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So Readers Digest & I Talked Very Briefly, Exchanged Emails, & They Commented On My Blog - SO NOT IMPRESSED

So Readers Digest & I Talked Very Briefly, Exchanged Emails, & They Commented On My Blog - SO NOT IMPRESSED






Following the crowd will not get you anything but a view of their backside. Anon





So it's Friday afternoon and I though: Hey, I'm done blogging for the week, TGIF.



Karen Reynolds, of Reader's Digest happened to call me yesterday and wanted my email address . She didn't really want to talk right then, but she told me that she would be sending me an explanatory email and was available to talk afterwards if I'd like. And I was like, GREAT.




But, I was at my contract job yesterday and I couldn't respond to her email right then.


Plus, I wanted to marinate on my answer a bit, so I responded back to her today at lunch. Then, I called her office an hour later and left her a voice mail saying that we really needed to talk.




I went out and did work/ life errands all afternoon and just came home and there was no call or email from Readers Digest. But low and behold, at 4:09 PM this afternoon, there was a comment on my blog from them, you can read it, HERE.




Or, just check it out below.




Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Just Got Off The Phone With The Director of Custom...": We know that you are concerned with the title of our publication Reverse Diabetes. This term, however, is widely used throughout the healthcare and health-journalism communities, not solely by Reader's Digest. Please be assured that we are committed to the same cause: to help the millions of Americans struggling with the disease. We, of course, respect your right to differ with our approach, but we know with complete certainty that we have helped hundreds of thousands of people improve their condition by using our magazines, books, and digital content. We respect your opinion, and wish you the greatest success in your work on behalf of all people with diabetes. – Reader’s Digest




REALLY? That's the best answer you can come up with??? I thought my response to your comment was much better!




Dearest Readers Digest - I don't care how many other publications use the term "Reverse Diabetes," IT'S WRONG. As I mentioned in my email exchange w/ your Publicity Curator, why not stop perpetuating diabetes myths & stereotypes & perpetuate diabetes realities! And with "complete certainty that the title of your Diabetes publication is all about selling copies and will do much harm in diabetes fundraising efforts and understanding of my diabetes in the public eye! Shame on Reader's Digest for going for the attention grabbing headlines!!! Kelly Kunik






In the Spirit of full disclosure, I'm going to share the email exchange that Karen Reynolds, Publicity Curator for RD, so I don't get any of our exchange wrong.




I'll let you guys "marinate" on it and come up with your own thoughts.


#######




Hi Kelly, It was nice speaking with you a few minutes ago. I want you to know that we understand your concerns and also want to provide you with some necessary background. Reader’s Digest has been serving the diabetes community faithfully for more than a decade. Books that include Stopping Diabetes in its Tracks, The Natural Solution to Diabetes, Eat to Beat Diabetes, Magic Foods for Better Blood Sugar, and Reverse Diabetes have together served millions of people in the U.S. and around the globe. Reverse Diabetes is targeted primarily to people with Type II diabetes. Lifestyle choices have been proven by scientific research to be a large part of the remedy. With Reverse Diabetes, we offer empowering, motivating, medically-substantiated ways for people to halt the progression of their condition and lead healthier lives. This includes lowering and stabilizing blood sugar levels, reducing heart-disease risk and increasing their overall sense of vitality. Based on strong customer satisfaction and demand for the tips, recipes, and motivation we provide, we have launched Reverse Diabetes as an ongoing publishing program. In addition to books, the Reverse Diabetes e-Newsletter is sent each week to nearly 200,000 loyal subscribers. The ad you are looking at is actually for the sixth newsstand magazine under the Reverse Diabetes name. We have received praise, almost exclusively, for our work, which is written by top medical writers and vetted by respected doctors. We completely understand that Type I Diabetes is a serious and challenging medical condition that requires nonstop monitoring and a lifelong commitment to insulin shots. There is no cure for a person who is unable to create his own insulin. I am certain we share the belief that no one should live the life of daily insulin shots and blood-sugar monitoring if it can be avoided. In that mindset, we’d urge you to support our efforts to show adults how to prevent Type II diabetes, or if diagnosed, how to live in a way that minimizes its impact on their lives. Thank you for taking the time to contact us for a response. Best Regards, Karen Reynolds Publicity Curator Reader's Digest Media 750 Third Avenue, 4th fl. New York, N.Y. 10017 646-293-6153 karen_reynolds@rd.com




My Response to Karen's email:






Hi Karen -




Thank you for calling me personally and reaching out via email.




