Friday, August 2, 2013

Polarities in reception

This blog is new, and in making attempts to spread it's content, I have encountered what appear to be two polarities in it's reception: curiosity and indignant disbelief.

Last year, I performed a survey for Children's Hospital Boston for college students with Diabetes. To finish the survey and get your gift card, you had to join this social networking website- www.tudiabetes.org-a website for those touched by diabetes. I also joined another website called www.juvenation.org. I thought such a websites would be an ideal place to post interesting tid-bits about my recent explorations into diabetes. The reception was largely unforgiving.

I always aim to make the content of my posts informative, with an attitude of self exploration. I try and share an experience and then encourage others to experiment and find out for themselves. I do not make  it the main point to convey that my dietary and yogic experiences have allowed me to stop taking insulin. Many say that they have tried yoga as well, or that they have changed their diet as well, but remain adamant that there is absolutely no way that this could be possible. I don't know what to say to such responses, unless I've been hallucinating for the past year and a half and don't know what is actually happening, then I'm pretty sure that I haven't stuck a needle in my body to inject insulin in a year and a half.

Inevitably, this becomes part of the discussion, whereby I am accused of making claims that I have cured myself, and berated for spreading false information, and accused of saying things that will cause others to hurt themselves.

When I meet someone in person, I am hit with the following list of questions:
1) When were you diagnosed? (2009)
2) Are you sure you're type 1? (Yes, my endocrinologist is sure of that. Not obese, not insulin resistant)
3) Do you have insulin antibodies? (Yes, both GAD and IA-2)
4) Did they do a C-peptide test? (yes, it was out of normal range)
5) Is it LADA? (No it is not. I was 17 at diagnosis)
6) Its probably just the honeymoon phase, right? (Partly, but the situation has improved since diagnosis)
7) What's your A1C (4.5)
8) Did you ever take insulin? (yes, for 3.5 years, I used a pump)
9) You don't even take a long acting insulin? (no.)

I get hit with all of the questions of how its impossible that I have had to stop taking insulin, instead of all the questions about how it is possible. This blog attempts to post information regarding all of the ways in which I think it is possible.

The first polarity is: indignant denial 



The other polarity is extreme curiosity and openness. From other blogs where people are experimenting with the paleo diet and other alternative medicines, I get hit with all of the questions about how it is possible. From these people I get words of encouragement to share more, and continue on. Often times I see  or hear stories about how similar things have also helped them. There is great faith in self exploration and in self- healing abilities. These people are a joy to encounter.

But the other polarity, the more closed one, is not bad to encounter either. The thing I espouse the most is your own systematic and non-judgmental observance of reality. I espouse self experimentation. If something doesn't work (ie. eating lots of carbs) then stop doing it because you know it doesn't work. You have to confront your own mind and get rid of your preconceived notions. It is only because of fear that someone will not try their own experiment.

It goes the other way too. It's important to be equally unattached to alternative methods. If something is not working for you, perhaps you do need to take your conventional meds until you find something that does. It is still about unattached observation of reality.


At the end of the day though, your self-healing abilities are unbounded. You can encounter the greatest strength and joy all within, regardless of which methods you seek. All you have to do is be willing to go deep and be open to unfamiliarly and scary.

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for a marvelous post. Your blog is really pushing me to consider why I don't try something different. I am asking myself why don't I try modifying my diet or these exercises? The limits I impose on myself are more comfortable despite the suffering! On one level, your practical approach is straightforward but on another level I have to push past fear of disappointment. As you suggest, I can detach a little, not take it too seriously. It is my choice.

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    1. Thanks for reading Don! I'm thrilled that the content is useful to someone. Let me know if there's anything more you'd like to see!

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  2. I am really enjoying your blog. Your wisdom and perspective is remarkable. Must be all of that yoga! My daughter is Type One- We are on tiny amounts of insulin but finding that an "alternative" diet (What does "alternative" mean anyway since so many people are on modified diets these days...) and other supplements seem to reduce her need for insulin drastically. Hoping to continue to bring her back to health. I would love to hear about your thoughts on ketones (fat for fuel vs carbs) especially as it pertains to kids. Thanks!!

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    1. I'm honored that you enjoy the blog. I am glad that I'm able to share something that is useful to someone.

      When it comes to running off of ketones ie burning fat as fuel, that is what I do on a constant basis. I make sure that my diet is completely ketongenic. I've kept logs on the food I eat in a typical day, and find that about 15% of the calories come from carbohydrates. In this situation, I test with the ketone meter and find very small amounts of ketones.

      As it pertains to kids, I don't think I could say. I am not terribly familiar with dietary needs for a developing body and brain. I would gander to say that, if you eat food that makes you feel good and keeps your blood sugars healthy and eat enough calories, you'll be a healthy person! But I really don't know too much about what a child needs to develop correctly. I'm sorry I dont have more information on that.

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  3. Also....could you outline your typical daily diet?

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