[jps]

Not because I wrote it, because I think it may have some value to pre-diabetics. I wrote it a few months ago, but I think it is worth a repost:

I posted this on another forum here, it should have been posted here in the first place. Hope somebody here can use it.

I want to give a timeline of some things that happened along the way to becoming T2. I figured if there are people here who are prediabetic or possibly heading towards prediabetes, some warning signs might be helpful to them. I've been a chemist in a hospital lab since 1996, so I had tools at my disposal.

1997 FBS 75
1998 FBS 73
1999 FBS 79
2000 FBS 82
2001 FBS 88
2002 FBS 85
2003 FBS 92
2004 FBS 95
2005 FBS 98
2006 FBS 105
2007 FBS 106
1st week of January of 2008, FBS 108
Third week of January 2008, FBS 114, A1C 5.8
Early September 2008, FBS 299, A1c 10.2

Suffice it to say, I knew T2 was coming. But I figured it would be more gradual between prediabetic and full blown. I kick myself for not doing something about it sooner. I knew better, but I ignored it.

I realize hindsight is 20/20, but there were other signs along the way that should have prompted me to do something sooner (I had enough info at my disposal, just ignored it). But thinking back, I think being armed with the data I had, I should have definitely recognized it sooner. Hopefully this will help somebody on here.

December '07 to May '08: I had four bouts of strep throat. I've had strep throat before that, but it only came during times of high stress and it was usually limited to once every two years. I finished my course of antibiotics each time and I was "cured" so to speak. I'm not so sure that the diabetes/prediabetes, whatever, didn't lower my immunity.

December '07 to May '08: Took a new, temporary position at the hospital to help out my boss. I despised every day at work. I hated the people, I hated the position, I was extremely stressed and tense, always in a bad mood, affected my homelife and general attitude. I figured the above mentioned strep was related to the stress level. Now I'm not so sure it wasn't possibly high glucose.

January '08 September '08: The big guy didn't respond as he normally does, much to the chagrin of my girlfriend. It wasn't nonfunctional or anything like that. The firmness just wasn't what it used to be and he didn't want to cross the finish line. It was taking way, way, way too long. It didn't help that I hated being touched because I just felt lousy (lethargic and agitated) all the time anyway. I attributed it to the aforementioned stress and hitting the big 4-0. Everything is fine now and while the stress may have played a part, I know it was the high sugar.

April/June '08: Vegas is always hot. But I was dying. I'm used to the Vegas heat having lived here for 35+ years. But I couldn't keep cool enough. I also noticed that after meals, no matter what it was that I ate, I felt like most people do after a huge Thanksgiving dinner. I wanted to sleep, I didn't want to be touched, I was hot and bloated. Just very uncomfortable.

July of '08: Now this one is gross and strange. One day I noticed a growth in my toilet. It disgusted me. I'd never seen it before. And I regularly cleaned my toilets so I was perplexed. So I cleaned it good. A week later, it was back. WTF? Now in looking back, I realize the sugar in the urine facilitated bacterial growth at an alarming rate.

Last day August '08. I was out fishing with my brother on the Colorado River. It was warm, but I couldn't get enough fluid. I was peeing like a racehorse. I must have drank 15 gatorades. And everytime I drank one or peed, I'd scream f@#$. My brother finally asked what the heck I was swearing about (he thought I was maybe missing some fish). I told him I was screwed, that I know I have diabetes. I tested my fasting the next morning and it was 299. I was in to see my physician an hour later and I took a shot of lantus in his office. At that very moment, I made up my mind that I will not let this thing kill me. Since that time I've learned everything I've learned about T2 here on these forums.

The good news: I've dropped 57 pounds now and am off meds (fingers crossed). Weight is getting close to my optimal weight. All my lab values have returned to the normal range (chart below - my most recent numbers are even better). I feel at least 20 years younger. None of the above problems exist. It took a ton of dedication and education to get there, but it can be done for some people. I know I'm not "cured" of T2 and I'll always be T2. I'll always have to watch what I eat and exercise to stay off meds - and that may not even do the trick. But I'll always do everything I can to keep this thing at bay.

