Living With Diabetes

Blood sugar is virtually the same as yesterday morning, so that's not it.

But I definately had a better nights sleep last night and was able to wake up early.  Still didn't get on the treadmill any faster, but once on, I think it was better.  I actually considered doing the 20 minutes iShape suggested, rather than the 2 sets of 15, but I think I'm better off at that.  Even considered strength exercises, but I do have a site change today.

I'm dropping basal rates again and doing the glucowatch again today.  And the weight is going down, not up.

Posted by at 6:27 AM | Permalink

When I had my carpel tunnel surgery last year not only was I careful to make sure that the Anesthesiology knew I had sleep apena, I also told him HOW I have it.

I really think that knowing that the patient goes into REM sleep and then within 5 minutes stops breathing might be a good thing to know. But gee, I'm just the patient. I also think dentists need to know this as I tend to go to sleep in the chair in between procedings.

Ivanhoe's Medical Breakthroughs - Sleep Apnea Linked to Anesthesia Risks

Posted by at 10:51 PM | Permalink

While I REALLY want a Treo 650 -- I'll probably skip that number and wait for the one after.

But I live and die by my Treo. I have EzManager by Animas installed, TakePhone -- mostly save on phone bills since my long distance is not completely free, 2Day, Today+ and Snappermail. Also have a few games, music, etc.

Here's how my day goes -- I check my Treo, because it tells me when I need to change my site (through ToDo and 2Day). I warn myself the day before, and have a note to do it.

Whenever I eat, I enter my food and let EzManager calculate my insulin. I also have Butler setup to remind me to check my blood sugar 2 hours after I usually eat breakfast and 2 hours after our lunch.

I also enter my blood sugar when it is too high so I can get a correction. I do wish it would do an Insulin on Board Correction, but maybe someday. I should also sit down and figure out how to do that myself.

I use Snappermail and the web interface to take brief breaks from the real world to check email and what is happening on the web.

I've even gone so far as so get a portable keyboard and I use it to take notes.

And yes, I use the phone ... it is SO nice to have it all in one package, wish it would actually DO a blood sugar test.

Wireless-Doc (the Weblog)

Posted by at 10:01 PM | Permalink

I managed to get a new CPAP mask during my planning period today.  I'm hoping that solves the sleeping problem.

I ended up spending the evening help another teacher install software, so I didn't get to dinner until 8:00 pm, so that might be a problem.

The glucowatch did well, showing trends, and was close to the meter sometimes -- again, the secret seems to be using forearm testing rather than finger sticks.  I'm not sure they studied that, since they sure don't recommend it, BUT it's working for me.

Breaking up cardio into two sessions is working.  It doesn't affect the blood sugar as dramatically, but I'm planning to increase the sessions as the weeks go by.  As it is, I've done 30 minutes in two 15 minutes sets Monday thru Wednesday.

Keep fingers crossed!

Posted by at 9:19 PM | Permalink

One of the things I want to know, is why doesn't the skin go back after obesity suervery AND is this a problem I'm going to deal with no matter which way I go?

An answer from one of the medical doctors would be nice.

MSNBC - After stomach stapling, more surgery

Posted by at 9:17 PM | Permalink

I don't understand why they are insistant on the surgery. He's lost 400+ pounds with help, why can't they just keep providing that same help?

MSNBC - Half-ton man recovering from obesity surgery

Posted by at 9:15 PM | Permalink

Good news:  I've managed to get up and walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes every morning, and I've managed it again when I got home from school.

Blood sugar is elevated, probably because my TDD (total daily dose) of insulin is elevated.  I've adjusted my basals and have the glucowatch on.

Sleep is an issue right now, and I'm hoping that getting a new mask will help.  I'm tired all day, hurt all over, and even Bextra isn't helping much, nor is any of the pain pills that I have for tooth pain etc.  (I haven't tried both in the same day).  Then I don't feel like going to bed, and waking up is painful too. 

As a result, food is an issue.  I working on better choices and portion control. 

