Diabetes and service - any connection?

2014-07-07T19:58:32-04:00

I am doing a little bit of a survey, using you all, my multiple services veterans, how many contracted diabetes after leaving service, how many contracted diabetes while serving and where discharged, how many are just fine.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not at my military weight, but I am not that much over my military limit right now. I am fairly active and I don't over indulge in sweets. I have another theory and based on everyones honest participation, it will either debunk my theory or confirm it. I wil share at the end of the month on what my theory is. Thanks in advance for participating.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 8:06 PM

2014-07-07T20:06:13-04:00

I didn't vote because I didn't want to mess up your results. My right hand NCO developed diabetes in Iraq. He was well within military height/weight and in very good shape (he was in the LRS Company). No family history. The Army medically retired him even though he fought it.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 8:11 PM

2014-07-07T20:11:14-04:00

I have no diabetes and no genetic family disposition. As a future nurse practitioner, I would be interested in hearing your theory. If you are interested, I can provide you with some information distinguishing the two types of diabetes.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jul 7 at 2014 8:19 PM

2014-07-07T20:19:38-04:00

Please in your response add if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. I will share my theory at the end of the survey period. (around august) if I get some good responses, even if it is in the negative.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 7 at 2014 8:24 PM

2014-07-07T20:24:27-04:00

No diabetic history currently or in the family. Your question got me wondering if there is a problem with diabetes and the military community?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2014 8:55 PM

2014-07-07T20:55:40-04:00

I chose the first option, though that's not entirely accurate for me. I don't have "diabetes," but I have "pre-diabetes" or "insulin-resistance" as the doctors call it.

*wild rant - WHY is it called PRE-diabetes as though it's a PREcursor to diabetes? type 1 and type 2 diabetes means your body either makes no insulin, or not enough insulin. Insulin resistance means your body makes way too much insulin and is resistant to it's effects!

Anyway. Diabetes runs in my family. I didn't have a problem while I was in the service... at least, not that I was aware of. Without getting into too many TMI details, I found out after the fact that I had other medical issues that were masked while I was in the service by other factors.... issues I have been told I've "probably" had since I was a teenager but wasn't diagnosed or had any reason to believe they were issues back then. Certainly made the last few years difficult.

These days I'm on all kinds of medication.... 33 years old and I feel like an old person pill popper :(

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 1:30 AM

2014-07-08T01:30:22-04:00

Type II, within 3 years of getting out. Though I have Genetics as a factor, I also am Native American and Latino origin. Each of which is 30% more likely to develop. My own personal theory has to be do with the recent (last 150 years) sedentary nature of all ethnicity which have a pre-disposition towards diabetes. The higher rates seem to follow those peoples who industrialized later/not at all. There is reference in old journals of those practicing medical arts noting peculiar diseases which had the urine tasting sweet. Yes they tasted urine once upon a time. The belief is that early industrialized nations went through a period of adjustment where diabetes affected the population and then the population leveled out. Personally, as the smallest (in girth) of 4 brothers, and the only one with diabetes; I think that the extreme exercise regimen which was part of the daily life of a service member was a part of the problem. In that after 6 years of daily PT, converting to a desk job places the body into shock causing the pancreas to fail. No science on my part just observation and analytics with a little bit of historical research.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 8 at 2014 5:05 AM

2014-07-08T05:05:11-04:00

No diabetes here.
Not sure if you are aware, but exposure to Dioxin (active ingredient in Agent Orange) has been proven to cause diabetes. Any veteran who was in Vietnam (or on the DMZ in Korea during a specific window of time) have a much higher likelihood of developing Type II.

Response by PO2 Arnold Mungin made Jul 8 at 2014 10:10 AM

2014-07-08T10:10:12-04:00

I was initially diagnosed as being a type 2 diabetic in November 2011, recently my diagnosis was changed and the doctors now believe I'm a type 1. In my family it seems like those of us with Sickle Cell Trait develop Diabetes. I must be an anomaly though because I'm the only type 1 in my family and I developed diabetes at a younger age than my grandmother, mother, and Aunt were when they developed Diabetes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2014 3:36 PM

2014-07-08T15:36:00-04:00

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.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jul 8 at 2014 7:13 PM

2014-07-08T19:13:30-04:00

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

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 9 at 2014 4:25 PM

2014-07-09T16:25:39-04:00

I was diagnosed in 2009 a few months after I retired.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Jul 9 at 2014 4:33 PM

2014-07-09T16:33:01-04:00

Well, I do not have diabetes. Which is a good thing. Now, from what I heard from someone, a long time ago. Several individuals were diagnosed with it. And the common denominator was Mt Dew. That's what they all drank. So I do not know your theory, but I guess this might be close.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Jul 9 at 2014 6:25 PM

2014-07-09T18:25:49-04:00

Diabetes and exposure to Agent Orange during the VN era has been steadily increasing to the point that most of my friends have it and are getting compensated for it. I have Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which has yet to be contributed to anything even though it manifested itself in 1971 after my 2nd tour (both tours were in II Corps which was heavily defoliated by Agent Orange). I am not sure where to go from here.

Response by PO2 Arnold Mungin made Jul 16 at 2014 11:17 PM

2014-07-16T23:17:03-04:00

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.

