One Man's Diabeties Journal

2 entries
I try to post all my medical info into this journal so I can have an easy to find log. Forgot these two from my other journal, but here they are:

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2006-03-03 23:15:00

Boy something has got me, for I hurt. The bronc. tubes in my lungs - the top where they divide hurt like crazy, and it's hard to breath. My shoulders are absolutely killing me, and to lay down is agony as well. At least for awhile Once it's over, it's ok. It seems if the blood pressure changes, it hurts. I'm going to take some OTC pain meds to see if that helps.

This is a shit-bad time for the weekend to come, for it'd be almost impossible to get to the doctor, and I definitely do not want to go to the ER unless it's all I can do. I cannot afford this again. If you can, keep me in your thoughts, for I'm hurting.

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2006-02-27 21:46:00
The Doctor's visit

I finally made an appointment with my doctor. I've been reluctant to do this, since the first time I ever made one, after getting my insurance, I got Rxed with diabetes. But this was fine.

Basically I let him know of some very mild problems that's come up lately. A slight scratchiness in the air passages of my lungs, and the very slight nausea I had for a week about 2 weeks ago. He wasn't a bit concerned about them.

I told him and showed him the boil problem. He said that some people are prone to either acne, or 'subacious cysts' basically the same problem. The cysts however, I think tend to get infected and are a lot worse. So he gave me a prescription I fill whenever I have an outbreak which will clear them up. It's just a pain in the arse that I have to deal with. Especially if one lands right on the ass-cheek. Making it hard to sit :)

I also had a mild problem with one toe. Turns out it's probably not diabetic, or athridic but maybe just a banged toe, a 'stoe' so to speak. I asked him about the neropithy; (Nerve damage) and he said what I've experienced (bouts of numbness, in my hands and feet) isn't consistent with neropity. That would involve a painful burning, or tingle constantly. Mine probably is just mild blood circulation problems. Maybe from sitting a certain way, or having my arm in the wrong position. So I'm not too concerned about it.

However, I was so fixated on some things, I forgot the anemia problem it seems. I kick myself for that, but I'll make sure it's on my list when I go see him again about my blood work. By that time however, it should be cleared up, since I'm now aware of it, I'm really eating more iron rich foods; especially spinach salads. Fresh spinach, I might add, not shiver!!!! cooked. Funny how something is so great fresh, can make one sick if it's cooked. Know what the great thing about spinach is? I can eat a pound of it, and barely get any carbs from it. While iceberg lettuce, I can only eat about 85g and get 6g of carbs. :\

What blew him away, is how well I've done. This was the first time in a year since I saw him, and he said basically that most of his diabetic patients revert back to their old ways within a year. I've actually improved in his eyes. I lost even more weight, and now stable. My A1c, (the 3 month test) should be in a 5, or LESS range. Meaning basically as long as I keep my blood glucose this low, I'll never have complications from diabetes. It's a challenge to do so, but worth it. He was blown away I was able to get my a1c so low with diet and exercise alone. Most people can't do that well. He also tends to agree with me, we caught this fast. I suspect I started about 2 or 3 years before my Rx; probably no earlier than 2000. What a way to start the new century :\

[hehehs] What surprised him too, was how I got into the a1c 5 club. I told him I do a general low-carb diet, and stick with it. He asked if I had any problems, tiredness, any problems? None. I told him that there is people on the mailing lists that have been on such since the 60s, and not have a problem. He said he'd look into this. I think I taught him something :)

While I was waiting for him, I saw the A1c/average daily blood glucose chart. For my 11.7 a1c reading in Oct of 04, I would have been running around 350! Now I'm running around 90s, low 100s I think I'll easily be in the A1c of 5! When I first ran to the usenet for help, I saw the 'A1C 5 club' A set of diabetics who achieved the holy grail of 5. Meaning they're blood glucose levels are non-diabetic. Something all should hope for! I plan onto submitting my newest tests, once I get them in April to that club. It's been my goal since my RX :)

It's funny, while I'm thinking of it. At times, it seems that things happen for a purpose. I got Rxed with diabetes, just a 4 years after I decided to become healthy, and do what I can to live as long as possible. Well diabetes was just the thing I needed to do that, AND to keep healthy. It's forced me to loose 100 pounds, keep it off, get my blood fats, to normal levels, and to exercise.

Now I remember something too. Just months before I was Rxed, I read in a Discovery Magazine about the eskamoes diet, and their low to 0 carb diet. The have nearly a protein/fat only diet, they're perfectly healthy...so why do you need lots of carbs? Doesn't make sense, and that too was making a lot of scientist scratch their heads as well.. When I was Rxed with diabetes, I had that article still in mind, when I ran to the usenet, and yahoo groups to help me fight this problem. Both told me basically the same thing; go *low carb* because your taking in less of the poisons that was causing the problem. Diabetics can't process sugar well (or at all with T1 - insulin dependents) so why keep dumping more sugar into your body, if it does nothing but cause problems? But yet the ADA recommended nearly 300g of carbs a day. I couldn't do that even IF I wasn't a diabetic. I tried the first few weeks, and the best I could do, is about 100g tops. That was with eating pancakes, and other things I normally ate!

Basically I determined, the idea you have to eat high-carb is a myth perpetuated by the food industry. Carbs is cheap, and addictive which means high profits to the food industry. What's worse, the American Diabetes Association perpetuates this myth by their high-carb, high meds/insulin plans. Although the ADA is bringing their recommendations of the a1c down from a high of 8, to 7. it's still basically too high. Soon it's estimated that an a1c of at least <6.5 will be the norm. Of course, that means even MORE medication/insulin for many.

The idea you need carbs for energy too doesn't make sense. Everything you eat is converted to sugar, even protein. Carbs is faster of course. But I prefer to have a more balanced diet of protein, and carbs, with watching my fats. That I will agree with. So...why keep on a high carb diet?

The only problem, due to the insurance payments, I'll have to wait till April to get my diagnosis done. That's fine. I shouldn't have much problem, just want to make sure. It'd also allow me to build up my funds so it won't be such a kick to the wallet.
So anyway, once I hear from the labs in April, I'll know how my body is been, especially with the blood-fats. Something I can't measure. That's one thing that's been concerning me. Oh, BTW insulin converts carbs into blood fats, so I *should* be fine, since I'm on a low-carb diet. but until I know, I can't be sure.

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Huey Lewis & the News: Power of Love

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