Healing Type 1 Diabetes

Support is SO Important!

I am almost done reading Changing for Good. What this book has taught me is that it is NOT all about willpower. Also, I learned that not everyone is ready for the action stage yet. That's why diet programs like Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem often don't work long term. There are 6 stages and you have to go through pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation before you are ready for action. I also learned that what I needed more of was support. But if you read the book, you might realize you need more of something else.

I have been lucky to find some great support groups. There is a diabetes support group at my work that meets once a month for lunch. The interesting thing is that it is mostly adults who got Type 1 later in life, like me. That group also has a listserv where we can ask questions of the group.

I have also started going to a pump support group that meets at a local hospital. A couple started it as a support group for their son years ago and tried to stop when their son went off to college, but as they jokingly say 'you wouldn't let us'. This group meets once a month and sometimes has great guest speakers. The main thing for me is the sense of camaraderie, the feeling that you are not alone, and that we are all doing okay.

Then my endo's office had a pamphlet about http://www.diabetessisters.org/. I went to their website, signed up, and plan to go to a local meeting this month. Ought to be fun!

There is also a great Facebook page called Juvenation where everyone gripes, shares, and supports each other - adults with Type 1 or parents of kids with it.

Lastly, blogging is helping me too. I gave up playing Facebook games at lunch (I know, a big waste of time - I still play them in the evening some) so I could blog and I find it very helpful. I can put down my thoughts, share how I am doing, and vent my feelings. Sometimes, someone even shares a supportive comment and that is very rewarding. But even if no one comments, just getting it out helps.

One option, if you don't have any local support groups, is to start one. You can look for support groups or start one with the help of http://www.meetup.com/.

Here's hoping that everyone who reads this is getting the support they need!

I'm back and Dependence on Insulin

Thank you for the comments I have gotten while I've been gone. I have been researching, reading, and relaxing. I've decided a 100% raw vegan diet is not for me. My blood sugars never stabilized. One doctor checked my vitamin levels and I was great on all the vitamins except I was low on carnosine which is provided by meat.

So I am now eating a primal diet. Lots of BAS (Big Ass Salads) and grass-fed meat. I will keep you posted.

One commenter said I shouldn't become dependent on insulin. I say we are all dependent on insulin, it's just that my body is not delivering it for me as it does for most other people. Here is the section in the insulin wiki that talks about all that insulin does http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin#Physiological_effects

When I first became diabetic at the age of 47 they assumed I was type 2 and put me on oral medications. I started wasting away and got down to 88 pounds. Before they figured out how to produce insulin, people did waste away and literally starve to death.

I am now on a pump. I chose the Medtronic mini-med. It has helped so much. The first advantage is that I no longer have to poke myself with insulin several times a day, I just have to poke myself once every 3 days to attach the pump. The second advantage is that I can suspend the delivery of insulin if I start crashing or go exercise - you can't suspend 24-hour insulin like Lantus.

I have joined a support group at work that meets once a month for lunch and has a listserv. This has been wonderful and they were the ones who first convinced me to get a pump. There is also a monthly pump group meeting in the evenings at a local hospital. I will attend the second meeting for that tonight. Support is so important!