Stress and Diabetes

Stress, both physical and mental, can send your blood sugar out of whack. If you have diabetes, try these tips to keep stress under control.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jul 17 at 2014 7:38 PM

2014-07-17T19:38:33-04:00

bump

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jul 17 at 2014 8:09 PM

2014-07-17T20:09:57-04:00

No diabetes with genetic/Familia disposition for it

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Jul 19 at 2014 6:09 AM

2014-07-19T06:09:29-04:00

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. .

Response by SGT Christopher Hoffman made Jul 27 at 2014 12:33 PM

2014-07-27T12:33:04-04:00

I was diagnosed (supposedly incorrectly) in March 2010 with Type 2 and kept going for another few years. Now full blown Type 2 diagnosed one year ago. Genetics works against me since it is rampant on my mother's side of the family, four generations strong.

I stay away from sweets 95% of the time, will grab the occasional candy bar, drink mostly water or zero-carb sports drink (PowerAde Zero).

I am cautious. I have to be.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Oct 2 at 2014 7:09 PM

2014-10-02T19:09:51-04:00

A good friend of mine developed diabetes while in the service. He was MEB'd once and returned to service, but a few years later was MEB'd again because it had changed from being well controlled to insulin dependent and not well controlled.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2014 12:35 PM

2014-10-03T12:35:50-04:00

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

Response by 1SG David Niles made Oct 3 at 2014 8:00 PM

2014-10-03T20:00:15-04:00

Ok, since I was reminded, I will now bless you all with my theory. Understand I am not a scientist nor a trained medical personality. I am just a Personality so here goes my layman theory.

The body has a natural immune system. In the military we keep our immune system hyper vigilant with all the stateside required inoculations as well as all the extras that we get for deploying to various countries. We also keep ourselves in shape with more physical exercise then most civilians.
Then we get out of the military, our exercise stops or slows down and we stop getting inoculations. during this time in service our auto immune system is constantly working to get all negative things and create antibodies for those negative things. Then we get out, slow down and stop getting shots, well our bodies start looking for things to fight, we just taught to keep fighting for 8 to 20 or so years. It finds insulin at the pancreas and starts fighting that until such time as the pancreas stops producing insulin. So my theory is that we get it do to all the inoculations that we received. Now I am sure that there will be people to poke all sorts of educated holes in my theory, and that is alright, so ready, set, Go!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 10:05 AM

2014-10-04T10:05:32-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 9:18 PM

2014-12-11T21:18:39-05:00

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?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 11:53 PM

2014-12-12T23:53:34-05:00

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.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-01-06T17:45:07-05:00

Just saw this article and wanted to add it to this thread. Important quote: “It [diabetes] affects nearly 20 percent of Veterans who use the VA health care system, compared to 8.3 percent of the general population." - See more at: http://www.va.gov/health/NewsFeatures/2014/May/VA-Battling-Silent-Epidemic.asp#sthash.2lbruIJL.dpuf

VA Battling Silent Epidemic -- Veterans Health Administration

VA researchers are locked in battle with an enemy that is quietly maiming and killing thousands of Americans who have served their country. It's not PTSD, depression or TBI.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 11:37 PM

2015-01-06T23:37:08-05:00

I have a family history of diabetes, but do not suffer from the condition. I'm WELL over my military weight (5'11", 290 lbs.) and at one time used to drink 2-3 64oz sodas a day (!)... Since the new year, I've cut out sodas and extra sugars and have begun an exercise regimen so I can get back in the service and am eyeing the Army Reserves. IF I don't get back in, I'm still improving my health so I can be around for my new son (8 mos old).

Edit: I forgot to mention that I was in for about 8 years and have been out for almost 13.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 12:25 AM

2015-01-07T00:25:25-05:00

The question itself is flawed in so many ways, there are medications that can cause fluctuations and the like, the diets as they change with age and activity and even the amount of natural adrenaline production not to mention the chemical changes that take place as we also go through hormonal age changes. Also remember many families did not have many relatives with good medical records. The idea of any genetic information is not something many have even in this day and age.
I answered the question, just some thoughts on the potential on future questions or perhaps some for clarity in time on this question theme.

Response by SPC Leisel Luman made Jan 7 at 2015 8:44 AM

2015-01-07T08:44:52-05:00

Central Cranial Diabetes Insipidous is result of TBI or brain surgery if the stalk is nipped in surgery it's a seperate endocrine disorder. I have it. I hear a of NBC and chemical exposure causing endocrine disruption. I do not believe mine was service connected but the result of injury after service. I did not vote.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 7 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-01-07T10:06:24-05:00

My father has diabeties, but I was adopted...for research purposes.

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Jan 7 at 2015 11:24 AM

2015-01-07T11:24:12-05:00

I have a genetic predisposition from grandparents and parents to both be overweight and to have high blood pressure and diabetes.
Because of that, I have worked hard to stay in shape (healthy) and I am probably in better shape now than I was when serving. So far, I don't have the high blood pressure and diabetes. My dad and granddad both died of congestive heart failure, so I am motivated to not follow their lead.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 7 at 2015 11:45 AM

2015-01-07T11:45:40-05:00

I'm convinced that it was the SOS that saved me

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jan 7 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-01-07T12:38:00-05:00

Type II, adult onset. Paternal genetics for 3 generations. My son, at 21, is pre-diabetic (whatever the hell they mean by that...)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 2:37 AM

2015-01-08T02:37:09-05:00

Men are predisposed to diabetes because when they get fat it's mostly distributed on their abdomen. This has nothing to do with immunizations. The army's responsible for the stress and the mre's. Those thinks allow you to gain weight.