My symptoms of Type II diabetes were as follows:

1. Craving water: I actually wanted to get as much as I could and "chew it." I became a water "chomper." The last time I remember craving a liquid to that extend was when I was in intensive care for three weeks after heart surgery when I was not allowed to drink water. What I wanted was a popular soft drink which I was going to buy ten cases of when I got out. The staff had to hide their drinks from me. I could only suck small bits of ice.

2. Excessive urination. That is when I decided that I must have diabetes and went to the doctor. This is a common symptom of Type II diabetes.

3. Itching: I was buying lotion and pastes by the gallon, my wife rubbing it on my back.

4. Foot Numbness: This is another reason I decided that I might have diabetes.

5. Leg Cramps: This is not a listed symptom but when I started treatment this symptom disappeared for the most part. Good riddance! They always came at night and occasionally still do.

6. Blurred Vision: One of the first thing the doctor asked me about was blurred vision. I had purchased two sets of new glasses (four pair) at a cost of about $800.00. I would get a prescription and then have to go right back for another prescription. Why my eye doctor didn't ask me about diabetes I don't know. After treatment my original glasses worked fine and I was out the cash. I told my eye doctor about it and he told me all about diabetes and the eyes. I wish he had used that knowledge sooner. Actually I had blurred vision. I thought I just had some kind of gunk in my eyes because I would wash them and the blurriness went away. Blurring occurred during driving and watching television.

My doctor took a blood test with a prick showing my blood sugar was way too high. He had me take a more extensive blood test which checked my A1C which estimates your average blood sugar level for the last three months. Again, way too high. He put me on medication which he had to increase over time. Finally my blood sugar was more in control and my A1C dropped to the safe range.

As soon as I got diabetes I craved more knowledge. There is a big market for products for diabetics and I bought a very large stack of books. I went to a diabetic technician. But after all the learning I found what my doctor told me to be the best medicine. Get some exercise. Don't the foods you like such as desserts, white bread or white flour products, rice, potatoes of the white variety and other such products that have what is called a high glycemic index. In other words, they take your blood sugar quickly to high heaven.

Spikes in blood sugar are not good. I looked up all the "good ol' boy" cures and found that only cinnamon was worth taking besides my prescription medications. I take that every day now. Exercise is just as important as food. Reducing the amount of food you eat and getting exercise at least three or four times a week can help you greatly.

I still get foot numbness and pain. For that I use what I use to use when I had the gout. That is Michigan dried cherries. When my feet act up I grab a handful. I also bought a good foot vibrator. I was told I could get my money back from Medicare but I decided not to bother them. The deficit is big enough all ready. I bought a used vibrator first. It helped so I bought a much better one. My wife of 58 years rubs my legs and feet every day which also helps.

So that is my first-hand experience with diabetes. I hate the blood testing everyday (twice in my case) but I put up with it. My heart doctor said If I could lose another 15 pounds (I lost about 40 pounds) that I might not have to take medications and do all that sticking. Well it is spring and I can get out more now.

There is one more things. The things offered to diabetics in the form of drinks and candy bars are not worth the high prices asked. And some of these products are just awful.

Fly Old Glory!