Diabetes 2- A Death Sentence?

kashe69 · January 2015

Hi All,

I was a 44 year old mother of 2 when I got the news from my family doctor after a routine annual check up.

I went through the 5 stages of grief:

1) Denial- this can't be true, test again there must be a mistake
2) Anger- this is all my fault , I knew I was overweight
3) Bargaining- if I change can this be reversed
4) Depression- my whole life is going to be tests and watching everything I eat
5) Acceptance- what am I going to do about this

My doctor wasn't great. Initially she said go home and read up on it -come back when you're ready. I went to a 2 day support group which left me more depressed than ever. I went back to the doctor and she wanted to put me on medicine right away.

I said no. I was already on 2 blood pressure medications and adding another which could lead to more seemed like a path or no return. I told her to prescribe without me even trying seemed wrong. I had to try. I told her give me 3 months and we'll review. At that time we'll do my next A1C test and see what my number is. She agreed reluctantly.

I started to research and found a study that linked fatty tissue as part of the problem. There was also articles about gastric bypass surgery having success. I did not want surgery but was interested in the why. I watched Fed Up which was an eye opener. I came across an article/study by Newcastle University that recommended a low calorie diet for 8 weeks.

I am young and if I'm ever going to try anything more drastic now is the time. I spoke with my doctor and she said if I wanted to try fine but I don't think she believed I would last.

I was determined. I modified the "diet" to eat healthy but under the calories needed. I started walking daily and went from 1K up to 10K. November hit and it was cold so I joined a gym. I went daily. The weight started to drop and so did my blood pressure.

I went for my A1C test in December and it went from 7.9 to 5.2. This is below what is considered pre diabetes. My blood pressure at it's highest was 184/130 now it's around 120/78

I never weighed myself to start ( I have a rough idea) but I'd say I've lost over 55 pounds. I feel the healthiest I have in my life. I enjoy the gym and pushing myself. Once I started lifting I was hooked.

I know there is not cure for diabetes. I think the correct term is remission. Reversed means it's not coming back. Remission means it can if I don't keep things up. There are days I'm terrified of sliding back but I'm determined to live drug free as long as I can.

Don't look for approval. My doctor didn't seem that excited about my results. She said that in the future I may still need medications. I'm going to take it day by day. My next A1C test is in March.

Fingers crossed.

jmorrisof2 · January 2015

I was just wanted to say good job and I'm proud of you for sticking with it even though your doctor may not believe you can do it. I know exactly where you are coming from. My weight has crept up to 250 the highest it has ever been and I'm now feeling the effects of that. I think this is my wake up call because I don't want to have diabetes or anything else. I understand. Keep up the good job!

krysmuree · January 2015

Congratulations! My dad too put his diabetes (full blown; diagnosed 15 years ago) in remission and lost 68lbs with fitness and healthy eating. You'd never know he was overweight my entire life, or that he had diabetes at all. Good for you for taking control of your life!

Awesome inspiration.

cwolfman13 · January 2015

Good job...

I had a similar situation, but it was soaring cholesterol levels and I was in the pre-diabetic range. I told my doctor I wanted to try diet and exercise first and he pretty much did the whole eye roll thing too...he gave me a similar song and dance once I got things into the normal and even optimal ranges...he didn't really believe I would stick with it.

2.5 years later I am one of his favorite patients...he has actually apologized for his lack of "confidence"...but as he told me, it is very rare that someone actually makes the changes necessary to "fix" these things and keep them "fixed". He's practiced for 32 years and he told me he's only had a handful of patients in that time actually do what needs doing...everyone else just succumbs and goes with the meds.

Good for you, keep it up.

jontucc · January 2015

Thanks for sharing your story. It's very inspirational.
When I was pregnant I had gestational diabetes twice and the endocrinologist said to me that I would be back with type 2 diabetes when I get to my 50s. I am almost 40 now but reading this is a good reminder to stay fit and healthy.

MrsMizart · January 2015

Very well done OP! I'm trying to go the no meds route to combat high cholesterol, but I'm not doing as well as you!

Gatorman2015 · January 2015

I was diagnosed with diabetes yesterday, let's just say I'm turning things around as of yesterday. MFP will be my weapon in combating this condition.

kashe69 · January 2015

To all who have replied thank you-you've made my day!

