BajaNomad

diabetes and insulin

BajaBlanca - 9-28-2017 at 02:25 PM

anyone out there a diabetic?

My sugar level has been out of control so my doctor in the states recommended staying with my doses of metformin twice a day

and

starting a slow acting insulin shot daily.

Our insurance company in the US said nix to the insulin (I have to say I was shocked, really shocked) but it turns out I can get it free here in Mexico with seguro popular. Happy girl.

So, I got insulin for the first time and read up a bit online, but I have a lot of questions - maybe someone can help?

1. better to take in the am? pm? or doesn't it matter.

2. take before or after eating?

3. where do those of you who live in the states dispose of your needles? I am thinking of taking mine there when we go so as to dispose of them properly.

4. how the heck do you travel with insulin if it has to be kept cold? I am talking flying abroad 12 + hours.

5. if you have any advice, I am all ears.

Thanks in advance.


bajabuddha - 9-28-2017 at 03:17 PM

Blanca, check your u2u

aguachico - 9-28-2017 at 05:47 PM

Hi Blanca;

What type of insulin was prescribed?

1. better to take in the am? pm? or doesn't it matter.
depends on the type of insulin.

2. take before or after eating?
depends on your glucose level and insulin type

3. where do those of you who live in the states dispose of your needles? I am thinking of taking mine there when we go so as to dispose of them properly.
you should have a disposal facility in vizcaino or GN

4. how the heck do you travel with insulin if it has to be kept cold? I am talking flying abroad 12 + hours.
on ice on the way to the airport. when you buy your ticket, let them know you need cold storage. Depending on where and how long you are traveling, sometimes you can buy it locally. You do not need a script for insulin, but you do need one for the needles.

BajaBlanca - 9-29-2017 at 07:15 AM

thanks! I have type 2 diabetes and the insulin I just started taking is the long acting one - so 1 shot every 24 hours. Glucose level is HIGH.

I was also told by a US doc that if my numbers come down I could get off the insulin. The doc here told me that was impossible.

I confess before the almighty Lord and all here that I do NOT or better, have not, taken my diet as seriously as I should.

Disposal facility - gotta look into that


LancairDriver - 9-29-2017 at 10:00 AM

Of course the two most effective tools to combat Diabetes are the most difficult to stick to, and that is diet and the exercise. Many doctors are moving away from Metformin because of undesirable side effects and there are other medications becoming available. Who knows which ones will be the most effective?

Terry28 - 9-29-2017 at 10:35 AM

For medical advice I would suggest you ask a medical professional.
Diabetes can be life threatening if ignored or not taken seriously.
Here you may get maps or other advice from caring but misinformed folks.

SFandH - 9-29-2017 at 11:29 AM

The American Diabetes Association has what looks to be a pretty comprehensive website.

http://www.diabetes.org/

They have a Living With Type 2 Diabetes Program that you can enroll in and get information via email free for 12 months.

https://donations.diabetes.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=LW...

Taking insulin:

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-c...

If you're so inclined, you can use http://scholar.google.com to find the same information your doctor is supposed to be reading when s/he goes home at night.

For example:

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/32/1/193.full


[Edited on 9-29-2017 by SFandH]

BajaBlanca - 9-29-2017 at 02:45 PM

yowza! thanks sf!

tiotomasbcs - 9-29-2017 at 03:29 PM

Diet..all the right foods and exercise...walk 2/3 times a day! Canned foods...processed foods are our enemy! Consult a doctor here in Baja. Our local doctor in Pescadero holds a special clinic/class for the locals who have an addiction to sugar foods!! Good luck. Tio

hombre66 - 9-29-2017 at 06:59 PM

Tiotomas tells it like it is. Having been a cook at a wellness retreat for a few years, I became completely sold on eliminating 90% of processed food from my diet . Processed sugar is the main culprit as well as preservatives and processed grains. It's a hard pill to swallow, but its the way to good health. The gummint says exersize is #1task, but thats not the ticket. Diet first and excesize 2nd. Both are optimum.

