Hi, I'm new, but I'd like to start off with questions for my mom. Well... I'm realizing now that I don't know specifically what I want to ask even. Sorry to be so scattered.

My mother was diagnosed with Type II diabetes over 10 years ago. Since then she has alternated doing what the doctors tell her, trying alternative methods, etc. The only time she was able to lose weight was during a year that she quit taking her medication and her blood sugars soared dangerously high... but she was able to lose weight. The medications make it nearly impossible to do so. Now that she is on insulin she has gained 50 pounds in the last couple of years. Not good.
Her problems are typical for a diabetic, but not for one only 51 years old. Her kidneys are deteriorating, she has severe neuropathy, high blood pressure, has had two minor heart attacks, and can't sleep well. She eats fairly well... but cheats big about once a week. She was recently put on hormones due to suddenly not being in menopause anymore... her periods have always been heavy, painful, and just plain bad. The hormones were supposed to stop her periods but didn't... so something is apparently really wrong there as well.

Ok... that's the gist of it.

I have recommended that my mother get testing done and consult with Dr. S over the phone. But I'm not sure what good it would do. My mother's current doctor is a diabetic specialist, and would disagree on many points. My mother's current doctor believes immediate significant weight loss is crucial... and I'm fairly sure Dr. S would disagree.

So... does anyone here have a personal success story starting off from such a dire point? It seems like my mother is falling apart, and I would hate to offer her yet another piece of false hope. I can say that her illness has inspired me to really get my butt in gear and get the sugar out of the house. I'm already heading down the same road, and at a younger age.

Thanks for reading so much from a newbie...

My very first suggestion would be to get hold of Diabetic Solution by Dr. Bernstein. My parents have been doing this and have done very well, loosing weight and controling blood sugars. That would be my very first suggestion. You mother needs to get her blood sugars under control. Focus on that. She may have to limit her carbs more, she may have to take her blood sugar more often, She has to be very proactive in her approach to health care, it is her life, not the Dr's. I like TSP a great deal, but This other plan seems to really make sense for those diabetics that have a hard time controling their meds. Dr. Bernstein is a Type 1 diabetic, and reversed most of his complication, you need to read his history to see how he did it. No matter what plan your mother does follow I believe every diabetic should have this book in their posession. She can do it, I have seen it work in my parents.
Tanya

I'd also suggest the Dr. Bernstein "The Diabetic Solution". Get control of the sugars first and the weight will follow. It really does work. Check out LisaN's journal. She's a Type 2 who controls things AND loses weight through low carbing.

Be sure to read threads in the forum Dr. Bernstein & Diabetes .