So, I joined the Diabetes family todayon top of Crohn's all this for someone that HATES needles

[demtenjeep]

guess I will have to get over that now. I have to stick myself 4 times a day and since they changed from Remicade to Stelara every 8 weeks I get to stick myself for that one too.



I am still trying to learn the ins and outs of it all. If anyone has advice, I would listen.

[Sinistrous]

1. See if your insurance will cover an insulin pump and a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).

I will recommend an insulin pump to anyone who needs insulin. That 4 sticks a day really sucks.

CGMs are miraculous. As long as your insurance will pay a good portion of the cost.

[catrose]

3. Depending on your financial situation, I'd say CGMs are worth it anyway.

I have a prescription for one, but Medicare won't pay for it. I'm not a diabetic, just trying not to get there. I keep nudging them about it, and someone always tells me brightly that glucometers are free! I ask them if they want to stick themselves multiple times each day.

[catrose]

2. Dr. Richard K Bernstein's The Diabetes Solution and continuous glucose monitors

His solution might not be your solution, but it's worth a glance. My husband keeps his A1C around 5.0 by following Dr. B's advice. Dr. B is a Type 1, in his 80s now--lots of YouTube videos--and he was the first patient to use a glucometer. He became an MD in hopes the medical profession would pay more attention to a doctor than an engineer.

A continuous glucose monitor (Libre over Dexacom) means you pop it into your arm and leave it there for 14 days--no sticking yourself multiple times a day to check your blood sugar--and you can see your blood sugar over time, not just one point.

At some point you might want an insulin pump installed (maybe not right out of the gate),. That and the continuous monitor would end the constant sticking for measurements and delivering insulin.

Good luck!

[MLAA]

4. Wishing you the best!

I’ve heard excellent results with a very strict Whole Foods plant based diet with low oil, sugar and salt. If you have any interest in addressing diet just google Dr. McDougal plant based Crohns, True North Dr Goldhammer plant based etc. 🙂

[BSdetect]

5. What is the cost of such a monitor? A rough idea would help.

[Sinistrous]

12. Depending on your insurance coverage

your out-of-pocket cost could range from zero to $6,000 to $8,000 per year.

[blueinredohio]

6. I don't know if it is for you but I went with the keto diet

and walk two miles a day. Got my a1c down to 5.3 and lost 40 pounds.

[phylny]

17. I'm pre-diabetic and have started this a month ago.

I'm also on Metformin. The difference in my weight, body, mood, movement, everything has been fantastic. I'm no longer bingeing, not hungry, and my doctor is helping me every step of the way.

[UTUSN]

7. Hurts less on inner forearm (don't hit veins), instead of finger sticks

[onecaliberal]

8. Eat fresh fish chicken and pork. Only fresh vegetables. Nothing in a box or can.

Unsalted Raw Almonds and walnuts are lower in carbohydrate and contain healthy fat. Never add sugar to anything you eat or drink.
My husband had a massive stroke a few days after the maggot was elected, when he got home from the hospital his A1c was almost 9. It is now 5.6, which is considered normal. He is no longer insulin dependent. If he has a dietary excursion, we use lantis.
Take the diagnosis seriously, get your A1c down the chance of complications is dramatically lower.

[demtenjeep]

9. what is A1c?

they showed me how to use the pens and how to stick myself but I am confused

[onecaliberal]

11. A1c reflects average blood sugars over 3 months.

The pens are regular insulin and a long acting.
Every 3 months your primary care doctor or endocrinologist should send you for blood work to monitor A1c. It needs to be under 7. 5.6 is normal. If you can swing it, and you’re not already seeing one, find a good endocrinologist.
You should check your glucose levels 3 times a day. Once in the morning before you eat, and then 2 hours after lunch and 2 hours after dinner. You would take regular insulin if your glucose level exceeds 150.

Edit to add: There is a sliding scale that directs how much insulin you take based on how high your blood sugar is 2 hours after a meal.

Try to get it under control with food. Don’t eat whatever you want and then dose with insulin. It’s hell on your organs and will still lead to complications. Low blood sugar is also BAD. Monitor carefully Always carry something with sugar just in case. This is the reason controlling with food is the best solution.

[ProudLib72]

10. My father is type 2, and he has a lot of problems regulating his glucose

He had an episode a few weeks ago that scared the living crap out of me. He couldn't speak, just muttered gibberish. What made it worse was the fact that he drove home in that condition!!!!

If you are on four doses of insulin a day, you are eligible for a pump. I have had a couple of students with pumps, and they are a miracle. Those students are type 1, and I am completely convinced they would not be attending college if it weren't for those pumps.

Please be careful and take it very seriously! I know you will, but I feel like I have to say it anyway. Improper monitoring and dosing can put you in the hospital quickly, and it can lead to a host of other terrible conditions.

[demtenjeep]

16. I have been very good since Thursday. I have to send the weekend's numbers to my endo today

and I think he will adjust the levels. All my readings over the weekend were never lower than 200 and never over 350

[Turin_C3PO]

13. Different carbs have different effects on blood sugar.

And it is highly individual. For instance, rice and honey spike my sugar more than white bread and white sugar. Weird, huh? But that’s just me.

Test yourself often in the beginning to see how you react to different types of carbs.

Try and keep your total carb count to 45g or less each meal, 30 g for snacks. If you can go lower, great! The lower, the better, in my experience.

Insulin given in the belly hits the system a little faster than insulin given in the arm.

[TheBlackAdder]

14. Watch a few of the videos from this guy. It might just help somewhat.

.

Many people use medications to control treat their lifestyle, instead change the lifestyle and use meds to supplement.

A ketogenic diet might be a fantastic option, and possibly even a paleo, but I would probably stay with Keto. I've been on Keto and IF for 6 months and it's completely changed by world. I'm no longer a couch potato, over-stressed from work, and I've lost 41 pounds with another 16 to go before I'm back in my normal weight range. IF is very easy to start, and you can do it by eating a low-carb dinner, just stick with water or seltzer at night, sleep, and then have coffee in the morning--which acts as an appetite suppressant. Ideally, you need to go 16 hours to get good benefits of IF. That's 8PM to noon then next day.


Also, this guy seems pretty solid.

.

[demtenjeep]

15. thank you all

you have helped tremendously

I am still a bit overwhelmed but your advice is wonderful and has answered some questions.

[PufPuf23]

18. Yeah Detenjeep, you seeded an informative thread

Thank you. (Type II myself, inject once a day now and that made a big difference in finger sticks).

[demtenjeep]

19. just sent my levels for Fri-Today to my endo. Since this is the first few days he started me at an

arbitrary level.

I suspect he will raise the insulin intake as my lowest level was 202 and highest was 397

and I have not had a Pepsi since Thursday. Anyone who knows me thinks I have pepsi in my veins

[maxsolomon]

20. Get this book, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution

http://www.diabetes-book.com/

My wife got it, read it, and, most importantly, ACTED ON IT when she was diagnosed. She lost weight, and her blood sugars are now such that she does not bother with a daily needle prick.

She still eats carbs and sugar, but watches them like a hawk.

Her doctors want her to come in and coach their other patients. I told them she's too mean.

[demtenjeep]

21. thank you

just ordered it