Hi from Pretoria, South Africa. I've finally registered here because this site is so immensly useful and have helped me find answers to a number of questions I had. There is nothing like this available locally, so apologies for gate-crashing (lol). I'm male, 47 years of age, diagnosed 6 years ago (T2), but I believe I was diabetic for a number of years prior to diagnosis. Here's how it happened.
At the time I was in a highly paid, high-stress job, I was was 41 and in the prime of my life, had the benefits of (excellent) medical insurance, the fancy car, no bond on my house, frequent travel - I was having the time of my life!
Then one day, I ended at the Emergency Ward with chest pains. It turned out not to be too serious, only angina (heart cramps), but the Cardiologist requested he perform an angiogram just to make sure everything was okay. A date for the procedure was set, authorisations obtained from the medical insurance and I booked into the hospital the following week for what turned out to be an angiogram from HELL!!!!!
During the procedure a catheter is inserted into the main artery in the right groin and after the procedure is completed, one must remain flat on one's back for at least 8 hours, with a pressure bandage over the incision site. Normally this is a day procedure - no need to stay in hospital overnight. I however, remained there for 4 days and 4 nights, knocked out on a mixture of Rehipnol and Pethedine. The cut in my groin did not seal and I bled internally for the full 8 hours I was on my back - it was only noticed when I was given to go ahead to get up. To make a long story short, the Cardiologist was (and still is) one of best around and there really was no reason to blame him for what happened. He personally apologised to me for the "complications", and at the same time suggested he test me for diabetes. His suspicions were confirmed and we had our answer to why the wound did not seal. Diabetics heal slower.
I was put on Glucophage (Metformin) straight away and I committed fully to a healthy eating plan. I lost 25kg, but Metformin and I did not get along. I suffered INCREDIBLE tummy upsets which DID NOT get better with time and Metformin simply caused havoc in my body. I was feeling (and looking) so much better and although highly stressed at work - life was good again and I stopped taking all medication, including my meds for Hypertension. I would on occasion check my BG and it would be somewhere between 6 & 7. That's okay, I reconed - diet is working. I was in such denial. This denial lasted nearly 18 months, ending twelve days before my 45th birthday, when on Monday the 8th of June 2009 I suffered a stress induced heart attack, coming awfully close to clocking out. How was that for a wake-up call?
Naturally I was off work for some time, during which I was put onto insulin - Levemir & Novorapid. I gained weight and really started feeling "old and diseased". My employment was contract based and when the time came three months later, the Company chose not to renew my contract and I suddenly found myself unemployed. Salary, luxury company car, free fuel, company credit card, company travel, and medical aid all gone in one day - at a time that I needed my medical insurance the most.
And then I did it again - I went of my insulin again because this time I had an excuse - I could not afford it. And then one day, a single act of random kindness pulled me back fom the edge of self-pity and possibly another round of denial. I started having terribly sore feet and went to see my GP about it. Her opinion was that it was peripheral neuropathy - it wasn't quite what I wanted to hear, but I thanked her for the script nevertheless. Upon wanting to pay for the consultation at reception the receptionist handed me a zero invoice and a box of Levemir and a box of NovoRapid pens, and said: "With compliments, from Dr. - no excuses." This doctor has been my GP for the past fifteen years, so she knows everything about me and I immediately got the message. No more words were needed. I think I finally made peace with the fact that I have diabetes that day. I've remained on my meds since, lost some weight again, and have good BG control because I realise that diabetes does not only affect oneself, but every other person that loves you. Not taking care of yourself is selfish, and foolish.
At the time I was in a highly paid, high-stress job, I was was 41 and in the prime of my life, had the benefits of (excellent) medical insurance, the fancy car, no bond on my house, frequent travel - I was having the time of my life!
Then one day, I ended at the Emergency Ward with chest pains. It turned out not to be too serious, only angina (heart cramps), but the Cardiologist requested he perform an angiogram just to make sure everything was okay. A date for the procedure was set, authorisations obtained from the medical insurance and I booked into the hospital the following week for what turned out to be an angiogram from HELL!!!!!
During the procedure a catheter is inserted into the main artery in the right groin and after the procedure is completed, one must remain flat on one's back for at least 8 hours, with a pressure bandage over the incision site. Normally this is a day procedure - no need to stay in hospital overnight. I however, remained there for 4 days and 4 nights, knocked out on a mixture of Rehipnol and Pethedine. The cut in my groin did not seal and I bled internally for the full 8 hours I was on my back - it was only noticed when I was given to go ahead to get up. To make a long story short, the Cardiologist was (and still is) one of best around and there really was no reason to blame him for what happened. He personally apologised to me for the "complications", and at the same time suggested he test me for diabetes. His suspicions were confirmed and we had our answer to why the wound did not seal. Diabetics heal slower.
I was put on Glucophage (Metformin) straight away and I committed fully to a healthy eating plan. I lost 25kg, but Metformin and I did not get along. I suffered INCREDIBLE tummy upsets which DID NOT get better with time and Metformin simply caused havoc in my body. I was feeling (and looking) so much better and although highly stressed at work - life was good again and I stopped taking all medication, including my meds for Hypertension. I would on occasion check my BG and it would be somewhere between 6 & 7. That's okay, I reconed - diet is working. I was in such denial. This denial lasted nearly 18 months, ending twelve days before my 45th birthday, when on Monday the 8th of June 2009 I suffered a stress induced heart attack, coming awfully close to clocking out. How was that for a wake-up call?
Naturally I was off work for some time, during which I was put onto insulin - Levemir & Novorapid. I gained weight and really started feeling "old and diseased". My employment was contract based and when the time came three months later, the Company chose not to renew my contract and I suddenly found myself unemployed. Salary, luxury company car, free fuel, company credit card, company travel, and medical aid all gone in one day - at a time that I needed my medical insurance the most.
And then I did it again - I went of my insulin again because this time I had an excuse - I could not afford it. And then one day, a single act of random kindness pulled me back fom the edge of self-pity and possibly another round of denial. I started having terribly sore feet and went to see my GP about it. Her opinion was that it was peripheral neuropathy - it wasn't quite what I wanted to hear, but I thanked her for the script nevertheless. Upon wanting to pay for the consultation at reception the receptionist handed me a zero invoice and a box of Levemir and a box of NovoRapid pens, and said: "With compliments, from Dr. - no excuses." This doctor has been my GP for the past fifteen years, so she knows everything about me and I immediately got the message. No more words were needed. I think I finally made peace with the fact that I have diabetes that day. I've remained on my meds since, lost some weight again, and have good BG control because I realise that diabetes does not only affect oneself, but every other person that loves you. Not taking care of yourself is selfish, and foolish.
I enjoyed reading your post and am glad that you are now looking after yourself well having accepted your diabetes. We have members from all over the world, myself included, and we all learn and contribute here.