I have been a diabetic for about 13 years now and I must say that at this point  I am fully immersed in the diabetic life, I have been through some harrowing  diabetic experiences, but the good days and the bad days are all part of any disease.

Diabetes can be quite challenging and I am not arguing this fact, sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you are prepared for it, an episode is usually just a round the corner. If you  ask Sarah from sarahndipity a fellow D-blogger about her murphy’s law moment yesterday, she will tell you about a classic diabetes catastrophe moment that’s bound to happen to a diabetic sooner or later but she will also tell you that this is no reason to cry wolf. We all go through these moments sooner or later and if you  know any diabetic, or follow anyone in the DOC they will tell you its a part of life.

My problem is the notion that diabetes is a vicious spiraling cycle of a disease right down to a death sentence waiting to happen, and the majority of this notion is fueled by the media whose motives are purely sensation seeking headlines.

It it the reason we will watch a freight train derail and not avert our eyes or we go to a car race just to watch the crashes.

Its celebration of absurd, grotesque, and unusual tales, but even in its simplest form, Morbid curiosity is responsible for this diabetic myth.

The Oprah Diabetes special and its backlash in the diabetic community is a classic example of this phenomenon at work.

I saw the show, the first time I ever watched Oprah I must add and  after the anger , hurt and betrayal moment  abated, I quickly tossed the whole thing aside as a media as a tabloid piece that most media driven diabetic news are.

These diabetic horror stories follow the same script. You see a  non compliant diabetic with his/her limbs removed and on her dialytic death bed with tubes coming out of most of their body with a story of their non compliant life and regrets for not having done a better job at their diabetic care.

Having stated that diabetes is most certainly not a easy disease disease to handle, I do not lay any blame on someone who is not able to manage diabetes effectively.

Where are the success stories however, There are a lot of people living with diabetes who are compliant who have managed to be a diabetic the right way, but have you ever seen a single one get screen time, absolutely not and the reason is as simple as morbid curiosity.

The Reason why diabetes is cloaked in myth today is because of a lacking in education and the right exposure. The media will tell you that visual aids are a powerful medium as a selling point to any news worthy story and this might be true point in this aspect.

There is no cure for diabetes and having an effective diabetes management routine means that you are healthy or look healthy for all intensive purposes , there is no before and after picture like you see in the cancer stricken patients taking chemo.

the images of diabetic patients that you see are the ones who are non compliant and on their death beds ergo the message becomes a diabetic diagnosis will send you to your deathbed as this is an incurable disease.

Excuse me myth but a diabetic life is not necessarily a death sentence if you take care of yourself and follow an effective diabetes management routine.

In diabetes, alcohol play’s a defining role and I intend on finding out just how defining this position is in my diabetes management the hard way with a little experiment.

This experiment is to see if I can combat a trend of higher fasting glucose levels I have been experiencing in the last month or so.

I have been consistently trending higher in the morning with ranges from 180mg/dl to 230mg/dl and I have been trying to find  a resolution for this phenomenon lately.

A recent study on the Glycemic Effects of Moderate Alcohol Intake Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, published in the Diabetes Care Journal caught my eye when I was doing my research into it and after a quick call to my Endo and his approval, I believe today is a good time as any to try this out and see if it becomes a solution. But before we move further along, I want to cover the alcohol and diabetes issue so there is no confusion.

We often hear the term moderation thrown around a lot when it comes to diabetes management and its one of the elemental factors that I  follow as a diabetic.

None is more crucial however when it come to consuming alcohol., My experiment is not about drinking liquor or beer, it is about having a glass of wine each night after dinner and will explain why in a moment.

Can one drink alcohol with diabetes

A diabetic  consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited because it will l cause adverse effects to your body especially if you are taking   blood glucose lowering medications.

and here is why.

Alcohol, diabetes and the Liver

Drinking alcohol blocks the liver’s ability to produce glucose, thus a diabetic runs the risk of hypoglycemia (Low Blood sugar) because normally when blood sugar levels drop, the liver produces glucose from stored carbohydrates to compensate.

Diabetes complications affected by alcohol consumption

The following conditions are affected by alcohol consumption if you are a diabetic.

