Guideline for Discussion

Many refer to first rule as a platitude, but for type 2 diabetes, it is a fact of life.

What works for me may not work for you. That is the first rule.
Always discuss things with your doctor(s). That is the second rule.
Always discuss changes with your doctor(s). That is the third rule.
The fourth rule is - all of the above!

I will advocate certain positions or ideas for those of us having type 2 diabetes. This is because I feel strongly about something, but you will have to decide if and how well it may apply to you.

If you are like me, you will glean ideas and apply what works for you and come back later to see if something may be applicable or explain something that is happening in your life. I do this with other blogs and sites.

I will not tell you that you must do this or that; you have a doctor(s) for that purpose. Your doctor(s) is the only person that can diagnose and prescribe proper treatment.

If what I write gives you ideas to discuss with your doctor(s), then I will be grateful. If you disagree with me and give me a sound reason, then I will have learned as well. I welcome constructive criticism, as I am human and make mistakes.

I advocate a team approach for the treatment of diabetes (the reason for doctor(s) above), with the patient in charge, except in emergencies. This has worked well for me. Members of the team should include a regular family doctor, a dietitian/nutritionist, and an endocrinologist. The following are optional depending on your needs - a neurologist, for neuropathy and sleep apnea, a podiatrist, for proper foot care and preventing amputations, a heart doctor, for heart disease, and an urologist, for monitoring kidney health. I almost forgot - an eye doctor for monitoring eye health and problems from diabetes (maybe not part of a team for some).

I know some people that have other doctors and specialists on their team for various medical problems. When it is possible, I also advocate making your pharmacist part of the team, but this is often more difficult for some. The biggest advantage to this is the communication and not prescribing conflicting medications and treatments. More doctors are working this way with knowledgeable patients who are willing to take charge. Even some insurance companies are finding out that there are less duplicate tests when one doctor orders the tests and shares with the rest.

Not everyone can have a team approach. This is because some people live in remote areas or in areas where the distance is great just to see a doctor. Other people find a doctor that is capable and has kept him or her-self up-to-date on diabetes and associated complications.

Diabetes is a 24/7 problem that requires a positive attitude and attention to detail for control. Most of us get derailed periodically. Sometimes we are able to determine the cause. Other times we never discover the cause, but are still able to regain control. The latter is the most frustrating and I am not immune to this.

Introduction

I have heard all the arguments before and I don't want another blog to read. A friend with diabetes made this statement to me when I told him I launching this site.

When I asked him what he did read, I knew that he did little or no reading about diabetes, so his lack of an answer did not surprise me. He is too busy traveling to garage and yard sales looking for items he can buy cheaply and resell for more money. This occupies his days and earns him a little income after expenses.

I also know that he is going from one doctor to another doctor when he hears something he does not agree with, or is told something he does not want to hear. As a result he spends about two months each year in the hospital for diabetes or other medical problems.

This is not the way I want to live. I like being retired and enjoying the time I have available for my family and a few close friends still living.

So why am I doing this? Because I enjoy researching about diabetes and the challenge of reviving some writing skills. My goal is to help people with type 2 diabetes. This means helping them meet the challenge of diabetes and succeed in keeping it under control, living a full life, and not feel that diabetes has robbed them of celebrating life. Yes, helping many people would be great, but I will settle for one at a time right now.

In a world filled with misinformation and ignorance about diabetes, if I can enlighten a few people, then I will have accomplished what I set out to do. Hey, who knows, maybe, just maybe I will be able to educate many people.

When another friend with diabetes asked why, with all the good writers doing this, why would I do this? I know he reads a lot and is very knowledgeable. I told him that challenges motivate me and I am not worried about displacing another writer. We need each other to spread the word. Each writer has his or her own style of presenting information, and each reader may not like a particular style. If they cannot find something they enjoy reading, then diabetes may have won the battle.

Therefore, with that in mind, I am starting this blog for people with type 2 diabetes.