I'm focusing on not eating in the evening, before I go to bed.   So I don't think reflux is an issue.

Frankly, I'm just miserable about the whole thing, though I am keeping my weight down.  I'm within 5 pounds of the CDE weight, and under 10 pounds of my latest lowest.

Posted by at 11:20 AM | Permalink

GlucoBoy brings blood sugar monitoring to GameBoy - Engadget - www.engadget.com

Hook this sucker up to the wireless reporting gizmo and you've got a SUPER winner!

Posted by at 6:34 AM | Permalink

This is the saddest excuse of a show I've EVER seen.

They encourage extremely unhealthy weight loss in the first place.  The exercise is unsustainable, as are the "diets".  It's mentally and physically unhealthy.

What got me the most, was the personal trainer who wouldn't let her team sleep.  Anyone with any amount of knowledge about physiology would know that putting the body in extreme stress makes it want to hang onto weight, not lose it.  Not sleeping would put these people over the edge.

Very sad.

Posted by at 7:43 PM | Permalink

The New York Times > Health > Linda Maurer, 65, Who First Wore the Medic Alert Bracelet, Dies

Posted by at 12:57 PM | Permalink

sending entry from moblog

---
From my Treo

Posted by at 1:38 AM | Permalink

I "spent" the evening working on the too tired thing.  Doing a bit of activity now, so I don't hit a time crunch later.  I'm going to spend the next few days focusing on making sure I get enough sleep and on a good schedule.

Posted by at 12:47 AM | Permalink

I'm really frustrated right now.  I'm having trouble doing a couple of very easy things, that help my control my eating.

One of those is getting enough sleep.  If I am tired, I tend to eat to stay awake.  That makes my gastric reflux worse, making it hard to get to sleep and stay asleep.

Yesterday is a good example.  I was tired, but didn't want to go to bed too early, partly because sometimes I then wake up early, and partly because I get tired of feeling like I sleep every evening.

Then I woke up at 3:00 or so, because my pump went off and I was out of insulin.  Now that was something I could easily fix, because I'd already filled the cartridge.  But I trusted that I would have enough insulin.  Wrong!  And then it took me about an hour to go to sleep because I was refluxing.

So then I had trouble waking up, and I've been sleepy all day.  Tonight though, I am going to work hard at not eating anything in the evening so maybe I'll sleep all night.

Posted by at 2:47 PM | Permalink

I've figured this one out on my own.  Since losing 30 pounds, only a fraction of what I need to lose, I'm using less insulin.

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/living/health/9952618.htm

Posted by at 12:31 PM | Permalink

And a few I didn't know, especially the regular EKG. Makes me wonder if that's the problem with the phen-fen drugs?

Reality TV Check (washingtonpost.com)

Posted by at 4:10 AM | Permalink

Review of Insulin Therapy -- Daugherty 17 (1): 10 -- Journal of Pharmacy Practice

Posted by at 3:05 PM | Permalink

Just saw the new dentist. He was very pleased no pain. Cancelled the root canal and wants to watch it a month before he does fillings.

Of course that makes Nov. 15th fun filled. Sleep doctor and dentst in the same day. I should see a shrink instead of the CDE.

Posted by at 1:57 PM | Permalink

Got my Depo shot today.

Supposedly some diabetics see some changes in blood sugar with depo but I don't. However, I've been on it for over 12 years.

I also don't see monthly swings since Depo suppresses the cycle. I haven't had a period in over 10 years. It's very nice.

Posted by at 9:54 AM | Permalink

I got off track last week, between all the mini-disasters, and I was very worried that I would have trouble getting back on track and staying on track.

All in all, it's been a good learning experience. 

I have gotten back on track and seeing weight loss again, a little bit slower than I was seeing but that's a good thing, the fast weight loss had been worrying me.  I'd go all week being healthy, lose 5 pounds and be out of control at least one weekend day.

One of the really good things, is that even my out of control days are better than they were.  I am limiting portions better, and making better choices.

