The pros and cons of modeling with diabetes......

[Tracklayer]

I know that feeling. I went to Steak n Shake yesterday. I didn't even really pig out like I normally do. Got home and felt like total crap. Checked my sugar and it was 650. Felt bad enough that I almost went to the hospital. It seems like my diabetes has gotten worse over the past few weeks.

Hang in there Tracklayer.

Thanks loathar. I'm trying. On top of all else, I also have spring allergies along with a low grade body temp, but can't take any medication for it because it makes me feel depressed... It really sucks to be me right now.

You hang in there too man. I hope you get back to normal soon.

Tracklayer

[loathar]

I know that feeling. I went to Steak n Shake yesterday. I didn't even really pig out like I normally do. Got home and felt like total crap. Checked my sugar and it was 650. Felt bad enough that I almost went to the hospital. It seems like my diabetes has gotten worse over the past few weeks.

Hang in there Tracklayer.

[Tracklayer]

I've already made a reply to this thread way back when it first started, but at that time I was feeling okay. After over four years of feeling well, Sunday night I started feeling bad after eating dinner. My legs became weak, I started feeling shaky, my head began to hurt, I got dizzy, queasy at my stomach, started having problems seeing and became real sleepy. Now here it is Tuesday and I'm still not feeling all that great. Until I start feeling normal again there's no way I'm going to be able to work on my layout, enjoy my trains or anything else for that matter.

Young people, please cut back on sodas and sweets in general while you can. Eat plenty of green vegetables and get lots of exercise and sleep. You don't want to end up sick like this. This stuff is no fun at all...

Tracklayer 

[CSXect]

I e-mail two manufactures od S gauge trains and one of them thought it was a worthy cause but had no interest in it, but however gave me a idea about doing custom decals so that it would be better suited to multiple scales. Anyone care to take this idea and run with it??? I would persue it my self but am busy seeking employment that fits my situation.

[CSXect]

There are now over 450 hits on this topic at the atlas forums still no word from RMT, Atlas or lionel

[CSXect]

Wow as of a few min. ago there was 303 hits and 11 posts on the Atlas forum(HO) I e-mail Atlas and expressed an interest in a boxcar in N, HO, and O no reply as of yet maybe by this afternoon.

[loathar]

Yep! it's pretty cool of them. I wonder how those ads work? If they just key off certain words in the title automatically or what?

[CSXect]

And the word spreads 47 hits and one reply on the atlas forum.

I would like to thank the moderators for allowing this thread to exist and for posting links about diabetes in the ads.

 

[CSXect]

Just e-mailed Atlas again and started a thread on thier forum.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cholesterol is something I don't have a problem with. My bad level is 71 and the good is 89. Now if my diabetes would cooperate I'd have it made.

[loathar]

I wish I tested 127! I'm either 30 or 300. No insurance and no money to go see a doctor like I should.

[CSXect]

Just posted to the Diabetes forum on the Diabetes Association website.

My problem is I like juice orange and cranbery/grape but can not have much if any at all

I eat pizza and pasta in small amounts every now and then and I also have a colesteral problem from too much Beef mostly trying to fill that void with what I can have I have switched to a vegei burrito at Chipotle mexican grill has more flavor and is a once a week treat as there is a small amount of carbs in the beans, rice and shell. If I did this more often I would probably get sick.

I have a part time temp job referbuishing old computers and setting them up for those who are trying to reenter the work force after a bout with mental illness or substance abuse. And I am finding that handeling these big @$$ desktop/towers is wearing me out not to mention running up and down stairs from my work area and the IT office. I find it does not take much to work up a sweat and this can cause a drop in sugar levels.

[tgindy]

I heard that 30-40% of folks in the U.S. have some sort of diabetes and don't know it.

Two years ago at a church festival we had an R.N. doing blood pressure screenings, and mine was 160/100 for the first time in my life.  The family physician is an internal medicine specialist who said a full blood draw might show something helping to create the high blood pressure.

The sugar reading was at 125.  The second blood draw a month later was 127.  That just happened to be the tipping level where one has consistantly crossed over into Type II Diabetes territory.

Two years later, the blood pressure is controlled at 120/70, and; one Actos of 15mg/day takes care of my Type II Insulin Resistance, and in effect controls sugar similar to the way blood pressure is controlled by medication.

The result:  Blood sugar has never been higher than that 127, and it has averaged 103-106 for the past couple of months.

Questions:  What if I had not taken that initial blood pressure reading?  What if I had not acted quickly after the discovering high blood pressure?  What if we had not uncovered the Type II Diabetes so early in its spiraling development?

Like all of you, I don't know what the future holds, but I can certainly testify that the sooner you discover a medical problem and take care of it with what preventative action you can, the better off you will be in the long run!

P.S.:  The Actos website is quite informative - http://actos.com/

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Trust me, you don't want to know!

[loathar]

I try and stay away from the breads and pastas and other carbs. The sugar doesn't bother me that much. There's enough good tasting sugar free tea and lemonade out there that I don't miss soda.

Old Jarred talks about the low fat Subway subs. Wonder how many carbs they have with all that bread?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

You're right about the balancing act with the carbs. I really have to watch what I eat and drink. Too few carbs and I feel like * all day and may have a sugar crash, too many and I may pass out from my blood sugar being too high. Many people don't realize that it's the carbs that get you in trouble, not necessarily the sugar. I get a good laugh when I see the people shopping at Wal-Mart or whereever for their diet foods. They buy things that are marked low sugar and no sugar added and sugar free. If you look at the label, 9 times out of 10 the carbs are through the roof! I bought some sugar free cookies one time without checking the label. 3 cookies to serving, 32 carbs per serving! WOW!! I don't get those anymore.

[CSXect]

So far we have heard from an HO and an O manufacture anyone e-mail the N guys?

[CSXect]

I had a dry mouth all day long and did not eat any carbs for breakfest just bacon and eggs. If you cut out carbs all together your body does not function well and could cause low blood sugar. It is a balencing act with carbs as I have been high and low a few times.

[GAPPLEG]

I hear Ya, 2500+ hits is quite alot.  Loathar, I'm not dropping much this week , but the fatigue is what gets me, sooo tired all the time . It's frustrating when I want to work on the layout but I'm just too beat. I hope I can get into a good regime of excercise . I think it would help me get some stamina.

[loathar]

I heard that 30-40% of folks in the U.S. have some sort of diabetes and don't know it.

I had a real bad week last week. I was droping stuff left and right. I think I did more swearing than modeling.

[lvanhen]

Well just out of curiosity I scrolled through all seven pages, and using just my memory(LOL) I counted thirty of us, what a collection we have. I guess were not a large percentage , but a large group none the less.

There may be only 30 or so posters, but we've had over 2500 hits!!!  If only 3% of the hits are from fellow diabetics that's 75 people!  Add to this the number of modelers that do not participate in this forum & it becomes rather substantial!  I've posted on the Diabetes Assoc board http://community.diabetes.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=index&webtag=amdiabetesz&redirCnt=1 and there seems to be some interest there as well.  I'm sure our fellow diabetics number well into the thousands overall!

[GAPPLEG]

Well just out of curiosity I scrolled through all seven pages, and using just my memory(LOL) I counted thirty of us, what a collection we have. I guess were not a large percentage , but a large group none the less.

[johncolley]

I have been type 2 for over 25 years, and still enjoy model railroading. My opinion, if you will, join a club, contribute where you can, and enjoy the rest! Also, if model and structure assembly is difficult, maybe learn operations, engine hostling, switching, and/or dispatching. There are ways to stay involved in the hobby. Hang in there. jc5729

[CSXect]

Has anyone else e-mailed and heard back from the manufactures?

[CSXect]

For some reason, this subject has popped up on several forums lately, which is a good thing!

That would be my doing

[tsgtbob]

For some reason, this subject has popped up on several forums lately, which is a good thing!

I have been a diabetic since 2003, mine came up right before a deployment.

Almost everything went all at once, the vision went to double, major pain in my legs, massive thirst, the whole stinkin ball of wax!

Blood glucose in the 725 range!

After being on insulin shots, and a stay in the hospital to get it under "control" I'm now on oral meds.

One thing, with the vision issues, it made switching to O scale understandable to the Better Half!!!!

I have given up some things, (carbohydrates, sodas, candy, and such) plus, a portion of the budget that had been set aside for trains, was shifted to a gym membership!

I don't plan on being the greatest modeler, but, with the exercise, and watching what I eat and do, I want to be the World's Oldest Diabetic!!!!

[loathar]

Those Dr. Scholes shoe inserts work pretty good. (don't get the cheap knock offs) Your whole family has it and your mom wondered where you got it from? My mom was the same way untill I pointed out all the relatives that had "sugar" in the family.3-4 generations ago doctors didn't really know what it was or what caused it. I worked with a guy that freaked out on me when he heard I gave blood. Said I was going to infect other people. He though you could catch it from somebody.

PS-Gotta love that new CSX paint scheme!

