Re: gee, what day! to

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I still think he's an idiot! Prior to the return of my acute panc attacks in

July 2002, I was 'grossly' obese! As I said previously, I weighed 260 lbs and

am 5'9 " tall. With a BMI of 38.5, I was well on my way to being 'morbidly

obese'. For me, the gastric bypass was the right decision and I would do it

again in a minute. I had the gastric bypass in Dec 01 and by Jul 02, my weight

was down to 180 lbs with a BMI of 26.6. Even at 260 lbs, my blood sugar was

always perfect no matter what I ate or didn't eat. For the most part, this

should be true for anyone who is not a diabetic. Even when the acute panc

attacks returned in July 02 (after about 18 months of no attacks severe enough

to warrant an ER visit), my blood sugar was still perfect. It was not until

three months after the attacks started back that I began having problems with my

blood sugar dropping too low. During those three months (July to Oct 2002) I

had more attacks than I can even count. I was in the hospital about 10 times

and in the ER too many times to remember. At first the doctors thought my low

blood sugar problems were just because I had been so sick and my nutritional

status was VERY poor. They most certainly couldn't blame it on my weight

because by October 2002, my weight was down to 164 lbs with a BMI of 24.3,

putting me into the 'normal' weight category. By December 02, I was having

problems with both low and high blood sugars. In January 2003, I saw the

endocrinologist and he immediately diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes. He told

me that it could simply be hereditary since my mom has diabetes and she has

NEVER been overweight and is VERY active. However, with the timing of the

numerous panc attacks, it was more likely that the pancreatitis was responsible

for the onset of the diabetes. In February 2003, my weight dropped to an all

time low of 155 lbs rather quickly and my doctors were telling me that I

absolutely 'had to eat' and that I was 'not to lose another pound'. Even though

my weight was dropping, my diabetes was becoming harder to control. Of course,

the fact that I had to begin taking prednisone because of my autoimmune liver

disease didn't help!

Anyway, my whole point to this is that I think that your attacks of pancreatitis

are a more likely cause of your diabetes than your weight. However, I'm

certainly not a doctor. If I were you, I would go to an endocrinologist. I

would also follow a diabetic diet because it's really a healthy diet for almost

anyone. You may never really know for sure if it is the pancreatitis or your

weight or a combination of the two that has resulted in diabetes. Regardless of

the cause, the treatment is most likely going to be the same. First, try to get

your blood sugar regulated with diet and exercise. If that's not enough, add

medication, then as a last resort, insulin may be necessary.

For me, the only time I am on any meds for diabetes is when I have a panc attack

and am in the hospital. I always end up having to be given insulin at least

once or twice after a flare up of pancreatitis.

Sorry to be so slow in getting back. I was admitted to the hospital last Friday

evening and didn't get back home til Monday evening. I'm better but very tired

so this is the first I've touched the computer.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Also, please forgive me but since I

have over 300 e-mails, I will surely have to delete most!

W