• Nerve damage in the limbs. – Diabetics with nerve damage drinking can increase the pain, numbness, tingling or burning sensation associated with diabetic nerve damage.
• Diabetes vision – Heavy drinking ( three or more drinks during one day) can make diabetes vision worse.
• High blood pressure. – Diabetics who also have high blood pressure should also not drink alcohol.
• High levels of triglycerides. – Alcohol  increases the degree of triglycerides in the blood.

How much alcohol can a diabetic drink

• You need to ask your doctor if it is okay to drink alcohol with the medications you are on and if they don’t Gel please do not drink any alcohol.
• Please remember moderation is key, heavy drinking could inevitably lead to hypoglycemia.
• Exercise before or immediately after working out is dangerous because they both will decrease your blood sugar levels.
• If you are looking to loose weight then please stay away from those calorie adding beers

For some type 2 diabetics however adding alcohol to diabetes self management can be beneficial in addition to diet and exercise, this is a specific group that does not take any diabetes medication to control diabetes.

Alcohol In diabetes management- Risks vs Rewards

As stated earlier for someone with high blood glucose levels, drinking alcohol may aid in controlling diabetes but the risks vs rewards ratio clearly favors the latter, so please weigh yours before deciding on the right cause of action.

Alcohol effect on fasting blood glucose levels

The study I mentioned earlier found that adding 13 grams  of wine with dinner every night over three-month trial dropped fasting blood glucose levels by 32.5 mg/dl compared with those in the control group.

This is my hope that I will achieve the same results now i just have to find what what wine I like because I am by no means a wine connoisseur.

I will keep you Informed.

What are  Zen Diabetes Stress habits?

My diabetes stress is on overdrive today and I wish I had my hands on that new diabetes stress vaccine but since its not on the market yet, I have to dust off my Zen master habits in diabetes management tips and tricks cheat sheet to get me in a better mood coz those Dr Scholls gelling insoles just wont cut it.

As a true Cleveland Cavaliers fan, today I am on a diabetes stress ventilator  and as the day goes by, 9 pm cannot reach here fast enough.

For non basketball fans, I am talking about Free agent Lebron James’s upcoming decision on which team to sign with and the decision will come today at 9 pm.

For us Cleveland fans, this will be the biggest event in Cavalier history, If he leaves, he will more than just destroy a fan base but a city as well.

We were all hoping that in him, we would have the first championship since the browns did in 1964, what a diabetes stress buster this is going to be if he leaves, can you see just how my diabetes stress levels are just shooting up cant you.

We have been waiting for this day for about 2 years now my diabetes stress counter has been steadily rising since he decided not to resign with the team and it has been contentious since the Cavs were knocked out prematurely from the playoffs this year, everyone can  attribute it to the game number 5 of that series when he quit on the team and his teammates followed suit.

I have been a steadfast believer that he would not abandon us under these circumstances and I am a hopeless optimist at best but when I woke up this morning and the jolt to said diabetes stress  was the report on ESPN that multiple sources claim he is leaning towards signing with the Miami Heat.

My heart practically dropped and my diabetes stress indicators just shot way up. At this point everyone believes that he is leaving for south beach and I have a brown bag next to my desk.

Okay so its just basketball and not a life threatening condition, its just a game and will not directly affect my personal life. when I wake up tomorrow, life goes on as it always does but tell that to my diabetes stress heart.

I will reserve my judgment until after the official decision but if its true then this surely is the worst case of a turn coat than I have ever seen and redefines the term disloyalty and family……lets all stay tuned.

Meanwhile my Zen diabetes stress habits are in full force, I know as a diabetic stress will lead to spiking BG numbers but I just cant help being a wash in it so as I write this post I have my handy guide with tips on how to become a zen master in my diabetes management. and keep re running the Dr Scholls gellin commercial.

I am a type 2 diabetic and for many diabetics who are struggling with diabetes on a daily basis, they will tell you that type 1, type 2, type 1.5 and the other classifications do not really matter, we are all afflicted by a monstrous disease capable of all types of evilness.

As a type 2 diabetic I am not currently insulin dependent, haven’t been for a while now and I am surely joyful for this fact because while I don’t abhor Insulin, I have a  irritated phobia with needles to put it mildly.