Of course, my goal for myself is to make this a lifestyle change and not every think of any thing, be it eating, keeping track of eating, or exercise temporary.  That's been my mistakes before.

I'm still worried that my sleep doctor will keep pressuring me to do the gastric bypass thing.  Of course .. if I did do it, starting the process now and scheduling it for end of May would be the smart thing.  It's just not a place I want to go, especially since I am making progress now.

And even one of my greatest measures -- dog agility is going better.  I was joking with my instructor Thursday night -- she didn't like the way I handled the course at the end -- and neither did I.  My only excuse, and it was VERY true, is that at a certain point you run out of oxygen and you just go and hope it's over soon.  And that is what happened that run -- but at the same time, I was faster and more ambitious at the beginning of the run.

And I know at least one reader "gets" this, so today we did a beautiful opening run for Gamblers, well, at one point, Marcie started the border-beagle bit (when her brain gets taken over by a wandering border collie spirit), and started a huge looping run, but it picked up 4 extra points, and we still ended up where i wanted to be, but she just didn't have enough momentum to carry her through the gamble.  EE said that the gamble was harder than she would give in that class (she's a judge). 

We did a clean standard run but was 2.73 seconds over time.  I figure half of that was Marcie making sure she wasn't getting TOO contaimdated by the table, (sniffing and being Miss Priss).  She did a fabulous go on at the end, and was two obstacles ahead of me at the finish -- a good thing and something I've trained or we'd have been more over time.

We had a super opening for Snooker -- tough one, hard to find any flow, and everyone looked stupid getting theirs dogs through it.  Great finish too, but she knocked off a bar at obstacle 5.  We took the whole course, since it was on the way to the finish line -- I didn't call it but she took it anyway.

Anyway the point of the blow by blow biopsy is that I've improved tremedously.

Posted by at 9:20 PM | Permalink

I throught the Glucowatch sensors came in a box of 10, but just noticed tonight, that they come in a box of 16.

That brings the price of each use down to $3.55 -- of course, they will probably go back up to the original price, which means each use is $9.85.

Posted by at 9:08 PM | Permalink

Blood pressure is good, and she saw the changes I made in my bolus rates.

Got to tell endo AND the CDE that the watch worked.  My endo was hestitant to sign for the watch,and was also wondering if insurance covered it.  Well, I haven't gone there yet.  I thought I would for the next order of auto sensors, now that we know it works.

CDE saw the numbers I got on Tuesday and Thursday and agreed they looked like good numbers.

Do remember though, if you see something weird double check it and if it is wrong, do a recalibrate.

It doesn't eliminate day to day finger sticks, but it is a good way to eliminate finger sticks for basal tests and for checking changes.

Posted by at 9:31 PM | Permalink

On the whole, I am happy with my Glucowatch.  I'm using it again today and again, the numbers are matching the blood sugar monitor.

I learned something, however, yesterday, just like the pump, and just like the sets, preparing is something not to rush.

Yesterday I wasted an autosensor, because I was too hurried to prepare properly.

Here is what is working for me:

I already have IV Prep, so take a shower, wipe myself down with IV prep, and then get dressed.  That leaves the arm a bit tacky, in addition to the alcohol.

Then I spray my arm once with the Cortozone spray, and prepare the watch and autosensor.  By that time, everything is dry enough.

The watch stays "stuck" better with the IV prep and the spray cuts down on the burn and scare.  You can't even see where the watch was on Tuesday or yesterday.

And as I said, the readings are good!  They show exactly what is happening and most of the time match the meter.  I do think re-calibrating is a good thing.

Also, I've been arm testing, not finger testing, which seems to be affecting the match.

Posted by at 11:03 AM | Permalink

I'm trying a different editor for the blog.

Posted by at 10:33 PM | Permalink

I'm sure it doesn't help.

