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11/24/2011 06:44:11 AM · #1 |
Over the last 2 years I've been tested 5 times. Each time was because I had some kind of infection (Cellulitus) or because I have tonsillitis 3 times in one year (Take them OUT) , I'm larger than most Japanese people, and the doctors assume the worst I guess. Every time I get my results they come back as 'no problem' (On a side note, every time I have my temperature checked the docs think I have a fever because my base temp. is higher than average, 37 degrees).
Anyways, I've been having issues during some seriously stressful work days. I almost passed out once and the doctor said (With another blood check) that the only possible thing it could be was hypoglycemia. His answer was to 'eat candy'. Another opinion from another doctor was 'eat some chocolate for breakfast'...which I thought was strange, since...from what I understand, would cause a spike and then drop in blood sugar. Not something you want. Every other doctor seems to be saying the same thing. No referrals to a dietitian since that position, from what I understand in Japan, doesn't exist.
Anyways, last month I had a regular check up (With blood test) but I didn't fast. The blood test was a spur of the moment decision by the doctor. This time around my blood sugar was 190 and my h1ac went from 5.6 in March to 6.3 now in November. I don't recall any radical changes in my diet. I've been training harder at the gym (Which is a good thing) and I don't eat sugar (Skin allergies get worse). My diet is made up of brown rice, avocado, cottage cheese, assorted vegetables, and beef/chicken. I eat 5 times a day, spacing my meals and calories out over the day. I allow myself 3600 calories for the day. That's protein: 280 grams fat: 150 grams carbs: 200 grams. I have a snack about an 2 hours before bed to keep my blood sugar 'stable' while I sleep. This is a protein only meal (Protein shake). I leave an extra 400 calories (All my food adds up to about 3200 calories by this time) for times when I get stressed and need the extra boost. I drink 500ml of milk a day and the rest is water. No juice, no soda, no coffee or tea. I don't smoke. I do drink but only on special occasions.
I've tried talking with doctors here, but their information seems dated. I bring something up like "Shouldn't I attack this problem with real food?" and they say, without much confidence "If you think that would help." Which causes me to have a lack of confidence in my doctors. Since this time around my numbers aren't so good, I'm a bit worried and wondering what I might be doing wrong. While I hope everyone on this board is healthy, if someone here has experience with diabetes and how to prevent or manage it, can you post your experiences.
I wouldn't normally ask for medical opinions but since my doctors aren't doing me that much good I decided to ask here. I got myself an appointment tomorrow morning with a specialist who will hopefully have better answers than "eat some chocolate". I wonder how much stress plays a role in blood sugar control and how to reduce the effects. The feelings I've been getting, during stressful events, my left eye lid starts to twitch and the pain moves up to my temple. I get shortness of breath and I've (During a speech) nearly collapsed if it weren't for my hands on the podium. I've had a holter monitor test (Heart is fine) I've had MRI/MRA of the brain (I still gots me one), liver kidney functions are fine...so...what next... |
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11/24/2011 07:41:00 AM · #2 |
I am 52, Jason, and I was diagnosed with diabetes 7 or 8 years ago, so I'll be happy to give you my opinions and perspective.
First, the spur of the moment blood sugar reading of 190 is meaningless in my opinion. It is like wind reading at a random time of the day; who's to say whether it was a gust of wind, or more indicative of the daily average. Also, your a1c of 6.3 (from a diabetic's perspective) isn't alarming either, although the rise from 5.6 might suggest it bears watching, but again in my opinion, not much more.
Considering your health regimen of strict diet and exercise, I don't think there is much more for you to do. Well let me qualify that by saying that you might get some advice from a dietary professional that will help you modify and refine your diet a bit, but your diet discipline already puts mine to shame! That makes me think that for the most part your diet is going to be judged by a pro as adequate, you'll find out soon I suppose.
As for feeling faint at work, remember that your doctor's conjecture that it must have been an episode of hypoglycemia was only that, conjecture... who's to say what the real issue was. So far it has just been a one-time event, right? People faint; I wouldn't let it worry me too much if it doesn't happen again. As for "eat some chocolate", that prescription is one of the silver linings of my disease! j/k
Oh, and I do think that elevated stress can affect blood sugar levels (and a whole lot of other physical factors).
