Diabetes type 2 and insulin

This topic contains 28 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by BOBBYNOOGIE 8 years, 11 months ago.

Viewing 30 posts - 1 through 30 (of 30 total)

Glucose

10:32 pm
10 Jun 14
Permalink

I am just looking at the possibility of trying the 5:2 but I am on insulin and not too sure how to handle my insulin doses. Sometimes I take my insulin a couple of hours before breakfast and my bgs continue to rise until I start to eat.
I also have hypertension (5 pills daily), IBS and sleep apnoea (CPAP machine nightly). Last week I stopped my Atorvastatin to see if other things in my body improve – I am a 62 year old female with hair loss and a small bald patch, have terrible problems with both shoulders and upper arms (right is worst) and the pain in my left thumb is excruciating and my right thumb but less so.
Hope someone will come along who has experience of this eating plan and give me some advice. I have spent 40 years yo-yo dieting…… say no more !!!
Thankyou

Glucose

10:34 pm
10 Jun 14
Permalink

P.S. !! This is my first post on here and I did not make it clear that I have Diabetes type 2 but on insulin twice daily as well as pills.

simcoeluv

10:43 pm
10 Jun 14
Permalink

Hi and welcome:

This might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oZ4UqtbB_g

He uses IF to get type 2 diabetics off insulin. Maybe some info that might help.

Good Luck

franfit

12:43 am
11 Jun 14
Permalink

Glucose, it sounds like you are dealing with an awful lot of difficult health problems! I wish I could offer you specific advice, but all I can offer is encouragement and support. I think it’s wonderful that you’re searching for a way of eating to help you with your difficulties. I know there are people who use intermittent fasting to help treat type 2 diabetes, but I imagine that most doctors don’t know that much about it yet.

suefrocks

7:28 am
11 Jun 14
Permalink

Can really sympathise with your shoulder problems. My friend who is diabetic has one and a half frozen shoulders. Apparently frozen shoulder is very common with diabetes. I just have inflamed biceps tendons which is similar but not nearly as bad-! The physio’s ultrasound machine does help me a lot. Good luck with the 5:2!

Purple Vegie Eater

11:40 pm
11 Jun 14
Permalink

Thanks Simcoeluv
Just watched https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oZ4UqtbB_g
It is fantastic. Explains exactly why my husband’s fasting has been so successful for overcoing Type 2 diabetes. What a pity the medicos in the audience were eating, noisy and laughing rudely at him!
Thank you for the link
PVE

simcoeluv

11:51 pm
11 Jun 14
Permalink

Hi Purple:

You are welcome.

He taped some lectures that detail his theory and go into detail on several subjects.

Here are the links to six of his lectures – 4 is on fasting and 6 is on the importance of fat.

1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpllomiDMX0
2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dimP7IdM2Og
3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbnshVO4PRM
4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG89j432w-Y
5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yoOx_7MLn0
6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QetsIU-3k7Y

Glucose

12:43 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

I am active on a Diabetes Forum and have started a thread there about this issue and I have been told by 2 different members that I cannot do the IF because I am on insulin.

Please is there anyone out there on insulin who has successfully managed the IF??

Purple Vegie Eater

12:50 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

Of course you can Glucose.
Watch the Youtube by Dr Fung for your answers.
PVE

franfit

2:01 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

Glucose, people with type 1 diabetes are advised not to fast, but it is possible for people with type 2 diabetes to use intermittent fasting, even if they are on insulin. I don’t have diabetes, but I do know that you will need to keep a close check on your blood glucose readings. Do you use a blood glucose meter? Is your doctor willing to work with you on adjusting the dose of your insulin and other medications? If your doctor is against it, you may have to work on educating him/her about intermittent fasting first, because your medications will need adjusting over time, and it would be much easier if you can be honest about why your blood sugar is coming down!

Amy C.

2:27 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

There are several postings of folks using insulin and fasting. If you have type 2, you would probably need to reduce your insulin on your fasting days. I would test often to determine what is happening with your blood sugar.

The goal is to lose enough weight and to reduce the carbohydrates consumed to get off of all medications for diabetes. Hopefully, your doctor can or has trained you on how to adjust your insulin.

To find the postings, search on Type 1 or insulin using the search field at the top of the page.

Glucose

4:03 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

Purple, franfit & AmyC. – Thank you all.

Yes I do test often and I work my insulin out myself. I did actually stop it in January, cold turkey, but then I fell apart a bit and had to go back on to the insulin. I am getting very fed up again because I am letting myself down but I do find it so hard, having said that I have done it before, in the past so I do know I can do it I just have not done IF before.

I was doing very low carb as part of a NHS led group but I became a train crash and am now trying to pull myself back up and plod on and I thought that maybe a new approach would be a good idea.

My longterm goal is to come off the insulin and some or all of my hypertension pills.

