New start

[Rachel]

Good day everyone.  My name is Rachel and I've been away recently from the forums and haven't been taking great care of myself. 

I stopped taking my meds and back to my old ways and guess what...my A1C increased and I feel like crap.  I picked up a new meter last night and confirmed what I already knew - I'm out of control.  This morning my fasting BG was 13.3 (240).  I was on metformin, but it made me so sick that I had to stop taking it.  I keep saying to myself - it's ok, you'll get back on LCHF and all will be well.  Well it's not because I fail everytime I try LC.  I keep justifying it in my mind and of course it's making me sicker and sicker.  I am in physical pain all the time, I can't focus and I'm oh so tired. 

So - here I am, back to the forums because guess what - you all keep me honest 

Doctor had prescribed Victoza but a) I'm terrified of it and b) can't afford it.  Now she has me on Invokana and I'm scared of this one too.  But the only way I can not take meds is if I get back on LC.  So I'm taking the Invokana until I can get back in the LC rhythm.   

Wish me luck!
Rachel

[walkerwally1]

Hi Rachel, glad you decided to check in.  I know it is hard sometimes but it is possible to find a way to make LCHF a routine.  I have been using LCHF to control my diabetes for over 6 years now and I was diagnosed in 1993.  It does take some work but the people here are all hoping to support you and anyone dealing with this.  Low carb recipes really help to add variety to your meals and help keep you on track.    You can check out our recipe page and also Google low carb recipes to come up with a lot to try.  Please feel free to ask anything you want. 

[Grammabear]

Hello Rachael ~

Welcome to our forum and I hope you will feel comfortable enough to post again.  If anyone tells you controlling diabetes is easy, they are just full of baloney.  It isn't easy and there are lots of bumps in the road that can throw you off track.

Since you have the desire to change things in your life, I think that is the first step.  Could you choose one thing and make an improvement with that thing?  For example, could you check your blood sugar once or twice a day?  If you do that for a while, then pick an additional thing and improve on that.

Trying to change everything all at once is really discouraging or I think it is.  If you are comfortable, tell your doctor you feel poorly taking the meds he/she has prescribed.  I take Metformin the extended release version with my meals.  When I first started with Metformin I had a dickens of a time.  So I asked the doctor for the ER or extended release version which was a little bit easier on my stomach.

Best wishes to you, stay strong and above all don't give up.

[bigskygal]

Welcome back Rachel! I'm glad to see you posting again.

You've gotten some good advice already. I know it is hard to get back on the LC/HF wagon, but believe me, it is truly the best way to get control of your diabetes. You are wise to be afraid of some of the newer diabetes drugs, they have some frightening side effects. If you haven't tried the extended release metformin maybe you could give it a try. Another thing to try is to slowly raise your dose to help adjust to it easier.

Wishing you great success, please post any questions you may have and someone will be there to help you.

[skb]

Since you have the desire to change things in your life, I think that is the first step.  Could you choose one thing and make an improvement with that thing?  For example, could you check your blood sugar once or twice a day?  If you do that for a while, then pick an additional thing and improve on that.

Trying to change everything all at once is really discouraging or I think it is.

That is an excellent way to start with any challenging task.

Most of us here have known each other for a long time, across several forums. We welcome you to join the "gang". Tell us a bit more about yourself (whatever you are comfortable sharing) and that'll set the ball rolling.

The Forum has some excellent articles written by our members, if you ever need them. You can access that portion of the forum by clicking the Home button.

Good Luck.

[Rachel]

Most of us here have known each other for a long time, across several forums. We welcome you to join the "gang". Tell us a bit more about yourself (whatever you are comfortable sharing) and that'll set the ball rolling.

