Need to get my blood sugar down.

[John Schmidt]

Dr. has me on metformin, my glucose had jumped during the prostate treatment due to the hormone shots they gave me. He started me last November when it was 277 and A1c was 11. He had me work up to four of the metformin a day after about 6 wks. but it created urinary problems and pain. As a result I backed off for a time and things returned to normal. As a test, I worked back up to four a day and it all came back so that was enough for me. I dropped to two a day and been on that since early this year. The four/day did drop the sugar and A1c, went to 177 and 8.1. I've been using just two a day for about 5 months and lab tests this morning shows it's all back up to 252 with A1c at 10. They did a full lab run on me, drawing enough to cause me to ask the gal if I get paid for making a blood donation. A weak giggle is all I got in return but she said she understood.

Now, I have an appt. with my primary care on Monday and he's going to push for me to start the weekly injection of Trulicity. Absolutely everything else in my lab report was perfect, the glucose issue is the only anomoly that exists. What I don't understand is I'm not a major sweets eater, I can live on fruit, salads, meat once in a while....to me it doesn't make sense. I don't drink loads of soft drinks but do have some around that are both sugar and caffeine free, and never drink a full bottle....usually mix it with my OJ in the morning, not much more. A six pack lasts me two months or more. Does anyone have any suggestions, I'm at a loss as to my next step. Was curious after finishing a cup of coffee a few minutes ago so took my BP and pulse. Ran it twice; 1st was 116/61, p69.....2nd was 106/56, p60.  Guess I'll make it, just wondering though....is it possible the high glucose reading is simply an age related issue(82)? I'm in the gym 2-3 times a week, start with cardio then move to resistance training....1st day will be upper body, 2nd day is lower body. If there's a 3rd day that week I just do a reduced full body w/o. I no longer do heavy weight training, simply a matter of the joints won't take it so it's multiple sets with high reps. So....I'm open to suggestions re. the sugar issue, I thought I was doing everything right but according to the dr. I'm leaving myself a prime candidate for stroke, heart attack...and a few other things he's mentioned. Frankly, there are times I might welcome being taken out(only a fleeting thought), my life is rather pointless now anyway....especially since moving from Florida to Wisconsin.

[98valk]

even though he states brown rice is better it is not, it is high in phytic acid just use organic white rice

https://draxe.com/nutrition/resistant-starch/

https://draxe.com/nutrition/what-is-chromium/
I like and use brewers yeast which is full of B-vitamins, selenuim and chromium
https://www.davidwolfe.com/brewers-yeast-benefits/

https://draxe.com/health/how-to-reverse-diabetes-naturally-in-30-days-or-less/

https://www.tandurust.com/diabetes/vitamin-b-helps-lower-blood-sugar.html
Take extra B-6.

[Serk]

Not just sugars, but carbs are the enemy... Bread, crackers, rice, pasta. Also fruit juice is basically liquefied sugar, keep it in very low amounts if you're fighting sugar issues.

Another medication that helped me before I gave up and had the gastric bypass surgery to stop the diabetes is Lisinopril. It's a daily oral, and helped bring my A1C and daily readings down, just not enough...

Frankly, there are times I might welcome being taken out(only a fleeting thought), my life is rather pointless now anyway....especially since moving from Florida to Wisconsin.

I strongly disagree, I still want to sit down and have the long chat about nothing we didn't have time to do in Asheville!  I say this in all sincerity and without venom, but you might wanna consider talking to a counselor or therapist if such thoughts are in your head. Health is more than just the body...

[Warlock]

I had to get off metformin due to my kidney disease. I take3 shots a day. Being retired and medicare they don't pay well for insulin. I brought me a auto injector and using Walmart insulin. Of course I use my advice of my diabetic doctor. Having luck with the 70/30 Novolin twice a day. Morning and night and novolin R mid day. You will have to play with doseage vs what you eat. I buy all my needles and insulin myself. Novolin at Wal-Mart is $28.99 a 100 ml vile. If you need more info shoot me a pm

[Willow]

If the Metformin X 4 worked for glucose I wonder if asking the doctor to deal with the urination issue is the correct path.  I take Tamsulosin but then wasn't your prostate removed?