As far as all types of diabetes are concerned, I am very much aware of ALL THE TYPES of diabetes that exist, including: Type 1. Type 1.5, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.




As a Diabetes Advocate, it is my business and my passion require that I be educated on my disease and all it's family branches. My disease is not only my biggest passion, it's my business.




I have to be honest, I (and many others in the diabetes community, both on line and off) have a real problem with your headline, and that of the book of which it's based on.




I still very much disagree with the title. While Type 2 diabetes can certainly be helped by diet and exercise, it CAN NOT BE REVERSED. No matter how much exercise or healthy a type 2 person participates in, or how much weight they lose or medications they dramatically lower their intake of. Once a person is diagnosed with type 11, they will ALWAYS BE TYPE 2. The minute they forget that fact, the damage gets done.


If your publication is aimed at primarily at the type 2 diabetes population, why not SAY THAT in the title?


Why not have it read: How To Be In Charge OF Your Type 2 Diabetes?






Are you aware that a title like :"Reverse Diabetes" can severely affect fundraising efforts for research for the cure for Type 1 Diabetes, The Artificial Pancreas Project, etc?




Are you aware that organizations such as The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation rely 100% on fundraising dollars to finance research for a diabetes cure?




Are you aware that hundreds of families recently stormed Capital Hill for The JDRF"S Government Day and spoke with hundreds of politicos about not cutting funding for diabetes research or programs?




Are you aware that the state of Arizona's Medicaid is currently considering measures that would charge people with type 2 a fee for "being unhealthy?"




Reader's Digest "Reverse Diabetes" Publication is promoting the diabetes myth & stereotype that diabetes is a lazy persons disease - and that is just NOT the case.




I don't separate between diabetes types, and as you're well aware, neither does the media.


So instead of attention grabbing headlines that continually promote diabetes myths & stereotypes, why not have titles that perpetuate diabetes Realities and empowerment?




Personally, I know thousands of people who will no longer be buying or renewing their Readers Digest subscriptions purely based on "Reversing Diabetes" egregious title. And that's not only a shame for RD, but it's a shame for those who could be helped by your guide.




I will be calling you in person to speak about my concerns, which are the very same concerns that thousands of others share!




Sincerely,




Kelly Kunik


-- Kelly Kunik http://diabetesaliciousness.blogspot.com/ Spreading Diabetes Validation through Humor,Ownership & Advocacy~




BIG THANKS to Kim over at Texting My Pancreas is responsible for getting the Readers Digest ball rolling with THIS post!




Posted by Mr. Boy at 14.00, Add Comment
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April Showers & Getting My Exercise Groove On!



As I look out the window on what should be a glorious, sunny spring day, I see gray clouds, a rain splashed window, and I unconsciously wrap my my thick and comfy gray cardigan tighter around my person. The very same cardigan I bought on sale for 80% off at Banana Republic thanks to my JDRF's Friends & Family 30% off coupon. Can you say: SCORE!!

Yes it's April, and of course I get the whole "April showers bring May flowers" thing, but I have to admit, I want me some Spring sunshine, NOW.

In my head I keep thinking of taking long walks along Kelly Drive (surprisingly, it's not named after me) and the beach & boardwalk. I think about riding my bike, maybe trying an outdoor yoga class or two , and I'm seriously considering purchasing some old school roller skates so I can get my ass in gear, both literally & figuratively!

I remember way back when, I would literally dance in the rain with my friends, I'd ride my bike in puddles - splashing and laughing along the way! But that was during the summer months and I was in my teens - I don't care what people thought because we were having fun!

