Doctor's Visit brings possible solutions & bad news

[squirrell]

I got in to see my doc today to discuss my frustration with my blood glucose levels (highs/lows) and my sporadic weight loss, which has continued. (For example, I lost nothing for 10 days, then dropped 4 pounds in 2 days.)

So the answers--she's had me drop Metformin for my diabetes and take only Glimiparide now and then only 1/2 the strength that I used to take it. She thinks that will suffice to keep my levels good. And, because it doesn't build up in the blood like Metformin, I can not take it on days I ride and it shouldn't cause lows but then take it on days I don't exercise to keep my levels down.

As for my weight loss--well, basically I'm getting old

She said I'm "officially" pre-menopausal (short of blood work confirmation but she said at this point it's not needed). Which means my metabolism has slowed to a snail's pace. And, she said I'm assuredly retaining fluids as well--even though I didn't really feel like it but my ankles do stay slightly swollen. I just thought they were supposed to be like that--they have been for a long time anyway.

I'm now on a diuretic to take care of that--which she said should take care of the sporadic weight loss and hopefully make it more of a regular weight loss.

But because I did have a very bad low last month while riding, she wants me to aim for no more than 1.5 pounds a week loss, which she said will give my body and my meds time to adjust so my levels don't go haywire and, you know, cause bad things like unconsciousness and death

She also told me to test every hour that I'm out riding and to have a good snack every hour--I've been going up to 90 minutes or so between snacks but she said that's pushing it too long.

I'm also supposed to start drinking more soy milk as a natural estrogen kicker--hormones pills are bad for diabetics apparently, as they increase the risk of heart disease.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all this works!

Any tips from those who have "been there/done that" with this menopause thing?

[ny biker]

Well I really don't know what "pre-menopausal" means, officially. If it means hormonal changes are starting to become apparent, then I'm there, in terms of things like shorter periods and fewer migraines.

But from what I've read, metabolism does not slow to a snail's pace that quickly - it's more gradual. Although I admit that I have had a lot of trouble finding good information on just how much your metabolism slows with age and how you should specifically reduce your caloric intake to account for it. But still I don't think it happens all overnight. So unfortunately I suspect that other health problems are complicating things for you. My sister is actually in a similar situation right now, so I know how frustrating it can be.

Your doctor is also right about aiming for 1.5 lbs of weight loss per week - that's pretty generally accepted as the healthy rate of weight loss for people with or without diabetes. And if you lose weight gradually you are more likely to keep it off than if you are on a severe diet that causes you to drop lots of weight very quickly.

I guess this is one of those times where you have to focus on doing the right things each day in terms of your diet and exercise instead of thinking too much about the long term goals. But it sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck!

[malkin]

To me "pre-menopausal" translates to 'still waiting for this to stop' and "peri-menopausal" translates to 'anything-can-happen before it finally does stop.'