[vtCSX]

Hi all,

 I've been a type 1 since I was just shy of 24 y.o.  I'm now 31 and havn't had any problems yet.  My numbers used to be excellent, but within the past year they have spiked and I am still trying to figure out the solution.

I was the first one in my family diagnosed (with type 1), but since ALL of my aunts and uncles as well as my mom have been diagnosed with type 2.  Share the wealth or something...my mother was trying to figure out where my diabetes came from in the family.  Never mind that it isn't necessarily hereditary.  She doesn't wonder so much now.

My job as a police officer is a little hard on the feet.  After a shift my feet sometimes tingle a little, but that would probably happen without diabetes.  Good boots are a must.  Exercise helps keep things moving and feeling good too.

I do have a question....For those of you on pumps, what gauge is the catheter and how painful/difficult is it to change out.  Might be a little difficult to use under my vest, but it may help with my control issues.  It's something to look into.

A far as my modeling goes, again no problems.  I don't need glasses to see the detail parts, and on my last eye exam I was still almost off the scale for vision.  At least if it is ever effected, I have some breathing room before it becomes a problem.  I do need to get some carpeting layed down in my basement though.  Building a shelf layout attached directly to the walls so carpeting could wait, but I'm sure it would be more comfortable.

Hang in there everybody...If the pharmaceutical companies see a profit in it (greater than selling the medicines to control it) they may actually find a cure!

Marc

[loathar]

Yep. I've been getting a feeling in my chest like butterflies doing flip flops. Got so bad I dropped to my knees about two months ago.

[lvanhen]

Have all of us diabetics read about steamturbine 8500's heart attack?  Get the old ticker checked along with the blood sugar levels!!

[CSXect]

I just got a reply from [e-mail] and it sounds like thier marketing department likes the idea

If you would like to see a diabetes boxcar I encourage you to e-mail as many train makers as possible. Thak you for your support.

[CSXect]

I got a reply from Kadee and it sounds like they are interested in the idea for a"future" car. Have not heard from diabetes assoc. yet.

[lvanhen]

Has anyone thought about enlisting the support of the American Diabetes Association?

http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Nick

Duh?  I have had it for 6+ years & never looked up the website!!  Joined today, posted a link to here, and have had 2 replies already!  Opening my big mouth sometimes pays off!!

[CSXect]

I just sent an e-mail to the diabetes association may be will hear something on Monday

[CSXect]

Nick that ia an great idea.If more than one of us alert them to this idea it may help.

[nbrodar]

Has anyone thought about enlisting the support of the American Diabetes Association?

http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Nick

[CSXect]

The word has spread to 3 forums now Bill of MTJ was willing to let me post the topic of modeling with Diabetes on his forum. Also the newest forum www.thetrainforum.com liked the post so much he is going to bring it to the attention of Mike Wolfe of MTH.

[lvanhen]

CSXetc has also e-mailed some manufacturers as I did.  Anyone else care to join in?  Here's the e-mail I sent:

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/ This link is to a thread in the Model Railroader Forum, "The Pros & Cons of Modeling with Diabetes"  It has been proposed by one of the posters that perhaps one of the manufacturers may make a promotional "Diabetes Awareness" boxcar.  It appears that a large number of model railroaders are afflicted with diabetes, in part to the overall age of model railroaders.  As a group, we would greatly appreciate such a gesture from one or more of the companies we have so long supported by purchasing their goods. Thanking You in Advance, Lou Van Hentenryck

 If a bunch of us request a car - in whatever scale you model - the chances of getting one will increase!  (maybe mention the number of replies & hits this thread has gotten!!)

[jeffrey-wimberly]

If someoner comes out with a diabetes awareness car, I'd buy it.

[CSXect]

I e-mail Kadee and to second the idea. So far they sound like the best bet.

[CSXect]

No responce from RMT yet.

[CSXect]

Uh-oh I guess it is official now we are a special interest group anyone else e-mail the train makers of any scale?

[john1947]

DMPA sounds good to me, and thanks for including us N ormal people!

 

John

Sorry  should have been DMRA. Too many letters, not enough fingers!

[john1947]

DMPA sounds good to me, and thanks for including us N ormal people!

 

John

[loathar]

The DMRA. (Diabetic Model Railroader Association) Should I start designing a logo and newsletter? Don't worry. I won't leave you N ormal scalers out.

[CSXect]

  Not for nothing, but, don't forget us guys that model in "N"  normal gauge. I wouldn't mind a boxcar  or whatever in my scale!

 

John

Atlas does do HO O and N.   what does kadee do? I always thought they did couplers.

[john1947]

  Not for nothing, but, don't forget us guys that model in "N"  normal gauge. I wouldn't mind a boxcar  or whatever in my scale!

 

John

[CSXect]

Just e-mailed Atlas O. Will try lionel again and MTH later.

[Zandoz]

I know what it's like not being able to go somewhere because of medical reasons. Just my monthly visit to the LHS in Alexandria is painful. Driving causes me pain, as well as standing for any period of time. Usually after reaching the LHS I'll sit on the floor in front of the displays and look through the items that are for sale. The young man who runs the place is also a diabetic and has placed the shelves at a reasonable level.

It's probably been 6 or 7 years since I've been able to go in a LHS...probably 5 years since actually walking around in any kind of store.  My walking range without extreme pain is about 60 feet.  This is the reason for a lot of my questions on here...going to the LHS to "eyeball" something is out of the question.  Finding this forum and others in the last year, giving me a source of info from folks who may have eyes/hands on experience with products, is what has made even considering taking another shot at this hobby a possibility. 

[Zandoz]

Not trying to make a joke here but have you called The Scooter Store? Don't know your situation but they might be able to help. That would stink being that close to the big show and not being able to go.

Unfortunately not an option for me...those things are seriously expensive, and my insurance company cut us off at the first mention of the word "scooter" with an emphatic "NOT COVERED".

[CSXect]

Thankyou everybody for the posts and reminders of just how serious this condition is.

Keep sending e-mails to the manufacters if you have the time to do so.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I know what it's like not being able to go somewhere because of medical reasons. Just my monthly visit to the LHS in Alexandria is painful. Driving causes me pain, as well as standing for any period of time. Usually after reaching the LHS I'll sit on the floor in front of the displays and look through the items that are for sale. The young man who runs the place is also a diabetic and has placed the shelves at a reasonable level.

[loathar]

Not trying to make a joke here but have you called The Scooter Store? Don't know your situation but they might be able to help. That would stink being that close to the big show and not being able to go.

[Zandoz]

Final point  - for all those who have anything to do with Train Shows - given the number of diabetics we now know model, how about something other than fries and a burger?  And a soft drink other than Diet Coke (it keeps me up all night from the caffine - bad for my sleep apthnia).  I know my wife would make me eat at the Healthy Food Snack bar if there was one at the train show. 

This isn't diabetic related, but another big help at Train Shows (or any kind of show/expo/etc) would be having those battery opperated handicapped scooters available.  I had to abandon going to the train shows about 8 years ago when my arthritis/DJD got so bad I could not stand for more than a couple minutes.  Even if I had to pay a reasonable rental fee, it would be well worth it.  When the NMRA convention was in Cincy...just a couple miles from my house...it depressed me to no end not being able to go check it out.

[Zandoz]

jbloch-Where's your club at? I used to work at Clark Graphics on Wilson. Pretty much lived at Tom Thumb Raceway when I was a little kid.

The one thing that bothers me about some doctors, (and I'm not trying to bash doctors here) is once your branded with the scarlet D on your forehead, most doctors don't look past diabetes for a diagnosis.---Let's see here....Hmmm, this diabetic was hit by a bus. Well, his diabetes caused him to stumble in front of the bus. Give him this blood pressure and cholesterol medication. Tell him to check his sugar 10 times a day and come back and see me in two weeks.                                                                                                

I had two doctors treat me for nuropathy when I really had shingles. What a fun experiance that was! I know diabetes IS the major cause of most things, but a case of tunnel vision seems to happen once your charts read.

Being both diabetic and fat, all I can say is "I hear ya"...EVERYTHING is caused by one, the other, or both...Including the common cold, ear infections, and muscle twitches in the right eyebrow.

[Zandoz]

Jeff,My diabetes is under control..My average is 97.According to my diabetes doctor anything above 120 should be unacceptable.I eat a well balance diet and still have some sweets even though I prefer sugar free candies and cookies..

If I fall below 70 I start to sweat and feel woozy.The lowest I been is 57 and I was really feeling weak and dizzy.

I really think what is "acceptable" ranges wildly.  My next to last doc was happy with anything under 200...my last doc looked for 120 or below before breakfast and 170 or below 2 hours after the evening meal.  

I know for me, my low threshold is actually in what most docs consider the normal range.  Anything in the low 80s or below really knocks me for a loop.  Thankfully, I've only had that happen a few times in the last year or so, and never before.  The last one was last week...I woke up at 3am with my head feeling like it was on fire...sweating like crazy...with the rest of my body freezing...and feeling very light headed  for added measure.  I tested at 80, swiped a couple of daughter's Oreo knock-offs, and a half hour later tested at 90 and all was fine.