I agree strongly with Serk both on the carbs and meaning of life.  You are still contributing much to many around you.  That gives meaning to life.  If you are occasionally feeling purposeless that needs to be addressed whether by therapy, medication, or both.   

[John Schmidt]

....asking the doctor to deal with the urination issue is the correct path. .....but then wasn't your prostate removed?

Re. the urination issue, that's a good suggestion. Just have to talk to him about it Monday....was quite painful at times plus stabbing pains that would wake me up at night. Re. the prostate...no, still there. They wouldn't go that route due to my age, regardless of physical condition and/or strength. The alternative procedure certainly wasn't a walk in the park.

[baldo]

I had to get off metformin due to my kidney disease. I take3 shots a day. Being retired and medicare they don't pay well for insulin. I brought me a auto injector and using Walmart insulin. Of course I use my advice of my diabetic doctor. Having luck with the 70/30 Novolin twice a day. Morning and night and novolin R mid day. You will have to play with doseage vs what you eat. I buy all my needles and insulin myself. Novolin at Wal-Mart is $28.99 a 100 ml vile. If you need more info shoot me a pm

I'm enrolled in a loyalty program for my insulin. I use the Lantus pen. The company is Sanofi. https://www.sanofi.com/en/your-health/diabetes-and-cardiovascular-diseases

I can't read the phone number on my card, you should be able to get it off the website. I don't  know if the particular insurance you have plays a part, but I haven't had to pay for my insulin for the last five years. All it took to get started was a phone call. Hope it works for you....

[scooperhsd]

Get off that OJ except as a rare treat !!! OJ is fantastic if your glucose level is very low (well below 80) as a quick recovery tool - but generally avoid it like the plague. Same with sweet drinks (I know you came from Florida - drop the southern sweet tea, get unsweetened and use Sucrolose (yellow packets) (NOT ASPARTAME(pink packets)) or some other sweetener). Exercise is your friend - 30 minutes walking per day is a GOOD thing and will help alot towards bringing your sugars down. Swimming is even better (join the YMCA with a pool and join the other old folks for morning lap swim) . You don't have to be intense , just get out there and do something. White bread is a bad thing, as is white grain pasta. I.e. you need to watch your carbs, not just your sugar intake. Your Primary care should have sent you to a diabetes education class where they teach you what you need to do / watch / eat.

Lisinopril is mainly for kidney protection. Your primary care should probably also have you on Glimipiride as well as the Metformin. In your case, you shouldn't be cutting down on the Metformin until you're below 7 for A1C

My daily drug cocktail
AM - Glimipride and Lisinopril. Bedtime Metformin and Pravastatin ( how's your cholesterol ?).
For supplements - look for Cinnamon

FYI - I'm a Type 2 diabetic myself - my last A1C was 6.0 (2-3 weeks ago) and my daily glucose meter reading is anywhere from 100-140 fasting normally.

For testing supplies - we use Diathrive.com - was a great price for strips / meters when we didn't have insurance.

The big thing to remember is that works for one person will not necessarily work well on another - my wife is also Type 2 and her drugs are much different from mine.

I'm sure there is more, but I can't think of it at the moment. But good diet, exercise , and the right drug combination can go a long way to making you feel the best you can.

[Willow]

... - drop the southern sweet tea, get unsweetened and use Sucrolose (yellow packets) (NOT ASPARTAME(pink packets)) or some other sweetener). ...
...
For supplements - look for Cinnamon
...

Drink unsweetened tea without sweetener.  I grew up on two cups of sugar to a quart of tea but I've adjusted and sweet tea doesn't even taste good now.

I forgot to mention cinnamon.  A teaspoon of ground cinnamon is supposed to lower your glucose.  I've gotten so used to it I can use cinnamon almost like gravy.

[John Schmidt]

Scooper, cholesterol=129, HDL=40, Non HDL=89, LDL-65, Chol/HDL ratio=3.2, TRIGLYCERIDES=120.

As for tea, been drinking it unsweetened for years as do my coffee.

Re. BP meds, I take a small Ace inhibitor in the evening and a small Beta blocker in the morning(3.125mg). I have a naturally low & slow BP and pulse, the meds were prescribed following my heart attack eight years ago more to control and assist the heart to keep it from overworking during high activity per the cardiologist. He found my readings don't change with or without the meds....I'm not a dr. so going by what he said. I just know I can do whatever I want without any side effects.

