Anyone using insulin for diabetes?

[Spike56]

Why Splenda? Most references seem to say "Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level."

Yes, that's what some "say". For me, I do NOT believe this to be true, especially in products with large levels of certain sugar alcohols. At his point, I only "believe" Monk fruit and Stevia are acceptable. Unfortunately, products with stevia have an aftertaste to me that is not pleasant. I have ordered Stevia drops via. Amazon and added to tea, and that seems okay.
IMHO, any processed sweeteners are highly suspect. And some "low carb" purchased products are a scam. You read the label and it may say carbs =20, net carbs =2. Then you find out they deduct ALL fiber and ALL sugar alcohol to arrive at that number. Big Scam in my opinion they can do that, and I think very misleading. People can argue back and forth on this, and I am NO expert, have asked my Dr. and dietician about it. They say, it is misleading to say the least, and more likely fraudulent, but they are allowed to state it that way on the labels.
Stevia and Monk fruit are "natural growing plants" while all the other sugar alcohols I know of are processed / cracked / and or treated. You just have to find the right kinds of Stevia / Monk fruit.

 

[SgtSluggo]

Yes, that's what some "say". For me, I do NOT believe this to be true, especially in products with large levels of certain sugar alcohols. At his point, I only "believe" Monk fruit and Stevia are acceptable. Unfortunately, products with stevia have an aftertaste to me that is not pleasant. I have ordered Stevia drops via. Amazon and added to tea, and that seems okay.
IMHO, any processed sweeteners are highly suspect. And some "low carb" purchased products are a scam. You read the label and it may say carbs =20, net carbs =2. Then you find out they deduct ALL fiber and ALL sugar alcohol to arrive at that number. Big Scam in my opinion they can do that, and I think very misleading. People can argue back and forth on this, and I am NO expert, have asked my Dr. and dietician about it. They say, it is misleading to say the least, and more likely fraudulent, but they are allowed to state it that way on the labels.
Stevia and Monk fruit are "natural growing plants" while all the other sugar alcohols I know of are processed / cracked / and or treated. You just have to find the right kinds of Stevia / Monk fruit.

First, I agree that the way "net carbs" are reported is a bit suspect. As a diabetic, you should be looking at total carbs and sugars.

Second: Sugar alcohols occur naturally in many foods. Mannitol, Sorbitol, and Xylitol (the most common) are naturally occurring and usually extracted rather that artificially produced.

Stevia and Monk fruit extract are probably (less is known about monk fruit and diabetes) great options for diabetics. However, Splenda is also probably a safe and effective alternative sweetener for many diabetics. There is a question about the safety of some overseas stevia extracts and leaves.

 

[ArlyA]

I'm glad that I've found this thread (and sorry for bumping it) as I've just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It seems that I need to take insulin. But I read that a lot of people succeed to manage it through diet and exercise. Did they still take insulin (other diabetes meds) first? How much time did it take to get to the point where they didn't need meds anymore?

What does your doc say?? I'd suggest you get to moving around and see if you can knock those blood glycogens down. Lots of those meds (not insulin) have bad side effects but taking LOTS of isulin is also bad. Some people can get off the couch and get off all meds, but not everyone can.

 

[Torvy]

Definitely follow actual medical advice.

My dad is on insulin for T2. Diet and exercise CAN in some cases reduce or eliminate the need for insulin, but no one here can or should give medical advice.

 

[Budweiser John]

I have been insulin dependent for over 10 years now. Has it been a lifestyle change? Yes and no. Stay active physically, shed a few pounds, and lay off the sugar.
blood sugar testing is a simple. Procedure as is the injection protocol twice a day in my case. Interestingly after a short time, I found my love for sweets diminishEd and daily management of blood sugar levels still leaves roof for an adult beverage or two and a glass of red wine with dinner.
good luck on your new adventure.
B. John

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I'm glad that I've found this thread (and sorry for bumping it) as I've just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It seems that I need to take insulin. But I read that a lot of people succeed to manage it through diet and exercise. Did they still take insulin (other diabetes meds) first? How much time did it take to get to the point where they didn't need meds anymore?