[loathar]

OOOH! I see what you mean about the ads! That's the first time I've seen a non hobby ad posted there. That's really cool about the responce from Kadee. Maybe we could hook them up with a drug company and they could produce a Novalin or Glucaphage box car.

[CSXect]

I e-mailed Ready Made toys and Walter is pretty good about responding to customer and those who are curious about his trains email. Hope to hear from him in the morning. He was kind enough to donate some trains to the troops in Iraq for a christmas layout. Even if you are not into O gauge you should visit his web site and look at what he is offering for the beginer and O27 crowd and also he has a very patriotic message on the homepage. It would be interesting to see what if any reaction the e-mail gets. will e-mail atlas o and Mth in the morning had problems with lionels e-mail.

[CSXect]

Lou that is awesome I think that there is a good chance of seeing something from them I would perfer an O or S boxcar but would be happy with an HO if they made it. You already contacted Atlas and I will do the same for Atlas O, MTH(they do ho now as well), lionel and my favorite Ready Made toys makers of the Beep(baby geep) Beef(baby F unit) and Buddys(o27 rdc)

Use your meter often and keep the trains on the track

[jacon12]

Probably everyone in the world knows at least one person that has some type of diabetes.  My mother was diagnosed with it at age 19.  She died of a heart attack at age 46.  My brother in law, who is a farmer, as lost most of both feet (surgery) to this disease.  My sister only has about 10 percent of her vision left, again diabetes.  This is one malady that is nothing to play around with.

JaRRell

[lvanhen]

I received this reply today from my e-mail of yesterday.  Thought I would share it with you.  Very heartening to get such a reply from one of the best known & respected of the manufacturers.

 "Hello Mr. Van Hentenryck,

  Thank you for your suggestion, we do appreciate it.  We do monitor MRs
forum but have not read the thread about Diabetes.
  We will certainly take this into consideration for a future project. We do
have a close friend that suffers with Diabetes and heart problems so we are
certainly aware of the issues.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

Sam Clarke
Kadee Quality Products"

Thank you very much Mr Clarke!

[CSXect]

They seem to be on a cycle you have to keep checking after the first post of each page and you will eventualy find them.

[loathar]

R.T. POTEET-I thought that Pravacol thing didn't sound right. It's hard to keep track of things with all the new meds you see advertised on the boob tube. (let alone their side effect disclaimers)

What are you guys talking about with the ads? I'm only seeing train ads.

[CSXect]

I don't know how the advertising system works for this forum,BUT, did you notice the ads under the first letter on the page? You may have to check a couple pages for it.

I just now noticed that

Thanks for the links/ads relating to the topic of the thread

[R. T. POTEET]

The cons-With age, your hands get fumbly and you have a hard time doing some things.

The pros-When the drill motor slips in the process of driving a sheet rock screw and the phillips bit plunges all the way through your thumb you don't feel it as much.

Or I could have titled this-I've been bleedin on my rail.....road....

I was diagnosed as Type II nine and a half years ago when I had a heart attack - hadn't been near a doctor's office in six years - I was healthy as the proverbial horse.  But I don't have nearly the problems some of you people have outlined; in fact, relatively speaking I guess, I am in great shape.

I take one Pravachol® a day and don't really pay an awful lot of attention to my diet; it did take me years to get my blood sugar level down to where my D.O. was happy and he has remained happy for the better part of two years now.  My wife was recently diagnosed with Type II and she keeps track of her blood sugar level on a daily basis; periodically she takes my level.  One morning it was 212; the next 103; a week later (after a breakfast of four toaster pastries) I was at 147; the next morning I was at 74.  When my diabetes acts up I dare not step too awfully far from a urinal.

I have pain and burning in my (lower) legs and feet but this is more from a reaction to Zocor® than a symptom of my diabetes; I take Naprosyn® for he burning and Neurontin® for the pain.  As a military retiree I get my medicines from DOD and they went from Pravachol® to Baychol® to Zocor® and I went right along with them until nine months into Zocor® when I quite suddenly developed this leg and feet problem; it took nine more months before my sawbones and I put two and two together and I went back to Pravachol® but by then the damage from the Zocor® was permanent and I am on Naprosyn® and Neurontin® for the rest of my life.  Needless to say, I don't run foot races anymore; I can go up and down stairs but not without some sort of handrail.  If I don't remember to take my Naprosyn® and Neurontin® before hitting the sack at night I don't go to sleep.

I will admit that I initially viewed the title to this post with some jocularity - until I read the responses.  I apologize for m lack of understanding of the seriousness of this problem.  That jocularity has now evaporated and I feel myself to be very, very lucky that my diabetes appears to be very, very, very minor.

Hang in there, guys!! I will put all of you on my prayer list.

I need to correct my post of 24 Feb instant - I am taking so many stupid pills I can't keep track of them anymore; I am taking Glipizide® and Glucophage® for my diabetes, not Pravachol® which is a cholesterol medicine.

For you younger modelers out there; it is very easy to adopt a feeling of infallibility; as I said in my post I hadn't been to a doctor in six and a half years and I got smacked in the teeth - everyday when I looked in the mirror I saw nothing but (physical) perfection; what happened to me would never happen to me.  Most of my current medical problems could probably have been avoided if I had gone to a doctor occasionally even had it been only once in that proverbial "blue moon".  Had I have had my blood checked regularly I would have caught my cholesterol problem and done something about it and not had to be taking Zocor® which gave me a reaction and is the cause of most of my leg pain and I would sure like to go through a day without a burning sensation in my lower extremities.

[Medina1128]

Yo! Another Type II diabetic here. I was diagnosed back in 2001. After having changed medications a couple of times, my blood level is under control. The bad part was in 2004, when I was losing all sensation from the armpits down. They found a herniated disk in my neck that was pinching off the spinal cord. Before they found it, I could barely get around on a walker. Now aside from the numbness and occasional bouts of the clumsies I am doing fine. They don't know whether the neuropathy in my legs is due to the diabetes or from permanent nerve damage from the spinal cord. They did attribute the spinal cord injury to 5 years of drag racing when I was young. Just another case of all that fun stuff you do when you're young coming back to haunt you. Jeffrey, you're in my prayers, my friend.

[reklein]

I don't know how the advertising system works for this forum,BUT, did you notice the ads under the first letter on the page? You may have to check a couple pages for it.

[CSXect]

Wow I knew that diabetes was on the rise in the general public but there are a lot of Model railroaders in this condition 4 pages 80 posts and 1300 views and not once has a moderator checked this out. Anyone else like the Idea of an awareness boxcar or an article in the mags about this disterbing trend in model railroaders health? Think I will e-mail the S and O scale compines about this idea as Lou has has covered the ho manufactors.

Is there a spell check for this forum? I need one real bad I guess it is a technician thing.When I went to Devry we used to say I wanted to know how to spell technician went to Devry now I are one.

[loathar]

I can't believe the life this thread has had. Back when I was the 2nd poster on the thread I thought this won't last long.  There are seemingly more diabetics than I thought, I knew a couple of them before.

As alway watch the diet and keep checking. Weight lose and control are improtant for all of us. Non-diabetics as well. ( I wish I could follow my own advice better).

Me either! I freaked when I saw how many veiws this has gotten. Wonder how many folks with diabetes looked but didn't bother to post or weren't registered.

All this over hurting my thumb.(and not one negative post.That's got to be a record.)

[GAPPLEG]

I can't believe the life this thread has had. Back when I was the 2nd poster on the thread I thought this won't last long.  There are seemingly more diabetics than I thought, I knew a couple of them before.

As alway watch the diet and keep checking. Weight lose and control are improtant for all of us. Non-diabetics as well. ( I wish I could follow my own advice better).

[reklein]

Maybe the kids are right . This IS a hobby for overweight old guys with diabetes. I have been diagnosed with diabetes for about 10 years now,but I'm a lucky guy. I still manage it with pills and exercise. The diet is a little wanting,my weight is up about 20 lbs. and I'll be danged if I can get it back down. Well ,summers coming and I get to add on to my workshop ,so maybe that'll help keep things in control. This thread has helped by simply bringing up the subject and reinforcing some of the things a person should do to keep things under control. In the meantime take diabetes seriuosly and keep it under control and keep those cards and letters comin in.

[loathar]

The box car would have to heavier than NMRA standards,shake a lot when it went over turnouts and have graphics that were blurry and out of focus.

You've got me thinking what other medical waist I can incorperate into the layout. My mom has an old nebulizer air pump she doesn't use. I bet it would work on my airbrush. 1000 veiws! I had no idea this many people would have an interest. Makes you wonder how many people have symptoms and don't bother getting checked.

[CSXect]

Lou,

thanks for taking the lead on this but why just stop at a Box car? Maybe MR, CTT, Gardenrailways and trains can run an informative article about model railroaders with this illness. I would not mind being interviewed all though I have no layout as of yet I still run on the floor and kitchen table at the moment and am slowing working on my basement for a layout. Diabetes is not an age related thing anymore as many are getting it early on in thier life. I am 37 fairly young yet. Hopefully some one at MR has been paying close attention to this thread as it has gotten over 1000 views in just a few days that shows an interest in the topic.

