Type 2 Diabetes and Peripheral Neuropathy.

So what is diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and what effect does it have. Leg pain and cramps often occur as a result of nerve damage due to this condition. This condition can be a direct result of long-term high blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia) in those who have diabetes.

Peripheral neuropathy can also result in serious foot and leg conditions.Catching nerve damage early is important in preventing symptoms.

This can help prevent lower leg amputations. Managing leg pain and cramps may also help prevent the condition from progressing and improve your quality of life.

People with diabetes have an increased risk of ulcers and damage to the feet. Diabetic foot problems also include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, fungal infections, dryness of the skin, and ingrown toenails. … Gangrene (dry gangrene) is tissue death due to absence of blood circulation.

Pain management through medication

Diabetic neuropathy is most common in the legs and feet. Without treatment and management, it can become debilitating. The most important thing you can do to lower your risk of all complications, including diabetic neuropathy, is to keep your blood sugar level within the target range.

For Illustration only

One of the first courses of action is pain management through medication. Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help alleviate mild to moderate pain.
Other medications and treatment options include the use of opioid medications.
Now having been suffering with Peripheral neuropathy myself for quite some time, and taking prescription medication for it, I decided it was time to look for alternative treatments.

If you have read my previous posts, you will see that the medication I was prescribed has now been reclassified here in the UK to a class C drug, yes it did help me greatly with my symptoms, but am I prepared to take a class C drug, NO not if I can find an alternative.

After speaking with my sister who is suffering with terminal Lung Cancer, and I must say she is very brave and I admire her strength and positive attitude, having been given a prognosis of 9 months to 2 years to live, God bless her. I know she has been looking at natural remedies and alternative medicine for her condition, she recommended I try

For Illustration purposes only
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Organic Turmeric, Curcumin and black pepper with ginger, as it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. So I started my search for a quality product, I finally decided on one with quality organic ingredients, I have now been taking them for nearly 3 weeks and I have had very positive results, my Peripheral neuropathy pain has been reduced by around 80%, wow I’m so happy, no more class C drug for me if these results keep up. So I thought I would share my experience with you all, anyone suffering the same, as long as you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients why not give it a try, what have you got to lose. If you would like to know the ones I have bought, just message me, I will gladly let you know, and before anyone asks no I don’t sell them 🤗.

Please share your stories, do you suffer like me, has it become unbearable and has your condition gone to the next stage, open wounds etc, how do you deal and cope with it day-to-day. It really worries me that as much as I watch my diet, and continue to exercise, that I get this pain, how long will it be before my condition worsens if at all. I suppose only time will tell, I continue to do my best and look after myself the best I can, and I am hopeful that taking the above supplement will continue to help me. Do any of the readers out there take any natural supplements that are different to mine, that help with this condition and make it easier please message me and let me know. Sharing is caring.

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Regards C

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Diabetes and Eye problem’s

Glucose levels and the effects on eyes.

After waking up at a 4am, after tossing and turning all night, I thought let’s check the news on the old smartphone.

Well to my horror I could not see the images on the screen, now for sometime I have noticed my eyes are getting worse, so I took myself to get my eyes checked.
Having had my check up, I came away with reading glasses 👓.

I suppose at 51 there are a lot of people in that age group wearing reading glasses, so didn’t think too much about it.

I can usually manage without glasses, you know the feeling, when your trying to read and your moving your book closer and then further away from your face until it comes clear 😀I’m sure it’s not just me that does it.

deterioration

What I have noticed is that some days my eyes are worse than others, there at their worse when my blood glucose levels are high.

This causes a massive difference in my vision, when a wake in a morning my eyes feel sticky and very irritable, almost like I have dust in them.

Swelling of the eye

Glaucoma is always a worry when being diabetic, as many suffering diabetics, I attended a yearly eye screening test, this is always a worry when waiting for the results.

Having been reading a little on eye problems with high and low blood sugar, it appears this can cause the lens inside the eye to swell. This inturn causing havoc with your sight. This also puts added pressure on the eye.

Normal levels

I find keeping my sugar levels in the normal range, helps to normalise my vision.