For the past 18 months I have been undergoing major emotional stress with the DWP stopping my Incapacity Benefit after 17 years saying I was now fit to work, then my 37 year old foster daughter was dying with secondary breast cancer and we lost her in November – she leaves a 6 year old boy. And a couple of weeks ago some bright spark told me that “it is how you handle the stress ” that causes the problems so I am still in the grieving process over her. The bright spark was a NHS Dietitian attached to the group I have been attending!! So that put me right down again, I came home feeling that my increased sugar in my blood was totally my own fault whereas I had been telling myself not to be too hard on myself because I have had these other issues to deal with too.

I appreciate all your comments and am hoping to join you all soon.

hermajtomomi

4:58 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

I have never posted on this thread before but I happened to see your post when skimming through the recent stuff. Glucose, my heart goes out to you.

How awful that your are being made to feel so bad when, quite rightly, you have been a bit easier on yourself while you work through all the other, very painful things that have been happening to you.

What is it with some of these people working for the NHS? Is being unkind, tactless and judgemental part of the job spec? Fortunately there are others who are much more understanding and sympathetic. Let’s hope you meet some of them.

And as for the DWP, don’t get me started! I’m sorry to hear that yours is one of the many stories we hear, showing the rotters up in a totally unacceptable light. Maybe the ones who work there are people who were too nasty even for the NHS.

Big hug!

Glucose

5:51 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

hermajtomomi – thank you for your supportive comments, it really does help.

I did appeal against the DWP (it took almost 12 months)and won but this government now only give ESA for 12months if you have a husband or partner or those who do not want to work ….mmm. So my benefit stopped in April but as I am 62 this month I will become a recipient of State Pension in September – so actually I am far better off than so many. The other thing is that it made no difference at all that I had worked for 30 years before I was unable to !!! I also get DLA at the lower rate so guess that will be my next battle. I have never been much interested in politics but this government have a lot to answer for as they are causing untold problems to the most disabled, sick and vulnerable in our society.

Better leave it at that else I might get thrown off. Thank you again.

hermajtomomi

6:12 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

If they throw you off, they’ll have to throw me off too.I’m a left-leaning lady with a very low opinion of this current bunch. They say as you grow older you move further to the right. Hasn’t happened to me yet. Hopefully it never will.

The fact that you worked for 30 years prior to becoming incapacitated makes the DWP decision all the more disgraceful. It’s great that you are ready to do battle with the powers that be. I’m right behind you!

Glucose

6:34 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

Just to add more insult to injury I actually worked as a Medical secretary to a Consultant Psychiatrist. Then I went into hospital for a colonoscopy investigation and fell off the bed at trolley height level injuring my back. It was then this injury which eventually caused me to lose my job following 12 months off sick. Such is life.

Purple Vegie Eater

9:05 pm
12 Jun 14
Permalink

Poor Glucose
Your issues with the government don’t help. It wouldn’t be any better in Aust. Our current Government is only interested in their extremely wealthy mining and media mates and bad luck for the great unwashed. I think they are planning on reintroducing the convict transportation system, only in reverse.
My husband, a scientist, was injecting insulin daily (can’t remember quantities) when he started 5:2 in April 13. He records all his BS readings and did them up to 6 times a day when he started. Within 2 weeks he realised he had to adjust the insulin levels significantly on fast days and quickly to none on fast days and less and less on noral days. Eventually (9 months? 20 kg?) he as able to stop injecting. He is now 70kg (down fro 100) and has steady BS levels every day at about 4-5. He still takes 1 Metformin tab each day and the occasional 2 if he has really gone over the top indulging. He tests first thing every morning and records it all. Our GP is right behind him and actually said it is not rocket science. If it is SO simple, why aren’t all diabetics helped to do it?
He realises he will always have to do 2 fasts a week to keep healthy. (Dr Fung’s research confirms this) It is not about weight loss and lower cals alone, it is the fasting that does the trick.
Go ahead and do it again Glucose. The rewards are huge. We will all support you.
PVE 🙂

judielibra1

5:22 pm
23 Jun 14
Permalink

wow PVE I am type 2 on insulin…apidra with meals, lantus slow acting at bedtime. I inject 10 mins b4 meals and check 4 times daily, I know that if you eat less carbs or even none at a meal you don’t need to take as much (if any). I was on 45 units per meal, and after I moved home and got new doctors learning about carbs, got my dose down to under 10 units. I am going to try this program and am waiting for the book to arrive. I did once before I moved tell my diabetic specialist nurse that I wanted to do this plan, but she said it would mess up my diabetes, and told me not to do it.

Amy C.

5:34 pm
23 Jun 14
Permalink

Yes, it sure will mess up your diabetes. If you lose the weight, you may get off of insulin entirely!

Dummerchen

6:00 pm
23 Jun 14
Permalink

judielibra, look at the links further up in one of simcoeluv’s posts. This doctor treats diabetics with fasting and appears very successful. You will need the support of your GP or diabetic nurse because the medication will need to be adjusted frequently. Or get a dietitian on your side.

