Lessons from 38 years of diabetes

Picture this: it’s 1986 and you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes. You’re given a glucose testing monitor, syringes and insulin, and a book. That’s it. You know one thing: avoid sugar at all costs. Trevor Pope explains how times have changed!

We caught up with Trevor Pope, who has an incredible story of living with diabetes for 38 years, with zero diabetes related complications! We (obviously) had a few questions for him.

Could you tell us your diagnosis story?

At age 28, I had my wisdom teeth removed under a general anaesthetic. Five weeks later, after experiencing the classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, our GP referred me to Dr Larry Distiller. Larry was still in his rooms opposite the Rand Clinic. I spent two nights in the Rand Clinic to be stabilised, before being discharged. I went home with vials of insulin; U100 syringes; an early blood glucose tester and strips; and a copy of Larry’s book. I’ve not been readmitted with diabetes related issues since then.

What are some of the biggest changes in diabetes management since 1986?

In the early days, the orthodoxy was to avoid all sugar. A low fat diet and carb counting was recommended too, but not much other guidance that I recall. Then the concept of Glycaemic Index (GI) was introduced, which meant that simple carbs with high GI should be avoided. That helped to smooth out blood glucose variations. Sugar was no longer the sole villain, but was joined by all the foods containing simple carbs like white flour, rice, potatoes and mealie meal.

No more “diabetic meals” – just eat normal, healthy food and try to allow for the carb content, but don’t sweat the details – this works for me.

The biggest recent innovation for me is the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) which takes most of the guess-work out of managing glucose levels. They aren’t cheap, but really worth the money. Even just 14 days spent wearing one can help so much to understand how your body works with food and insulin. Without one, I found I was inclined to overeat, such as before exercise. If you are struggling with weight loss, this can help to avoid overeating to avoid lows.

How have you managed to live with diabetes for nearly 40 years without complications? Do you have any secrets to share?

Having a supportive spouse and family is a great help. A consistent daily routine also helps. Exercise and staying active also helps to stabilise things.

What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?

The concept of eating low GI foods to help to reduce swings. Eat normal food but watch the carbs – some foods can really spike your glucose levels (cupcakes, pasta, rice pudding, white bread, etc). You can catch those out with a CGM, so you know what to avoid in future. (Instant meals and processed foods are some of the culprits to watch out for.)

What would you say to someone with diabetes who is struggling?

It’s not easy. Even after 38 years, every day is slightly different – what works one day may be different the next. Even boring, routine days with similar meals can show up unexplained variations: you just have to learn to deal with them.

A CGM is a great help – when you feel strange, it can help you to see what is going on. Don’t worry too much about spikes in blood glucose, just carry on with what you know works – your average glucose levels are most important. Exercise really helps too, even just a walk around your local park (always with a couple of sweets in your pocket, just in case.)

What makes your life sweet?

Always having a few chewy sweets in my pocket, so when I feel low or the GCM alarms, I just eat one or two and carry on. (I have some in my car, bedside table, backpack, and cooler-box just in case!)

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Trevor Pope! Would you like to share your story, either here or on Facebook (South Africans with Diabetes)? Please email us if you would!