How ever my recent struggle in keeping my levels on an even keel has caused me problems with my eyes.

The daily battle

Like many diabetics out there, who find it hard to keep on top of their strict anti sugar battle, I am just one of many who find it frustrating, will I ever feel like I am winning this battle, or is it a constant fight forever?

Never give up

No matter what you wake up to, just remember you can beat this, everyday may seem a different fight when your diabetic.

You may wake up with vision issues, or leg pains, the difference this sugar 😈 can cause to our bodies is endless.

You can beat this

That’s what I tell myself every day, I will win this battle, I won’t let sugar beat me, no way.

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Regards C

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Fell off the sugar wagon again.

Trying so hard to keep off the carbohydrates 😈 it’s just not happening, the mind set is just not right. You know you can do it, and you really need to do it, but there’s just something tipping you the other way.

The cause?

What is the cause to this struggle, is it a lack of concentration or will power, or is it me fighting my own body. My body wants the thing I’m not giving it.

CARBOHYDRATES

I say no, my body says yes, and at the minute I’m not winning ☹️ what is causing me to lose this battle against my own body, it plays with your mind, telling you how much you need that sugar fix. Just like someone coming off drugs or alcohol, surely not the same people say, but anyone reading this with diabetes please tell me I’m not the only one that feels this way, I can’t be.

Winning the battle.

How do I win this mind game, what am I actually fighting against. Is it my body, is it all in my head, or is it both. I try and be so strict with my eating and training habits, keeping my sugars on track and then BOOM I’m drawn to sugar, like a moth to a flame, sweats like I’m having withdrawal symptoms, the need is unbearable, give me sugar my body shouts, carbs carbs give me carbs, then the fight begins, every day the same, round and round in circles, it’s like Déjà vu.

Need for change

So I need to change, but where to start, I know I can beat this beast, it’s not the first time and I’m sure it will not be the last, it’s time to focus and get rid of this sugar 😈 once and for all.

Wish me luck

To all you with the same struggle, how do you focus on beating the craving, is it just me facing this surly not, let’s embrace this fight together, share with me your successes in beating this devil, and maybe we will all succeed together. Good Luck.
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Diabetes and what it really does to your body.

Now 10+ years since being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, I am still learning what effects the dreaded sugar is having on my body.

Now due to your body not producing enough insulin, or not using it effectively or both, insulin being a hormone moves the sugar from the food you eat into the bloodstream, it is then distributed to cells where it can be stored or used for energy.

So when you’re insulin is low or it’s not being used effectively, this can cause excess sugar levels in the bloodstream, the knock on effect to this build up, is the possibility of organ damage all over the body, including the eye’s, kidneys and nerves, your blood vessels can also be damaged, your blood vessels have an important job of carrying oxygen to your organs and tissues.

When you’re blood vessels are damaged they are unable to deliver the correct amount of oxygen to your hair follicles, this is one thing that I didn’t know, that high sugar levels can effect your hair growth.

There are three phases of hair growth, the active growing phase which lasts approximately two years where the hair growth is between 1&2cm per month, the hair then has a resting stage of approximately 100 days, after this stage some of the resting hair fall’s out.

Having diabetes can have a big impact on this by slowing down the hair growth process, having diabetes can also cause you to loose hair From all over your body not just your head, what is also significant is that the regrowth of hair is a lot slower than usual.

So the reality is, managing your diabetes well is so important, as the effects it has on our bodies is unbelievable, I never knew or should I say didn’t educate myself to the all round issues this sweet stuff can cause, especially hair loss 🙄 Purchase Your Own Lab Tests Online, See Tests and Prices Now.

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Diabetes and man flu not a great mix

Well you wake up from a 12 hour night shift and instantly you feel poorly, the dreaded man flu lol, runny 👃 eyes burning, head ache, you know where I’m coming from, well any recommendations for any sugar free medicine, all the remedies I have looked at are full of the dreaded white stuff 😝 you have to laugh, Friends recommending honey and lemon, hello have you forgotten something, what they say, I’m diabetic.