[lvanhen]

That is some interesting use of throwaway materials, model railroading at its best. But please dispose of the needels responceably. The only deberis left from my supplies are the test strip barrels and the bottles/container that they come in.

May be we can raise awerness of diebetes by having a box car designed to alert people at train shows to the dangers of unhealthy diet and the complications of this illness. Just a thought.

I have just sent the following e-mail to Atlas, Kaydee, Horizon, & Walthers:

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/ This link is to a thread in the Model Railroader Forum, "The Pros & Cons of Modeling with Diabetes"  It has been proposed by one of the posters that perhaps one of the manufacturers may make a promotional "Diabetes Awareness" boxcar.  It appears that a large number of model railroaders are afflicted with diabetes, in part to the overall age of model railroaders.  As a group, we would greatly appreciate such a gesture from one or more of the companies we have so long supported by purchasing their goods. Thanking You in Advance, Lou Van Hentenryck

Maybe if a few more of us did likewise one of the manufacturers may do it!

 

[lvanhen]

That is some interesting use of throwaway materials, model railroading at its best. But please dispose of the needels responceably. The only deberis left from my supplies are the test strip barrels and the bottles/container that they come in.

May be we can raise awerness of diebetes by having a box car designed to alert people at train shows to the dangers of unhealthy diet and the complications of this illness. Just a thought.

Great Idea!!  How about it Walthers, KayDee, Atlas, Athern?  Anybody?  Maybe we should all e-mail the idea to them!!

[CSXect]

That is some interesting use of throwaway materials, model railroading at its best. But please dispose of the needels responceably. The only deberis left from my supplies are the test strip barrels and the bottles/container that they come in.

May be we can raise awerness of diebetes by having a box car designed to alert people at train shows to the dangers of unhealthy diet and the complications of this illness. Just a thought.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Recycling in action. Your idea with the vents is something I'm doing also. Why shell out $$$ for plastic vents when I already have a source.

[nbrodar]

I don't reuse anything that's been in direct contact with my insulin. However, I have used other pieces in my modeling:

The vents on the left are syringe caps.  The vents on the right are plungers from my pump's reservoirs:

Although, I don't have pics at the moment, I made gondola loads from the canisters my test strips came in.    Also the caps from the test strip made good mixing vessels for epoxy.

Nick

[loathar]

So that's how you spell syringes.(spellcheck on aisle 5)

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I've seen the covers on the syringes used as vents and vent pipes on building rooftops. An insulin dependent diabetic can spot them almost immediately. A non-diabetic however will wonder what model supplier you got them from.

[loathar]

I've only found two things that are useful. The caps off the needles make nice little mini cups to hold oil or super glue so you can dip a toothpick in as a mini  applicator. If you fish, use the old suringes to inject air into nightcrawlers. makes them more lively and tastey lookin to them big mouth bass.

You could maybe cut the ends off the suringes, paint the tubes and use them for pipe loads. Grey for concrete sewer tiles.

[Fortkentdad]

Another Diabetic Modeler here - I am beginning to wonder if model railroading contributes to diabetes with the amount of replies posted here.  My controls are as one doctor put it "sub-optimal" running between 10 and 14  (metric sugar measures here). 

Now to all you diabetics out there - the ones who shoot up every day (I do four times a day): So who has figured out a way to use all that left over paraphanilia for modelling? 

I look at those little plastic (latex?) tubes that come on the end of the needle before you use it.  I have a couple of pill boxes of those awaiting some good modelling use?  They do not glue well by the way.   The bigger clear plastic cover over top of the needle - that would make a dandy load on a gondola keep 'em guessing what that was.  And I've been tempted to use the needle themselves as N scale fence posts - they'd stick into the ground real easy, ... but I guess I should draw that line at using bio-medical waste on my layout

Of course all those pill bottles are excellent containers for tiny parts (I'm into N scale).  Got a big box of them in the basement.

On the downside there is deminished eyesight - so I have started collecting my G scale stuff for the day I have to switch scales.  As for other bothersome symptoms.  The feet - can't stand on these numb feet too long on a cold cement floor (I'm in Northern Canada, the standing joke is that we get ten months of winter and two months of tough sledding).  So a retro old high chair works for me.  Other symptoms?  Skipping meals when too engrossed in modelling - this is bad. 

Final point  - for all those who have anything to do with Train Shows - given the number of diabetics we now know model, how about something other than fries and a burger?  And a soft drink other than Diet Coke (it keeps me up all night from the caffine - bad for my sleep apthnia).  I know my wife would make me eat at the Healthy Food Snack bar if there was one at the train show.   

 

[loathar]

Jeff,My diabetes is under control..My average is 97.According to my diabetes doctor anything above 120 should be unacceptable.I eat a well balance diet and still have some sweets even though I prefer sugar free candies and cookies..

If I fall below 70 I start to sweat and feel woozy.The lowest I been is 57 and I was really feeling weak and dizzy.

My doctor would prefer I keep my sugars btwn 90-110 but, isn't concerned if my sugars are in the upper 100's

Ch

Not yet, at least. Watch if you start getting sleepy after meals.

[Charlie]

Jeff,My diabetes is under control..My average is 97.According to my diabetes doctor anything above 120 should be unacceptable.I eat a well balance diet and still have some sweets even though I prefer sugar free candies and cookies..

If I fall below 70 I start to sweat and feel woozy.The lowest I been is 57 and I was really feeling weak and dizzy.

My doctor would prefer I keep my sugars btwn 90-110 but, isn't concerned if my sugars are in the upper 100's

Ch

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Has any one modeled a pharmacuticle plant?  Or a drugstore?  Model safely!   

How did you know?!

Yeah, I turned an Adams Rib into a dual purpose building. The Lakeside Shipping offices are on the second floor and the first floor is a drug store and pharmacy.

[loathar]

jbloch-Is that over by the big white Mormon church? (N. Wilson or S. Wilson?) I know where I worked was 1440 N. Wilson Rd.

[CSXect]

I had two doctors treat me for nuropathy when I really had shingles. What a fun experiance that was! I know diabetes IS the major cause of most things, but a case of tunnel vision seems to happen once your charts read.

This can happen with any illness or even if there is a family history. Mom has diebetes but she got it after a kiddney was removed because of cancer. The doctors said I got because mom has it.

Jbloch

What is the club name and do you have "open" meetings where a visitor can stop by? I am into O. S, and On30 Only have two Ho items left in my collection a CSX loco witha strobe light on the roof and a Mainstreet stores set from where my mom worked at a distrobution center for Mainstreet, and a few other federated stores before they became Khols.

 

[jbloch]

Loathar:

We're the Central Ohio Model Railroad Club, 2234 Wilson Rd.  It's basically a modified warehouse, though finished interior.  Don't know how long ago you were in the Columbus area, I joined the club last spring, and I think as of now the club's been in existence about 3-4 years, so might not have been up and running when you were here.

Good point about tunnel vision doctors.  My advice there is that you are always your own best advocate, so if you think your doc. is missing something or glossing over some complaint, keep after him/her until they understand what you're complaining about. 

Jim

[lvanhen]

Just to keep us on the MRR track - don't forget that most of us "seasoned" modelers are role models to the young modelers joining our ranks.  We can teach our modeling skills to these youngsters as well as health habits!!  Model railroading, although not exaxtly weight lifting, is better than sitting in front of a TV or video game for hours on end!  While teaching them MRRing we can also caution them on diet & excercise, which may well help them NOT become one of us.  We are better role models than many professional athletes - our meds come from a prescription, not Big Willie on the street corner!!  My 10 y o grandson has ADD, and used to give us fits to take 1 1/2 small pills.  We now "race" to take pills. When he sees me taking my 8 evening pills he dosn't mind taking his!!  He has a sweet tooth, but he now looks at nutrition labels - he dosn't want to stick his finger 3 times a day or inject Byetta twice!! 

When we help the younger modelers, we can teach them safety with tools - which may help us keep from stickig ourselves!!  Has any one modeled a pharmacuticle plant?  Or a drugstore?  Model safely!   

[loathar]

jbloch-Where's your club at? I used to work at Clark Graphics on Wilson. Pretty much lived at Tom Thumb Raceway when I was a little kid.

The one thing that bothers me about some doctors, (and I'm not trying to bash doctors here) is once your branded with the scarlet D on your forehead, most doctors don't look past diabetes for a diagnosis.---Let's see here....Hmmm, this diabetic was hit by a bus. Well, his diabetes caused him to stumble in front of the bus. Give him this blood pressure and cholesterol medication. Tell him to check his sugar 10 times a day and come back and see me in two weeks.                                                                                                

I had two doctors treat me for nuropathy when I really had shingles. What a fun experiance that was! I know diabetes IS the major cause of most things, but a case of tunnel vision seems to happen once your charts read.

[jbloch]

Loathar/CSXect:

Our club is right down the road from there on Wilson Road near I-270.

