Obese, diabetic with high BP; need help with food addiction

Posted by minda77 @minda77, Oct 4, 2016

Diagnosed 1 year ago. Can't take Metformin or Glipizide due to side effects. Felt like a zombie, could hardly do my work. Didn't make much difference in my levels as I am also a food addict. Weight at 312 (was 320 2 1/2 weeks ago). A1C at 10.2 and sugar was 345 on Saturday morning. Feel better off the Meds, actually walking and getting to the gym. I know a lot of this will get better if I lose the weight.
Anyone out there a food addict like myself? How are you coping?
Also would like to know if there are any vitamins that help with the high blood pressure or the diabetes since the meds only make it worse for me.
Thank you in advance for any help.
Minda

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

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That is great to hear. I haven't been fishing in years, but I used to go frequently. It is alot of fun and very relaxing, a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Sometimes, they just don't bite, so don't get frustrated, keep at it and enjoy the experience!

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

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Update I got my first fishing license ever in my life. It's called conservation fishing license because you agree to only take half as many fish. I didn't get trout stamp but I might add later. I also got a personal flotation device. That's also a first for me. It has pockets in it. I didn't think it was safe to wade into streams with no pfd. What happens if you slip and land in the water? Anyway it's one of my goals to catch a fish and cook it. I also want to experience renting canoe or kayak and go on St. Croix River. I've lived in Minnesota more than 20 years and have never been on St. Croix River.

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

As a fellow Minnesotan, and outdoor/fishing enthusiast, I am loving reading all of your updates. The St. Croix River is a nice river to get out on a boat on. Also, I enjoy trout fishing, and southeast towns in MN are great areas to catch trout (Preston, Lanesboro, Chatfield). Lanesboro has two stocked ponds with easy access parking and benches, so would be a great start for trout fishing! Good luck!

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

Sounds good. I would have to get trout stamp to fish for trout. Also my goal is to catch a fish and cook it. I thought trout fishing is catch and release. At least that's rule in Whitewater Park. Also I didn't get how you're supposed to wade out into trout stream and not drown if you fall in. That's why I got pfd with pockets. I also got a small plastic box that fits in the pocket. I want to carry some fishing gear. I did fish with uncle in third grade so I have been fishing before. But I got really grossed out when I saw him pull worms apart before he put them on hook. So I do want to try fly fishing. It's not so messy as bait fishing. I did make my first fly at the fly fishing class. That was becoming outdoors woman class.

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

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@ihatediabetes You constantly amaze me! I love your gung-ho attitude. Good luck with catching fish.
JK

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OK GUYS.....i HAVE READ SOME REPLIES. THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO SOUND LIKE I AM MAKING EXCUSES...I HOPE I'M NOT. I READ LABELS, TRIED THE PALEO 60 DAY DIET..i LOST TWO POUNDS, I WAS VERY EXACT, MEASURED, HAD ALL THE CUPS AND THINGS TO MEASURE WITH, i KEEP BELIEVING THAT IF i CAN GET MORE EXERCISE I CAN START TO GET THIS WEIGHT OFF. YES, FIBER IS A GOOD WAY, IF YOU DON'T MIND FARTING EVERY TIME YOU MOVE. 🙂 i AM A DIFFICULT TIME eating small meals during the day. My son has lost 57 lbs doing that,,,I simply cannot keep doing it. I will do it for about 2 weeks and quit. I started taking ginger,tumeric,apple cider vinegar,lemon ...drank iot hot every morning for about a month. it seems like a great appetite suppressor, i also took CLA and safflower oil...I did not lose a pound. it is so frustrating. I HONESTLY do not eat junk food, I have not had bread for 6 weeks now. I was truly addicted to it. I still want it at times, but so far I have been able to walk away from it. My cardiologist want me to see a Baratric Dr. . I have talked to a Dr in Austin and was told that medicare will not pay for it. So
I could not afford it. I have so many friends that have had the surgery,bands and stomach stapling and now they have gained it all back or they have been really sick Did I mention I don't have many teeth to chew with?, I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER SURGERY ! I too tried the Mayo Clinic diet, and for a month I received a lot of good info, and encouragement......is there anything out there that doesn't cost a lot???? hELP GUYS,,,,,,i AM SO VERY FRUSTRATED! HUMILIATED, EMBARRASSED.
Sorry about the caps, I truly am not shouting 🙂 I am going to look up “Simply Raw Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” and see what that is about.
HELP HELP HELP now I was shouting. peace & love JJ

