Living With Diabetes

MSNBC - Diabetes treatment response varies

First, I'm not a doctor, I'm not a medical researcher by profession, I"m just a patient, but this article is one reason I think a "cure" for diabetes is just downright impossible given the current level of technology.

I believe there are a whole bunch of "diseases" that all have the same group of symthoms we've been calling diabetes.

I figure there are several types of Type 1, and a whole bunch of types of Type 2.

However, I don't think I belong in this group. My blood sugar was "normal" back in my 20s.

Posted by at 11:50 AM | Permalink

It's been a tough year -- last January I had just started daily injections and I was just starting to see some improvement in blood sugar numbers.

It's been my toughest teaching year so far. I've never had this many resistant students.

Of course, the last 4 months with the husband on crutches has been tough -- but he was released off of them on Monday. The really fun part, is that the doctor has released him to ride bicycles -- he suggested that Rich start with a stationary, but has not released him to walk as a form of exercise. More good news -- he doesn't see the doctor again for 6 weeks.

I'm really glad I went to the insulin pump. I don't think I would have dealt with the issues I have dealt with as easily.

I talked with a woman who was considering the pump the other day -- and I just can't imagine relying on daily injections again. Even if I were on a better insulin, I can't image control being better controlled by the pump, versus controlled by a time released insulin. You sure can't adjust for exercise -- something we were talking about yesterday on the email list.

Anyway, I'm glad I have made the decisions I've made. I am glad I didn't wait on the new insurance to see if maybe they would cover the pump. I'll see soon how they work out with the supplies.

Posted by at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Most Effective Exercise to Reduce Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes

I've started back on resistance training again at the Country Club. Bought a package deal and having one of the personal trainers help me. I find it REAL important to get help. I get lazy fast.

I also find that you get better service on a regular basis from ALL the employees, if you employ a personal trainer.

Posted by at 10:11 AM | Permalink

A side note in this week's issue:

DID YOU KNOW: Reports in the lay press are suggesting that it's dangerous for patients to stop low-dose aspirin. This comes from a small study. It suggests there's a higher risk of heart attacks shortly after stopping aspirin in patients who already have heart disease. Aspirin's protective antiplatelet effect is reduced within several days of stopping the drug. In fact, some experts recommend NOT stopping low-dose aspirin for most dental and medical procedures. In many cases, the risk of clotting outweighs the small increased risk of bleeding. Encourage cardiac patients to stick with their aspirin. Mayo Clin Proc 2003;78:1392-6.

Diabetes In Control Dot Com. The weekly newsletter for medical professionals in Diabetes care.

DID YOU KNOW: Reports in the lay press are suggesting that it's dangerous for patients to stop low-dose aspirin. This comes from a small study. It suggests there's a higher risk of heart attacks shortly after stopping aspirin in patients who already have heart disease. Aspirin's protective antiplatelet effect is reduced within several days of stopping the drug. In fact, some experts recommend NOT stopping low-dose aspirin for most dental and medical procedures. In many cases, the risk of clotting outweighs the small increased risk of bleeding. Encourage cardiac patients to stick with their aspirin. Mayo Clin Proc 2003;78:1392-6.

Posted by at 10:06 AM | Permalink

Need for More Aggressive in-Hospital Glucose Control

This was an issue for me when I had my hand surgeries. Okay, at the time, I was on MDI (Multiple Daily Injections) -- but I definately saw a difference in how I was healing based on high and low blood sugars. I managed to get an infection the first time around, because I got a tad careless. Soon as I got a hold of antibotics, and got things back under control, the infection was gone. I did MUCH better on the second surgery after I learned my lesson the hard way.

But if we can get the surgeons in on the act, I think we'll all be better off.

Posted by at 10:04 AM | Permalink

Good article on Type II

And to add to DB's suggestions:

When diagnosed, the patient and the doctor need to get serious about the treatment!

Posted by at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm starting to get into a routine at the Country Club. It really is easy to get over there.

Started working out with weights with one of the trainers there, and am feeling MUCH MUCH better about all that.

Posted by at 2:17 AM | Permalink

It's been a rough 3 1/2 months -- Rich broke his hip that long ago, and he's still on crutches, but not here at the house anymore. He did do too much today, he says.

My health club shut down today. This is a very small, but extremely friendly place, just down the road from my house. It was owned by the Club Corp corporation and by Mack-Cali -- the owners of the building. They jointly decided to close it -- they are leaving equpment there, and it's self-service for the employees of tenants of the building.

The good news is that they are moving the neighborhood members (and building tenants who want to join us), to the local country club. I've been working out there since they moved the big treadmills over, got a locker then laundry services yesterday. (So I have no excuses!)

They are promising new equipment and have already done some remodeling to accomodate us.

It's just that I've never belonged to a country club, never imagined I would, and that's all different to get used to.

They had a lovely wake for the club tonight.

Blood sugar numbers have just been fabulous this week. I'm a bit concerned as they are showing a bit low -- I was at 98 when I got to the gym, and dipped to 86 even though I was doing sugar while working out -- I REALLY hate that! (The doing sugar part).

