Type 2 diabetes [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Covenant

13-04-2010, 18:05

I was diagnosed with this a couple of years ago and would like to here from other sufferers about how they deal with it.
I will be honest-most of the time I dont think about it. I avoid very sugary things like doughnuts but will still have a desert like cheesecake. Apart from that and taking a couple of pills for cholesterol/blood pressure I do bugger all.
So go on make me feel bad, tell me how you deal with it.

Grez

13-04-2010, 18:13

Hi Jerry

I got diagnosed in 2002. I try to stay away from stuff containing processed (ie white) sugar, but try to eat lots of savouries and fruit that I enjoy. Not too much saturated fat either, but I don't go as far as fat-free meat. I still roast chickens in their skin and other meats with fat on.

I'm on aspirin, metformin and simvastatin at the moment. My attitude is try to be sensible but also try to enjoy what I eat. It took me about 2 years to get used to tea and coffee without sugar, but I eventually got there. If we get cakes or chocolates brought into work, I don't really feel tempted any more because it's like looking at a pile of pens or pencils - I know I can't eat them so what's the point?

:)

Covenant

13-04-2010, 18:32

Hi Grez-yea simvastatin and Ramapril for me. I am guilty of the odd bit of chocolate, going to try and cut that out. I am not giving up cheesecake until something drops off.

Grez

13-04-2010, 20:15

Hi Grez-yea simvastatin and Ramapril for me. I am guilty of the odd bit of chocolate, going to try and cut that out. I am not giving up cheesecake until something drops off.

I've had some lovely homemade cheesecakes since I became diabetic - my daughter made me an especially nice baked one. As I got further down the road I got a much less sweet tooth which helps as well.

Hot puddings were always my thing, and I found that making them using Splenda rather than sugar was really good. If you measure the Splenda out by volume (in one of those measuring jugs with sugar weights up the side) you get the same sweetness but without the dreaded sugar rush. Bread and butter pudding, fruit sponges, apple pie and crumble, rhubarb pie etc. are all back on the menu, along with custard (Birds Powder made up with Splenda).

Provided it's the odd bit of chocolate and not every day you should be OK. I have a sweet treat occasionally.
;-)

Barry

13-04-2010, 20:25

Hi Jerry,

I was diagnosed with Type 2, mid 2007. Initally it was glucose intolerance, which I hoped to manage through diet (after consultation with a dietician). This proved to be insufficient and as a result of a subsequent blood test, I was 'pronounced' as Type 2. I went on a (rather depressing) course where you learn the 'ins and outs' of being diabetic, and was prescribed Glicizide, a bit of an imposition on my lifestyle as you need to take it 20 - 30 minutes before you eat; not good for someone who often travels to the 'back of beyond' and cannot keep to a strict eating schedule.

At the same time I cut out sugar in tea, used semi skimmed milk and cut down heavily on the saturated fat - difficult as this meant eating far less cheese than I used to. There was also the possibility that in using Glicizide I could suffer 'hypos'; I had already informed the DVLA of my condition (and my car insurer).

Anyway, as a result of a subsequent HbA1c blood test I was, to my great delight, taken off the medication. I put this down to my diligent adherence to an acceptable diet (which always was balanced and healthy): that is, stick strictly to the RDA on everything. At the moment this seems to be working, but in future I may have to go back onto medication or even use insulin.

I also suffer from hypertension (congenital), so am very aware of my salt intake. I try to aim for 1/3 -1/2 the RDA, and only eat Pringles as a treat every now and then.

I was also told by the dietician that I ought to stick rigorously to the RDA allowance for alcohol. Whilst I do 'skirt around the danger zone' here, despite what impressions people might have formed of me following my frequent postings in the 'Recommended Wine and Beer' thread, I do have a couple of alcohol-free days a week.

So to conclude: sticking to a sensible and well-balanced diet ('Five a day' and all that) seems to work, but don't be a slave to the nutritional figures. Allow yourself the occasional deviation or treat; life is to be lived after all. I eat the occasional piece or two of chocolate (Tesco's Equadorian 85% coco solids plain chocolate), don't bother with the so-called diabetic chocolate, it's more expensive and no better for you.

Regards

Covenant

13-04-2010, 20:34

DSJR

13-04-2010, 21:28

I have a good friend who has been on Insulin for thirty odd years now. He's been using a "pen" injector for twenty five years or more and things seem to be stable, although he reported a severe wobble eighteen months ago (he's now 64) which he seems to have recovered from..