My blood sugar evened out after I dropped 60 lbs. Another 40 to go and I'll be at my college sports competition weight. I still take metformin, because my doc specializes in geriatric medicine. There are a few drugs that have anti-agathic off-label properties. Metformin, atorvastatin, vitamin D, and Omega 3 fish oil are the most common.

Diabetes will kill you. When my doc told me I could control it with weight loss, I took him seriously. If your diabetes is more severe and you need insulin, believe it. It's not a disease to screw around with, and not a pretty death. Blindness and amputation are just a start.

 

[AnotherBueller]

I have been insulin dependent for over 10 years now. Has it been a lifestyle change? Yes and no. Stay active physically, shed a few pounds, and lay off the sugar.
blood sugar testing is a simple. Procedure as is the injection protocol twice a day in my case. Interestingly after a short time, I found my love for sweets diminishEd and daily management of blood sugar levels still leaves roof for an adult beverage or two and a glass of red wine with dinner.
good luck on your new adventure.
B. John

I've been a type 2 and on insulin (Lantus) for a long time (>20 yrs) taking 15 units/ day, 2000U metformin 2X a day and three others. The wanted to start 3 short term insulin and keep using the Lantus I wanted to stop the DAILY injections not increase them. So about 5 or 6 months ago VA doc switched me to 'Trulicity' (generic name - 'Dulaglutide') 1.5 Mg once a week and took away the daily insulin, reduced the metformen to 1000 X a day and all of the others. Since the change, with NO change in activity levels, A1c went from 7.4 to 5.9, weight dropped from 191 to a stable 170. My appetite has greatly decreased and I beleve is the reason for the weight loss. The only down side was a faint nausea for the first couple months. So no more daily shots, weight loss and my hourly sticks to check sugar shows no more highs or lows. That's a win/win for me. (that class of drug was approved by the FDA for weight loss a couple of months ago and has caused a shortage of some types)

 

[1Mech]

Gee, guys, what stories! And I can only imagine the cost. Here in Canada we keep hearing how much more drugs are in the US than in Canada, so how much does it cost you?

By the way, you may or may not know that insulin was discovered at the University of Toronto by Canadians Banting and Best, way back in 1921, and they received US patents for it in 1923. (60 years later, they still call it the Banting and best institute, and in fact my wife worked at it when she was a student!) And guess what those guys did with the patents back in 1923? They sold the patents to the University of Toronto for ONE dollar. And Banting said at the time, “Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.” His explanation for the cheap price was that he wanted everyone who needed medication to be able to afford it.

Well, that didn’t happen, although as you know we in Canada get our medications for pretty cheap.

My late wife was diabetic from age 12, started out with twice a day shots, then, back in the late '90s or early '00s, don't recall for sure, she switched to an insulin pump. Best move she ever made. But as you point out, the drug companies don't care if insulin is affordable. Before an insulin variety comes off patent, they will make a slight modification to it, to keep it from going generic. I used to buy insulin from Canada by mail order because it was cheaper than buying it in the states, even with my decent health insurance. Not all crooks wear masks!

 

[check]

My late wife was diabetic from age 12, started out with twice a day shots, then, back in the late '90s or early '00s, don't recall for sure, she switched to an insulin pump. Best move she ever made. But as you point out, the drug companies don't care if insulin is affordable. Before an insulin variety comes off patent, they will make a slight modification to it, to keep it from going generic. I used to buy insulin from Canada by mail order because it was cheaper than buying it in the states, even with my decent health insurance. Not all crooks wear masks!

Wasn’t there a recent bill passed in the US that made insulin only $35 a day?

 

[ArlyA]

My late wife was diabetic from age 12, started out with twice a day shots, then, back in the late '90s or early '00s, don't recall for sure, she switched to an insulin pump. Best move she ever made. But as you point out, the drug companies don't care if insulin is affordable. Before an insulin variety comes off patent, they will make a slight modification to it, to keep it from going generic. I used to buy insulin from Canada by mail order because it was cheaper than buying it in the states, even with my decent health insurance. Not all crooks wear masks!

When a product is made for profit, this is what happens....

 

[Yander]

For the type 1 diabetics I feel for you. When I was drinking heavily and eating at night I was type 2 and was on metformin.

I guy at work ripped me for not listening to my doctor when doctor kept saying I needed to quit drinking.

