CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
jaye8898
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CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by jaye8898 » Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:37 pm

I am curious to know if any other diabetics have experienced a decline in the insulin they need to inject every day since starting to use CPap. I have been on the hose since 3/4/14 and am down to 40 units twice a day from 52 units twice a day. I may inject 42 if I know I'm going to be eating a large meal. My blood sugar readings are down to between 82 and 130 for the whole day....both before and after meals. I do watch what I eat but I find this astounding!

I'm also convinced I have diabetes because I stopped using my machine for seven years in 2007. Later that year, I was diagnosed with Type II. Coincidence? Maybe, but I don't think so. All kinds of health issues have followed since I stopped using my CPap back in 2007 (after 2 compliant years) including a hyperactive thyroid. For all my fellow newbies out there, take this as encouragement to continue your treatment! It's tough to realize I've done this to myself but every day is a new one and no sense in beating myself up for the past!

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Todzo
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by Todzo » Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:40 pm

jaye8898 wrote:I am curious to know if any other diabetics have experienced a decline in the insulin they need to inject every day since starting to use CPap. I have been on the hose since 3/4/14 and am down to 40 units twice a day from 52 units twice a day. I may inject 42 if I know I'm going to be eating a large meal. My blood sugar readings are down to between 82 and 130 for the whole day....both before and after meals. I do watch what I eat but I find this astounding!

I'm also convinced I have diabetes because I stopped using my machine for seven years in 2007. Later that year, I was diagnosed with Type II. Coincidence? Maybe, but I don't think so. All kinds of health issues have followed since I stopped using my CPap back in 2007 (after 2 compliant years) including a hyperactive thyroid. For all my fellow newbies out there, take this as encouragement to continue your treatment! It's tough to realize I've done this to myself but every day is a new one and no sense in beating myself up for the past!
Was told was prediabetic.

If CPAP worked well the morning blood sugar numbers were always down.

Not a shock. Every event evokes a stress response which includes making sugar available. Yes that does put sugar in your blood from your reserves. If you do not use it . . .
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by Janknitz » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:29 pm

Sleep affects many hormones tied together with insulin for blood sugar regulation (grehlin, leptin, cortisol, etc.), so this makes perfect sense.

Now, dial in the diet (I highly recommend Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution and this site: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.php ) and you might be able to get off insulin all together.
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jaye8898
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by jaye8898 » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:45 pm

Janknitz wrote:Sleep affects many hormones tied together with insulin for blood sugar regulation (grehlin, leptin, cortisol, etc.), so this makes perfect sense.

Now, dial in the diet (I highly recommend Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution and this site: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.php ) and you might be able to get off insulin all together.

Thank you! I will look at it....I need to add exercise and it's just starting to get nice here in PNW. I want to start riding my bike again. Incidentally, I was on oral meds alone 2.5 years ago until I started to eat more carbs due to the cravings from not getting enough oxygen, think. Cravings are gone and I'm losing weight!

I see a dietician and am being sent to classes as well (diabetes and nutrition classes) starting late this month.

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Goofproof
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by Goofproof » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:20 pm

I have not found having my sleep apnea under control, as a factor in reducing my need for insulin. BUT, I have found drinking grapefruit juice and or eating 10 almonds or so daily to improve the ability of insulin to lower my sugar level, so much so that I can cut back of the amount of insulin I take.

This is something I have just came across in the last two months. I have been trying to get my A1C closer to normal, now I am having trouble finding the correct mix of food and insulin for overnite. I guess I'm lucky I tend to awaken if my levels go too low. As I try to get closer to normal I fine it is easy to go too low, sometimes for no good reason.

It's a quest not a trip. All this time and still learning how the body works! Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

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jaye8898
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by jaye8898 » Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:09 pm

Goofproof wrote:I have not found having my sleep apnea under control, as a factor in reducing my need for insulin. BUT, I have found drinking grapefruit juice and or eating 10 almonds or so daily to improve the ability of insulin to lower my sugar level, so much so that I can cut back of the amount of insulin I take.

This is something I have just came across in the last two months. I have been trying to get my A1C closer to normal, now I am having trouble finding the correct mix of food and insulin for overnite. I guess I'm lucky I tend to awaken if my levels go too low. As I try to get closer to normal I fine it is easy to go too low, sometimes for no good reason.

It's a quest not a trip. All this time and still learning how the body works! Jim
That's interesting! I do put almonds in my yogurt but not every day. Grapefruit juice is not that high in carbs so worth a try. I have had my A1C reduced by a point since I started watching the carbs, etc. I want it down another 1.5 points or so. I am also being challenged with low sugars at times. I find I usually need to eat a small carb & protein snack before bed to avoid getting to low overnight.

