Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Latest Update

Yesterday was my scheduled appointment with the doctor.  Lately, "Vic" and I haven't been getting along so well.  I have had a lot of side effects that weren't pleasant.  It seemed like the longer I was in the Victoza, the worse I felt.  Constipation and a lack of energy were some of the side effects that I could have lived with; however, when I started with the pain in my right abdomen just below my rib cage, I started to worry.  I no longer had the desire to eat, certain smells like coffee and cigarettes made me nauseous.  And I started to have seriously low blood sugars in the afternoon.  So when the doctor told me how well I had done on the Victoza, I began telling him about my side effects.  He gave me a definite "Stop taking it now".  I had lost only 3 pounds in the past 4 months, nothing compared to stories from others.  So now, I have to make some important decisions. I had done pretty well a couple of years ago on the Glycemic Index diet, so yesterday I got my books back out, made a shopping list, and sorted out some recipes to help me.  Friday is payday, and I'll go grocery shopping this weekend.  And now it's back to square one.  I haven't given up, just made a fresh start.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Monday Weigh In

Yesterday I weighed myself for no good reason. Yipee, I had lost a pound. This morning was my official weigh-in and when I stepped on the scale, I had gained two pounds. I stepped off, reset the scale and stepped back on. I had gained 3 more pounds in less than a minute. I don't need the aggravation. I have my check up next week - I'll get weighed then.

The past two weeks I've been having some issues with my Victoza.  I've had pain in my stomach, lots of gas, back pain, leg cramps, nausea and an all around feeling of yuckiness (a medical term, I'm sure).  Saturday night I had decided to stop taking it.  While googling to see if I had to wean off it, I found a message board for people who are taking Victoza.  I started reading posts.  Some people are losing as high as 10 pounds in a month (No me.)  And I learned that others have had the same problems that I've been experiencing.  One thing I learned was that I needed to drink more water.  Dehydration is a side effect of the Victoza.  I've been taking my injection in the morning after breakfast -- big mistake.  Others who had similar problems switched and starting taking their injections at 10:00 p.m.  So yesterday, I did not take a shot in the morning and had no stomach pains, no nausea and I started to feel better.  But when 10 o'clock rolled around, I was apprehensive.  What if this didn't solve my problems.  But, I took the injection and went to bed around 10:30.  I got up about 7:15 this morning, and still had no stomach pains or nausea.  And, my blood sugar was 92, a really great number.  Two food items that I really miss since being diagnosed are bananas and grapefruit.  My medication says not to eat grapefruit, but when I checked with my pharmacist, he told me I could have a grapefruit on occasion, just not an entire case!  And over the weekend, we bought three bananas.  Since my fasting number was so good this morning, I decided it was time for a banana.  Since Izzy was here, I asked her if she wanted to share my banana.  I cut it in half -- wasn't I a good girl.  And with my banana I had a hard boiled egg (protein) and a can of tomato juice (veggie).  But, since the banana is high in natural sugar, I didn't eat any carbs for breakfast.  And we'll see what my numbers are like in a couple of hours.  I'm learning that diabetes is basically trial and error.  Each person's body is different, and what works for one may not work for others.  I will eventually get the best of this, I know I will.

Monday, October 10, 2011

A Little Disappointed

Today is my weigh in day, and I'm a little disappointed.  I've gained .3 pounds.  It's not a big gain, but it's not a loss.  I did increase my water intake, and I tried to eat more veggies.  But last night, I splurged on a hot fudge sundae.  Maybe that's responsible for my small gain.

All in all, it was an upsetting week.  First, my mom fell and broke a rib.  She's badly bruised and very sore.  I cry when things like this happen to her.  She took unbelievably great care of my dad before he died.  My dad went into the hospital for surgery, and came out 13 months later with no spleen, a colostomy, and being unable to walk independently.  His colostomy was in a very awkward place since it was supposed to be only temporary.  However, he never gained his health back to be able to have that surgery.  Every time you turned around, it would blow loose and my poor dad was just covered in waste.  While he cried, my mom would clean him up and change his clothes, all the while talking softly to him and reminding him how much she loved him.  Mom lost him and my sister within two years of each other, and has suffered through breast and rectal cancer herself.  And it's difficult for me to understand why, after all she did to take care of my dad, she needs to go through so much physical pain.

I heard that Dr. Oz was having a show on boosting your metabolism.  I figured this was a must-see for me and so I DVR'd it.  I had good intentions, but it didn't turn out that way.  Dr. Oz advised to take zinc 12 - 15 mgs. daily.  When I went to the store to purchase the zinc, I couldn't remember how much to take, so I bought 50 mg. tablets, and started taking two a day.  I also started to eat the pistachios and dried apricots he recommended.  And started drinking the iced water he recommended.  Not a good thing for Linny.  Too many pistachios caused major belly problems - if you get my drift!  And I started to experience a tingling in my hands and feet.  At first I chalked it up to diabetic neuropathy.  But it kept getting worse.  And I started to feel really tired, and not so chipper.  So, I googled zinc overdose, and discovered that some of the symptoms were diarrhea, tingling in the extremities, and tiredness.  Seems I get the suggested amount in my daily vitamin, and by taking the extra (way too much extra)  I was overdosing myself.  So, the zinc tablets have gone by the wayside.  Please know that I don't blame anyone but myself for this.  It was a lack of proper education on my part.  So, my advice is that before you start some of the things you see on TV, educate yourself.  Know what you take already and consult you own doctor before taking the advice of celebrity doctors.

I'm not discouraged.  This week I need to try harder, trust my own judgement, and stick to my guns.  See you next Monday.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Weigh In Monday

Yep, it's Monday - my day to weigh in.  It's a nasty day out there.  Rainy, gloomy, chilly - the kind of day that makes me sad.  But in here, it's bright, sunny and warm.  When I got on the scale this morning, I had lost another 2 pounds.  Maybe not a huge loss, for sure.  But as the turtle in the story of the Tortoise and the Hare said, "Slow and steady wins the race".  So, I'm pleased.  Very pleased!!

It gets easier.  I'm eating a good breakfast every morning.  Previously, there were a lot of mornings that I just didn't want to go through the movements and so would grab a hard boiled egg and a breakfast bar.  But now, it's either oatmeal or shredded wheat for me.  The exception is on the weekends when my hubby cooks bacon and eggs - still on program, two eggs, two slices of bacon, one slice of toast with diet jelly.  But still a treat.  Evening snacks have changed also.  No more cookies, cake with milk on or candy bars.  Now, it's fat free yogurt, sugar free pudding, or Laughing Cow cheese and Triscut crackers.  My swollen feet are down, and my energy levels are up.  I love how much better I feel.  See you next Monday.