Jeff: the sensations from neuropathy can be quite variable, from mild tingling to painful tingling, even electrical shock type senstation, to complete numbness.  If you're not already on any medications for neuropathic pain, they're are several that can help, the most common used are Neurontin or Lyrica; ask your Doctor if you're having neuropathy symptoms and not on any specifac medications for this.

Jim

[piemandan64]

Hey guys,

Don't come down on yourselves too hard. I'm 43, diagnosed with Juvenile-Onset (Type 1) when I was three and a half, so I've had it a few days. Know what you're all going through. Got a pump 3 years ago and life is great. Much easier to control the blood sugars, but self-didcipline is a MUST. My lowest was a 23 several years ago and I've had high ones too. PLEASE take care of yourselves. I have many complications (impotence, neuropathy, stage 1 kidney disease, eye laser surgeries (5), low blood pressure (yes-low), and slow healing) related to the disease but I deal with them. The only way it has majorly affected me is that I can't be on my feet for long periods or lift over 15#'s. And I can't run with my girls but I still coach softball.

Keep your heads up and your blood sugars down. If your dr can't help you control it, find one that can.

Dan

[grayfox1119]

Reading this thread has brought back many memories for me, my dad died back in September 2000, age 87, from the results of 37 years of the ravages of typeII Diabetes. Everyone on my father's side of the family had type II Diabetes by age 50, all became very heavy by age 50, over their proper weight by at least 50 to 70 pounds. I saw my uncle go through an operation to have veins replaced in his lower legs, it failed as toes turned black and they had to remove both legs below his knees in an attempt to be able to give him ability to bend at the knees. It also failed and he to go through the agony of yet a third operation to remove both legs above the knees. He lived another 13 years and died at 63 due to Diabetes. During trhis same time, my father's weight went from a trim 175 to 245 when he stopped playing softball at age 44 and at age 50, he also had type II Diabetes. But after seeing the horror that his brother endured, he faithfully kept to his diet of low Carbs and his pills, and managed to live well to age 86 before the signs of poor circulation in the lower legs below the knees, especially the feet and toes, destroyed his circulation. My wife and I had to be trained to care for his sores on his toes that could not heal, so that we would not induce infection when changing his bandages. Finally, 6 months after coming to live with us, he had blood poison in his lower legs. He gave me stern warning, not to have his legs removed. He died two weeks later.

  I am the 1st generation of my father's family NOT to get Diabetes by age 50. I am now 68. I keep to a low Carbohydrate diet and maintain a weight less than 190 pounds for a 5'-9" frame. Can you keep type II Diabetes away from your doorsteps? You bet you can, but it takes a lot of discipline starting BEFORE age 50, and even before age 40 in some cases. If you are unfortunate to have type II Diabetes, please do your level best to control Carbs. Your body only uses what it needs in Carbs and then via the action of insulin from your Pancreas, converts the carbs to glucose and stores it in cells. When that process fails....typeII Diabetes is the result. The side effects are terrible. Sugar ( glucose ) attacks the linings of your veins, the smaller ones are first to go, and this is why your eyesight gets effected so much with Diabetes, as well as your extremities like your toes and feet, and why sores do not heal well.

My prayers to all you, my MRR buddies with Diabetes, I hope that new advances in medicine will soon provide a cure for this via gene engineering in the Pancreas.

[loathar]

The Buckeye yard is the one I'm talking about. It's in Hilliard near the intersection of Wilson Rd. and Trabue Rd. It's the one you can see from 270 on that side of town.

[CSXect]

Heading east on 104 there is a small"yard" For NS, I have a cousin that drove the transport vans for road crews for CSX and she would talk about the Buckeye yard not sure where this one is. I pretty much know the south end gorveport and grovecity and a little of huntly rd and suronding area as most of my jobs where in that area. The rest of the Columbus area I don't know as well. There are so many tracks in columbus it is easy to get confussed.

[loathar]

CSXect-I was talking about the Trabue Rd. bridge by Roxane Labs. Real good vantage point. There's a side street close by (can't remember the name) that takes you right to the loco shed and refueling station. You can get pretty close to the action and no one seems to care. Talked to a couple of guys that worked there and they said they have people come in and take pics all the time.

[CSXect]

I am fairly close to the CSX yard and the NS yard that 104 crosses over yet have never railfanned there. I checked my blood sugar this morning and it was 115 a little for me in the morning yesterday I piged out at CI CI's pizza buffet.

[ereimer]

52 and diagnosed with type 2 about 3 years ago . managing it with pills , diet and walking an hour 4 or 5 times a week . my doc tells me i'm his best patient for keeping all my numbers where he wants them . reading the problems people here are having i think i'm going to keep it that way ! so far i've been really lucky , cuts heal slower and i have minor numbness if i stay in one position too long , but nothing serious

 

just remember , you probably don't need that piece of pie as much as you need your foot !

(no offense meant to anyone , that's just how i think of it sometimes to keep me on the straight , narrow and sugar free) 

[loathar]

I used to have the Hersheys,Popsicle, Papst and Coors cars. The good old B.D. days (before diabetes). I used to drive over the NS yard in Columbus Oh. on my way to work each day. I remember seeing endless trains of tank cars filled with corn sweetner. I swear my blood sugar would go up just driving over that bridge. I wonder if the companies switching to corn sweetner over sugar had anything to do with the recent jump in diabetes in this country. Real sugar doesn't seem to drive up my blood sugar.

I've got you all beat on the low reading-17! Wonder what it was when they rushed me to the hospital.

Track Layer-Thanks. I'd still opt for the freight train over the other 2 options.(quick!)

[Tracklayer]

Tracklayer-THANKS! Just what I needed to hear. Everyone in my family has died of cancer or a heart attack. Maybe I'll be the one that bucks the trend and gets creamed by a freight train at a poorly marked crossing.(probably CSX)

Sorry. Just trying to help. If it'll make you feel any better, shingles aren't ever linked to heart problems, so if anything it will probably only be some form of terrible cancer... Just joking loathar. I honestly hope that everything levels out for you and that you live a long, healthy and happy life. I mean that. 

Tracklayer

 

[metalfrog]

i wish i could live comfortably with a reading of 97.i feel ok when its around 125.lowest mine has been is 43...needless to say that is dangerous as most of you know.its pretty easy for me to tell when its going low.gluctrol pills and two types of insulin keeps mine in check but their are times when i have to have that candy bar or pepsi even items like can tomates will raise my sugar from say 125 to a little over 200+.their is only 2grams of sugar in tomatoes.oh well...gotta eat something.terry.....

[Anonymous]

IThe good thing about model railroading is it keeps me from sitting around the house eating all the time. I'm not really overweight. 6'2" 200lbs. But GOD! I love to eat!

Loathar,

 I too am diabetic (on metformin) and 6 ft 2, and my doctor had me go on a diet, from 260 down to 175 pounds and boy, did it knock the heck out of my blood sugar! Then I dirifted back up to 200 lbs and the blood sugar counts drifted back up with them. Now I have found a way to keep the weight around 200, but keep the blood sugar to earlier levels. Weightlifting. Nothing too extreme, but 3 times a week, 45 minutes at a time. Its given me guns big enough to put a trackplan on (LOL) , increased my energy levels and has also improved my "relations" with my fiancee.

I still have trouble healing wounds, still get my eyes checked yearly, and watch what I eat, but the benefits of the weight loss are nothing to sneeze at.

Now, If I can only get my boss to let me move the vending machine that is across the hall from my office, so I don't hear the sweets calling me!!  

If you do the diabetic forum thing, let me know. Maybe we can do an online clinic on redecorating the "Hershey" train cars!!!!  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Brakie: You're fortunate. I've never been able to keep mine below 150 without it crashing altogether. The doc tried me on the 70/30 insulin and my levels went crazy. He wasted no time getting me back on Lantus. He's looking at other things like Glucaphage but is treading very carefully.

[CSXect]

Thats what a lot of people who do not have diabetes don't understand that low blood sugar is just as dangerous as high blood sugar. although my sugar is good now with medicin I still need to get an emergency kit set up just in case I go low.

[BRAKIE]

Jeff,My diabetes is under control..My average is 97.According to my diabetes doctor anything above 120 should be unacceptable.I eat a well balance diet and still have some sweets even though I prefer sugar free candies and cookies..

If I fall below 70 I start to sweat and feel woozy.The lowest I been is 57 and I was really feeling weak and dizzy.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Before going on insulin, my sugars ran in the 300-500 range. Went on insulin and my sugars ran in the 200-300 range.

300 - 500? That's low compared to what I was. 650 to 800. Totally out of control. Now that I'm on insulin, I'm happy if it's lower than 200. The lowest I've been (and this is recorded in my meter) is 23. I almost had to crawl to the drawer in the kitchen where I keep a stash of those little candy bars. One question I've always had is, why is the return of sensation ALWAYS accompanied by pain?

[Charlie]

I was diagnosed back in 96 after coming back from the summer Olympics and was placed on Glynace Prestab then went on Rezulin. In 98 I started taking insulin by injection. in 02, was placed on an insulin pump. Before going on insulin, my sugars ran in the 300-500 range. Went on insulin and my sugars ran in the 200-300 range. Went on the insulin pump and now I have to deal with low blood sugars.

