David,
You reported feeling better after losing weight.
I am 5'9" and have gone from 200 to 150 lb. over the past year, but I still feel tired all the time. I am still trying to lose more weight, and perhaps get to 130 or so, so as to reduce my insulin resistance. I didn't go to low carb until around November of last year, but have tried to stick close to Dr. Bernstein's recommendations, though I'm probably a bit higher. I still have a higher A1C (5.5%) than he recommends and would like to get it down to the 4.2 to 4.6% he recommends. (My doctor says that 5.5 is fine, based on Kaiser Permanante's standard range of 4.8 to 5.9). I stopped taking glipizide when I ran out and had my doctor change my metformin to the maximum dose (2000 mg) of the extended release version because I was concerned that it might further damage my pancreas (though my doctor says it has never been proven that it does that).
When I had blood tests a week ago, they showed that my red blood count and hemoglobin were below the standard range, which I understand indicates that I have anemia. The levels were about the same as they were several years ago. At that time I forgot to ask the doctor (who has since left Kaiser) what to do about it. A nurse suggested taking iron pills (since I was low on iron). I got whatever Costco had and took them for about a year. When I was retested, the results were about the same and when I asked the doctor, she said there was nothing that could be done about the anemia so I stopped taking the iron pills.
I'm planning to submit the anemia question for one of Dr. Bernstein's teleseminars, but I'm waiting for the kp.org web site to come back up so I can look up the relevant numbers.
My cholesterol numbers haven't changed much since a lost weight (though maybe they will if I lose more weight) and my doctor keeps trying to persuade me to take simvastatin. I don't want to do so because I understand that statins may damage your heart. If I'm already tired all the time, I also don't want to take something that will make that condition worse.
Dr. Langsjoen is a cardiologist and he makes an ignorant statement about diabetes (which is outside his area of expertise), but I think his comments about statins are worth hearing:
http://www.ddponline.org/audio-video/2010/1/14/langsjoen-peter-the-epidemic-of-statin-overuse-and-toxicity.html
Since I haven't been taken any statins, I haven't been taking Co-Q10, but maybe there are some benefits for someone of my age (58) even if I'm not taking statins. Costco has had people offering samples of Co-Q10 that comes in liquid form, claiming that the body absorbs it better than pills.
Dr. Bernstein is supposed to talk about some new information about statins on July's teleseminar on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to hearing that.
Dear Stan,
I am sorry that you aren't feeling better. Maybe something else, like a thyroid problem, is going on.
I do think that it's wise to take CoQ10 with metformin, which is proven to reduce it otherwise.
Please keep on with your weight loss and exercise, and I guarantee that you will feel better, unless you have some other problem. Asking Dr. Bernstein is a great idea.
Best regards,
David
Good idea checking the thyroid - if one can get them to listen to European recommendations of TSH of 2!!! Not 5!
That will skew cholesterol results as well as higher than normal blood sugar. Not to mention high carbs increases triglycerides.
Also, I got my A1C down to 4.7 from 5.1 and my triglycerides dropped even more - already very low. So truly a direct correlation there.
As I always say - treat the source not the symptom (meaning I don't do statins; I try to treat the source not the symptom of a slightly higher than recommended LDL). My LDL number would be considered dandy if not for type 1 diabetes anyway.
Hi David
Qnexa is ~50% Topamax (or is it Topomax) (brand name) - an anti-seizure med. I tried taking that med several years ago as a nerve block (just like Neurontin or Gabapentin) is used as a nerve block - for a C6/7 herniated disc.
Neurontin worked for me but it puts me to sleep. So the Neurologist suggested Topamax.
When the med was suggested, I told the doc I have a bad stomach so be careful. He kind of ignored that and threw in and it often causes weight loss in some people. I made a face and threw him a "ha?" look. I weigh then and I did weigh then 120-125 pounds at 5'4+" - what on earth do I need weight loss for doc?
Well, I took the stupid thing and within a few hours I was sick as a dog. Back to the doctor I went. I said "maybe it will stop?" He very abruptly said, "No. Don't take it. I'm so sorry ... I should have listened." Yes, I got an apology from a neurologist.
So ... it may cause weight loss but it seems to me it's only from the dizziness and nausea it causes. I didn't want to eat til it wore off. I don't even remember if it got rid of the pain!
The other part of the med is Phen-Phen??? Isn't that already known to be a problem???
Can we all just eat a little less maybe? I kinda like the idea that fryolators are being banned from school cafeterias. Fewer french fries in public schools are not the answer but it sure won't help - political controversy or not.
Hi, David,
I'm new to using HCG - starting my third week, but have successfully lost 17 pounds so far. This might be worth checking in to by those of you who need to lose more than 20 pounds and have a really hard time with it. It resets your hypothalamus to work normally, so you don't have hunger, cravings, and low metabolism.
My experience is with pioglitazone, a vairiant of rosiglitazone family of diabetes medication.
I took pioglitazone 15 mg along with metformin and gliclazide for over 2 years during which I had swelling of my ankles and feet for whcih I underwent all kinds of blood tests. These however did not show any abnormalities. Ultimately one of the doctors who reviewed me has taken me off pioglitazone and with in the next few days my swelling has come down and now I do not suffer from it anymore. Afterwards I read that swollen ankels and feet is an unwanted side effect of pipoglitazone. Now I am taking gliclizide 80 mg and metformin 500mg bd and also januvia 100 mg od and my blood sugar stays at 90/130 all the time (for the past 10 months)
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There definitely is no easy way to shed pounds, but there are at least some things that are more pleasant. I exercise with friends so we can catch up on gossip, I watch what I eat but allow myself a treat, for example a shrimp and vegetables sandwich in diabetic certified pita bread from Joseph's Bakery instead of just having veggies all the time, and I don't weigh myself too much but go by how my clothes fit - when I feel they're looser, only then I ceck my weight.