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@jjwest

OK GUYS.....i HAVE READ SOME REPLIES. THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO SOUND LIKE I AM MAKING EXCUSES...I HOPE I'M NOT. I READ LABELS, TRIED THE PALEO 60 DAY DIET..i LOST TWO POUNDS, I WAS VERY EXACT, MEASURED, HAD ALL THE CUPS AND THINGS TO MEASURE WITH, i KEEP BELIEVING THAT IF i CAN GET MORE EXERCISE I CAN START TO GET THIS WEIGHT OFF. YES, FIBER IS A GOOD WAY, IF YOU DON'T MIND FARTING EVERY TIME YOU MOVE. 🙂 i AM A DIFFICULT TIME eating small meals during the day. My son has lost 57 lbs doing that,,,I simply cannot keep doing it. I will do it for about 2 weeks and quit. I started taking ginger,tumeric,apple cider vinegar,lemon ...drank iot hot every morning for about a month. it seems like a great appetite suppressor, i also took CLA and safflower oil...I did not lose a pound. it is so frustrating. I HONESTLY do not eat junk food, I have not had bread for 6 weeks now. I was truly addicted to it. I still want it at times, but so far I have been able to walk away from it. My cardiologist want me to see a Baratric Dr. . I have talked to a Dr in Austin and was told that medicare will not pay for it. So
I could not afford it. I have so many friends that have had the surgery,bands and stomach stapling and now they have gained it all back or they have been really sick Did I mention I don't have many teeth to chew with?, I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER SURGERY ! I too tried the Mayo Clinic diet, and for a month I received a lot of good info, and encouragement......is there anything out there that doesn't cost a lot???? hELP GUYS,,,,,,i AM SO VERY FRUSTRATED! HUMILIATED, EMBARRASSED.
Sorry about the caps, I truly am not shouting 🙂 I am going to look up “Simply Raw Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” and see what that is about.
HELP HELP HELP now I was shouting. peace & love JJ

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what is reason for: I started taking ginger, tumeric, apple cider vinegar, lemon …drank iot hot every morning for about a month. it seems like a great appetite suppressor, i also took CLA??
and safflower oil…

I have so many friends that have had the surgery,bands and stomach stapling and now they have gained it all back.
If obese people knew the amount of discipline needed AFTER stomach stapling, THEN THEY COULD JUST HAVE WELL HAVE USED THE DISCIPLINE b4 having the bypass.
But, there r a lot of people that r very happy after, and they Stop taking so many Pills.
Have u tried hypnosis for losing weight. Good way to get good, deep sleep also.

