THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN THIS MORNING AT 5 AM...BUT I'VE SORTA BEEN BUSY. SORRY!
As far as I can tell, there's no new, magic pill coming out that all I have to do is pop it and BOOM! my blood sugars will return to normal and I can live the life I lived when I was 15 and could eat everything in sight and watch TV 24/7 and still weigh 150 pounds...
“Before the availability of insulin in the 1920s, hailed not only as the cure for diabetes but also as one of the greatest advances in the treatment of any disease, a person diagnosed with diabetes would have faced death within a few years.”
That would have been the news for me if I’d been diagnosed with diabetes in 1922 instead of in 2022, I “…would have faced death within a few years.”
Like, now. Instead of writing this column, I’d have been dead. Possibly even LONG dead…
OK – I need to stop jumping up and down in excitement. In the research paper linked below and posted on the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE, “In reality, the impact of diabetes is so significant that it is affecting overall life expectancy: in the United States (US), life expectancy is falling for the first time since statistics were collected, due to obesity…”
Whaaaat??? (My younger grandson would have said). I’m taking my metformin, lisinopril, glipizide, Ozempic, and rosuvastatin. I’ve been part of this trend because I’ve been fat since I was a kiddo; then lost weight when I went to West Africa (returning at 180); and gaining weight until recently and topping out at 260+. With the help of Ozempic and diet changes and MAKING GOOD CHOICES, I’m finally down to 240. Still WAY beyond my ideal weight (according to the Mastermind of the Internet – AI Overview) “For a 5'10" 68-year-old male, the ideal weight is a range that allows for a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI), generally between 132 to 174 pounds”…ouch.
So…I’m not in IMMINENT danger of dropping dead (but who knows?) But, I’m still interested in what might be to come? How about Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs???
Apparently, they might be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most other insurance plans to help people with diabetes manage their condition, improve their health, and prevent complications. To access these programs, patients need a doctor's referral. Supposedly, this kind of program helps with meal planning, medication management, coping with the condition, and setting realistic goals to achieve better health outcomes. I drew a line through what I don’t really need help with at this time. What I DO need help for is to set realistic goals for.
To find an Accredited Program, our doctors can refer us, or we can use online tools to find accredited DSMES programs near us. How about at my clinic? It would have to be a “hands on”, rather than a lecture. Speaking of which, have you ever noticed that there are NO fancy-pants “Cooking Shows” aimed at people with diabetes? I know, I’ve checked. There are LOTS of shows that help me to cook my way into an early Obesity Grave. I’ll check again…just a second…I guess there ARE a couple! First: IN THE KITCHEN WITH DIABETES CANADA
2024 series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz218ICsOY9obzaVUGsSLdQbRLArc1jTW
The 2025 series is coming soon!
https://www.diabetes.ca/get-involved/local-programs-events/in-the-kitchen-with-diabetes-canada#panel-tab_Weeklythemes
This might be what I’m looking for – a better way to control my blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. A DSMES could conceivably help prevent or delay diabetes-related complications, leading to a better quality of life. By improving health outcomes and reducing complications, DSMES can help lower overall healthcare costs. Increased confidence, gaining knowledge, and skills might help me feel more confident in managing my diabetes effectively.
Follow me here to see where THIS adventure takes me.
Links: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3498849/ (see above!)
