Diabetes is tedious. It's not something that makes you feel permanently unwell, it simply has to be managed properly.
Yesterday was my once-every-3-months-day. Blood test, and visit to The Quack to renew all my drugs.
I don't like having needles stuck into my flesh, nor do I like seeing all my blood being drained away into several small phials. I do appreciate that they do need to see what real quality blood looks like, but I wish they'd drain it from someone else.
As for my visit to The Doc's... The waiting room is no less than a concentration of evil germs. Coughing, spluttering, wheezing, and even a few old timers talking to their invisible best friends, it's an overheated, time wasting, nightmare.
As for The Doc' himself, he's a pleasant man who asks me how I am, tells me I'm a tad overweight, then accepts his fee with dignity. He also gives me a bit of paper which allows me to buy my expensive drugs from an attractive nearby young pharmacist; we only meet four times a year, so I don't see any future for us.
Diabetes is the fashionable ailment of our age. Almost everyone has it, and no-one really complains. We watch our diets (when we remember), take our pills, and cross our fingers that we go neither blind or gangrenous.
I've decided to take slightly more notice of my diabetes; I'd like to lose some of the post-festivities weight, and aim to change my diet to somewhere around 50/50 veggie/carnivore.
I have another 3 months in which to make my radical changes show, when my next blood test will reveal all.
Just done mine, need to be a bit better, not have a biscuit with my tea. It's all a bit of a pain especially as mine was caused by a virus that attacked my pancreas. I suppose it's better than pancreatic cancer.
ReplyDeleteIt's all those little things that make a difference. Biscuits, cake, extra slice of bread, etc. It's all about will power.
DeleteI have just received the reminder for my annual check (it used to be quarterly). Luckily still not on any meds for it. Diagnosed in 2000.
ReplyDeleteMy stats were all OK, I take just one diabetes pill a day. Not too bad!
DeleteIt is difficult to watch what one eats when one loves food so much! But never mind about the weight.....a splash around in your pool when in gets warmer will soon trim you down!
ReplyDeleteSwimming is certainly the best exercise. It doesn't help, living in one of the great gastronomic areas of France.
DeleteJust had blood-letting last week, appointment with diabetic nurse tomorrow to get the good news.
ReplyDelete4 pills plus injection twice daily at present, a bit of a nuisance but better than the alternative.
Are you Type 2? That sounds quite drastic. Have you read about the 600 calorie a day diet? I believe you have to follow it for about 3 months, and the diabetes disappears completely. It might be worth considering it, although you'd need to consult your Doc'.
Deletehttp://www.diabetes.co.uk/diet/newcastle-study-600-calorie-diet.html
DeleteHave a look at this web page.
Yes, type 2, started about 10 years ago ad progressive.
DeleteHad a look at that 600-a-day diet and intend to mention it tomorrow at my consultation.
Good luck!
DeleteWe live in a gastronomic area of England. Skirt and kidney pie, cottage pie, pork and dumplings, cucumber sandwiches, swede, cabbage and cauliflower. Why are we not proud of our food heritage here and all we talk about now are are wraps and other foreign words and foreign adaptations of good English food?
ReplyDeleteSnake and Midget Pie, Kate and Sydney Pie, all good Norfolk dishes to be served with Colman's Mustard; of course.
DeleteI'm lucky enough not to have it although I don't know why, I love biscuits, chocolate and all of that but I am mostly vegetarian. Passed my last checkup with flying colours so that's good. Anyway, good luck with the new regime Cro, better ditch all that foie gras etc!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid so, although my taste for very rich foods has diminished considerably.
DeleteIt is all over the world,we are suffering from the same things where ever we live.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sign of the affluent age. Too many good things.
DeleteWell Cro, you look great for your age, seem to have endless amounts of energy and always have much to fill your day, so your diabetes certainly doesn't hold you back. Is diabetes in your family ? I don't know anyone in our family who had or has it so I hope to avoid it .... we have slightly high blood pressure in our family ..... I just think of how much worse things could be and thank my lucky stars !!!! A friend of ours was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, did the diet and has now had the all clear. XXXX
ReplyDeleteBoth my parents were Type 2 diabetics. My father ended-up having a double leg amputation, but he did overdo his Whisky, and Port, and wine. Diet can make a huge difference.
DeleteMy mother and her brother both had Type 2 in their later years, though neither of them overweight. Mum ended up having an injection every day, which was good because it meant that a medical person was seeing her every day in her 90s along with the carers that she had.I have an occasional blood test to see if I am headed that way...so far so good. Must check when I had the last one!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea to have a blood test every so often; just to be sure.
DeleteDiabetes is not something to be taken lightly. It's great that you can control yours with one tablet a day and sensible diet.
ReplyDeleteI just hope it lasts... the diet should help.
DeleteFor years I have visited my best friend, (friends since schooldays) she was getting bigger and bigger, always had a bowl of snacky biscuits and cakes on the kitchen worktop. She has had the warning from the doctor that she would have to start taking pills as she is borderline type 2.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to say she has it under control by changing her diet, and does not need pills. I would hate to lose my best friend at this stage and hope that we will still be friends into our 80's and 90's.
I'm sure you will, as long as she takes things under control. It's all a question of will power.
DeleteI must say I'm surprised to hear that you have type 2 diabetes, as you seem to eat many dishes involving all your lovely garden veggies. Is it more hereditary with you, do you think? -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI think it must be, my sister is borderline Type 2.
DeleteI think the genes come into play with many of our diseases. Although I love my sweets, I do not have diabetes. However, my family has passed down other, just as bad, illnesses. We boomers make pharmaceutical companies very rich.
ReplyDeleteYou know where to invest your money!
DeleteI did the 800 calorie diet for 8 weeks last summer. I lost 34lbs and my GP halved my medication (tablets). I only get an annual check so am hoping by the time it's due in June, I may be able to come off medication completely. Interestingly my last HBA1C was in the non-diabetic range - I suppose taking me off medication all at once at that time would be seen as irresponsible, unless I'm making our practice a bit of money by being diabetic of course!
ReplyDeleteWell done; proof that it works. You give me hope, although sticking to 800 calories might be a bit tough for me.
DeleteLuckily I don't care much for meat, and neither does the farmer, so we eat a huge amount of vegetables. Most days at least three at lunchtime. Today it was sprouts, kale and carrots, yesterday it was sweet corn, green beans and sweetheart cabbage. As far as I know neither of us has diabetes, but then we have never been tested - I have several friends with it.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if it wouldn't be best NOT to be tested. I'm sure in the past people just lived (and eventually died) with it, without it being a nuisance.
DeleteAll the best with diet changes..make them gradually or your body will protest!
ReplyDeleteI felt a bit strange for the first few days, but it's settled now.
DeleteCro, it's good of you to write this post, as it may encourage others to have their docs check on them.
ReplyDeleteThe only person I currently know who is diabetic is a very strong, slim, tall under 30 young man. I think heredity is the source of his diabetes. He's a wise fellow and takes good care to live healthily.