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@jjwest

OK GUYS.....i HAVE READ SOME REPLIES. THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO SOUND LIKE I AM MAKING EXCUSES...I HOPE I'M NOT. I READ LABELS, TRIED THE PALEO 60 DAY DIET..i LOST TWO POUNDS, I WAS VERY EXACT, MEASURED, HAD ALL THE CUPS AND THINGS TO MEASURE WITH, i KEEP BELIEVING THAT IF i CAN GET MORE EXERCISE I CAN START TO GET THIS WEIGHT OFF. YES, FIBER IS A GOOD WAY, IF YOU DON'T MIND FARTING EVERY TIME YOU MOVE. 🙂 i AM A DIFFICULT TIME eating small meals during the day. My son has lost 57 lbs doing that,,,I simply cannot keep doing it. I will do it for about 2 weeks and quit. I started taking ginger,tumeric,apple cider vinegar,lemon ...drank iot hot every morning for about a month. it seems like a great appetite suppressor, i also took CLA and safflower oil...I did not lose a pound. it is so frustrating. I HONESTLY do not eat junk food, I have not had bread for 6 weeks now. I was truly addicted to it. I still want it at times, but so far I have been able to walk away from it. My cardiologist want me to see a Baratric Dr. . I have talked to a Dr in Austin and was told that medicare will not pay for it. So
I could not afford it. I have so many friends that have had the surgery,bands and stomach stapling and now they have gained it all back or they have been really sick Did I mention I don't have many teeth to chew with?, I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER SURGERY ! I too tried the Mayo Clinic diet, and for a month I received a lot of good info, and encouragement......is there anything out there that doesn't cost a lot???? hELP GUYS,,,,,,i AM SO VERY FRUSTRATED! HUMILIATED, EMBARRASSED.
Sorry about the caps, I truly am not shouting 🙂 I am going to look up “Simply Raw Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” and see what that is about.
HELP HELP HELP now I was shouting. peace & love JJ

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@jjwest do you have type 2 like me? Do you take any meds for it?
I seldom see any posts from people talking about type 2 meds. It seems like everyone is trying to treat their type 2 entirely thru diet and exercise. Or maybe I've just missed posts about meds.

Anyway, I don't think I could have lost the weight I've lost over the last year or so without januvia. It was a very slow weight loss. And it didn't start immediately. But it seemed to me that the januvia sort of messed with my appetite over time. It got to where I was just not as hungry as I used to be. And when I do get hungry now, I start feeling full very quickly when I eat.

I eat 6 or more small "meals" a day now. I used to eat really large meals! And really large snacks! It was all about volume for me! But over the last year and a half that has slowly changed. And I really think it had something to do with the januvia.

I'm not advocating that everyone should take meds if they want to lower their blood glucose and lose weight. Far from it. I greatly admire those who can walk this type 2 diabetes walk without meds. I'm just saying that I personally needed the meds to help me in addition to support groups and healthier eating plans and exercise. I'm very thankful for my doc finding the right diabetes meds that work for me.

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@pdilly, I congratulate you for your patience and dedication to finding a solution that works well for you. You are fortunate to have a doctor who has worked with you to find the treatment that you can live with and benefit from. Your experience demonstrates how unique each one of us is in our own health journey. Thank you for sharing this perspective.
Sending you continued years of healthy living.
Rosemary

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I was a foodie for the better part of my life, up unil I had Gastric bypass surgery in 2000, when I was 60. I never had any trouble at all with diets, having spent most of my life going on one; losing the weight, backsliding and gaining back every pound I lost, plus. I even went on the Metafast diet for 16 mos., and lost 200lbs, only to put it all back on, plus I contracted major health problems, to boot. I already had HBP and was diabetic, but these diseases were made much worse; My blood pressure was 210/130 and weighed 366lbs, when I got enough courage to face my doctor again. Meanwhile, on a trip to Paris, my husband, son and sister kept me at such a fast pace, my knees were very painful for weeks after we got home-went to an orthopedic, only to learn that both knees were bone-on-bone. The cure for this, was to lose at least 100 lbs., in preparation for bilateral knee replacement. Looking back on how bad my health had gotten, gives me the shakes, literally. My blood sugar was so high, I think it was 310 after a 3-hr. fast, so121 units of insulin became part of my morning ritual, after testing. It didn't happen overnight, but everything improved not very long after the bypass, and two years after that, I had both knees done the very same day. I recovered very quickly from tha, only to face removal of my thyroid; the sac had very tiny cancer cells in it, but I still had to swallow one nuclear/pill just to make certain no cells had escaped in my body.
I hope my story helps you to take measures that will eventually give you peace and permanent good health! :).

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