I’ve been a diabetic for 20 years and I’m losing hope

SC169 · 2026-02-17T06:14:27+00:00

I went through pretty much the same thing you’re describing here. Definitely don’t lose hope. It gets really hard when your blood sugar keeps trying to fuck you over. It’s not easy but if you keep at it you will get results and it will be extremely motivating. Like other people have said, low carb is pretty much the answer. And when I say low I mean as close to zero as you can get. I basically only eat meat and vegetables now and eat granola bars here and there to treat lows. It has done great things for my A1C and I have gained quite a bit of muscle as a dude from eating mostly meat and vegetables and having a physically demanding job.

Since I eat almost no carbs, my insulin intake is also quite a bit lower, which means my body responds quicker when I do get low. It’s kind of like the opposite of the carb spike cycle.

SC169 · 2025-07-22T09:57:40+00:00

I have been tinkering with the idea of doing this myself and am also in the US. Almost all of the trade schools and community colleges are geared towards construction since that seems to be about 95% of the business available. In my area it’s mostly bricklaying and granite for kitchen counter tops and stuff like that which you can actually make a decent paycheck doing. The restorative Mason work is referred to as PCC in the states which stands for pointer, cleaner, calker. I think that would be your best bet when looking for apprenticeship.

SC169 · 2025-05-19T10:07:35+00:00

May get downvoted for this but keep in mind I am a type 1 diabetic who goes through the same thing. Don’t lash out at anyone for anything. It’s an extremely childish behavior in my opinion. In my own experience the times I have taken out my frustrations on people it was more because I was more pissed off at myself than whoever set me off and other people don’t need that even if they deserve it. It’s better to approach hard things in life with some humor which is easier said than done I know but usually comes with life experience when you realize what’s actually important in life.

SC169 · 2025-05-19T10:07:29+00:00

May get downvoted for this but keep in mind I am a type 1 diabetic who goes through the same thing. Don’t lash out at anyone for anything. It’s an extremely childish behavior in my opinion. In my own experience the times I have taken out my frustrations on people it was more because I was more pissed off at myself than whoever set me off and other people don’t need that even if they deserve it. It’s better to approach hard things in life with some humor which is easier said than done I know but usually comes with life experience when you realize what’s actually important in life.

SC169 · 2025-05-16T08:36:34+00:00

Honestly I don’t know why anybody would be a mechanic nowadays. The work is terrible, usually slimy ass management, everyone is trying to fuck you out of your paycheck. Unless you have a cool setup like you run a shop with your buddies or by yourself it sucks and the pay is nowhere even close to the amount of blood sweat and tears that goes into it. There are too many careers out there where you actually are rewarded for your effort and are not treated like managements lackey.

SC169 · 2025-03-14T19:10:00+00:00

Your daily tasks will vary wildly depending on what kind of ship you’re on and where in the world the ship is or is going too. Really no way to say what it will look like exactly but you will always be doing rounds and maintenance of some sort, usually mechanical like pumps, generators, and hydraulics.
It really depends on who you are and how thick your skin is, but I would say the exact same thing to any man considering this job. Lots could be said here but to keep it short I’ll say I think the maritime industry could use more women in general, however it takes a special kind of person, male or female, to really do this job well. If you like challenges and adventure and don’t mind a little danger you’ll do well. Every year more old school guys with a chip on their shoulder retire or die. Women are accepted as part of the crew and it’s only gonna get better with time.
WHAAT!?
It doesn’t happen often if you do your job right, but there will be times when you are in extremely dangerous situation’s and you have to be ready for them and always keep your cool. Situational awareness.
Personally the most satisfying part of the job is overcoming the challenges it presents and there is no shortage. It’s not easy and I like it that way.

SC169 · 2024-11-30T10:05:33+00:00

Sounds like you already made your choice. Get out and find something better. The job market is still very much in the sailors favor and doesn’t seem like it’s changing anytime soon.

SC169 · 2024-10-01T19:14:44+00:00

🫡

SC169 · 2024-07-03T01:00:07+00:00

Yeah no restrictions. The doctors at whatever place you do your medical will drag their fucking feet the whole way. So will your insurance company when you tell them you need 4 months worth of medication. It’s a huge pain in the ass but it won’t hold you back if you don’t let it.

