Advice please!

[thatgirliknew]

I will start with this disclaimer: I am overweight, about 40 lbs higher than a healthy weight for my height. I am making progress on this because I was 60 lbs above.

I have two health related problems I would like advice on dealing with naturally as possible. Any advice on nutrition, supplements, treatments, etc. Are greatly appreciated.

1) As far back as I can remember (preteen or younger) I have been in constant pain. I have been told that I have degenrative discs and spondylothesis (sp?). I know my weight makes it worse, but even at a perfectly healthy weight, I am in pain. It has always hurt in my lower back, but more recently has spread to my legs as well. I have been through PT which made it much worse, and basically the only recommendations from doctors at this point are spinal injections and narcotics, neither of which I am thrilled with. I am always in pain, most days I stay at about a 5 on a scale from 1-10, but some days it is so extreme I cannot get out of bed, and it's only getting worse.

2) A good friend of mine who is diabetic asked if she could test my blood sugar because she observed my constant thirst and fatigue. That night she tested me and I was at 207. The next day she tested me after not eating for 8 hours to see what my fasting sugar was, it was 199.

I know I need to make dietary changes, what are the best changes that could possibly help my sugar levels and pain?

Also, it is very hard to exercise, but I know it is very important. What are some very gentl exercises I could try until my pain is under control?

Any suplements or treatments you could recommend?

[grahamsmom98]

You need to see your health care provider.  Taking advice from an internet forum, from strangers without knowledge of your health history, could be dangerous.

[MountainMamaGC]

I guess you can technically say this to anybody posting in this forum. I am sure these people know to go to a doctor, and can use their own discretion and do their own research on anything recommended.
 

Originally Posted by grahamsmom98 

You need to see your health care provider.  Taking advice from an internet forum, from strangers without knowledge of your health history, could be dangerous.

[thatgirliknew]

Yes, I actually have an appointment this week to see my GP, but sometimes it's nice to know if someone who has been through a similar thing has found something that really works wel for them. Also, it's nice to see if there are any ntural alternatives.

I have been seeing a pain doctor since 17 years old and basically their only suggestions are narcotics, trigger point injections, and an eventual surgery. All of these options would, I suppose, help with the symptoms but I don't want to continue to be drugged up for the remainder of my adult life (not to mention the tolerance I have already developed to many of the pain medicines that previously worked.)

[MountainMamaGC]

Ginger, fish oil, and turmeric capsules can help. All 3 are very good for inflammation in the body. Cinnamon is good for balancing blood sugars. You need about a tsp a day, so it may be easier to take capsules as well. There is also a product called PGX. I saw it on Dr. Oz and I have heard good things about it.

[illiterati]

I feel like I'm evangalizing all over this forum but I'm again going to push going gluten free and taking fermented cod liver oil. It's helped my husbands back and joint pain from an arthritis condition(ankolozing spondylitis). Also, have you seen or considered seeing a rheumatologist? They might be able to pin down a diagnosis and then you'd have a clearer idea of what you're trying to treat. 

As far as excercise. When my husban was in such pain he was baerly weght baring, swimming and biking really helped with gettin his blood moving. He also does his pt excercises every night or else he feels it the next day.  Good luck and I hope you feel better!

[heatherdeg]

There are so many natural things that can be done for inflammation.  The problem is, there are probably all kinds of other small things going on in your life that you're not putting together with these problems that would make a difference in what to try first.

Both of these issues are critical, but you need to get the diabetes under control immediately.  You're going to need help.  Whether that be a dietitian or a health coach (many health insurance companies have their own that they can assign you for support), it's not a one-time thing.  It's a lot.  Dietitians may not be well versed in alternative eating regimens and the insurance company health coaches are still usually RNs (so, notsomuch on a broad range of nutrition options) but both of these would be covered by your insurance.

There are many ways to attack diabetes (Atkins--if you follow the actual program and read the entire book as opposed to doing the "hearsay" interpretation of what it is) happens to be particularly effective for diabetes.  It's a 4-phase eating program and you are in a position to need to start with phase one.  IT IS NOT ABOUT JUST EATING MEAT, but meat is allowed.  Please--if you pursue that route, read the book or find an Atkins counselor and follow it the way it's supposed to be instead of what everyone says it's about.

On the flip side, there are a number of anti-inflammatory eating plans out there--and some of them may simultaneously tackle the diabetes.  It's a matter of finding one that fits your needs and that your personal body chemistry responds to.  Eating raw, going vegan, alkalizing diets--these and more can help with inflammation.

But really, at the end of the day, you need to start drinking water instead of all the other stuff and eating food that doesn't have a label--fresh vegetables, fruits and meats.  Cut your portions down and include probiotics and fermented foods in your diet.  There are plenty of "eating better" guidelines.  It's a start, but you are in more crisis than just needing to eat better.

Hugs, mama.

[WuWei]

Avoiding wheat/gluten, pasteurized dairy, GMO-corn and GMO-soy are huge for healing an inflamed or "leaky gut".

I'd add Omega 3 fatty acids and avoid Omega 6 fatty acids (corn oil and soy oil).  Also, magnesium is critical to over 300 biological processes in the body. Epsom salt baths can help for magnesium and supporting the body's natural detoxification processes.

Whole food probiotics such as kefir, kimchi, naturally fermented sauerkraut and dairy-free yogurt are other alternatives to add.


Pat

[graciegal]

Carbohydrates usually cause inflammation that manifests as pain. Reduce carbs, see if that helps. You may have gout, too. Something to consider.

Sounds like youre pre-diabetic or diabetic. Make small substitutions first. Reduce soda, increase carbonated water with flavor (NO artificial sugars!) to start. Then, start subbing small things out and better things in. Less carbs all the way around will totally help both issues. Watch your fat intake, too, after 4pm. Go to bed hungry. Please dont do any diet. Or, if you -have- to do one, do Weight Watchers. But all diets will backfire since you need to make substantial life changes, not just changing some of the food you eat. You have to change the food you WANT to eat.

Supplements wont do anything.

I'm a certified nutritionist with a consulting practice, if that helps.