Krissy your dad is an inspiration to me. Has he managed to stay off of all meds?

cwolfman your doctor story mirrors mine. She said people say they're going to change but if I don't treat it most get worse. To not even let me have a chance.

gatorman- it's a lot to take in all at once but stay positive-I'm here.

It seems to me that there is such a rush to prescribe over looking underlying conditions. In most cases this can make matters worse.

I forgot to mention I am also off my blood pressure medicine as well after only 6 weeks of my lifestyle change.

The MFP community is great. You have your down days but reading about everyone's success stories brings a smile to my face.

SuggaD · January 2015

Well done OP! I admire people like you. Keep up the excellent work. Make it permanent.

bigbuddha50 · January 2015

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 7 years ago. I have had my ups and downs but I have lost over 40 lbs and I'm completely off meds. You can live with diabetes or die with diabetes. I prefer to live. Add me if you need support.

azulvioleta6 · January 2015

Good job!

I was pre-diabetic, never in full-blown diabetes, but now my A1C tends to run around 5.0. It can be done and maintained!

GaleHawkins · January 2015

Good job. I have decided when we have serious health issues and what more than a 'pill' hack for a solution we are really on our own. Thanks to Google we can go many medical conferences all over the world to learn from world medical leaders about how to solve our medical conditions in many cases.

In a medical condition caused in part by diet that goes way by changing the diet is by some considered cured but there is no need to split hairs when one can be enjoying life.

DanniB423 · January 2015

Great job! Maybe a more enthusiastic and supportive doctor would do the trick too.

misschiplash78 · January 2015

Well done, this type of lifestyle change should be applauded by your doctor. I wish more people had the confidence and conviction to take such excellent control of their health. X

LittleRed2591 · January 2015

I had gestational diabetes with my youngest, 24 years ago, and was also told I would develop Type II diabetes by age 50. It happened sooner than that... I was 47 when I got the diagnosis and at my top weight of 185. I lost weight and slowly but surely got my A1C down into the 5's from a high of 10.5, all without medication. I am now 62 and had always kept that A1C in a great range until last fall. I had been maintaining my weight at between 115 and 120 (I am 5'1") but sort of let things slide and got up to around 134. Surprise! My A1C was suddenly 9.4 and they wanted to put me on medication. I said look, I've done this before and I KNOW I can do it again. Four months later, I'm 12 pounds less and I got my latest test results today... my A1C is 6.3! My doctor was absolutely shocked! She said she's heard so many people say they'd do the work to get that number down but very, very few ever actually do it. Odds are that I may one day have to take some form of medication, but until then I will continue to do everything in my power to maintain control without it. I'm still on two medications for familial high cholesterol which no matter what weight I am, I will have to take. It's just plain in my genes, so if I can avoid adding another medication, I will!

kashe69 · March 2015

Just an update to those who want to try to follow a medicine free life. I received my latest A1c levels and it's dropped from 5.2 to 5.0. My doctor is still saying that in the future I will need to go on meds and not to view this as an overall success as the disease will advance as I age. I have to be honest I'm feeling really down right now. I have worked so hard over the last 6 months to change my life for the better. I've lost over 70 pounds and have made the daily commitment to exercising and eating healthy. I'm probably in the best shape of my adult life so why do I feel like there is a cloud over my head....

jgnatca · March 2015

Congratulations, @kashe69 ! My diabetes is also in remission. I did it through weight loss and gastric bypass surgery. Diabetes is a very manageable disease and you can hold it off for a very long time through lifestyle. But if you do need medication in the future, it's not the end of the world. Metformin works miracles; it really does. In the meantime, you have great energy and vitality. That can't be taken from you.

Anyone who gets a cancer, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or Cystic Fibrosis (and more! there are more!) diagnosis lives with the spectre of their own mortality hanging over their heads. But the truth is everyone carries a doomsday clock over their heads. Those with diagnosis are simply more aware of it. My survivor friends all have one thing in common. They live to the fullest!
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penelopepittstopsmam · March 2015

I would guess that you feel like there is a cloud over your head because your doctor wont acknowledge your success.

My father's diabetes has been just awful for him. Hes now in his 80s, can barely feel his feet and his eyes have regularly needed laser surgery to control bleeds that have nearly blinded him.

If he was reading this, he'd applaud your hard work and tell you that even if you have to go on meds, you are fending off tge deterioration for as long as you can. By doing this, you are preventing the kind of issues hes got for as long as possible. If his numbers were kept under better control, hed be a damn sight healthier.