Ch

[jbloch]

Just thought I'd pop in here with a bit of an individual perspective--I'm both a type 2 diabetic(controlled on oral medications, fortunately) and a physician.  After having said that, don't know that I can add much to what all of you great modelers and forum members have brought up here.  Control of glucoses is paramount, so do whatever you need to control it(work on that diet--and no, I'm not perfect there either) and follow-up closely with your doctor--if need be, add more and more or different medications as needed, fortunately, many more options for treatment available then even five years ago.

The decreased senstation that several of you have discussed is called diabetic peripheral neuropathy--only thing I would add here about it is here an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.  Watch out for those sharp objects, as Jeffrey W. and others have discussed, the risks of non-healing and infection are high from any kind of injury/break in the skin, particularly on the feet.  Check the bottoms of your feet every day, have your mate help you, or stick your foot up to a mirror.

Great idea for a forum topic, and all of you hang in there.

Jim 

[loathar]

My mom's on an insulin replacement called Vyetta. It's a protean shot she takes before meals. Cuts down on her appeitite. She's lost a lot of weight since she went on it. It's pretty expensive, but her sugar seems to be under control now.

[CSXect]

great thread as it lets us know that we are not alone in our intrests and our misfourtunes.

Did anybody hear about a new medicine that will help keep some people off of insulin? I heard a 2 sec blurp about the upcoming news and fell asleep before they covered the story.

AS far as having trouble modeling I work in O and S  nice big bulky trains easy to put on track ect. and details realy standout on the scale and semi scale locomotives.

[Anonymous]

I've been a diabetic since 1979 and have taken Insulin every day since then. Right now I take 2 shots a day and I'll in a wheel chair without legs one of these days.

Since I've always been one who eats ONLY what I like, that has caused some of the problems. Of course I stay away from sugar and I have never been a drinker of anything except coffee and now diet Pepsi. But when I was a kid I use to eat a half dozen donuts and drink a Pepsi for breakfast! I'm sure that didn't help anything.

About 3 years ago I had to have surgery on my left foot that has left me disabled and un-able to work standing up for a length of time.

And since my wife gave up on me after I had the surgery, I now live by myself and just about all of my meals are fixed in the micro wave. So I would have to say the food that I'm getting is not exactly what I should have, but I guess it could be a lot worse.

At least I have my model railroads and a nice view of the NS and CN through town from a 6th floor apartment window. What more could you ask for?

I think when I retire full time I will stick a garden hose up my butt and rent myself out as a lawn sprinkler as I have so many holes in my body.

Cheers,

cf7

[Anonymous]

I can not relate with any of you folks with real diabetes. I took insulin every day for 20 years only to find out I was not a diabetic.  But my old age does affect my modeling. Eyes and shakey , stiff hands. Hope all of stay well and continue to model. NEVER GIVE UP!

Tomas in Durango

 

[loathar]

I wish I could get my sugar down to 150-200. I can't go to the doctor like I should. No insurance. With blood work it's $500 a pop.(cash) That really cuts into the train budget.

The good thing about model railroading is it keeps me from sitting around the house eating all the time. I'm not really overweight. 6'2" 200lbs. But GOD! I love to eat!

Thanks for the tip on the alo vera plant. I forgot all about those.Maybe it'll help my ant bites. Looks like I should start my own diabetic railroader forum.

[nbrodar]

Wow...there are certainly a lot of diabetics here.   Personally, I was diagnosed with Type I a little more then three years ago.   Luckily, thanks to my alert wife, we caught it fairly early in it's progression, and before the onset of any major complications.

Thanks to an insulin pump (I recommend one for any Type I), I lead a nearly normal life.  However, like many of you, I tire easily.   After pestering from my wife, we got a dog.  This wonderful black lab forces me to exercise (always a good thing) and actually alerts me if my sugar is too high or too low.

One thing not mentioned, is the therapeutic value of a hobby.  I get engrossed in my modeling, and it takes my mind off my condition.   In addition, it helps me monitor my visual acuity and keep my fine motor skills sharp.   I am extra cautious with my knives and drills, to guard against cuts and the like.

Nick

[gthomp10]

OK, I'll jump in too.  Although, after reading some of the replies here, I feel like I'm just a whiner.

I was diagnosed as a Type II in 2002.  I turned 55 in September.  Thankfully, I've got it under control with Glucophage and diet.  I'll admit I don't test as often as I should, but I'm ususally around 110-120 after fasting.  A couple of hours after eating, I'm 170-200.  I just had my yearly physical.  The A1C was good.  Cholesterol is a little high so the Doc is having me try Tricor for that.  The one test result that bothered me was my protein level in my urine is a little high.  I don't like hearing that one.  Doc put me on Benazepril to give my kidneys some help.  Luckily my blood presure is ok (118/80) so hopefully the Benazepril will help.   I have noticed that my eyes are getting worse.  I've gotta go get them checked.  It's been way too long since I've done that.

Other that the occasional pains in my feet and legs, shaky hands, problems seeing the details and lack of energy, it hasn't bothered my modeling too much.  The lack of energy thing really bugs me though.  Case in point... yesterday morning, I bought a LokSound decoder for my P2K GP9. By the time I got home from the LHS, I was pooped and laid on the couch watching TV until I finally forced myself to get up and go to work on it around 7 PM.  The whole time I was laying on the couch, I was cussing at myself for not having the energy to get up.

To Jeffery and the rest of you who push on in spite of WAY more serious complications than I have, my hat is off to you!  What I put up with is nothing compared to what you all have gone through.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Greg

[lvanhen]

The cons-With age, your hands get fumbly and you have a hard time doing some things.

The pros-When the drill motor slips in the process of driving a sheet rock screw and the phillips bit plunges all the way through your thumb you don't feel it as much.

Or I could have titled this-I've been bleedin on my rail.....road....

I was diagnosed as Type II nine and a half years ago when I had a heart attack - hadn't been near a doctor's office in six years - I was healthy as the proverbial horse.  But I don't have nearly the problems some of you people have outlined; in fact, relatively speaking I guess, I am in great shape.

I take one Pravachol® a day and don't really pay an awful lot of attention to my diet; it did take me years to get my blood sugar level down to where my D.O. was happy and he has remained happy for the better part of two years now.  My wife was recently diagnosed with Type II and she keeps track of her blood sugar level on a daily basis; periodically she takes my level.  One morning it was 212; the next 103; a week later (after a breakfast of four toaster pastries) I was at 147; the next morning I was at 74.  When my diabetes acts up I dare not step too awfully far from a urinal.  I have lost a couple of footraces with my bladder........

R.T., Being in the same boat, even some meds the same, I'll give you my worth about testing.  I test 1st thing in AM & before lunch & dinner.  I keep my readings in an Excel program that I take to my endrocronologist every 4 to 6 months.  I also keep my food intake in a word program so I can spot something that jumps the blood sugar.  My endrocronoligist (a nationally known specialist) says that constant spiking is one of the worst things for the rest of the body.  It's like running a Yugo on high octane aviation fuel - it burns everything out!

"Too far from the urinal sure hits a note! Sleeping more than 2 hours at a time at night is a rare occorance - that probably does nothing to help fatigue!

OK, everyone keep taking the meds & checking the sugar levels, and most of all, KEEP TRACKIN'!!

[metalfrog]

i hear you rt.my doc said i didn't have diabetes.went to another doctor who said yes i do have diabetes.my blood sugar was over 600.the meter wouldn't even register that.stayed in the doc's office till he got it down to 350.finally got it down to around 125 a few hours later.if it goes below 125 that is just to low for me.i had my heart attack in june 06...open heart quad.if only i would of had a good doc as the other one mis diagnosed(sp)me.to late now!terry.....

[R. T. POTEET]

The cons-With age, your hands get fumbly and you have a hard time doing some things.

The pros-When the drill motor slips in the process of driving a sheet rock screw and the phillips bit plunges all the way through your thumb you don't feel it as much.

Or I could have titled this-I've been bleedin on my rail.....road....

I was diagnosed as Type II nine and a half years ago when I had a heart attack - hadn't been near a doctor's office in six years - I was healthy as the proverbial horse.  But I don't have nearly the problems some of you people have outlined; in fact, relatively speaking I guess, I am in great shape.

I take one Pravachol® a day and don't really pay an awful lot of attention to my diet; it did take me years to get my blood sugar level down to where my D.O. was happy and he has remained happy for the better part of two years now.  My wife was recently diagnosed with Type II and she keeps track of her blood sugar level on a daily basis; periodically she takes my level.  One morning it was 212; the next 103; a week later (after a breakfast of four toaster pastries) I was at 147; the next morning I was at 74.  When my diabetes acts up I dare not step too awfully far from a urinal.  I have lost a couple of footraces with my bladder.

