took it as a joke when I was first diagnosed. I was a kid and young and didn't realize how serious this disease really is. I now work extremly close with an endocrinologist, a nutritionist, a chronic disease manager (or diabetes educator), a therapist, and many other medical professionals to control or help control my diabetes. The one problem I have had in the past (and still do) is giving myself insulin at mealtimes. I either forget or get too lazy. I'm also afraid that I'm going to bottom out. The hypoglycemia I suffer is absolutely terrible. When I correct those lows I always overcorrect, so my numbers swing super high. Then it is a catch up game the rest of the day. I currently take Humalog, with meals and for correcting. I also take U-500 (Humalin) insulin three times a day. I take no other diabetes medications. I test about six to eight times a day to gain better control of my diabetes. I have a horrible diet, I drink regular soda, which I'm trying to cut out of my everyday diet. I eat chips and junk food. I do love cooking however and do so whenever I can. But I do not follow a diabetic diet or make very good food choices. I do eat lower carb foods and lower fat foods and try to incorporate these into the meals I make. I do have a problem with making food in my house - my partner is not a diabetic and is a picky eater. A lot of my food decisions are based on what is brought home from the store and the meals we try to plan for the next few days. I try to accommodate the different tastes instead of my needs. I don't mind but my diabetes is suffering because of that decision. So my goals are to get better control of my diabetes and to eat better and lose some weight. Does anyone have any advice for any of these topics, particularly remembering insulin at mealtimes, tricking the picky eater and cooking better? Thank you!

 

[breezeonby]

Hi! I don't post things on many sites but I have been having trouble controlling my glucose levels. I came across this site and everyone seems so supportive and nice, so I thought this couldn't hurt. Let me introduce myself. I've been a diabetic for 14+ years and have never had real control over this disease. I actually took it as a joke when I was first diagnosed. I was a kid and young and didn't realize how serious this disease really is. I now work extremly close with an endocrinologist, a nutritionist, a chronic disease manager (or diabetes educator), a therapist, and many other medical professionals to control or help control my diabetes. The one problem I have had in the past (and still do) is giving myself insulin at mealtimes. I either forget or get too lazy. I'm also afraid that I'm going to bottom out. The hypoglycemia I suffer is absolutely terrible. When I correct those lows I always overcorrect, so my numbers swing super high. Then it is a catch up game the rest of the day. I currently take Humalog, with meals and for correcting. I also take U-500 (Humalin) insulin three times a day. I take no other diabetes medications. I test about six to eight times a day to gain better control of my diabetes. I have a horrible diet, I drink regular soda, which I'm trying to cut out of my everyday diet. I eat chips and junk food. I do love cooking however and do so whenever I can. But I do not follow a diabetic diet or make very good food choices. I do eat lower carb foods and lower fat foods and try to incorporate these into the meals I make. I do have a problem with making food in my house - my partner is not a diabetic and is a picky eater. A lot of my food decisions are based on what is brought home from the store and the meals we try to plan for the next few days. I try to accommodate the different tastes instead of my needs. I don't mind but my diabetes is suffering because of that decision. So my goals are to get better control of my diabetes and to eat better and lose some weight. Does anyone have any advice for any of these topics, particularly remembering insulin at mealtimes, tricking the picky eater and cooking better? Thank you!

Hello and :welcome:! Come on in and sit down and get comfortable :couch2:. I am glad that you decided to join, it does sound like you need some help and hopefully we can give you some ideas and suggestions. First of all, GET RID OF THE REGULAR SODA! You are probably taking a ton of insulin just to cover that and it can keep your blood sugars high for hours. I do keep regular soda on hand for hypos. But I had to part friends with Pepsi years ago. As far as your partner being a picky eater, try and make some type of meat at meal times and then you can fix the rest of your meal and your partner can eat what they want. Can you get your partner on board with proteins such as meats, cheeses & eggs? How about sour cream, mayo and butter and those type of foods? Those will not spike your blood sugar. About not taking your insulin at mealtimes? If you are afraid of going hypo, take your insulin AFTER you eat. If your insulin to carb ratio is correct then you shouldn't have issues. If you are taking a large amounts of insulin, start eating more meals and splitting your doses of insulin, the less insulin, the less likely you are to getting a hypo. I just started using almond flour, it is low in carbs and it is tasty. Start looking around for some ways to incorporate almond flour into your recipes. Check out out diet section and you will find a few recipes using almond flour. I hope that you have time to visit often and take care.

