Diabetes SUCKS!

I want to clear some FALSE information regarding diabetes type 2. People seem to think you get it because you're fat, overweight, you can't control yourself, etc...

NOT TRUE!!! 

People also think that you can cure diabetes. That is also NOT TRUE!! 

Although there's no cure for type 2 diabetes, studies show it's possible for some people to reverse it. Through diet changes and weight loss, you may be able to reach and hold normal blood sugar levels without medication. This doesn't mean you're completely cured. Type 2 diabetes is an ongoing disease. 
I'll never understand the thinking of people when they say you can cure a disease! That's like saying if we lose a foot, we can grow it back. It's just not happening! 


Sugar consumption will not directly cause either type. However, eating too much can cause weight gain. Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. ... Once a person has diabetes, eating too much sugar can make symptoms worse, as diabetes makes it more difficult for the body to manage blood sugar levels.

Being overweight or obese increases a person's risk for developing type 2 diabetes. ... People with type 2 diabetes have a condition called insulin resistance. They're able to make insulin, but their bodies can't use it properly to move glucose into the cells. So, the amount of glucose in the blood rises. This does not mean that every person who is overweight has or will get diabetes. It just means that if you're overweight you have a higher chance of getting diabetes. 

I'd like to test you on your diabetes knowledge. 

How much do you know about eating to prevent and control diabetes? Take this quiz.

Quiz yourself on your knowledge of diabetes by answering "true" or "false" to the following statements.

T/F: People with diabetes have to avoid sugar altogether.

False. When it comes to controlling blood glucose, research shows that the total amount of carbohydrate you eat is far more important than the type of carbohydrate: sugar or starch. Since this translates to "it's probably OK to enjoy small amounts of treats once in a while," that's good news for those with diabetes. (Of course, this is not to say that candy and oatmeal are equally nutritious!)

T/F: People with diabetes need to eat a very special, restrictive diet.

False. The kind of healthy diet that helps prevent diabetes is the same kind of diet that helps people with diagnosed diabetes to manage their condition. What does this sort of eating regimen include? Plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains, nonfat or low-fat dairy products, lean meats and fish. A healthy diet also is one that provides an appropriate level of calories for maintaining a healthy weight. The main difference between eating when you have diabetes and eating to prevent it: people with diabetes have to monitor the total amount of carbohydrates they eat. Women with diabetes generally should have three to four carbohydrate servings in a meal; men typically should have four to five. One serving = 15 grams of carbohydrate.

T/F: Some people with diabetes have no symptoms.

True. In fact, it's estimated that one-third of those who have diabetes don't even know it. Symptoms of diabetes may include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination. But some people have no symptoms. A blood test can show if you have diabetes; ask your doctor if you should be tested.

T/F: It's common to develop diabetes during pregnancy.

False. It's not common to develop diabetes during pregnancy, but it does happen. About 4 percent of all pregnant women develop "gestational diabetes" during pregnancy, and the condition often disappears after the baby is born. Experts don't know what causes gestational diabetes to develop, but some believe that hormones that help the baby grow may block the action of insulin in the mother's body. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes later, but maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active can minimize the likelihood of a recurrence of diabetes post-pregnancy.

T/F: If your doctor tells you that you have "prediabetes," eventually, you will develop the condition.

False. If you have prediabetes-a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes-you can do a lot to prevent or delay diabetes. Studies have shown that you can lower your risk of developing diabetes by losing weight through diet and exercise. A major study of more than 3,000 people with prediabetes found that diet and exercise, when it resulted in weight loss (just 5 to 7 percent of total body weight, or about 10 to 14 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds), lowered the incidence of diabetes by nearly 60 percent. Aim to exercise for about 30 minutes a day.

Other facts to know about diabetes type 2. 

Diabetes can lead to a variety of complications. Leg pain and cramps often occur as a result of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. If diabetes damages nerves in your arms or legs, it's called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. ... Pain, burning, tingling, and numbness are common symptoms

I've noticed with my diabetes, I have been in a LOT of annoying pain, constantly! I get pain in my hands and arms and they'll go numb and tingle. I get pain in my feet, so much pain that I can't walk. I get pain in my legs, feels like they're cramping. I also get pain in my hips and lower back... ALL. THE. TIME!!! I've tried so many different pain medications like Gabapentin, Voltarin cream and pills, Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve and MORE! I have a doctor appointment tomorrow to deal with this pain again. All I have to say is, they better give me something because it hurts to sit for long periods of time, hurts to walk, lay down and move. I've noticed you really have to push the doctors to listen to you and take you seriously.

On top of dealing with the pain, I also have to worry about going blind!
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes. It affects blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). I've been getting the health of my eyes checked every 3 months, which is a bit annoying. Thankfully, so far, my eyes are okay other than needing glasses now with bi-focals. That sucks! I never needed glasses before I had diabetes. 

I also have to get my A1C checked every 3 months at the hospital. They draw my blood and take a urine sample. They test my urine because they have to keep an eye on my kidney and liver, too. 
My last A1C reading was a 10.5!! That's TERRIBLE!!! 

An A1C of 10.5 means that you have diabetes. Not only that, but your blood sugar is severely elevated. This is a dangerous condition that puts you at risk of kidney failure, stroke, nerve damage, blindness and heart attack.

The A1c test measures blood sugar over the last three months by looking at the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with sugar. An A1c of 10.5 means that 10.5% of the hemoglobin in your blood are saturated with sugar.

My doctors are very concerned because of this high reading. They checked the health of my heart and said it's the age of an 80 year old woman! 80!!! I'm 41!! That's really not good! So, they've given me medication for high blood pressure because that is always elevated too! They gave me medication for high cholesterol as well. I have so many medications, it's unreal! 

That is just the morning pills I take... Breakfast of champions is what I call it. I also take 8 pills before bed. In between these pills, I also take insulin. 

I take Humalog; I take between 10-25 units of this 3 times a day at each meal. It's supposed to help bring down my blood sugar. Most of the time, it doesn't bring it down much. 

I take Insulin, Lantus at bedtime; between 40-47 units every night. This one is a long lasting insulin for overnight. This is also supposed to bring down your morning reading. For me, it doesn't do a whole lot. I wake up with sugars between 18-23. 

The doctors have now also added a insulin needle to take weekly. I take it every Tuesday morning. It's called Ozempic. It's supposed to bring your sugars down and help you lose weight. So far in 2 weeks, I've lost 3lbs, no difference to my sugar levels though!