This Diabetes "thing"

[Guest TankerHC]

For a while, at least several weeks, I am going to refrain from Political news, irritating news and all the other stuff that can cause irritability to focus on getting a few things fixed. I was going to block everything out, and get tunnel vision focus on this one thing, but that aint going to stop my arm from hurting. So I figure, Ill tell what I did, didnt do, and what I couldnt do and why I am where I am at the moment. The reason being is because I know plenty of diabetics, some here, and I wont point anyone out, thats not my business, but I have stood right in front of some people standing there, talking about both of our Diabetes, while they were chomping on one of those 3 dollar half pound candy bars and drinking a Coke. I have also had TWO people tell me that they are supposed to take their Medicine daily, about the same as me, but they only take it when they think they need it, if they are getting to feeling bad or something. Stuff like that. Take my word for it, I am the LAST person who has any room to think negative on something like that, and this is no way, shape, form or fashion an attempt at a Medical Advice post, I am not a Doctor. Thats not my business, I didnt spend a single day in pre-med, medical school or anything else. But what I CAN do,is write about what happened to me. And by the way, these things just dont "happen". Not like all of a sudden I found out that I had diabetes then all of a sudden I find myself in this predicament. NO, this took some time, it also took some ignorance, but when it finally manifested itself, it didnt take any time at all. Life changed pretty rapidly, well it should have changed 8 or 9 years ago, when I was told it needed to change.

 

You can read stories like this all over the place. I have read plenty of them myself, thinking that there was always something else, underlying that didnt have anything to do with Diabetes and to put it bluntly, figured they were full of s___. Because it wasnt happening and isnt going to happen to me.  Anyone else like the band Poison? I did. My wife did too. But Brett Michaels came on with that stupid reality show and she would watch it because she liked his music then she got to liking his show. Every time I would come in and that show would be on this guy Brett Michaels would be talking about his Diabetes and how serious it is and he could die at any moment and he is telling everyone because he wants people to know and all that other stuff. Told my wife, he's just whining and looking for pity to raise his sagging ratings, then last year or shortly before, all over the news that Brett Michaels was in a Diabetic coma. My opinion was that his ratings must really be sagging, pulling a stunt like that to get them back up. 

 

Well if anyone has made it this far I say good. But one thing I am not looking for is pity, like I thought Brett Michaels was. But I certainly appreciate the support, because not a lot here have seen it, but plenty here have given it behind the scenes. And that is certainly appreciated. I am also not preaching. Because to put it bluntly, I am no one to be preaching and adults are going to do what adults want to do and I am not delusional, especially to think that anything I have to say or write would make someone not do something they want to do. Didnt work for me, at times. Isnt going to work for anyone else. But I figured I would use this platform to tell where i was, where I am at and follow up. Who knows, someone might actually read this and come to their own conclusion that maybe they dont want this happening to them.

 

Right after I retired I was told during a physical that I was "borderline diabetic". Its one of those things that had befuddled me because  I was always under the impression that fat people got diabetes. I wasnt fat. I had just retired from the military, beat up, but not fat. I also was not big on eating sugary stuff like candy bars, cakes, and I have probably had 3 milk shakes in 20 years, I just dont care for a lot of sweets. I do like soda, and beer and I also like to eat. But my eating had never caused me any issues. But it wasnt long at all after being told I was borderline diabetic", maybe a couple of months that I had gotten so weak I could barely drag myself out of bed, went to the ER and was asked "Did you know your diabetic?". Got an Insulin shot, had to go see my PCP the next day and started the meds. Metformin, then Glipizide. 

 

The first 5 or so years, was a problem, I never got my diabetes under control. The lowest it ever was was a 9.x. Mostly 10. Those are low numbers, 1 through 10. But with diabetes, for those who dont already know, those are SERIOUS low numbers when they get above 7. Ten, is completely out of control. I did start bringing it down, and it has only been the last 18 months it has gotten near 7. It is better but still not what is considered controlled and managed. My Doctors asked, but didnt order me, to take Insulin, for three years. They recommended it. But never really forced the issue. And I didnt want to have to stick myself daily. But now know there is nothing to it.

 

Well all of those years of A1C over 7, up to 10 and not being controlled have done their damage. But that wasnt the whole story. When I first got shingles back in September 2012, afterwards I was told I had neuropathy in my chest and that was the cause. And it was, a Doctor in Pennsylvania told me that and he was the one who treated me for shingles.  On the way back to MS it got pretty bad, so I ended up going to the ER in TN, same diagnosis, and 3 different Doctors in MS, same thing. But over the last several months it started getting worse and spreading. Thats what I thought. I wrote it off to shingles and every time I went to a Doctor, 6 times in all over the last 10 weeks, I told them the same thing. I had shingles, diagnosis was neuropathy and was treated, which never seemed to work. Well while most of the Doctors I have met are brilliant people, they aren't mind readers and fortune tellers. So when I tell them, I had shingles, neuropathy and it is spreading, thats what they treated me for. 