As for taking walks, I found that to the most boring thing to do...ever! And for me it's a bit uncomfortable however, I can ride a bike for miles and do so in good weather. Or, weather or time not permitting, I'll spend a fair amount of time on the stationary bike at the gym. If I set the resistance at a point where I can really feel it and maintain 10-11 mph, I'll eventually get the pulse up to the mid-80's. That old joke comes to mind; exercise, eat right, die anyway!  Hopefully not in the immediate future, too many roads not traveled. 

[f6gal]

He had me work up to four of the metformin a day after about 6 wks.

How many mg are your metformin tabs?  The max dose should be 1000 mg 2x/day. Taking too much can cause kidney problems.

A1c at 10.

At your age, your A1c goal should be less than 8.

He's going to push for me to start the weekly injection of Trulicity.

If you're maxed out on metformin, Trulicity is a good choice.  It's not insulin and you only have take it once per week.
The ACE inhibitor (like lisinopril) won't directly lower blood sugar, but may help by increasing the body's insulin sensitivity.  It also helps protect the kidneys while on metformin.

What I don't understand is I'm not a major sweets eater, I can live on fruit, salads, meat once in a while....to me it doesn't make sense. I don't drink loads of soft drinks but do have some around that are both sugar and caffeine free, and never drink a full bottle....usually mix it with my OJ in the morning, not much more...
... is it possible the high glucose reading is simply an age related issue(82)?

As the body ages, it does not make as much insulin or use insulin as well (insulin resistance).  
As for diet, fruits and fruit juices are very high in sugar and carbs, as are breads, pasta, and starchy vegetables (like potatoes).  You would do better to increase your protein and decrease your carbs.  For your protein, avoid red meats and stick with fish and chicken (because of you heart problems).  Instead of OJ, tomato juice or V8 are much lower in sugar.
As far as exercise, cardio is more important that resistance; but resistance plays a role as well.

according to the dr. I'm leaving myself a prime candidate for stroke, heart attack...and a few other things he's mentioned.

Extended hyperglycemia puts end organs at risk; particularly heart, brain, kidneys, eyes. Neuropathy and wounds can also be an issue.

Frankly, there are times I might welcome being taken out (only a fleeting thought), my life is rather pointless now anyway....especially since moving from Florida to Wisconsin.

We want you around John and so does your family.  If you're having periods of depression, mood swings, or apathy (lack of interest/pleasure), you should talk to your doctor about that too.  

[Ramie]

My wife had all kinds of problems with her diabetes meds and her doctor tried all kinds of things that didn't work.  She finally went to see an endocrinologist and she (her endocrinologist) had things under control in a couple of months.  General physicians do what generally works, if that's not working for you I would suggest you see someone who only deals with diabetes, it was a life saver for her.

[_Sheffjs_]

I can relate to John in that every time I visited family in upper Illinois/lower Wisconsin the gloomy days had an effect on me as well. I always said the sun left at Valdosta on the way up and came back at Valdosta on the way back. I do like Wisconsin it surely has beautiful spots but sorry not to live.   To bad the kids are not down here! 

[Bret SD]

Dr. has me on metformin, my glucose had jumped during the prostate treatment due to the hormone shots they gave me. He started me last November when it was 277 and A1c was 11. He had me work up to four of the metformin a day after about 6 wks. but it created urinary problems and pain. As a result I backed off for a time and things returned to normal. As a test, I worked back up to four a day and it all came back so that was enough for me. I dropped to two a day and been on that since early this year. The four/day did drop the sugar and A1c, went to 177 and 8.1. I've been using just two a day for about 5 months and lab tests this morning shows it's all back up to 252 with A1c at 10. They did a full lab run on me, drawing enough to cause me to ask the gal if I get paid for making a blood donation. A weak giggle is all I got in return but she said she understood.