I know people say have everything in moderation, but I think I will give honey a miss thanks. So my diabetic friends, and my not so diabetic friends, have you any suggestions to help with man flu 😫😫 Purchase Your Own Lab Tests Online, See Tests and Prices Now.

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Diabetes and Diet, can I reach my Ketosis goal?

My low carb steak and mushroom salad.

When you struggle like me to regulate your blood glucose levels, and try different ways to maintain a good level with diet, it can become a never-ending mission.

I call it a mission as I feel it’s a fight every day to achieve where I need to be. Having had very little help or not been given any direction by the so-called professionals on my dietary needs, or is it a case that I have not asked the right questions?.

So what to do next I thought, where do I look for answers to help me reach my dietary goals, and to help me get my glucose levels under control.
The mission began, researching the internet, reading books, what works for others with diabetes and what doesn’t work, what works for one doesn’t always work for another.
When you look at the amount of diet’s that people are trying out there it’s mind-blowing and very confusing, which one is best for me?

• Atkins diet
• The Zone diet
• Ketogenic diet
• Vegetarian diet
• Vegan diet
• Weight Watchers diet
• South Beach diet
• Raw food diet
• Mediterranean diet

Now what this all boils down to is sugar, the weight loss is not as important for me, but hey keeping trim and looking the best I can, is always a bonus.
So what is the main source of sugar in any diet, in my case the dreaded carbohydrates, so what are they?
Carbohydrates are sugars that come in 2 main forms – simple and complex. This is also referred to as simple sugars and starches.
The difference between a simple and complex carb is in how quickly it is digested and absorbed – as well as its chemical structure.
As outlined on: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/nutrition/simple-carbs-vs-complex-carbs.html
Simple carbohydrates
Simple carbohydrates are called simple sugars. Sugars are found in a variety of natural food sources including fruit, vegetables and milk, and give food a sweet taste. But they also raise blood glucose levels quickly.
Sugars can be categorized as single sugars (monosaccharide’s), which include glucose, fructose and galactose, or double sugars (disaccharides), which include sucrose (table sugar), lactose and maltose.
Many processed foods contain added sugars.
Complex carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates, also known as polysaccharides, are starches formed by longer saccharide chains, which means they take longer to break down.
Chemically, they usually consist of three or more linked sugars.
Strictly speaking, the term complex carbohydrate refers to any starches, including the highly refined starches found in:

• White bread
• Cakes
• Most pastries and
• Many other food sources

So I decided my mission was to reduce my carbohydrates and try a ketogenic diet, the keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet. It lowers blood sugar and insulin levels, and shifts the body’s metabolism away from carbs and towards fat and ketones.

So my main focus is to reduce my carbohydrates intake to between 20 and 25 grams per day and hopefully achieve ketosis.
Ketosis occurs when the body is metabolizing fat at a high rate and converting fatty acids into ketones.

I brushed over this subject quickly in one of my previous post about balanced diets, but felt I needed to elaborate a little more.
I followed a strict balanced diet, this involved brown rice, wholemeal bread, low-fat this and low-fat that, and guess what my sugars went through the roof, this is when I started taking more notice of the products labels when shopping.

To my amazement the low-fat products contained more carbohydrates than the full fat version of the same product. One slice of wholemeal bread for example, has approximately 11.6 grams of carbs, now my intake is between 20 and 25 grams per day, so one slice is over half that.
So in my mind if dietary products contain more carbs how can they be good for me?
The body breaks down or converts most carbohydrates into sugar glucose. Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, and with the help of a hormone called insulin it travels into the cells of the body where it can be used for energy.

If you consume too many calories from simple sugars like sucrose and fructose (think sugary drinks sweetened by sugar and high fructose corn syrup) then your body will more readily take some of those sugars and turn them into triglycerides (fat) in your liver.

So my mission is set, out with the balanced diets, in with the low carbohydrate diet. Remember although I expect some weight loss, this is not my main goal, I expect to regulate and maintain my glucose level, between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL) when fasting. Up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating.

I must also add that I do incorporate exercise with my diet, I will be discussing this further in the very near future, as I find blood glucose levels and diet have a massive impact on my training.