 

A couple of months ago I started losing feeling in my left arm. Today, sitting right here and right now, I cannot feel anything from my elbow up to my shoulder except prickly shooting and like someone has both hands wrapped around my arm and is squeezing. Its been like that. Then about a month ago I lost all the feeling in my left leg. Then it came back. Then gone again, then back again and it continues. Then I started getting numbness and pain in my left side. Still that way. Then severe back pain, in my spinal area and over my entire left back all the way from my waist up to my neck. I ended up, about 10 days ago with pain throughout the left side of my body and almost or going back and forth, completely numb, pressure and shooting pain that would go all the way from my shoulder to my toes. Couple of weeks ago I came to a conclusion, I am dying and I am going to go to sleep and I am not going to wake up. And THAT is not a good thing, I had better try and do something about it.

 

At one point, as some may recall, I thought I had or was having a stroke. I called the Health Nurse and was told to go to the Doctor ASAP. Like NOW. Went, they took a  look. Doc said. I knew you werent having a stroke, because it was over a couple of days, and if you were having a stroke you wouldnt be sitting here talking about having a stroke, not after a couple of days. Couple of months ago ER they thought it was my heart, put me in and ran a bunch of tests. Heart was in great shape. 

 

I have been trying for a couple of months to find out what the problem was. Asking anyone and everyone I thought may have an idea. That someone here told me he didnt see how that one issue could be causing all of these problems. There would have to be multiple issues. I saw a Doctor yesterday who confirmed that. Well one of the issues is the neuropathy in my chest. That just isnt going away and something I really didnt have a major major problem with for some time. I knew it was there, that I had it and it was something I was just going to have to live with. The second problem was the pain up my back and sides. That is not from neuropathy. They will be taking a further look at the discs in my back soon. The back can be fixed and treated. 

 

But here is where the real damage is. And it could have been preventable. It's not always preventable, in fact I have had Doctors tell me that almost every Diabetic will get some form of neuropathy at one time or another. I have taken my medications as prescribed, and now done the insulin, and done some of the things I should be doing. But there was a lot more that I could have done. There are at least a dozen things that could cause this, but all related to diabetes, in my case. But the real damage is in that I do have peripheral neuropathy. 

 

Peripheral neuropathy was clearly explained to me by the Doctor yesterday. Peripheral simply meaning it affects the feet, hands, legs, arms, and toes. And, it is permanent nerve damage, and, it is caused by factors related to diabetes and two of the biggest are lifestyle and glucose levels, but there are plenty of others. But I know what she was saying. I have been damn near yelled at by my Doctors for smoking, I have been bitched at for my A1C levels. All for good reason. 

 

Those three things aren't the only things. But I still have a bunch of tests to do and visits to the neurology clinic. I plan on reporting here what damage this diabetes actually did. Not because I am preaching, but because some may want to know what is in store for them.

 

Those three things converged to make life hell. Two I can deal with, one I have no choice but to deal with and the only way to deal with it is pain management. The Docs are going to eventually get me to a therapuetic level of pain management.

 

I am going to tell you. I have read here and there people writing about their "Journey" with Diabetes. Well this is one "Journey" I sure as hell did not want to take. Ihavent met anyone with this. And I know plenty of Diabetics. The reason I haven't met a lot of people with this is because they are already dead. One thing I learned yesterday is that you can  get Diabetic neuropathy in your internal organs. And so as to not use really negative terminology, I would think that would "suck pretty bad". 

 

Want a wake up call? Wake up one day not being able to feel your arm, then your leg, throw in some pain, add some seriously annoying prickly sensations and walk around feeling like your buddy is holding on and squeezing your arm, all the time. In the mix add sitting in front of the TV watching NASCAR when all of a sudden you can no longer feel your hand.

 

I wouldnt call that "A Journey" if any kind. What I would call that is "Your F_________d". 

 

I will also add that it can be managed, but can also be prevented in many cases in the first place so it does not have to be managed later. 

Edited March 21, 2014 by TankerHC

[UncleJak]

I don't know a lot about diabetes, but my grandfather had it. He lost both of his legs because he didn't take it as serious as he should have AND his doctors did not get him a proper diagnosis early on. Initially they said he just had poor circulation. He left us in 2006 and I often wonder how much longer he could have stayed if he had taken better care of himself. Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[Guest TankerHC]

Couple of other things I want to add and ask.

 

I have decided to go full steam ahead when it comes to getting healthy, but by doing it right. I have been apathetic about my health for far too long. I know why a lot of my retired Army buddies dont make it to 55 after retiring, doing the same things I have been doing. I dont want my name in the Army Times any time soon.

