Diabetic: It pretty much sucks!

[Frank Speak]

Well, I had a nice afternoon. I was out riding my motorcycle with some friends and we stopped off at a place so they could have a couple of brews. Usually, I'd have one too, but I wasn't feeling real well. Well, there was a reason for that come to find out. I had breakfast, but I guess I under estimated the amount of carbs I had. I was sitting there with my friends and remember telling them I wasn't feeling real well. The next thing I know, there are cops and a couple of firemen types standing around me asking me what day it was, etc... Apparently, my BGL was around 45 when they arrived. When I came too, I told them it was a beautiful day. Not exactly the answer they were looking for. A couple of minutes later I answered their questions. One of the cops asked me if someone could take me home. I said I'd be fine. The EMTs told him the same thing, saying "he should be fine. He just needs to get some food in him:". The cop asked if I'd like him to take me somewhere to get something to eat. I said "sure". He did. I had a hamburger (haven't had one of those in a long time). He takes me back to my bike (and friends) afterwards.

Not exactly the day I had planned, but it worked out okay.

*note to self: CHECK YOUR DAMN BGL, YOU IDGET!"

[Scott L]

In know the grind - one big PITA.

Just glad for you it happened while you were stopped and not on the bike.

[Dexter.Sinister]

Diabetes is a bitch. Type 1 or Type 2? If the former, you need to ride your glucose like a mule (get a meter, stat!). If type 2...we can bring you back to normal if you let us.

The DRI (Diabetes Research Institute) is all about that...pm for details if you wish to (no monetary value to me , blah blah blah...).

DS

[Frank Speak]

I'm a type 2, which I really don't understand. I weigh 150 lbs soaking wet (I'm 5'10"). I've never eaten crap. I eat lean meats and NEVER eat crap out of a box (white bread, rice, etc..). My doctor says it's heredity, as my Dad, Grand Mother, cousin, etc.. all have diabetes, and NOT ONE of us is over weight. :(

I have to be honest. It REALLY peeves me. I've spoken with counselors, but I'm still bitter about it. :(

[nsureit]

I find that drinking 1/2 can of a real coke brings my BG back up quickly. I too have awakened to the whole damn fire department hovering over me in my living room!

Test yourself often.

[Dexter.Sinister]

I'm a type 2, which I really don't understand. I weigh 150 lbs soaking wet (I'm 5'10"). I've never eaten crap. I eat lean meats and NEVER eat crap out of a box (white bread, rice, etc..). My doctor says it's heredity, as my Dad, Grand Mother, cousin, etc.. all have diabetes, and NOT ONE of us is over weight. :(

I have to be honest. It REALLY peeves me. I've spoken with counselors, but I'm still bitter about it. :(

Type 2 is not genetic...

Maybe you need other advice? Holler.

DS

[nsureit]

Type 2 is not genetic...

Maybe you need other advice? Holler.

DS

I disagree, Dex. All forms of diabetes can be inherited. However, it can be caused by environment, acute illnesses and a myriad of other things. Hard to say what causes it in an individual.

[Dexter.Sinister]

I disagree, Dex. All forms of diabetes can be inherited. However, it can be caused by environment, acute illnesses and a myriad of other things. Hard to say what causes it in an individual.

What alleles are associated with Type 2 diabetes? What is their LOD score?

DS

[SteveO]

I'm not diabetic, but I have low blood pressure and have woken up on the floor a few times. Not fun at all.

[Flyin' Brian]

Type 2 is not genetic...

Maybe you need other advice? Holler.

DS

From the ADA website:
Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has a stronger genetic basis than type 1, yet it also depends more on environmental factors. Sound confusing? What happens is that a family history of type 2 diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for getting the disease but it only seems to matter in people living a Western lifestyle.
Americans and Europeans eat too much fat and too little carbohydrate and fiber, and they get too little exercise. Type 2 diabetes is common in people with these habits. The ethnic groups in the United States with the highest risk are African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Pima Indians.
In contrast, people who live in areas that have not become Westernized tend not to get type 2 diabetes, no matter how high their genetic risk.

[crzyfngers]

just diagnosed in december. lost 27 pounds already. jes a mere shell o' my former self.

[Dexter.Sinister]

What alleles are associated with Type 2 diabetes? What is their LOD score?

DS

To be more specific, since you are going there...and for the benefit of our non-geneticist colleagues...