But I still haven't suffered a low since I got the pump.

Yeah, and today was my birthday. It's a bit of a lousy time to have one with the club closing and Christmas close every year, but I'm stuck with the date.

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

Finally got the dog's pictures with Santa. I had them taken on Dec 6. Very disappointing, I was waiting patiently.

Speaking of which, I have also been awaiting the return of my Palm Zire 71. I've got a Tungsten E for a while, just to manage things, and haven't decided what to do. I might just sell the Plam Zire. There are a lot of nice things about the Tungsten.

Here's the deal. I called and talked to their tech support in November. The 5 way navigation button broke, was fine one day, and next day wasn't -- and I had it in a hard case.

So the tech support person (an Asian speaker) got my name, my email address, and every other important piece of information wrong. Palm had an English speaker call to get the screwed up information wrong, but gee, I was at school teaching.

Oh -- and in case, you are wondering what this has to do with diabetes -- well, I manage my care with Animas's EzManager, and use the Palm extensively.

Anyway, the person who I got ahold of -- another Asian speaker -- told me to go ahead and ship, even though I didn't have all the information. I had a note in the envelope, and the SR number on the outside. Had it sent UPS, had the tracking number, etc. Well, it arrived, and nothing happened, and nothing happened.

So, I call back on a Saturday, but didn't have the tracking number. THAT Asian speaker claimed she had escalated it to Level 2 and that someone would call, but no one did -- I checked the caller ID AND the messages.

When I did have the tracking number (had left it on my desk at school), I called and got yet another Asian speaker, who assure me they had it, gave me yet another Service number, this one was NOT in their database, and assured me, that they were shipping.

Well, I knew he'd lied ... so I called later in the day. Another Asian speaker who only confirmed all the numbers I had -- though DID confirm that the number I had been given that morning was a lie -- and assured me once again, I'd be getting my Zire back.

Still nothing -- even though I emailed their tech support and told them all of this -- oh and they also claimed someone would call, and no one did.

Finally on Wednesday afternoon, I got ahold of an English speaker. He confirmed that the Palm had arrived, but was not paired with a SR number and was just sitting there. He said that the facility that handled that had just closed, and couldn't do anything but would handle it first thing in the morning.

GOOD NEWS! I actually got an email early in the morning claiming that they had received the Palm. Sadly their ship date was December 24! That means the Palm had been gone close to a month!

But better news, got an email this morning, with a Airborne tracking number, and it is on it's way.

I really believe the problem is outsourcing ... when I did get English speakers, life was good, and things got solved. Not one of the Asian speakers got ANY of the call right.

The moral of the story, is to make sure you don't buy a Palm with parts that can break off -- like this Tungsten E.

Anyway one want a refurbished Palm 71 Zire cheap?

Posted by at 6:02 AM | Permalink

Diabetes In Control Dot Com. The weekly newsletter for medical professionals in Diabetes care.

Posted by at 6:56 AM | Permalink

Metformin: What, Me Worry?

The problem for me has never been lactic acidosis but the digestive effects....

Posted by at 6:52 AM | Permalink

OEA - A New Player in Appetite Regulation Answers Old Questions

This is interesting because it suggests that there is a lot we need to know about Type 2 before there is a "cure".

Posted by at 6:48 AM | Permalink

Incidence of Hypoglycemia in Insulin-treated Type 2 Diabetes Higher than Previously Recognized

I was sure having trouble with this!

Posted by at 4:42 AM | Permalink

MayoClinic.com - Medical and health information for a healthier life from Mayo Clinic

I really have a problem with several of their answers:

Q: What should you do if you forget an insulin injection?

A: If it's only been a short time — less than six hours — since you were supposed to take the medication, take the dose you missed. Then continue to follow your normal schedule.

Why is it okay to skip pills but not injections? It just doesn't make sense at alL! It takes days to get over a missed injection -- been there, done that.

Q: Can you use an insulin pump if you have type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes)?

A: A pump is an option if you take insulin, whether you have type 1 (formerly called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes) or type 2 diabetes. Most people with type 2 diabetes aren't advised to use a pump, though, because they do well with less-intensive treatment. A pump is a beeper-sized device that delivers insulin through a tiny catheter inserted under your skin.

But gee, it makes your life SO much better. No more eating to insulin but taking insulin for what you eat.

Posted by at 6:44 AM | Permalink

DB's Medical Rants

He's started something, but one of my recent favorites is from Jimmy Buffet's Growing Older But Not Up, most recently in Meet Me In Margaritaville.

I'm growing older but not up
My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck
So let the winds of change blow over my head
I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead

I listen to Jimmy Buffet when I walk on the treadmill. I like his upbeat, fun, Key West kind of music, with his ironic lyrics.

My husband doesn't it get it, since I don't drink, never done drugs, and yes, so much of his lyrics to glorify that ... but at the same time put down that lifestyle. It's weird.

I attribute a lot of my liking him, because he too is a graduate (or is that former student?) of the University of Southern Mississippi. They've always had a good music program, but while I was there, had one of the best Computer Science programs in the country.

