Those god damned liberals!

I hope everyone here has decided to be an organ donor when they die, because I'm going to need one of those kidneys!

Obamacare's Fault!

Ya think? Put a M&M in a glass of soda. It doesn't take long for it to dissolve. That was enough for me to swear off the stuff when I was 12.

Bottled diet soda uses Aspartame. Diet soda from a fountain, uses saccharin.

So which diet formulation did they study?

Artificial sweeteners are also neurotoxic, literally poisonous to our brain and neural systems.
Fructose gets into our bloodstream much faster than sugar and is probably a significant cause in the increased rate of diabetes.

The last I read, Americans consumer over 150 pounds of sweeteners per capita per year. It's no wonder America spends more on medical care than any other nation.

I'm sure the cost of prescription drugs has nothing to do with it.

#6 | Posted by Ray

And addictive.

#8 | Posted by wurster at 2009-12-17 02:49 PM

I was drinking diet soda like a fish in water for a while. Decided to go cold turkey but knew I still needed caffeine or I was going to get headaches, so I quit soda one day and took up tea. It was awful, I couldn't even hold my head up in my desk chair at work.

Fructose gets into our bloodstream much faster than sugar and is probably a significant cause in the increased rate of diabetes.

Wrong again, Ray. Fructose gets in your bloodstream faster than "sugar"? What "sugar"? Fructose is a sugar. If you're referring to the sugar you put in cookies, that's sucrose - fructose bound to glucose. Once sucrose hits your stomach acid, each molecule is broken into a molecule of fructose and a molecule of glucose. Then it is absorbed by your body. Pure fructose is absorbed slower than fructose in the presence of glucose.

High fructose corn syrup, by the way, is a mixture of fructose and glucose like to the mixture produced in your stomach after you eat sucrose. It's an entirely natural product, not some evil goop cooked up in some meth-head's basement. Health problems arise when people consume massive amounts of simple sugars and sit on their asses all day.

Fructose gets into our bloodstream much faster than sugar and is probably a significant cause in the increased rate of diabetes.

Sugar does not cause diabetes. Sugar is what diabetics need to check

The last I read, Americans consumer over 150 pounds of sweeteners per capita per year.

I eat maybe 1.5 # food a day. I doubt if almost a third of it is sugar. Carbs which get turned into glucose maybe, but not sugar (sweeteners)

Fructose gets into our bloodstream much faster than sugar and is probably a significant cause in the increased rate of diabetes.

In the form of HFCS, that is absolutely true.

The article was very limited in analyzing diet drinks, not even mentioning the primary ingredient in most Diet drinks, aspertame's toxicity.

I hope this is not true!

#4 | Posted by Ron_Karate at 2009-12-17 11:40 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

Fuck an m&M...see what it does to teeth!!

If you drink anything with 'Splenda' or NutraSweet', you might want to do some homework and see just how bad that shit truly is.

Pure grain alcohol, cane sugar and rain water...

Pure grain alcohol, cane sugar and rain water...

Save two organs, destroy another

Sugar does not cause diabetes. Sugar is what diabetics need to check
#11 | POSTED BY GOATMAN

Sugar consumption raises blood sugar levels, causing the pancreas to release insulin to bring it down to normal. The speed by which sugar consumption affects blood sugar, causes the pancreas to overproduce insulin. Do this often enough year after year and your pancreas becomes too exhausted to produce insulin.
Sugar and corn sweeteners are a major source of diabetes.

Sugar and corn sweeteners are a major source of diabetes.

I'm an insulin dependent diabetic. I've read dozens of books on the subject and never once read a source that suggested sugar causes diabetes. In fact I've read in several of my sourcs that suar is not a cause of diabetes.

Google [does sugar cause diabetes] and look at the blurbs on the returns. You don't even have to go to any links. They agree with me.

High fructose corn syrup, by the way, is a mixture of fructose and glucose like to the mixture produced in your stomach after you eat sucrose. It's an entirely natural product, not some evil goop cooked up in some meth-head's basement.

Natural is besides the point. It's a concentrated form that enters our bloodstream faster than sucrose. My choice of words in #6 wasn't precise.