Diabetes In Control News - Poor Sleep Increases Diabetes Risk
Issue 229 Item 5

That finding comes from Swedish researchers who conducted a 15-year study that included almost 6,600 men who were around 45 years old. All were healthy at the start of the research, and none had diabetes. Resting heart rate tests were administered at the outset of the study.
At the 15-year follow up, about 9 percent of the men reported either difficulties with sleep or use of sleep-related drugs. More than 2 percent reported both. More than 4 percent of the men, overall, developed diabetes. Men who reported sleep-related problems or sleep-related drug use were more likely to develop the disease. Even after researchers took into account other factors that could have contributed to the development of diabetes, the results held true.

Posted by at 8:33 PM | Permalink

I got very good numbers all day. Had a bit of a problem during the trip home, part of it was a blood sugar drop, which causes prespiration and part of it was that I was a bit hot.

I had a dip right after I ate, which it shows, which is good to see.

On the whole, the Glucowatch is doing what I wanted. I'd like the price to be lower, especially when it comes to the sensors.

Posted by at 6:31 PM | Permalink

Treo is working beautifully -- I even took some time to make it work better for me.

My mouth hasn't hurt since about an hour after the dentist "messed with it". No other problems either. He's exactly what I look in a dentist. Available in an emergency and fixes things.

Posted by at 6:17 PM | Permalink

Between the two days without exercising, the 5 days of not controlling my eating, a slight infection from the broken tooth, and the lack of tight control because the Treo wasn't working, my insulin resistance has obviously increased. At least obviously to me.

So, being the anal computer junkie I am, I downloaded the TDI (Total Daily Insulin usage) from my pump and plugged the last fourteen days into a spreadsheet I've designed from the charts in the "Pumping Insulin" book by John Walsh.

I took the resulting carb to insulin ratio and correction ratio and plugged those numbers into my Palm pilot's EzManagter program.

(Note: yes, I know I'm a geek)

There was a massive change, so I grabbed my glucowatch and slapped it on my wrist -- by the way, this time I'm using IV Prep -- which is slightly tacky with the Cortozone spray and the burning sensation is very mild.

The glucowatch is showing trends similar to what I am seeing with my blood sugar monitor. I have done a couple of extra calibrations, to ensure that.

Nice to have the technology working with me.

Posted by at 12:31 PM | Permalink

I was going to track down his email address, but I think he's talking about me.

Unfortunately I don't know of a device that talks to the Treo directly -- my interface all comes from the PC.... but Accu-Check's Compact might talk to the Treo, not sure.

Handspring's Visor is still available as Therasense's Freestyle.

Also Scott Hasselman reviews that Glucomon
Which is pretty cool if you have a kiddo you are worried about.

LG KP8400 cellphone with blood tester for diabetics - Engadget - www.engadget.com

Already I know of a diabetic who uses a Treo 600 that interfaces with a separate blood testing unit. An important trend in healthcare is the support for treatment of chronic disease. Data can be accumulated on a daily basis and then the physician can review a summary.

Posted by at 11:49 PM | Permalink

Well, got a phone from the sleep doctor's office today and the dreaded sleep doctor appointment has been put off until November 15th. He's going to Maine.

I'm actually a bit relieved, and I think it was some of the problems I was having lately. It's easy for me to get off track, and boy do I have lots of excuses!

I did end up talking with him on the phone. He's ordered a new mask, same size and shape. It's the latest and greatest for what I'm dealing with. He seemed pleased I've lost 30 pounds according to the CDE's scales (that's how I put it).

I did have him order the mask from Sleep-Med even though they are out of network. They have been waiving the out of network fee and even if they don't they have the absolute best service and is the most convenient. They are located blocks from my school and I can swing by there without losing any time or even getting lost.

So anyway, I see him in November.

Posted by at 7:58 PM | Permalink

Although this is a diabetes blog, I have to say something about Christopher Reeves today.

It hit me hard to hear of his death today. I've admired his work for years, and admired what he has done for spinal cord injuries. I think it is very sad for his family that he died and died the way he did.

I was a volunteer at Baylor Rehab for many years, and worked with many spinal cord injury patients. I worked more with head injuries since I did pet therapy there and head injuries work with that modality than do spinal cord injuries.

