posted
Hi everyone. I am trying to help a close family member with her diabetes treatment. Her current dr has her on 7 different meds and she feels sick most of the time. In addition to me questioning if she has Lyme, I believe some of her issues have to do with her treatment or lack there of.
I am looking for a good place to find info about the combination of meds she's on and proper dosing etc.
I am also trying to get her to eat more like the lyme diet I've been on for 2 years since it has a low glycemic index.
Thanks for you help.
Posts: 413 | From nj | Registered: Nov 2005
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Posts: 413 | From nj | Registered: Nov 2005
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
I would look into the ZONE DIET right away!! This is a simple way of eating that can reverse Type 2 Diabetes.
It worked for my husband.
The clearest book about it is MASTERING THE ZONE, which tells you how to self-test, what different sensations after eating mean, and how to self-correct so that you are not continually causing your problem.
Hope this helps!
You can PM me if you like--we also handled my husband's cholesterol, tryglicerides, overweight, etc., etc. IN SIX WEEKS without him being hungry! In fact, he feels most energetic when eating "in the zone."
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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Are her blood sugars well controlled? Does she check them both fasting and 2 hours after a meal and other times? (Not that many times daily but rotating the times she checks) Diabetes that is not well controlled can make you not feel well.
Has she had her HgA1C checked? (It measures blood sugar control over 3 months? Her goal should be less that 7.
Can she maintain a healthy weight and exercise? (both help with diabetes control)
She may need the diabetes meds right now to keep her blood sugars in control. She should not stop them abruptly. For some people weight loss can reduce the amount of meds they need but diabetes is a progressive illness--the pancreas produces less insulin over time and/or more insulin resistance is developed. So sometimes no matter how good someone is with their diet they need different meds or an increased dose.
The 7 meds she is on and I'm guessing, maybe 1 to 3 are for diabetes, one or more for high blood pressure, one for cholesterol? Diabetics have an increase risk for heart disease so it is important to control blood pressure and cholesterol as well. (These can also be controlled with diet and lifestyle but some need the meds as well)
Medications can cause side effects as well so that can be tough to figure out. A good book for managing cholesterol is, "cholesterol down"
I hope that helps, not sure if that is what you were looking for?
Posts: 207 | From NH | Registered: Jul 2009
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Thank you. This info is helpful. I am looking for a book to help us understand the diet issue, so I will find the one you suggested Cass A.
And as far as the meds, Purplemom, you are correct. Only a few are for diabetes, and the rest are for related issues which are secondary.
She is overweight but not greatly.
I don't think the combinations of meds is working well for her. One is an injectible and it makes her feel like there is a basketball in her stomach, and very nauseous.
I am also looking for info on meds: dosing, combos, etc.
Thanks again
Posts: 413 | From nj | Registered: Nov 2005
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I would go to the American Diabetes Association website and they probably have info on the medications used to treat diabetes, some help the pancreas produce more insulin, some decrease the amount of glucose the liver produces, and some help with insulin resistance.
There are many med approaches to manage the diabetes. The injectible med (byetta) is not essential if it is causing that much of a side effect. Perhaps a visit to a diabetes center that has certified diabetes educators (nurses and dietitians) can help to give recommendations to the MD for medication changes.
Posts: 207 | From NH | Registered: Jul 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
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- I would certainly be concerned with what 7 different medicines would be doing - pros and cons. Might some of them be supplements? There are some excellent supplements to help support glucose stability.
I sure would want to look up all the pharmaceuticals and read all about each one but not everyone does this. Also, it's hard to find good detail sometimes as the pharmaceutical companies by up all the possible web sites with names of the drugs. Sometimes, only through a cross-search, will an truly investigative article come to light.
This "Potbelly" book is specific to those who have had diabetes caused by lyme or other chronic stealth infections.
She may consider getting assessed for the full range. If infections are the cause, they need to be addressed in addition to food and supplements &/or pharmaceuticals. Some infections may not be able to be identified but adding garlic &/or olive leaf extract can be a good move for anyone, just to cover some bases.
This book is specific to lyme and other chronic stealth infections.
The author discusses the endocrine connection and effects of STRESS on a person with such infections. Again, tools are everything and adrenal support is key.
You can read customer reviews and look inside the book at this link to its page at Amazon.
THE POTBELLY SYNDROME: HOW COMMON GERMS CAUSE OBESITY, DIABETES, and HEART DISEASE - 2005
by Russell Farris and Per Marin, MD, PhD
==============
Here are few things that can help: Gymnema Sylvestre tops the list. It is absolutely wonderful - and it helps stop cravings for sweets. Usually best in a formula.
WHAT IT DOES: Gymnema is bitter in taste, and cooling in action. It improves blood sugar control in diabetics, numbs the taste of sweet completely (for about 20 minutes), and decreases appetite (for about 90 minutes).
RATING: yellow
SAFETY ISSUES: None reported. Should not be used by people with low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).
STARTING DOSAGE:
* 1:1 extract: five to 10 ml per day * Pill: 500-1000 mg three times per day
Gymnema actually means "sugar destroyer." It grows in the wild forests of central India, all the way to Western Ghats and up to the Himalayas.
Research indicates that gymnema stimulates insulin secretion or release of insulin from the pancreas. Japanese studies have shown that it improves glucose tolerance in animal models of diabetes, and other studies show that the effects can last for up to two months after discontinuation.
This herb is a good long-term tonic for Type I and II diabetics. Results are best seen after long-term administration, over six months to a year. I prefer to use it in combination with several other herbs for blood sugar control, because it affects only a few aspects of the imbalance.
In case you're curious, sugar tastes like sand for twenty minutes after you chew on a little gymnema.
- Full chapter at link above. And you can also search the book for ``Diabetes'' for a gold mine of more information.
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The
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