Sugar does not cause diabetes. Sugar is what diabetics need to check
#11 | POSTED BY GOATMAN

Sugar is definitely a cause.

It's the over-consumption of sugar that eventually wears down the bodies natural ability to counter the sugar by creating insulin.

Sugar is definitely a cause.

Did you do the google I suggested? How do you explain the answers in those links? How is it you know more about it thatn the authors of the books I've read on the subject? What are your credentials that they have more credence than the authors of the books I've read?

Sorry, I'll go with the majority of endocrinologists on this one, not a blogger from Massachusettes. No offense.

I'm an insulin dependent diabetic.

Do you get single payer health care pursuant to your condition?

Do you get single payer health care pursuant to your condition?

I have insurance through work and I'm a veteran elibible for free diabetes treatment

Forget those diet drinks! Just drink beer!

Try these.

Oh that reminds me Goatman did you ever find out the total monthly premium for your insurance? i.e. what you pay plus what your employer pays?

Did you do the google I suggested? How do you explain the answers in those links? How is it you know more about it thatn the authors of the books I've read on the subject? What are your credentials that they have more credence than the authors of the books I've read?

I know what your sources say.
I would be suspicious of any source that tells me sweeteners are not harmful.
You have nothing to lose from eliminating sweets from your diet.
What you do is your business.

Like everything o the internet, you can find differing opinions. Clearly, 90% or more of the links I saw agreed with me. All the books I've read, without exception say sugar does not cause diabetes.

I'll go with the majority on this one. I didn't hear you mention if you are diabetic, so I'm presuming not. I am, so that probably makes my research and experience with the disease more valid than yours, Ray. But you'll believe what you want, regardless. That's cool. You always seem to go with the minorit opinion on everything else, too, so I presume your opinions on diabetes would be the same.

Oh that reminds me Goatman did you ever find out the total monthly premium for your insurance? i.e. what you pay plus what your employer pays?

~120/mo. That gets me $250 deductible, $15 co-pay with in-network doctors as well s out of network if referred, max $2,000 out of pocket per year and $2,000,000 lifetime. Generic drugs $10, rest are 25% of (not 'off') regular price. Includes eyecare.

You have nothing to lose from eliminating sweets from your diet.

I never have been big sweet eater. However, it is impossible to emilminate all sources of glucose from one's diet. Indeed, it is unhealthy. All carbs and starches turn into glucose. Fructose, Surcrose, all the complex sugars and carbs are not what is harmful to diabetics. It is their common metaboloid, glucose (the simplest form of sugar C6 H12 O6) that is bad for diabetics.

Your total premium is $120/mo? That is phenomenally cheap.

#10 zombie
...HFCS is an entirely natural product....

That's just assanine.

That is phenomenally cheap.

Keep in mind that is no dependents. Also, there is a lot of competition in my field. One of our bigges competitors pays 100% health care premiums

You always seem to go with the minorit opinion on everything else, too, so I presume your opinions on diabetes would be the same.

I have a habit of not accepting mainstream views until I've looked at as many views as I can find, and deciding on what I think closest reflects reality. Over the decades, I've found that we live in a sea of disinformation. It's been working for me.

All carbs and starches turn into glucose.

Grains and any other refined starches should be avoided. The object is to minimize the stresses on our body. Sugars and starches are among the worst.

My plan is about the same benefit level as your Goatman and it costs $450/mo. What the fuck is going on?

You sure your $120 figure is right? Like, if you were to lose your job and had to make COBRA payments (and ignoring for a fact you'd only have to pay 35% of the total cost for the first nine months of COBRA pursuant to the ARRA of 2009) it would be $120/mo?

If my plan was only $120/mo I wouldn't think we need health care reform either...

Goat,

That is what you pay but what does your company pay? No way 120 is both.

Interesting research project about sugar and diabetes. I had always been told it was and it made sense after a fasion so I went with it. It would seem I was wrong. Sure there are some links that say it does but for the most part nope not so much.

They do say that diet soda causes MS like symptoms. Thats always fun. Oh you have MS ya know if you quit drinking diet soda it will go away. No really? Your the first person to say that I'll go right out and find a way to drink less than 0 diet soda.

