Medication Diabetes

I have been not feeling well for a very long time...I have had a lists of surgeries that seems to stem mostly from my original RNY.  Recently- my hair has been failing out in massive amounts, and I feel as though I ran a marathon all the time.  I figured stress (I have 3 disable people I provide care for and 2 small children, plus work full time).  Anyways, after I realized that this was more then just me being exhausted from being busy and my hair falling out worse then my RNY in 06 -- I went to the Dr.  Had lots of lab work done and my labs were abnormal and everything else they tested (lupus, Lyme dis, thyroid etc) was okay.  My A1C came back high again (had been in remission)....I know I have majorly been off the boat -- I have become a stress eater (BAD, BAD BAD)- and Shame on me---but not to where m A1C should be horrible.  Anyways-- my PCP wants me on medication and I am completely and utterly against medication----it was one of the main reasons I had RNY.  I am scared to death that I will end up packing on pounds with meds (that was my history with them) and they want me to see a NUT which is working my nerves. I am struggling to accept that I am becoming the person I was in 2006 and I scared sh*Tless.  Anyone out there on a diabetic medication that hasn't had them pack on pounds?  I believe he was looking at Amaryl...but I am not sure.

Should I humor them and go to this NUT appointment although I am totally and utterly opposed and have done countless ones in the past?  Oh and his advise about my deficiencies sucked----so I see my surgeon tomorrow to discuss the labs in depth.  (And I do take my supplements--just I guess after 6 years not the right ones!)

When it rains it pours---please do not be offended if I do not respond super quick---I have family coming in from out of town---I am helping to plan my grandmothers funeral for Friday!

Thanks!

Jenn,
I am so sorry about your grandmother.

I have not had to take any Diabetes medications since surgery.  I was on Metformin and it did not make me gain weight.

Are you logging your food so that you can look at what you have had and checking your blood sugars to see what might be causing them to go up?  I think I would start there just to see if there is some food that is triggering it.

Is there a reason you don't want to see the NUT?  I would probably want to do anything rather than go back on diabetes medicine - that is one of the main reasons I had the surgery also.  Are is the NUT just not up on things?

Here are the vitamins that I am taking now:
2 Multi Vitamins(Bariatric Advantage)
B12 sublingual daily
Iron (either Bariatric Advantage or Proferrin)
D3 (Dry D3 Bariatric Advantage)
Calcium ( 6 chews Bariatric Advantage) spaced 2 hours apart from everything else)
B Complex
Milk Thistle

Hope I didn't leave anything out - my list is at home.  Do you still do any protein drinks?

Let us know what your surgeon says about your labs.   Good luck.

Linda

I don't want to see the NUT because she is a diabetic educator not a WL NUT.  So she is going to preach things to me that 1. I already know from the previous 2 or 3 I have done in the past and 2. be yet another clueless dip about WLS like most PCP's

I already know I am stubborn and that my A1C is a result of my poor choices----and well the predisposition of diabetes (grandparents, parents, siblings uncles etc). 

I take a multivit 1-2 a day
b12 injections biweekly
My labs were fabulous the last 6 years, even during my pregnancies.   Never drank protein drinks- and my surgeons frown on them.  (Yes I have witness the great debate on why some people think that is stupid)

Just as before I have no- none- nada plan to be sticking my fingers arms etc to test my blood sugars.  Just ain't gonna happen.  I know I'm an opinionated pain in the --- but I just that has just become part of who I am now.  Oh- and I wont detail about how they harasses me about seeing eye Dr's and dentists and actually expect that I am going to bring them signed proof I did it...like I am a freaking 5 year old.  Not because I am non compliant but because that is their protocol.  Just wait until they list me as non compliant...I just am so excited...Not-Ugh!
 
I absolutely can not wait to see my WL Dr's who have some sense--- and get their input into the situation.  I am working on changing some of bad habits, and my A1C will reflect that but...in the mean time...I just am trying to consider treating it with meds because I am well aware of the damage it does that I can't see.

Thanks for your input and the thoughts about my grandma..I have a feeling my vit list will be a tad longer tomorrow or Friday. -Jenn-

don't be afraid of diabetes medications - but only certain ones.  I would try to get on Metformin - this one actually makes you lose weight but avoid amaryl or actos.

It is easy to say you won't test your sugars, follow the diet or see the necessary practioners but you have to realize how serious diabetes is.  I know a few people that have lost there vision, lost limbs and gone into kidney failure because they didn't feel the need to take care of there diabetes and when they ended up on dialysis then they realized they made a mistake.  By then it is too late.  We have these testing measures in place to help us. If you had your A1C normalized after surgery which it almost always does and it is now back out of control, then you are seriously doing things wrong and if you dont' make changes soon, you will be sorry.  I am sorry to be so cold but you need  a wake up call.  They arent wrong for wanting you to see an Eye doctor or dentist either - diabetes can damage your optic nerve and that needs to be checked yearly before you lose your site.  The dentist is because high sugar levels can put you are higher risk for gum disease, tooth loss and infections.

 Here are two  over the counter safe and natural  herbal supplements that rea;ly help regulate blood glucose levels .  They are used in  ayurvedic medicine  and Chinese herbal medicine and I take them myself .  

They seem to help me a lot .   ( im an ex diabetic too ) 



RED  YEAST RICE   and  Ashwagaranda 

as far as the bad food choices -  realize that  diabetes  can and will come roaring back if   U dont continually watch what U eat  post WLS .  

Stress eating , grief  ive heard ALL  the great excuses  .. but the problem is it comes back and it STAYS   and very often its a much  worse problem than before .   People  who were never  insulin dependent now are  ... people  whowere insulin dependent are now  insulin RESISTANT  ... etc. 

BE CAREFUL  !!! 

I'm sorry you're going through all this. You might try Ava's recommendation and also chromium GTF. My hubby is on Metformin and lost weight while he was low carbing (also drinking my protein shakes lol) and taking chromium GTF. He takes 2 or 3 tablets a day with his vitamins.    

--gina

 I take chromium  also  - one tablet maybe twice a week .   It really helps  cut the " bad " carb cravings .  especially sugar cravings . 

Sorry about what you are going through. You have alot of stress in you life currently.

I will not preach, but I do have to say that with what you have reported about your A1C I would be concerned. I am a Type 1 diabetic for over 30 yrs so I understand the frustration. Diabetes sucks.

The only way you will be able to lower your A1C is by testing your blood sugars regularly, it is the only way to determine what your sugars are at and how to regulate them by what you are eating etc. I have never heard of any of the Diabetes meds (except insulin) make you gain weight.

You have had the weight loss surgery to prolong your life, but if you do not keep the Diabetes under control you are back to square one.

Again, I do not wish to preach or offend. I wish you only the best and if you ever want to talk you can pm me and I will share my personal email etc with you.

Best Regards
Debbie

there are a few diabetes meds - amaryl and actos that are know to make you gain weight - I know it makes no sense but my Endo wont use either of these because of this side effect she finds in alot of patients. I know a friend of mine was on both of these - separately and had the same problem -went on metformin and immeditly lost weight with no changes.

You have received some good advice. No one can make you take meds, but diabetes isn't anything to fool around with. WLS can put the disease into remission, but it isn't a full cure. Often times, it does come back after about 5 or so years. Meformin doesn't have the issue with weight gain that some of the other meds might have. If you know that you are contributing to the situation, that is something that you have control over. Sounds like your supplements need some tweaking and the stress in your life is causing havoc with your health.