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Diabetic bass players

#162
I was directed to this thread by metallicafan18...I'm so grateful!

I'm not diabetic, but my 5-year old son was diagnosed with Type I last Wednesday, the day after his 5th birthday. Everything I've read is so scary...all the complications that can come of it! So far he's only been with me this past weekend (he primarily lives with his mom and her husband), but I was compulsive about checking his blood and administering insulin. Fortunately, it seems to be bothering me more than him.
 
#164
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It's been awhile since this have been up. Any new guys wanting some help?
 
#165
I was diagnosed back in 2004, been on pills until I took a turn for the worse in Oct. 2008. I take two types of insulin twice a day plus metformin, also I have to take meds for blood pressure and high cholesterol. The diabetes has caused neuropathy in both feet which causes a lot of pain, usually I have to take pain pills at night to sleep. It has affected my playing, I get weak a lot so I mostly sit when I play. Hopefully I can get it under control soon, it is a pain in the rear dealing with it but I'm not going to let it defeat me. Please give me a number, I'm glad to see a group for diabetics.
 
#166
Naminator01 said:
How does having diabetes conflict with bass playing?
Click to expand...

Diagnosed with Type 2 three years ago when I was 60. I consider myself lucky because my Mom had Type 2 and my Dad died from Type 1 when he was only 54. I shoot insulin AM and PM and follow a really strict diet. I cannot afford to test myself, but I really don't need to.

How does diabetes affect playing bass?

For me, diabetes affects my finger tips - they always feel like pins and needles. I can hardly feel the strings when I'm playing. But I've been playing for over 40 years so I know where the srings are by memory.
 
#167
thebassguy63 said:
I was diagnosed back in 2004, been on pills until I took a turn for the worse in Oct. 2008. I take two types of insulin twice a day plus metformin, also I have to take meds for blood pressure and high cholesterol. The diabetes has caused neuropathy in both feet which causes a lot of pain, usually I have to take pain pills at night to sleep. It has affected my playing, I get weak a lot so I mostly sit when I play. Hopefully I can get it under control soon, it is a pain in the rear dealing with it but I'm not going to let it defeat me. Please give me a number, I'm glad to see a group for diabetics.
Click to expand...

That does sound really rough. Good luck with fighting it all. We are all here to support you.

#62:bassist:
 
#168
Mike19 said:
Diagnosed with Type 2 three years ago when I was 60. I consider myself lucky because my Mom had Type 2 and my Dad died from Type 1 when he was only 54. I shoot insulin AM and PM and follow a really strict diet. I cannot afford to test myself, but I really don't need to.

How does diabetes affect playing bass?

For me, diabetes affects my finger tips - they always feel like pins and needles. I can hardly feel the strings when I'm playing. But I've been playing for over 40 years so I know where the srings are by memory.
Click to expand...

#63


May I ask, why do you think you don't need to check your sugars? I'm not disagreeing, but I was just wondering why you think that.:)
 
#169
metallicafan18 said:
#63


May I ask, why do you think you don't need to check your sugars? I'm not disagreeing, but I was just wondering why you think that.:)
Click to expand...


Because my body gives me clear signs if my BSL is too low or too high: I get hyper and dizzy when low and nauseous when high .

I would test if I could afford the strips. But, I don't have med insurance and the insulin costs me $250 a month. That leaves no money for testing materials.
 
#170
I'm type 2 but hopefully will not be in a year or two. I feel I developed it due to poor diet, and lack of exercise(after my last major band split). Depression hit real hard, ate and sat around. Now gotta undo years of work(or non-work). My mother's father had type 1, I think. And she became type 2 a month after she passed from pancreatic cancer.
 
#171
I was just diagnosed with Type 2 just a week ago. My dad also developed it at age 48, same as me.

I just started Metformin and my eyes are still blurry after a week on the meds. I'm hoping that gets better. I've been inundated with all kinds of advice, some of it conflicting. My doctor says I don't need to completely cut out carbs or sweets, but just eat better and have carbs in moderation. I also need to lose weight and do more cardio. I've lifted weights for 25+ years, but that's anaerobic so I need more aerobic exercise.

At this point I'm almost paranoid as to any symptoms. If I'm tired, drowsy, nauseous, headache, blurry-eyed, etc, I'm wondering what's causing it...high or low blood sugar? My doctor told me I didn't have to worry about daily testing just yet, as he wants to go through a couple of cycles of blood lab tests to adjust the dosage of the medication.