I think we'll find a "cure" for spinal cord injuries long before we find a "cure" for diabetes. First, in the scheme of things, it's a much more simple problem than diabetes. Second, Christopher Reeves did a lot for that group in terms of not only fund raising but in research. He put himself in the cutting edge, had the funds for it, and had the time and energy to put into it. Few patients have that many factors going for them.

Posted by at 6:48 PM | Permalink

Got in, need root canal -- scheduled for next Monday, which is not the best time for me, but oh well... tried all kinds of different ways to schedule and he wouldn't go for it.

But this is a gastric reflux issue. The acid is eating the fillings in my teeth.

Note to self: Keep dentist and dental insurance current. In fact, I thought I had switched to the other insurance which is more flexible, but didn't. Weird.

Posted by at 2:47 PM | Permalink

Being without my Treo has really brought home to me that there is control and there is control.

I've been guestimating and as a result my blood sugar has been higher than I like. Several times after meals, I've had to adjust -- and guestimate again, and those fractions of a unit make a huge difference.

That is the difference between MDI and the pump. it's not just the basal rate though that is part of it.

It's being able to eat a meal and put in 1.8 units of insulin and having a blood sugar of 140 2 hours later. If I have to put in 1.5 I'm 180 or higher, and if I have to put in 2.0 then I'm risking going low before my next meal.

The basal has a lot to do with it too. Trickling in rapid insulin all day in micodoses has got to be better than relying on buffered insulin. I know it is for me.

Though I do sense that control is easier for a Type 2 as more of our encron. system is working.

Posted by at 11:14 AM | Permalink

The differance in display was my fault. I took the default display rather than adjusting for my vision. now that I have fixed that i'm fine.

Posted by at 11:14 AM | Permalink

it is so nice to have a 100% working Treo back.

Posted by at 10:14 AM | Permalink

Not here, but in talking with husband, administrator, etc. it took over 30 minutes on the phone to get a dentist who would see me this afternoon.

The dentist I last saw couldn't see me until next Tuesday. Not good for blood sugar control. My blood sugar is slightly elevated as it is with the tooth pain. I'm quite sure more is going on here than just the broken tooth. Sigh. I have a feeling that all the dental work on that side of my mouth will need to be dealt with.

Called the dentist I'd seen before them and they could get me in at 3:00 which is good because I would be able to at least get looked at before parent conferences.

Then called insurance company who said they only see "roster" patients, but they gave me a list of places that would see me off the roster. Guess the dentist has been screwed before. Anyway, there is one chain dentist who takes my insurance that I won't see. They completely freaked me out once before.

But they had a name of a none chain dentist who can see me at 1:00 pm, so that's what I am going with.

Posted by at 9:37 AM | Permalink

Treo is still acting up. I called Tech support and got help on Wednesday night. The whole tech support thing is still a bit scary since I had so many problems last year with my Zire 71's replacement.

BUT I checked their website on Friday and they claimed they were shipping. However, DHL (was airborne) didn't show anything when I went to tracking. Finally yesterday afternoon they claimed they had picked it up, but no ETA. SO I called DHL's contact number and they claim I'll have it by noon on Monday.

Can't wait. Although the phone functions, nothing that requires the digitizer does, including EzManager. I've got it installed and functioning on my old Zire 71, but can't bring myself to use it. The last time I did a bunch of mucking, I lost my entire database, and just can't stand to deal with that now.

Posted by at 6:14 AM | Permalink

I've broken a tooth -- and other things are going on -- I'm sure it's all from gastric reflux AND diabetes problems, and I haven't been to the dentist in a couple of years -- their fault -- they were supposed to call me for the followup.

So I don't know if I have a dentist -- I meant to switch dental plans with the last benefits change -- still have the horrible HMO and even fewer dentists are taking it. The last place I was at is only taking established patients, and I have no idea if I'm one.

I've already requested a sub since finding this out and getting worked in is probably going to take hours.

It's probably contributing to the blood sugar control problems SINCE chewing helps it and since there might be some infection going on.