And I still don't care if I look silly in the rain, but I hate exercising in the cold and rainy weather - I guess I'm not as tough as I used to be when it comes to the elements of nature!

But I need to get my exercise Mojo back where it needs to be this Spring - and nothing will stop me, not even a little rain!

So on this rainy April Day, when all thoughts go to sunshine & exercise, what plans to you have to get your Diabetes Exercise groove on this Spring?

Posted by Mr. Boy at 10.04, Add Comment
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The Chronicles of Basal Testing Continue

The Chronicles of Basal Testing Continue

So most of you know that I attempted basal rate testing with a Dexcom on loan from Gary Scheiner last week.

I say attempted because last week presented quite a challenge in the basal rate-testing department.

First off, I was running higher than normal most of the time I had the cgm (and several days before) and I wasn’t sure why. The higher than average numbers could have been because my sinuses were causing me major problems, which in turn aggravated a molar in my mouth that needs to be pulled.

The elevated numbers could have been because I was so stressed out about basal rate testing that I actually psyched myself out. Now I can talk in front of an auditorium full of people, no problem. But when faced with the task of fasting and keeping records, I literally fall to pieces.

Or (and this is a real possibility as well,) my higher than normal numbers might have been exactly what my body was doing – no excuses needed. High numbers happen in life.

Anyway, me being the procrastinator that is k2, I put off basal testing for 4 days.

For the first four days I wore the Dex, it was interesting to see my numbers go high and or low right before my eyes. I ran into some technical problems where the screen would “???” or there’d be a graph line that had a blank spot here and there, but for the most part- it was pretty OK.

Unfortunately for me, my trend graphs usually resembled the Letter W or the letter M and that stressed me out big time.

After two false fasting starts on March 29th and 30th, days were I woke up ready to start fasting, but with high blood sugars through the roof! I was finally able to start fasting in earnest on Wednesday March 31st.

My goal was to fast from 1pm until 10pm and I was gung ho! Of course right before noon my numbers started going south quickly and I that fact made me nervous. I ate an extra large lunch and kept my fingers crossed. Just before 1pm I gave myself a tiny bolus and started fasting. After 1 pm my numbers started to rise and again and the nerves set in.

They held steady and didn’t go above 250 – the magic number where Gary said the fasting would end. My numbers started to drop around 4pm, and they dropped fast! At 6:30 the Dex’s alarm went off several times wen my blood sugar was under 80 and I ignored it. Finally, when my number was well under 70, I knew I had to stop.

And that would be the point where I burst into tears- and tweeted about it.

I felt so alone in basal testing. The last time I’d basal tested I had literally JUST switched to the pump and was living with my ex boyfriend – who was many things- both good and bad. But as far as the diabetes and basal testing were concerned- he was a tremendous help. This time around I felt alone and sorry for myself. I’d been through a lot worse than basal testing (HELLO, does 1 in a million ring a bell?) so why was basal testing causing me to not only stress out, but to feel so damn sorry for myself?

Thanks to the support of many on-line friends and off, I realized that I wasn’t alone, far from it~ I had friends all over the world that understood my diabetes and basal test frustrations and who gave me words of encouragement that gave me the boost I needed to pull myself up by my bootstraps and forge ahead.

To my friends and Tweeps- THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

The supportive tweets and emails I received literally allowed me to look at basal testing with a new set of eyes and a fresh attitude. I decided that I’d take a 1-day break and start basal testing again of Friday, April 2nd at 9a.m.

Thursday April 1st was the day I maintained near perfect numbers and achieved Blood Sugar Nirvana. And because I was feeling good about my diabetes, my numbers, and myself, I was excited to start basal testing again the next day.

But on Thursday night I ran into major technical difficulties with Dex. Or should I say that Dex ran into technical difficulties with me. As I was removing my sweatshirt to take a shower, the Dex unclipped from my yoga pants and flew up in the air in what seemed like excruciatingly slow motion. The Dex hovered midair, like the flying saucer from "Planet 9 From Outer Space" (sans the horrific special effects - FYI -WORST MOVIE EVER-but hilarious to watch) before taking a swan dive in the commode!