Barry

13-04-2010, 22:08

I will look out for that chocolate Barry. I really like Tesco's rough oatcake biscuits with something like hommous on them. I have bran flakes or alpen for brekky with a handful of mixed dried fruit on top. For lunch today I had a roast beef sandwich on wholemeal and a baked potato for dinner with tuna mayo (low fat). So not too unhealthy I think.

Sounds good to me. You obviously have learnt Jerry, that of the carbohydrates, starch (bread, potatoes, rice and pasta (the best)) is good as it provides a slow release of energy.

I too eat museli for breakfast, love a roast beef sandwich and also love tuna fish. I'm afraid that the mayonaise I use is Helleman's original, but I don't use a lot of it. Natural (Greek style) yoghurt is also good.

Enjoy

beek

14-04-2010, 03:36

I have to use insulin (Humulin H) & take glemipiride after lunch and dinner along with 12 other meds. Also been through a mini-stroke & currently kidney failure, Best I can say you have to bite the bullet & completely stop the sweets etc.( I miss my brews) and eat as minimally as possible & take your meds. I know it sucks espicially the depression that goes along with having the new discovery. Stay in a hospital room with a 24 yr. old that lost both of his legs because he blew it off till it was too late. Sorry bout the rant I know its a drag, do the right thing stay as stress free as possible and dig your music...........

REM

14-04-2010, 07:55

I too eat museli for breakfast, love a roast beef sandwich and also love tuna fish. I'm afraid that the mayonaise I use is Helleman's original, but I don't use a lot of it. Natural (Greek style) yoghurt is also good.

Enjoy

Hi Barry

Careful with the 'Greek style' yogurt, if it's the supermarket own brand stuff there is almost as much sugar in a tub of it as there is in a can of coke!

Bloody supermarkets shove sugar in everything these days, try buying a jar of mustard that hasn't got sugar in it (if you can find one let me know) so it's hardly surprising type 2 diabetes is so rife.

Mayo, why not make your own? Egg yoke (free range), good olive oil, pinch of mustard powder, 2 mins in a food processor and you're done. You wont believe the taste, no additives/preservatives (take a look at that Hellmans label), if you haven't got a processor it's worth buying one for. Home made Mayo is one of life's great joys and it's so easy even us blokes can do it, gets you extra kudos points on the domestic front too, just tell the good lady it's something you've been perfecting in secret for years;).

Cheers

Covenant

14-04-2010, 08:11

Steve Toy

14-04-2010, 12:11

REM

14-04-2010, 12:25

Hi Jerry

One egg yoke will make about 150/200ml finished mayo depending on the size of egg.

Put the egg and mustard powder (quarter teaspoon) in the processor, switch on and drizzle the oil in slowly. The egg/oil mix will gradually begin to emulsify, as soon as the mayo forms the right consistency stop pouring in the oil and you're done. Keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for a week.
You can do it the traditional way in a bowl with a balloon whisk but it's bloody hard work which is why everyone buys the ready made stuff just let the processor do the work, it's a doddle and you can try out different oils to tailor the taste to your own preferences.

As to alcohol, I believe there is some truth in the rumour that the notion of 'units' was sketched out on the back of a fag packet by the then surgeon general over a blow out lunch or dinner at the Savoy or similar establishment with some politician or other.

Cheers:cool:

Covenant

14-04-2010, 15:44

I'm type 2 since March 2008. Only just on the scale though and wouldn't have got there on older, less strict criteria. I avoid sweets, chocolate and all desserts. My weakness is beer, some fatty foods and ketchup although I use a low salt/sugar version. I also have high blood pressure but this is controlled as is the diabetes with ramipril, atenolol, bendroflumethiazide, amplodipine. I take 2 x 500mg of metformin a day for diabetes. I've stopped taking simvastatin because of side effects but my cholestorol levels have dropped off anyway.

I wonder why you have been given so many tablets? My Cholestrol level was normal but the doc said he likes people with diabeties to have a lower than normal count. I think I was just on the scale but they dont tell you much.
'Think mediterranean' was my doctors food advice.

Haselsh1

14-04-2010, 17:01

Compared to you guys I've got it easy. I can't eat chocolate because it causes all kinds of wierd visual disturbances but no headaches. Apart from that and being a little overweight, I'm fine. Oh, by the way, I don't miss the chocolate which I haven't been able to eat for three years now. I can have sugar in coffee though.

Haselsh1

14-04-2010, 17:04

Great one Ralph, I will try the mayo recipe. One egg per person about right?

Now the thorny question of drink. I hardly bother with beer but drink one bottle of red wine most week ends. I could drink the whole bottle in one session but try to leave some until the following day because I think its just too much sugar in one go. Are there any wines which have a relatively low sugar content?

