Diabetes and service - any connection?

Thanks a lot! Now your going and scaring me into doing regular PT and getting more shots again after I thought I was past all that after retiring. lol

I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic during my two-year stay at the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Sam Houston. I gained about 60 pounds during the time at Fort Sam - between six surgeries, not being able to do much PT and being over 350 miles from home for two years, wasn't hard to do. Lost the weight pretty easy in first 6 months after getting home along with the pre-diabetic diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus type 1 at the end of November 2014, I am insulin dependent and its controlled at a normal level. Has anyone experienced a soldier with Type 1? I am ATC an have to be on flight status, which I know by taking insulin I will be Permanently grounded. I am try to find if anyone has been aloud to re-class or at least finish there current contract doing some other duties. My EST is August 2017. If MEB finds me unfit for duty any ideas on which percentage disability I can aspect to receive an how long could the MEB process take?

I don't have diabetes, but there are members of my family who do. I have consistently made sure to watch what I eat, in terms of sugars and carbs. My glucose levels are usually between 50-75 when blood tested. I have been diagnosed as Hypoglycemic which is really the opposite of diabetes. But I wonder if the level of insulin production in my body has or could change in the future.

1SG David Niles so when will we be blessed with your theory?

I was diagnosed just prior to retirement with type 2 diabetes. I work out and take an oral medication but do not require insulin. I watch my diet but eat most things. I avoid white rice, white flour pasta, and sweets. Sweets have never been an issue for me.

I am quite interested in the results of this survey. .

No diabetes with genetic/Familia disposition for it

bump

A couple of common threads among military members are high levels of stress and an often less than stellar diet. According to WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/stress-diabetes) "stress is absolutely a contributing factor in the human body's ability to manage blood glucose levels". Add in some good old military chow be it the mess decks, ward room, d-fac, mess-hall, mre's, battle rations, etc and while the quality of preparation may vary; the overall food ingredients are pretty similar. Lots of; White flour, Processed grains such as white rice, Cereals with little whole grain and lots of sugar, White bread, French fries, Canned fruits and vegetables, and fatty meats (http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetic-food-list-best-worst-foods). While the need for extended shelf life and the minimization of costs dictates what is fed to service members; a few dollars spent on higher quality, healthier fare could pay off in healthier service members and lower healthcare costs but I digress. Poor diet plus high stress over time can wear a body down. If you run an engine on the wrong fuel too long and too hard, it is going to break down. Same with service members. Just a thought.

Keep those votes and comment coming. I know we have more on here. even those anonymous people can vote. LOL Tongue in Cheek.

I have noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) Type II, however I found out before I was getting out. In my early years in the military, never had an issue, ate what I wanted but was never a 'eat sweets all the time' kind of person and I worked out twice a day. When the blood sugar levels change to the new way I compared it to my previous ones in the first 15 yrs of service, they were the same there abouts. So I ask my doctor why wasn't I diagnosed back then, he said it wasn't until recent that the blood sugar levels changed. So with proper diet, some meds and exercise hopefully I can get off the meds.