Introduction Digest Number 855
Hello All,
My name is Pamela,a just turned 50 vibrant African American woman from
southren New Jersey. As some of you may be aware diabeted runs rampant in
African American communities. I have Type 2 diabetes and am currently taking
2.5mg
of Gluctrol XL daily,and 850 mg of Glucophage 3x a day.My hgaic last month
was 5.1. My blood sugars are well controlled. Back in Nov.2002,my picture was
much more bleaker,more MD was threatening to put me on insulin,my blood sugars
were in the 200 range,and my AIC was looming up toward 8,and I weighed 225 lbs.
I was being threatened with being put in the hospital, and started on IV
antibiotics,because I had developed,a nasty draining abcess on my back that was
made complicated by my uncontrolled diabetes.There was talk of my MD calling
sending me to the ER where I would see the wound surgeon for an incision and
drainage of the abcess., Well,all of these events became my wake up call.My MD
gave me a reprieve from all his potential medical interventions,gave me an
injection of insulin to bring my 200 plus blood sugar down,put me on an oral
antibiotic,Told me how to deal with the abcess and sent me on my way,this was
just
before the weekend,and I was told should I get worse, return to the
ER.Otherwise ,he wanted to see me on Mon. I was one sick miserable woman,I felt
weak
like when you have the flu,my temp. was elevated.All of this was due to the
abcess.The only reason I was sent home,was because I am a LPN,and he knew I
could
take care of myself.Although,I have a strong medical background,I faled to
apply any of it to myself acting as if I was not at risk for some serious
complications. Anyway at home,I really started comtemplatng things,and the
thought of
going on having to inject myself daily was more than I wanted to do,and also
I realizedif I did not take matters iunder control,any future complications
could be much more seros and lead to permanent damage.I managed my diet,ate
properly,and did agressive care on my abcess.Upon return to the MD office he was
amazed at the turn around with the abcess.My blood sugar was stll high,but not
in the 200 range.Again,I begged another reprieve,and asked for a chance to
turn this situation around also.He agreed,and the day before Thanksgiving,2002,I
became vegetarian. Almost immediately,my blood sugars dropped,I was starting
to have regular hypogly- cemic attacks. My MD started to reduce my meds,I now
longer take 10 mg of Glucotrol XL 2X a day.Three times my MD has scaled my meds
back.I now weigh 172 lbs instead of that 225 lbs. I do not wear plus size
clothes anymore,going from 2X plus size to a Medium,from a 22 pant size to a
16.Not to mention boundless energy and increased mental alertness. I am a very
creatve cook,and do not miss the meat. Even if I did I would perservere because
of all the benefits I gain from being vegetarian. I no longer live to eat.I
cook all meals from scratch.I really do not shop at regular grocery stores ,but
am fortunate to have a large whole grocerer in the area, where natural ,and
organic foods,and products can be bought. I elminated all artificial
sweetners,and use stevia,a natural herb that sweetens.I do not drink soda,or any
kind of
unnatural drink.I use all natural and organic cereals,grains,and breads.I
became appalled when I read the labels of supermarket brands,and saw all the
junk
and ingredients that could aggect my blood sugars.Soy milk has replaced any
milk,I used,and really,I seldom eat diary anymore,or eggs.
I am happy to meet you all here,my goal now is to learn more from folks
like you so I can continue to enhance and improve what I am already doing.I will
be glad to answer questions about my methods,and hope to do the same and
become better informed about yours.This way,we can help each other out in a
supportive enviorn- ment.
January 6th, 2005 at 10:28 am
Hi Pamela. What a great story! Thanks for sharing it. And Welcome! My
name is Linda and I am a type-1, for 35 years now. Though the
diseases are quite different, there is plenty to talk about that is
useful to both. I too am vegetarian, and found that my health
improved when I stopped eating a lot of meat. I go for the organic
whenever I can. I still eat eggs and some dairy, but I recently
bought my own chickens and I feed them organic feed, sprouted grains
and legumes, etc. Makes for great eggs! Kind of fun seeing them so
happy. From reading this list, I’d say you have a good chance of
working your way off meds. Several type-2 people here have succeeded
in doing that using various methods. I’ll apologize ahead for some of