Need some advice

[Fozzy]

I was diagnosed with diabetes. I'm figuring that it is type2, but I'm not on insulin so that should determine what type for me?!?! Anyway. I've been reading this section and other low carb site since I began Atkins the first time and it seems that the ADA is less than enthusiastic about this WOE. I have been scheduled to meet the diabetes specialist on Monday and have to then supposedly meet with the dietitian. Whoever my wife spoke with was vehemently against the Atkins and assure my wife that I should be consuming 100 carbs a day, that I'm making my liver produce sugar and that basically im a moron..

I have a feeing this meeting will not go well..

Advice? Anyone?

[Sassystorm]

Re: Need some advice

I just went to an education class last year. I mentioned Atkins and got the same reaction. I honestly believe most people, including the medical profession, think Atkins is a no-carb woe. Which, of course they are so mis-informed. They all recommend another low carb diet, I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about. They say whole grains, fruit, and nuts/seeds can be enjoyed on it, so it's a good plan. That's why I say they are mis-informed. We can enjoy fruits and whole grains, just not during induction.
I also heard on the news a few months ago. That researchers are now saying Dr. Atkins has been right all these years, and the government would be changing the food pyramid. Low carbing is healthy!

[Fozzy]

Re: Need some advice

It got worse...

Went to the dietitian who was supposedly (to my wife) was "sorta OK" with the Atkins plan. Within seconds the woman had me so irritated I want to tell her to stick it in her ear. I told her what I knew and she kind of in a round about way told me that I was an idiot and that she wanted me to be getting my calories from better sources (which of course meant cabs). There is a lot of things that make me physically angry. one of these is being treated like some uninformed moron.

Her suggestions? She wants me on a minimum of 200 carbs a day.. or 75 at each meal and then the snacks that should add up to around 200 - 250. She still considered that low and wanted my carbs to be at 45-50% of my daily diet. I've been kind of depressed and angry for days over this

There is no winning at all..

I don't know what to do.

[Fozzy]

Re: Need some advice

OK, I got a new (old) blood glucose monitor from the nurse educator I have been tracking the levels since that day. Here are the readings from the old (questionable?) readings and her reply.. did I mention that she no fan of this WOE?

2-9-09 - 14:30 - 100 (your office)
2-9-09 - 20:00 - 114 (After dinner + 2 hours)
2-10-09 - 07:00 - 124 (wake up)
2-10-09 - 20:15 - 109 (After dinner + 2 hours)
2-11-09 - 07:30 - 119 (wake up)

Her Reply:

**Actually your results from the numbers you have just sent me look great. Let me know how they run over the next week or so. That one of 114 two hours after dinner tells me you did not eat alot of carbs at dinner...just be careful and do get your minimal amount of carbs. I urge you to make that appt with the dietician to get her recommendations. Her name is ****************and her phone number is ********

[EverLosing]

Re: Need some advice

Fozzy,

I wish I knew more about this than I do. You need to read and reread the book where Dr. Atkins writes about the benefits....perhaps even eradicating the diabetes. Take everything the "pros" say to you with a grain of salt. Hang in there. You're doing waaaaaay more for improving your condition than a diabetic who runs in circles trying to follow all instructions and still is dependent on meds or insulin. What you've chosen, this WOE, is tougher than laying down and accepting the diagnosis as a sentence of some sort. You're doing the most drastic, bravest thing you can do. You're not someone else's speed bump. DON'T let any of the pros run over you!!

Time will tell. Don't stress too much...as that too affects weight loss. Promise yourself you'll relax and let your WOE speak for itself for a few weeks. Go back and look at it as often as you need to but don't let it dictate your moods or your life. I have the feeling everything is going to work out for you. Hang in there!

[ceemarie]

Re: Need some advice

First of all, thanks for serving your country! I appreciate your service! I think you should talk to more doctor about Atkins. Not all are against it and you may find someone that you can work with. It is important to find a healthcare professional that takes your choices into consideration and to work together for the betterment of your health.

[Fozzy]

Re: Need some advice

Thanks again. I am sticking to my guns.. but the harping and hand wringing from the "experts" really do irritate me. Going to someone because your body is not working correctly and have them basically call what I have researched pretty fully is just demeaning, patronizing and just rather insulting. This nurse educator insisted that diabetes is incurable and I'm stuck with it for the rest of my life. I will admit that this is probably like being a alcoholic. Alcoholics are alcoholics until they die no matter if they never drink again.


I am going to check my glucose and keep checking and I am starting to get some workouts in and that is making me feel even better.

My wife is away at Ft Campbell for a memorial dedication to my son and his fallen comrades in the 101st Airborne who were killed in this last deployment to Iraq tomorrow. Everyone please keep them in your thoughts tomorrow.

[imagood1]

Re: Need some advice

Hey Fozzy -- so sorry to hear about your son but I am so grateful to him and his commrades for the ultimate sacrifice they gave.