 

First off Im looking for a good gym. I plan on working out a regular schedule. I know I am not going to get back in the same shape as I was during my Army days, but I can get a lot healthier than I am.

 

Smoking anything ended with those Doctors words yesterday. No smoking anything. If it doesnt start with the letter A, end in R and have an I in the middle, it isnt going into my lungs.

 

Im going on a serious diet, but not a "lose weight rapidly" thing. A complete lifestyle change diet. I have to keep my carbs low, and I have to do some real management.

 

Anyone knows a really good gym in the are of Rhea County, Chattanooga, Hixson, or even Hamilton Place area, Im around there all the time. Im looking and plan on joining and using one. 

 

Already bought a bicycle, months ago and havent rode once, that starts today and walking. And I need to spend more time in the woods.

 

Good gym, good places to ride and other different places to ride and walk, thats what Ill be looking for. 

 

My wife has no idea whats in store yet, but she is going to join me. 

Edited March 21, 2014 by TankerHC

[45guy]

Been borderline for several years now. I have stopped(er,cutback) eating anything white. Pasta,bread,chips,crackers and so on, all the good stuff. Carbs turn to sugar and park right around the belly. I work out regular and also take cinnamon, 1000mg. So far I have been able to stay off the meds. My wake up was when the doc said your options are diet and exercise or a shot every day. Easy call for me. Look up sermorelin on YouTube. There is a doc explaining how it works. I have been taking it for almost a year. I am 53, 6ft2 and weigh 204.

[Vistar]

TankerHC -- Well said. Your story is much like mine. For probably 10 years during my forties my doc told me I was a borderline diabetic. His comments should have been clear warning shots, but I felt I was healthy and to me "borderline" sounded like a near miss - doesn't count unless it's a hand grenade. Those warnings should have been taken seriously. I now spend out-of-pocket close to $1000 a month on levemir insulin (injection), cheap metformin, fancy bydureon (injection), invokana ('nother fancy thing to help control glucose level fluctuation and assist weight loss), and a handful of blood pressure and cholestrol meds - some cheap and some priced beyond comprehension. I now believe, because weight is coming down and so is my A1C, that much of this could have been avoided when doc told me I could sidestep diabetes if I would just trim off 20 lbs - 20 years ago. Today, it's like Obama money, it's not 20 lbs - now to get the same effect, it's at least 40 lbs and losing 60 would be better - and I'm not shaped like a walking bowling ball. It's hard to lose the weight, but not as hard as diabetes with constaint related issues including frequent viral infections -including bouts of shingles inside my mouth and throat. Unfortunately, once the blood sugar goes over the top, diabetes won't ever go away. Please, if you hear "borderline" hunker down and execute a strategy to avoid diabetes at all costs. That's your last chance to take aggressive counter action

Edited March 21, 2014 by Vistar

[jtmaze]

I have been type 1 diabetic over 30 years. I have nerve damage in several toes in each foot. If you are currently retired ask your Dr about Lyrica. I took it for a while and almost immediately started getting feeling back in my feet and toes( mostly in the form of pain.) This is a drug that you have to work up to full dose and I never got that far due to drowsiness side effects affecting my job. Nerve damage is permanent but not untreatable. Some can be reversed. Don't give up because some doc says its permanent. Get the best when it comes to this. And low and behold I will probably be right there with you some day. JTM We the People of the United States, in order to form a more Perfect Union......

[Guest semiautots]

Make sure to get your kidneys checked and your heart.  Diabetes plays havoc on the kidneys and causes atherosclerosis (clots in the heart blood vessels). 

Hit the gym, sir!!

[RED333]

Gym hell, get out and walk, if you legs and back can take it.

Start slow and short walks, them longer and faster.

Carry cans of beans to work your arms as you walk.

Go dig a few post holes, when it gets easier, tie a few weights to the handles.

I know you wont need all the holes, just fill them back up.

Split wood with a maul till you have a pile 10 foot high.

Why pay money to a gum?

You will pull out of this, praying for ya.

Edited March 21, 2014 by RED333

[jtmaze]

Gym hell, get out and walk, if you legs and back can take it.

Start slow and short walks, them longer and faster.

Carry cans of beans to work your arms as you walk.

Go dig a few post holes, when it gets easier, tie a few weights to the handles.

I know you wont need all the holes, just fill them back up.

Split wood with a maul till you have a pile 10 foot high.

Why pay money to a gum?

You will pull out of this, praying for ya.

This is how I exercise. I walk about 10-12 miles a day at work(this has probably saved my life.) Split wood with a maul. makes for great times in the spring and fall in the back yard. Manual Labor is great exercise and you are getting something done. Sell the firewood if you live where you can't burn. This is excellent advise.