Robby’s questions
Hi Robby, I am writing in to answer some of your questions but hope the information helps anyone else out there who wasn’t
aware of these things.
First: Robby, if you go on Amazon.com, you can find a book that will give you the carb amounts when eating out. There is one that
lists all foods even in restaurants.
Second: I said that as men age, impotency can become a problem whether they are well controlled or not. My poor brother-in-law has
battled this for 10 years. I did not say it would happen to you, it’s just another complication that can arise through no fault on one’s own
care. You are young and if the doc creates a ‘woody’, then Congrats are in order. 
Third: Nerve pain is from the damage due to neuropathy. This condition will occur from poor control, alcohol abuse, smoking, spinal disease and a whole
host of other conditions. Don’t generalize that because the nerve is damaged there is no pain. When it starts, usually in the feet the symptoms are
electric like shocks in the feet and legs, just chronic soreness in the toes. . It is very, very painful! 
They treat it with a drug called Neurontin in
very high doses. This drug can be dangerous. Once again, there is no guarantee that you will ever have it.
Peripheral Neuropathy occurs over many years, not overnight and it affects the extremities first. The areas farthest from the heart (fingers - toes).
Mine started in 1994 with the shock feeling in my toes and leg pain/cramping. At the time, although I was well controlled, no physician I saw could tell
me why it was happening. I just found out last year that it is due to the spinal disease I have. It leads to complete numbness in the affected area. If caught in time, nerve damage can be slowed down but never cured. Both of my feet are nerve damaged due to my spine and now my fingers are starting it as well.
Fourth: Diabetic foot care is very important since the feet and legs are the first to go where circulation is concerned. As diabetics, we are all susceptible to traumas to our feet. I wear two pair of socks all the time around the house. Stepping on a Lego, Hot Wheel, or Glass can cause a cut. Diabetics are slow healers, you want to always protect your feet. The best answer for you is to read about Diabetic Foot Care on the Internet. It tells you the importance of it. Many times physicians overlook telling young patients figuring they have years before any of these things can harm you. Even though, a little knowledge goes a long way should you happen to step on something that cuts your foot badly and requires stitches. I’m not going into all you need to know because I want you to research it yourself.
Fifth: Testing strips can sometimes go bad, but there are times that if the blood is too thin, the machine cannot pick up a reading. When you prick your finger, it
helps to run your hand under warm water if you feel your hands are cold, this will bring the blood to the surface as well as if you hold your hand down to the side of
your body so blood can rush down. I know if I don’t make sure my hands are room temp. or warmer, I have a hard time getting a sample.
I like that you poked your palm for it. Adventurous little thing, aren’t you?? 
Sixth: High Blood pressure is usually not diagnosed until a patient sees a physician 3 times and each time has a high reading. Most people, especially men since I live with my husband love to ignore their health if they can get by with it! My husband is famous for waiting an illness out before seeing a dr. for the problem.
His old doc after 6 visits thought he might put him on B/P meds. I was pissed that he waited that long. He is now with a dr. who is much more observant.
Seventh: Eyesight changes all the time when you are diabetic. If you ever noticed before your DKA that you saw things very blurry, it meant your sugar was up.
Most of time once sugar is controlled, vision returns to normal. Never go for an eye exam unless you know your sugar is in the normal range. You can end up with the wrong glasses since the prescription won’t be correct.
Eighth: White, cold hands. Robby, my son is 20 and he has pale hands and blue fingernails and has had this condition forever. It means nothing. She just
is having fun with you because she knows now you are diabetic. Ninth: Major stars are diabetics as well as us working everyday people. Halle Berry, I have heard conflicting things on. Last I heard she was Type 2 and was doing an herbal regimen for her diet. Mary Tyler Moore in her younger years was a diabetic that drank a lot on the set of Dick Van Dyke. She has had 7 Lasik eye surgeries to correct her vision and went many years with her blood sugar out of whack. I have her bio book.
Tenth & Last: You keep touching on Kidney disease. Once again, I am going to repeat this: All Diabetics are different! Some comply with what they are supposed to do–like you and then there are one’s who are non-compliant and do suffer with complications. There are also diabetics that are brittle, severe and not as controllable as you. Kidney failure can be inevitable for some.
Robby, just take care of you. The rest of the world will survive the way they see fit. When I was younger and worked in a hospital, my aunt would get mad at me and tell me “Carol, you can’t save the world!”
She was so right. Everyday people live their lives the way they see fit. I have had patients that were in terrible shape from all types of diseases and would wonder what did this person ever do to deserve this? Robby, live with peace, harmony and trust in your beliefs of what is good for you and go on with your life.
Since you appeared on this list, I have never seen so much action! Take care,
Carol