How can I lower my fasting blood sugar? 5 weeks ago I went off my insulin and started a very low carb diet. My 2 hr. blood sugars and bedtime sugars are within range but my fasting bloodsugars are still 170 to 193 . What is causing this and how do I get them down? I also recently started yoga twice a week in the evening to see of that would help. I eat at 6:30 every evening and have a hand ful of nut for a snack .
8/27/09 11:30am
It shows your body needs insulin and do not stop it without consulting your doctor
8/27/09 4:53pm
your fasting sugars seem too high for comfort. Its possible that with more exercise, loss of weight and suitable supplements you might be able to get these readings lower but I wouldn't just drop the insulin - I would experiment with a reduction of insulin and real changes in those other areas, and then see if your bg gets better. If it does, then reduce the insulin some more. also read up on the 'Dawn effect' and others:
eg. here
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dawn-effect/AN01213
http://tinyurl.com/mkdkez
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_Somogyi_rebound
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_effect
IANAD
peter
8/31/09 10:17am
> . I have lost 17 lbs in the last 6 weeks.
that is simply terrific! well done :-)
do you have a nutritionist on your team?
peter
9/ 1/09 8:51am
Yes but she is old school consistent carbs and way to many of them, she wants me eating 35 to 45 carb per meal and when I do my sugar goes into the 200 range even with the insulin and can sometimes stay high for 3-4 hours.I know that I cant eat any thig with more than 6 grams of carbs per serving unless I want to feel terrible the rest of the day.
9/ 1/09 9:17am
are you/is she aware of the distinction 'Glycemic Load' as an indicator for carb control?
Is your nutritionist familiar with T2D?
peter
9/ 2/09 8:58am
Yes I am and she doesent appear to know. And I am not familiar with T2D?I have been living with diabetes for 14 years . my a1c has been 6.2 for about 7 years. I took avandia for about 13 years. Got preg .with my 4th child at 41 gave birth in April. have been on insulin for the pregnancy and after novolog 28units befor each meal and lantis 28 units at 9pm. I had a headach the whole time I was on lantis and my sugars were the same and higher than they are now I walk every day im about 40 lbs over weight but have been adding px90 yoga in twice a week to drop even more weight . I tried aerobics but wound up with planters faciatis {sp} Torn arch muscles. I have a 4 month old to take care of so Idont want to try aerobics again.I just can't seem to get it back under control. I did everything the doctor said to do and I still felt bad and my sugar s are still high . I am willing to take medication but only if it is helping not just because adoctor tells me to . I am so down and discouraged about this its never been this hard before.Does any one out there know what Im going thru, or have any advice!
9/ 2/09 10:05am
> she doesent appear to know
then I think it essential that you add team members who do!
I am not suggesting that you dump your nutritionist - but you really do need someone on board who is experienced and knowledgable about Diabetes, fast. Nobody should have to go through the sort of ordeals you are going through without an expert coach/trainer by your side.
Sorry, T2D is my shorthand for Type 2 Diabetes.
I control my weight by eating less and exercising. As I've said elsewhere in this place, diabetes has been a positive event in my life - I've had to review my lifestyle root and branch. There are many reasons why someone might find it hard to lose weight, and there's plenty of evidence that genetics can explain differences why some people can lose easier than others.
That having been said, I take precautions when I eat that seem to work for me, and I'm sure you haven't exhausted the possibilities available to you.
Ditto re exercise. ( I use an exercise bike in front of my computer and play chess, read my email, surf, read my forums and so on)
I also find it extraordinarily helpful to have a partner who supports me and is on her own health journey, so we can help each other ( between fights!)
:-)
peter
9/ 2/09 2:11pm
Just when I think Ive got it figured out, it seems my body changes, pregnancy and next the change of life. I read recently that even basic hormone fluctuations can raise and lower your sugar.I live in a very rural and backward part of kentucky my team consists of my 70 something endo. his 70 something nurse and a dietician who just wants me to eat more carbs because of the insulin I was taking..I think she is still using the food pyrimid from the 70's.One slice of pizza can raise my bg 70 -100 points. But a piece of lasagna only raises it 30-40 points. My husband has been on board with the changes we have made in our diet over the last 13 years but not so much with the exercise. I am very active though. especially with the new baby.I have been eating high protien low carb for years. But I am really struggling with the fasting sugars they are the only ones still out of range. today was 165. Two hours later it was 132. That was after breakfast.I will continue my efforts, though it is frustrating, as we all know diabetes can be.
9/ 2/09 5:00pm
> I live in a very rural and backward part of kentucky my team consists of my 70 something endo.
> his 70 something nurse and a dietician who just wants me to eat more carbs because of the insulin
OK. is the the only diabetes forum that you're on?
peter
9/ 2/09 6:24pm
Yes, Why do you ask? I'm not from here we moved here 3 yrs ago fo my husbands job.My son sent me a link for this site a few months ago .I read it avidly and everything else I can find on diabetes.I also recently started texting with my older kids . Im not very tech savy.My care used to be simple, its alittle more complicated now.
9/ 2/09 7:20pm
> Why do you ask?
you need to widen the scope of your enquiry! :-)
Get as much feedback as you can. This here forum is an excellent resource and you might like to check these out, too:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/index.php
http://mydiabetessocialnetwork.ning.com/
some suggestions here:
http://www.mendosa.com/conferencing.htm
this one looks busy though I haven't tried it:
http://www.diabetesforums.com/
I belong to a forum 'community' with lots of conferences and there's one here:
https://forums.cixonline.com/index.aspx
open a trial account, then join cix:balance/2general
the 'balance' conference has other topics, too, but /2general is good place to start
hope some of this helps :-)
peter
9/ 3/09 9:04am
Thanks I'll give them a try. Its allways easier to find where your going if someone points you in the right direction!
