Diabetic Myths

[skb]

The title of this topic should have been - "The weirdest thing I've heard about Diabetes", but I found it too long to fit in, in the available space. Across forums this has been a hilarious thread and I thought we should have one as well. So I'll go first.

One of the premier medical college / institution in India is The PGI ( Post Graduate Institute ) In Chandigarh. The Head of Endocrinology is someone known to my sister and he told her that there is no difference between a BG level of 120 & 200, in the sense that they would have the same effect in the body. Scary, isn't it ?

[Shanny]

Yikes! That IS scary!

[starsign]

My friend's doctor said Not to test
Here it is said "test, test, test"

[skb]

Here it is said "test, test, test"

Thanks. You just gave me a great idea for an avatar.

[Dianne]

No difference between 120 and 200? He must have been sleeping when they taught normal BG numbers.

Not recalling if it has been the weirdest I've ever heard, but the most recent was someone stating that a bunch of those diabetics bring in on themselves, I asked what diabetics would that be? His answer was type 1's, they eat too much sugar. I flamed up at that statement and had to tell him just how flawed his knowledge is. No, type 1 is lack of insulin, type 2 is who you're thinking of, like me, I'm a type 2 and on the same topic, some people get beat up but they bring it on themselves       At that point you could have heard a pin drop.

[Rhiannon]

I know I had this misconception before I was diagnosed and started learning more about diabetes:  Diabetes affects people who are overweight.  Other misconception:  losing weight will help bring your BS numbers down.

[Timewise]

I have heard this..."You can avoid getting diabetes by watching your weight, eating well, and exercising frequently."   

I do believe that you can slow the onset of diabetes but you if it is in your genes, you will get it sooner or later!

[BobIA41]

About as bad as we hear from some of our doctors - thank goodness it is not the majority.  A few don't get concerned until until they see readings above 250 mg/dl.

[Shalynne]

Sitting at the campfire, flashlight under my chin.  Winds howl among the bare tree branches.

"You have to keep your post-prandials at 160 - 180 / 8.9 - 9.8.  If you don't stay high, you'll go looooowwww."

[skb]

I know I had this misconception before I was diagnosed and started learning more about diabetes:  Diabetes affects people who are overweight.  Other misconception:  losing weight will help bring your BS numbers down.

It is not entirely untrue, though it won't pass the test of a scientific law. The logic (IMO) behind why this works for some, is that it is the fat deposits on the pancreas that make the beta cells dysfunctional and once the deposits are gone or lessened, some function is restored.

[Shanny]

I'm in the part of the population who was overweight by varying degrees for at least forty years before diabetes ever made its entrance. After my thyroid surgery in the late 70s, I became obese and by the mid 80s my BMI hit 33-34. It was 20-some years after that when elevated blood sugar showed up on my annual bloodwork.

[Rhiannon]

I'm in the part of the population who was overweight by varying degrees for at least forty years before diabetes ever made its entrance. After my thyroid surgery in the late 70s, I became obese and by the mid 80s my BMI hit 33-34. It was 20-some years after that when elevated blood sugar showed up on my annual bloodwork.

Somewhat similar for me.  In my teens, 20's and early 30's, I ranged from average to thin, back to average.  But then my metabolism abruptly slowed down around age 33 or so, and I started putting on weight.  Wish I'd been aware of low carb, high fat back then!  Instead, I tried all sorts of diets and exercise to lose weight, and none worked except temporarily.  I then had my son at age 36, and put on weight each year after that.  So I was overweight for about 20 years before my diagnosis.  I'll never know if I would have become diabetic if my weight had stayed closer to average, or not.

[patdart]

I believe in time things would have been this way for me.  Now I know I had metabolic syndrome as a teenager, but never was diagnosed because I was underweight.  I weighted around 100lb (fattest was 110) at 5.5 when I was 21.  I had surgery to make me ovulate at 23 and now I know it was the MS which was really wrong at the time.  Neither of my parents ever were overweight and they were small boned as am I, but dad developed a sugar problem as he aged and that is why I had my A1C checked when I was 70 and it was creeping up (6.9) as his had done.  No doctor had ever mentioned it to me at yearly blood work because they believed it was/is a normal part of age.  (Or so they said). I have two cousins who are also aware of their blood sugar, but they both are heavier. So I believe it is genetic in my case as is my hypertension.

[Shanny]

I believe my efforts at weight loss caused me a metabolic slowdown . . . during a few years when my ex worked out of town a week at a time, I would fast for those five days, then eat a few peaches ( ) to break the fast so I could eat with him when he came home on weekends. I have no doubt I went into starvation mode, and prob'ly never recovered completely.

[Tamagno]

I'll try this in the opposite direction based on my own experience:

Being an incredibly fit, low body fat, amateur body builder, bicyclist and runner/hiker for over 40 years causes:

- Type 1 diabetes.
- Stiff Person Syndrome.
- Stage III kidney disease.
- Hypertension.
- Chronic UTIs.
- Enlarged prostate.
- Bladder neuropathy.
- Peripheral neuropathies.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Pancreatic insufficiency.
- Pulmonary insufficiency.
- Chronically low vitamin D levels and brittle bones.
- Cataracts.
- Chronic Lyme disease.

All conditions responded well to a daily regimen of adult beverages and tobacco use until patient non-compliance allowed pathologies to gain predominance.

Since I put it that way, I think I'll apply for a government grant. Anybody want to participate in the study?



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