Mmmmm, sugar

Yeah, I know, we diabetics love the stuff. And the pharmaceutical/chemical community does it best to try to satisfy our desire for sweets. Usually, they use cheap chemicals to try to imitate the taste. Personally, I can't use any because I always have the chemical aftertaste. Pink, yellow, or blue, they all are nasty. What I have done is weened myself off sugar. I drink Wendy's iced tea straght up, no sweetener.
Coffee just milk. Did you know milk has a lot of sugar? Read the label. Cereal, just milk. Oatmeal, nada.

You would be surprised how quickly your tastes change. Might have to go gradually, like add half your usual, but it will be worth it.

According to most research not sponsored by the manufacturer, artificial sweeteners are not healthy for us. Try to go natural, if you can.

Stay well.

Salad days

Not being a fan of salad, I've tried to get more raw vegetables in my diet. They are great for a diabetic, as they are low in carbs, high in nutrients. A few days ago the experiment to make a salad that didn't have to be choked down. This was for 2.

I thinly sliced a zucchini, then 3 stalks of celery. The key was to thinly slice them on a mandoline. I hate big chewy chunks. Put in some roasted garlic, grape tomatoes, and spinach. Added some cheese, dressed it with heated oil and balsamic. My intention was to wilt the spinach. Seasoned it with a little salt and pepper.

By the way I lightly added the seasoning as I layered the veggies. It was really good. Thin slices seem to make it more palatable for me. Almost any veggies would work. Any greens, too. I made it again with Romaine and it equally tasty.

My hope

I've wanted this blog to be an assistance to the diabetic community. While my readership is low, I'm trying to promote it. I'd appreciate any help. Also, if anyone would like to guest post here, just send me an email @ jwlreebiz@aol.com.

Just put something in the title so I know it's not spam.

Did you know most medical professionals have very little education in diabetes?

And when they pass you the pills like Amaryl or whatever they rarely take the time to explain that the pills need to be combined with diet to work.

I've found that my diabetes is best controlled by eating a relatively low carb diet coupled with some exercise.

Also, I've lost a some weight, which is so important to Type 2 diabetics. While I do use some insulin (20 units of Levimere once a day) the weight loss seems to be the greatest part of my sugar control.

Diabetics: Try this to lower blood sugar

Warning: This is based on my experience. Don't do anything dumb like stop your meds, or avoid your doctor. Be sure to take your insulin as prescribed.

Ok. I started to take 2 teaspoons in water of apple cider vinegar following meals and my need for insulin diminished. Still need it but not as much.

I use Bragg's, which is a high quality, organic product.

Can't hurt.

I didn't die

but I came really close.

Diabetes killed my kidneys, gave me a stroke, and took my left leg.

Kept me in the hospital for 15 months.

Are you still going to ignore the disease?

Call me at 732.287.1583 if you need further encouragement.

Please follow this blog because now that I'm back there will be more frequent updates.

Diabetes and Depression; a follow up

I have suggested before, based upon personal experience and many conversations with other diabetics, that a link exists between these two conditions.

I Googled, and found that very little research has been done concerning this, but here is what I have found: Numerous studies have been conducted, and plenty of anecdotal evidence indicates that sugar causes depression, so it would be pretty logical to presume that one who has excess sugar in the blood system could also suffer from depression related to sugar.

Yes, it's a stretch, and has no basis in scientific data, but my hypothesis is as good as any scientist's.

I also find the connection could be based upon the feelings that high sugar usually elicit: tiredness, crankiness, and generallly unpleasantness.

Anyone know where I can get a major grant to study this?

Depression and Diabetes

This was brought up a few posts ago. Research has been done concerning sugar and mood. Sugar Blues is a book by William Dufty that was released in 1975, and he concluded that several psychological disorders may be improved, and possibly cured, by removing sugars from the diet.

I have also read of an informal observation in a prison system, and it had been noted that the prison population used much more sugar in coffee and tea than most people. This was not exactly an exhaustive study, but it did indicate something that could use further study. Unfortunately, studies require funding, and as anyone who knows to follow the money, well, no one is going to pay for a study to have people use less of a product. Unless, of course, the company is selling a product that could be used instead. And, since sugar substitutes often produce the same results, don't look for Monsanto to fund anything soon.