I have pain and burning in my (lower) legs and feet but this is more from a reaction to Zocor® than a symptom of my diabetes; I take Naprosyn® for he burning and Neurontin® for the pain.  As a military retiree I get my medicines from DOD and they went from Pravachol® to Baychol® to Zocor® and I went right along with them until nine months into Zocor® when I quite suddenly developed this leg and feet problem; it took nine more months before my sawbones and I put two and two together and I went back to Pravachol® but by then the damage from the Zocor® was permanent and I am on Naprosyn® and Neurontin® for the rest of my life.  Needless to say, I don't run foot races anymore; I can go up and down stairs but not without some sort of handrail.  If I don't remember to take my Naprosyn® and Neurontin® before hitting the sack at night I don't go to sleep.

I will admit that I initially viewed the title to this post with some jocularity - until I read the responses.  I apologize for m lack of understanding of the seriousness of this problem.  That jocularity has now evaporated and I feel myself to be very, very lucky that my diabetes appears to be very, very, very minor.

Hang in there, guys!! I will put all of you on my prayer list.

[R. T. POTEET]

The cons-With age, your hands get fumbly and you have a hard time doing some things.

The pros-When the drill motor slips in the process of driving a sheet rock screw and the phillips bit plunges all the way through your thumb you don't feel it as much.

Or I could have titled this-I've been bleedin on my rail.....road....

I was diagnosed as Type II nine and a half years ago when I had a heart attack - hadn't been near a doctor's office in six years - I was healthy as the proverbial horse.  But I don't have nearly the problems some of you people have outlined; in fact, relatively speaking I guess, I am in great shape.

I take one Pravachol® a day and don't really pay an awful lot of attention to my diet; it did take me years to get my blood sugar level down to where my D.O. was happy and he has remained happy for the better part of two years now.  My wife was recently diagnosed with Type II and she keeps track of her blood sugar level on a daily basis; periodically she takes my level.  One morning it was 212; the next 103; a week later (after a breakfast of four toaster pastries) I was at 147; the next morning I was at 74.  When my diabetes acts up I dare not step too awfully far from a urinal.

I have pain and burning in my (lower) legs and feet but this is more from a reaction to Zocor® than a symptom of my diabetes; I take Naprosyn® for he burning and Neurontin® for the pain.  As a military retiree I get my medicines from DOD and they went from Pravachol® to Baychol® to Zocor® and I went right along with them until nine months into Zocor® when I quite suddenly developed this leg and feet problem; it took nine more months before my sawbones and I put two and two together and I went back to Pravachol® but by then the damage from the Zocor® was permanent and I am on Naprosyn® and Neurontin® for the rest of my life.  Needless to say, I don't run foot races anymore; I can go up and down stairs but not without some sort of handrail.  If I don't remember to take my Naprosyn® and Neurontin® before hitting the sack at night I don't go to sleep.

I will admit that I initially viewed the title to this post with some jocularity - until I read the responses.  I apologize for m lack of understanding of the seriousness of this problem.  That jocularity has now evaporated and I feel myself to be very, very lucky that my diabetes appears to be very, very, very minor.

Hang in there, guys!! I will put all of you on my prayer list.

[CSXect]

Alo vera is a popular minor burn medicen as well. You might be able to find a squeeze bottle of alo vera at places such as GNC stores. I have found a  fix for muscles and joint pain use arnica jell and blue emu oil is also a good pain relever. Man they sure could use a spell check on this forum Mom always had a "burn plant" aloe vera around when I was a kid.

[BRAKIE]

 When I had my major heart attack in '05 I was diagnosed  as a type II diabetic and became insulin dependent..My diabetes hasn't really effected my modeling,railfaning or club membership other then I tire easier then before.

[nopb]

Jeff, I have diabeties as well and while it's true that healing takes a bit longer with all the other stuff that goes along with it, I have found a great treatment for cuts or ulcers that don't seem to want to heal - my mother-in-law who lived way out in the country in northern Louisiana told me to put some of the sap from an aloe-vera plant on it and it would heal up!!  Well, having a good mother-in-law that one could trust with such things, I tried it with one of her plants.  In two days the cut healed on my hand to just a very small dot and completely went away in the next two days.  I have a couple of friends that are diabetic as well and have encouraged them to try this- one had an ulcer on his shin for over three months that his doctor had been prescribing stuff for and it just wouldn't heal- I went to the garden department at Lowe's and bought him a small aloe-vera plant and took it to him.  We actually were attending a conference in Columbus, Ohio, for a week.  By the time we got home, his leg was just about completely healed.  I had a bad spot on my arm and just cut a leaf off and left it on my bathroom counter and each day would cut about 1/4" inch off to expose a new end and squeeze a little on my arm.  The spot disappeared in about a week.  It's really effective, but the sap needs to be realitively fresh to work best.

 nopb- shorline fan

[loathar]

Tracklayer-THANKS! Just what I needed to hear. Everyone in my family has died of cancer or a heart attack. Maybe I'll be the one that bucks the trend and gets creamed by a freight train at a poorly marked crossing.(probably CSX)

[CSXect]

Loathar, shingles are an adult form of chicken pox. When you get over chicken pox the virus goes dormant in your nerve endings and sometimes will flare up later in life. Mom had them bad about a yearago and she could hardley stand to move.

Not to be an alarmist, but sometimes shingles are also the first sign of a more serious illness to come - like cancer... I've known a number of people over the years that came down with shingles, then within a year or so of getting over it, came down with some sort of illness. I hope this isn't the case with you.

Tracklayer

Funny that you mentioned that mom had a kiddney removed that had cancer in it

[Tracklayer]

Loathar, shingles are an adult form of chicken pox. When you get over chicken pox the virus goes dormant in your nerve endings and sometimes will flare up later in life. Mom had them bad about a yearago and she could hardley stand to move.

Not to be an alarmist, but sometimes shingles are also the first sign of a more serious illness to come - like cancer... I've known a number of people over the years that came down with shingles, then within a year or so of getting over it, came down with some sort of illness. I hope this isn't the case with you.

Tracklayer

[CSXect]

Loathar, shingles are an adult form of chicken pox. When you get over chicken pox the virus goes dormant in your nerve endings and sometimes will flare up later in life. Mom had them bad about a yearago and she could hardley stand to move.

[CSXect]

We have a wound care center here in Columbus, my father has been there a few times as he gets ulcers from bad veins in his legs they have helped him quite a bit. I still have feeling in my feet even when they get numb. I am too fat to fit in my Trans am with Ram AIR the steering wheel touches my gut. Once the weather gets better I will do a lot of walking in the neigborhood and use the tread mill I am too young to be in this sort of shape and being unemployed for over 3 years has made it worse. When I was working I would walk around the warehouse on lunch a few laps every day and I had to haul in big copiers from the the warehouse into the lab to test configure and repair them with a pallet jack do this between 5 and 10 times a day for 12 to 14 hours and you get pretty lean. I had two strikes against me mom has diabetes and my diet lots of carbs and sweets the worse was pop if some one would drink beer the way I drank pop they would be an alcoholic. I eat cake and lots of bread and pasta but in small amounts at a time. With medicine my blood sugar stays around 80 to 100 It droped down to 70 once and I felt kinda shakey because I was not used to being that low. As far as hindering my hobby I can not work very hard for long amounts of time, it took about half a year for me to teardown some walls and remove floor tiles from basement floor,now I am working on getting some carpet down so I can begin a layout.

[loathar]

Ivanhen-Shingles, That one put my life on hold for almost a year. I wonder if that isn't what caused most of my nerve damage. I started seriousely looking at my pistol as a cure for my shingles. My doctor had me go for cat scans and a nerve conductivity test. This test amounted to a doctor shocking me with something like a high power train transformer and asking -did that hurt? Did that hurt? Did that hurt? Telling me my nerves where shot and handing me a bill for almost $5000 for an hour and a halfs work. I could have done that myself with a Lionel power pack a lot cheaper.

I bet we're boring the healthy people.(candy bar)

[Tracklayer]

The cons-With age, your hands get fumbly and you have a hard time doing some things.

The pros-When the drill motor slips in the process of driving a sheet rock screw and the phillips bit plunges all the way through your thumb you don't feel it as much.

Or I could have titled this-I've been bleedin on my rail.....road....

"Hey loathar".

I'm a hypoglycemic myself. Too many sodas and candy bars as a kid is what the doctor said. I'm okay as long as I eat plenty of vegetables and watch my sugar intake really close. If I get too caught up in working on my layout or something and go without eating all day, I start getting the shakes, get irritable, then boom. I've got a headache and feel lousy the rest of the day...

Tracklayer

[lvanhen]

Might as well chime ion - me too.  I'm 64 & was diagnosed with type II 6 years ago.  Taking 12 different meds for ther diabetes, high blood pressure, and residual pain from shingles from 3 years ago.  Aside from fatigue, it hasn't affected the modeling too much - just take it a little easier.  Hearing from Jeffry and others makes me feel a little better.  Maybe this is a help group!!

[loathar]

Got open ant bites on the back of my calf from 3 summers ago. Couldn't feel that I was standing on a fire ant mound untill they got up past my knees. My kingdom for a new pancrease! At least they opened up a dialasis clinic 2 miles from me. Flip a coin,heads it's legs, tails it's kidneys. I wonder if I can sue the companies that make those Easter Peeps and freezer pops. I'm sure those are what did me in.