SFandH - 9-29-2017 at 07:20 PM

What you eat is important, like avoiding foods with a high glycemic index, but the most important thing is how much you eat. If you have type 2 diabetes it's most likely because you simply eat too much.

Too bad losing weight and not gaining it back is almost impossible.

"Studies have shown that becoming overweight is a major risk factor in developing type 2 diabetes. Today, roughly 30 percent of overweight people have the disease, and 85 percent of diabetics are overweight."

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/03/the-big-setup...






KurtG - 9-29-2017 at 08:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  


Too bad losing weight and not gaining it back is almost impossible.


It can be done, I have lost 75#'s and kept it off for several years. Habits must be changed long-term. It can be hard to find what works for each of us as individuals but it is worth the effort.

BajaBlanca - 9-29-2017 at 09:29 PM

dang Kurt! congratulations!

diet first. I definitely OVEREAT.


aguachico - 9-30-2017 at 08:24 AM

Blanca, having diabetes in Mexico is difficult. The culture's food base is processed carbs, meats and a small variety of veggies. You have a bit of land in LB and may want to think(if possible) about doing a garden.

When my number and waistline start to creep up, I go on lock-down mode using this diet plan. This plan will drop you numbers, you will feel great and not hungry.

google 'THE WHOLE 30' do it once and you will be good to go.

I stay within the plan's food, but I graze constantly. I believe the plan calls for only 3 meals a day, but I eat 5 small one's allowing my glucose to slowly creep down.

I have completed the plan 4 times in two years. My A1C which used to from 9-11 is now 7.

My weight has been steady under 250# when it was above 270.

BajaBlanca - 9-30-2017 at 02:37 PM

:light:

EnsenadaDr - 10-20-2017 at 09:35 AM

Adding glipizide to Metformin can lower your sugar and Victoza is also a great second line diabetic medication to be used when Metformin and diet aren't enough and runs about $250 USD a month in Mexico and available at Roma Pharmacies. Insulin tends to put weight on and can cause an increase in appetite. Victoza can cause a decrease in appetite and even may help with weight loss. It also avoids the highs and lows associated with insulin use. It is a once a day injection. Appointments are available at my clinic in La Mision. U2U me for further information.

shari - 10-20-2017 at 10:11 AM

Oh Blanca....I have been adapting a new way of eating that is a diabetes buster....not to mention arthritis, high colesterol, cancer and tinnitus too. It is called Keto.I am LOVING it and it really hasnt been that difficult as there are substitutions for all... just look at Pinetrest or google Keto recipes. I have had such amazing results and feel fantastic and want to shout it from the rooftops to everyone. This WILL work for you but you must cut out all grains & sugar....if I can do it anyone can! The testimonials of folks who have gone off all diabetes and statins and lost tons of weight are amazing. I can add you to the NSNG (no sugar no grains) facebook site that has really helped me.



I am munching on fantastic fudge right now after my breakfast of bacon and blueberry pancakes....who'da thought you could make a lovely light pancake out of a tablespoon of cream cheese & an egg!!! For dinner, chicken pot pie...and the fathead pizza is divine!!! Tons of cool recipes and when you see such fast and great results you really get inspired to change your whole way of eating!

EnsenadaDr - 10-20-2017 at 11:26 AM

The old Atkins diet!!

DianaT - 10-20-2017 at 04:22 PM


Quote:

3. where do those of you who live in the states dispose of your needles? I am thinking of taking mine there when we go so as to dispose of them properly.


Blanca think about the possible problems with carrying needles through Mexico and crossing the border with them. Just a thought.


Yes EnsenadaDr, the Keto Diet is the Atkins diet recycled. It does come around now and again. :-)


Don Jorge - 10-21-2017 at 07:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT  

Yes EnsenadaDr, the Keto Diet is the Atkins diet recycled. It does come around now and again. :-)

It does indeed. Dr. Atkins did not have an ah ha moment regrading the metabolic ketosis effect of very low/no carb ingestion. He came upon previous research, tested it and rewrote it to make his story.