I removed alcohol and potato chips and other unhealthy carbs at night.

I was at unsafe levels of type 2 diabetes over 200/300 at times. I did some damage to my veins in my legs that's probably irreparable.

I checked it a few days ago and it was 87 at night 84 in the morning.

I'm now slowly losing weight and I've lost about 30 lb since holidays.

My wife is using a couple of natural supplements that she said is helping her type 2. She was pre-diabetic in the 120s and checked hers the other day and it was 71.

I'll find out what she's taking and post it

 

[NorTracNY]

Insulin cost are so high that many insurance companies are paying for people to be enrolled in the virta program. It's basically going to a very strict Keto diet. You're monitored by doctors and many T2 patients are reducing their insulin within the first 6 days. The virta program is >$3K/year!

 

[newbury]

Wasn’t there a recent bill passed in the US that made insulin only $35 a day?

Not to be political but he's trying:

Biden's signature legislative achievement, the Inflation Reduction Act, has capped insulin prices for Medicare recipients at $35 per month but the law does not shield younger diabetes patients with private insurance or without insurance from higher prices.

 

[ArlyA]

Insulin cost are so high that many insurance companies are paying for people to be enrolled in the virta program. It's basically going to a very strict Keto diet. You're monitored by doctors and many T2 patients are reducing their insulin within the first 6 days. The virta program is >$3K/year!

And I can think of reasons to not. Seem a vartity of foods is what humanoids thrive best on.
--------------------------------------------
Is keto a healthy way to diet?

The keto diet could cause low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of heart disease. Strict diets like keto could also cause social isolation or disordered eating. Keto is not safe for those with any conditions involving their pancreas, liver, thyroid or gallbladder.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Wasn’t there a recent bill passed in the US that made insulin only $35 a day?

A couple of drug companies have dropped their price to that per month. I don't know if it was mandated, but if not they saw the writing on the wall.

3 major insulin makers have now slashed the price of the life-saving drug. Here's why.

Sanofi on Thursday became the last major insulin maker to cut the price of the life-saving drug. Here's why it's been so expensive and what's next.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Yander]

Not to be political but he's trying:

That's what pork barrel politics will do for you. He's famous for it, then a bunch of whining on why it doesn't pass. Both parties are bad about it. Then they both wine, "they wouldn't pass it".

 

[lman]

I have been insulin dependent for over 10 years now. Has it been a lifestyle change? Yes and no. Stay active physically, shed a few pounds, and lay off the sugar.
blood sugar testing is a simple. Procedure as is the injection protocol twice a day in my case. Interestingly after a short time, I found my love for sweets diminishEd and daily management of blood sugar levels still leaves roof for an adult beverage or two and a glass of red wine with dinner.
good luck on your new adventure.
B. John

What does the Budweiser do for your diabetes?

 

[AnotherBueller]

What does the Budweiser do for your diabetes?

Alcohol CAN lower blood sugar, but the results are unpredictable and may depend on amount, timing and your physical disposition. So NOT recommended. Per my endocrinologist (>20 yrs ago.)

 

[ArlyA]

Alcohol CAN lower blood sugar, but the results are unpredictable and may depend on amount, timing and your physical disposition. So NOT recommended. Per my endocrinologist (>20 yrs ago.)

Utilizing alcohol to lower ones blood sugar is a quick way to ER or the grave.

 

[NorTracNY]

And I can think of reasons to not. Seem a vartity of foods is what humanoids thrive best on.
--------------------------------------------
Is keto a healthy way to diet?

The keto diet could cause low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of heart disease. Strict diets like keto could also cause social isolation or disordered eating. Keto is not safe for those with any conditions involving their pancreas, liver, thyroid or gallbladder.

I agree that variety is good, but it should be variety to get the nutrients that the body needs. As I said, the virta program is monitored and is unique in that they actually have published 5 year studies on the patients following their program. That is why companies are covering the cost.

What I was surprised at before starting is that there is no one "Keto" diet. So the limited studies that exist have people that are doing various things and they will group them into broad categories. As you're post says - "The keto diet COULD". I looked into keto some once I figured out that is what virta used. Some places think the keto flu is just part getting adapting to keto.