Ive been diabetic since 11 years old, im now 24 and have been drinking too much and smoking too much since about 18, I know all the risks that can happen when drinking and smoking and have now cut it down, but cant give up completely, can anyone tell me how to give up? I only smoke about 5 fags a week and have about 2 pints on a thursday and 2-3 on a sunday.

I control my sugar levels well when drinking a couple of pints so this is not a problem, but could people tell me the risks again (as i havent heard them for some years) so maybe it will help me quit smoking completely.

I am a little concerned some damage may have already been done and am going to the doctors soon to check something out, I think something could be funny with my heart, espcially as I am a tall person and this can give a weak heart as it is. Every once in a while I get this big twitch sort of thing in the middle of my chest, just at the very top of my stomach, can anyone tell what this may be?

Thanks in advance.

I am assuming you are a T1 diabetic - I am more familiar with T2 - but there are wonderful people here who can help you with T1. For now I will share my thoughts in general.

The risks associated with drinking are far greater than controlling glucose levels. You say that you control your glucose levels well when you drink, and although you may be getting decent glucose readings at the time, you are likely worsening your ability to control long term by weakening your body, your metabolism, and most important, your liver function. Alcohol is perceived by the liver as a toxin that must be eliminated from your body. When you drink alcohol, your body (and liver, specifically) becomes burdened with the task of detoxification. Because the liver is also responsible for metabolizing all the food you eat (converting carbs into glucose, protein into amino acids, etc etc) it is weakened in these efforts. As a diabetic, you need to strengthen your metabolism wherever possble, and one of the best ways to do this is to give your liver a break! Drinking alcohol is most commonly associated with causing improper metabolism of fat, increasing cholesterol, belly fat, and risk of heart disease. Risks are increased dramatically for diabetics.

You say that you cannot stop drinking, but I don't believe you are physically addicted because you only drink 2X per week. So why do you think you cannot stop? I know how it is when you are in your 20's - you think you are indestructable and that nothing will effect you, just others. But most of us who also had those thoughts and feelings now look back and regret not taking steps to avoid health problems - now we are burdened with them.

Some of the greatest health risks associated with diabetes include liver and kidney disease, permanent nerve damage leading to amputations, vision diseases leading to blindness, and heart disease. I am currently burdened with early stage kidney disease and I have to deal with that every day of my life. Luckily, because I am now taking care of myself, I may actually be able to slow the progression. But it is still possible that within 20 years I will experience complete kidney failure and there is not much I can do about it. I am sure others here have similar stories. Of course nobody will likely be able to convince you that you need to take action - you will have to find some inner motivation.

As for smoking, I don't think anyone needs to explain the risks to you - other than to point out that as a diabetic, the risks are magnified. I am an ex-smoker who thought I would NEVER be able to quit. I smoked 3+ packs per day for 16 years. I chain-smoked... sometimes 2 at time (without realizing!). I would smoke 8 of cigarettes in the morning before I took a shower to get ready for work (because I had been deprived during the night while sleeping) - really gross, I know. Here again, it was illness that motivated me to quit - FEAR OF DEATH. I quit cold turkey in 1990 and have not ever smoked again. I posted my method in the Smoking Cessation board several months ago. Here is the link:
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=181790

Welcome to the board, I wish you all the best.

Ok thanks for that, thats very useful advice and should help me sort out my problem

I have a healthy diet, im at a good weight and play footy twice a week, can more exercise (i.e. buying an exercise bike and using daily) help me lessen the chances of future problems?

Excercise strengthens the body and helps to stabilize glucose levels, so indirectly it can help prevent complications from diabetes. But it won't necessarily reverse problems that already exist and it is not the only answer.

There really is no SINGLE thing you can do that will improve your your health or reduce your risk of future problems. You need to look at the big picture and incorporate an overall strategy that will improve your health, strengthen your body, stabilize your metabolism, and reduce overall health risks. This requires a lifestyle change that focuses on this ultimate goal.

For many, it takes a while to realize this, but the earlier you start, the better off you will be.

yes i see what you're saying, basically i need to give up the smoking and drinking soon. Drinking 1 pint a day isnt a problem is it? so i was told by the docs some time ago.

Not to encourage unhealthy habits, but I just read about a medical study that said drinking one beer a day was actually healthy for you. The study said it had some of the same benefits to the body as red wine. The rub is that you have to stop after one!

I think the smoking should be your number one priority to quit entirely. There are definitely no health benefits to smoking.

I think part of being healthy is enjoying yourself once in awhile, and not be too rigid. I am a type 1 for 20 years and do like to have a glass of wine with dinner. It makes my cooking go down easier ;)

good luck to you!

For every positive there is a negative and vice-versa!

Nobody will ever convince me that the benefits of alcohol outweigh the risks. Diabetics, in particular, benefit greatly by focusing on liver detoxification to support and strengthen metabolic function. Alcohol, in any qualtity, burdens the liver, weakening the metabolism.

But this is my opinion and belief - people can decide which pros and cons are most compelling to them!

I`m sorry but a pint of what do you drink? I`m kind of old and don`t remember what a pint is. Beer, Wine, Whiskey? :bouncing:

One motivating factor. Impotence, Smoking along with diabetes is a sure fire way to make ceartain parts not work like designed. Trust me on this one.

Im sure i can manage to drink only 1 pint, if i put my mind to it. As for the smoking this is more important to stop i realise, how much hard would 1 cigarette do on a thursday evening and a sunday evening? On the other hand i may as well just give up completely as 1 *** an evening seems pointless anyway.

Chappy,
If you have to pick one, quit smoking!!! It's the single best thing you can do for yourself, healthwise...even more important than quitting drinking.

The substances in cigarettes not only cause your blood vessels to contract, they also increase the amount of plaque that is deposited. This happens all over the body, not just in the heart vessels. And you already know that being diabetic puts you at increased risk for heart disease, circulatory problems, eye problems, etc. Smoking DRAMATICALLY increases those risks! And, frankly, if you smoke one cigarette a week (or two, or three), you'll never quit...they're highly addictive, and you'll find yourself yo-yo'ing between being good (1-2 a week), and being bad (pack a day). Not worth it, and it's easier to completely quit than to constantly struggle to try to control the amount you smoke.

If you have to choose between drinking and smoking, I'd quite smoking first. Continue to limit your drinking to no more than a pint a day, and the alcohol shouldn't affect you too much. Down the road, when you've really got to the point where you don't miss smoking any more, you can try to quite drinking, too.

Ruth

good advice thanks