Posted by at 6:11 AM | Permalink

Two things have happened this week that has messed up my blood sugar control. I'm not sure which one is the biggest factor.

First, my schedule has gotten out of my control. Tuesday night I had a face-to-face from my master's degree, and didn't get home until 8:00. I had planned for that and had moved my exercise but I just couldn't eat healthy. And I ended up not sleeping that night.

As a result I was exhausted Wednesday and didn't exercise, and again my eating went out the window. Came home after school and went to sleep. And of course, Thursday is my dog day and didnt' exercise or eat the right food well again.

The good news is that I can get back on track at least exercise wise today. We're off. This weekend is busy with a dog show, but I'm going to make sure I exercise since we have parent teacher conferences on Monday.

I may very well take Tuesday off, since I have a midterm, but might wait until Wednesday as so many teachers take off -- that depends on the other event though...

MY TREO broke! Wednesday evening the digitizer stopped working so that means that EzManager stopped working too. I did save a Zire 71, but I haven't figured out how to get the database moved over without destroying my Treo database and now I am not sure I'm even going to try, because the Palm website says the Treo is on the way.

So far the shipping company doesn't show it in their system but I may take the day off it is due off, might even take Monday off then show up for parent conferences depending on the time and date it is due, since I don't function well without.

Posted by at 5:00 PM | Permalink

I'd love an SD card Blood Sugar tester for the Palm series. Especially the Treo.

LG KP8400 cellphone with blood tester for diabetics - Engadget - www.engadget.com

In an unusual, but sensible, marriage of technologies, LG has released the KP8400 cellphone that doubles as a blood test for diabetics.

Posted by at 12:32 PM | Permalink

Love it!

Seriously, a load has been taken off my mind. I was concerned with the samples, because the first one pulled out, but I did remember I had a brief bout of that with the first Comfort sets.

The first set I used this go around worked very well. I'm able to use it in a place I haven't used before -- mostly because of the one-handed thing. And it stayed in the whole three days. I thought about changing early, but didn't. I certainly have enough sets so I can.

I need to find a home for the comfort sets I have left over, if you want them, contact me, and we'll make a deal. I have quite a few extra.

Posted by at 6:53 AM | Permalink

Hope they get this ironed out quick. Basically their suspend alarm isn't working as documented.

Mine -- a IR1000 -- hollars at me every few minutes, which is handy when you disconnect to go to the hot tub, and you have your glasses on and they are fogged. Taking them out doesn't help, because you can't sen then either.

Animas Corporation - Important Safety Information

Posted by at 9:46 PM | Permalink

I bit the bullet and told Animas to fill this quarter's supply with Inset Infusion sets rather than Comfort's.

I really dread site changes, because I have to deal with a needle. Funny, but lancelet's don't bother me. The actual act of the injection doesn't bother me, but the blasted needles do. That's one of the reasons I was happy to go to the pump.

I have earned my needle phobia. I went through the windshield of a car -- from a bicycle, and got to watch them stitch my face, not once, but twice. Once the night of the accident, and second when a plastic surgeon fixed the problems that the ER doc caused.

This way, I don't have to watch the needle.

Posted by at 6:39 PM | Permalink

I think, in fact, I'm pretty sure a dentist gave me Vioxx for a few days after a root canal.

This isn't the first drug I've taken that's been pulled. Fen-Fen -- which I took for a week and hated the dry mouth ... and I was on a gastric reflux medication that was pulled, I can't remember the name, but man, did it work. I slept the best on that medication...

Vioxx Pulled From Global Market

Merck & Co., Inc., announced today a voluntary withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the U.S. and worldwide market due to safety concerns of an increased risk of cardiovascular events, according to an alert from MedWatch, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety information and adverse event reporting program.

Posted by at 9:55 PM | Permalink

Chronic Insulin Use Increases Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Type 2 Diabetics

Chronic insulin therapy significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), according to the results of a retrospective cohort study published in the October issue of Gastroenterology.

Posted by at 9:52 PM | Permalink