Now, I have an appt. with my primary care on Monday and he's going to push for me to start the weekly injection of Trulicity. Absolutely everything else in my lab report was perfect, the glucose issue is the only anomoly that exists. What I don't understand is I'm not a major sweets eater, I can live on fruit, salads, meat once in a while....to me it doesn't make sense. I don't drink loads of soft drinks but do have some around that are both sugar and caffeine free, and never drink a full bottle....usually mix it with my OJ in the morning, not much more. A six pack lasts me two months or more. Does anyone have any suggestions, I'm at a loss as to my next step. Was curious after finishing a cup of coffee a few minutes ago so took my BP and pulse. Ran it twice; 1st was 116/61, p69.....2nd was 106/56, p60.  Guess I'll make it, just wondering though....is it possible the high glucose reading is simply an age related issue(82)? I'm in the gym 2-3 times a week, start with cardio then move to resistance training....1st day will be upper body, 2nd day is lower body. If there's a 3rd day that week I just do a reduced full body w/o. I no longer do heavy weight training, simply a matter of the joints won't take it so it's multiple sets with high reps. So....I'm open to suggestions re. the sugar issue, I thought I was doing everything right but according to the dr. I'm leaving myself a prime candidate for stroke, heart attack...and a few other things he's mentioned. Frankly, there are times I might welcome being taken out(only a fleeting thought), my life is rather pointless now anyway....especially since moving from Florida to Wisconsin.

Between 2011 and 2013 was the worst time in my life by far, divorce, bankruptcy, loss of assets, tax problems.. stress was through the roof.. during that time I developed a horrible candida problem after hitting 3 cycles of antibiotics due to dental issues. It was the perfect storm of sh*t, by the time I figured out what was going on the candida had pierced the intestinal wall and was starting to affect brain function.
Candida albicans is very hard to get under control and I was in trouble. It feeds on sugar so I had to drop my blood sugar fast.. online you can find a candida diet and learn a lot about blood sugar control in general.
The diet is absolutely the most bland diet on the planet, but it does drop your blood sugar like a stone. You may be able to do some modified version of the diet and suit your needs, also look at the symptoms of a bloom and see if they match up with how you're feeling. It's much more pervasive than people realize, it took me 3 years to knock it out.. and as I said earlier it's difficult to control and most people can't do it on their own.

One of the most powerful tools in dealing with blood sugar issues is fasting. I know the candida diet will work for you as well as a fasting regimen, I recommend a book very highly, 'The Complete Guide to Fasting' by Dr. Jason Fung. In it he explains type 2 diabetes is a condition rather than disease, and he treats it very successfully with different fasting regimens, depending on severity. I eat in a 6 to 8 hr window daily, the rest of the time I'll have coffee with a little heavy cream and water, the fasting police will tell you it's not a 'pure' fast.. but it does a good job for me.

Hope you don't mind me offering you advice, just thought I could give you some help based on how I've helped myself through my own experiences.

[Warlock]

I had to get off metformin due to my kidney disease. I take3 shots a day. Being retired and medicare they don't pay well for insulin. I brought me a auto injector and using Walmart insulin. Of course I use my advice of my diabetic doctor. Having luck with the 70/30 Novolin twice a day. Morning and night and novolin R mid day. You will have to play with doseage vs what you eat. I buy all my needles and insulin myself. Novolin at Wal-Mart is $28.99 a 100 ml vile. If you need more info shoot me a pm

I'm enrolled in a loyalty program for my insulin. I use the Lantus pen. The company is Sanofi. https://www.sanofi.com/en/your-health/diabetes-and-cardiovascular-diseases

I can't read the phone number on my card, you should be able to get it off the website. I don't  know if the particular insurance you have plays a part, but I haven't had to pay for my insulin for the last five years. All it took to get started was a phone call. Hope it works for you....

Thanks for the tip. Will give them a call next week after talking to my diabetes doctor. For what I needed but couldn't afford for my insulin after insurance payed my part for each one, which I needed 2 different ones, was $1600 for one and $1800 for the other and that is per month. Too bad I wasn't a drug addict I could get my drugs free from the government being it is classified as a disease.
David

[John Schmidt]

Connie, the metformin tabs are 500mg so the dr. had me at the max with 2x500 twice a day. After working up to that level it only took a few days for it to painfully affect the elimination process. As for diet, I eat a fair amount of chicken & fish, very little red meat. I try to stay away from the Wendys & McDonalds but once in a great while a big greasy burger just seems to fill the bill. Over the last 24+ months I've lost nearly 30 lbs., was wearing size 38 pants & shorts but had to buy some 36's. Now the 36 seems rather loose and I cinch up the belt another notch. Was curious about the 38's recently so tried a couple pair on. I swear I took two steps before the shorts moved.   Guess I'll give all of them to the Salvation Army, that way I'll be forced to keep the weight off.

