Fighting the Unseen: Life With Diabetes
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Dear Mark...
| Posted on August 20, 2009 at 2:21 PM |
I found Mark's story on http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/dieting/25479-type-1-diabetes-low.html
and found him completely inspiring. I tried to upload the following letter to his site, but was met with many errors.
I'm hoping that he sees this eventually and is able to help. If not, then can anyone else attest to these suggestions?
http://home.comcast.net/~mark.mealey/site/
Hi Mark
I stumbled across your story on a low-carb diabetes forum. I have to tell you that you are an inspiration.
If you don't mind, I'd like to share a brief glimpse of my story. I need help. I've been through 4 doctors in the past 3 years and none of them have any suggestions for me. I end up doing all of the research on my own and never seem to get any help from the doctors.
I've been type 1 since 14 years old in 1998. I just had my 25th birthday and am feeling the worst I've felt in my entire life. I feel like I'm gaining weight by the day... I'm 5'8" and by no means "fat". I have a lot of muscle, but I've seen my body basically inflate over the past 6 months. I feel bloated and completely malnourished. People say that I look great... but I dont FEEL great. I don't remember the last time that I felt strong and healthy.
I get pains in my legs, cramps in my buttocks. I have scars from mosquito bites... my face is breaking out when I didn't even have acne. My stomach is bloated when it used to be firm and taut. My eyes are getting blurry, my gums are sensitive, my feet are starting to hurt.
I'm developing insulin resistance= more insulin= more weight gain.
I'm 25. I can see the downward spiral.
I'm afraid to start the Bernstein diet because I am afraid of ketones. I've been told in the past that I should not have them- that they break down muscle tissue in lieu of fat because the body thinks that it is starving, so it stores the fat for later use.
Do you suggest an endocrinologist visit? The endos that I’ve seen here aren’t very helpful.
I need a doctor to steer me. I actually very much like the idea of having a diabetic doctor- someone who KNOWS basically what I’m going through.
What does a typical breakfast, lunch, dinner consist of for you? I currently live with my fiancé and his family, so it will be hard to separate my meal plans from everyone else but I need to. I can’t continue to feel this way.
Thanks so much for your time.
Katherine
Categories: Discovery
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5 Comments
I probably do have a slower metabolism. I wouldn't be surprised at all. haha.
I'm still doing the frapp LITEs and those are still working wonderfully. My BG are stable throughout most of the day because I know what to expect from these drinks- I know how to cover the peaks so that there actually aren't any peaks anymore.
My dinners have been mostly meat, still. This worries me because I already have an issue with high cholesterol. I will have to work myself out of it soon.
I just got another A1c taken last week and I'm awaiting results. Crossing my fingers!
Typical day consists of:
8:00am Grande carmel (or mocha) frappucino LITE (30g of carbs/ 160 calories= 3 units Apidra)
- this coffee lasts me all day, as a meal replacement for breakfast and then lunch too.
6:00pm hamburger pattie w/ cheese (no bread), lettuce, tomato, onion. 1/2 cup of corn (13g carbs= 2 units) or brocoli (5g carbs) and a side of egg salad w/ pepper seasoning.
8:00pm snack is typically a handful of almonds (no salt), lots of Diet Coke or water or 1 cup of pudding (30g carbs= 3 units)
This is, of course, a work in progress. I'm going to be looking for other places to get my nutrients. Have been finding a lot of goods in fresh vegetables and nuts (including peanut butter in imited amounts)
I would like to fall in love with food again. It has just been a "necessity" for a very long time. I would like to love it again.