I do drink a whole bottle in one go over a period of a full evening but don't have anymore during the week. I don't do beer unless it's real ale and very good as it gives me roaring heartburn.
Ah... Zantacs.

hifinutt

14-04-2010, 18:44

as far as i know diabetics and non diabetics should have the same diet i.e low fat, high fibre , low sugar . we all need to eat healthily

REM

14-04-2010, 18:57

'Think mediterranean' was my doctors food advice.

Mediterranean = plenty olive oil = loads of home made Mayo! A win win situation!!

:lol:

DSJR

14-04-2010, 21:41

I'm type 2 since March 2008. Only just on the scale though and wouldn't have got there on older, less strict criteria. I avoid sweets, chocolate and all desserts. My weakness is beer, some fatty foods and ketchup although I use a low salt/sugar version. I also have high blood pressure but this is controlled as is the diabetes with ramipril, atenolol, bendroflumethiazide, amplodipine. I take 2 x 500mg of metformin a day for diabetes. I've stopped taking simvastatin because of side effects but my cholestorol levels have dropped off anyway.

Ramipril, Bendroflumethiazide - I know those too well!!!!!!!!

Don't get hifi dave involved, I'm told if you shake him he rattles.....:eyebrows:

Seriously, what's caused the Diabetes? is it stress in previous years, sugar abuse, or are you all genetically unlucky?

Steve Toy

14-04-2010, 23:32

I wonder why you have been given so many tablets?

To control my blood pressure. Without those tablets I would not pass a DVLA group 2 medical.

MartinT

15-04-2010, 06:22

I've been a Type 2 since 1997, until recently on Gliclazide and Metformin. Over the 13 years I gradually lost control despite generally avoiding sugar and was recently moved over to insulin. In many ways it's been easier since and with far fewer side-effects. Diabetic neuropathy is a thing of the past, thank goodness, as I had a lot of pain in my legs at one point last year. Diabetes does not mix well with chemotherapy.

Barry

15-04-2010, 18:12

'Think mediterranean' was my doctors food advice.

and

As far as I know diabetics and non-diabetics should have the same diet i.e low fat, high fibre , low sugar. We all need to eat healthily.

Agreed. I'm sure Marco and Demitri would also agree, mediterranean cuisine does seem to be healthier than ours. Don't know if it's simply down to the use of olive oil and increased use of fish in their diets. I'm trying to eat a lot more fish than I did. The Japanese are said to live longer than usual lives, and this is put down to the almost exclusive fish diet. Recently a sushi bar has opened here so I'm giving that a go (expensive though it is).

Seriously, what's caused the Diabetes? Is it stress in previous years, sugar abuse, or are you all genetically unlucky?

The incidence of (Type 2) diabetes in older adults is on the increase globally. Part of this is due to the increased consuption of sugar coupled with, for a lot of people, a sedentary life style, lack of exercise leading to obesity (or at least over-weight). All sufferers will have their own reasons. In my case I am hypothyroidic (that is, have an underactive thyroid). It would appear that I have an over-enthusiastic immune system which is preventing me either producing enough thyroxin, or allowing what thyroxin my thyroid gland does produce to be used effectively. My doctor thinks that a similar effect might explain the diabetes, since there is no family history of diabetes in my family, neither am I overweight (my BMI is 24).

The worry with diabetes is that there are no symptoms, so is not often spotted until it is too late and damage has been done. These days, surgeries do a lot more screening and so through blood tests, early incidence can be spotted, hopefully, in time.

There is, these days, a much higher use of both salt and sugar in supermarket foods and the amount of saturated fat used in pastries and puddings has to be seen to believed (example: one croissant contains 40% RDA saturated fat)!

I wonder why you have been given so many tablets?

It is important for diabetics not to have high blood pressure. I do, and it's managed with Ramipril and bedroflumethiazide.

I avoid very sugary things like doughnuts but will still have a desert like cheesecake. Apart from that and taking a couple of pills for cholesterol/blood pressure I do bugger all.

Tricky one this: do you become slavish to a dull but healthy diet, or decide that for you it is the quality rather than quantity of life that is important? I believe that there is a middle way: it is possible to enjoy a perfectly healthy and tasty diet, enjoying the occasional treat. When treats are occasional, they are even more enjoyable. As was written above the Parthenon in Athens: 'Know thyself' and 'Everything in moderation'. If it was good enough for the Greeks, it's good enough for me.

Or, you can follow the Khayyiamian path:

Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse - and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness -
And Wilderness is Paradise enow.

Like all things in life, it's for everyone to find their own way.