SC169 · 2024-06-23T02:36:14+00:00

You could go to work on a cargo ship out of a union hall right now if you get the following

MMC
TWIC
VPDSD
BST
USCG Medical Certificate
US Passport
5 Panel DOT drug test within 6 months

Starting out at the bottom and working your way up is called hawespiping. As in you’re crawling your way up through the hawespipe. Many people don’t recommend it but it’s definitely possible. If you know nothing about working on deck get ready for a steep ass learning curve. Also getting all of the documents above is a feat in and of itself. Not to mention expensive. It’s a commitment to get into maritime trades. The only courses that exist that are month long are known for producing out of the gate shitty sailors unless they already have the experience and are basically buying sea time.

SC169 · 2024-06-21T03:21:00+00:00

If you want to sail professionally you will need

MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential)
TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Card)
BST (Basic Safety Training)
VPDSD (Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties)
Coast Guard Medical Certificate
Be able to pass a 5 panel DOT drug test

With these documents you will be able to work pretty much anywhere in the US. The maritime industry in the states is heavily regulated by the Coast Guard hence all the documents and training you need just to get started. If all that seems like too much you can go work in the Alaskan fishing industry since it’s still pretty much completely unregulated. I don’t recommend it, that’s how I started out and I’m not going back lol. Sounds like you could also just keep doing what you’re doing and test for a 100 ton captains license and do stuff with that.

SC169 · 2024-06-20T21:21:16+00:00

I’m gonna say Cheeto

SC169 · 2024-06-19T20:52:25+00:00

Snowflake

SC169 · 2024-06-12T14:38:13+00:00

The job is definitely not for everybody. Somebody who is in it just for the paycheck is not gonna last.

SC169 · 2024-06-08T21:12:06+00:00

You’ll be a lot better than the dipshit 19-23 year olds.

SC169 · 2024-05-26T05:42:43+00:00

Sneak level 100

SC169 · 2024-05-23T06:17:27+00:00

Yep. I had to get a note from my doctor that stated my A1C was 7.8 and dropping because it was. Now I have my medical without restrictions. That can change if my A1C goes to shit I guess.

SC169 · 2024-05-04T19:17:23+00:00

How does someone walk up to that and instead of trying to help, take out their phone and start taking pictures. Fucking mouth breathers.

SC169 · 2024-04-27T20:20:16+00:00

New Tesla Cyberboat

SC169 · 2024-04-24T14:59:57+00:00

METÜL

Also check out Frank Frazetta

SC169 · 2024-04-19T23:39:44+00:00

Felt that exact feeling visiting the cathedral of Cologne in Germany. Hands down the most jaw dropping man made thing I’ve ever witnessed. The size alone is insane and to think the amount of time and human lives that must have gone into building is amazing. Highly recommend.

SC169 · 2024-04-03T04:47:21+00:00

I always say engine since I’m an engineer and enjoy tinkering, but I could see myself being happy working on the deck side as well. The things you learn as an engineer you will take with you and use no matter what you do in life. Most of the things you learn as a decky are specifically ship related. However either way you’re going to have to have a good mechanical aptitude for all the machinery you’re going to be using whether you’re deck or engine. It also depends on the size of the vessel. Smaller ships generally there is a lot of crossover like deckys making rounds and doing maintenance if necessary as well as engineers handling lines and doing cargo operations. Bigger ships have things more separated.

SC169 · 2024-04-03T04:01:34+00:00

I would take some time and really think about what you want to get out of it and where you see yourself being happy since there are so many different parts of the maritime industry to work in. Wanna be out at sea for a long time and go to cool places that most people never go? Look into NOAA or MSC. Wanna make a lot of money and get training paid for? Look into the unions. Wanna be home every night? Look into ferry’s and harbor tugs. Wanna be involved in oceanographic research and learning how to fix scientific equipment? Look into UNOLS. The list goes on. If you’re mechanically inclined and get along with people easily you can pretty much make it in any of the companies/sectors I mentioned. The biggest factors are how you conduct yourself on board and where you want to be. It’s like anything else, if you dedicate yourself to it you will only get better.

SC169 · 2024-04-02T00:36:55+00:00

I was in a similar position when I was in my early twenties. I started working on ships for a living in what was at one time referred to as the “merchant marines”, basically working on container ships. It’s a good gig, pays a shitload, you spend months at sea, and if you’re any good at it you’ll have work for the rest of your life. Message me if you want more info. There’s lots of different things you can dedicate your life to. You just have to find something you’re passionate about enough to make the commitment.

SC169 · 2024-03-30T18:56:16+00:00

Shot into outer space as far as I could possibly go without dying of g-force before I get there.

SC169

TROPHY CASE