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Canadian Diebetes. can you believe this

Insulin isn't the answer for obese T2's though. We have too much insulin stuck in our system already. So low carb is the best way to deal with it, alongside exercise if possible.
 
Tom Green said:
For people that struggle with their BG numbers, medication is the way ro go according to my Diabetes care givers. People seem so afraid Of medication. I was on Metformin for years and had no negatives while on it. I insisted on going on Insulin to get better control and it worked.
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Those are fair statements, but they're different from your original comments.

There is a tremendous difference between NEEDING and WANTING medication. As a type 1, I depend on insulin to survive. However, I'd gladly give up certain foods if it meant no longer being insulin-dependent.

I'm not saying that I'm right and you're wrong. In the end, it's an issue of opportunity cost and each person values food differently.
 
Tom Green said:
I'm 71 and not concerned about longevity. Never have been. I enjoy life but I don't want to live to 90 life is short and I have always lived to enjoy it. Food is one pleasure I won't scrimp on. I watch my weight and test BG about 5 times a day. My A1c is 6.1 tested on the 8th Jan. I'm not about to change my life style.
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I'm 73 and am not concerned too much about longevity either , but
rather quality of life. I eat a healthy and enjoyable LCHF diet and it has done much more for me than the doses of metformin I (probably may no longer need to) take.I too enjoy the occasional but also low carb curry, so I'm in a win-win situation.

My attitude is that while my body is capable of managing to keep my glucose levels low and steady with the right foods, I'll wait until (or if) my pancreas starts to give out rather than taking unnecessary medication before I really need it. :D

Robbity
 
Tom Green said:
Why when I like what is happening. I'm not fat. I have maintained a good weight for years.
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But I really like that you are saying what you think Tom. And how you live your life on your own terms. Especially with us lot in here who are treating diabetes with food! :). (The word 'brave' and 'walking where angels fear to tread' comes to mind! lol.)

I am really interested in what you say, as I have suspected that age of onset may have a lot to do with decisions about treatment method. Ditto longevity issues! Also it is an issue that I find difficult to explain to non-diabetic folk who like (grrr) to get involved with ones treatment method! As it is more than a little 'a big deal' for me, and well, not at all a deal for them ;):). (I'm thinking about when I tried explaining to my stepmother that me getting T2D at 50-ish, ahhhh, brought on very different, ahhhh, issues than her father getting T2D at 80-ish.)

How long we want to live, and in what condition and quality of life - yep. That's kind of IT isn't it? :).
 
AloeSvea said:
But I really like that you are saying what you think Tom. And how you live your life on your own terms. Especially with us lot in here who are treating diabetes with food! :). (The word 'brave' and 'walking where angels fear to tread' comes to mind! lol.)

I am really interested in what you say, as I have suspected that age of onset may have a lot to do with decisions about treatment method. Ditto longevity issues! Also it is an issue that I find difficult to explain to non-diabetic folk who like (grrr) to get involved with ones treatment method! As it is more than a little 'a big deal' for me, and well, not at all a deal for them ;):). (I'm thinking about when I tried explaining to my stepmother that me getting T2D at 50-ish, ahhhh, brought on very different, ahhhh, issues than her father getting T2D at 80-ish.)

How long we want to live, and in what condition and quality of life - yep. That's kind of IT isn't it? :).
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Yes I enjoy life and always have. My Diabetes care people were right up front about their views. I was pleased with their ideas since I didn't want diabetes to affect my life.
I have had diabetes for years since in my late 30s. I didn't take good care Of it which was foolish but it is what it is.
Since 2000 I have been on top Of it by medicating.
 
@Tom Green - Since your 30s? Really? Wow! Could I ask what your HBA1c was at diagnosis? And then, again when you started medicating? (If you don't mind me asking?) Also - do you have any complications? (Me for example, I have some neuropathy in my feet.)
 
Funny thing is my father died at 59 and his brothers at 61and62. No diabetes in any of them. I have lived longer than any of them. Diabetes isn't a death sentence .
If I hadn't demanded to go on insulin I may have never found my blocked arteries. I have had 3 stress tests over the last 20 years and all were clear until the last one. Who knows I might have bit the dust at 70.
 
As long as you cover your carbs with insulin then you can eat whatever you like and whenever you like. I take 1 shot of insulin for every 5 carbs. The average chocolate bar has 36 carbs so I give 7 shots of insulin as 5x7= 35. Not everybody needs the same amount of insulin but once you know how your body works then you adjust your insulin accordingly. Your diabetic doctor can also advice you.
 