Regards

Covenant

15-04-2010, 18:25

hifinutt

15-04-2010, 18:28

Ramipril, Bendroflumethiazide - I know those too well!!!!!!!!

Don't get hifi dave involved, I'm told if you shake him he rattles.....:eyebrows:

Seriously, what's caused the Diabetes? is it stress in previous years, sugar abuse, or are you all genetically unlucky?

many afro caribeans and asians are diabetic , much more than caucasian. there are many theories but no real answers
obese children can get it as the small amount of insulin they produce cannot cope with all that bulk.

many just have failing pancreas as get older causing type 2 diabetes needing tablets to give the pancreas a kick to encourage it to make more insulin

hifinutt

15-04-2010, 18:31

hifinutt

15-04-2010, 18:35

"Diabetic neuropathy is a thing of the past, thank goodness, as I had a lot of pain in my legs at one point last year. Diabetes does not mix well with chemotherapy. "

sorry to be a pain but diabetic neuropathy is seen every minute in foot clinics , MASSIVE cause on NHS expenditure and many wounds, toe amputations result . having been to several conferences on wound care i can vouch for this. of course with good control and monitoring these effects can be reduced
__________________

Barry

15-04-2010, 18:35

Well if this thread could be extended to include healthy food ideas that would be great but count me out of any sushi type stuff. I read about a Japanese guy who was mad on the stuff and ate it every day. He went to his doctors complaining of headaches and ended up in emergency surgery were he died. When they opened up his skull his brain was full of maggots which live in uncooked fish. The photo was not very nice........

The reason why sushi is expensive is that the fish has to be really fresh; the chef has to know how to look for the signs of this and how to prepare it.

If the fish had maggots living on it (how did they survive the gastric digestive juices?), the fish could not have been fresh!

Anyway Jerry, there is no obligation to eat sushi. There are plenty of diabetic cookbooks out there. For example:

Anthony Worrall Thompson, The Essential Diabetes Cookbook - Good Healthy Eating From Around the World, 2010, ISBN 978-1-85626-870-7.

Regards

Themis

15-04-2010, 18:37

Agreed. I'm sure Marco and Demitri would also agree, mediterranean cuisine does seem to be healthier than ours. Don't know if it's simply down to the use of olive oil and increased use of fish in their diets. I'm trying to eat a lot more fish than I did.
The trick is :
Olive oil (almost exclusively), almost no butter or fresh cream, lots of cheese, almost only small animals (chicken, rabbit, no beef), not a lot of fish, no more than 4 times a week of meat, a lot of dried vegetables (beans, lentils, chickpeas,...), vegetables in every meal, lots of fresh fruits and yogurt every day.
Don't forget the bread. :)

Covenant

15-04-2010, 19:36

My doctor said to avoid cheese as it was just fat.

Themis

15-04-2010, 19:56

Ah. Well, if you need a no-fat diet, then you should probably avoid cheese, indeed.
But in that case, most probably, you should avoid meat altogether.

Barry

15-04-2010, 20:44

"The worry with diabetes is that there are no symptoms, so is not often spotted until it is too late and damage has been done. These days, surgeries do a lot more screening and so through blood tests, early incidence can be spotted, hopefully, in time"

Not quite true in all folks, heavy thirst and peeing all the time can be one sign , I took my neighbour to hospital newly diagnosed as he almost drank the water butt dry waiting !!!

Yes, you're quite right, I was confusing diabetes with hypertension, both of which I have. In my defence I will say that I did not suffer from excessive thirst nor the need to pee frequently (little and often). It would seem that I was diagnosed in time.

Regards

Barry

15-04-2010, 21:04

The trick is :
Olive oil (almost exclusively), almost no butter or fresh cream, lots of cheese, almost only small animals (chicken, rabbit, no beef), not a lot of fish, no more than 4 times a week of meat, a lot of dried vegetables (beans, lentils, chickpeas,...), vegetables in every meal, lots of fresh fruits and yogurt every day.
Don't forget the bread. :)

Hi Dimitri

Lots of cheese? Not good for us diabetics, or is the (goat's ?) cheese is lower in saturated fat than dairy cheese?

No beef. Oh dear, beef is my favourite meat, along with lamb. Not keen on fowl (of any description - I've tried them all). I like chicken (not roast chicken) in risotto's and masala curries, but can't eat rabbit ever since I was a young teenager on holiday in France where the rabbit was served up like an anatomy lesson! (But then I'm excessively squeamish.)

Not a lot of fish? I'm surprised - love paellas, but am weary of seafood; love prawns, shrimp, crab and lobster, but loath scallops and winkles.