Part of the challenge for the diabetic, then, would be to completely remove sugar. One theory that I have heard espoused, is that diabetics may have an unusually strong reaction to sugar, one that is heightened compared to "normal" individuals. That is, they are almost allergic to it, yet crave it much as an alcoholic craves booze. Considering the reaction of an alcoholic to his drug of choice, it may be logical to think diabetics have this same relationship with sugar. And alcohol is sugar based. Hmm.
Just some low carb food for thought.

Interviewed by Doc Nicole

The official doctor of the blog interviewed me. Thought you'd like to read it.

http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/living-with-diabetes-an-interview-with-joe/

Depression and Diabetes (part 1)

While no significant study has ever been conducted linking diabetes and depression, it has been suggested that such a link exists.
Bear in mind that many diabetics feel guilty for having the disease because, in many cases, particularly with type 2, it is brought on by lifestyle. Again, not always, it is tied to being overweight.
While it is easy to find the reason some people are overweight, it is often complex.

I have yet to meet an overweight person who truly is baffled by his/her weight problem.

Surely some are cursed with a terribly slow metabolism, but even then, most tend to eat way too much. A Big Mac, fries and a soda is not a healthy meal. Have a diet soda instead and it really doesn't change the fat and sodium overload situation. Sure, it's a few hundred calories less, but so nutritionally deficient that it doesn't really matter.
I know fast food is cheap, and damn, it's tasty, but sometimes that doesn't justify it. I've worked hard to get my habit (and that's all it is) down to maybe one fast food meal a week. I'm trying next to get it to once every other week. I'll check back and let you know how it goes. I'll be back with more in a few days as I study the depression/diabetes link.

Getting a Second Chance

Getting A Second Chance

It seems that a lot of people in my family have diabetes. I guess we were lucky or something. On one side of the family every cousin, aunt, and uncle struggle to keep their sugar levels low so they won't have to face the consequences down the road.

Some do better than others.

Others seem to totally ignore the condition, which is hard for me to understand.

I know it is difficult to accept; but, there isn't a cure, so deal with it. I think the most shocking moment for me was when my doctor looked at me and said, "This is what you are going to have to do to combat this disease."

Disease—who said anything about a disease. I just got a little sugar diabetes, nothing to worry about.

Well, that thought lasted all of two minutes and then the cold hard facts set in; this is serious and life threatening.

One of my family members has been given a second chance with this dreaded scourge. I think they got their wakeup call. Diabetes can't be cured but it can be managed quite well if you put your mind to it.

I'm the Diabetic Diva tune in next time when I hope to discuss the successful implementation of an exercise program into my daily regime.

Seems like a new cure every day

Diabetes is such a big business terrible disease, it seems as if a new and expensive improved method of treatment becomes available every day.
Yet, Doc Nicole gave such an inexpensive and simple way to cure and prevent diabetes, it makes one wonder why it is routinely ignored.
Well, to be heartless and cruel, it's all about the Benjamins. Follow the money, my friends, and you will see the, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story.
According to the most recent data, the health care sector contributes millions to each party, and ranks 6th among all sectors in political contributions. Of course, the biggest contributor is the finance industry (sort of puts the recent bailout in perspective, doesn't it) but you can be sure the millions in health care dollars are not ignored.
Please don't wait for the government to step inand cure diabetes. It isn't going to happen. Eat right and exercise and you will do more than any health care program. Trust your instincts, and trust Doc Nicole. Don't wait for a miracle, create one.

The Diva speaks again

My favorite Diabetic Diva

The last time we were together I mentioned that I may or may not talk about exercise in my next discussion on diabetes. I've decided that I wanted you to know about something else.

So, please bear with me as I give you a descriptive reflection on my daily injections.

I'd like to meet the person that said my body was to be used as a human pincushion.

No, I'm not into acupuncture.

I'm not one of the carnival people that like to put needles all over their bodies.

I don't have an tatoos.

I'm one of the lucky people that rely on a needle to give my body insulin to keep me alive. I don't think I worked very hard for this honor. I surely didn't want to be the best in my field. Who wants to stick needles in their bodies? Not once, but four times a day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's a lot better than the alternative, if you know what I mean. But sometimes, you just get tired of doing it.