I have a habit of not accepting mainstream views until I've looked at as many views as I can find,

So how much research have you done on diabetes? How many books have you read on the subject? Just curious since you seem to think you know more about the disease than I do.

Avoiding grains is bad for the intestional tract. Carbs are absolutely necessary for a healthy body. As I said, it's not the starches or the carbs that are a diabetic's enemy, it is their metaboloid glucose. The amount of grain it takes to produce one gram of glucose is every bit as safe/dangerous (depending how well managed) as one gram of pure glucose to a diabetic. To a non-diabetic, they do the exact same thing. However with pure glucose you do not get the benifits of the fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are present in grain. Your advice is not very sound and is actually very unhealthy.

fasion = fashion

That is what you pay but what does your company pay?

I'm no sure what the company pays. Sorry if I misconstrued the question. I would imagine it is on par with any other group rate that corporations pay for their employees.

120 a month isn't bad,I paid about that as a single fellow when I wasn't self employed.Employer paid alot which kept the annual pay raise to pretty much nothing.

But unlike Goatman I didn't have to take a physical to keep my job

Goatman, the easy way to find out is ask "how much would it cost to continue my health insurance on COBRA if, G-d forbid, I were to lose this job?"

"how much would it cost to continue my health insurance on COBRA if, G-d forbid, I were to lose this job?"

Why the fuck would he do that?That's like saying 'i'm considering changing my employment status'

When I was single getting insurance it was only about 50-60 a month, actualy had one job where it was only 30. That was only around 10 years ago.

That was only around 10 years ago.

Bill Clinton was president ,sounds like a long time ago to me.

So how much research have you done on diabetes? How many books have you read on the subject? Just curious since you seem to think you know more about the disease than I do.

Decades ago I had a problem called "brain fog." The first book I came across on the subject was "Body Mind and Sugar" where the author explains insulin rebound.

Another one, by Hans Selye explains gland exhaustion. (I think, but I'm not sure, he won a Nobel Prize.) It's been so long, I can't remember all my sources. Try those links I gave you.

Avoiding grains is bad for the intestional tract. Carbs are absolutely necessary for a healthy body. Your advice is not very sound and is actually very unhealthy.

Farming was introduced to the human race about 12,000 years ago. Our bodies did not evolve on processed foods. There are plenty of starchy vegetables to choose from. I gave up grains due to an asthmatic condition. Never had digestion problems, unless I eat gluten foods.

I'm 68 and I don't have any health problems, which I attribute to my diet and exercise regimen. I don't know what else to tell you.

My favorite part is how public schools are recognizing the 'dangers of obesity' with our youth and promptly replacing regular soda with diet.

These artificials are among the things from which we abstain.

120 a month isn't bad,I paid about that as a single fellow when I wasn't self employed.Employer paid alot which kept the annual pay raise to pretty much nothing.

But unlike Goatman I didn't have to take a physical to keep my job

#43 | Posted by bruceaz

$110 per month for a family of 4, for what it's worth. I got laid off last summer for a brief period and $918.00 per month under Cobra.

$918.00 per month under Cobra.

Bet that brought back memories of drinking your old man's Old Style

Goatman, I too am insulin dependent have been since very very young. You have obviously done your research as well. Another idea that's been tossed around concerning the cause of diabetes, but nothing has been proven yet, is a virus that naturally is similar in structure to the islet cells in your pancreas. The body defends against and kills the virus but keeps attacking the pancreas thinking it is more of the virus.
Sugar consumption is not as worrisome as it used to be. Advances in insulin and controlling blood glucose via extremely fast acting insulin such as Apedra in concert with longer slower acting insulin such as Lantus can keep my BG levels well under the 150 mgl mark during the day with fasting BG level in the 80-90 range when I wake up in the morning.
Gluten is bad, WHOLE grains are good. Sodium is bad, Carbs are good,(to a point).

