One comment on having type 2 diabetes as opposed to other ailments - nobody blames someone who has arthritis or Alzheimer's for his condition. Doctos and the general public believe that type 2 diabetes is the patient's own fault, ignoring the genetic connection and other biological determinants of the disease. Even for people who do lose weight, exercise, take the meds, etc., it is still possible for the disease to progress and cause complications. As you pointed out, everything breaks down as we age, and the progression of diabetes may not be halted even if a person does all the right things.
Aggie, I agree with you. Another thing we deal with is the A1c, which some docs interpret as a way of seeing whether or not you're cheating on your diet. In fact, the A1c tests many things, including the doc's skill at treating the diabetes.
If you have cancer, and some test comes out bad, they don't blame you. They blame the cancer.
Hello Gretchen,
David Mendosa linked to your posts and I am glad to have read some of them. I really enjoy your candid and frank approach to the topic. I was diagnosed type 2 at 43 after having gestational diabetes. T2 runs in my family but generally doesn't strike until the 70s. So it did seem terribly unfair to have to make all these dietary adjustments so "early". I do however see myself going through the stages you described, and I hope to end up in a place as "ho-hum" as yours.
Anonymous, They say that when DM runs in the family, each generation tends to get it a little younger. But 43 instead of 70 is a big change, and I'm sorry you have those extra years of bother. One difference is that type 2 is now diagnosed at lower BG levels, so those people who got it in their 70s might have been diagnosed in their 50s with today's standards.
However, because type 2 forces us to eat healthily, you may end up living longer than you would have if you weren't considered diabetic until you were 70.
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Your article makes me realize how extremely lucky I am. 7 years ago a primary care physician did not like my fasting b.g. and my 5.3 A1C. A endocrinologist gave me a glucose tolerance test and concluded that in 10 years I might have diabetes. I began a search for information and a low carb diet. I still have a high fasting b.g.; in the a.m. I am between 110 and 125. My research found a berberine supplement, which is VERY expensive, but that along with chromium and R-Lipoic acid have lowered my fasting b.g. as effectively as metformin (according to my PCP) and my A1C is 5.4 to 5.7 for the last 4 years. I've not fully conquered my cravings for pizza and pasta, but when I imbibe my fasting b.g. can be 130 or higher, and I immediately see the need to not give in to cravings. So I have a lot to be thankful for.
Lee, You *are* fortunate to have a doc that believes in taking action before you're technically diabetic.
I hope you can get rid of your cravings. One thing that helps me, but might not help others, is to have a small bit of what you're craving. When I have a taste of some dessert someone else ordered, all I can taste is intense sweetness. No thanks.
Is it the bread or the cheese in pizza you want to avoid? If it's the bread, there are a lot of workarounds.