Diabetes and Crossdressing

[brassieres]

If you have diabetes, how has this affected your crossdressing activities?

[kimmy p]

It hasn't. Except that being currently sick (diabetes related kind of) and away from home I haven't even underdressed for over 2 months.

[brassieres]

I would wonder if wearing something such as pantyhose or heels would be an issue with Crossdressing or not when having this illness.

[Holly]

No serious affect on CDing. It is a little more important to buy and wear proper fitting shoes, however. If anything, I would think wearing pantyhose would benefit a diabetic by improving circulation. :)

[Gina X]

I had never thought about it as a problem I just inject myself wherever there is a handy bit of skin no matter what I'm wearing although all my clothes are femme it just doesn't seem to make any difference................

[Megan Thomas]

I would wonder if wearing something such as pantyhose or heels would be an issue with Crossdressing or not when having this illness.

It can be. It's not the diabetes that is the issue per se, but the other ailments as a result of it. Common to this theme is neuropathy, which can result in it being too painful to wear tight fitting shoes such as heels/pumps. Then there is other aspects such as dry foot skin which will put a ladder in hose quicker than a blink of the eye. Constant dead/dry skin removal and moisterising can help with this problem. There's also muscle wastage as diabetes takes hold and makes exercise difficult - common is calf size reduction, making the purchase of knee length boots a diaster because they end up being too large in that area. Finally there is nails - toe nails tend to distort or even get removed, so painted toe nails is often out. Poor circulation can result in fingernails constantly breaking or splitting too.

As with any medical condition, results vary from person to person and with the severity of the illness, and how far onset it is.

[DAVIDA]

I haven't had any problems related to diabetes and crossdressing.
It is easier for me to give injections. All I have to do is lift my skirt or dress.:D

[Loveday]

The only thing I have had a problem so far is the dry skin in the winter months and sometimes minor swelling of my lower limbs.. I do worry about anything with the nails, small wounds scare me. Once I got just a pin prick in my hand and before I knew it I was in the hospital with a Staph infection. The hospital was very much considering the removal of my arm, it reversed itself after four days - Thank God. I do think the crossdressing helps me pay more attention to my body which is good with diabeties.

[Karen kc]

At present,it has'nt. Circulation to lower limbs is still excellent, nails are ok, skin is a lil dry, do snag pantyhose on my heels now and then. I'm losing weight so I look better in a dress and helping my overall health.

[DebsUK]

You could think about it the other way and say CDing helps diabetics. If you are a diabetic controlled by tablets (type II), one of the contributory factors is being overweight and losing it can improve your symptoms and even stop your diabetes altogether.If you diet to get into that new dress you've got even more incentive to drop the pounds LOL
Really we should bottle crossdressing as a panacea

[Tina B.]

I can't think of a thing that my diabetes effects about my dressing, but then I know a lot of women that also have diabetes and it doesn't effect there dressing either.
Tina B.

[Alice B]

Has no real effect other than what I eat and drink and how much when out. Currently going through a lot of testing with a specialist to refine my control.

[BillieJoEllen]

There are things about CDing that actually help my diabetic condition. Problem is that I can't always dress in the things that help; such as tights or pantyhose. Don't really have any shoes that fit well but then again I haven't had a lot of problems with my feet except for a bunion on my left foot. I sometimes wonder if wearing a bra hurts me.

[RADER]

Warring support pantie-hose helps my leg's a lot.
So being diabetic and cross dressing helps a little.
Even the Doctor said I should ware support hose more often.
Rader

[JohnH]

Cutting my weight down has made a big difference in my type 2 diabetes. After losing weight and taking medication my fasting blood sugar is down to 90 to 110 mg/dL. I don't have any diabetes complications, thank goodness. At one time my fasting blood sugar was 240 mg/dL when I was much heavier and was not on medication [Janumet]. My peak weight was 110 kg [242 lbs] and now I am down to 86 kg [189 lbs].

