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Posted 3/20/2008 12:23 AM (GMT 0)

confused  I've been to a diabetic educator and a nutrionist w/opposite views sad ..sounds like you all have been there; done that & could give practical answers/sugg. based on experience.

Have you found it better to go to primary care MD or endo MD? 

[I live in west sub Chgo if u know of anyone].

How important is it to have food at specific times? I may have gotten myself into this shape w/irregular schedule but hard to remember to eat every 3-4 hours...like to eat when hungry. 

I am a "recovering" eyes carboholic & it's hard enuf to eat right as it is --w/out thinking about eating on a schedule.

I've fibromyalgia and irritable bowel.  Fibro's extreme fatigue/exhaustion work against exercise resolve;

IBS' diahrrea episodes limit food choice. Fibro flare leads to carb relapse.  nono   Does anyone out there dealing with same have advice ?  HELP!!

Posted 3/20/2008 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry I can't answer your question but I have the same question about eating. I usually only eat when I am hungry...I am wondering that too about eating on a schedule...to me that will be harder than watching what I eat. My doc. is going to start me on meds tomorrow and I am wondering if I will have to force myself to have a schedule...do you think our irregular eating has caused this? I have wondered that also.
Posted 3/20/2008 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Groggy,
Welcome to HealingWell. I have fibro, diabetes and mild IBS. I'm on the "nothing white except cauliflower" food plan which excludes grains, grain based foods, potatoes and milk. I see my regular GP and have found my own path thru the diabetes wilderness. Because I'm on metformin I've found that lowering my starch intake lessens the diarrhea episodes somewhat. I usually eat my simple olive oil- egg and cheese breakfast, lettuce wrap with cold meat - piece of fruit lunch and veggies and meat dinner right on schedule to keep my sugars from dropping too low or spiking. Snack is a banana covered with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter.

Low sugars for me usually lead to snarfing anything that isn't nailed down, eating what is easy, not what is good for me. Eating on schedule with plenty of monosaturated fats to delay stomach emptying time prevents hunger and irrational thought. I also take 3200 mg of malic acid and 400 mg of magnesium (along with 600mg of calcium to balance) for my fibro. This brings digestive issues of themselves but I work from home and have easy access to a bathroom.

You don't say what meds or food plan you are on. If we have a little more background we may be able to help you better. My 'no white food' plan has enabled me to lose about 45 lbs. and get off my Lantus insulin as well as my Avandia. Your milage may vary.
Posted 3/21/2008 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I have found that a Diabetic Center run by a nurse practitioner works best for me. She can treat and order meds. If I call with a problem, the nurse talks to me right away and tells me exactly what to do. Between the general and endo, the general calls back sooner than the endo (IF the endo calls back at all). I'd choose to keep the Diabetic Center if I could only have one. Everything you need is under one roof and they are so helpful.as they deal with diabetes only.

It is better go get on an eating schedule and menu plan to keep bg levels stable. Highs cause harm and lows can kill. The only way to stay stable is on a eating schedule. You can try only eating when you are hungry but it just does not work with this disease. Your body is working to live with this disease and needs your help to stay alive and healthy. Why not give it all the help it needs? Good luck and take care:)
Posted 3/21/2008 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Ya know, you learn something everyday. I had never been told about eating on a schedule. I had often told my PCP about my erratic work schedule and often eating dinner between 9 and 10 at night. She always told me that wasn't important. I have a check up with my new endo in a couple of weeks. I think I will get her take on this. It actually makes sense. That's what I love about this forum...always learning. Thanks, ceebee and Jeannie. ANd a big welcome, Groggy. Stick with us and you will learn a great deal here. It's a great support!
Posted 3/21/2008 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Karen

I work the hours from he$$ at certain times of the year. Eating according to a schedule just cannot happen and I was really worried about it because the dietitian scared the living daylights out of me- I wound up eating when I just wasn't hungry- a lot- because it was time.

I was a wreck. I told my doctor she better put me on medical disability because I couldn't eat 3 well timed meals and 2 well-timed snacks and keep my job, and I sure couldn't afford to be jobless now that I had to cope with the insane costs of test struips and medications and countless visits to the 'health care team'.

She told me to eat at least twice a day (so I had food to take my metformin with) and made me promise to not let myself get so hungry that paper looked edible. That works just great for me.  I always eat when I get up, and get naturally hungry at 5-6 hour intervals. If I sleep late and skip breakfast because I need to run out the door to church on Sunday- I eat brunch and dinner and small protein snack later in the evening (sometimes). If I am truly hungry between then (not thirsty, bored, angry, happy, feeling sorry for myself, tempted), I eat a smalll protein/fat item.

Since, I started eating this way, I continue to lose about 2-3 pounds a month, am never hungry, always take my medicine, and my sugar is always stable. The biggie- for me- is never to let myself get so hungry that I am out of control. And after I cut out all the carbs- my cravings literally disappeared so that hasn't been too hard.

sandy

Posted 3/21/2008 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
curious about the Diabetic Center....is it at a hospital? or just private practive type office? i am not aware of any around me [western suburbs of chicago]
Posted 3/21/2008 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
The Diabetic Center for Healthy Living in Milwaukee is in the office building behind the hospital. It is very hard to get into here. Two doctors had to get on them to take me. It is very desirable to get into. They deal just with diabetics and will work with your endo but can work alone. Much more affordable than the endo also. They are very caring and there whenever you need them. Ask at your hospital if they have one. The Nurse Practitioner is one step below a doctor and can treat and give change or order meds. Greatest place I have found since all they deal with is diabetes and really care. You get more time and teaching there. Hope you can find one:)
Posted 3/21/2008 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Lots of hospitals have diabetes centers they are often called the Jocelyn center. I spelled that wrong but now cant figure out how its supposed to be spelled.
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