‍Misdiagnosed With T2D: Trapper’s Story of Persistence

Here’s a look at Trapper’s type 2 diabetes misdiagnosis story.

The Early Symptoms: A Familiar Dialogue

When Trapper first noticed something wasn’t right over 10 years ago, he chalked it up to the demands of his work as a carpenter and contractor in Nashville, Tennessee. At 36, his days were filled with the physical grind of finished carpentry—long hours, heavy lifting, and constant movement. But in early 2013, his body began sending signals he couldn’t ignore.

“I couldn’t stop peeing or drinking water,” Trapper recalled. “I’d come home from the job site so fatigued, I’d go straight to bed. My wife would have to wake me up to eat dinner with the kids, and then I’d go right back to bed. This went on for weeks.”

He thought it might just be dehydration from sweating all day at work. Then Trapper’s vision started to blur—he couldn’t even read road signs. That’s when his wife made a connection. 

“She suddenly said, ‘I read these Babysitter’s Club books as a kid, and one of the characters had diabetes with symptoms like yours.’”

Trapper went to an urgent care clinic, where a finger prick revealed his blood sugar was 333 mg/dL. From there, he was referred to his primary care doctor.

The Type 2 Diabetes Misdiagnosis

At 205 pounds, Trapper was slightly overweight but far from obese. His A1c test was 11.3%, and the doctor told him, “You have diabetes. I’m assuming it’s type 2 because of your age.” The physician prescribed metformin and sent Trapper on his way.

But something didn’t add up. Despite obsessively checking his blood sugar, his levels stayed sky-high—flirting with 500 mg/dL. After just a few days of alarming readings, his doctor brought him back in and started him on insulin: 10 units of Lantus per day and 4-6 units at meals.

The Quest to Reverse Diabetes

Determined to “beat” his diagnosis, Trapper threw himself into lifestyle changes. He went fully vegan, started running marathons and triathlons, and even competed in half-Ironman events. His efforts paid off—temporarily. He dropped 25 pounds, his A1c fell to 6.1%, and he was taken off insulin altogether.

“I thought I had this thing licked!” he said. “I was running ultra-trail marathons, eating clean, and feeling great.” But it didn’t last.

Over time, his A1c crept back up, and the old symptoms returned. Despite running more and eating less, his insulin needs kept increasing. By 2020, after years of frustration and confusion, he pushed to see an endocrinologist.

The Correct Diagnosis: LADA or Type 1.5 Diabetes

The endocrinologist immediately suspected latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), also known as type 1.5 diabetes. Blood tests confirmed it: Trapper tested positive for autoantibodies, and his c-peptide levels indicated minimal insulin production.

“I was devastated,” he admitted. “I thought I had this thing figured out. It was extremely frustrating to be doing everything ‘right’—running, eating vegan—and still needing more insulin.”

Moving Forward

At 47 years old, Trapper now understands his body’s needs and manages his type 1 diabetes with insulin. Looking back, he wished his primary care doctor had considered other possibilities beyond type 2 diabetes.

His advice for others navigating a similar journey is simple: advocate for yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, push for answers. A misdiagnosis can happen to anyone, but persistence can lead to clarity.

Trapper is also the author of a riveting story about his journey with his wife: building a row boat to venture down the Mississippi River. You can find Trapper’s book, “Crooked Old River,” on Amazon.

Trapper’s story reminds us that diabetes is never one-size-fits-all and that you should speak up when your gut (and your blood sugar) tells you something isn’t right. Whether you have type 1, type 2, or somewhere in between, the journey is about understanding your body and finding the right tools to survive.

To learn more about Travis' music, writing and woodworking, go to www.trapperhaskins.com.