For those of you asking about insurance. In Colorado and New York, at least, it is against the law to deny insurance for diabetics. My insurance through work covers all supplies ($20.00 co-pay) and Dr. visits also $20.00 co-pay. Insulin is counted as diabetic supplies and 5 pens' which last about a month to 6 weeks, is $20.00 out of pocket. Deduction from pay is same as what a typical healthy family member would be charged. I do not know how much the company pays but I assume it is no more for me that the spouse of another non-diabetic employee.

Tedly: I am on a Lantus and Humulog regimine. I take 50 units Lantus before bed, then I use a sliding scale for the humulog based on my glucose readings before each meal. It is usually 5-9 units. Works pretty well for me.

As you know, however, when the sugar is in control, it tends to lead to weight gain. So my endocrinologist put me on Symlin before meals. That helped my weight a whole lot.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 3 years ago. I beat it without drugs by loosing 20 lbs, and avoiding all sugar, refined flour, refined rice and regular potatoes.

My pancreas was producing normal levels of insulin. My cells just couldn't handle all the refined sugar, and starch turns to sugar as soon as it comes in contact with saliva.

It's not so much what you eat that counts, as how much you eat. Regular exercise is a must too.

It's likely those on here who have diabetes may already be familiar with this "LifeClinic" website on diabetes linked below. But for any of you who haven't seen it before maybe you'll find some of the information interesting and/or useful to you.

The link opens under the section "Advancements in Diabetes" providing some of the most current advances underway for diabetes.

On the left side of each page is a long menu and when the cursor highlights a particular category additional submenus appear.

One more --

Really interesting story about a military airman in Afghanistan whose pancreas was "riddled with enemy bullets" and if nothing was done, it would have sent him into full blown diabetes. But then a new procedure was tried on him and according to the article doctors "removed the insulin-producing islet cells from what was left of his pancreas and transplanted them into his liver, which has taken over the function of producing the insulin."

The news article said this new procedure may result in a cure for millions of diabetics within 10 years.

I'll go with the majority on this one. I didn't hear you mention if you are diabetic, so I'm presuming not. I am, so that probably makes my research and experience with the disease more valid than yours, Ray. But you'll believe what you want, regardless. That's cool. You always seem to go with the minorit opinion on everything else, too, so I presume your opinions on diabetes would be the same.

#31 | Posted by goatman at 2009-12-17 09:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

You say your insulin dependent so I'm assuming you're type 1?

I'll admit to not knowing much about type 1 but type 2 is usually found later in life in adults who treat their bodies like cess pools. The evidence regarding type 2 seems to point to sweeteners. That is one of the main reasons we're now seeing type 2 diabetes in children. Most are living on high sugar diets.

When I first was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I switched to artificial sweetners. After a few weeks food tasted like crap and the diabetes was not any better. I quite all sugar and high starch foods for two weeks and my blood sugar returned to normal. I can now eat sugar again, but not in excess. The key is metabolizing the sugar you do eat. You can do this with the right supplements. I take cinnamon caps twice daily, herbal supplements for controlling blood sugar and 2000 mg vitamin C daily. I am no longer diabetic, so it can be controlled without drugs.

Commonsense

You say your insulin dependent so I'm assuming you're type 1?

Your question to Goat can be answered by him in much more detail, but Goat has mentioned before on DR he has Type 1 diabetes but that his was diagnosed much later in life and not when he was an adolescent.

It almost appears from a number of articles that stress or a virus can even play a part in lowering one's autoimmune system leaving them open to getting Type 1 diabetes much later age than when it's normally diagnosed.

post from a blog about Type 1 diabetes --

...And the genetics of type 1 is different from type 2. Yes, type 2 does tend to run in families from parents to children, etc., but most type 1 diabetics do not have type 1 parents. I have read (but do not know how true this is) that it is thought that we perhaps inherit one faulty gene from each of our parents, and that this is why usually we are the first type 1 diabetics in the family with no family history.

The two faulty genes don't cause the diabetes, but do cause the autoimmune problem that can set us up to become type 1 diabetics if something such as a virus causes the immune system to kick into overdrive so it kills off our pancreas' islet cells.

Some people refer to out type of diabetes as "autoimmune diabetes", which is actually more accurate than "type 1." As for the virus that triggers the body's overactive immune system, it is thought, from what I have read, that this can happen YEARS before diabetes is finally diagnosed.

