Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and Did Something About It: Adam's Story, Part II
This article was written exclusively for Information About Diabetes by Adam Caryll. After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Adam decided to turn his life around by getting active. Over five months, he lost about 50 pounds, cut his A1C level in half, and lowered his blood pressure to within a normal range. This is his inspiring story.
Over the next few days, I was deeply depressed. A close friend of mine, a young woman named Nikki Parson, had died from uncontrolled diabetes six years earlier. I couldn’t stop thinking of her. Knowing I now had a condition for which there was no cure and which would influence almost every aspect of my life from this point forward was a heavy stone to pick up.
Fortunately, I had a loving family and close friends to encourage me to try and to fight. My endocrinologist, Dr. Varma, was spoken of in terms of respect, almost awe, among the hospital staff – and I learned why over the next few months. She is incredible. She told me that being so young when we caught this, if I tried hard, controlled my diet, and exercised regularly, there was a chance, in time, I could get off medication, perhaps control my diabetes with exercise alone – maybe even remission.
Turning My Life Around
My girlfriend of 11 years had been trying to get me to go on walks with her for exercise for years. I always thought she was nuts, but now I had to try. One of my friends recommended a program called RunKeeper, and everything changed.
I started walking almost daily, challenging myself to top my average speed and distance. In time I learned I could cycle farther and for longer duration, and it was easier on my knees. With a membership at a local gym running a special, I was able to give myself a place to rebuild muscle mass and do cardio indoors with the coming winter.
The New Me
It’s been five months. As I write this, I weigh 214 pounds. When I quit drinking 22 months ago, I weighed over 300. I had my first endocrinologist visit on Monday, and my A1C index was 5.4, my blood pressure was 116/76, and my kidney/liver function was normal. I haven’t had to inject insulin in four months. I started out on 4 mg of Prandin with every meal, and now I’m down to .5/1 mg with only dinner. I'm still taking Metformin and Oseni, still working. There’s more to be done.
On a side note, after what the doctors, nurses and surgeons did for me, I’ve decided to go back to school. I start in February for my EMT certification, a prerequisite for becoming a paramedic.
Never stop fighting. It’s the only way to really lose.
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