After a recent message on my previous blog, this inspired me to write this and hopefully reach out to others, are you diabetic, have you found a successful dietary solution to maintain your blood glucose levels, thus keeping them within the range they should be?

Please message me, and share your thoughts on what diet works for you, are you having the same trouble as me, let’s try to help each other, share ideas and maybe together we can achieve our goals.
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Regards C

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Diabetes Leg Pain and Cramps:

Understanding  Complications

Diabetes can lead to a variety of complications. Leg pain and cramps often occur as a result of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy.

If diabetes damages nerves in your arms or legs, it’s called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This condition can be a direct result of long-term high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) in those who have diabetes.

Over the last few years, I have been suffering from the above symptoms, what a nightmare I have had, the irritating pain and pins and needles in my legs is unbearable, it became so bad I approached my Doctor for help in controlling the symptoms. The doctor gave me a prescription for a specific drug for the condition, although I’m not keen on taking even more medication, the pain and irritation was becoming unbearable.

After introducing this medication gradually over a couple of weeks, my symptom began to get better and finally I was almost pain-free, wonderful I thought no more symptoms, or very little anyway.

Then one day while listening to the radio there was a story about the reclassification of some prescribed drugs, to my surprise the medication I had been taking is to be reclassified as a class C controlled substances here in the UK from next April.

This is to reduce the growing number of deaths associated with their misuse. Now of course I don’t misuse the medication, and any medication can be misused, but it did concern me that I would be taking something that has to be reclassified to a class C drug.

So where do I go from here, firstly I began to reduce my intake of the medication as I couldn’t just stop them on my doctor’s advice, I had already changed my diet to low carb, as in one of my previous posts and I was exercising regularly,. When I had finally got off the medication, I found my leg pains were not too bad, it was summer time and the weather was quite warm and I believe this helped, now the winter is hear I am finding the pains are coming back, not as bad as before but enough to notice.

After a little research, I have just started to take Turmeric as this contains a compound called Curcumin, a bright yellow chemical, which gives turmeric its vibrant colour. Curcumin has been identified as being beneficial for its anti-inflammatory properties. When you ingest turmeric with black pepper, you are increasing the amount of the Curcumin you can absorb and your body can use. I am hoping by switching to a natural remedy this will not only assist with my symptoms, but I will no longer need to depend on a controlled class C substance.

I am in no way suggesting that the medication I was subscribed should not be used, as it will surely benefit some people, It was my sole decision to take myself of it and try an alternative. Are you Diabetic and have you taken any alternative medications to assist you with your condition, and have they worked.

I really hope my decision to take Turmeric as an alternative helps with my diabetic neuropathy, I am not sure if it will, only time will tell. I will update you in due course, so fingers crossed. If anyone has had the same symptoms and can recommend an alternative please let me know.
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Regards C

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Diabetes and Excersise

Being diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes back in 2008 at the age of 40 was frustrating enough, but having no history in the family and doctors giving me no real answers to the Cause was really frustrating.

Running through my mind was what now for me, having no insight what so ever into the condition it was very scary and really made me think why me. Having done some research into the condition I know I’m not alone, I am very much aware that there are many more people out there with the condition and a lot more serious than me.

Now looking back at my life and lifestyle I can see where I may have gone wrong, smoking from 16 indulging in takeaway food and being slightly over weight most of my life, fortunately I have never been a big drinker of alcohol so I don’t think that’s the cause. So whats next for me. Now the big change having a beautiful wife and three lovely children there is only one thing on my mind Life and living with diabetes.

So where to start, quit smoking no patches no help just quit hardest thing ever but did it and never looked back, diet no more junk food I really changed and concentrated on my intake of food to lower my sugar levels, however in the early days of me having the condition I found it hard to control my sugar levels, they were sometimes erratic and I found it hard to keep them stabilized.

So I opted for a high protein low carb diet and this has been very successful in stabilizing my sugar levels and to be honest I feel great. Now I’m a bit of a gym freak and love working out.

I try and mix things up and although I mainly do weight training I also like to mix in a little cardio too. This is where I get frustrated and if anyone also has the same problem as me I would love to hear of your experience.

