Trucker George Fubler always considered himself as a healthy kind of guy but three years ago that changed dramatically.

Sleeping at home he was suddenly hit by a wave of terrifying symptoms which made him fear for his life.

He said: ?I woke up but couldn?t breathe. I thought I was having a heart attack. I started having pains in my chest and I was hyperventilating.

?It was ugly and scary, you don?t know what is happening to you.?

A doctor told him the next day his heart was fine but he did have diabetes.

His blood sugar levels were sky high and needed taming with insulin. It was a blow but Mr. Fubler, 47, but he was not shocked ? his parents were also sufferers.

Diet was the problem.

While he had been careful with home cooking, life on the road had seen far too many sugary drinks and fried chicken legs pass his lips.

Looking back the signs were there.

The shortness of breath he used to put down to general anxiety over the day-to-day stresses of life he now knows had a far deeper root.

While there is no getting rid of the disease Mr. Fubler has done his best to control it.

He lost 20 pounds, joined a gym and cut out sugar from drinks.

?Right now I almost eat the same foods but I watch what I do.?

He also walks for half an hour four times a week. When he stops that regime he feels worse and can measure his blood sugar levels creeping up.

Mr. Fubler has controlled his disease to such an extent that he takes no pills or insulin.

But life is far less spontaneous.

?As a diabetic you basically become your own doctor, checking your own sugar levels.

?If I am invited for dinner I have to check what people will make ? food needs to be boiled not fried. You need real discipline.?

Meals are small and regular ? there is no skipping breakfast and then having a massive evening feed.

Instead he makes sure his calories are only what he needs rather than what he might fancy ? even though he does treat himself to the occasional Kentucky Fried Chicken.

He warns even people just slightly overweight might be heading down a rocky road from which there is no return.

?It sneaks up on you real fast.?

A healthier lifestyle might have staved off the disease but it is still it is a life sentence for Mr. Fubler. ?Once a diabetic, always a diabetic.?