Glad to hear this is working for you!

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Goofproof
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by Goofproof » Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:24 pm

jaye8898 wrote:
Goofproof wrote:I have not found having my sleep apnea under control, as a factor in reducing my need for insulin. BUT, I have found drinking grapefruit juice and or eating 10 almonds or so daily to improve the ability of insulin to lower my sugar level, so much so that I can cut back of the amount of insulin I take.

This is something I have just came across in the last two months. I have been trying to get my A1C closer to normal, now I am having trouble finding the correct mix of food and insulin for overnite. I guess I'm lucky I tend to awaken if my levels go too low. As I try to get closer to normal I fine it is easy to go too low, sometimes for no good reason.

It's a quest not a trip. All this time and still learning how the body works! Jim
That's interesting! I do put almonds in my yogurt but not every day. Grapefruit juice is not that high in carbs so worth a try. I have had my A1C reduced by a point since I started watching the carbs, etc. I want it down another 1.5 points or so. I am also being challenged with low sugars at times. I find I usually need to eat a small carb & protein snack before bed to avoid getting to low overnight.

Glad to hear this is working for you!
I can't say it's working, I normally have to take 200 units of two types of insulin daily, but with cutting down even more on food, I'm down to 160 on avg. Woke up this am @ 62, started loading up on sugar, 30 minutes was at 52. I get scared and go to far 4 hours later I was at 175. Riding the yo-yo isn't good. It seems many times reaction to levels change for no reason.

It is what it is, we just deal with it, but it's scary at times.

Grapefruit juice, affects how some medicines work, so you are taking a chance.
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

jaye8898
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by jaye8898 » Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:14 pm

Goofproof wrote:
jaye8898 wrote:
Goofproof wrote:I have not found having my sleep apnea under control, as a factor in reducing my need for insulin. BUT, I have found drinking grapefruit juice and or eating 10 almonds or so daily to improve the ability of insulin to lower my sugar level, so much so that I can cut back of the amount of insulin I take.

This is something I have just came across in the last two months. I have been trying to get my A1C closer to normal, now I am having trouble finding the correct mix of food and insulin for overnite. I guess I'm lucky I tend to awaken if my levels go too low. As I try to get closer to normal I fine it is easy to go too low, sometimes for no good reason.

It's a quest not a trip. All this time and still learning how the body works! Jim
That's interesting! I do put almonds in my yogurt but not every day. Grapefruit juice is not that high in carbs so worth a try. I have had my A1C reduced by a point since I started watching the carbs, etc. I want it down another 1.5 points or so. I am also being challenged with low sugars at times. I find I usually need to eat a small carb & protein snack before bed to avoid getting to low overnight.

Glad to hear this is working for you!
I can't say it's working, I normally have to take 200 units of two types of insulin daily, but with cutting down even more on food, I'm down to 160 on avg. Woke up this am @ 62, started loading up on sugar, 30 minutes was at 52. I get scared and go to far 4 hours later I was at 175. Riding the yo-yo isn't good. It seems many times reaction to levels change for no reason.

It is what it is, we just deal with it, but it's scary at times.

Grapefruit juice, affects how some medicines work, so you are taking a chance.

Sorry to hear about your low. That is scary....I'm surprised you could function at 52! I've only gotten as low as 65 or so and that scared me a lot. Never has happened overnight though.....not that low. It sounds like you are doing the right things since you're insulin usage is down substantially. I agree.......sometimes it's hard to know the why if you haven't done anything dietary to point to the culprit. I will watch myself with the juice.....I forgot about citrus and meds and I'm on quite a few!

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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by Goofproof » Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:21 am

The reason I require so high a dose of insulin, is with what's left of my heart, (35 to 40%), I can't move enough to burn fuel. When I was working I burnt off 6,000 cal a day as a heavy equiptment mechanic, now I eat 1500 to 2000 cal a day.

I keep Reese cups by the bed, for night emergencies, bad thing it takes 45 minutes to start raising again, that scares you and you keep adding sugar, ending too high.

Another thing with the grapejuice, too much upsets the bowels, I settle with 1/2 glass and then fill it with ice.
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by Sheriff Buford » Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:22 am

Jaye: without being too personal, I was wondering why you stopped using cpap therapy after two years?