Monday I plan to talk to my primary dr. re. an endocrinologist or diabetes spec., given a choice I would like to bring things under control as natural as possible without loading up on drugs. As for emotional issues at times, it's been just over a year since Rita's funeral and it's still pretty raw. I took care of her for so many years that life now almost seems like a letdown since I have no responsibilites. It's a huge change and bit difficult to deal with at times so I try to stay busy. Have to see what the dr. says Monday, I know he's going to push the Trulicity....I plan to push back. Wouldn't be me if I didn't. 

[TDuff]

Don't really know any of you yet as I am brand new here - just got my black and champagne IS two weeks ago and have been "lurking" since then, but this topic really strikes home for me, and I want to offer a suggestion that really helped me out.  I was just diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic last January - not a total shock.  I had the Dr prescribe a sensor that I wear and my iPhone can read  - MAJOR tool in determining what shot my glucose level up.  There are several options out there.  The one I am using is a Free Style Libre and is very easy to use.  Several tutorials out there - check them out.  I found that potoatoes, breads (bagels, pita chips) and snack food chips should be avoided, and OJ/fruit juices in general.   Other items I thought were major contributors were less than I expected.

Take the time to address this as others have suggested - it will be worth it in the long run!

By the way - I work for the "competition" to this company, so no connections to this company what so ever.

Good luck!  Hope to meet you all out on the road sometime!

Terry

[scooperhsd]

I WISH I would be as successful as you regarding weight loss - keep it up. That will reduce the effects of it on you, for sure.

And John - we are NOT trying to be negative on you - I think we are all sharing our experiances and what worked for us to date. As we say - Keep on Keeping on.

And the occaisional "slipup" is understandable. You're probably going to be dealing with this the rest of your life. Just don't make it a too often habit. I dearly love donuts - but I can only have 1 MAYBE 2 per day - all that processed flour and sugar makes them a worst case nightmare.

If you're big into pancakes / waffles / French toast as part of your breakfast routine - I'd suggest finding or ordering Smucker's Sugar free Syrup. It's about the best we have found - we ordered a case from Amazon about a year before we left North Carolina because we couldn't find it there. But we Can find it it in KC.

[The emperor has no clothes]

He had me work up to four of the metformin a day after about 6 wks.

How many mg are your metformin tabs?  The max dose should be 1000 mg 2x/day. Taking too much can cause kidney problems.

A1c at 10.

At your age, your A1c goal should be less than 8.

He's going to push for me to start the weekly injection of Trulicity.

If you're maxed out on metformin, Trulicity is a good choice.  It's not insulin and you only have take it once per week.
The ACE inhibitor (like lisinopril) won't directly lower blood sugar, but may help by increasing the body's insulin sensitivity.  It also helps protect the kidneys while on metformin.

What I don't understand is I'm not a major sweets eater, I can live on fruit, salads, meat once in a while....to me it doesn't make sense. I don't drink loads of soft drinks but do have some around that are both sugar and caffeine free, and never drink a full bottle....usually mix it with my OJ in the morning, not much more...
... is it possible the high glucose reading is simply an age related issue(82)?

As the body ages, it does not make as much insulin or use insulin as well (insulin resistance).  
As for diet, fruits and fruit juices are very high in sugar and carbs, as are breads, pasta, and starchy vegetables (like potatoes).  You would do better to increase your protein and decrease your carbs.  For your protein, avoid red meats and stick with fish and chicken (because of you heart problems).  Instead of OJ, tomato juice or V8 are much lower in sugar.
As far as exercise, cardio is more important that resistance; but resistance plays a role as well.

according to the dr. I'm leaving myself a prime candidate for stroke, heart attack...and a few other things he's mentioned.

Extended hyperglycemia puts end organs at risk; particularly heart, brain, kidneys, eyes. Neuropathy and wounds can also be an issue.

Frankly, there are times I might welcome being taken out (only a fleeting thought), my life is rather pointless now anyway....especially since moving from Florida to Wisconsin.

