dreamer_easy: (medical [by iconsdeboheme])
dreamer_easy ([personal profile] dreamer_easy) wrote2005-09-22 03:41 pm

Medical update

No matter how diligent I've been about food and exercise in the last couple of months, I haven't been able to get my blood sugar readings down to a good enough level, although my three-month average was still good. I saw Dr K this morning, and she explained that it wasn't anything I was doing - it's just that my body is developing a tolerance of insulin. This is probably what caused the diabetes in the first place (I'm making enough insulin, but it's not working) and it's a natural and inevitable progression of the illness. So the next step is to put me on a low dose of the medication Metformin (brand name: Diabex) and see if it helps the insulin do its job better.

Also, my theory that obesity is a symptom of sloth and gluttony, rather than a direct cause of diabetes, is shot to pieces: mad scientists injected guinea pigs (real ones) with fat until they developed diabetes from the physical presence of the podge - it had nothing to do with sloth or gluttony. :-( (Why this should happen I believe remains a mystery.)

I forgot to take my Lactaid pills with me yesterday, and didn't realise until the milkshake and cheese omelette were before me. I'd noticed in recent months that I needed fewer Lactaids to cope with the lactose in dairy products, so in a spirit of sheer bloody-mindedness scientific enquiry, I ate the omelette and drank the milkshake - with almost no ill effects at all. There was a time when I'd have been glued to the lue. I'll probably still need the Lactaids to be completely comfortable with dairy foods, but no more the dread of accidentally giving myself the ghastly gallops. This has been a major source of hassles and unhappiness, so I'm very pleased.

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[identity profile] 17catherines.livejournal.com 2005-09-23 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Well, our scientists are of the opinion that fat is in fact an inflammatory organ that encourages the body to develop insulin resistance - tummy fat, in particular, seems to have this effect.

And yes, most people with type 2 diabetes go onto insulin sooner or later; insulin resistance tends to increase over time once it has started.

I can probably point you in the direction of some useful papers about this if you are interested, although type 1 diabetes and LADA are more our thing.

Regards

Catherine

[identity profile] ikonsbykate.livejournal.com 2005-09-23 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
an inflammatory organ

You mean it's a swelling? :-)

I can certainly use info - but not if it's just depressing or scary. :-)
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[identity profile] 17catherines.livejournal.com 2005-09-23 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
More, I think, that it's something that immune cells start reacting to in a paraticular way. We are moving slowly in the direction of an idea that people with T1D have some insulin resistance as well as the autoimmune attack, and people with T2D, may have some autoimmunity in addition to their insulin resistance.

In terms of good and useful information, I assume you have already accessed Diabetes Australia (http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au)? They have a lot of useful information of all kinds. The Victorian branch (http://www.dav.org.au) has recipes, too, which makes me happy.

I have it on good authority that the low GI thing is really helpful, and I can absolutely recommend a book called "Food for Everyone", which is low GI AND has tasty recipes... I can't find it on line but will let you know the author when I get home.

Regards

Catherine

[identity profile] kateorman.livejournal.com 2005-09-23 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
Oh yah, I've been on a low GI for years and years - first prescribed as a result of hypos when I was merely pre-diabetic. Lentils R Us!

Now I'm imagining my immune system finding all that podge. "What the hell is this? Kill it! Kill it!"
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[identity profile] 17catherines.livejournal.com 2005-09-23 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
Grin. I'm not sure it works quite like that. I might go talk to EndoDoctor and get the run-down on 'fat as inflammatory organ' again so I can post more precisely!