Elliehowell said:
As long as you cover your carbs with insulin then you can eat whatever you like and whenever you like. I take 1 shot of insulin for every 5 carbs. The average chocolate bar has 36 carbs so I give 7 shots of insulin as 5x7= 35. Not everybody needs the same amount of insulin but once you know how your body works then you adjust your insulin accordingly. Your diabetic doctor can also advice you.
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I agree. We have all this New tech coming down the line that will do this for us. It's not too far away.
 
Tom Green said:
Funny thing is my father died at 59 and his brothers at 61and62. No diabetes in any of them. I have lived longer than any of them. Diabetes isn't a death sentence .
If I hadn't demanded to go on insulin I may have never found my blocked arteries. I have had 3 stress tests over the last 20 years and all were clear until the last one. Who knows I might have bit the dust at 70.
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No, of course isn't a death sentence - life itself is a death sentence! :). What I say to my friends who say such to me, is, no, but I have a good chance now of knowing what I am going to die of (thinking of strokes, and kidney failure), but if I can keep my feet, my eyesight, and my hearing till then - all the better! And maybe, with good BG control - one can keep the heart ticking, and the kidneys functioning well till something comes along and kills me! (Oh it would be lovely if it was merely old age!) Is my reasoning.

But you know, I was listening to the radio the other day, and one of Johnny Cash's wonderful illness/dying/heartbreak over wife's death songs came on from the American recordings series, I think it was called, and I had a moment of deep respect for what T2D is, along with my always deep appreciation of Mr Cash. (Hint - go online and look up what Johnny Cash died of! :).) (Not to mention Ella Fitzgerald, re attachment to feet.)

Interesting about the heart thing in your health profile - and I can see how, along with your Uncles and father's too early deaths - that would be your focus.

I really would love to know your HBA1c though! When I am in here and relating to other diabetics and listening to their treatment methods ) - I really pay attention to the BG control that they have! And how they get it. Also, what BG they had at diagnosis, and for some, how quickly and how much lower it went. Yeah - due to that quality of life and longevity thing desire thing, indeed.
 
AloeSvea said:
No, of course isn't a death sentence - life itself is a death sentence! :). What I say to my friends who say such to me, is, no, but I have a good chance now of knowing what I am going to die of (thinking of strokes, and kidney failure), but if I can keep my feet, my eyesight, and my hearing till then - all the better! And maybe, with good BG control - one can keep the heart ticking, and the kidneys functioning well till something comes along and kills me! (Oh it would be lovely if it was merely old age!) Is my reasoning.

But you know, I was listening to the radio the other day, and one of Johnny Cash's wonderful illness/dying/heartbreak over wife's death songs came on from the American recordings series, I think it was called, and I had a moment of deep respect for what T2D is, along with my always deep appreciation of Mr Cash. (Hint - go online and look up what Johnny Cash died of! :).) (Not to mention Ella Fitzgerald, re attachment to feet.)

Interesting about the heart thing in your health profile - and I can see how, along with your Uncles and father's too early deaths - that would be your focus.

I really would love to know your HBA1c though! When I am in here and relating to other diabetics and listening to their treatment methods ) - I really pay attention to the BG control that they have! And how they get it. Also, what BG they had at diagnosis, and for some, how quickly and how much lower it went. Yeah - due to that quality of life and longevity thing desire thing, indeed.
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My Hba1c was 6.1 on Jan 8, my kidneys are doing great, blood pressure 105/56/57. I get blood tests every 3 or 4 months. Minor neuropathy in my toes and I get feet care every couple of months.
I know people who have had amputations etc but they don't take care Of their diabetes.
 
Tom Green said:
My Hba1c was 6.1 on Jan 8, my kidneys are doing great, blood pressure 105/56/57. I get blood tests every 3 or 4 months. Minor neuropathy in my toes and I get feet care every couple of months.
I know people who have had amputations etc but they don't take care Of their diabetes.
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How is your cardiovascular system?
 
Tom Green said:
My Hba1c was 6.1 on Jan 8, my kidneys are doing great, blood pressure 105/56/57. I get blood tests every 3 or 4 months. Minor neuropathy in my toes and I get feet care every couple of months.
I know people who have had amputations etc but they don't take care Of their diabetes.
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Ah yes - this is what Mr Svea says to me (about amputations) when reassuring. I heard a very sad case of a woman my age (early 50s) who went blind recently due to T2D. I was in the position of reassuring her young adult niece that she could prevent this happening to her, but sadly, there was nothing, as far as I know, that can be done for her Aunt's sight, due to retinopathy once too far advanced? Too sad.

TY for the info. (Your HBA1c and mine are the same.)
 
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