Disclaimer of course: I'm not a medical professional, these are only my opinions. I'm just offering my opinions based on my experiences to ease your mind a bit until you can get some real input from professionals. You'll get more and better advice soon I'm sure.
Good luck brother.
(Edit: typo)
Message edited by author 2011-11-24 07:44:16. |
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11/24/2011 08:23:53 AM · #3 |
The faint episodes have happened on more than one occasion. They happen on my heavy workload days when stress is at an all-time high for the week. They happen at a time when I can't excuse myself, since I'm at the center of what's happening. I could be let go if this 'problem' were discovered and became an issue with work. Japanese labor laws aren't the best.
That said, hope tomorrow I get some insight into what's happening. I do have my off days where I eat crap, but that's usually for one meal. The rest of the day I'm good. And while I do exercise 3 days a week at the gym with a solid routine, I don't get much exercise otherwise. I do use my bicycle to get around town for some of my work, but my weekend work requires me to stay in one place and always be on my feet (little time for rest).... |
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11/24/2011 08:38:51 AM · #4 |
I can relate to your circumstances of having your employment at risk due to feeling faint. Before my meds (not on insulin) were reduced earlier this year, I too had occasional episodes of hypoglycemia, with some spot glucose readings in the mid to upper 40s. Actually I did lose my medical clearance for a period of months, and on more than one occasion. In fact my medical issues (I'm also a cardio patient) had a lot to do with my retirement last January. Prior to my heart attack I had planned to work until age 56, when retirement in my line of work was mandatory.
I notice that you report that the faint episodes seem to correlate with heavy stress days... my layman's guess is that they are more likely related to blood pressure, or even muscular tension. However you could try the doctor's suggestion of eating a candy bar the next time you notice the feeling, see if it helps.
As for your concern about your employment, here's a friendly reminder to be careful what you post online, you never know who may read it. (Ahh, retirement!) |
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11/24/2011 10:29:50 AM · #5 |
I second the comment about blood pressure. Stress can cause quick changes in blood pressure, which can easily lead to feeling light-headed, dizzy and even fainting. I highly suggest you have your pressure checked out if you have not already done so.
Good luck.
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11/24/2011 12:13:13 PM · #6 |
I was diabetic when I was pregnant all three times.
You should if you are worried, just go and get a kit from the store so you can check your own blood sugar. When you wake up, before and after meals etc. DO this for a couple of weeks and write down the results.
Also the blood pressure thing, I am on BP meds now, my average bp used to be 180/120 and up, depending on what I was doing, I never felt faint or could not do anything because of it. So unless you have really low BP that would make you faint, not the other way around. |
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11/24/2011 12:17:31 PM · #7 |
| A good few years ago I used to get a lot of panic attacks. Mostly in work, because of stress or if I was feeling in a claustrophobic situation. Anyway, it was mostly feelings of dizziness, out-of-breath, cold sweats, and this feeling like you really want to puke. |
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11/24/2011 01:55:39 PM · #8 |
I've been told by the Dr. that I am "mildly" diabetic, though the information I have read online suggests I am borderline or pre-diabetic. That was all I needed to motivate me. I got my blood sugar under control fairly quickly with diet changes and exercise. I don't like using drugs as a first choice, especially if they can be avoided by taking more natural approaches (diet & exercise, obviously). I check it in morning and lately I'm usually seeing a level between 90-110. The 3 month level got into the desired range by my first follow up.
Like some of the others, I also have high BP, which is turning out be more work to get under control. It's still a little above the target range, but often drops to normal during the day, especially for a few hours after I've exercised. As the weight comes off (dropped 57 pounds so far this year) and I ride my bike further, I hope to see that improve more. I'm an a couple of meds for it and hope I can taper off on them in the foreseeable future.
Sounds like you were already doing a lot of exercise before this diagnosis. Weightlifting? Maybe add some more aerobic activities to the mix if that's the case. I'm really not as well educated as some others on this subject, however.