It was only submerged a split second and I quickly dried it off. All that kept going through my mind was: NO, NO, And NO!!!!! This is Gary’s Dex, not mine. OH GOD- please let it live!! And don’t let it have Gremlin like tendencies regarding water!!!

I grabbed my hairdryer from under the sink and painstakingly dried the Dex and it's innards on a warm low setting for about two minutes.

The screen showed my graph but it looked a bit strange.

Then an alarm went off and the dex shut itself off. I tried recharging and it turned back on.

I decided to let the Dex run out the battery completely (I’d planned on recharging Thursday night while I slept anyway) and let the battery drain. I’d recharge it on Friday morning.

I didn’t get much sleep Thursday night because I was stressed about the fact that I might have committed crimes against both society and the cgm.

Cut to Friday mid morning when the Dex battery finally drained. I recharged it and called Gary after lunch.

Gary: Hey Kelly, what’s up?

ME: Gary, I have to be honest with you- I think I might have killed your Dexcom. Northing like blurting out the truth when you've screwed up BIG TIME~

Gary: OK, what happened? Sidebar: Gary was cool as a cucumber and very nice about it.

Me: It unexpectedly took a swan dive in the commode during a sweatshirt removal procedure.

Gary: was it submerged?

Me Yes, for like a second. GARY I’M SO SORRY.

Gary: It’s OK Kel; did you try drying it with a hair drier?

Me: Yes, and I let the battery drain afterwards and now it’s recharging.

Gary: It’s OK Kel; it’s going to be OK. Let it fully recharge and go through it’s warm up and see what happens. I’m more concerned about your sensor. It’s been in a long time.

Me: If I broke the receiver- I’ll pay for it.

Gary: Stop worrying Kel, everything is going to be fine.

So I calmed down and waited for it to finishing recharging and warm up.

Late Friday afternoon I started to see a trending graft and I breathed a sigh of relief – life was good, the sun was out, I hadn’t committed murder! Can I get a Hallelujah from the D congregation please!!!

And then the graph disappeared and the following words flashed on the screen.

FAILED SENSOR.

Yeah- I definitely picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue!

Tune in for tomorrow's show, where Kelly and Gary discuss trends, graphs, insulin absorption, consistency in snacks and the time travel continuum~

Posted by Mr. Boy at 10.00, Add Comment
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Rising reports of bad reactions to drugs

Rising reports of bad reactions to drugs
This new study confirms my impression that ConMed, and Big Pharma drugs, and getting more dangerous. The study states that official reports of 'negative reactions' to prescription drugs have increased dramatically over the last decade.
http://whtc.com/news/articles/2011/mar/28/rising-reports-of-bad-reactions-to-drugs/

"Between 2000 and 2010, the number of reports coming in grew steadily by more than 11 percent every year. By 2010, they added up to 2.2 million reports -- 55 percent of the entire database total".

The study looked at official FDA figures, but what has to be remembered is that it is estimated that only 10% of adverse reactions (DIEs) are reported to these regulatory agencies, not least because ConMed practitioners spend a great deal of their time denying that the drugs they have prescribed could possibly have caused any problems!

I suspect ConMed supporters will respond to this in the normal way! More people are taking the drugs! More people are reporting DIEs! But one way or another, ConMed is just a dangerous form of medicine.
Posted by Mr. Boy at 06.54, Add Comment
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Why Homeopathy? Whooping Cough

