Alcohol

[Rhinohd]

I was wondering if any of you folks still have a drink from time to time. I am not a big drinker but I do like to have a few a couple time a year when I hang out with the boys.

[shawnee]

Funny thing is that as an overweight Diabetic any form of alcohol is pretty much 'the kiss of death' in many ways.

However,As you work your way into this WOL & stabilize your blood sugar levels and lose some weight the occasonal drink (or a FEW drinks very occasionally) suddenly becomes OK.

Try to stay with red wines, low carb beer like Miller or Mich lite etc on the softer side. For hard liquor which is really 0 carbs, go on the rocks or mixed w/diet coke. I even have found a 'slimline' tonic made w/o sugar

Just remember the body will burn alcohol for fuel when it is available, thus it will not burn fat nor process carbs nor protein either while its still procressing the alcohol. So with diabetics this can play havoc w/blood glucose levels. For that reason it is good to wait until your blood sugars really begin to come in line to begin consuming it.

Its really amazing the amount of freedom that comes with this WOL after you get started & relearn & revise your day to day dietary & lifestyle habits. Who'd of thought a 'diet' would make life easier eh?

[Coop2004]

One more thing, Rhinohd. Before you have any alcohol, you have to be on the Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL) phase of Atkins. And Alcohol is rung number 5. Check out the following from the FAQ Forum.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=19947

Linda (Coop)

[Rhinohd]

Actually I think my blood sugar is pretty much under control. I have been getting readings between 125 and 85 everyday now for two weeks. Only thing is my weight loss has stopped :no From what I have read it's because of the glyburide. I dropped 18 pounds in a week and a half before I started taking it and now nothing!

[shawnee]

Your body is also readjusting, it drops weight then hangs out at a new weight for a while & sort of gets comfortable there then *bang* you'll have another round of losing.

Also if you are truely getting those kinds of readings & sticking w/the plan you can talk to your doctor about slowly weaning youself off those meds. I got my doctor to reluctantly agree several years ago w/the caveat that I monitor like **** & if things start to move the wrong direction I reup the meds. Slowly but surely I (& most of us here) was able to ditch them completely

If you go this route don't do it carelessy, slowly drop back, evaluate if things are OK stay there for a while then drop back little more.

Another things here are 3 supplements that WORK for diabetics. That is instead of controlling the symptom like most prescription meds they actually work to help manage diabetes itself:

GTF Chromium
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Biotin

Chromium & Biotin are pretty cheap, ALA can be expensive, best place to get it cheap is vitacost.com

IN Europe doctors have prescribed ALA to diabetics for over 30 years, it is particularly effective in managing diabetic retinopathy which sounds, by some of your symptoms, you were on the cusp of having or already have some damage so please look at ALA

If you start taking these supplements monitor the **** out of your BG readings if you are still taking meds as you can actually go too low, if you learn to read your own body slowly but surely you can replace the meds w/supplements (& proper eating & exercise)

OK for someone just coming out of the 'denial' stage (we all go through that) all this sounds like a **** of a lot of work, but the reward is SWEET,

In the vast majority of cases (& odds are you're gonna be one of those based on the huge improvements you've already quickly seen)you get your life back & you'll feel GREAT so its really worth it, I promise

[Rhinohd]

I am thinking if I can get my doc to switch me to Metformin I will stick with it for a while and make sure I am ok. I will talk to him about downing the dose after a month of good numbers that coincide with weight loss.

I will look into getting those supplements! Thanks for the tip.

As far as retinopathy goes, I was at the eye doctor 2 days after I was diagnosed with diabetes and he said I had NO signs of it or any damage. My vision problems were from my sugar levels being so high for such a long time. When I started Atkins, my numbers dropped so drastically my eyes needed a few weeks to adjust back. So my issue was temporary (for now).

I have my eye on the PRIZE and I can't wait to see how sweet it is!

[Coop2004]

Metformin (a.k.a. Glucophage) is even recommended by Dr. Atkins. Good luck with it and hopefully in a short time, you will be rid of the meds!!

Linda