Message edited by author 2011-11-24 14:01:09.
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11/24/2011 09:03:17 PM · #9 |
Well, I saw the doctor today.
First, she thinks that I'm suffering from boats of low BP. My BP is and always has been 120/80 and drops lower during the week (Due to exercise). She said that the faint feeling has nothing to do with blood sugar or my H1ac. She did say that by Japanese standards, I'm diabetic but that by American standards I'm not there yet. I asked if these levels required medicine and she said no. The faint feeling she said was, in her professional (Yet still not so confident) opinion was vasovagal episodes. Never heard of it and just did a Wiki check. Symptoms fit...not sure what to do though.
She told me that my eating 5 meals a day (Even though the calories are the same in the end) was probably putting too much stress on my pancreas and thus the elevate H1ac level. She told me to eat 3 meals a day (Her explanation goes against everything I've learned over the years in weight training). She also told me to cut my calories from 3600 to 2500. The thing is, calories are different from person to person based on height, work, exercise, medicine, etc...but she's the doctor and she said "All Japanese men should be eating and we recommend they eat no more that 2500 calories a day. If I did that I would lose muscle because I'd have to drop my protein intake to make room for carbs. Fat can be lowered but the fat I eat is all good fat.
Another thing she added was that my good cholesterol was too low, 24. It should be at at least 50. This is actually the first time I've ever had it so low. I don't know why. I get all my healthy fats in.
As for getting a blood sugar monitor, I'm going to wait until next month. I have one more blood check to see how things go over the next month. If I'm worried, the hospital (And my insurance) will get me one. You can't buy them at the stores here. You can online but 200 bucks for something I get for free at the hospital...the doctor said my levels weren't alarming but that I should simply eat 3 meals instead of 5, eat them at the same time each day, rest at least 8 hours, avoid stress (Not likely going to happen) as stress apparently does mess with blood sugar, and to exercise for longer periods (Which again, makes no sense to me as with weight training your program shouldn't take more than an hour to finish)
Ahhh....I'm so confused... |
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11/24/2011 10:57:16 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
She told me that my eating 5 meals a day (Even though the calories are the same in the end) was probably putting too much stress on my pancreas and thus the elevate H1ac level. She told me to eat 3 meals a day (Her explanation goes against everything I've learned over the years in weight training). |
Does not make sense to me either. Everything I have ever read about sports nutrition says that spacing out the eating more evenly should result in more stable and predictable physiology. Sounds to me like she might be dispensing generic advice and does not know how to take your personal issues and needs into account. Are you able to get a second opinion?
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11/24/2011 11:46:53 PM · #11 |
She was my 4th opinion...
Next month, same hospital, different doctor. If I get the same generic stuff, I'll ask around again. |
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02/16/2012 02:26:51 AM · #12 |
Reviving the old thread to update:
So my Hemoglobin A1c levels went from 6.3 to 7.4 in 2 months (I just got the latest test in today.)
The doctor said he was only mildly concerned. Made no difference to me what he thought, I'm very concerned. He asked me to drop my calories down to 1800 per day. He told me to focus more on cardio than muscle training. He also said I should eat a 'Japanese diet': Rice, fish, soup, salad 3x a day.
I'm actually going to do that...I'm gonna be dropping weight fast. I'll tweak the diet to get in enough protein to help prevent muscle loss. I'll be running up and down the stairs in my apartment daily now. I'll also be reducing my carb intake (Even the healthy carbs) to keep it below 100 grams a day. I'll keep some fast acting carbs on me just in case while I'm at work.
Any other advice out there? |
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02/16/2012 04:21:35 AM · #13 |
I know what the problem is. You are allergic to work!
:-)
Hopefully it all gets sorted out, there's nothing worse than not knowing. |
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02/16/2012 08:03:12 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by heatherd:
I know what the problem is. You are allergic to work!
:-)
Hopefully it all gets sorted out, there's nothing worse than not knowing. |
I'm also allergic to work... and exercise! LMAO
I too wish you the best. Perhaps you should go to a different hospital? Would that be feasible? Perhaps your chart is floating around there, so all the docs there have access to it.