As I've been told, my diabetes is a manageable disease. It's an inconvenience, not a death sentence. It will take some lifestyle changes, but I needed to change my diet anyway. This just gives me the kick in the a$$ I needed to get started!
 
#172
I'm type 2, I was diagnosed about 10 years ago but I ignored it until January of this year. I now take Metformin twice daily and Onglyza once a day. I've lost about 22 pounds and I feel great. I check my blood twice daily and count carbs and I simply can't believe how much better I feel. I consider myself very fortunate to have ignored it for more than 10 years with no ill effects. I definitely dodged the bullet and I would advise anybody to be diligent...check your blood and eat smart. I got lucky.
 
#173
Also too, as diabetics, we all most know that these drugs like Metformin are whats called statin drugs. They do help in a way, but are not the endall. They basically make your numbers look good, but will cause other side affects/problems. My doctor also has me on Glyberide, which makes the pancrease work alittle harder to try and make insulin. But I ask her won't that make my pancrease die out faster? She said, In theory, yes, but we're looking at the 60-70yr old area. I have since decided(especally with my situation with m mother's sudden passing) that the medical community/doctors are nothing but a bunch of medical bartenders/ legal drug dealers. Like Chris Rock said "There's no money in the cure, it's all about the comeback". They make us "live" with these things like cancers, aids, and diabetes. They're trying to get me to pay $250-$300 for drugs that really do nothing but make the stats look good. I mean if you think about what Metformin actually does, it's a medical version of Hydroxycut(increases metabolism, decreases appettite, etc.). And when you think about all the things that cause things like diabetes, it's all man-made crap. Saturated fats, Bakery items, etc. This is not how we used to eat as humans. I speak from experience. I know there are those out there that have a chance to change, and I can give you a little push in the right direction. I'm not trying to sell anything, promote a workout video, etc. I'm just here to offer/pass on myfindings to those who "want it". In the matter of a few months dropped 20lbs. healthfully(and continue to do so), and have decreased my blood pressure by 10 (was 140-145 over 90 something, now it's 130 over 80). I should know I just went to the doctors today, and we went over everything. I know I made my lifestyle change about a month ago, but it'll work. My Stepmother is a nutritionist/acupunturist, and has helped my father drop some weight, and make his Blood pressure numbers actually perfect. Again, I'm not here to scam, I just wanna pass along powerful information that has helped me, to help fellow TB'ers. PM me if interested.
 
#175
Type 2.....since 1990(I'm 54).
Some times I'm a good boy and sometimes not(testing/meds, foods/excersize)

Some numbness in hands, vision changes alot, foot pain(nerves...on meds that help alot).

I have always said, "Diabetes is the disease of denial, you really don't always feel "sick", so you think that piece of pie or whatever is OK", IT'S NOT.

For the most part, I hate it......but deal with it.:hmm:

Number PLZ...but not sure if I can display it.....I hate that much................:mad:

I think Randy Jackson is a diabetic.
 
#176
I was diagnosed with type 2 in August of last year. Fortunately, I am managing it through diet and excersise and am not insulin dependent. I watch what I eat. If I am at a gig and there is food, I look for something healthy. Otherwise, I just eat what they have. The main thing is to avoid certain starches such as white bread, pasta, etc. You are much better off with whole grain breads, cereals and pastas. When I am grocery shopping, I am always reading labels to look for the carbohydrate counts. They can turn into sugar in the body and can raise your levels. Diabetics also have to watch their alcohol intake, which can be difficult for musicians.
 
#179
I found out in September this year(type2). I knew something was up early August. I was always thirsty, had to pee, hungry, mouth dry and blurry vision driving home at night. Made a Dr.'s appointment and was right. My Ac1 was 10.3 in Sept. I totally changed my diet, started exercising and in Dec. my Ac1 was down to 7.3. I hope in Feb. I will have it down to 6 or so. BTW I've lost about 25 lbs since August and I feel better than I have in a long time. This must have been going on for at least a few years. Now I check my sugar 2 or 3 x a day and can actually predict what my sugar levels are. I just have to pay close attention to when and what I am eating and be consistent with my portion sizes. As long as I do that I should be all right. Anyways can I get a number?
 
#180
Hi Everyone,

I am not a diabetis but I work for a company that makes insulin pump and diabetic supplies. THIS IS NOT A SALES PITCH!I just want to encourage you all to keep the fight, keep testing, and keep playing bass! I work in customer support so if you have questions you can PM me I may be able to get you information.

peace!
 

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