[Zandoz]

Also wounds will not heal as fast.

I know exactly where you're coming from on that one. I had an ulcer on the bottom of my right foot that took almost three years to heal. I'm still fighting with an open sore on the bottom of the big toe of my left foot. It's been there since 2002.

Diabetic here also...and have a history of leg ulcers aggravated by also having an inherited venous stasis condition.  Also very prone to cellulitis  from the ulcers.   After several years battling those things, this past fall I was referred to a special wound clinic.  It took several different trial and error approaches (one of them resulting in the most excruciating week in my life), but at the end of about 2 months, and since, I'm ulcer free.   I do not know if you've had any experience with the likes of dedicated wound clinics, but the one here has worked wonders for me.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Also wounds will not heal as fast.

I know exactly where you're coming from on that one. I had an ulcer on the bottom of my right foot that took almost three years to heal. I'm still fighting with an open sore on the bottom of the big toe of my left foot. It's been there since 2002.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Loathar: About the part about waking up in an ambulance, or hospital for that matter, been there and done that, several times. On the part about low blood sugar levels, 28 is the lowest I've been. One morning I almost crawled to the kitchen to get a candy bar stashed in one of the drawers. It can be rough, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, with the exception of a couple of trolls.

[CSXect]

I am a 37year old Diabetec I take two pills and it seems to keep things undercontroll evan when I eat stuff I should not. My hands get numb when driving. Also wounds will not heal as fast. The Doc says if I can lose enough weight that I may be able to control it with a healthy diet.

I am often to tired to do much of anything and having been unemployed for 3 years has made it worse. I starty a new job Monday as a temporary posistion(4 weeks period with a total of 40 hours spread between those 4 weeks.) It might lead to a longer term oppertunity.

[loathar]

Jeffrey-I think your gonna take first place on this one. My doctor had to buy a better meter cause I kept pegging his. (only went to 500) I think the only thing worse than 650 is 20. I can feel I'm going low. I know what I need to do. But my brain locks up and I can't do anything about it. I know what's happening but I'm in a fog to do anything about it. You could take me by the hand and tell me to jump off a cliff and I'd probably do it. The paramedics had to bag and zap me once. They said I was blue and had been dead for a minute or two. It's pretty weird to be watching TV one minute and the next thing you know they're pushing you in the back of an ambulance.

I used to be on that Lantis and some other drug but I got tired of taking 4-5 shots a day. Been on shots for about 8 years now. I take a 70/30 mix twice a day now. Did you know you don't need a perscription for that stuff anymore? I just buy mine over the counter at Wal Mart when I'm buying my Malibu HO cars. See, I worked trains into it.

P.S.-None of the little people on my layout have diabetes. They found a cure for it in my little world.

[Charlie]

I too am diabetic Insulin dependent Type II and use a pump. For me, Okay, where did I put such n such. I sympahthize w/the low blood sugars while modeling. I've got plenty of energy but, the ambition/desire is another thing. I took a hiatus in 06 and did some armor modeling instead.

Ch

[john1947]

  I'm now 60 and was diagnosed with type II when I was 50. Have been on three different meds since. The other day my Dr. tells me that one of the meds he has been giving me is starting to affect my kidneys, so now I have to go on insulin. As with others on this thread, tiredness, numbness, and vision are just some of the problems we work with when running our MRR.

 John

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I sure Jeffery will chime in at some point too.

You must have known that I would be reading this.

I was first diagnosed in 1983 as a type II diabetic. Nothing serious they said. I was put on pills and it was left at that. Two years later, my vision started getting really flakey. Clear one day and blurry the next. Next came pain, swelling and numbness in my feet. That wasn't the worst of it though. That came when I started getting dizzy and passing out. I went back to the doctor for an examination and was immediatly admitted as a type I diabetic with a blood sugar level over 700. That was in 1985. The blood sugar problem was brought under control through exercise and diet but not before serious damage had occured. I couldn't feel my feet, except for some pain now and then and my fingers were getting numb. Jump ahead to 1995. No real progression of any nerve damage, the diet and all had been working as it was supposed to and I still had full use of my arms and legs. But I was starting to have problems with my energy level. I would tire quickly and just wasn't any good the rest of the day. In 1998, my blood sugar went out of control again. The medicine was no longer working. The docs put me on a new type of medicine that worked better. By this time, I had lost almost all feeling in my hands and the numbness in my feet was climbing up my legs. I could no longer do fine detail work as my hands were getting too shaky and it was getting really hard to hold onto things without crushing them. At this point, I decided it would be in my best interest to stop workinf with flex track and go back to sectional track. I was getting too many cuts from the tools and such. 2004, disaster struck. I was working as a custodial employee at the Ft Polk commisary at the time. I was pushing a floor scrubber back to the warehouse when I suddenly heard my right foot go CRUNCH! I didn't feel anything but I knew something was seriously wrong, because my foot quickly swelled to twice it's normal size. A visit to the doctor confirmed my worst fears. The bones in my foot had become soft and chalky, causing them to bend and warp out of shape. This caused a massive number of dislocations and breaks that all occured simutaniously. Three bones were dislocated and there were twelve breaks and itr was far too late for anything to be done. Again, the medicine was not working well. They once again changed my medication and this time put me on insulin injections. At the present, I take 1 shot a day (74 units of Lantus), 20 mg of Glypizide, 10 mg of another medicine for my blood pressure and various other medicines for things related to diabetes. I now have no feeling in my arms from the elbows down and no feeling in my legs from the knees down. I can walk, but I have to wear special braces and use a cane to maintain my balance. I'm permantly disabled and can no longer work. Throughout it all, my model railroading has progressed, unhindered. I've switched over to DCC and am in the process of converting my locomotives to DCC. There are some things I can't do anymore, but I've found new ways of doing many of the things that I had thought I'd never be able to do again. I've found that if I watch what I'm doing very carefully, I can do some very good detail work. You've probably all seen examples of my work posted here and there on the forum so you know what I'm talking about.

Now, if there is someone worse in the room, please step up.

[twhite]

I don't have diabetes, but I was recently diagnosed with COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).  Luckly, it's mild and though not reversable, can be controlled by medication and breathing treatments.  But I can understand the fatigue syndrome--I've had to cut back on work, at least until the meds take effect.  It's also cut back on my big model railroad projects for the time being, but since this is winter (and I have a garage layout), I never do much major work until Spring and Summer, anyway.  Unfortunately, having COPD leaves you VERY susceptible to colds and flu during this season, and I'm just coming off a bout with pneumonia that has left me tired, groggy and VERY cranky. 

Going back to work next Monday, but only part-time for a while.  Right now, the model railroad projects consist of tuning up some of my brass steamers and re-placing the cruddy couplers on my Walther's passenger cars with Kadees. 

Have to go out and clean up the MR track and stuff, when I get the energy back.  Don't even want to think about it, right now. 

Old age ain't for sissies.

Tom

[GAPPLEG]

     Yeah, I walk alot at work , the feet get hot , then cold, then tingle like asleep, usually doesn't bother me when I'm just sitting at the work bench.  My levels are pretty good, try to watch my diet closely.  We're probably boring the other folks to death with this thread, but it could be like a support group for us that are afflicted. I sure Jeffery will chime in at some point too.

[loathar]

Numbness in the feet. Feels like I'm walking on marbles all the time.Lots of fun.

I've been getting pains in my feet that feels like someone jabbed a knitting needle through them. Real great when your trying to paint fine detail or working on a loco. Dropped a couple of locos over that kind of pain.

[modelmaker51]

I'm 56 and got diagnosed in '92 as a Type II. I'm still on pills and my sugar levels are good, (I did lose 80 lbs a few years back), besides the occaisional bouts of tiredness, the only other symptom I have is increasing numbness in my feet which doesn't hinder my modeling. 

[metalfrog]

i have diabetes big time...it has caused me severe nerve damage.of course low blood sugar is just as dangerous and when mine goes low i get extremely weak and cold and very sleepy.that curtails my working on the RR for about four hours or so.since the layout is at another location i alway's keep sugar handy.unfortunately i feel them exacto blade's cutting my finger's all the time terry......

[Anonymous]

Oh boy, that sounds familiar! However, the Pros and Cons for me are: (con) where did my bifocals go now! and (pro) that cordless drill falling off the bench onto my foot didn't hurt so bad!

Oh, and the other big plus. Now, for the 1st time in my life, I don't have a shortage of pill bottles to store all them little parts in!!! 

[selector]

On your behalf, and for all non-afflicted folks out there, let me say......

 

OOOOOOOWWWWW!!!

Sorry it had to happen.  I hope you are okay?

[GAPPLEG]

My problem of modeling with diabetes is my lack of energy, I'll tell myself to get in there and work on something and I just can't pull myself up to go do it. I work all day at G.E. and by the time I get home I'm whipped.  Lack of feeling really hasn't hurt me yet, sometimes the hands go numb but I can still do the small work anyway. It's just that lack of go get-em.