If you went somewhere else, before letting them request your records, be seen by a different doc at a different establishment. Maybe you will get different results or advise?
Keep us informed! Best of luck
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02/16/2012 08:06:59 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
She told me that my eating 5 meals a day (Even though the calories are the same in the end) was probably putting too much stress on my pancreas and thus the elevate H1ac level. She told me to eat 3 meals a day (Her explanation goes against everything I've learned over the years in weight training). |
The theory that several small meals rather than 3 larger meals will somehow alter your metabolism has been debunked. I imagine the idea remains vibrant in the bro-science that is practiced at the gym though.... |
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02/16/2012 08:51:56 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by deeby:
The theory that several small meals rather than 3 larger meals will somehow alter your metabolism has been debunked. I imagine the idea remains vibrant in the bro-science that is practiced at the gym though.... |
I can't see it altering anyone's metabolism, but I do agree that it will even out the work your body is doing to digest things. Rather than hitting your digestive system with a huge meal that will take more bodily resources to deal with, it's getting more of a steady flow. Endurance athletes, for instance, nibble throughout the day, providing a steadier flow of energy. That's not doing anything to change a metabolism, IMO, but I think there is some merit to the idea.
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02/16/2012 09:11:40 AM · #17 |
He mentioned weight-training so I assumed he meant body-building, where the multiple-meals-boosts-metabolism stuff is ingrained.
The counter-theory is that continually digesting food is taxing on your digestive system. Not my theory, just stuff I've read.
People tend to want to train like the pros train. Well, most people are not elite athletes (by definition). They won't notice the benefits from micro-tuning their diet.
I think that if you're hungry, eat. Not hungry? Don't eat. Trying to gain weight? Eat more. Need to lose weight? Eat less...but eat lots one day of the week to keep the metabolism up (avoid starvation mode). |
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02/16/2012 09:30:09 AM · #18 |
The idea of eating 5 times a day is to get in the proper amount of protein. In order to maintain my muscle mass I have to consume 200-250 grams per day. The science behind that is that 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per lbs of muscle. It's not an exact science, it's simply what has worked over the course of the bodybuilding years. Some can get away with eating anything while others have to really watch what they eat and between the two of them they can be the same height, weight and have the same life style. Genetics will be the defining factor in how much you need in the end. To eat that much protein over 3 meals is tough. To eat it over 5 meals is much easier. Also, getting in all your micro-nutrients (All your veggies) can be tough in 3 sittings so having an extra 2 or even 3 meals to space it out puts less stress on a lot of things, mostly my stomach. And having meals closer together has been shown to keep blood/sugar levels steady (Diabetic diets). As far as metabolism, I have no idea if it has any effect on it. It's a comfort thing mostly.
Message edited by author 2012-02-16 09:36:18. |
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02/16/2012 10:15:05 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by heavyj:
The idea of eating 5 times a day is to get in the proper amount of protein. In order to maintain my muscle mass I have to consume 200-250 grams per day. |
That sounds way high to me -- I think most references I've seen suggest a daily protein requirement (for stable weight) to be more in the 40-80 grams/day range.
I think with a protein intake that high you put extra strain on your kidneys (and maybe liver), and run the risk of developing gout from the extra uric acid produced in the process of protein digestion. |
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02/16/2012 11:15:32 AM · #20 |
I have no liver or kidney problems. Cholesterol and Blood Pressure are good. You have to remember that protein and fats are the ESSENTIAL macro-nutrients and carbohydrates are NON-essential. I don't want to get into the science. There's plenty online that will show you that eating protein in that amount won't hurt you. You need to get your calories from something. Fats are good but protein is better. Get your carbs in the form of veggies and fruit. However, the healthier veggies pack a minimal amount of calories and you won't be satisfied by the end of your meal...at least I wouldn't. Remember, it's to maintain my current lean body mass. At a optimum weight of 220lbs, I keep my protein high. This was dinner tonight:
150 g chicken breast
4 spears , medium asparagus
80 g pumpkin
4 tsps olive oil
100 g salad (Assorted veggies).