 

[Shanny]

Hello and welcome, Cat. This is something you must face squarely and deal with or else the complications are going to start catching up with you. Controlling your diabetes needs to become your #1 priority, and if your picky eater cares about spending your old age together, then getting on board with this better become a priority for them too. I think you know what needs to be done, and you need a big infusion of courage to overcome the denial.

Please take it seriously - your life depends on it. Knock off the carb-filled diet (and as Breeze says, scrap the regular soda NOW!) - that will greatly diminish your insulin requirement, which will greatly diminish your risk of hypos.

 

[Guest]

Welcome Cat glad you decided to share your story with us. I don't think any of us like the idea of having diabetes either, but the fact is we do and we have to deal with it the best we can. I agree with others in that you should start closely watching your diet and get rid of the soda... on average a can has 13 teaspoons of sugar (well is does here... not sure about USA?)... that's a lot of sugar to bump up your BGLs and also spike your BGLs quick and then you get the sudden drop... so you'd have major swinging of your BGLs no doubt. My views on stuff are slightly different to the US people on this site and maybe that's because I'm in a different country here.... but for me I stick to low fat and lean proteins, non starchy vegies, and low GI carbs (not your refined carbs such as white flour, white bread, most white rices, etc.) So when eating carbs look for wholegrain foods and good fruit and vegies. It sounds like you have a good medical team and more than likely they've been giving you good advice on what to do.... it's just a case of doing it. Check what foods work best for you by using your glucometer. I hear you because I sometimes have been there too with not being diligent enough in the past. But it's also about trial and error and learning to keep moving forward and do the best you know how rather than feeling like a failure... keep the attitude right basically. In regards to quick acting insulin with meals... my endo has advised me that if you forget to take it right on having the meal, it must be taken within half an hour after eating it... I hope that helps you. With meals... I guess work out what the healthy options are that your partner will eat and incorporate those as much as you can. The suggestion made already about picking a meat you both agree to eat is a good idea as then you can cook your own vegies, etc... and serve your partner whatever they want to eat. Hopefully though your partner would want to eat healthy too for their own wellbeing, not just yours.

 

[CattieCannSlugg]

Breeze - I would like to thank you for your warm welcome. I'm not use to talking about my diabetes in public. I usually, and mostly, talk about it with my doctors and therapist. My therapist think I should be more public about this. For me, this is a big step. I haven't had much regular soda in the past week. I think all total I've had about 8 ounces. This is huge for me. I like the suggestion you made about mealtime. I'll have to talk with my better half about that. Not being very good in the kitchen might hinder progress, but if we can work something out that would be awesome! My partner will eat chicken and ground turkey, which I make into a rockin' turkey meatloaf. It comes out really great! We don't eat much red meat unless I'm making beef stew - then there's plenty of beef. I eat eggs but she doesn't. In the past, my doctor had me taking my mealtime insulin after I ate but that didn't work out. I'm working extremely hard on remembering to take my insulin before meals. I'm not the best at counting carbs but I get it close. The almond flour sounds great but my partner is allergic to nuts and tree nuts, so we don't keep stuff like that in the house. I've been trying to use whole wheat flour but she isn't into that. But I'm pushing along to find things she likes. I think I just need to sit down with her and have a serious talk with her. I haven't been a diabetic my whole life and I think we are both stuck on that fact. Thank you for the advice and hearty welcome. I plan on visiting often and being involved as much as I can. I like this site and feel comfortable. Thank you!!

Shanny - Thank you for that eye opener. It's funny how it takes a stranger to point out the most important things. I've been trying to make it my number one priority. I went into DKA in 2006 and that scared me enough to test more often. I never want to go through that again! I'm meeting with my nutritionist at the beginning of March. I'm going to make the best of that appointment. Get ideas and help with meal planning. Maybe figure out a way to talk to my partner. I have to take this seriously and I think she does too. I've only done a partial job taking care of myself. Thank you Shanny for this eye opener.

