I cured my diabetes so anybody can

[Pipp]

Yep I've been regarded as a BFL too. It makes me so very angry. I know that I don't cheat. I know that I write down everything I eat when I'm doing a food diary. Aaaarrrggghhhh how dare they?

I don't think they can accept that some of us are an enigma. Cannot find a category for us to fit so can't accept there are not enough categories. Or even that something so complex cannot be quantified.
I think I have evidence to dispel their opinion that I am also a lazy big fat liar, though. Fitness tracker that shows calories spent, (which is always many more than I have consumed) with detailed hourly calorie expenditure too.

 

[JohnEGreen]

So when the healthcare practitioner says "I am 100% certain you are diabetic" (word for word what was said to me). What does she actually mean?

That she is 100% certain that you are diabetic that is you have the disease called diabetes just as I do .

She of course does not know the complex set of physiological factors that have caused it as neither do I or you.

The same way I do not know what caused my MG neither do I know why some people who have MG become totally asymptomatic for long periods of time achieving full remission of the disease only to become symptomatic again some times years later it just happens for some but not all sadly not for me though I have come close at times but while you have just one symptom you cannot be considered as in remission let alone cured.

 

[EdMac]

She of course does not know the complex set of physiological factors that have caused it as neither do I or you.

And this is far less important if we can link that evaluation to some sensory based evidence isn't it? Otherwise we might consider it to be a rather meaningless word. So what is the sensory based evidence the doctor is using to evaluate someone as diabetic?

 

[serenity648]

And this is far less important if we can link that evaluation to some sensory based evidence isn't it? Otherwise we might consider it to be a rather meaningless word. So what is the sensory based evidence the doctor is using to evaluate someone as diabetic?

what do you mean by 'sensory based evidence'? its not a term i am familiar with in this context.

 

[EdMac]

what do you mean by 'sensory based evidence'?

Something that can be observed either directly via our own senses or a signal that can be amplified using something with better limits of detection such as a laboratory instrument - as is the case with a blood test.

The Doc sends your blood to a lab for testing, they detect what they detect which is not a component part called Diabetes it's blood sugar values.

The Doctor compares your values against a standard range.

What they have done is use blood sugar as a signal to determine what your body is doing under certain conditions. Then they give you a diagnosis of Diabetic.

And this really is the root of the problem for some people. Because what your body does (whether it is doing it consistently or inconsistently) is a behaviour. And the diagnosis 'Diabetic' is an identity. The doctor has not calibrated your identity they have calibrated a behaviour exhibited by your body.

This will seem like a very trivial distinction to some people. But I don't believe it is that trivial at all.

 

[Pat_Ann]

I don't want to rain on your parade but it sounds to me like you have achieved what lots of other diabetics have and that is good blood sugar control, which is a world away from a cure.
My fasting blood sugar is consistently in the 4s and under 6 post meal but that's because I'm very careful what I eat: if I'm not it shoots up. Therefore, I consider myself well controlled and certainly not cured.

Have you passed an OGTT since your "cure"?

Please tell me what an OGTT is. Thanks.

 

[Brunneria]

Please tell me what an OGTT is. Thanks.

An OGTT is an oral glucose tolerance test.
It is when you go to the surgery and they get you to drink either glucose in water or lucozade and test your blood glucose before and 2 hours after. If your blood glucose is above 11mmol/l at 2 hours, you are classed a diabetic. If it is um... above 7? you are classed as pre diabetic.

Some docs use the OGTT for diagnosis, others use the HbA1c blood test (average glucose levels over the last 2-3 months), and some will diagnose you on a single very high random reading, but that depends on personal criteria, I think.

 

[Indy51]

Here they do not make the diagnosis that you have diabetes without running the hbA1c test, GAD test, and c-peptide test. From the results of these tests they determine whether or not you have impaired glucose. If not normal, then do you have an auto-immune response as well?, and what is the state of your insulin production? This determines the type of diabetes you have.

When were you diagnosed? I live in WA as well and the only tests done when I was diagnosed were 2 fasting BG's, OGTT and A1c. No mention was ever made of GAD or c-peptide.

 

[serenity648]

I was diagnosed with two fasting bloods and a HbA1c only.

