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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 30 May 2014

Exercise is key to diabetes control, says Jayesh Shah (54), who has managed his condition effectively for the last 24 years. Here, he shares how to live well with diabetes (with no hard feelings).

What kind of diabetes are you suffering from?                              

Type 2 diabetes

When were you diagnosed?

Around the age of 30. 

Is there a history of diabetes in your family?

Yes, there is, on both sides of the family tree. 

Was your condition picked up during a regular routine check-up or were there some early symptoms?

I had no symptoms. However, since there was a history of the disease in the family, I used to do regular check-ups for blood sugar levels. 

What is your present condition?

My diabetes is under good control.

Please describe your experience of managing diabetes.

After the diagnosis, I took immediate steps to manage it. The first thing I did was cut sugar out from my diet. Then I reduced my intake of starch to the bare minimum while increasing fibre intake through salads and fruits. That does not mean I have stopped eating desserts, but yes, the portions and the frequency have gone down drastically. Whenever possible I look for sugar-free options. 

I began taking oral medication almost 25 years ago. At the beginning, the dosage was very low, but as the insulin resistance started increasing, the dosage kept increasing. Medical science has taken long strides in diabetes management in the last two decades and my doctors have kept abreast of the developments, changing my medication accordingly. From 2008, insulin shots were added to my oral medication.

In the early years, I used to walk as a form of exercise, but I was not consistent. Over the years I became more disciplined about walking regularly. For the last two years, I have been doing weight training with a personal trainer and I am seeing a marked benefit in my diabetes control. 

What medications are you on?

Vildagliptin 50 mg and Metformin 500 mg 

Voglibose .3 mg 

Gliclazide BP 80 mg and Metformin HCL IP 500 mg 

Long acting Insulin (Lantus) 8 units

Were there any side-effects of the medicines?

No. 

What were some of the challenges you faced and what is your advice to patients who face similar challenges?

For me, the challenges were mainly in the mind. I was not committed to physical exercise and did not think it really made a difference. I thought I could just depend on medication and diet control to manage diabetes. My advice to diabetes patients is that they should be extremely serious about physical exercise. They can choose whichever activity suits them - brisk walking, cardio, weights, aerobics, pilates, yoga – but you must exercise for 30-40 minutes at least 4 times a week. There will be a visible difference immediately.

What kind of specialists do you consult and how often?

My family physician advises me on a regular basis and I visit a diabetologist annually.

What resources are available to you in your city?

From a medical perspective, Mumbai has all possible resources available.

How has diabetes forced you to alter your lifestyle?

Other than changes to my diet and increased physical exercise, I have not had to make any changes to my lifestyle. My job takes me across the globe over different time zones and despite being insulin-dependent now, I have not felt the need to restrict that.

Eating right does become a challenge at times when one is on flights or transiting through airports. However, I try to adjust my bio-clock with the local time; for example, if it is morning in a particular time zone, I will have breakfast and so on. The thing to be wary of is to never skip a meal or medication while travelling to ensure that your sugar levels don’t fluctuate too much. 

Have you tried complementary medicine or therapies, like homeopathy or yoga? 

I am a vegetarian and I consider yoga to be part of my exercise regimen. Nothing different other than that.

Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition?

I have had absolutely no emotional problem. I just accepted it as part of life and got down to managing it effectively.

Was your family upset?

We have had a family history of diabetes, so no one was really surprised or bothered about it.

Any advice for others in a similar situation?

Just take diabetes as something you have to live with. Accept it without that “why me” feeling. Manage it well.

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