I fortunately don't have diabetes but I think it's helpful -- and healthy -- to bring up this subject and talk about it here out in the open since a number of people may feel isolated with their problem and would not talk about it otherwise.

When diabetes was brought up on DR before I was surprised at the number of posters on here who said they too had to deal with it.

DEPRESSION -- One problem which often is associated with being brought on by having to deal daily with the hassles of diabetes and which -- men in particular -- tend to brush aside is depression. Depression shouldn't be taken lightly and is certainly nothing to be ashamed of but if left untreated can have a very detrimental affect on a person's ability to cope and enjoy life.

So for you guys with diabetes don't just ignore the possibility you may at times be suffering bouts of depression connected having to deal with your diabetes. Depression can affect not only your life but your depression also affects the lives of those around you.

Men seem to really shy away from even talking about depression since they consider it to be a "mental problem" but it needs to be treated just like any other medical issue. Women have no problem discussing possible symptoms of depression with their doctor who then can prescribe an anti-depressant. Nothing shameful in taking an anti-depressant if needed when you're also trying to deal with the rigors of having diabetes.

See if any of these symptoms of diabetes-related depression show in the link below might pertain to those of you dealing with diabetes and, if so, dont think twice about talking to your doctor who'll give you a prescription for a mild anti-depressant if he feels you need it. It could make a world of difference for you if treated. Diabetics have enough problems to deal with without having depression added on to their list. Hope what I had to say might be helpful to some of you -- particular guys who are the hardest ones to get to admit it.

particular guys = particularly guys

That is one of the main reasons we're now seeing type 2 diabetes in children. Most are living on high sugar diets.

Sugar does not cause diabetes (check the links I provided) The reason we are seeing it more in children is lack of exercise.

Sugar does not cause diabetes

Diabetes is caused by genetics and enviromental consitions.

That noted a huge contributing factor to Diabetes (particularly Type 2) is lack of excercise as you've noted above and obesity which can be caused by a high sugar diet.

Be Well.

Diabetes Causes

Type 1 diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

A predisposition to develop type 1 diabetes may run in families, but genetic causes (a postitive family history) is much more common for type 2 diabetes.

Environmental factors, including common unavoidable viral infections, may also contribute.

Type 1 diabetes is most common in people of non-Hispanic, Northern European descent (especially Finland and Sardinia), followed by African Americans, and Hispanic Americans. It is relatively rare in those of Asian descent.

Type 1 diabetes is slightly more common in men than in women.

Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes has strong genetic links, meaning that type 2 diabetes tends to run in families. Several genes have been identified and more are under study which may relate to the causes of type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include the following:

High blood pressure

High blood triglyceride (fat) levels

Gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

High-fat diet

High alcohol intake

Sedentary lifestyle

Obesity or being overweight

Ethnicity, particularly when a close relative had type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes: certain groups, such as African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Japanese Americans, have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.

Aging: Increasing age is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Risk begins to rise significantly at about age 45 years, and rises considerably after age 65 years.

Another thing that I don't have to worry about. I think diet drinks suck. There isn't a single one that has a decent flavor. As it is, I drink about a half a coke a day and water the rest of the time. One cup of coffee in the morning and that's it.

Goatman: I'm not familiar with Symlin but weight control has not been an issue yet. I take 18units of Lantus at night and use a sliding scale for the Apidra 4 to 5 times a day.

Exercise is very critical. I do cardio workouts for 40 to 60 mins. three days a week, weight training for 30 mins after the cardio workout, and walk 2 to 3 miles 5-7 days aweek. On a good day The exercise can drop my BG levels over 100 points.

I will admit though that I'm still waiting for that cure that science and research has yet to deliver.

#65 | Posted by goatman

Yes those are all risk factors, but they don't get at the mechanisim I was alluding to. Constant stress on an organ will at some point cause an organ to reach a state of exhaustion where it can no longer respond effectively to stimulus. In the case of diabetes, one should avoid high glycemic foods such as sugar, high fructonse corn syrup, artifical sweeteners, simple starches, even emotional stress as much as possible.

