Is anyone else "borderline diabetic"?

[ellenrr]

I either am or am not, depending on which dr I talk to.
I'm going to start a vitamin protocol recommended by one dr.
I will take it for 2 months, then test my numbers.

In the meantime, I am wondering if there are behavior signs that may show if I am improving -
eg less tired, less thirsty, les frequent urinating...

thanks,
ellen

[MrModerate]

1. I concluded a three-year stint of abusing all the dietary rules for my age . . .

With a rather sobering diagnosis of diabetes. I didn't have any notable symptoms but had been suffering from a nonspecific malaise.

The doctor put me on an intense educational program and gave me a glucose test meter. I changed my behavior somewhat (not so much diet as restarting regular exercise), and within about 8 months a subsequent doctor reversed the diagnosis and told me to continue laying off the heavy doses of glucose and fructose and keep up my exercise regimen and I could probably hold off the onset of full-blown diabetes by 5 or 10 years. That was 5 years ago and I'm still mostly in the normal range.

[old mark]

2. I was evidently undiagnosed for many years. Walking and moderate diet changes

and keeping your weight down will help you very much-if necessary, there are very effective oral meds for later.

Regular moderate exercise seems to be a really important factor, and even taking the dog for a walk helps a lot.

I used to work out several day s a week in a gym and found it made me more hungry and my weight loss stalled, so I am back to just walking and a few exercises.

I had NO symptoms, and my diabetes was discovered pretty much by accident
when I went for a checkup for something else.

mark

[HereSince1628]

3. That'd be me...

Type II pre-diabetic according to one doc, authentic Type II according to another.

My A1c at my first diagnosis was 6.8. I became very disciplined about carbs and exercised 90 minutes a day...I lost 25 pounds and got the A1c it down to 4.7 in three months. Living a less disciplined life that includes whole grain bread and 30 minutes to an hour of exercise 5 times a week, my A1c has consistently been 5.6-5.8.

While I was exercising more and losing a lot of weight, I seemed to need to urinate all the time. When I backed off the weight loss that went away. I never noticed excessive thirst or being especially tired.

In general, my mornings start with my BG high (above 140) and before lunch I'm 110-120, by supper I'm usually 95-110.

I started Abilify and my BG have been high, so I'm back on Metformin.

I've never heard of a vitamin therapy for diabetes...

[stockholmer]

5. great vitamin/diabetes listing from national UK diabetes site (much other info too)

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/vitamins-supplements.html

cheers

:hi:

[Ilsa]

6. Vanadium, chromium, manganese, vitamin E are just a few that are

show to help with various areas of glucose metabolism, etc. Also, it is known that many diabetics tend to be vitamin and mineral deficient for certain ones. It us worth checking into if diabetes or insulin resistance are a health issue.

[salvorhardin]

12. When you lose weight, you should be urinating more

The waste products of your body metabolizing the triglycerides stored in your fat cells are mostly water and carbon dioxide. So you'll pee and sweat a bit more, and your exhaled breath will have a little extra CO2 in it.

[enough]

4. A short time on Atkins brought the numbers way down and absolutely stable.

Vigorous exercise a minimum of five days a week. I do Zumba and weightlifting, plus a lot of work outdoors most seasons.

That takes care of it. The doctor confirms it.

I'm 66.

[ellenrr]

7. this is interesting

that other people had no symptoms, I thot I would be a lot sicker if I really had diabetes, but I guess not necessarily.

and good for those of you that were able to change your life style and improve your health.
My dr also told me to lose weight - I was walking an hour or more a day, 5 days a week, but I got discouraged when I didn't lose any weight.
I think I need a more vigorous form of exercise.
my A1C was 5.9.

the supplement recommended for me contains chromium and cinnamon, both good for blood sugar issues, and I forget what else is in it. I should have said the dr rec. it for my being borderline diabetic, maybe not for diabetic.

[HereSince1628]

8. Personally, I think diet is easier to do than exercise.

And diet not only controls BG directly, it also is a huge part of losing weight.