Why Homeopathy? Whooping Cough

Whooping Cough used to be a major killer, particularly during the 19th Century. However, as living standards improved during the 20th Century, it ceased to be a killer disease, and it is important to note that the decline in mortality rates resulted from improved diet and living conditions and not from conventional vaccine treatment, which were not available at the time.
Subsequently, statistics show clearly that vaccines, and in particular the introduction of the DPT vaccine in the 1970’s, had no significant affect on the decline of the disease. This has not, however, stopped ConMed from claiming the credit!
However, the disease appears to be returning, and it should be noted that it is returning despite the fact that most children have now been vaccinated against it. 
This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the DPT vaccine, and Conventional Medical treatment generally. So the choose of medical therapy, for both the prevention and treatment of Whooping Cough, is important, as alongside the doubts about the effectiveness, safety concerns has also been raised concerning conventional medical treatment, and in particular the DPT vaccine, 
Homeopathy, in contrast, provides a safe and effective alternative treatment.
Conventional Medical Treatment
Prevention.
NHS Direct says that whooping cough is now prevented by the 5-in-1 vaccine, (DTaP/IPV/Hib), which also protects against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b). This vaccine is given routinely to children when they are 2, 3 or 4 four months old, with a pre-school booster vaccine (DTap/IPV) when they are between 3 and 5 years old).
The idea of the vaccine is once given the body produces antibodies against the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, which protect against infection.
NHS Direct admits to the following side-effects to the 5-in-1 vaccine:
  • Very common reactions. More than one in 10 babies who have the vaccine experience the following reactions: pain, redness and swelling at the injection site; irritability and increased crying; being off-colour or having a fever
  • Common reactions. Between one in 10 and one in 100 babies given the vaccine experience the following: loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting.
  • Rare reactions. Between one in 1,000 and one in 10,000 babies given the vaccine experience the following: febrile convulsions (fits), floppiness.
  • Very rare reactions. Less than one baby in 10,000 given the vaccine experience the following: high fever (more than 40.5°C), unusual high-pitched or inconsolable crying.
There are, however, many more serious ‘side-effects’ that the Conventional Medical Establishment does not admit to at this time, and these should also be considered by anyone considering this vaccine.
The 5-in-1 vaccine is the successor to the DPT vaccine, the main difference being that the new vaccine is supposed to protect against a further two diseases (see above). There have been on-going concerns about the DPT vaccination, and now the 5-in-1 vaccine, for several decades now. 
Most of the concerns are routinely denied by the Conventional Medical Establishment. Some of these concerns can be found by clicking on this link.
Treatment.
Whooping cough is treated by conventionally medicine with Antibiotic drugs. NHS Direct says that this will prevent the infection spreading further, and stop the patient being infectious in 5 days, rather than about 3 weeks.
However, NHS Direct says that when babies under 12 months contract whooping cough they will need treatment in hospital, in isolation, to prevent the infection spreading, and treatment would be antibiotics given intravenously of into a vein through a drip.
If the child is ‘severely affected’ corticosteroid medication might be used. NHS Direct says that “Corticosteroid medication contains steroids. These are powerful hormones that will reduce inflammation (swelling) in your child's airways, making it easier for them to breathe. Like antibiotics, corticosteroids may be given intravenously”.