In my area the dietitians have started to treat people with fasting and the protocol done in Newcastle. It is catching on…

http://kidneylifescience.ca/general/diabetes-success-story-2/

judielibra1

6:59 pm
23 Jun 14
Permalink

I hope so Amy 🙂 thank you Dummerchen i read the link and am hopeful. I dont think my team would support it for me though, so I am going to monitor my bloods closely and adjust my own medication, I will of course be mindful and take care I dont get lows 🙂

Purple Vegie Eater

1:44 am
24 Jun 14
Permalink

Good on you Judilibra1
I KNOW it works….I live with the man that did it.
It just takes careful recording, monitoring your BS and insulin use and looking at resultant trends. You soon learn how much you will need.
He found he reduced the insulin injections on fast days initially, then eventually off it completely. He still takes Metformin tablets.
He also now only has one small “meal” of 250-300 cals in the evening on a fast day. So no food from dinner to dinner and then over the next night. His BS readings are a stable 4.4ish most days. Proves you don’t have to do the “eat little bits all the time” that they have traditionlly told diabetics and shows fasting does allow your body to take over once again.
The medical profession generally don’t like people to take control of their own health, I think.
Watch the Dr Fung Youtube “Insulin Toxicity”. It explains it all.
All the best…go for it!
PVE 🙂

Cassy38

12:35 pm
24 Jun 14
Permalink

I have tried the 5.2 diet as I am desperate to loose the weight, but I also have Type 2 diabetes like glucose. All was going well unwell then on the second day everything went wrong, the blood sugars plummeted, and I was quite ill. So I`ve decided that I will try again next week and be more prepared.

Amy C.

1:15 pm
24 Jun 14
Permalink

If you go low, you are injecting too much insulin. Hopefully, that will be the adjustment you make next week.

Hopefully, you know if you go low to drink some juice to bring up your sugar or end the fast right then and there and eat a meal.

judielibra1

9:18 am
29 Jun 14
Permalink

I am coping okay, fast days are easy, but i need to check GL/GI of my foods more. I have looked at some GL index but they differ so much I dont know who to believe 🙁 I fasted for 3 days to see my reaction. (Mon/Thurs/Sat) I find it helps me to eat later, if i have breakfast i feel hungry, whereas if i wait till supper i’m not nagged about it all day and i’m not hungry before bed. I reduced insulin, yesterday (saturday) I didnt eat anything until supper, so didnt have to take insulin with food, but my readings were 11.7 to 8.7 so a little high. I was 9.3 this morning and havent eaten anything so far only had a cup of tea. So I am perplexed at high sugar level when fasting.

judielibra1

9:21 am
29 Jun 14
Permalink

I forgot to say, since starting the diet on Monday 23rd, i have lost 8lbs in weight and 2 inches off my tummy, so am very pleased, just hope i can stabilise my sugars :)*does happy dance*

Purple Vegie Eater

11:48 am
30 Jun 14
Permalink

Be patient judielibra1. It took you years to get where you are, you can’t just flick your fingers and change it all.
Make sure you are eating well, even on fast days. We could all drink just 3/4 of a bottle of wine, and fit into the calorie intake, but a whole bunch of veg with some lean protein is a better choice.
No rules, but you are trying to change your life, remember.
Keep up the good work, PVE

Glucose

11:11 am
21 Jul 14
Permalink

Hello Everyone.
Am back again, still undecided and have not planned to start the 5.2 but this morning I have decided to give it a go today. I am so absolutely fed up with high sugars when I am eating ok and taking insulin. So far today my sugars are not much different to when I have taken insulin. I have decided to take some of my calories in milk so that I can drink tea and today am going to have my calories in one meal tonight (minus the milk). Does anyone else do this?
I did speak to one of the DSN’s regarding this diet and she told me the I probably would not need to have insulin on the fasting days so that is what I am trying today.

Dummerchen

4:23 pm
21 Jul 14
Permalink

Glucose, I am fortunate in that onset of my diabetes was fairly recent (we have health checks at work so I know I was not diabetic a year prior to the diagnosis) and did not yet need medication, so I cannot advise you on your insulin other than to say: keep an eye on your blood sugar and act accordingly. But what Dr Fung does with his patients should be possible for you as well.

With regards to milk, yes, I have milk in my coffee and I drink two cups of white coffee in the morning and two in the evening. I count the calories for the milk towards my 500 kcal of the fast day which leaves room for a small dinner. It works well for me, eating earlier in the day sets me up for nasty hunger pangs anyway so I avoid it.

BOBBYNOOGIE

7:24 pm
1 Dec 15
Permalink

Hey Purple Vegie Eater, For me 2x’s/week is a minimum but very effective. The fasting itself and when combined with zero protein up until a 600 calorie dinner works great for autopagy as well. Funny but if I don’t eat the 600 calorie dinner, I don’t feel like eating anything the next day. There are nutrients that shouldn’t be missed which I do because of a lack of appetite when I go 36 hours.