Who’s your expert?

[georgepds]

Who’s your expert?

For me it’s Mendosa. (David Mendosa: A Writer on the Web (http://www.mendosa.com)) and the Mayo clinic site.. Things I’ve found on MENDOSA’S site, that I use daily/weekly, are a good BP meter, a good BG meter, a note on chana dal beans, and also on extend bars, all of which seem to help me. Just recently I was thinking of adding a chromium supplement, and his mixed review made me back away from it (that and the negative review at the Mayo clinic). I’m coming up to my first 3 month checkup, and I’m going to ask my GP if Byetta is appropriate (mostly because of the good reviews seen on Mendosa’s site)

I‘ve also read Bernstein, and cannot disagree with his published success, but I find all that attention to detail overwhelming. That, and I’m just not ready to give up fruit yet. Maybe someday I’ll have to, but not yet.

I’d appreciate other recommendations.

[princesslinda]

I, too, really, really like Mendosa's site....found it early on and it was a BIG help. I've read Bernstein and find lots of good information there as well. I found Gretchen Becker's book, "Type II Diabetes, The First Year" very helpful, esp. for the newly-diagnosed...and still refer back to it on occasion. I enjoy watching D-Life as well.

I think perhaps the best information i've received has been here on the forum. Someone will mention something that has worked or not worked for them, and i'll do more research and decide to try or not to try it myself. Also, I consider anyone who has managed this disease successfully for much longer than I have to be an expert...and this forum is full of experts. I credit any success I have managed to achieve to the information, encouragement and support i've received here.

Oddly enough, the ADA website has been the least help to me in my journey.

[xMenace]

Mendosa.
Eggselent!
Bernstein
Eggselent! I consider him a pioneer, but I don't refer to much of his stuff directly. He's to diabetes like Steinitz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Steinitz) is to the world of chess. A person who's approach revolves around scientific theories but often ignores the practical. It's more likely to get you killed (metaphorically).
I find all that attention to detail overwhelming.
This is my expert. If I can prove it through the details, I can apply it to daily life. I try to find a balance between data driven proof and hard reality (experience). I'm as likely to skip a meal and test every 20 minutes as I am pigging out on two Christmas dinners without testing, both with the aim of proving I know what I'm doing ;)


I’d appreciate other recommendations.

John Walsh and his "Pumping Insulin" with Ruth Roberts. I'm not convinced the IOB and adjustment treatment of he and pump companies is correct, which is why I don't use my wizard. But at least it errors on the side of caution. Great book for anyone on insulin.

[Dawn]

I've become the expert on my own body...(didn't used to have that mind body connection) with the help of Bernstein, Mendosa, Becker and I learned a lot about restricting my carbs from Atkins (I don't eat that low carb however). I also find it extremely helpful to hear about other people's thoughts and ideas. I agree....I would not be able to say that the ADA site was extremely helpful.

[Fenway]

Gretchen Becker for sure. Add that to David Mendosa's site and a Yahoo forum, and I feel quite comfortable getting info.

[Alice]

Honestly? I have found little "face" to put with my 41 years of trying to learn about this disease. I've had two excellent endo's through the years out of a total of six. (I've moved across the country many times)...

I feel like this is a disease where the "experts" are saying to us "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH"...(yes, yelling like Jack Nicholson) ...so everyone is wide open to true and untrue messages about carbs, sugar, supplements & finally, the damage that happens to the body.

No one wants to tell a 7-year old about the future. Nor when you are 15, 25, 35...but hit the 40's and you're treated like you just fell off a turnip truck...and you hear more "untruth's than truths. And I hear this stuff from diabetics who really are medicine resistant, which blows my mind.

I haven't found any experts. I will be going to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville soon, my newest city. I will be shopping endo's and not settling for mediocre.

This forum has been the best for revealing different opinions and for safeguards when someone posts a dangerous theory.
I find Bernstein too extreme and worry that many need to address their meds...in order to be able to eat healthy. I don't find starvation a treatment for diabetes.

[rzrbks]

Here's my expert: He knows more about me than anyone else alive. He's smart enough to research and work with my PCP and they do a good job on me.