The Homeopathic Materia Medica (HMM)
Prevention
Pertussin is a homeopathic nosode, or remedy, made from the actual disease material and tissue from Whooping Cough (Pertussis). Many Homeopaths use this as a preventative treatment for Whooping Cough, particularly for parents who are worried about their children contracting the disease.
Many Homeopaths, however, recommend that parents allow the children,if they are strong and healthy, to contract Whooping Cough naturally. This enables the body to build a natural immunity to the disease. Once ill, the condition can be treated, if necessary, with homeopathy.
Treatment
The following remedy description have been taken from the Hpathy website, see 
Drosera rotundifolia.
This remedy is indicated when the cough is worse immediately upon lying down to bed at night and/or when the cough flares up after midnight. There is tickling and dryness in the throat, which causes spasmodic coughing. Attempts to bring up phlegm end in retching and vomiting. The violence of the cough may produce nosebleeds. Frequent coughing attacks prevent the person from catching his/her breath.
Belladonna.
This remedy is usually indicated in the early stages of the illness or when fever is present, especially if the fever begins around 3PM. There is pressure in the head and the face is hot and red while the hands and feet are cool. The head feels like it will burst from coughing. A dry, tickling, spasmodic cough emanates from the larynx.
Coccus cacti.
The defining characteristic that indicates the need for this remedy is the production of large amounts of clear, thick, ropey mucus. Paroxysms of choking cough result in vomiting of long strings of mucus that hang from the mouth and nose. Drinking cold water may bring temporary relief from tickling in the larynx and the coughing spells. The spells may become more aggravated early in the morning and/or around 11-11:30 at night.
Ipecacuanha.
The person who needs Ipecac often experiences persistent nausea that may not be relieved by the vomiting that follows after the cough. Due to the nausea, the person is often lacking in thirst and will not want to drink fluids. The child will stiffen and become rigid with the cough.
Bryonia alba.
This is a very commonly indicated cough remedy in general. Its main indication is the presence of symptoms that become aggravated from motion. The person is compelled to breathe quietly and remain as motionless as possible so as not to aggravate the cough. In addition, the cough is painful due to the motion of the ribcage. Similarly, a headache may become more painful when the person rises to walk around.
Antimonium tartaricum.
The clue that leads to the prescription of this medicine is the sound of the loud, rattling, mucus-filled chest while coughing. In spite of this, the person struggles unsuccessfully to bring the mucus up from the chest, thus producing little expectoration. One gets the impression that the person will drown in his/her own fluids. The person is usually cross, irritable, and weak from efforts to raise the phlegm.
Cuprum metallicum.
This medicine is indicated when we see cramps, muscular spasms, clenched fists, and/or convulsions associated with the whooping cough. Violent paroxysms of severe cough lead to suffocation with the lips and face turning blue. As with Coccus cacti, cold drinks of water may bring temporary relief from the coughing attacks. Coughing spasms may wake the person around 3AM.
Kali carbonicum.
The worst phase of the cough comes between 2 and 4AM. The person must sit up and lean forward during the attack and prefers to sleep propped-up with pillows. Think of this medicine when the cough leads to left sided pneumonia.
However, there are many other remedies, including Arnica and Carbo Veg, known to be effective in the treatment of Whooping Cough. A registered and qualified Homeopath should be consulted in serious cases of the disease.
Randomised Controlled Tests (RCTs) on Homeopathy
To my knowledge, there have been no RCTs conducted on either the prevention or treatment of Whooping Cough with Homeopathy.
However, Homeopaths have been treating Whooping Cough safely and effectively since the early 19th Century, and through many serious epidemics throughout the world.
Posted by Mr. Boy at 05.37, Add Comment
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Antidepressants. Drugs to avoid?

Antidepressants. Drugs to avoid?
The dangers of antidepressant drugs have  been know for a long time. ranging from suicide (yes, a drug for depression causes some people to commit suicide), sexual dysfunction, and much more. Now new research has indicated that drugs like Prozac thicken arteries, and can cause strokes and heart problems.

http://www.naturalnews.com/031973_Prozac_arteries.html#ixzz1IvtCfuUZ
and
http://www.wddty.com/antidepressants-cause-heart-attack-and-stroke.html

Yet doctors continue to prescribe them, in ever increasing amounts. In the UK, GPs have increased antidepressant drug use by nearly 50% in the last few years. This was announced by the BBC in its news broadcasts yesterday, on Radio and Television. Yet, as usual, the BBC did not mention these DIEs (disease inducing effects); so yet again, the British public is not informed by the mainstream media!

Many people, an increasing number, are looking for safer more effective therapies, and homeopathy is certainly one of these. See, for example, this great website, which contains several individual testaments to the efficacy of the use of homeopathy with people suffering depression.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Homeopathy-Healing-Depression-Anxiety-Suicide

But it is not just homeopathy, there are lots of alternatives to the dangers of ConMed drugs. See, for example, the following website

http://www.naturalnews.com/031916_depression_remedies.html

Just with any other health condition, there are always safe, more effective treatments than ConMed drugs. Unfortunately, the BBC isn't telling you this!
Posted by Mr. Boy at 05.34, Add Comment
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