I have a jersey summer halter maxi-dress which was my first dress that gave me an incentive to lose weight. That garment shows all the bulges. When I first wore the dress I did not have a defined waist. After losing weight I now have my sides curving inwards and my natural waist is about 2.5 cm [1 inch] above my navel. And no, I'm not on hormones.

I would say that crossdressing is making me healthier. I drink a lot less and am happier having a feminine side.

Johanna

[DonnaT]

No issue with CDing, yet.

The stroke I had on 2007 made it near impossible to keep my right ankle from twisting if wearing heels, as it did weaken the right side some.

Type II. The sole of my left foot tends to crack, but no problems with the right foot. Diabetiderm foot cream and the GNC supplement Taurine (500 mg/day) helps. I also use "Neoteric Diabetic Skin Care Oxygenated Advanced Healing Cream". Both creams are excellent for moisturizing the feet, and even other dry skin areas.

But without the Taurine, skin splitting isn't far behind, no matter which cream I use.

[Soriya]

It can be. It's not the diabetes that is the issue per se, but the other ailments as a result of it. Common to this theme is neuropathy, which can result in it being too painful to wear tight fitting shoes such as heels/pumps. Then there is other aspects such as dry foot skin which will put a ladder in hose quicker than a blink of the eye. Constant dead/dry skin removal and moisterising can help with this problem. There's also muscle wastage as diabetes takes hold and makes exercise difficult - common is calf size reduction, making the purchase of knee length boots a diaster because they end up being too large in that area. Finally there is nails - toe nails tend to distort or even get removed, so painted toe nails is often out. Poor circulation can result in fingernails constantly breaking or splitting too.

As with any medical condition, results vary from person to person and with the severity of the illness, and how far onset it is.

This.

Of course, all these possible complications come from years of uncontrolled Diabetes. I am Type 1 and have been for 17 years now and I have no issues with CD'ing or any complications however, I do watch my diet and numbers closely (check my sugar 6 to 8 times a day) and exercise 5-6 times a day, mainly walk 3-5 miles with some muscle training on a Bowflex I have in my home to keep them active. More muscle mass, don't think bodybuilder, but fat to muscle% really helps with insulin absorption. I have a muscular frame but look much slimmer then my actual weight is since muscle weighs more then fat.

Also for you laides with Type II. You can 'cure' your diabetes so to speak simply by changing your diet and by staying active. The body is amazing in how it can heal itself. Think of your diabetes as your body telling you it's not happy with your lifestyle (eating/exercise). For me, I don't have to live with diabetes anymore, diabetes has to live with me ;)

[kimmy p]

I would wonder if wearing something such as pantyhose or heels would be an issue with Crossdressing or not when having this illness.

Pantyhose actually help me with my circulation. My doctor years ago suggested that I wear pantyhose. The tight support style at least. I wear them all the time now. And tights in the winter. Keeps things warmer.

[sissystephanie]

I have been a diabetic for many years, but have always kept it under control with diet and oral medication. It has not affected my crossdressing in any way!! I do know that wearing a skirt or dress would make giving myself insulin injections, if that becomes necessary, a lot easier!!

[BLUE ORCHID]

I'm a type II and as some other ladies have said with my medacationI've
actualy lost some pounds some of my skirts that didn't fit anymore now
fit me again I'm afraid if I loose too much I will need to go shopping
for new clothes oh maybe that would be a good thing.
I can't see any problems yet as I'm just at the border line now.

Orchid

[Jorja]

Well darn, I was hoping someone would say CDing cured their diabetes. Back to the drawing board!

[Kaz]

You could think about it the other way and say CDing helps diabetics. If you are a diabetic controlled by tablets (type II), one of the contributory factors is being overweight and losing it can improve your symptoms and even stop your diabetes altogether.If you diet to get into that new dress you've got even more incentive to drop the pounds LOL
Really we should bottle crossdressing as a panacea

Well Debs, you almost answered Jorja's wish!