Depending on the time of day a typical injection can go like this:

Locate syringe for the injection and decide which insulin you will be using. Locate area you will be injecting and cleanse with an alcohol pad. Pull desired amount of air into syringe for injection into insulin bottle. Depress air into insulin bottle and then draw desired amount of insulin into the syringe. Hold needle up to the light and tap the side to release any air pockets. Pinch up the skin and insert needle into your desired locale (stomach, thigh, arm, hip, butt, or anywhere you can reach) scream like mad when you hit a nerve and depress the plunger until all of the insulin has been successfully transferred from the syringe into your body. Withdraw needle and discard properly.

I do this four times a day. I begin my day with a shot to the stomach and end my day with a shot in the ass.

For now, I'm the Diabetic Diva, and kids, don't play with the needles.

Diabetic Diva and Desserts

My favorite Diabetic Diva checks in:

I've developed a bad habit and I think that it is affecting my cat as well. I like to cook, especially desserts, but I don't normally eat them for myself. I'll take them to work or give them to family or friends.

After years of being deprived of dessert because of diabetes I have started to sample my tasty treats. That, in itself, isn't a bad thing. It started out quite innocently, I would go to the refrigerator and open the door just to sneak a peek at the dessert. I never tasted it; I just looked at it. However, each time I opened the refrigerator, the cat, no matter what he was doing would come to investigate. He would look, I would look and then he would look up at me with a look that seemed to say, "What are we having?"

So, that's how it started. I would have just a small tiny piece of something scrumptious and the cat would get a bite too.

This had gone on for several months and I think was beginning to add a few extra pounds to both of us and make our sugars higher than normal. I decided that I was going to stop cooking--just the desserts and focus on something more healthier.

The cat doesn't see it this way.

Now, every time I open the fridge for anything whether it's a cold drink, a tasteless baby carrot or a stick of butter I am met with a sulking, annoyed kitty who wants to know what happened to his desserts.

His disgust is mutual, I miss the desserts too; but I don't miss my waistline which seems to be shrinking since I stopped making dessert.

Tune in next time when the Diabetic Diva will discuss something other than the yummy food that she and her cat aren't supposed to eat.

The Diabetic Diva returns

The latest from my favorite Diva:

I got a call from my veterinarian a few weeks ago informing me that they were discontinuing the insulin that my cat uses.

What?

You heard me correctly, my cat is a diabetic just like I am.

My insulin costs are $120.00 for two different kinds of insulin and usually lasts about three weeks.

My cat's insulin costs $125.00 and will usually last about a month.

Those costs are just for the insulin, it doesn't include the syringes that are needed to inject the insulin subcutaneously.

I have health insurance, my cat doesn't.

There will never be a cure for diabetes, because there is so much money to be made from the poor folks who have it.

However, there is a bright side: My cat's new insulin is only going to cost $25.00 a bottle. I guess the insurance and pharmaceutical companies realized that my cat was never going to be able to pay them a dime.

Tune in next time when I discuss my favorite topic: Just desserts.

Leg wound update

Part of the problem with diabetes is that it eventually destroys circulation in the extremeties. I'm currently having an issue with my leg. Here's how it looks today. It was worse.

Guest post from the Diabetic Diva

I am happy to make a guest appearance on Crotchety's other blog, as the Diabetic Diva, almost 100% of my daily life is involved with keeping diabetes from ruining my life. I have good days and I have bad days. How I feel mainly depends on the effort that I put forth. If I eat the prescribed 1600 calorie a day diet, take the recommended 4 daily shots of insulin, take the 4 daily prescribed medications, exercise for the recommended 60 minutes a day, test my blood sugar when I wake up, 2 hours after breakfast, right before lunch, 2 hours afters lunch, right before supper, 2 hours after supper and right before I go to bed, plus, eat at the same time every day, I would probably feel great. However, in the 3650+ days that I have had diabetes, I have failed to accomplish this.

I feel like such a failure...

I bet you didn't know that diabetes was so complicated, did you?

But, that is only the beginning.

Tune in next time when I reveal other new and startling information in the everyday life of the Diabetic Diva. Please hold your applause until after I leave the stage. Until then, check out my evil stepmother at http://reflectionsonamiddle-agedfatwoman.blogspot.com/.

Diabetic Diva