We want you around John and so does your family.  If you're having periods of depression, mood swings, or apathy (lack of interest/pleasure), you should talk to your doctor about that too.  

It's nice to get informed medical advice  (and it's free) 


John, I've been lucky all my life (so far, anyways) I've had very few medical issues, aside from injuries and just general wear and tear. So, I really have no valid info or experience. But, I've had a lifetime of watching most of my family and many friends with these issues. My wife is currently very close to where you are with blood sugar issues, and she's only 58. If you want unsolicited medical advice from an ex-butcher, DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO STAY OFF THE INSULIN. If a weekly Trulicity (or whatever it's called) buys you 2 or 3 years of non insulin regimen, in my opinion that's the way to go. (My advice is free like Connie's)

[Valker]

They have me on four Metformin daily, but for digestive reasons I divide them two every AM and two about 12 hours later. No issues with it that way.

[oldsmokey]

Real food, meat, fish, eggs, some vegetables, nuts and seeds. Very little or no fruit till you gain control.

Cut sugar out, cut out grains, lower carbs.

If you can't pronounce it don't eat it.

As mentioned, intermittent fasting can help.

[f6gal]

It's nice to get informed medical advice   (and it's free)  

John, I've been lucky all my life (so far, anyways) I've had very few medical issues, aside from injuries and just general wear and tear. So, I really have no valid info or experience. But, I've had a lifetime of watching most of my family and many friends with these issues. My wife is currently very close to where you are with blood sugar issues, and she's only 58. If you want unsolicited medical advice from an ex-butcher, DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO STAY OFF THE INSULIN. If a weekly Trulicity (or whatever it's called) buys you 2 or 3 years of non insulin regimen, in my opinion that's the way to go. (My advice is free like Connie's)

Brenda's situation is a bit different than John's, since she is only 58.  Her A1c goal should be less than 7.  At her age, some weight loss and cardio exercise will make a big difference.  Diet recommendations are basically the same.  Even if she wants to decrease her numbers with diet, exercise, and weight loss, it is  important to use the medications in the meantime... damage done to organs is not reversible.  

[scooperhsd]

A good friend of our's is a TYPE I diabetic - he's been on insulin since 18-20 years old (and he's about 6-7 months younger than me). He credits his relatively good health to being a USPS Lettercarrier on a walking route ( 10miles a day) for around 30 years. His routine is by necessity much harder then mine. He's been doing it so long he can estimate his needed dose of insulin before each meal.

[The emperor has no clothes]

A good friend of our's is a TYPE I diabetic - he's been on insulin since 18-20 years old (and he's about 6-7 months younger than me). He credits his relatively good health to being a USPS Lettercarrier on a walking route ( 10miles a day) for around 30 years. His routine is by necessity much harder then mine. He's been doing it so long he can estimate his needed dose of insulin before each meal.

My granddaughter has been on insulin since she was 3. My daughter can pretty much do the estimations. I'm glad there are so many around to keep up with it and give her shots. I don't want that responsibility.

[baldo]

I had to get off metformin due to my kidney disease. I take3 shots a day. Being retired and medicare they don't pay well for insulin. I brought me a auto injector and using Walmart insulin. Of course I use my advice of my diabetic doctor. Having luck with the 70/30 Novolin twice a day. Morning and night and novolin R mid day. You will have to play with doseage vs what you eat. I buy all my needles and insulin myself. Novolin at Wal-Mart is $28.99 a 100 ml vile. If you need more info shoot me a pm

I'm enrolled in a loyalty program for my insulin. I use the Lantus pen. The company is Sanofi. https://www.sanofi.com/en/your-health/diabetes-and-cardiovascular-diseases

I can't read the phone number on my card, you should be able to get it off the website. I don't  know if the particular insurance you have plays a part, but I haven't had to pay for my insulin for the last five years. All it took to get started was a phone call. Hope it works for you....

Thanks for the tip. Will give them a call next week after talking to my diabetes doctor. For what I needed but couldn't afford for my insulin after insurance payed my part for each one, which I needed 2 different ones, was $1600 for one and $1800 for the other and that is per month. Too bad I wasn't a drug addict I could get my drugs free from the government being it is classified as a disease.
David

Here's a number for you....1-866-390-5622. I had to call to re-enroll.