I look up "what causes diabetes" and found not one which discusses the hazards of overstressing an organ. It is the simplest explanation that links all the risk factors.

I involuntarily work out because of my job. Climbing stairs and even the derrick for up to 12 hours a day does that.

I think the cure will be the first practical use of stem cell research. From what I read, the insulin producing islets of Langerhans should be fairly easy to produce and injected into the pancreas.

Until then, I don't understand why a device that actively monitors blood sugar and pumps insulin into the bloodstream as needed can't be produced. We have glucometers. We have insulin pumps. Why not marry the two?

I look up "what causes diabetes" and found not one which discusses the hazards of overstressing an organ.

Maybe the tens of thousands of endocrinologists who have studied and treated the disease know more about it than you do, ray. Did you ever consider that possibility?

"Did you ever consider that possibility?"

#70 | Posted by goatman at 2009-12-18 12:08 PM | Reply | Flag: now that's funny

Also I remember reading a while back where they injected stem cells into the liver and somehow the pancreas started producing insulin again. I haven't heard much since so I'm not sure of the progress.

Maybe the tens of thousands of endocrinologists who have studied and treated the disease know more about it than you do, ray. Did you ever consider that possibility?

I'm sure they do. But for some reason, they are not addressing the problem of exhaustion. It stands to reason that our bodies have finite limitations to how much stress they can endure before something breaks down.

The research was done by Hans Selye, who I think won a Nobel Prize for it. Look him up on Amazon.

Ray: There may be some truth to your thoughts here but there's been no proof yet just as there's been no proof to any cause of Diabetes. The disease dates back to biblical time when if it was suspected you were diabetic they put some of your urine in a bowl and put the bowl near an ant hill. If the ants went to the bowl of urine you were diabetic, if they didn't you weren't.
I would think that 2000 plus years ago stressing the pancreas was not as easy as a trip to the corner store for a coke and candy bar.

What are the prospects for an artificial pancreas?

To overcome the limitations of current insulin therapy, researchers have long sought to link glucose monitoring and insulin delivery by developing an artificial pancreas. An artificial pancreas is a system that will mimic, as closely as possible, the way a healthy pancreas detects changes in blood glucose levels and responds automatically to secrete appropriate amounts of insulin. Although not a cure, an artificial pancreas has the potential to significantly improve diabetes care and management and to reduce the burden of monitoring and managing blood glucose.

An artificial pancreas based on mechanical devices requires at least three components:

* a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system
* an insulin delivery system
* a computer program that adjusts insulin delivery based on changes in glucose levels

CGM systems approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include those made by Abbott, DexCom, and Medtronic. A CGM system paired with an insulin pump is available from Medtronic. This integrated system, called the MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System, is not an artificial pancreas, but it does represent the first step in joining glucose monitoring and insulin delivery systems using the most advanced technology available.

For more information about CGM systems, see the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse's fact sheet Continuous Glucose Monitoring or call 18008608747 to request a copy.

Ray: There may be some truth to your thoughts here but there's been no proof yet just as there's been no proof to any cause of Diabetes.

I gave you the name of the researcher, who in his time was world famous for his work on stress.

As far as 2000 years ago, I'm sure it was much less common. I wouldn't rule out genetic weaknesses, and they no doubt suffered from nutritutional deficiencies, stress, and poor diet. Life expectancies were also shorter. They didn't have the knowledge of nutritution and the variety of foods we have today.

Tedly

Also I remember reading a while back where they injected stem cells into the liver and somehow the pancreas started producing insulin again. I haven't heard much since so I'm not sure of the progress.

Scroll back up and read both links in my post #57

This scares me. I am a 100% Diet Coke addict.

Any of you fellows military veterans who have Type 2 diabetes and served over in Viet Nam? If so, Uncle Sam has a monthly compensation check for you plus help with medical supplies, etc.

Apparently they have linked Type 2 diabetes as one of the problems caused by Agent Orange. Your monthly check amount will depend on the severity of your particular case.

Definitely worth checking into.

Stevia is a natural plant product that is displacing artificial sweetners in soft drinks. Coke and Pepsi both received FDA approvals and recently introduced stevia-sweetened products into the U.S. market. It's been used in other countries safely for many years.