I really hope this helps even one person out there so they can take immediate action instead of being an ignorant SOB.

^^^^Original Post Above^^^^^^^^^

VVVVVVV Update Below VVVVVVV

You can see the progression by looking at my signature. I think my point is you guys have caught this early, please do something. If I can respond so well after being "full blown" for several months, you are at a much better starting point and you have the potential to respond even better than I have. So please, do everything you can to stave this off.

I've been done with weight loss for a couple of months now. I actually had to add a few lbs back on which is something I never thought would happen. I'm now a hair below 160 (I bounce between 157-162) and my resistance has diminished significantly. I'll always eat healthy though. Reduced resistance is not a free pass. It's an opportunity.

[jer.lawrence]

What a fantastic post, thank you. You're an inspiration.

[Larry H.]

Your on to the greatest piece of knowledge for those in the beginning stages. A pro active stance can do a lot towards either preventing the progression or at least slowing it considerably.
I too had a wake up by a mostly alarmist doctor who pronounced me as type II and in need of medication when I had a fasting of 128 on a medical blood test. In fact it may have been crossing the line at that point. But having little money, and already ingesting more than my fair share of expensive pills I opted or diet and exercise which is still rated as being superior to taking drugs in slowing the progress of diabetes in most people who are early into the problem. I have kept my numbers for the most part in the 100 point or less range for the better part of the past year. An exception being a recent stint of avoiding my daily walking due to a project. That showed me that if it weren't for the exercise and careful eating I could well be continuing to see raises in my numbers. So far just over two years now at keeping things reasonably low without meds. Like you I lost about 35 pounds, and watch my carbs.
Your point is well taken.

[Larry H.]

Don't know how many pre diabetics check in over at the Type II site and follow things. Related to this discussion which really should be a part of this group for sure has been the topics around slowing down of the onset of diabetes and its possible complications.
Its perhaps the people in this category, which if I recall correctly didn't exist till I mentioned it too the monitors that a lot of talk was centered around pre diabetic diagnosis but we had no real home here. So this thread was created for people such as yourself whom may be in the early stages and maybe have the greatest ability to do something to slow, or even prevent the onward progression. I just read last night on a major site, not a hopeful thinking one, that early detection can not only slow, but even might prevent one from becoming type II with all its implications for even more difficult choices in eating and medications, ect.
I for one was totally willing to make what ever choices I could to slow or reverse this thing. I could never say that is for sure happened. I do know that compared to the readings I used to see when I first got here and would write to princeslinda telling her of my after meal readings, they could usually be depended on to be in the ranges of 150 to 190 after meals. And that was with a new diet in place. But as time has gone on, two years now, I have seemingly been able as long as I maintain my half hour walk and eat sensibly to see numbers more to the 125 or 35 range after evening meals. Fasting fell into the low to mid 90s often instead of the 125 I saw at first which slowly dropped into the teens and single digits and even now and then the upper 80s' in morning. This is strictly though diet and exercise. I enjoy now exploring ways to fix foods and simple deserts that will not effect greatly my numbers. We do have the power in many cases to help effect the outcome in a very positive way. Or at the very least make the day come much latter for more drastic measures.

[fgummett]

I've used this analogy before but I think it is pertinent: it is far easier (and more cost effective) to lower the water pressure and shore up a few cracks on a dam BEFORE it bursts... once it bursts, it ain't so easy to fix

[peachieone]

Thank you so much for this post. I found it so inspirational and hopeful. I have only been on this journey for two weeks but I was pretty hyperglycemic when I finally got diagnosed so I have been kicking myself for not finding out sooner. Anyway, I have been taing my meds, exercising daily and eating properly and already I feel so much better.

[jps]

Keep at it peachieone. You and I had similar numbers upon diagnosis. I like to think I'm special, but I'm not. If I can do this, anyone can do it. Just stick to it. Good luck.

[Newdiabetic]

Thank you. I find your post comforting...There is hope.
Joyce