The problem I have is that no matter how hard I train I find it hard to build muscle and even harder to sustain it, having done a little research it appears to be a common problem for some diabetics, having tried different pills and powders from different health websites I don’t seem any further forward.

I’m currently trying a supplement called Beta alanine which is supposed to help sustain muscle mass and stamina, but can’t really see any major results as yet and not like some other supplements doesn’t cause havoc with my blood sugars.
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The thing is where to go from hear, I know all people are different, but I find it hard to find answers.

I feel sometimes like I’m going round in circles, so if anyone could shed any light on this for me and share there experience, or do you feel the same as me frustrated and not sure what to try next, it would be great to discuss this with others and share different thoughts on the matter. This is a first for me trying a blog, but I know peoples own personal experiences can sometimes be helpful to other’s.

Be like me sugar free.
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Regards C

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Diabetes Type II and carbohydrates.

Having been dealing with type II diabetes for nearly 10 years, and now 50 years old, I am constantly frustrated with advice from health care professionals and the different opinions when dealing with sugar level control.

On a recent visit to my doctors for my diabetic review , I was told my glucose levels were higher than my last visit 12 months previous, obviously concerned with the rise I discussed my options with the diabetic nurse, the nurse informed me that if my sugar levels didn’t improve I would have to take more medication, yes more.

As my diabetes is diet and tablet controlled the last thing I want is to take more tablets. Now after 10 years you would think I would be in control of my glucose levels, and the foods I can and can’t eat, well that’s not the case for me, I’m finding that I am having to chop and change my diet all the time, especially my carb intake.

What diet is right for me is not always right for others, everyone has to find the correct balance for them. What does frustrate me is being told that I should have a balanced diet, have five a day etc.

This is where my troubles begin, a balanced diet according to the advice I have been given, sends my sugar levels through the roof, I only have to look at a carbohydrate and it affects my levels greatly. 

So over the last 10 years I am finding that reducing my carbohydrate levels more and more works for me. Carbohydrates is well documented on the Diabetes UK website, or the ADA website, both have very good advise on what you need to know.
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My diet at present now incorporates more fats and proteins and very little carbohydrates, I try to stick to around 20 to 25 grams of carbs per day, this keeps me on track with my glucose levels.

I also exercise at least 3 times per week,  but this diet like other diets gets mixed reviews, but what is right and what is wrong, is it wrong to eat what keeps your levels on track, or do you eat whats called a balanced diet and suffer with your glucose levels.

Foods containing carbohydrates, consist of:

Dairy
Milk, yogurt, and ice cream

Fruit
Whole fruit and fruit juice

Grains
Bread, rice, crackers, and cereal

Legumes
Beans and other plant-based proteins

Starchy Vegetables
Potatoes and corn

Sugary Sweets 
Limit these!
Soda, candy, cookies, and other desserts

It’s important to remember that carbohydrate isn’t inherently bad—your body needs the glucose for fuel—but it’s important to pick nutrient-rich food sources and pay attention to portion sizes. To do that, try visualizing what 15 grams of carb looks like in food. This can help you keep the carbs in your snacks and meals consistent. Foods that contain 15 grams of carbs include:

• A small piece of fruit
• 1 slice of bread
• 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
• 1/3 cup cooked pasta or rice
• 4 to 6 crackers
• 1/2 cup black beans or other starchy vegetable
• 1/4 large baked potato
• 2/3 cup nonfat yogurt
• 2 small cookies
• 1/2 cup ice cream or sherbet
• 6 chicken nuggets
• 1/2 cup of casserole
• 1/4 serving of medium french fries

Diabetes is now a disease that affects 371 million people worldwide, and 187 million of them do not even know they have the disease.

Opinions matter what helps you?, as a diabetic keeping control of your glucose levels is so important, do you find it easy or is it as frustrating for you as it is for me, do you regulate your carb intake or use a regular balanced diet?, or are you like me, trying to constantly change and adapt your diet to regulate your blood glucose levels.

It would be great to get the views of other’s, what works, what doesn’t.

Is blood glucose control easy or hard, what makes it worse and what makes it better?.

Be like me sugar free.
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Regards C

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