These drinks taste nasty for a reason. Foul taste is a warning that what youre eating or drinking is considered toxic. I have tried diet drinks before and never understood why anyone would voluntarily drink that crap. Give me water anyday over diet soda.

Re the link in my post #81 --

MILITARY VETS --

The VA now allows you to claim a "service connected disabliity" if you served in Viet Nam and have Type 1 diabetes.

So run, don't walk, and get yourself classified NOW as having a medical condition the VA recognizes as being service-connected. It doesn't matter what percentage disability rating you are given, just so as it's "service connected" as a service-connected rating gives you even more VA medical benefits.

And even if you have no service-connected disability, you still need to get yourself officially recognized as being qualified for VA medical care.

You may think it's no big deal and don't want to go through the hassle and paperwork with the VA -- especially if you're younger and now have private medical insurance for yourself through your employer or elsewhere but, trust me, that's only now. You have no clue as to how important this may be for you down the road even if you don't use the VA now.

I got my Dad into the VA medical system in the early 1990's when he first showed problems with Alzheimers. I was told by a service officer at our local VFW to "do everything I possibly could" to make sure my Dad "got into the system" as being eligible for VA medical care (even though at the time he had Medicare and a Medicare supplemental policy allowing him to see his own private physicians).

So on the VFW service officer's advice, I went and plowed through all my Dad's old military records, got a copy of his DD-214, filled out all the necessary VA forms, etc. And, while my Dad's medical condition at the time didn't qualify him for a VA "service-connected" disability rating, I still got him "into the system."

No so long afterwards, getting my Dad his VA ID card allowing him access to VA medical treatment turned out to be a Godsend for my Mom and me as the VA agreed to pay 100% of the astronomical costs of a nursing home when my Mom was finally no longer able care for him at home on her own after his condition worsened. Otherwise we would have had to pay for it ourselves "out of pocket" those first few months until enough time (3 months or so?) had passed and state aid via Medicaid would kick in and start paying.

btw -- My Dad did not have to go into a regular VA nursing home either. (I know horror stories abound re the quality of some regular VA nursing homes but in our situation that was not the case.) The VA provided us with a VA-approved list of private nursing homes in our area which allowed us to find a private nursing home not too far from my parents' house which enabled my Mom to go out and visit my Dad almost daily.

I'm telling you all this because I know my Mom could never have researched and handled the paperwork on her own -- or have a clue where to begin. She was in a situation of 24/7 caretaking for my Dad and both were in their 70s at the time. Fortunately I was able to do the research and handle the necessary leg and paperwork but it was a hectic and stressful time for us all.

Do yourself a favor and don't put it off until the time you actually may need it to get the necessary VA paperwork done to show yourself as being "officially qualified" to receive VA medical care -- whether or not you need and/or use it now.

It's worth writing all this down if my info will save even one of you (and your family members) from having to go through what my Mom and I had to in a very short amount of time and under very stressful conditions. Some VA qualifications may have changed since the early 1990s but if anyone has a question (as pertained to my own situation with the VA) which I can maybe answer for you, just leave me a post on here.

IMPORTANT correction to my post #84 --

"The VA now allows you to claim a "service connected disabliity" if you served in Viet Nam and have Type 1 diabetes...."

should have been

The VA now allows you to claim a "service connected disabliity" if you served in Viet Nam and have Type 2 diabetes...."

How'bout if you served in Man Teiv?

Also I remember reading a while back where they injected stem cells into the liver and somehow the pancreas started producing insulin again.

I heard one of my friends talking about that the other day. Did it involve an American GI who got shot through the pancreas?

Decades ago I had a problem called "brain fog."

Heh... and you think it went away? No, that was simply the process of you growing accustomed to being a moron.

I heard one of my friends talking about that the other day. Did it involve an American GI who got shot through the pancreas?

#87 | Posted by ZombieHunter at 2009-12-19 07:27 PM

Read the two links in my post #57. Both are about that GI.

Cool thx.

#88 | POSTED BY ZOMBIEHUNTER

Whatever gives you a hard-on.