As far as your dietitian and your doctor let me tell you what I'm doing. When I was first diagnosed with type 2 last year I requested a visit to the dietitian who I had seen a couple years ago when my triglicerides were skyhigh. When I went to see her I was excited about getting back on the program she had me on before and couldn't wait to start again. Her plan was 12 carbs a day (each 15 carbs in food counted as "1" carb) so I was eating what we consider 180 carbs a day and no more than 1200 calories. When I first started I did real well, I lost a few pounds but the constant eating 5 times a day ruled my life. All I did was look at the clock and wait to eat.

Just before Christmas I was talking to a couple friends who were "sort of" doing Atkins (their version not the true version) so I decided to look at the Atkins site online - through a series of clicking I ended up on this site and knew I was where I needed to be. I started January 5, 2009.

Last week I went to my Endocrinologist and Internist, both were very happy with my weight loss and the fact that my A1C has down further than before. I knew their views about Atkins so I didn't say anything and I don't plan to until I'm at (or near) my goal, then when my cholesterol, blood pressure, triglicerides and glucose numbers are all where they are suppose to be I'll let them both know that thanks to Atkins I was able to get my health back.

I can't eat the way the nutritionist wants me to - that's too much food and too much fuss trying to loose weight. With this WOE I get up in the morning and eat what and when I want to - no fuss, and I'm losing weight. I'm happy, I have energy and I don't miss the fat and inches I'm losing.

I say do what you feel is good for your body. The doctors and nutritionists don't know everything. I just can't do a plan where I have to worry and fuss trying to loose weight, and i don't have to! Do what you feel is best for youself - you'll do better and your health will be in your hands! You were the one who got you into the shape you're in now....you are the only one that can make the changes to get your health back!

Good luck on your journey!

Carole

[Mom2Boxer]

Re: Need some advice

God bless you and your family, Fozzy!

I am in the same situation you are in...just found out I am diabetic. My doc is on vacation, so I am not on meds or anything yet...but let me tell you ... I did talk briefly to the dietician. She said the same thing your first one did. She told me I had to have 100 carbs a day, or I would have kidney or brain damage. I am so stunned. I decided to look in this post to read what others are hearing and doing.... and you and I are so similar!

I am going to reread Dr. Atkins book. Is she trying to scare me? Anyway, like you ... I am going to try to research this.

[fluffyman]

Re: Need some advice

Fozzy,

Way to stick to your guns. I've been a Type 1 diabetic for 18 years, and I have heard that 100 carbs a day "rule" more than once. I have also heard from doctors that restricting carbs and losing weight will decrease the stress on your pancreas, allowing you to live longer and healthier. It all depends on where a medical "professional" went to school and what his/her instructors believed.

It only makes sense that if you eat a tone of carbs at a meal, you will have to work harder to lower your blood sugar. I know for a fact that when I'm followng Atkins and eating fewer carbs, my blood sugar stays in better control, I feel better, and I use less insulin.

Keep at it!

[Mom2Boxer]

Re: Need some advice

I am so glad you posted your experience, fluffyman! I am so new at this and am absorbing all I can from those that are having positive experiences with low carb like a sponge. lol! I apologize for taking up fozzy's post with my own.

[fluffyman]

Re: Need some advice

Queen,

I don't think you are going to get any grief for hijacking Fozzy's thread. We are all in this together after all. I'm trying to reform my poor eating/exercise habits after a few years of being a very bad diabetic. I need to drop 50 lbs and improve my A1C, and Atkins is the way I will do both without being hungry, moody, or full of carbs.

[Fozzy]

Re: Need some advice

Thanks! I am basically sticking this out for the long haul. I took a vacation and ran out of metformin and had to get back and get back on the whole program again, but I'm down another two pounds. This surely isn't a heck of a lot of weight.. but every little bit helps..

[imagood1]

Re: Need some advice

Hi Fozzy -- wanted to stop back and see how things were going for you. My doctors don't know what I'm doing to loose weight but both the endocrinologist and internist were very happy with the fact that I've lost weight and ask me to continue on the right path....so, without knowing it they have given me their blessing to continue on the Atkins WOE.....sneaky? Maybe, but I know this works and I don't want someone who has never been on the plan to tell me I'm making bad choices. I feel I was making bad choices before I found Atkins....now my choices are good ones.

I went to a dietician and lost 20 pounds then I stalled.....I didn't eat anything not on my list....I stayed within her guidelines and food increments -- 3 months later I hadn't lost any additional weight no inches gone, nothing.....I quit, once again I failed.

When I started Atkins my life changed - I'm not hungry, I can't wait for my next meal because it tastes good - not because I'm famished. I make my meal plans out in the evening and know when I wake up what I'm going to eat. Unlike her plan I don't "have to eat because it's 10:00". I spent most of my day before waiting to eat, now I just eat what's on my meal plan and I'm full.

There are so many doctors & nurses who don't believe this plan works because they haven't taken time to read the book OR go on the plan themselves. My mother's oncologist was the first person I knew who actually used the plan and believed in it. He now asks his patients to use the plan because cancer cells feed off sugar - we don't eat sugar, so cancer cells don't have as much to use to grow. When mom was going through cancer treatments he hadn't lost his weight yet, but soon after her surgery he lost 40 pounds and sings the praises of Atkins now. When she goes for her annual checkup with him next month I'll tell him I'm on Atkins - I'll let you know what he says then!