Onlymep - I was once shown how much sugar was in a can of coke. The person who showed me was on a diet and knew I was a diabetic. She brought in a ziploc baggie filled with a little over a fourth of the way with white sugar. I was shocked! I've been thinking about that demonstration the past couple of days. It's quite disturbing. I'm trying to learn more on the Glycemic Index. We don't use that much here or at least I've never been taught it or heard other diabetic friends talk about it. I've been going to a site that has a very extensive list on GI foods. It's very interesting. This is all a work in progress and I want to thank you for your advice. It have been very helpful and useful.

You all have given me things to think about. Please if you have more suggestions I'd love to hear them.

 

[Adjitater]

I don't understand why your Drs have you taking Humalin U-500 instead of taking lantus or levimer

 

[CattieCannSlugg]

I've been on both Levimer and Lantus. I was taking a whole lot of units of both insulins that they had to put me on the more concentrated insulin. Your body can only absorb so much and because I was injecting over 70 units of insulin twice daily they made the switch.

 

[onaughmae]

Hello Cattie and welcome!

Well..I am not going to tell you to stop drinking sugared soda and curb your carbs..you already know that. It is just something you have to do. Honestly, the more insulin you have to take, the more weight you are going to gain. I find that when my insulin usage is higher...I start gaining weight. There are tons of really good lower carb recipes and web sites around for ideas. This forum has a recipe section with tons of good ideas. Dont worry so much about the fat...its the carbs that matters most.

The sodas...diet sodas have improved so much over the last few years, do try some again. I cant live without my caffiene! My favorite...Pepsi Max by far..omg...so yummy! It doesn't have that off taste that diet coke has. I probably drink way too much of it!

Your insulin...I know what an aggravation it is to have to take insulin everytime you eat, but you have to do what you have to do. Whenever my hubby sits down to have a meal, or a snack his nice healthy pancreas simply covers that mouthful of whatever with insulin...our bodies dont do that. When we eat something we have to do artificially what others do naturally. Just a fact of life and there is no avoiding it. One thing that has made life so much easier...a pump! I highly recommend it and if you are in a position at all to obtain one I would certainly check into it. It sure makes management easier and I have been in the best control of my life since I started using one.

Glad you joined us and looking forward to getting to know you!

 

[ThoseBackPages]

i gather from what you've said so far that you are an adult.

that being said, i cannot understand how ANY adult (not pointing you out here, just speaking in general) cannot control what they decide to put in THEIR OWN mouth.

you know what you should and should not eat. its pretty damn simple to me.

maybe i am just getting bitter as i approach 40 years of age.

 

[Guest]

further Cat... I just heard that some research was done on diet soda. Basically don't drink it every day... only drink it in moderation as they reckon it is linked to causing strokes, etc. I'm not sure if you're aware also that a lot of the 'sweetners' on the market are derived from frutose or fructans which is also a sugar... and that would explain why some diabetics say they find it does affect their BGLs. Any sweetner in particular ending with 'OL' is form of fructose.
Here is the article on it: Diet soft drinks tied to increases stroke, heart attack risk - Lifestyle - Style - Wellbeing - The Advocate

 

[onaughmae]

i gather from what you've said so far that you are an adult.

that being said, i cannot understand how ANY adult (not pointing you out here, just speaking in general) cannot control what they decide to put in THEIR OWN mouth.

you know what you should and should not eat. its pretty damn simple to me.

maybe i am just getting bitter as i approach 40 years of age.

Been there, done that...I had a mental breakdown when I turned 40! Control is an ongoing battle for me. I have finally come to a happy place where I allow myself a small treat sometimes because I find it keeps me from binging later. Guess we all have to find what works for us. I have pretty good control most of the time...but I have to admit I simply could not turn away that cute little Girl Scout that came to my door selling cookies today! The only difference is that now I can have a couple of cookies (with an appropriate insulin coverage) and be happy instead of eating the whole box!