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/2175/milo.gif

[Alice]

I do wish "Dr. Oz" was my endo at times! LOL! This is such a good question. We really have no credible voice of reason on a large-scale public voice.

I think I've stumbled across "Mendosa" in google searches but have had a hard time figuring his background. I'll have to go back and look for a home page, I guess.

There are so many people with web pages up now I'm concerned about credibility. Many seem to be selling supplements which must be a billion-dollar biz when I consider how much "Chromex" is buying radio time on a very expensive Chicago radio station. That's a red flag for me.

[matingara]

I find Bernstein too extreme and worry that many need to address their meds...in order to be able to eat healthy. I don't find starvation a treatment for diabetes.

he is definitely quite extreme. quite. but i have found his book (and Becker's book) to be very educational for someone like me who has been diagnosed for only two months.

i follow his diet partially. i have reduced carbs significantly. i get to eat mushroom omelettes for breakfast (sometimes) which i would never have dreamed of doing previously. so my BGL's are lower and i am definitely not starving.

-- Joel.

[volleyball]

I do not/ would not rely on a few "experts". Unless you match up perfectly with a particular expert, their advice won't fit right, you're not the same size. You and your D are different.
I am willing to listen to most. and then do other research and decide for myself.
I know i avoid anyone that has majic cures for dozens of ailments. There is no way anyone could know that many secrets
We all could throw out web site or books that we think are helpful and someone could compile them. Though I don't know how admin feels about listing other sites.

[xMenace]

Dr. Ian Blumer. (http://www.ianblumer.com/) I've heard him talk, introduced myself, and have emailed him a couple of times.

[xMenace]

I would not be able to say that the ADA site was extremely helpful.

Same for the CDA. I had a conversation with a cda person this summer. My impression was their policy is that anything that can be construed as medical advice MUST be disseminated by a medical professional. As this is very much an individual disease, any helpful advice for one person may be very risky for someone else. They minimize their liability as much as they can by giving you the plain vanilla non-specific advice: see your freakin doctor! :mad:

[Alice]

Thought about this a little...I would venture that the Joslin Clinic would be a credible source that I would take seriously. Mayo Clinic.

I have a family friend who went throug the Joslin "diabetes education" clinic for a few days. She was a high school student at the time, but had been diagnosed as a baby. They were very "modern" in their carb/sugar approach and even had a frank discussion about alcohol with her...I really admired that direction vs. the "eat healthy & exercise" info most of us are given by so called diabetes educators.

[Funnygrl]

Eh, don't like Bernstein. Definitely don't like Dr. Oz. Mendosa's ok. I'd say John Walsh and Gary Schienier.

[gettingby]

Eh, don't like Bernstein. Definitely don't like Dr. Oz. Mendosa's ok. I'd say John Walsh and Gary Schienier.
I have to agree with Funny here. But, I would also add Dr. Denise Faustman. A lot don't believe in her but her research does look promising.

[Michiko]

THanks for the website.. I am checking it out. I am readying "Advice for Newbies"... It seems very helpful. Already bookmared :)

[Funnygrl]

I have to agree with Funny here. But, I would also add Dr. Denise Faustman. A lot don't believe in her but her research does look promising.
Oh yes, forgot about her! She's got my bet for "person to cure diabetes."

[Jill-O]

My doctor is my expert. I've done what I can so far to educate myself as well mostly through reading books and magazines.

[BlueSky]

I find most doctors have a very narrow view of diabetes and are not able to think outside a very limited frame of reference. It is not helpful when when trying to see the big picture. I have learned over the years to look elsewhere for ideas and inspiration. :( So I draw on the ideas of various non-mainstream experts.

While I find his approach to blood glucose control too mechanistic and deterministic, Bernsteins ideas generally make good sense. When it comes to nutrition, I am influenced by people like Michael Eades and Mary Enig. I find Anthony Colpo's ideas about exercise and training very useful. And, more recently, I have been reading up on what the neurologist Larry McCleary has to say (I have a long history of epilepsy).