Please dont let your doctor's negativity get you down. You're doing an amazing job.

crazyjerseygirl · March 2015

kashe69 wrote: »

Hi All,

I was a 44 year old mother of 2 when I got the news from my family doctor after a routine annual check up.

I went through the 5 stages of grief:

1) Denial- this can't be true, test again there must be a mistake
2) Anger- this is all my fault , I knew I was overweight
3) Bargaining- if I change can this be reversed
4) Depression- my whole life is going to be tests and watching everything I eat
5) Acceptance- what am I going to do about this

My doctor wasn't great. Initially she said go home and read up on it -come back when you're ready. I went to a 2 day support group which left me more depressed than ever. I went back to the doctor and she wanted to put me on medicine right away.

I said no. I was already on 2 blood pressure medications and adding another which could lead to more seemed like a path or no return. I told her to prescribe without me even trying seemed wrong. I had to try. I told her give me 3 months and we'll review. At that time we'll do my next A1C test and see what my number is. She agreed reluctantly.

I started to research and found a study that linked fatty tissue as part of the problem. There was also articles about gastric bypass surgery having success. I did not want surgery but was interested in the why. I watched Fed Up which was an eye opener. I came across an article/study by Newcastle University that recommended a low calorie diet for 8 weeks.

I am young and if I'm ever going to try anything more drastic now is the time. I spoke with my doctor and she said if I wanted to try fine but I don't think she believed I would last.

I was determined. I modified the "diet" to eat healthy but under the calories needed. I started walking daily and went from 1K up to 10K. November hit and it was cold so I joined a gym. I went daily. The weight started to drop and so did my blood pressure.

I went for my A1C test in December and it went from 7.9 to 5.2. This is below what is considered pre diabetes. My blood pressure at it's highest was 184/130 now it's around 120/78

I never weighed myself to start ( I have a rough idea) but I'd say I've lost over 55 pounds. I feel the healthiest I have in my life. I enjoy the gym and pushing myself. Once I started lifting I was hooked.

I know there is not cure for diabetes. I think the correct term is remission. Reversed means it's not coming back. Remission means it can if I don't keep things up. There are days I'm terrified of sliding back but I'm determined to live drug free as long as I can.

Don't look for approval. My doctor didn't seem that excited about my results. She said that in the future I may still need medications. I'm going to take it day by day. My next A1C test is in March.

Fingers crossed.

Not for nothing (and this is coming from someone who makes meds) you might want to check out other doctors. Most would be thrilled to have you. Yes you might go on meds one day, but it would help to have a supportive Dr. Who ran the tests and cheered you on.

jgnatca · March 2015

My sister is a family doctor and she has described her job as "supervising people's death". She's very compassionate and good at her job by the way. But family doctors don't cure. There are surgeons and House for that. Family doctors watch out for the old age diseases that creep up on us all and work at delaying or preventing negative outcomes. They check our blood pressure and send us for routine bloodwork. For the exotic stuff, they refer to a specialist.

Also, I don't think doctors get a thorough enough education on nutrition and weight loss. Obesity is now recognized as a chronic disease, but there's very little direction to the medical community on how to actually combat it. So doctors are left on a delicate tightrope to mention this rather obvious condition to a patient who knows darn well they have it, and ask them to "eat less and move more". How many of their patients take that advice to heart right out of the gate? How many success stories do our family doctors see?

I returned to my old family doctor in my home city, after being referred for weight loss help by another doctor out of town. She is very happy about my outcome and asks me lots of questions. I get the distinct impression I am now the expert.

qwertymmii · March 2015

I am a nurse that work with diabetics every day. You have done well, congratulations! Now I will tell you what I tell all of my patients. If you need medications it is not because you have been "Bad." It is because the pancreatic cells that create insulin have slowly started to stop. There is no test to see how many of your cells are still working. What you CAN do is keep your sugars under control, control your weight and exercise and you will sustain those cells for as long as possible. Perhaps you need a new doctor because my doctor would have celebrated with you. I also tell my patients that everyone should eat like diabetics are supposed to and everyone would be fit, have more energy, and be healthier. I hope you find other diabetics that are successful at control and you will see how it is possible to live your life to the fullest and the diabetes diagnosis will not hold you back at all!

Diabetes 2- A Death Sentence?

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