Diabetes type II caused by medications

[Carl the Engineer]

First, I am not a Vietman Vet.  I am an Iraq Veteran.

I have been on either Hydrochlorothiazide or Chlorthalidone for my service connected HBP since 2004.  I got out of the service in '08.

In the spring I was diagnosed with Diabetes type II.  It is under control, however I take medication (pills) two times a day.  I believe if connected, in its current state, it would rate 20%.

I found documentation from civilian publications and from the the VA itself stating that both of those medications, plus another one I am on for high cholesterol, can cause Diabetes type II.

I am thinking of claiming Diabetes type II secondary to my HBP meds.

What do you think?

Carl

https://www.research.va.gov/currents/1121-Study-links-statin-use-with-diabetes-progression-points-to-need-for-further-research.cfm

 

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Edited October 18, 2022 by Carl the Engineer

[McRay]

I've been on low carb for a few years. Started at 255 and now am around 215. I've found that walking and about 25 carbs daily will quickly pull the weight down for me. What I notice now is if I eat carbs, I really crave more. Carl it's tough if the wife isn't on the same meal plan. I don't think I could do it. Carnivore diet will work too. Eat all the protein and fat you want. Get's boring, but better than being hungry all the time Good luck!!

[john999]

That is really great! Carbs and sugar are addictive.  Carbs do give you energy. Most of the world lives on carbs like rice, potatoes, wheat, and pasta to name a few.  Only in the West can you have a meat diet.  Covid did me in as well.  Back in October of 2020 I went to the VA for blood work and my glucose was out of sight and my AIC was 10.5.  They put me in intensive care for a week. Since then no sugar and not much in the way of carbs. I do take insulin and my weight wen up too much.  Being diabetic makes the weight stick I think.  

[blahsaysme2u]

3 hours ago, Carl the Engineer said:

I think Covid played a part as I hibernated (cause my wife is compromissed) for 2 years and in the spring I weighed in at my VA appt at 288.  I had been 275 for about 3-4 years.  So, with that they checked my sugars twice, 145, 155 and did a A1C which came in at 7.1.

With that, I met with a VA natrutionist, who told me that the way she dose it is with carbs.  60 each meal, with a 30 carb snack at most, so about 210 a day.  When I got back from that appt, my daughter set me up with a online program that records your intake.  We set it up with 180 carbs a day with a 2 pound per week weight loss.  I started at 2100 calories, and now I am at 1770 calories a day.  I try to hit the numbers, but dosen't work every day.  

It was hard, but now I am used to it.  But it is working.  5/3 288.6lbs, 7/20 274.7lbs, 8/23 265.9lbs and 9/23 262.1 pounds. So, 26.5 pounds so far.

On August 9th, my blood sugar was 113 and my A1C was 6.6, so the diet and the Metformin are working.  However, I am on Potassium now as it went critically low after I started both.  Another side effect of some of the drugs I am on.

I think I am near 250, but I only use the scale at the nutritionist to keep the same control measure.  Next appt is Nov 2.

FWIW, I have never felt better, have more energy and my get up and move has improved dramatically.  

The downside.  Miss the donuts, ALOT.  Boring food.  Lots of meat, which I like, but gets old.  Wife is mad at me all the time cause she can't make a pan of lasagna like she used too, along with sheet cakes, etc.  LOL..  But we are working on it.  She did make peanut butter cookies yesterday......

My target is 200, which I haven't weighed in around 40 years.

Wish me luck.

Carl

 

just as a side note to all the vets here with dx diabetes from the VA- the VA has a program they started to help you get off meds and control or even reverse your diabetes....as i have

they pay for Virta Health- you get 2 health specialist/coaches, diet plan, scale, keto/glucose testing supplies etc....i started 5 months ago. i have lost 70lbs dropped my cholesterol and raiseed my good, a1c is almost under "prediabetic" levels and im completely off meds. this program is free and paid by the VA. it is challenging but your health is worth it and worth more than a few hundred bucks you could get from a SC as well as the stress of fighting with the VA. 

https://www.virtahealth.com/blog/virta-long-lasting-cardiometabolic-health-improvements-for-veteran-patients

[jbasser]

You and I are similar. We developed HTN before the DIabetes. I filed a few years ago and won. Keep on track. 20 percent is common but Diabetes has more secondaries than any other disability from Meoropathy to Retinopathy. 

[john999]

If I can do two insulin injections a day and have an  A1C of 6.6 as opposed to 10.5  I am pretty happy.  Jabbing myself in the fingers twice a day is a pain but my wife helps me with it.  We keep track up like drinking your morning coffee or brushing your teeth at night.  I do miss actual sugar in my coffee.  I have gotten pretty fat especially since Covid.  I must have put on 25 lbs.