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Dieting & Diabetes Meds



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I've been on Actos for around 2 years now, and the diabetes is one major factor in my moving forward with VSG.

In all this time I've been on this medication, I find that I actually struggle to keep enough sugar in my system, especially between Breakfast and lunch. I find if I don't have a substantial enough Breakfast, my BG takes a dive.

During my initial consult with the VSG surgeon, he said he wanted me to cut out the liquid calories, including any milk as part of my plan to lose ~ 10 pounds before the surgery. So, no more Cereal for breakfast. When I met with the dietitian, I asked him about recommendations, and he suggested replacing breakfast with a Protein shake/drink.

Well, today, I had one for breakfast, the 11 oz Premier Protein Drink you get at Sam's & costco. I started feeling like crap less than 2 hours after... meaning, that the meds are preventing that breakfast from lasting for me.

I'm considering stopping the Actos.

Have you had a similar issue? What did you do?

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I hate to say it but the best thing to do is use glucose tabs. I know that all diabetics hate them but they do prevent those horrible lows. No way would I get off the medicine without the doctor's say so. There are too many lasting effects of high blood sugar. I'd stay on the medicine and take 2 glucose tabs when you feel the lows coming on.

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I just don't think there is enough information here to offer any advise, even if I were a doctor...

I would suggest if you dont already start taking you blood at least 8x a day - it sounds like alot but you are going through major changes, and you really need to understand what is happening when. Once you have this parred with a food log, it will be a valuable tool in deciding what to do with your meds.

Actos may not be what you need anymore, I thought that was for people who had difficulty controlling highs, any meds causing you to have to "feed" diabeties is counter productive.

<diagnosed type 2 2007, went from +7 A1c to within 5's 6 months later, off meds just before surgery jan 4th 2012, and diagnosed in full remission late Feb/early March 2012. A1c in 4's ever since, no meds.

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Wondering..... do you think you could try a glucerna shake or something with slighly more carbs? Not sure if its allowed.

Of course talk to your doctor!

For me if i eat low carb and take my meds i have terrible issues keeping my BS "up".. But i bet you're either gonna have to reduce, change or go off meds or start adding some type of carb/sugar with your meds.

My thoughts are that the meds work to reduce or keep your BS under control and its carbohydrates that cause insulin response... So i'm thinking if you are not creating a insulin response but taking meds there is an imbalance. At least i think thats whats happening to me... I think its better to keep carbs low and get rid of these meds anyday! :P

Anyway..i know your doc will help you out with this! Take care!

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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