[mdee1]

Hi Out there in Blog Land,

My name is Marjorie and I maintain the pop culture blog. I am also a diabetic and am wondering how many fellow survivors of this "silent Killer" are out there.
In my case, it really is genetic, as almost fifty percent of my family on both sides have it. (I believe that is what is known as a stacked deck.)

In any case, I am living with it and would like to share some of the issues some of you out there might have. I am lucky; I take medication that doesn't give me any problems and I only have to test once a week.

Please share your diabetes story with me. Maybe together we can find even more strength.

Keep strong,

mdee1 Pop Goes The Culture

[NewroticGirl]

I'm not diabetic but I live with my grandmother, who is. She recently went from just pills to pills and insulin injections... guess who gets to give the shots?? It's something I never envisioned myself doing -- I'm the kid who faints or barfs at the sight of blood.

It's funny how well I've adjusted to sugar-free living over the years... I now drink pretty much only diet soda/diet iced tea/diet whatever... and some of those sugar-free cookies aren't half bad!

[mdee1]

Hi Newrotic Girl-

Thanks for sharing!

You don't sound so neurotic to me! Boy, giving your grandmother injections. You are brave!

I am so lucky that I don't need to do that: I just pop a pill and forget about it. That may not, however, always be the case for me, and I have to live with that shadow always above my sugar-free head.

I am addicted to caffeine-free Diet Coke, which is not good for the bones in our bodies (and in my head).

What's a poor diabetic to do?

Sounds like you are on the right track with your choice of snacks. Is your grandmother your only family member with Diabetes?

Almost 50% of everyone in mine on both sides has this pain in the neck and even lower!

Best to you and your grandmother.

mdee _Pop Goe The Culture

[lpelham]

I know where you are coming from. I saw my grandmother give herself shots for years (after my mom died, my dad and I lived with her), but when she had a stroke at 83, I had to start giving her shots. Good thing I guess because when I had my first (and last) baby at 41, I tested positive for gestational diabetes. No diet or exercise for me - went straight to taking insulin at 21 weeks. So at least I had some practice
I am waiting for the results of my A1C right now to see if I have Type II now It runs in both sides of my family (both grandmothers and now my dad), so I would not be horribly shocked, but still hoping the test comes back negative.
Libby

[mdee1]

Hi Libby.

Thanks for sharing.

I have heard that gestational diabetes is temporary. Is that true?
Marjorie- Pop Goes The Culture

[lpelham]

Hey Marjorie!

Yes, gestational diabetes is normally temporary, but I think as you get older, there is the chance that you will not return to normal after birth. And there is a link between having gestational diabetes and getting Type II diabetes later in life. But then I am 42, so I guess I am cruising towards later in life!

My a1c came back okay after the birth (was close to the borderline), but my doc basically said exercise, diet and cut out sugar. I think his exact words were "If it tastes good, you cannot have it." That was an attempt to starve off diabetes as long as I could. I guess with my family history, it is almost a given I will suffer from it one day. My one grandmother who didn't take care of herself went blind and her kidneys quit functioning, but the other grandmother did take care of herself and lived to be 84 with very few complications, so I worry about getting it, but the complications from it have not been that bad in my family.

Libby

[MichaelHeart]

Marjorie,

Some eight years ago I was diagnosed as being a diabetic. I was about ten pounds heavier than I should have been and had always used extra sugar in almost everything I ate and drank. I was told by my doctor that I needed to severly cut back on my sugar inatake and she immediately put me on a rigorous exercise program.

I was told by my doctor that the chance of a person's sytem becoming diabetic was increased ten fold without regular daily excercise. I began walking one mile a day which progressed to three miles a day. Three years later and I had no more signs of diabetes. I now walk almost five miles every day. It's fun, and it keeps the doctor and hospital visits down to a minimum. My dogs love the walks as much as I do.

I am living proof that diabetes can be beaten!

God Bless You and Yours,
Michael Heart

Originally Posted by mdee1

Please share your diabetes story with me. Maybe together we can find even more strength.
Keep strong,
mdee1 Pop Goes The Culture

[mdee1]

Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
I never heard of anyone reversing diabetes before. That is really something!
Did you haveto test your glucose (A-1C test) and your sugar daily? Were you on any type of medication? I have heard of borderline cases staving off the condition, but never anyone who has already passed over the line.
That is wondeful news and I am so curious as to how far you were in the illness before you managed to reverse it.
Marjorie

[lpelham]

I don't know about reversing diabetes but from what I have seen, you can keep Type II diabetes in control wtih diet, exercise, and just taking care of yourself. I saw one grandmother, who took good care of herself, live to 84. She had a good life with the exception of her last year (after having stroke, but even that was horrible - she could still function). I saw my other grandmother, who was not so diligent about managing her sugar, lose her eyesight and use of her kidneys before dying at at 76.

So, it may not be 100% accurate (I am not a doctor ), but I think if you have diabetes, catch it early, and take care of yourself, you have a great chance of having a good, long life.

Libby

[mdee1]

Hi Libbie,
Yes, I know it can't be true that once a cucumber becomes a pickle it becoeme a cucumber again. I do agree with you about healthy living and diabetes, and I am living proof that if you take care of yourself, life with any impediment can be overcome. To quote Patti LaBelle;
"I may have diabetes, but diabetes doesn't have me."
Marjoriehttp://forums.families.com/images/smilies/01cheerful/a010.gif