 

[Mep]

When were you diagnosed? I live in WA as well and the only tests done when I was diagnosed were 2 fasting BG's, OGTT and A1c. No mention was ever made of GAD or c-peptide.

I was diagnosed in 1998. I had the 3 tests mentioned at the time, and since I've had them done a couple of times. I've been seeing an endocrinologist most of the time. I never had the OGTT actually as they said it wasn't needed because my first hbA1c was 8.2%

 

[Indy51]

I was diagnosed in 1998. I had the 3 tests mentioned at the time, and since I've had them done a couple of times. I've been seeing an endocrinologist most of the time.

I guess things have changed now that the Type 2 epidemic is in full swing. I saw an endo twice, but it was more about the concurrent hypothyroid diagnosis than the Type 2.

 

[Mep]

I guess things have changed now that the Type 2 epidemic is in full swing. I saw an endo twice, but it was more about the concurrent hypothyroid diagnosis than the Type 2.

Ah ok... yeh I have PCOS which was diagnosed by an endocrinologist. I've only had a couple of years when I wasn't seeing one. My most recent GAD and c-peptide was in 2010 and that showed I hardly produce any insulin, but still type 2. I get the hbA1c done every 6 months usually.

 

[Mep]

When were you diagnosed? I live in WA as well and the only tests done when I was diagnosed were 2 fasting BG's, OGTT and A1c. No mention was ever made of GAD or c-peptide.

I was going to add too I was told by the GP at the time I had to be referred to an endocrinologist for a diagnosis about what type of diabetes I have. It's strange they're no longer doing that. How on earth would they know what type you have? They can't tell for sure without the GAD and c-peptide tests being done. Actually come to think of it I get the exact same response from my GP in regard to any other diagnosis I've got. Just about all of my conditions have been diagnosed by a specialist. I've been referred to various specialists for diagnosis over the years. My GP just makes a guess what he thinks it is and says I have to refer you to x specialist for diagnosis. Endocrinologists consult to the diabetic clinics here which is where I go to see one. My current endocrinologist I've had for 10 years now and he's very good.

 

[Indy51]

I was going to add too I was told by the GP at the time I had to be referred to an endocrinologist for a diagnosis about what type of diabetes I have. It's strange they're no longer doing that. How on earth would they know what type you have? They can't tell for sure without the GAD and c-peptide tests being done. Actually come to think of it I get the exact same response from my GP in regard to any other diagnosis I've got. Just about all of my conditions have been diagnosed by a specialist. I've been referred to various specialists for diagnosis over the years. My GP just makes a guess what he thinks it is and says I have to refer you to x specialist for diagnosis. Endocrinologists consult to the diabetic clinics here which is where I go to see one. My current endocrinologist I've had for 10 years now and he's very good.

Sounds like you are lucky enough to have a very good/proactive GP

 

[Roytaylorjasonfunglover]

And I am willing to bet that the diet described is a VERY DIFFERENT one from his pre diagnosis diet.
-it is still low carb compared with the majority of Western eaters, and the Standard American Diet. Rye bread is very different from wheat bread. Muesli is very different from cereal. 50g of brown rice is a far cry from typical white rice portions. Touting margarine as a healthy diet choice boggles my mind. And he is on 1750 calories a day, suggesting that the poor guy is calorie counting as a permanent feature (RDA for the average male is around 2,500 calories, so he is in major deficit on a daily basis, to maintain his 'success').

I don't find the word 'cured' appropriate to describe his lifestyle. The words 'ongoing major lifestyle changes allowing continued control' are a better fit.

Very glad he has made the progress he has, and the weight loss and improved health is great. But I would rather stay a well controlled T2 (which I have achieved without the misery of a VLC diet, and by eating great food, in comfortably satisfying portions, without calorie counting or eating Frankenfood margarine) than put myself through his diet and then face a life of margarine smeared on rye bread and fat free yoghurt.

 

[Roytaylorjasonfunglover]

Holds up his hands and still an HbA1c of 33. I eat what and when I want and that includes bags of liquorice, jelly beans, mints, dried apricots, dates, figs, oat and honey cake with strawberry icing (yesterday's delight) shop cookies etc

This is why I used to get upset with all the nay sayers but now I let it wash over me. I know what my body is capable of again and that is all that matters to me. Will it stay like this, I doubt it as when I age I am sure it will start to pack up again but until that point I will push it as much as I want

So inspiring this post, and shows you do not have to a follow a lowcarb diet for life if you do not want too, some people may want too and they should be allowed to this if they insist, but they should also know that there is another way!

