Diabetics in the CF

[unarmedMelissa]

Thanks I dont have history in my family of diabetes but I could be the lucky one. Ya I have some more blood work to do so we will see. I have been testing my blood at home and looks good so it could have been an error lets hope. I have wanted to be in the army for so long. So cross your fingers for me.
Thanks for all your help guys
Mel-H

 

[unarmedMelissa]

And i totally agree you shouldn't be in the Canadian Forces with diabetes! It can be dangerous. I know.
It would be just disappointing to find out i had it. that's all i meant by "that sucks".
Mel-H

 

[unarmedMelissa]

Just an update
Well my low blood sugar is because i am working out so much and  i am not eating enough protein! The doctor said to keep in mind that low blood sugar could lead to diabetes but right now thats not the case! So what do you guys think about whey products?
thanks mel

 

[Donut]

Under the Training discussion our resident SME, Paracowboy, has started several threads about fitness and nutrition, etc, including supplements and general diet advice

Not entirely undisputed as advice goes, but it seems pretty good to me.

DF

 

[unarmedMelissa]

Yeah I just found it! thanks allot!

 

[Armymedic]

How about just eating more real food...more meats, more veggies. They will help you much more.

 

[rogsco]

How about just eating more real food...more meats, more veggies. They will help you much more.

Oh AM, you are so old-school with the eat a sensible well-balance diet advice.  :rofl:

 

[Donut]

Next thing you know he'll be telling us to get lots of exercise and see a dentist once in a while  :

 

[Pte.Butt]

Though, I do not have either at the tender age of 16, I still have the risk of getting it when I am older. I am without a doubt the most in shape in my house, I eat propperly and exercise 3-4 times a week. Could this possibly ruin my chances of joining? (Waiting for my medical to come back from Ottawa)

 

[George Wallace]

Only after you have your medical results will you know the answers to that.

Could the problem not be that it is hereditary, but due more to poor health style of family members, as you alluded to in you post.  I would not count a poor health style as being hereditary.

 

[niceasdrhuxtable]

I've never heard of anyone being precluded from service for their family medical history but again, I'm just speculating. They'll tell you all you need to know during your application medical.

 

[Pte.Butt]

Ina ll fairness, my dad WAS very obese, but since a massive heart attack and the following triple bi-pass surgery he has lost weight drastically, and mom has lost weight also. I guess as long as I keep myself in shape and avoid the bad stuff I should be alright

 

[formerarmybrat23]

Ya I woudnt worry about it at all. There is diabetes on both sides of my family, along with cancer, and smoking related issues (asthma, emphazema, etc).

Family history can be a factor in illness, but that doesnt mean your health and death are already in stone.

 

[Pte.Butt]

Alright, I guess this answers my question, thanks everyone!

 

[redknight91]

I spoke with a CF recruiter the other day and he told me that he was not sure what or if a diabetic would be able to join but said to go ahead with the application process anyway. He also mentioned the best thing to do would be to get a letter from a specialist (endocrinologist) stating that you would have ether no limitations to your duties or if there were limitations what they might be. Myself, I have received 2 letter from two of the top endocrinologists in the country and am hoping that I will be able to join the army in some capacity other than cook, mail clerk, or CIC

 

[FastEddy]

Just out of curiosity, what do you do on Civy Street.

By the way, just try and run a Army without Cook's.

Cheers.

Edited to add, If you were a Cook, there'd be no problem with your Diet needs, that's presuming its a factor.

 

[PMedMoe]

It doesn't matter what trade you're joining as anyway, minimum standards are just that, the minimum acceptable.

 

[lindhout]

And rightly so.

Then they should redo the test. If you levels are low again, and you have a history of insulin dependant diabetes in your family, then you may be at risk of developing it yourself....

Not fun, and not something you want to be in the CF with.

why exactly do you have this hate for diabetics? how quickly you judge all diabetics shows just how ignorant you are. If you have done any research you would know there is a few people in CF and US army with type 1 diabetes. In 1989 a type 1 diabetic was cleared for flight as a search and rescue pilot in CF. Yes he was already a member we diagnosed in 2007, but the fact he was allowed and no issues came forth shows again your ignorance. There is no reason type 1 diabetes should be a blanket ban, there is many diabetics who would have no problems at all performing their duties. Continous glucose monitoring eliminates risk of sudden incapacitation, and IF somebody is stuck without medication, the only risks are LONG TERM. Every case of diabetes is different and should be handled as such, people like you are pathetic

 

[acooper]

lindhout - I think you're over-reacting. I have Type II diabetes, and know several Type I diabetics. While every case of diabetes is individual, being a diabetic in the military would be VERY hard to manage.

I think your knowledge of diabetes is lacking, personally. While yes, for a Type II, being without medication poses mostly long-term risks, COMA is one of those risks. And for a Type I diabetic, being without insulin means going into diabetic ketoacidosis, which can result in coma or death.

I've never been in the armed forces, and never will be. But I can understand why it would be very difficult to be in the armed forces and diabetic. Jobs that will be desk-only-forever are few and far between, and those are the only sort of jobs with anything vaguely resembling a guarantee that you will have access to your meds. I don't think hate was being expressed previously - just common sense.

It's great that there's a Type I who is cleared as a search and rescue pilot - but I think it's unfair to assume that all Type I CF members could manage such a position. It's also very unfair to let a not-even-yet-diagnosed-possibly-diabetic believe that all jobs in the forces are possible....

 

[b7197]

Has anybody seen released one with Type II diabetes in your unit?