GWAS studies have identified a number of single nucleotide DNA sequence changes that are statistically linked with the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. What is lacking from these studies is causality and there are some pretty serious sampling flaws in the way the data were assembled (low depth)...flaws that have been shown to mislead interpretation.

Non-auto-immune diabetes is a different animal than type 1, and the underlying causes have a very strong association with diet and exercise, axes that are easily modified. We have a decade+ clinical trial ongoing here that shows a very strong positive influence of lowering food intake and increasing exercise on type 2 diabetes. No drugs...just good living.

I can send you citations, if you wish. (Not a pissing contest...my lab works in another area entirely, but these guys are my neighbors...).

DS

[Dexter.Sinister]

From the ADA website:
Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has a stronger genetic basis than type 1, yet it also depends more on environmental factors. Sound confusing? What happens is that a family history of type 2 diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for getting the disease but it only seems to matter in people living a Western lifestyle.
Americans and Europeans eat too much fat and too little carbohydrate and fiber, and they get too little exercise. Type 2 diabetes is common in people with these habits. The ethnic groups in the United States with the highest risk are African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Pima Indians.
In contrast, people who live in areas that have not become Westernized tend not to get type 2 diabetes, no matter how high their genetic risk.

Again, GWAS (genome wide association studies) with low depth and a large number of samples leads to false associations...see above...

And ADA is following the science...not leading it.

DS

[procos]

You know the only thing worse then having diabetes yourself? Is watching your 7 year old find out he is a Type 1 Diabetic. My wife and I found out that my first son had Type 1 Diabetes the day after Thanksgiving in 2006. He has been living with it ever since and will until they find a cure. It is a tough thing for my guy but he has been extremely strong for the past 4 1/2 years. I still remember the first day we got back from the hospital. He was in the hospital from Friday til Sunday and then they send you home. It is like ok here is what you have to do and go do it. My wife and I are both college educated but it was still alot to handle. I still remember and it brings tears to my eyes to think about it the first meal we had that Sunday night. It was time to check his sugar and then give him his first shot at home and he ran into the bathroom and locked himself in. He finally let me in after about 20 minutes and balled his eyes out. He cried to me and told me he would "rather die than take shots the rest of his life". It wa a tough week.

However we got through it and he is doing great. He got on the pump in May of 2008 and that has been a great tool. You only have to change your site once every three days instead of taking 6 shots a day. I give him alot of credit because it must really suck hearing your parents say to you 6 times day "check your sugar, what was your sugar, did you giver yourself you insulin". But he never bitches about it. My wife and I also don't treat him any differently. Unfortunately I think I am harder on him than my other 2 kids. I am trying to prepare him for what he will have to do in 7 years when he goes to college and he is on his own. We also don't take any food's away from him with the exception of regular pop. He eats what he wants and just covers himself with insulin.

He plays hockey almost year round and is extremely active. He is very good at recognizing low blood sugars so he rarely goes below 70 without noticing. However I do remember a few years ago after a hockey game he came home and said he felt low. We check his sugar and he was 39. I almost had a panic attack but we gave him a couple of sodas and he was back to normal in a hour.

Good luck with your situation and know the JDRF is making huge strides in the artificial pancreas project. However that won't really help your situation since you are Type 2 but once they get the Type 1's figured out I am sure the Type 2's will be the next.

Chuck

[ChmpgnSupernover]

Diabeties does suck, but not as much as cancer! I'll take my diabeties and heart problems over cancer any day. Glad you're ok! Count your blessings.

[procos]

Diabeties does suck, but not as much as cancer! I'll take my diabeties and heart problems over cancer any day. Glad you're ok! Count your blessings.

Agreed!!

[Ringo]

My youngest son who is 18 has diabetes Type 1.
The way that we found out is that he went into a coma when he was 13 months old. Looking back now we could have prevented that, but we didn't know what was wrong.
He is very healthy, has been on a pump for about 7 years, but he still has times when for no apparent reason his bs is low or high.
It can be frustrating but diabetes is a managable disease, much better to deal with than a lot of other health issues.

Type 2 is no fun I'm sure but it could be a lot worse, hang in there!

[zodiactone]

I know it's not the best of ideas, but I always let my BGL (sugar) run a little high when ever I am riding my motorcycle...I've been diabetic for 27 years (got it when I was 15 months) so it's been a struggle, but I've done pretty well with it.

I carry extra glucose gel in my saddle bags and let all my friends no where it is in case something out of the ordinary happens. Glad you were okay!