Goodbye & Good Luck but before I go away

[bardley]

I have to go away for a while and so wanted to pass along my final installment of what's working for me. For whatever reason, my blood sugar appears to have corrected itself and my numbers are in the non-diabetic range (and w/o meds). Non-fasting is in the 70-80s and my A1C is 4.7. This is a substantial change from my diagnosis in January 10 and I want to let everyone know that it was hard but very doable for me. Nothing expensive, no special foods (don't have the option where I live in Africa), and no meds (none of those either). Just daily exercise, a strict diet that excludes most carbs (save a pint'r/day), and weight managment.

I'm not promising anyone anything but it worked for me which makes the ADA and Mayo comments of note. Sometimes diabetes can be managed without meds. Now, I realize that this is not the case for everyone but for those who might want to try--it worked for me.

Anyway, good luck to all my fellow diabetics and best wishes. Perhaps I'll be back before xmas but in the meantime, be good to yourselves.

[Peakay]

I believe I got myself into this mess, and I do know it is very recent - I am inspired by your post, I will be also dieting and exercising like you and being very strict about it to give my body a chance to heal - you can call it the denial stage, but hey, let's call it "a hopeful denial"

It is true, "for whatever reason you healed". There are many of us in this world and we are all different.

[bardley]

...stay with it. My numbers are good enough now that the doc wants to only see me once a year and another medical friend who I work with (w/Type 1) has recommended that I start eating some regular carbs. In fact, the comment was something along the lines of 'you should be eating anything you want now'. In all honesty, I find this whole diet thing very confusing and so have probably been overly harsh on myself. That said, plot your own course and see what works for you but be careful--there are some snake oil salesmen out there promising miracle cures and bla, bla, bla. It usually involves you buying something they are selling (books, herbal meds, etc). What currently works for me costs absolutely nothing and may even save you money. I hope that it helps you as well.

[Daytona]

That is awesome that you were able to turn things around and achieve such great numbers! As for eating whatever you want now... I would guess that the reason your #'s are as good as they are because you are sticking to your diet and avoiding carbs. If you went back to how you used to eat, it's pretty likely that your BG would creep back up. Just like someone going on a diet, losing a bunch of weight, stopping the diet and then gaining it all back.

Best of luck in your endeavors and I hope that things keep working well for you!

[bardley]

Wow, I had no idea that so many people would read an email that I wrote. I'm flattered and humbled to be able to contribute in any small way. I want to through something out for everyone--who's interested--to read and comment to. When I was diagnosed in 2010 I told the doc that I think I had had this before but it went away. S/he looked at me sort of funny and didn't say anything. I still hold to my comment and know for certain (now) that I had symptoms in 2000 but tested normal later that same year so never thought anything of it. I'm not trying to hide from my Diabetes but I can't seem to shake the notion that something is different here. Why would it come and go, and why have I been able to put it into remission so easily, and within days after my diagnosis? To illustrate, I was diagnosed in mid-January 10, and then took a separate physical in early Feb 10 where the blood sugar readings were normal. In fact, by March 10 my A1C was back below 6.0 and has remained there ever since.

Any thoughts?

[IrinaHarr]

My physician said that BG can go back to normal with diet and exercise and I might even get off the meds, etc. but the condition will never go away. If I get really sick or go for surgery the diabetes will show again in high BG numbers.

Do you remember what happened right before your DX? Something you can consider as stress on your body?

[Larry H.]

I hope your correct in your findings, it would be great for you. I have been around here off an on for about 4 years now. In that time though diet and exercise I have reduced my numbers quite a bit. Recently I was able to reduce the amount of Statin drugs considerably. It didn't do a lot good for my cholesterol levels but over a few months it appears to have reduced my overall readings downward noticeably. I am pretty suspicious that statins led to much of the problem. Cured I am sure I am not. Eating something like a white flour bun will show a larger than normal jump in numbers. But as long as I stick to my low carb breads, low carb ice creams, ect., I can maintain numbers much lower than when I got here. Something has caused the overall numbers generally to trend lower over four years which is the opposite of what many here suggested would be the pattern if Idid not adapt drug treatment to my regime. What the future will hold is questionable at best, but so far I think I am reasonably lucky in my situation in that I can eat many things in moderation that might cause a major raise in many here. I don't know if its due to catching the problem before it became to difficult to manage but its one aspect I think may have played a part. I had read early on that sometimes if one is able to take action before the cells are damaged beyond repair that some improvement may take place in some individuals.

Larry

[bardley]

...thanks and there's something to the diet, weight, exercise trilogy that is talked about but not pushed as hard as drugs. Perhaps some think that meds can mask but I get the sense that bad diets, being overweight, and not exercising enough may help explain a portion of today's mirade of health problems. Too many people are eating the wrong things and some live in places where you don't need to move around much in order to do things. It's very different where I live and don't live with what the west has to offer. In March of last year my lipid numbers were total Cholesterol 163, HDL 45, TRIG 70, LDL 104, and VLDL 14. Currently, my resting heart rate is around 115/60, or lower, and my pulse is in the 50s when I'm sitting and 40's when I sleep (if not lower).

I'm not saying this to boost but rather to illustrate to others that diet, exercise, and weight control are FREE [and can work]. It takes some self control and I recognize that it may not work for everyone, but imagine how much money could be saved. I am certain that a cure will happen--there's a lot of money to be made from one--but it probably won't come from the US. Until then, however, I'll keep on keep'n on.

No complications is the goal.

[Seagal]

You are really a walking testimonial to diet & exercise! Thanks for sharing and best wishes while you are away.

[Moonpie]

well done. However, I wouldn't recommend eating whatever you want, as I know if I did that, I'd be back in big trouble. Looking forward to your return.

[diabetes.resear]

Wow, How inspiring and hopeful that in certain cases, symptoms can be reversed. Good luck!