This is 1 meal, and these are the breakdowns for that meal: Total Calories 454 Fat(g)23.62 Carbs(g)10.82 Prot(g)49.09
That's just dinner. And that's just 3 small strips of chicken, not even a whole chicken breast.  GeneralE I'm not sure what your diet is like, but I wouldn't be surprised if you were eating more than the 40-80 grams per day...unless you're a vegan. |
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02/16/2012 11:47:54 AM · #21 |
I feel you brother, was diagnosed with diabetes last month. Kind of a bummer. My A1C3 was 7.2 when I was diagnosed, and I kept having really weird periods of confusion and ugh (especially after meals). However after removing many of the carbs from my diet for a month, my next lab test indicated my A1C3 had droppped to 6.4 over that time period, and then they started me on Metformin. I have only been taking it for a short time, but between removing "white" carbs from my diet and trying to be more active, my sugar's have been much more stable. However, I made an error on Valentines Day and ate some potatoes, which sent my blood sugar up to almost 200 for a couple of hours. OUCH!!!
I don't know if eating rice is a good idea, as when I do so my sugar rockets. . .but I guess it is different for everyone. |
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02/16/2012 12:17:35 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by crowis:
between removing "white" carbs from my diet and trying to be more active, my sugar's have been much more stable. |
I do notice that when I've done a bike ride, my blood glucose is usually lower the next morning. I'm not eating many sweets anymore and I've cut down the carbs, but not completely. Burning it off on the bike seems to work well for me. Lost over 60 pounds over the last year. (Actually, I didn't lose it. I know exactly where it went.)
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02/16/2012 01:27:51 PM · #23 |
I had to go to the doctor this morning, regular visit. My BSL was 174 and I had not eaten anything before going to the doctor. The last time they did blood work my A1C was 6.2 which is high. I was diagnosed with type II diabetes about six years ago after demanding I have a glucose tolerance test.
I am over weight for my height and I do drink sodas :(. I had blood work done this morning, 7 big vials worth. Today's doctors visit was with my PHP but he is referring me to a local endocrinologist to keep a close watch on my diabetes. The concern is after eating I get so sleepy to the point I cant hold my eyes open. If I don't eat I get loopy feeling. One time before I knew I had diabetes, I was driving and had not eaten anything that morning. I stop and grabbed a quick burger. Within 5 minutes I thought I was going to pass out. When my BSL was taken it first read "LOW". Continued to try to eat while waiting about 15 minutes. When they took my BSL it was 33. The doctor said I should have been out of it. I was told I have hypoglycemia.
Hopefully the endocrinologist will help me get my diabetes and hypoglycemia under control. I know what to do to help but with a bad neck and back, walking or riding a bike for exercise is out of the question. I also have to let the soda's go and lower my carbs.
As others have mentioned in this thread, I too was told by sever doctors to eat 5 small meals instead of 3 regular meals. Currently I take in about 1500 calories a day.
Scott
Message edited by author 2012-02-16 13:38:07. |
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02/16/2012 01:44:48 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by SDW:
walking or riding a bike for exercise is out of the question. |
Perhaps a recumbent?
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02/16/2012 01:58:39 PM · #25 |
just an anecdotal note about 3 vs 5 meals a day --
we homeschooled my son until this year. starting at around 5 or 6, he started getting really chunky and his weight was becoming a concern. because he plays in a football league that has weight limits, we have always tried to keep it in check.
last year, he battled non-stop to stay under the requisite weight and as soon as football was over, he gained it all back.
this year, he still had to battle, initially, to get his weight down, but after football was over, he has continued to slim down.
there are 3 factors, i think, that contribute to this --
be at school, and on their schedule, his eating habits are also scheduled and regular <-- I honestly think this is the biggest
he is no longer allowed to drink gatorade or sports drinks
he is in a growth spurt and is getting taller
doing more smaller meals, at least for me, keeps me from getting so hungry i'll eat anything, plus it keeps the blood sugars more even. |
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