Posted by at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

To start with, the motto of the insulin-pumper's group is YMMV -- meaning Your Milage May Vary.

SimpleChoice : : Innovative Insulin Delivery Products For Diabetics

Frankly, I hate fewer things more than I hate these infusion sets. I actually sent half a box back to them.

Why? Well to begin with, there is always an edge that has no adhesive. If you are not careful, you catch that edge on your clothing and you pull the whole set off. Yep, did it twice.

Second, their adhesive melts when you get in a hot tub. That's even more annoying because the whole set slides, pulling the cannela out. Of course, you don't know until the cannela is halfway out, and you are wondering why your blood sugar is too high, until you started getting pinched by the almost out cannela.

ARGH!

Also, it takes two hands to disconnect.

Did I mention I really hate these things?

Oh, and there is no room on the sides of the plastic connection system to put tape down to keep the site down better.

Did I mention I really hate these things?

Oh, and it's THEIR A1C kit that takes 10 days to get a result.

I won't be trying them again.

Posted by at 6:41 AM | Permalink

I don't really trust this ... but I did another at home A1C -- nor do I recommend this -- more in a moment, but I had an A1C of 6.0 -- which translates to average blood sugar of 124.

Obviously the pump is working! And that is an excellent A1C. The ADA's goal is 6.5, another groups is actually the 6.0

The kit was easy to use. It's from Diabetes Technologies and I wouldn't use them again. If I go through my insurance company/doctor's office, I get the full panel (lipids, blood glucose, etc.) and I get the results in 2 days. The results were posted sometime in the last twenty four hours, and I mailed this on 12/03.

I did get this free ... long story on that, which I need to post. However, it's annoying.

Posted by at 6:25 AM | Permalink

DB's Medical Rants

A thread started on the insulin pumper's list about how some doctors don't prescribe pumps ... and I decided to go to the best source I knew.

Posted by at 11:39 AM | Permalink

FDA Meets with Stakeholders to Address Issues Related to the Implementation of the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002 (MDUFMA)

The main thing holding back the Continous Blood Sugar Monitors, new pumps, etc., is meeting FDA requirements and getting approved.

Hopefully this will help!

Posted by at 10:11 AM | Permalink

In addition to teaching 6 different subjects ... okay, with computer science I always teach 4 different subjects, but that's my choice...

I've been taking two master's levels courses to get additional certification. I got A's in both classes. Not bad. These have been almost 100% online -- there were two face-to-face meetings for the one class.

Finishing these two classes, put me in line for getting my district to pay for a master's degree (in CECS). Boring, but it's a master's. Most of the other districts around here want them. It looks good on the school stats, etc.

This also means I'm triple certified -- computer science, technology apps, and mathematics. The good news, is the certifications are all recognized shortages.

So it's been a good weekend. And maybe I can start breathing.

Husband was even walking around the house without crutches last night, and seemed to have a close to normal gait (yeah, that's been the biggest OTHER issue -- he broke his hip about 11 weeks ago.

He's going out of town to Shreveport to gamble, which is a major breakthrough. The thought of sitting/driving that far has not been attractive to him.

I've got one week of classes, one day of classes + 4 days of finals and winter break.

Posted by at 6:40 AM | Permalink

Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association

Posted by at 3:34 AM | Permalink

Having been posting much "personal" stuff, because I feel like I'm whining ... but had an awesome day yesterday.

Went to a very small agility trial with Marcie and she Qed and took first place in Jumpers With Weave and in Standard.

Woke up today with horrible heel spur pain in the left foot, but was able to work most of it out by the time I really got out of bed.

Posted by at 10:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

And we continued the good weekend with a third first place and Q.

Foot got the better of me though.

Posted by at 9:24 AM | Permalink

Boston.com / Business / Study: Higher copayments hurt patients

I really feel like that the doctor and patient should decide on the drug, not the mail order drug service.

Posted by at 2:50 AM | Permalink

TheraSense | Investor Relations

I can't wait. Besides the pain -- even testing 8-10 times a day doesn't give the whole picture.

I think the feedback along is going to help me choose foods, and avoid complications.

Posted by at 12:08 PM | Permalink

Joslin Diabetes Center - Diabetes, Diabetes Treatment, Diabetes Symptom, Diabetes Research and Diabetes Education.

Posted by at 12:06 PM | Permalink

aDorn Handbags | High Style, Low Profile

Honestly too small for me with my pump supplies and Palm Pilot, but they have a super product and even better customer service.

They DO honor the 30 day trial period.

I would absoletly love a bigger, tote size of this. The removable medical pouch is great -- but like I said, just a tad too small for me.

Posted by at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

pump-pouch.com / Home

These are SUPER! I've been wearing my pump without the clip -- works great in a pocket, by the way, and these solve a lot of the problems. I can put the pump in one of these, pin it to my bra and it doesn't show as much as it does with the pump. However, I sweat on the pump that way, and the pouch solves that problem.

Will try one of the belted ones when it's pool time.

Posted by at 9:24 AM | Permalink

Actually a whole series of articles. I haven't read them all yet, but working on it.

Posted by at 8:14 AM | Permalink