From One AD to Six AD (after diagnosis) I was on Insulin and my diabetes management was unbelievably crazy to say the least and I was in heaven when I got off the stuff and started taking Metformin.

Insulin pumps are commonly used by type 1 diabetics while Oral medications are the standard for a type 2 diabetic but there are those who are on insulin or take both oral medications and Insulin as part of their management so it is not unheard of.

You have probably guessed by now where I am going with this but it really seems like my endo is leaning towards me getting back on Insulin which is really eating me up.

Contrary to the Infamous  Insulin Myth, I do not believe that I have failed to manage this disease, like I have to adapt to what my body is trying to tell me.

Lately it has been getting harder to keep those highs in check. Last month I had a flare up in the 500′s that lasted a few days, I have never been that high since diagnosis and I haven’t had my highs last that long either. A few times I actually was ready to go to the ER but I managed to weather the storm. That having been said, it still seems that I am working harder to bring these high’s down than I used to, I am in the gym Longer everyday and have to do that much more so at this point I say bring on the Insulin and the needles.

It is not like there is no precedent, and I will not be the only type 2 diabetic on an insulin pump. In fact there was a a study done a few years ago to see the effectiveness of Insulin pumps for a type 2 diabetic and the results showed that a type 2 diabetic on an insulin therapy preferred using  the pump nine out of ten times for its convenience.

Imagine what a pump could do for my stress levels if I was to avoid those damn needles, That’s why this pump is on my wish list if I end up going back on Insulin again. I will get that pump this time around if it kills me.

This is my pump wish list and I am a type 2 diabetic.

Dear Mr David Shapira,

President and CEO Giant Eagle

Thanks  for  offering these commonly prescribed type 2 diabetes medications for free in the NE starting today.

The medications being offered to a diabetic are as follows

The hba1c test is a commonly used assessment by physicians to determine the general average in this case over a three month period, of a diabetic’s blood glucose levels. It is becoming the yard stick for diabetes diagnosis today with the recent improved guidelines  and advocacy from the ADA.

What is hba1c test?

Glucose is a sugar found in the blood and like most other sugars, it tends to stick to the cells, the hba1c test will be used to determine the amount of sugar/glucose sticking to your cells, Depending on the amount of this sugar/glucose sticking, it can be determined  as a percentage on how well a diabetic is expending this glucose form their blood.

How is the hba1c test performed?

At the doctor’s office, the lab technician or the nurse will draw some blood and using some blood analysis lab equipment, he can then determine the a1c which at the moment comes in percentage form.

Optimal hba1c Results.

Since the hba1c is reflected as a percentage of  glucose found in the blood, the optimal results are as follows.

• Anything under 6.4% means you are not diabetic or pre diabetic or if you are already diabetic then you are doing a pretty good job at controlling diabetes.
• At 6.5% and above then you are diabetic and you are doing a poor job of controlling the disease.
• Typically non diabetic individuals have an hba1c level of 5% or lower

There are three ways to test for hba1c levels.

Home hba1c Test

You can easily test at home without any laboratory apparatus. all you need is a simple kit sold at the local discount drug chain.

How to do a home hba1c test.

The kit comes with a lancet that you basically use to prick your finger and get a blood sample which is then placed on a card and sealed in an envelop.

the envelop is then sent to a  lab that will test the blood and send the result back to you or your doctor.

hba1c test at the Endocrinologist

Your endocrinologist will have the laboratory equipment necessary to do your hba1c test at his/her office and most of the time, you will get the result while you wait and use them to review your progress and map your strategy.

Commercial Labs hba1c test

Accurate hba1c tests should be undertaken by commercial labs for various reasons one being that they are able to calibrate their equipment on a regular basis for perceived accuracy.

Most of these labs are run by major hospitals or commercial entities whose expertise is in blood testing and analysis.

They are policed by federal and state regulators to ensure they are legitimate.

Goals for the hba1c test

The goals for an hba1c test is not just to give you a snapshot of how your Diabetes Management is progressing but should also be used as a guide to better health. Getting your a1c to as normal a range as possible should be your number 1 goal when managing diabetes since it will be responsible for reducing the harmful diabetes complications.