[DebsUK]

Warring support pantie-hose helps my leg's a lot.


Now there's an image to conjure with :rofl:

Edwin Starr was obviously wrong when he said "WAR! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!"

[Rianna Humble]

If you have diabetes, how has this affected your crossdressing activities?

The only difference that my diabetes has made is in the choice of doctor to help me transition. I enlsited the help of my diabetes nurse in the choice and she pointed me to someone with a lot of experience with hormones and with treating diabetes.


for you laides with Type II. You can 'cure' your diabetes so to speak simply by changing your diet and by staying active. The body is amazing in how it can heal itself. Think of your diabetes as your body telling you it's not happy with your lifestyle (eating/exercise). For me, I don't have to live with diabetes anymore, diabetes has to live with me ;)

Your suggestion is not always strictly true. I have improved my condition enormously by diet and lifestyle changes but it is still a progressive condition. Four years ago I was able to control it exclusively with diet and exercise, now I need medication and expect the dose to increase within the next 12 months. A GG friend was on medication and has had to add insulin as the condition progressed.

[DonnaT]

Also for you laides with Type II. You can 'cure' your diabetes so to speak simply by changing your diet and by staying active. The body is amazing in how it can heal itself. Think of your diabetes as your body telling you it's not happy with your lifestyle (eating/exercise).
Diet and exercise does help. Some.

My father-in-law was recently diagnosed as type II and very fit, even rides a bike everyday for 25+ miles.

[Soriya]

Very true ladies. I should have said in a lot of cases. The fact is also, the older we get, our bodies become slower with everything, no matter how much we take care of them. Type II diabetes in older people is an example of this, especially with those that are not overweight or eat crappy. I have family members who are in their 60's and 70's who are showing signs of Type II now as well and this is simple due to age.

I was diagnosed at 23 and was diagnosed as Type II. I was a bit overweight, ran my body ragged by working 12-14 hour days and not eating anywhere remotely healthy. I ignored it for the most part and 3 years later I almost died from it. My pancreas gave out and I ended up on insulin. In my case at least, I believe I was always type I and when it was first discovered, my immune system was already attacking my pancreas and no matter how much I could have taken care of it, I still would have ended up on insulin. My diabetes is genetic and only accounts for 10% of all diabetics (Type I). Type II is not genetic and mainly brought on by poor health habits (younger people). Elderly people develop Type II mainly from age and their bodies slowing down.

[minalost]

So far so good. Type II and under control. I AM thinner than I was, due to impoved diet... Other than improved figure, no impact (so far...).

[georgia_937]

I have to echo the others with Type II, treat your body properly and your diabetes will come under better control. Lose the weight. Your skirts will fit better and your skin will improve. I wear light support hose and find them to be more cost effective than male support stockings - you can get more wearings per dollar spent. As for foot dryness, I use a product called Udderly Smooth Udder Cream, which I get at Walmart in the lotions aisle (so nobody here thinks it's not for human consumption, it's apparently just the way they market it). Not having too much in the way of foot problems, but I do watch it closely, and don't usually wear heels two days in a row.

[sami1952]

it has a little bit being that sometimes i have to removed some clothe to inject myself but other then that everything is the same.

[BethCD]

Hi all, Didn't realize that there were this many of "us"...:):) I am type I. Been on an insulin pump for 2 years, has made a great difference. As I don't go out much dressed, no major problems, but when circumstances are right and I do go out I have to dress accordingly and wear a loose top to help hide the pump at my beltline. at 55 years, I have some arthritis, etc. but a couple naproxen loosens me up adequately to get out and be comfortable.

[Lissa Stevens]

It hasn't created any problems for me except for the nails. As was mentioned in an earlier post sometimes one of my toenails gets funky and will even come off. I've found if I keep it trimmed as short as possible it will last longer which is good as I hate to have only nine painted toenails.