Attached Link: http://www.imdiabetic.com

I've been working on dealing with being diabetic, and one of the ways I have been doing this is making a website about myself and diabetes. More of a "normal guy, normal reactions to diabetes" kinda website :) If you are interested in seeing it, you can browse over to: http://www.imdiabetic.com - Noel

Noel, My brother is diabetic as was my sister, father and all his siblings. I am checked yearly and sometimes at 6 month intervals because of the high risk factor (about 30lbs overweight). Weight is definately a factor but my father and three of his siblings were never overweight (one sister was only 60lbs at 4'8" and one 90lbs at 4'10", Dad was 130lbs and 5'4" when it hit him). Diet is important and a lot of diabetics think only the insulin is needed. Insulin is necessary but the diet is a must with it. Wish my sister would have listened to my pleadings on that. Good luck with your site. I hope it helps others too.

I agree weight is a major factor in diabetes. Diet is one of my things I'm working hard at :) Down 30 lbs since the first of the year, another 70 to go to make my goal weight! Thanks for looking at the site, I appreciate the comments. - Noel

Diabetes damn near killed me, in combination with extreme poverty. I still expect it to.

I can hear you. It is one expensive disease to deal with. - Noel

Wonderful site, Noel. I intend to be a regular there. Thanks for posting the link. Kate (diagnosed Type 2 in July 2004)

I have an 11 year old son that has had Diabetes since he was 2 years old. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! :) It is a very hateful disease. I agree with all of the above, diet is one of the MOST important things about dealing with diabetes effectively. Thanks Tammy :)))

How is your son handling it all? Being 34 when I was diagnosed, I had a hard time with it. I couldn't imagine being young and being diagnosed. - Noel

Well it is hard for him sometimes. You know, the whole schedule thing and not being able to eat like the other kids. But I think that the older you are when you get it the harder it can be. He had no habits to break as far as food goes. He doesn't remember any other way to live. But that is a problem in itself. I think he is well adjusted and he really doesn't have to do without we just have to make allowances for special things. It has been alot better since he has gone on the Pen and a fast acting insulin. Now if he wants a piece of cake, we just give him an injection for the carbs. I hope you are doing well with your treatment. I know it can be extremely hard. I don't think I slept at night for the first 4 years! :))) Best wishes Tammy :)))

Luckily (depending on how you look at it) I was diagnosed as type 2, so I don't have to be quite as rigid as a type 1 would be. But it can be a daily challenge :) I know what you mean about his not having bad food habits to break, I still remember what some of those "bad" foods taste like :) So when I smell them, it is sometimes hard not to really want them! - Noel

Hopefully you be able to keep yours under control and have a healthy life. :) From what I understand, and I may be wrong, the key to type 2 is diet and excercise. I try not to keep "bad foods" around but it is very hard to keep the whole family on the diet. Have you found pizza to be one of the worst foods for you?? Just curious to see if it is a common thing or if my son is just really suseptible to it. Tammy :)

Pizza can definitely be one of my strongest enemies. Of course it is one of my favorite foods :) It is the carbs from the crust, but also the sugar in the sauce that is probably effecting him. I have noticed different brands effect me differently. Pizza Hut's thin crust pizza doesn't have as large an effect due to the less crust and the less sauce (at least that is my theory). - Noel

Also, not trying to be nosey or anything, something that we have found out, the high fat content in combination with the carbs can make my son's blood glucose shoot to the moon and be very hard to get back down. Certain types of fats with complex carbs are very bad, while others, such as peanut butter w/ crackers, are very good for holding BG levels through the night. Just remember, everyone is different. What works for one person may be unhealthy for another. Never let anyone lump you together with the other diabetics out there. This is something I have had to battle with my son's school. They think because they read about it, they know what the deal is. This disease is a day to day thing and must be dealt with on an individual basis. I hope that makes sense. :) But I am sorry that you have a bad time with "Deadly Pizza" too. You are not alone! Tammy :)

Oh absolutely, I agree that different things effect people differently. And worse than that, the mixture of things can effect you differently at different times! Don't think you are alone with your son's school :) A new doctor the other day told me they wanted to get my blood pressure down slightly more, so they were going to put me on a diuretic. When I asked "but won't that raise my total blood sugar slightly due to less water in my system" they didn't know what I was asking. This is a strange disease, you have to learn quickly to stand up and say "that's not right!" very quickly :) - Noel