Reflections of a Former Diabetic - Part 1 - The Alcoholic Paradigm
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Reflections of a Former Diabetic - Part 1 by Lee Harrington
April 22, 2021 was a pivotal day for me. At my diabetes specialist's I was informed my A1c had hit 11.2, and the $1000/month Trulicity was added to the Metformin and Glipizide I'd already been taking for years. "Diabetes isn't your fault, it's genetic". At our next appointment, in three months time, she was going to put me on an insulin pump. I weighed 336 lbs, and walked with a cane on arthritic knees.
Insulin shots? It finally dawned on me that all the terrible destruction that comes from diabetes were real dangers for me, including going blind. That's a primal fear of mine and that fear kicked me into gear making long needed changes.
When I arrived at the next appointment, I was taken off of the last of the meds. My A1c was 6.5, but the cgm I wore let the doctor know I was already non-diabetic. I have been off diabetes meds for two and a half years and my current A1c is 5.6, normal, not even pre-diabetic. I claim the label of "former diabetic" which ruffles feathers. "Once a diabetic, always a diabetic - it's like alcoholism".
I'm writing a several part series tackling the various analogies people use to grapple with Type 2 Diabetes. Most any analogy has some truth and some areas where it's not appropriate. Is Type 2 Diabetes like alcoholism, is it a permanent state? Yes and no.
In the two and a half years I've not needed meds to control my blood glucose I have had my A1c rise back into the pre-diabetic range twice. Each time was not a surprise. I had been "cheating on my diet" (I detest this phrase). When I eat high carb foods too close together, too often, I begin to redevelop diabetes. In that way I am similar to an alcoholic.
Some people can drink alcohol in moderation and are fine. Other people have an addiction response to alcohol. They likely always will. For them, adopting the attitude of "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic" keeps them from choosing to indulge in a drink here or there. They understand the peril of being pulled back into alcoholism. They may have been sober for 25 years but never feel it's safe or wise to drink. The addiction response to alcohol is an inherent trait for them.
The Type 2 Diabetic is similar in their response to carbs. Some people can eat the typical Standard American junk food, highly processed carbohydrate diet and maintain their ability to control their blood sugar. If you are a Type 2 Diabetic, you aren't that type of person. I can tolerate carbs much better now than I could when I was a diabetic. That's a demonstrable truth. However, I cannot eat the way I used to and remain free of the disease of diabetes.
I am not a diabetic anymore. Nothing that is caused by chronically elevated blood glucose is happening to me. My eyes aren't being destroyed. My kidneys are not being harmed. My heart…on and on. I may still suffer the consequences of my past diabetes, but I'm currently free of the disease.
Where the analogy breaks down is this - diabetes is the state of inability to control one's blood sugar. Full stop. If you have an A1c below 6.5 you are not diabetic. A healthy person is not one who can eat lots of processed sugars, flours, grains and maintain their blood glucose levels. A healthy person is one who eats in a why that allows them to control their blood glucose.
I don't have a disease, I have an intolerance. The "innate condition" that a type 2 diabetic has, similar to an alcoholic, is the inability to handle a particular substance in a healthy way, a way that other people can. An alcoholic has in innate intolerance to alcohol. A type 2 diabetic has an innate intolerance to carbohydrates.
Some people will take this truth and use it improperly. "Because Type 2 Diabetes is permanent, I will always need meds". It demotivates them to make the diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes to get healthy. Why do all that work when, no matter what, one is still a diabetic? It is in this sense that I vehemently disagree with the analogy.
I am carb intolerant but I am no longer a diabetic. I am not in a diseased state - at least not the disease of Type 2 diabetes. Like any health state, one must continue to maintain your health. Nobody has a permanent state of health. I worked hard to go from highly diabetic to being free of type 2 diabetes. I am a proud FORMER diabetic. One who is 50lbs lighter, and no longer needs a cane to walk. Health can be regained, the disease of type 2 diabetes can be overcome. I recommend people adopt this mindset of health and hope.
p.s. Always consult your own health team for your specific needs
p.p.s. Educate yourself to fully participate in your health strategy
How I did it: https://lessoflee.wordpress.com/2022/06/06/how-i-did-it/
The Ex-Diabetic
Healing Is A Natural Process
A Guide to Effective New Year's Resolutions
A How to Count Carbs
Written by Lee Harrington
Published February 17th, 2024
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