When I was first diagnosed, I got an Rx for insulin--that meant I had access to enough glucose test strips to test 2 to 3 times daily. By doing that and recording EVERYTHING I ate including the times I ate it, I was able to educate myself about what foods really sent my BG high.

If you have resources I suggest a month of accurately logging food types and amounts, along with your exercise.

BTW, you can buy test strips on-line for about $16 for 50. At a drug store that's more likely to be $60-$75 or more. I've done that and the strips work just fine.

I take my test kit in every time I have blood work done and I compare the clinic result with my meter. Although the strips are supposed to be accurate within only ~5% the comparison between my kit and the clinic have been very close, usually within a few mg/dL.

[Celebration]

9. I have a friend in that state

She needs to get plenty of sleep and stay on an anti-candida diet. Best to do your own glucose monitoring to see what affects blood sugars. And oh, yeah, CINNAMON!! That helps a lot with insulin sensitivity, especially if taken before a meal.

[shanti]

10. i was deemed borderline diabetic

in may of 2009. i did nothing and by the following january, was told i was definitely diabetic as my fasting BS had gone up (149). after a year, weight loss, and glipizide, my A1C was 5.1, which is considered good. if you have your BS in control, you will definitely feel better. diabetes does not run in my family, but me and sis both are....as are so many other people in this epidemic.

i had been having some digestion problems, lots of acid reflux, not much else though. my big problem is getting enough exercises though, i'm not a big exercise fan. what i am is a knitter, so that pretty much makes me a couch potato.

lack of exercise is a large component of diabetes, as is overeating, and eating the wrong things.

[Abq_Sarah]

11. I used to be

And I would be today if I went back to eating wheat, corn, rice, potatoes, sugar, fruit juices etc..

I figure diet modification is a damned sight better than popping pills and feeling like crap just so I could remain a carb junkie.

[ellenrr]

13. I'm taking a supplement rec. by my doctor

called Glucosynergy.
these are the ingredients:

Chromium (Chromemate® brand) . . . .200 mcg
Gymnema sylvestre Leaf Extract . . . 200 mg
yielding 50 mg Gymnemic Acid
Cinnulin PF® (Cinnamon Extract) . . .125 mg
Alpha-Lipoic Acid . . . . . . . . . .100 mg
Bitter Melon
(Momordica charantia) Extract . . . . 80 mg
yielding 0.4 mg Charantin
Lagerstroemia speciosa
L. (Banaba Leaf) Extract . . . . . . .50 mg
yielding 0.5 mg Corosolic Acid
Vanadyl Sulfate . . . . . . . . . . . .5 mg

I'm going to take it for 2 months and then decide if it is helping. It is to deal with metabolic issues. Been taking it for about 3 weeks so far.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

14. You may want to read this and keep it under your hat.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20633024
Cardiovasc Ther. 2010 Aug;28(4):216-26.
Nutraceuticals in diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Davì G, Santilli F, Patrono C.
Source
Center of Excellence on Aging, G. d'Annunzio University Foundation, Chieti, Italy.
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome represents a clustering of risk factors related to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Occurrence of both metabolic syndrome and diabetes and their vascular complications share several pathogenetic features including subclinical, low-grade inflammation, altered oxidative/antioxidant status, and persistent platelet activation. Despite the availability of multiple interventions to counteract these metabolic changes, including appropriate diet, regular exercise, weight control and drugs, epidemiological data are witnessing the growing trend of the problem, reflecting both the multi

factorial nature of these diseases as well as the scarce compliance of patients to established strategies. Several nutraceuticals used in clinical practice have been shown to target the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and their complications and to favorably modulate a number of biochemical and clinical endpoints. These compounds include antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamins C and E, flavonoids, vitamin D, conjugated linoleic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals such as chromium and magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid, phytoestrogens, and dietary fibers. Several areas of concern exist regarding the use of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals in this setting, including product standardization, definition of optimal dosing regimen, potential side effects, drug interactions, and need for evidence-based indications.

