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January 22, 2008

I need to do massages more often

I need to do the massage thing more often.  I had a really good agility practice last night, wasn't as stiff and was able to run even.  Very little knee pain. 

Also wasn't as still today, though I really want a nap.

January 21, 2008

I spoiled myself today

Knowing that I'm schedule for dog agility trials for the next 3 weekends and knowing that I spent the last working, I took today for me.  I found a really good special at a Day Spa (a package deal of massage, facial, pedi and manicure), and took advantage of it.  It was very good.  I like the place and hope to go back someday. 

 

I do almost do too much.  I ate just before 9:00 am, started at the spa at 10:00 am and finished just as my Dexcom was going off because I had hit "low". I had a good plan for lunch though, which worked out fine, and I'm ready for an evening of dog agility training!  Boy do I hope we're in the building.

January 20, 2008

More Symlin Impressions

I've done a couple of injections by syringe (vial) today and yes, the pen is definately more comfortable.  The syringe hurts going in, and burns while the shot is happening.  I'm not sure if the stopper is dulling the syringe needle or if there is just enough Symlin on the outside of the needle to cause the pain.

January 19, 2008

Symlin Impressions

I've done 3 doses of Symlin with the Pen Injector today. 

I've forgotten that needles don't hurt going in -- my theory -- the stopper.  Pen needles don't have to go through the stopper. So when I inject with the Symlin, going in doesn't hurt, but the very final push of the plunger does -- from the pH of the Symlin.

I'll let you know after a week how bad it is. It usually takes that many tries before the needle starts getting annoying.

As for the vials -- I have about a month's worth of vials, so I'm going to use the pens "out" and the vials at home.  That will give a good cushion for when Medco decided to drive me nuts -- though they've been good on Symlin.

To Dex or Not to Dex

I'll start this out by saying that I believe that Dexcom has the best CGMS technology available right now.

However ...

The last two boxes of SEVEN sensors have not lasted as long as I think they should.  Oddly, I expect them to last SEVEN days.  I've had one person on the Dexcom list already imply it is my fault, and it might very well be part of my normal environment, though I did have a period where the SEVEN's were working well.  That isn't going to change. 

Another problem is the needle pain.  It seems to get worse with each insertation.  I'm actually going longer and longer between sensor changes just because of the needle pain.

I do have two more sensors, plus the one I'm wearing.

I do believe I'm going to spend some time on the phone Monday, before I made a decision.  Of course, I can always change my mind and buy a box.  It's hard to do it the other way.

January 18, 2008

BD Safe-Clip™ Device

This is what I was trying to think up -- there are quite a few for sell on Ebay at reasonable prices, so I bought two.

 

BD Safe-Clip™ Device

The BD Safe-Clip™ Needle Clipping & Storage Device removes insulin syringe needles and pen needles safely and easily.

Symlin Came!

I have NO idea why I decided to check the Medco site this afternoon, as they said they weren't sending until January 23, but I did.  Not only did it show it was on it's way, but it had a UPS tracking number that said it was delivered.  I called, husband answered, and sure enough it was there, he just tossed the whole thing in the fridge.

 

The pens are interesting. The 120 pen is set to give two doses, 60 units and 120 units.  It also says you can put it in either the abdomen or the thigh.  I think I like the thigh.  The needle goes in much better -- I do think that stopper dulls the needle, and even though it was a dose after a prime, it didn't burn until the very last of the push.  Thus it is MUCH less painful.

 

I'm going to use up all my vials (I have around 4) at the house, and keep the pens for traveling about town and at school until I'm out of vials.

 

The pen does not take up less space than the vial, but the pen needles are easier to deal with.  I do need to find a disposal method for the needles themselves.  I do have some of the needle holders, so I am going to try to snag more.

Symlin Pen Order Update

Still nothing from the local pharamacy -- Medco has changed their shipping day to January 23. 

January 17, 2008

Cleaning Service

I've been feeling guilty about the cleaning service until I remembered something.  We've had landscaping service for years, and Rich hasn't lifted a finger on anything.  We got it, because he drove me nuts.  I think that the grass has to be mowed every week. Unfortunately I can't do it, because I am allergic to most of the pollen in Texas (both grass and trees).

