Surviving and Thriving Since 1992

Surviving & Thriving
Since 1992

When I first began writing this blog, I promised myself I would be completely honest, open and truthful about everything that's going on with my health and my quest for wellness.  I've had some pretty amazing good news to report along the way - news of weight loss and lower HbA1c.  Today I got some lab results that are just plain scary.  I'm not going to sugar-coat it (no pun intended).  The news is in - my triglyceride level is too high, my HbA1c is too high and my blood pressure was 193/93.  That bottom number has to come down!  What the heck???

 

What are triglycerides and why are they so important to heart health?  This is the question I had to ask myself.  I did what I always do - I googled it!   

We know for a fact that one very real complication of Type 2 Diabetes is heart disease.  I'm living with a Type 2 Diabetic who is a heart patient, so no one knows the devastation a heart attack can bring to everyday life like I do.  Heart disease is a very big deal, and I have a personal goal to get the rest of my extra weight off (40 pounds) and correct my LDL and triglyceride level before it takes a significant toll on my health.  In the process I hope to fix that blood pressure as well.

Triglyceride levels indicate the amount of extra fat floating around in your blood.  This is the same extra fat that will cause plaque build-up and eventually clog your arteries, bringing on a heart attack. 

 

Normal — Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or less than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)

Borderline high — 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L)

High — 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L)

Very high — 500 mg/dL or above (5.7 mmol/L or above)

Being armed with the knowledge that I have high blood pressure and too much fat and sugar in my blood is good, I think.  It scares me and I'm basically afraid of food now.  I'm now afraid of not only sugar, but fat. 

Add to that the fact that everyone knows the manufacturers lie on their labels - all they care about is making a sale so they'll say anything just to get you to buy their product - and I'm borderline paranoid at this point.  Scratch the borderline - I am paranoid about food - particularly packaged foods.  If it is an apple, I'll eat it.  If it's applesauce - forget it.  I will eat steamed carrots, but I won't touch carrots from a can. 

You know, I'll do what I'm told by my doctor, but I don't want to have to take a cholesterol-lowering medication.  She's already doubled my blood pressure medication and put me on a different medicine for my diabetes.  Please don't add one more medicine to the regimen - please!

What really frustrates me most is the fact that I have a wonderful and healthy diet - truly!  I eat right - ask anybody!  No foolin' - !  I drink water - I don't even drink soda or juice - or even milk.  OK - once in a while I have a little soy milk.  Not often - and not very much. 

The dairy has been discarded for the most part.  All of the so-called cholesterol causing foods and beverages are out of my diet.  So what now?  What is left to do to get these numbers back to normal?  I have to wonder how much of this is part of the progression of diabetes.  

It is all connected, right?  If my lazy pancreas is needing even more help to kick out the insulin, how much is that effecting everything else, you know?  I'm not a doctor, but I do know that it's all connected and the domino effect is scary.

If I had not gotten PCOS, chances are I would not have gotten Type 2 Diabetes.  I will yell that from the rooftop until somebody finally listens and agrees with me.  It won't do any good for anyone to agree - but it will make me feel less crazy in my mind.  I just need someone (especially a doctor) to validate and consider my opinion!  Most doctors just give me a stupid grin and totally ignore my theory.  That makes me feel stupid.  How condescending and rude of them!

Here's my theory:

PCOS = weight gain.  Weight gain = Type 2 Diabetes. 

This is not rocket science!

I propose we attack the REAL SOURCE of the problem (what a concept)!!!
I would dare say a hysterectomy would = no more PCOS AND no more Type 2 Diabetes.  I would also dare to say I could shed weight like a normal person without the cystic ovaries making me gain weight and hang on to weight. 

Why won't anyone listen to me?  I need to be heard and understood!

Once I shed the extra 40 pounds (yes, it's 40 now) - sigh - the LDL and triglycerides will be happy again.  Right?

Why can't I get a doctor on board with me?  I'm 52 years old - I'm not going to use this equipment, for Pete's sake! 

Let's work to save my life - huh???

You know what is so funny to me?  I've had tons of people (a couple of doctors) suggest that I might need to consider gastric bypass surgery. 

OK, so let me get this straight.  Oh - let's cut on the one part of me that does not seem to be plagued with cysts - while we leave the cystic ovaries inside me.

Really???

Um...  nope - I don't think so!

Sorry - next window.  This chick is waaaaay too smart for that!

PCOS & Insulin Resistance.  When I listened to this I actually cried because I heard her say that PCOS is the most COMMON disease that leads to Insulin Resistance and consequently Type 2 Diabetes.  I'm not usually a "right-fighter" but for years I've been saying this!  So - I'm right.  Now - what to do about it?  Obviously lose weight.  If you don't have PCOS, then you have no idea how difficult it is to take weight off - or rather - to keep it off!  Herein lies my frustration.

http://youtu.be/jee-EJRnp7M

Try this wonderful recipe I found - if you like garlic salad as much as I do, this is a perfect dressing for it!  Yes, I eat like this all the time - believe it!

Creamy Garlic Dressing (makes 3 cups)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups low-fat mayonnaise
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup vinegar
3 Tablespoons chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons Stevia
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced

Directions:

In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Cover and process until smooth.  Serve over finely shredded cabbage and carrot. 

As I was chatting with the doctor, I was reminded that fiber is also an important part of my diet.  This garlic salad provides not only the health benefit of garlic, but the slaw is also a great source of fiber - and fiber is our friend!