PMID:
20633024




http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20616745
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2010 Sep;44 Suppl 1:S58-60.
The right fiber for the right disease: an update on the psyllium seed husk and the metabolic syndrome.
Giacosa A, Rondanelli M.
Source

Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Policlinico di Monza, Monza, Italy. [e-mail]
Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clustering of hyperglycemia/insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, overweight and hypertension. MS identifies patients who are at high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Based on current data dietary fibre intake from whole foods or supplements may lower blood pressure, may improve serum lipid levels, may reduce indicators of inflammations,may lower serum glucose levels and favour body weight loss. US Food and Drug Administration in 2006 authorized a health claim that psyllium husk, beta glucan in oats and beta glucan in barley can reduce the risk of heart disease. Solubility in water, viscosity, fermentability, and the kind and amounts of protein and tocotrienols have been explored as possible basis for this effect.

In particular, many experimental and clinical studies suggest that psyllium does lower serum and liver cholesterol concentrations and may increase HDL-cholesterol levels- Moreover,water soluble fibres, such as psyllium, moderate post prandial glucose and insulin concentrations in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients, if taken with meals and favour the reduction of body weight and hypertension. Therefore, the favourable effect of various fibres and particularly of psyllium, on body weight reduction and satiety, on cholesterol and tryglycerides levels, on fasting glycaemia and on blood pressure suggests a potential role of these fibres in the treatment of MS.

PMID:
20616745

[ellenrr]

16. thanks - I give my cat psyllium for constitpation

maybe I should take it!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

15. See post below

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=102900&mesg_id=104061

[geckosfeet]

17. I was having all the symptoms - went on a low carb diet - lost weight and the symptoms.

Had to drink a ton of water though. That is part of the diet.

I am in 'maintenance' now. Still low carb but can have good carbs; oatmeal etc. Bread occasionally but I really miss pasta and chocolate.

[slackmaster]

18. I was until I figured out that my doctor was an idiot and fired her

HTH

[Celebration]

19. Okay, my friend's problem was in her gut!

She started taking acidopholus and probiotics, eating kefir, staying away from sugar and dairy, and her once high numbers returned to normal.

She did this and tested her own blood sugars and avoided going to the endo (no health insurance! aargh!)

[Curmudgeoness]

20. I have been told that I am borderline diabetic too.

A1C is 6.1 and fasting blood glucose is 106. I have been told to lose weight and exercise more, which would probably be a good idea if I could get motivated to do it. I have no symptoms at all, at least not one symptom that I have heard is a clue that you may have diabetes.

The only reason I found out about this is that my doctor retired, and the new doctor required that I have a full physical and blood tests even though I was in his office for a torn rotator cuff. Idiot young doctors. And this is probably one of the reasons that I have ignored his recommendations---all he was concerned about was the glucose levels, and all I was worried about was that I couldn't reach around to wipe my butt. He also insisted that I have blood tests and a check up every 3 months. I refused. He said no longer than every 6 months then. That was two years ago.

Let us know how the vitamin regiment works, because I would be willing to do that if it works for you.

[ellenrr]

21. results of vitamin regimen

In addition to the vitamins, I also started drinking kefir - I drink it every day, so that may be a factor too.
Results at this point -
I have gained back the energy I used to have. During the last year I was so tired, that I started thinking I may have Lymes again. Recently I have my old energy levels back. I walk an hour, hour and 1/4 at a good clip, and then go gardening. I hadn't been able to do that for a while.

Secondly, and this must be the gylcosynergy - which is to regulate glucose levels -
I can go longer without eating - not TOO long, but longer than I used to, before I get that hollowed out feeling that tells me I better eat or else.

and my moods have regulated, which is something I never thot about, but it must be the glucose balancing out.

I also drink an ounce of wheat grass every morning - I think that is good for energy.

I've also changed my diet, I never ate a lot of meat, but I'd been eating a lot of chicken - then I went to a workshop about what was in the the chicken (well I already knew, but I needed to be reminded!). So I've almost eliminated chicken, cut back on fish, and cut back on dairy. I'm trying to develop a taste for chick peas.