When I was diagnosed in 2012 I joined another forum and got great advice from lots of you - I was known as CatsNPlants back then

Anywhoo - I am 41...almost 42, was dx in January 2012.  My doctor back then wasn't so helpful, didn't prescribe any meds, told me to watch what I eat and sent me on my way.  I found "That Other Forum" and joined and learned about LC/HF.  At dx my A1C was 8.2 and I got it down to 5.3 and lost ~80lbs in 9 months.  When my doctor retired in 2014, I had fallen off the wagon and I asked for Metformin.  I had experience with it back years ago when I was trying to get pregnant - I also have PCOS.  I tried titrating the dose up from 1/4 of a pill up to 1/2 to 3/4 to 1 and upwards.  I got to 3 a day and that was the best I could do and still function.  As time went on it was apparent that no level of it was tolerable so I went off it.  I went 18 months with out meds and guess what?  My A1C is up to 9.2.  Sigh...

So, here I am once again.  I don't want to keep making excuses - it's 90% sheer laziness and 10% actual challenge.  I find it difficult to afford both healthy food for me and prefered (aka junk) food for my husband.  I do try to make LC sides for myself and pass on the pasta/potatos etc.  I am very tired and unfocused so many nights we eat out and as you know, not many LC options there. 

This morning I looked at all the pills I take and it's horrifying.  3 for hypertension, 3 happy pills, 3 diabetes pills and 1 for a touch of gastritis.  10 pills a day not counting the OTC pain reliever for my various aches and pains. 

Doctor says I have a high Rheumatoid Factor and CRP.  She thinks I have rheumatoid arthritis too so maybe a radical change in my lifestyle will help ease the aches.  Talk about scary meds - those ones sound not so pleasant either.

So the plan is - LC/HF.  Get off as many pills as I can in 1 year.  Maybe lose some weight in there.  I have to get off my butt and get on this or I'll be dead in 5 years.  My doctor hasn't come out and said that, but seriously, it can't be far from the truth, can it?  I'm morbidly obese (325 lbs and 5"4 - and shrinking!!), I have no concentration, tired all the time, sore in my bones and miserable.

Here goes - can only go up from here, right??   

[Grammabear]

Rachael~ Many of us have to work with what our body will tolerate, not necessarily what the doctor recommends.  You sound like a really smart lady and seem to be determined to change things about your life.

I also have many of the same issues you do with food.  My husband is not diabetic and is blessed with good health for our ages.  So he can eat what he wants, whenever he wants and how often he wants.  You know the rest - I am not like that at all.  Because of type 1 diabetes, I do have to be careful what I eat.  One thing that I have found recently is to avoid sugar ... period.  For me sugar causes more inflammation and makes my joints hurt a lot.  Perhaps the same could be true with you.

We're glad you came back to the forum and if you have time, look around the recipe section here.  Some of the things that are there I've made for my husband and I and he eats as much of them as I do.  He is surprised that LCHF foods taste so good.  One of his favorites, and mine, is 'crack slaw'.  I don't normally like cooked cabbage but I dearly love crack slaw.

Good luck to you and do visit again.

[skb]

Hello Rachel (a.k.a CatsNPlants),

Nice to hear from you again. And yes, I do remember that name (handle) from both forums (I think).

I found "That Other Forum" and joined and learned about LC/HF.  At dx my A1C was 8.2 and I got it down to 5.3 and lost ~80lbs in 9 months.

So, it works, and will work again. All that is required is some resolve. (Look, who is preaching). But the fact is, that I have lived the last 7.5 years without any pills, though my A1c does tend to slip slightly over 6.0 if I misbehave.

I find it difficult to afford both healthy food for me and prefered (aka junk) food for my husband.  I do try to make LC sides for myself and pass on the pasta/potatos etc.

I find this a little difficult to understand, as the food options in Canada should be much better and easier for LCHF. FYI, Beef is banned here, and I'm pretty pi$$ed with the government of the day for regulating my food habits. Since you've done it before, I'm sure you can find your way around again.

So the plan is - LC/HF.  Get off as many pills as I can in 1 year.  Maybe lose some weight in there.

Perfectly good plan Rachel and easily doable IMHO. Trust me, the pills can all be chunked. You may continue with the Metformin for its additional benefits if you like.

We are glad that you decided to peep in again, and as far as I am concerned, that surely indicates willingness to make the desired changes. If you ever have any questions, just ask, we're all here to help.