I am so happy to see the Low Carb forum here.  I am not diabetic, but, I take care of my elderly insulin dependent Type 2 mother.  (Everyone should have the opportunity to manage an insulin dependent diabetic.  I could not have learned as much as I have without taking care of my mother.)  I found low carb in May, 1999.  Dr. Atkins' was my introduction to low carb.  I found Dr. Bernstein's book, Diabetes Solution, in June, 1999.  In April, 2000, I took over the management of my mother's diabetes, using Dr. Bernstein's method.

I'm not sure of the timelines now, but I think mom's A1c was like 9.1 or 9.9 in February, 2000.   In June, her A1c dropped to 7.2ish.  In August, the A1c dropped again, to 6 something.  I was hoping by August, it would be below 6, because the average on her meter said it should have been below 6.  Because of this, I called LifeScan, and learned the difference between plasma values and whole blood values.  Mom's meter measured in whole blood and the average was about 12% lower than what the average actually was.  We bought a plasma meter, and we changed her target.  In Nov, her A1c was in the 5's, and finally, about a year after starting mom on Dr. Bernstein's program, we achieved mid 4s, and it's been in the mid 4s ever since, with only a couple of 5s thrown in.

Some people believe we can only achieve and maintain non-diabetic normals by having many hypoglycemic incidences.  This is not a correct assumption, because when the Laws of Small Numbers is followed, risk of hypo incidences is greatly reduced.  The Laws of Small Numbers states:  Small numbers, small mistakes; large numbers, large mistakes.  The smaller the insulin dose, the smaller the risk of having hypo experiences.  Smaller doses of insulin are more predictible in it's action; large doses of insulin have greater variability of action.  I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting this link.  It is Chapter 7 in Diabetes Solution, The Laws of Small Numbers, which explains how this law works. Once this law is understood, all the rest falls into place.

http://www.diabetes-book.com/book/chapter7.shtml

I see a time in the not so distant future that low carb will be completely accepted as a way of managing diabetes.  It's only logical....carbs are what have the most influence on blood sugar levels.  How much sense does it make to recommend the very diet that causes the most elevated blood sugar levels, which then forces the use of more drugs or insulin to lower those elevated blood sugars?  What are the accumulated effects of these daily elevated blood sugar levels?  What are the accumulated effects of the daily elevated levels of insulin, the hyperinsulinemia and subsequent insulin resistance?  The old methods and dietary recommendations have certainly been shown to be ineffective, and have only resulted in more complications and health risks for diabetics. 

There is hope and a better way. Diabetes does not have to be a progessive disease, but this won't change until low carb becomes accepted and people are informed about low carb, and are given that option to manage their diabetes with their doctor's approval.  As it is currently, low carb isn't even mentioned by the "authorities," and if patients ask, they are told low carb is dangerous, will damage kidneys, will cause heart disease, will cause ketoacidosis...all of which is not true.  Uncontrolled diabetes, with the high blood sugars targets and ranges accepted by the ADA, will damage kidneys, cause heart disease and high blood pressure, neuropathy, retinopathy and gastroparesis, and diabetes induced dementia.  

For mom and I...low carb is our choice for diabetes management.

I have been low carbing for just under a year now and by following DR. Bernsteins diet I have lost weight and kept my blood sugars at a manageable level.

I'm a 43 year old, 31 year experienced, female, juvenile onset diabetic who only found Dr. Bernstein 2 1/2 years ago.  I had maintained the "god's" targets for years (110-140 and A1Cs of mid 6's).  I have no major complications but do have joint problems and sexual "features" - not to mention I had the yo-yo effect ( and all it's charming features fatigue, headaches, acid stomach, etc.) for years.

I am very grateful to Dr. Bernstein for telling us the truth about "normal" and for all the other technical information in the book that the ADA, JDRF and Joslin do not teach. 

I began my quest for "better" because of the joint problems.  As it was described by the Head of Rheumatology at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton Massachusetts, the joint problems (including but not limited to frozen shoulder) are caused by advanced collagen degeneration (due to diabetes).  My search began.  My research has continued and my mouth got really loud.

My A1C has been a consistent 5.1 ever since and I've seen improvement, stabilization and no worsening in my "features."  I do still strive for <5.0, however.  But since I do not eat quite as few carbs as Dr. Bernstein, I'm probably limiting myself a bit.  I don't like food so forcing protein down my throat can sometimes be a torture test.  I do it but I don't usually enjoy it.  I often choose not eating.  Needless to say I've never had a weight issue. 

I've also learned a lot about digestion versus insulin, expanded my use of the theory of small numbers and tiering of insulin.  I teach anyone who wants to learn.  I also now test upwards of 15 times a day (as opposed to "recommended") and went back to logging and weighing many foods like I was taught at the Joslin 31 years ago. 

So, thank you Dr. Bernstein.

I have been on it for a few months now and bearly getting use to it