Yoghurt: I like both the flavoured varieties (not so good for me) as well as the unflavoured style. I recently described natural yogurt as Greek style. It was poined out that (supermarket) 'Greek style' is full of sugar! I did a quick check in my local supermarkets, and yes, it does have a fair amount of sugar, but lies between the 'acceptable' and 'be aware' levels of RDA sugar/100g.

Regards

beek

16-04-2010, 00:18

This thread is educational. A small palm sized pice of meat for dinner is ok according to my Doctor he advises not to go too low on the protein. I guess we all Sin once in awhile. I am looking forward to starting the pen soon, its really a pain to load a syringe all the time. I see now there is an Executive model that keeps digital info on dose,dose time, missed dose etc. isnt technology amazing....:)

MartinT

16-04-2010, 06:20

sorry to be a pain but diabetic neuropathy is seen every minute in foot clinics

Oh I agree, I was saying that neuropathy is gone for me personally.

MartinT

16-04-2010, 06:24

I am looking forward to starting the pen soon, its really a pain to load a syringe all the time.

Actually I find that the insulin cartridge lasts almost two weeks and I can use a needle for both doses in a day. So it's not really any worse than it used to be to remember to carry and take my tablets.

Covenant

16-04-2010, 07:04

Themis

16-04-2010, 08:16

Hi Dimitri

Lots of cheese? Not good for us diabetics, or is the (goat's ?) cheese is lower in saturated fat than dairy cheese?

No beef. Oh dear, beef is my favourite meat, along with lamb. Not keen on fowl (of any description - I've tried them all). I like chicken (not roast chicken) in risotto's and masala curries, but can't eat rabbit ever since I was a young teenager on holiday in France where the rabbit was served up like an anatomy lesson! (But then I'm excessively squeamish.)

Not a lot of fish? I'm surprised - love paellas, but am weary of seafood; love prawns, shrimp, crab and lobster, but loath scallops and winkles.

Yoghurt: I like both the flavoured varieties (not so good for me) as well as the unflavoured style. I recently described natural yogurt as Greek style. It was poined out that (supermarket) 'Greek style' is full of sugar! I did a quick check in my local supermarkets, and yes, it does have a fair amount of sugar, but lies between the 'acceptable' and 'be aware' levels of RDA sugar/100g.

Regards
What I mentioned are the Cretan eating habits. All is not necessarily good for specific cases (diabetics, for instance). In Greece we mainly eat goat and sheep cheese, of course.

Unfortunately, beef is the worst meat (nutritionally), excessively rich and probably one of the worst aliments. Which doesn't mean that eating once every 15 days or once a week is really a problem.

Sugar in yogurt ? :scratch:You mean you can't find not sweetened yogurt ? Strange, indeed.

REM

16-04-2010, 08:52

"The worry with diabetes is that there are no symptoms, so is not often spotted until it is too late and damage has been done. These days, surgeries do a lot more screening and so through blood tests, early incidence can be spotted, hopefully, in time"

not quite true in all folks, heavy thirst and peeing all the time can be one sign , i took my neighbour to hospital newly diagnosed as he almost drank the water butt dry waiting !!!

That sounds more like diabetes insipidus:-

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Diabetes-insipidus/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Barry

16-04-2010, 14:09

Right, just in case you thought I was making it up about sushi and brain maggots I have put the link below to the photo. It might be a hoax but I'm not taking any chances.
DO NOT OPEN THIS LINK IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A STRONG STOMACH, ITS NASTY:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-brainworms2.htm

Read page 4 of the above article:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-brainworms4.htm

I think the name of the web site tells it all.

Regards

Barry

16-04-2010, 14:19

What I mentioned are the Cretan eating habits. All is not necessarily good for specific cases (diabetics, for instance). In Greece we mainly eat goat and sheep cheese, of course.

Unfortunately, beef is the worst meat (nutritionally), excessively rich and probably one of the worst aliments. Which doesn't mean that eating once every 15 days or once a week is really a problem.

Sugar in yogurt ? :scratch:You mean you can't find not sweetened yogurt ? Strange, indeed.

Hi Dimitri

Yes, we can obtain natural unsweeted yogurt here. My comment was over the term 'Greek-style' as a homonym for natural yogurt. As I said supermarkets here sell a yogurt labeled as 'greek-style' which does contain sugar.

It would seem that this is a misnomer and libelous of the healthy Greek cuisine.

Regards

hifinutt

21-04-2010, 04:54

That sounds more like diabetes insipidus:-

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Diabetes-insipidus/Pages/Introduction.aspx

no insipidus is very rare but these are the symptoms of dehydration caused by the sugar in the blood when you have insulin deficiency , so called hypergyceamia from diabetes mellitus