The original publisher of low/no carb dietary guidelines was a German physician Dr. Wilhelm Ebstein. He was a doctor, researcher and publisher of many papers on applied metabolics in a the late 1800s! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Ebstein

EnsenadaDr - 10-21-2017 at 07:40 AM

Did Ebstein draw the conclusion of ketosis being the result of low-carb diets?

EnsenadaDr - 1-6-2018 at 04:27 PM

Some of the new medications such as Victoza, Byetta and Bydureon are great as they suppress your appetite and may help with weight loss. These are second line treatments if Metformin and Glipizide do not control the blood sugar alone. Stay away from too many tortillas. Ceviche is great as a low carb alternative.

shari - 1-6-2018 at 06:01 PM

Ditch the carbs, all grains and sugar and you will feel like a million bucks, look awesome and will lose that diabetes too...there are so many delicious keto recipes out there I found it super easy to do.

greengoes - 1-11-2018 at 11:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
Some of the new medications such as Victoza, Byetta and Bydureon are great as they suppress your appetite and may help with weight loss. These are second line treatments if Metformin and Glipizide do not control the blood sugar alone. Stay away from too many tortillas. Ceviche is great as a low carb alternative.


I heard a few of those medicines, Byetta in particular, are now on the
Call Us Now legal commercials because they are killing folks.

Check it out if you take them.....easy money :)

bajagrouper - 1-11-2018 at 06:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by EnsenadaDr  
Adding glipizide to Metformin can lower your sugar and Victoza is also a great second line diabetic medication to be used when Metformin and diet aren't enough and runs about $250 USD a month in Mexico and available at Roma Pharmacies. Insulin tends to put weight on and can cause an increase in appetite. Victoza can cause a decrease in appetite and even may help with weight loss. It also avoids the highs and lows associated with insulin use. It is a once a day injection. Appointments are available at my clinic in La Mision. U2U me for further information.


I purchased GLIP/METFORMAN 5/500 --60 TABLETS a few days ago at Pharm Guadalajara at $55 pesos and my numbers are down from the 180s to 131 in 3 days...
Blanca you said "5. if you have any advice, I am all ears."" I guess we know where you will be injecting the insulin....LOL

[Edited on 1-12-2018 by bajagrouper]

BajaBlanca - 1-12-2018 at 12:36 AM

well... I have been in States since Christmas Eve and all the diet wishes have gone right out the window.

I have been on the insulin injections, numbers still aren't that great - even with running every day, which I was. The faces on my family members faces when I said I was going to shoot up was priceless!




deportes - 1-12-2018 at 07:56 PM

If you have a computer, log into youtube and search ted talks . go to diabetes ted talks. Diabetes has been reversed in people even though the pill pushers in white coats will tell you that it's a decease for life and they start prescribing the lifetime pills.
Now a days the real necessary doctors are the surgeons that will save your life in an emergency or the ER doctors if you are in an emergency situation. The rest are pharma pushers.
Youtube Dr. Bergman,
increasing your fat to extreme levels and getting to a state of ketosis will make your body learn to burn fat instead of sugar. Vegetables, coconut oil, butter increase intake and reducing the carbohydrates to very low levels will reverse diabetes in its track!
Need to educate yourself it's the future. Healthcare is really unhealth care, they treat symptoms not make you healthy!


bezzell - 1-17-2018 at 11:34 AM

smF'gh !!
you sheeple (low-carbs) are the same gullibles that could actually believe that Trump weighs 239#

unbelievable

Paco Facullo - 1-17-2018 at 12:26 PM

I'm right there along with Shari and deportes , the Keto way of eating is great !
And I don't feel deprived.

I do not have diabetes but was was just a little overweight ( 6'3" and 215 lbs ) Now 195 lbs. and feel MUCH better.

I'd say Keto is NOT a diet per se' but simply a way of eating.

Best of luck Blanca

bezzell - 1-17-2018 at 12:48 PM

:):):):)
stay tuned