[Edvalk]

... - drop the southern sweet tea, get unsweetened and use Sucrolose (yellow packets) (NOT ASPARTAME(pink packets)) or some other sweetener). ...
...
For supplements - look for Cinnamon
...

Drink unsweetened tea without sweetener.  I grew up on two cups of sugar to a quart of tea but I've adjusted and sweet tea doesn't even taste good now.
I forgot to mention cinnamon.  A teaspoon of ground cinnamon is supposed to lower your glucose.  I've gotten so used to it I can use cinnamon almost like gravy.

Regular grocery cinnamon is dangerous in the amount of one teaspoon .  Coumarin is a chemical compound in regular cinnamon  that can cause liver damage .   Try Ceylon cinnamon it's safe and it doesn't contain coumarin  but it's not as favorable. You have to go to a health food store to get the Ceylon cinnamon.

[scooperhsd]

You can get it at Sam's Club

[98valk]

... - drop the southern sweet tea, get unsweetened and use Sucrolose (yellow packets) (NOT ASPARTAME(pink packets)) or some other sweetener). ...
...
For supplements - look for Cinnamon
...

Drink unsweetened tea without sweetener.  I grew up on two cups of sugar to a quart of tea but I've adjusted and sweet tea doesn't even taste good now.
I forgot to mention cinnamon.  A teaspoon of ground cinnamon is supposed to lower your glucose.  I've gotten so used to it I can use cinnamon almost like gravy.

Regular grocery cinnamon is dangerous in the amount of one teaspoon .  Coumarin is a chemical compound in regular cinnamon  that can cause liver damage .   Try Ceylon cinnamon it's safe and it doesn't contain coumarin  but it's not as favorable. You have to go to a health food store to get the Ceylon cinnamon.

Ceylon is the one which was studied and shown to help with blood sugar levels.

Avoid grains   This explains why, ounce for ounce, grains raise blood sugar higher than table sugar. Eat no grains = remove the exceptional glycemic potential of amylopectin A.
https://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2014/12/five-powerful-ways-reduce-blood-sugar/

Dr. William Davis

Cardiologist + Author + Health Crusader

[Edvalk]

When I turned 60 I got serious with my diet. I was feeling terrible  blood pressure high, sugar high, thyroid slow, brain fog , no energy.  . I googled and studied everything I was eating or was thinking about eating. I looked at food in this way it's either medicine or poison. Most processed foods, sugar, dairy, bread, processed cooking oils, food dyes just to name a few are poison. They make our bodies and digestive systems so inflamed that our immune systems don't have a chance. So when cancer cells invade our bodies our immune systems are so compromised they stand little chance of killing the cancer cells. . Read and understand food labels . There's a website called chemical-cuisine they list all food chemicals in an easy to understand way. Green is ok ,yellow is limit and be cautious ,and red is never use. I'm not pushing my way on anyone but It worked for me . Western medicine treats a symptom with drugs never trying to find the cause. Eastern medicine treats the whole body. A eastern practitioner wants to see you when your feeling well in order to keep you well. Again just my opinion.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Short version of a long story: I have a non-standard version of type 2 diabetes. Lyme disease partially damaged my pancreas and liver, causing my body's version of insulin to be corrupted. Tried Metformin and then Xigduo with some success, but it faded quickly. What has worked consistently for me is intermittent fasting. Sounds crazy to a lot of people (and it was to me also), but it worked for me. If you're interested in possibly getting off of all diabetes meds altogether, pick up a copy of The Diabetes Code, by Dr. Jason Fung (can find on Amazon if not local). He explains it far better than I ever could.

[98valk]

Short version of a long story: I have a non-standard version of type 2 diabetes. Lyme disease partially damaged my pancreas and liver, causing my body's version of insulin to be corrupted. Tried Metformin and then Xigduo with some success, but it faded quickly. What has worked consistently for me is intermittent fasting. Sounds crazy to a lot of people (and it was to me also), but it worked for me. If you're interested in possibly getting off of all diabetes meds altogether, pick up a copy of The Diabetes Code, by Dr. Jason Fung (can find on Amazon if not local). He explains it far better than I ever could.

are u taking milk thistle and other supplements to repair your liver?