Sheriff

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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by BlackSpinner » Thu Mar 20, 2014 10:40 am

Goofproof wrote:I have not found having my sleep apnea under control, as a factor in reducing my need for insulin. BUT, I have found drinking grapefruit juice and or eating 10 almonds or so daily to improve the ability of insulin to lower my sugar level, so much so that I can cut back of the amount of insulin I take.
Be very careful with grapefruit. It interacts with a lot of medications causing all sorts of unwanted effects.



http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high- ... medication
Grapefruit juice blocks a special enzyme in the wall of the intestine that prevents many drugs from being absorbed into the body. When that enzyme is blocked, it is easier for those medications to pass from the gut into the body, raising the blood levels of these drugs. Abnormally high levels of some drugs can be dangerous and can lead to toxic side effects.

These are some medications with which grapefruit juice should NOT be consumed unless advised by a doctor:

Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs): lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin)
Antihistamines: Ebastine
Calcium channel blockers (blood pressure drugs): felodipine (Nitrendipine, Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Psychiatric drugs: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)
Immune suppressants: cyclosporine (Neoral), (tacrolimus) Prograf
Pain medications: Methadone
Impotence drug (erectile dysfunction): sildenafil (Viagra)
Ant-HIV medication: saquinavir (Invirase)
Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone (Cordarone)

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jaye8898
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by jaye8898 » Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:44 am

BlackSpinner wrote:
Goofproof wrote:I have not found having my sleep apnea under control, as a factor in reducing my need for insulin. BUT, I have found drinking grapefruit juice and or eating 10 almonds or so daily to improve the ability of insulin to lower my sugar level, so much so that I can cut back of the amount of insulin I take.
Be very careful with grapefruit. It interacts with a lot of medications causing all sorts of unwanted effects.



http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high- ... medication
Grapefruit juice blocks a special enzyme in the wall of the intestine that prevents many drugs from being absorbed into the body. When that enzyme is blocked, it is easier for those medications to pass from the gut into the body, raising the blood levels of these drugs. Abnormally high levels of some drugs can be dangerous and can lead to toxic side effects.

These are some medications with which grapefruit juice should NOT be consumed unless advised by a doctor:

Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs): lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor, Vytorin)
Antihistamines: Ebastine
Calcium channel blockers (blood pressure drugs): felodipine (Nitrendipine, Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Psychiatric drugs: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)
Immune suppressants: cyclosporine (Neoral), (tacrolimus) Prograf
Pain medications: Methadone
Impotence drug (erectile dysfunction): sildenafil (Viagra)
Ant-HIV medication: saquinavir (Invirase)
Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone (Cordarone)

Thank you so much! I had no idea and do take two of these medications. Really appreciate it.

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jaye8898
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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by jaye8898 » Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:22 pm

Sheriff Buford wrote:Jaye: without being too personal, I was wondering why you stopped using cpap therapy after two years?

Sheriff
Sorry, Sheriff.....just saw this question while reviewing my posts.

Actually a few things......denial ("nothing is really wrong with me"), lack of understanding the condition, I asked my doctor if it would shorten my life and she said no .....that her patients used it because they were more comfortable with it, and I hated the stupid mask at the time...I used the Swift nasal mask with the barrel type nose thing...it leaked like a sieve..lots of very silly reasons but I would have to say "ignorance" was the biggest reason.

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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by Julie » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:19 pm

You should report the doctor to the local board or wherever one would report to in the U.S. - that answer was criminal!

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Re: CPap, Diabetes, and Insulin Dosage

Post by jaye8898 » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:42 pm

Julie wrote:You should report the doctor to the local board or wherever one would report to in the U.S. - that answer was criminal!
Hi Julie,

I understand how you would feel that way and if it was someone else besides this doctor that I loved and trusted, perhaps I would be angry but getting back at her would not give me back those five years without treatment.

She is an older lady and that may have something to do with it. Kind of old school, if you know what I mean. She is no longer my physician since there was a change in my insurance. There have been other issues that have been brought to my attention that probably were not handled correctly as I have found with new doctor. She did not find my Grave's disease either.

She had cancer and was gone quite a while going through chemo, etc. She made a mistake as we all do. I would never do anything to hurt her as I respect her quite a bit. It's unfortunate when doctor's make mistakes, the repercussions are more serious than when the lay person does. It was not done with malice.

I know others would disagree with my take on it but I believe in forgiveness and try to live a Christian life despite my love of zombies and other "fictional" horror. I think it's an escape from the real horrors of this world.

I wanted to quit the treatment and I alone am responsible for that. She never encouraged me to quit. I think she knew I would no matter what she said...don't know.

I do respect your opinion, though and appreciate your comment.

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