One Type 2 Diabetes Patient's Story…

By Jackie F.

In November 2005 I scheduled an elective surgery. During my pre-operative testing, it was discovered that I was a type 2 diabetic. My fasting glucose was 485! My doctor cancelled the surgery and ordered more tests. My Hemoglobin A_1c result was 11.3. Much to my surprise, he told me that I had probably had this disease for about a year or so. I was in shock! At that time I claimed not to have had any of the obvious symptoms that normally are experienced with that high of a glucose reading, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and hunger. Actually, I had the symptoms—I just explained them away: "I drink lots of soda" or "It's my age" and so on.

My doctor gave me a prescription for oral medication to take twice a day and set me up in education classes to begin that week. I began to do some research on my own on the Internet. I work for a large podiatric practice so diabetes was not a foreign word to me, but it was something that others had, not me. I have been exposed to patients that have all of the complications of diabetes. I have seen patients lose toes, feet, and legs. I have seen open ulcers so deep you can see the bones. I have heard patients complain of the pain of neuropathy to the point that they can't sleep or, worse, they don't want to live with the pain any longer. So there I was on the Internet searching every site possible from medications to cures to complications. It was frightening reading material.

I began my classes with a CDE (certified diabetic educator). There were eight others in the class that was held once a week for six weeks, two hours each night. We covered everything from what to eat, to how to take care of a cold, to how to test, and so on. Of course, all of our questions were related to, "What do we eat?" We were told that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) food pyramid (which is what the American Diabetes Association promoted as a healthy diet) was not that good. We were told we could eat anything in moderation as long as we counted calorie intake and carbohydrate intake. So…if I wanted a piece of cheesecake, I only had to plan for it during my other meals to keep my calorie and carb intake in line. Sounded good to me! I was told that every diabetic was different and that foods react differently with each of us, so they could not tell me specifically what I could or couldn't eat. I was told to keep track of what I ate and test my blood glucose to see how my body handled that food.

During the next month (this was all happening during Thanksgiving and Christmas), I experimented. No matter what I did (other than not eat) my blood glucose was not coming down to a range that I felt was safe for me—I did not want to develop the complications associated with diabetes. I was frustrated, depressed and confused. I was all over the charts. From 170 to 85—up and down, and down and up! Nothing was making sense to me. I continued to do research on the Internet and educate myself with the vast number of opinions and diets and advise I found there. My doctor replied to my many questions with, "Didn't you go to your education classes?" or "You aren't at 485 anymore; you are doing okay." I was not doing okay! I could feel when I was high and low and I was still confused and wanted to be in total control rather than bouncing around the charts.

In the meantime I was still reading on the Internet about the side effects of the medications that treat the disease and other complications. I was more determined than ever to get control of my blood sugar so I could lower or even get off medication. A dream, I know, but a goal worth working toward.

I was talking with a friend who has a son with type I diabetes and he suggested I meet Dr. Tina Marcantel. I had never seen a naturopathic physician before and thought that maybe she would offer me an herb that would cure the diabetes—yeah, right!

I was so wrong. I met that first time with Dr. Marcantel with my husband. She actually listened to me. She didn't pass by one question that I had. Light bulbs were lighting up in my head as she explained in detail the endocrine system and how my body was acting with the diabetes. Not only did she agree with all of my thoughts on keeping under control, but she gave me an actual eating plan to get my glucose in control and keep it balanced, not up and down all over the place. Finally, someone that understood I wanted to take part in my treatment and that I don't want the complications of diabetes!

The eating plan, or "lifestyle change" as I like to call it, was no problem. It is what I needed, with no guesswork. Pretty much, "You can eat these things and you cannot eat these things!" Not only did she approach my problem through her naturopathic training but also her training in conventional medicine as a registered nurse. It all came together so well, and I felt so encouraged!

I couldn't wait until the next week when I could meet with Dr. Marcantel again to learn more. I came with my blood glucose log, my food diary, and loads of questions. I was feeling so much better. I now was looking back on the days prior to being diagnosed and realizing just how bad I had been feeling. I was sleeping better because I was not getting up all night long to go to the bathroom. I had more energy because my blood glucose was under control. I was drinking water to flush my system of the poisons. My family could see the difference, too.

By the next month I had energy, I felt no depression, and I was excited about the new foods and the new recipes I could create. Dr. Marcantel shared some treats with me that keep eating fun and interesting.

I am committed to make sure that I keep control of this disease and not the disease controlling me. Having been a lover of food, I have found that I can still live this way happily with some creativity and preparation. Do I miss some of the "old" foods? Sure I do, but each time I am tempted, I think of going blind and not seeing my beautiful grandchildren or the loss of limbs and not being able to travel with my husband and the "old" foods aren't so enticing anymore!

I am proud to say that in three short months my Hemoglobin A_1c went from that starting point of 11.3 to 5.4 (which is amazing!). Three months after that my Hemoglobin A_1c was 5.5! Just as a side note, I have lost weight, too, and my cholesterol has dropped, as well as my triglycerides. I began an exercise program. Starting off slowly, I walked a mile a day for quite some time, then progressed to 2 miles. I now use a treadmill and do from 2-3 miles on that each day and ride a recumbent bike for a mile. I feel fantastic!

Jackie F. 6/20/2006

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