 

They came Tuesday -- I got to be home, and they did a terrific job.  It's very nice to have a clean house and not have to do it yourself.

 

Please it frees me up for other projects.  Like my office.  i can actually work in here now, and I have room in the closet for storage again.  Speaking of which, if I put computer equipment out for the trash, I swear it's gone in 5 minutes.  It['s really a hoot. 

 

We've also had the handyman over, and he's got my new TV mounted on the wall so it's comfortable to watch on the treadmill.

January 16, 2008

Medco - Protonix arrived

Protonix DID arrive today!  At the same time, I got an email from Medco saying I had a new order being processed and then the Medco database showed they were processing Protonix.  Oh well, they will hold until March 15.

 

Symlin pen still hasn't shipped.

January 15, 2008

New York Personal Injury Law Blog: My Interview with Robert (Dr. "Flea") Lindeman

I am saddened everytime I read about this case.  First, I enjoyed reading Flea's blog, very much, and feel very betrayed, sad, etc. because he was sued for malpractice.  The malpractice? The patient he had seen DIED OF UNDIAGNOSED TYPE 1 DIABETES.  I'm not sure how long ago that the child was actually not diagnosed, but surely a simple blood glucose test?  Okay, and I'm still mad that my mom was being treated for an infection that would not go away and they didn't do a simple blood glucose test the entire year she was being treated. He was not the primary doctor on the case, but still...

 

New York Personal Injury Law Blog: My Interview with Robert (Dr. "Flea") Lindeman

In May 2007 Robert Lindeman, a pediatrician from the Boston area, found himself uncomfortably in the public eye when the Boston Globe exposed his pseudonymous life as a blogger in a sensational front page story.

January 14, 2008

Medco - Symlin

I really thought that January 14th as a shipping date for my Symlin pens was a bit optomistic.  They are now showing a ship day of the 17th.  The good news is that the pen needles are already on their way.  They will go mule train, and the Symlin will probably come UPS, so they might arrive at the same time.

 

It's fun keeping watch though.  Haven't heard from the local pharmacy, I think I'll give them a buzz tomorrow.

Protonix shipped!

YEAH!  It shipped out today!  I am so happy that battle is won -- though it is not over until it arrives on my door step.

 

Symlin is still showing will ship today (I will be amazed if that happens). 

January 13, 2008

Medication Update

The Medco database was updated in the last couple of hours. 

 

There is now an entry for my Symlin pen injector, and it shows 6 packages -- that means they are sending 12 pens and a pen is supposed to last a week (22 1/2 injections, according to the math I did, which Symlin verified as correct).

 

They are also showing a ship date of January 14 on the Symlin pens, one day before the pen needles!  I'm sure that will change though. The good news, is that I do have some pen needles hanging around the house, plus I could get Albertson's to go ahead and fill those if the injector gets here first.

 

The bad news is that there is no shipping date showing for the Protonix, when it did have one.

Farmers Branch Health Fair

Went to the local rec center for a health fair.

 

First the rec center is NICE.  It's 4 years old now, and I wondered when it was open, if they would keep it up.  Of course, they would make sure everything was working for the health fair, but there were no out of order signs every where, the ladies locker room was immaculate, and lots of equipment.  Since membership is $10.00 a year, I think, I probably will join in the near future.

 

The health fair itself was nice -- the Fire and Police department had a contest for a blood drive, the local hospital was there doing screenings.  Lots of local businesses were there with reduced offers, including curves.

 

It was worth the few minutes of walking around.

January 11, 2008

Symlin Injectable

Saw the beginning of the ordering processing on the Medxo website this afternoon. So it is there. Called the local pharmacy and their supplier said it is not available yet but keep ordering until it is. It will be interesting to see which arrives first.

Medication and other Updates

Medco is showing Protonix ordered, and shipping on January 16. 

The doctor's office called in a Symlin 120 30-day prescription to my local pharmacy and have faxed a 90-day prescription for the same thing to Medco.  The Symlin hasn't shown up in the website yet.

My blood sugar was a bit better this morning, and my 2 hour after meal breakfast was good so now I think I'll focus on lunch. Corrections seem to be working most of the time too.

I also put in a Dexcom sensor.  I put it in a totally different location, as I've been using the same area of my body for the last 6 months.  We'll see how all that goes.