You managed to keep the weight steady?

inspiring post man, manly tears are shed!

 

[pleinster]

I completely agree with your message. As a newbie myself, I joined the forum in a state of shock and must admit if I had seen the advice from the initial post in this thread I would have tried to follow it as I am desperate to control my diabetes and not go on meds. However, I have spent hours reading the posts from people on here and they have been so very informative and motivational that I calmed down slightly after the shock and looked into the LCHF lifestyle and exercise (exercise avoider for over 20 years!). I now do a strict low carb food regime and so far for the past three weeks have been to the gym to do cardio every weekday (I have a lot of weight to lose and need to get a head start before going back to work and working around shifts). My fasting BG has come down from 9.3 to 5.5. I keep a food diary and test before and two hours after meals to try and find out my spiking triggers (naan bread - cant even save that now as a treat). I know I am possibly still in the 'honeymoon stage' of my diagnosis and the lower results but it is very motivating. Thank you to all the lovely people who post on here.

Brilliant - only approach that works (ie. informing yourself, testing and recording to work out patterns, eating accordingly). Well done on your quick progress and on your insticnts and ob your application of common sense...I say "common" but I'm not so sure it is any more. Keep us informed. Paul

 

[pleinster]

Exactly.

I view diabetes and reversal a bit like breaking your leg.

Bend your leg far enough in the wrong direction, it breaks.
Then when you get it plastered, rest, remove the cast, a bit of physio, it's completely healed, and no longer broken.
It doesn't mean if your bend it in the wrong direction again, in exactly the same way, exactly the same thing won't happen again.
Some people don't heal properly though, others do.

At to being fat causing diabetes, it did for me as well, so no, I don't in tend to overeat again.
I intend to not repeat the mistake of the past, I changed my eating habits, to simply eat less food.
A VLCD isn't misery to a lot of us.

Having been vegetarian for an 18 month period a few years ago now...for no specific reason other than I was "off" meat and thought...may as well...it was NOT misery. It was fine.
Still...I like bacon too much and am glad that I can still eat it as a Type 2.
One thing about the leg analogy though - I think you really do need to take into account that some people are more prone to break legs in the first place (for various reasons)...others have very strong bones and can do more with less concern...but - to be sure - nobody I know can bend their leg all the way up their back without something snapping.

 

[Enclave]

I cured my diabetes so anybody can
I think your title says it all .. also I think you are so very wrong .. You are misinformed to the point of being dangerous.
Not all diabetes can be 'cured' some of us get good control, or even remission .. but a full 'cure' for anybody with diabetes is a long way away.

 

[Lamont D]

I'd say it means your sugar is not in normal range.

A non diabetic would have sugar in the normal range and would not have an impaired glucose tolerance result (OGTT). Here they do not make the diagnosis that you have diabetes without running the hbA1c test, GAD test, and c-peptide test. From the results of these tests they determine whether or not you have impaired glucose. If not normal, then do you have an auto-immune response as well?, and what is the state of your insulin production? This determines the type of diabetes you have.

If you are saying a doctor can say you're not diabetic suddenly, then they're only looking at the hbA1c result which covers the past 60 days. Now I think I read somewhere here about docs there using the 6 month normal hbA1c rule? If that is the case that is only about 3 hbA1c's and anyone can get a good BGL results in that period. Whether or not you stay there in normal range is another matter. I wouldn't think that would class you as non diabetic in itself. I would think you'd need a longer period and proof you can do whatever you want and pass a OGTT no problem.

So in answer to your question I don't think a doctor could technically say you're non diabetic either once they establish you have impaired glucose tolerance and higher than normal range for sugar. A non diabetic doesn't have high sugar as their insulin is used correctly.

Sorry @Mep,

I am not diabetic and that last paragraph is not correct, as those with blood glucose disorders and insulinoma and hypoglycaemia will tell you.

Insulin is high in prediabetic patients even though their blood glucose levels are just above the diagnosis level.