 

[CattieCannSlugg]

onaughmae - Thank you for your imput. I know all about insulin and weight gain. Boy, do I! I found out the hard way, without anyone telling me. That's a long story for another time. I've checked out the recipe section already. I've found some recipes that sound interesting and that I'm going to try. About the diet soda - because I suffer from migraines I cannot drink any of them. Trust me if I could switch to diet soda I would. Because I test so erratic and don't cover most meals (which is improving immensely), my doctor won't put me on a pump. She's nervous that I'll end up in the hospital again. Thank you, Pam. I'm glad I joined too. It's interesting and weird for me to be talking so openly about my diabetes. And having people respond so kindly. It's almost like a release.

ThoseBackPages - I am an adult. You are absolutely right on that account. It is hard to buy food when you have to depend on other for half, or more than half, the money to pay for the cost of eating. Being on a fixed income stinks and one is budgeted down to the penny. From this point forward it is a work in progress. I do want to thank you for your honesty. You are right about what I should and shouldn't eat. But onaughmae is right about control. It is a battle and struggle. I have to learn to find that happy medium. And I also have to learn control. Treats every once in a while is wonderful. That's what makes them treats. ThoseBackPages - You're not bitter. You're right for the most part. Thanks.

Onlymep - If you read above, I can't drink diet soda. It causes me to have migraines. Thanks for the article. Very interesting read.

 

[Charlie butler]

I was in the same boat!

Hi! I don't post things on many sites but I have been having trouble controlling my glucose levels. I came across this site and everyone seems so supportive and nice, so I thought this couldn't hurt. Let me introduce myself. I've been a diabetic for 14+ years and have never had real control over this disease. I actually took it as a joke when I was first diagnosed. I was a kid and young and didn't realize how serious this disease really is. I now work extremly close with an endocrinologist, a nutritionist, a chronic disease manager (or diabetes educator), a therapist, and many other medical professionals to control or help control my diabetes. The one problem I have had in the past (and still do) is giving myself insulin at mealtimes. I either forget or get too lazy. I'm also afraid that I'm going to bottom out. The hypoglycemia I suffer is absolutely terrible. When I correct those lows I always overcorrect, so my numbers swing super high. Then it is a catch up game the rest of the day. I currently take Humalog, with meals and for correcting. I also take U-500 (Humalin) insulin three times a day. I take no other diabetes medications. I test about six to eight times a day to gain better control of my diabetes. I have a horrible diet, I drink regular soda, which I'm trying to cut out of my everyday diet. I eat chips and junk food. I do love cooking however and do so whenever I can. But I do not follow a diabetic diet or make very good food choices. I do eat lower carb foods and lower fat foods and try to incorporate these into the meals I make. I do have a problem with making food in my house - my partner is not a diabetic and is a picky eater. A lot of my food decisions are based on what is brought home from the store and the meals we try to plan for the next few days. I try to accommodate the different tastes instead of my needs. I don't mind but my diabetes is suffering because of that decision. So my goals are to get better control of my diabetes and to eat better and lose some weight. Does anyone have any advice for any of these topics, particularly remembering insulin at mealtimes, tricking the picky eater and cooking better? Thank you!

Charlie: I just joined this site so I'm not sure I am replying in the right place but you sound like me after 10 or 15 years of having the disease. I was diagnosed at 27 and didn't really handle it well until I was in my 40's. I was lucky in that I was able to enroll in a research project for an internal insulin pump sponsored by MiniMed. That study went on way past the year or two they thought it would. I had an internal pump for 17 years (3 different pumps). I went from A1Cs above 10 and retinopathy needing laser surgery to A1Cs in the 6's but the program ended and my consolation prize was an external pump and a glucose sensor. These tools are not as good but I am getting used to them. I would recommend a pump and a sensor from some manufacturer because they tell you where you are every 5 to 10 minutes and help you plan your meal bolus and your basal rate. I still have "orange juice" lows and annoying highs but I do feel I am more in control. I would recommend that you talk to as many people that have different kinds of pumps and sensors and look into whether insurance covers some of the cost. In the long run I think that will be the answer until they find a cure for the dumb disease. - Charlie