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Confessions of a diabetic.........
Oct. 5th, 2005 01:51 pmI love being a bear, for the naturalness, for the laid-back nature, for the 'this-is-me-so-get-the-hell-outta-my-face' attitude. I do not like it for the obesity than is common to so many of us, me in particular. I'm not talking about wanting to be a body beautiful. What I am unhappy with is the health issues. Go to an overnight bear gathering, and you will hear the gentle whir of CPAP machine after CPAP machine. Sometimes I think it every bear gathering, you might as well hang up the sign that says "Diabetics R Us".
Finally woke up and smelled the coffee. Last year I got started on an anti-diabetic medication called Actos. Great drug. Does a lot of good things for many diabetics. However, it can have associated weight gain. Between the medication and my ceasing my gym workouts, (which happened in January after my hemorrhage) I'm now 60 pounds heavier. I can't live like this any longer.
I'm in the midst of the fight with my insurance company over a new medication. Byetta is a rather expensive and radical new medication for diabetes. Because it is a protein, it cannot be taken by mouth, only injected. It's a complex drug, with at least five different mechanisms in which it helps the diabetic. Because the stomach works more slowly, you are fuller sooner and as a result eat less. It also helps your brain recognize satiety earlier, so again, you eat less.
On the upside, here it is midafternoon, and I've consumed a total of just under 400 cal today, and I'm full. Not hungry! It’s a very interesting experience. Last week I’d have been ravenous. On the downside, until I win the fight with my insurance company, I’ll be putting out $200/month, for this stuff.
Finally woke up and smelled the coffee. Last year I got started on an anti-diabetic medication called Actos. Great drug. Does a lot of good things for many diabetics. However, it can have associated weight gain. Between the medication and my ceasing my gym workouts, (which happened in January after my hemorrhage) I'm now 60 pounds heavier. I can't live like this any longer.
I'm in the midst of the fight with my insurance company over a new medication. Byetta is a rather expensive and radical new medication for diabetes. Because it is a protein, it cannot be taken by mouth, only injected. It's a complex drug, with at least five different mechanisms in which it helps the diabetic. Because the stomach works more slowly, you are fuller sooner and as a result eat less. It also helps your brain recognize satiety earlier, so again, you eat less.
On the upside, here it is midafternoon, and I've consumed a total of just under 400 cal today, and I'm full. Not hungry! It’s a very interesting experience. Last week I’d have been ravenous. On the downside, until I win the fight with my insurance company, I’ll be putting out $200/month, for this stuff.
