Introduction , i'm new but I need some advice

Hi Christine.  No, the blood pressure pills themselves don't (or shouldn't) affect your blood sugar but the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide may raise the blood sugar - how much really depends on the person perhaps.  There may not be another choice for your blood pressure meds, so the best thing you can do would be to follow a very low carb eating plan.  Eating low carb will help keep your blood sugar down to more normal readings if they are raised, either because of the diuretic for the BP or if you are in fact a "borderline" diabetic.  Eating low carb would also help you lose weight.  In addition to that, exercise helps control both the blood pressure and the blood sugar.  Speak with your doctor so he/she is aware of what your concerns are, too.  We have lots of threads on eating and food so you can go back through old posts and get some ideas. 

Christine,
Is there a family history of diabetes? More than likely you can dodge the bullet if you go with a lowered carb food plan. Good luck with this.

Hi Christine.  A lower carb eating plan may help you lose weight (if that's what you want to do).  I'm wondering why you suspect you may be bordline diabetic if you've had normal fasting results.  Sometimes just carrying around extra weight can cause blood sugar to be high even if the person isn't diabetic or there isn't diabetes in the family.  So, in that case, losing the weight can bring the blood sugar levels down to normal.  At the same time, regular sustained exercise like walking, biking, swimming, etc. can help lower both blood sugar levels and blood pressure over time.  If you don't have a blood glucose meter and are not testing your blood sugar every day, it's hard to say if you need to go strictly low-carb.  This is why I was thinking that if you modify your diet by cutting back on the obvious carbs like white bread, potatoes and food containing sugar, you would probably lose some weight.  It's one way to start. 

 

Christine, I'm also a diabetic but I have heard many doctors talk about how being really overweight can bring on diabetes. 

 

I have been overweight all of my life and I have tried every diet imaginable, including Atkins, NutraSystem, tried being hypnotized, became addicted to amphetamines under a doctor's care,  and also saw a psychologist...all to no avail.  I realized that diets do not work. 

 

Because my diabetes was getting worse, I was quite overweight, and I had to be put on blood pressure meds and a diuretic, I decided to take the bull by the horns and get serious.  I knew I needed to have an eating plan that I could do for the rest of my life.  I read about counting carbs so decided to give it a whirl.  I became an avid label reader and checked for carbs, calories, fats, sugar, and sodium.  I discovered what would be good for me to eat and what would sabotage my eating plan.  I did this, along with gentle exercises....walking and swimming....since I also have fibromyalgia and can't over do in the exercise area.  I feel the exercise keeps the metabolism going.  Of course, you might have a type of exercise that you like better.  You do want to enjoy what you are doing. 

 

The results?  I lost 85 pounds and have kept them off for over five years with very little effort!  After all, this isn't a diet.  It's an excellent eating plan for anyone that has weight problems....and especially if they are diabetic.  It's a healthy way of eating and is easy to do with a family.   And, as a bonus, I am now off all blood pressure medications and also the diuretic.  My blood pressure was 114/65 last time I had it checked.   

 

So, Lanie and Jeannie have given you excellent advice.   I'm living proof of that!  Best of luck on your eating plan.  This really isn't difficult, you won't be hungry, and you will be smiling like the Cheshire Cat when you get on the scale!

Sherrine 

Selmer,
You have made your point. Please let it go. Not everyone on a forum agrees with everyone else. We get that. I have started another post to Christine about her question and I'd appreciate it if you would just leave it be. This forum is for offering support and ideas about our own experiences, not for debating the merits of medical experts and V.I.P.'s personal physicians. If you have had a rise in blood glucose from taking the medication hydrochlorothiazide POST AWAY. Otherwise let the discussion end here and we can agree to disagree.