9/ 3/09 9:31am
the main thing is that - being as life is so short, and we've somehow got this condition that presents quite alarming dangers - a good strategy is to self-educate and be proactive. And build a strong support team
cheers
pete
4/ 4/12 8:49pm
hi... i read your all comments and their reply. just want to share that i am diabetic too, i have type 2 diabetics for about 2 years. when i know come to know that i have diabetics at that time my glucose level is 300 approx. then my doc gave me heavy dose of medicine and told me to do exercise on daily basis then i start yoga for 1 hour in the morning as well as in the evening and also do walking 1 hour in the morning and in the evening and you know what with in a yr my blood glucose level is getting normal and now medicines are not that higher.
So dont be upset or frustated, yoga take time to reduce blood sugar level but it happens. and dont stop taking insulin
8/28/09 4:11am
Normal blood sugars usually range from 80 to 110 or 120 for fasting blood sugars. Sometimes, even 75. If you are overweight, I would start to concentrate on diet to lose weight-- which will GREATLY help with fasting blood sugars. With fasting blood sugars in that range you mentioned, you should be on the insulin. And you should be considering AEROBIC exercise -- ask your doctor if youa re fit enough to start. That will impact blood sugars in a positive way, for someone who needs to lower them.
9/ 2/09 9:06am
I know ! Mine were allways in range before! Please read above response ! I am getting desperate it has been 2 month of struggling to get them down . I couldn't exercise much until I healed from the csection . Then I started out slow with low impact aerobics then nothing for 3 weeks while my arches healed .I feel like I just cant win. I new it would get harder as I got older but this stinks none the less!
9/15/09 4:36am
Hi Lori ---
I would suggest you use a stationery bike. That is what I do --- easy on the joints/feet, too. I got mine at Sears for under $300.00. I do not know your height/weight, etc. If you could maybe see a nutritionist; if you have insurance that will cover it. It sounds like you are very stressed out. I would be very strict with your last meal, as your liver could be putting out more sugar, and any carbs could elevate the morning BG. You cannot be THAT old.... you just had a baby. Drink lots of water.... space out YOUR meals at least 4 to 5 hours...... try not to snack....until you get your levels back down. Only snack if your sugars are too low. It is quite possible and likely that the weight gain with pregnancy caused these elevations....... if that is the case, then well you must be patient --- and work harder and longer to get yourself back on track. NO white flour, now white sugar !!! Salads, green veggies, lean protein sources-- white chicken, fish, egg whites, etc. are healthy choices. If you are into fruit, cut back, or eliminate it, until your body adjusts. I think you are just discouraged, and a bit down, and wish you had more close support.... and a more modern endo.... SWEETIE --- changes take time. I do not know your situation, or your genetic make-up, but you can do the best you can.... and see in time if it works. I know a lot of people dislike being on insulin, but it saves lives. Companies are working on the Insulin Pill and Oral Insulin which is sprayed in the mouth/cheeks. If, and when they pass FDA approval, life would be easier for many. :) Take care. HUGS.
9/15/09 8:31am
Thank you for your kind words. I am allready doing every thing you suggest and have been for 8 years. I walk several miles every day and have for years. To answer a few questions. No family history of diabetes i am 5'7" 208lbs and 41 yrs old . MY oldest child is 22 and getting married next year. During the preg I had tight control and by tight I mean 120 -140 all the time, on insulin. I was doing great for the first month post partum, then my bs went through the roof and the insulin stoped working and I started feeling terrible. I told my endo and he just uped the dose.I felt worse and worse and my sugars were the samr . so I stoped the insulin and stopped all carbs. I feel great now more energy no pain and numbers are good except for fasting and I cant figure out why. I have been reading about the dawn effect, this may be the cause but how do I stop it?I have a touch of OCD when it comes to my diabetes.I will keep doing all that I can and pray that it gets better.If you think of anything else please let me know.Thanks again!
7/17/10 10:11am
With a baby, I imagine that you are up all hours of the night or just plain stressed as new mothers tend to be (even if it's just the physical strain of caring for an infant). Maybe that's part of the problem? Plus, your hormones can't possibly be totally back on track yet (not sure how long it's been, but for me, I wasn't 100% normal until at least a year).
Anyway, maybe focusing on ways to reduce physical and mental stress could help (can't hurt anyway) ... meditation, yoga, massages, breathing exercises, whatever makes sense to you.
I know it's a shot in the dark and sounds kind of hokey, but stress does affect sugar levels (esp. fasting) and a woman with a newborn/infant is probably experiencing exhausting and mental and physical strain - it's just par for the course in that life stage, but a problem when you have a medical issue to deal with.
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By lori— Last Modified: 04/04/12, First Published: 08/27/09
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I had only been on the insulin for a year and my numbers were the same as they are now at 28 units 4 times a day . The only difference is I felt terrible all the time. I have lost 17 lbs in the last 6 weeks. I am obviously still making my own insulin but being type 2 I am resistent to it .So pumping more and more in wasn't helping. I am looking for a new doc, one that will listen to what I am telling him about my body .I also walk 4 days a week.