[Bret SD]

Short version of a long story: I have a non-standard version of type 2 diabetes. Lyme disease partially damaged my pancreas and liver, causing my body's version of insulin to be corrupted. Tried Metformin and then Xigduo with some success, but it faded quickly. What has worked consistently for me is intermittent fasting. Sounds crazy to a lot of people (and it was to me also), but it worked for me. If you're interested in possibly getting off of all diabetes meds altogether, pick up a copy of The Diabetes Code, by Dr. Jason Fung (can find on Amazon if not local). He explains it far better than I ever could.

Dr. Fung has likely made enemies in big pharma as well as within the medical community. If people would educate themselves they wouldn't have to take prescription drugs for more than a few maladies.. they should be used as a stop gap after exhausting natural remedies.. usually failure of said remedies is from laziness.. it's easier to pop a few pills and convince oneself they're doing the right thing.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Short version of a long story: I have a non-standard version of type 2 diabetes. Lyme disease partially damaged my pancreas and liver, causing my body's version of insulin to be corrupted. Tried Metformin and then Xigduo with some success, but it faded quickly. What has worked consistently for me is intermittent fasting. Sounds crazy to a lot of people (and it was to me also), but it worked for me. If you're interested in possibly getting off of all diabetes meds altogether, pick up a copy of The Diabetes Code, by Dr. Jason Fung (can find on Amazon if not local). He explains it far better than I ever could.

are u taking milk thistle and other supplements to repair your liver?

I alternate between Milk Thistle and Dendelion Root, taking a break between usage of them. I haven't had a liver biopsy in over a year, but between intermittent fasting and stopping the use of the meds and most of the natural supplements I was on, I have been improving steadily in my recovery.

[98valk]

Short version of a long story: I have a non-standard version of type 2 diabetes. Lyme disease partially damaged my pancreas and liver, causing my body's version of insulin to be corrupted. Tried Metformin and then Xigduo with some success, but it faded quickly. What has worked consistently for me is intermittent fasting. Sounds crazy to a lot of people (and it was to me also), but it worked for me. If you're interested in possibly getting off of all diabetes meds altogether, pick up a copy of The Diabetes Code, by Dr. Jason Fung (can find on Amazon if not local). He explains it far better than I ever could.

are u taking milk thistle and other supplements to repair your liver?

I alternate between Milk Thistle and Dendelion Root, taking a break between usage of them. I haven't had a liver biopsy in over a year, but between intermittent fasting and stopping the use of the meds and most of the natural supplements I was on, I have been improving steadily in my recovery.

I've been taking this MRM product which has other ingredients that help rebuild the liver.
https://www.vitacost.com/mrm-liver-x-with-biosorb-60-vegetarian-capsules

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I've been taking this MRM product which has other ingredients that help rebuild the liver.
https://www.vitacost.com/mrm-liver-x-with-biosorb-60-vegetarian-capsules

The ingredient list looks good. One of the very few supplements I still take is NAC, which your Vitacost stuff has. I think that NAC helps strengthen my immune system, which also got it's arse kicked when I was really sick. For a long time, I was sick with some sort of cold/flu/stomach bug about a week out of every month. Much improved in that regard.

But I'll stop now. Don't want to hijack John's thread. I do hope that John does find what works for him, as all of us are different and react differently to any treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to health.

[98valk]

I've been taking this MRM product which has other ingredients that help rebuild the liver.
https://www.vitacost.com/mrm-liver-x-with-biosorb-60-vegetarian-capsules

The ingredient list looks good. One of the very few supplements I still take is NAC, which your Vitacost stuff has. I think that NAC helps strengthen my immune system, which also got it's arse kicked when I was really sick. For a long time, I was sick with some sort of cold/flu/stomach bug about a week out of every month. Much improved in that regard.

But I'll stop now. Don't want to hijack John's thread. I do hope that John does find what works for him, as all of us are different and react differently to any treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to health.

Liposomal Glutathione is also very good for the Liver and boosting the immune system, I take it.  Liposomal is one of the latest and best nutrient delivery systems. similar results to IV therapy.
https://www.vitacost.com/lipo-naturals-liposomal-glutathione-antioxidant-complex