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Made it through the school day without having a weird hypoglemic reaction. I really think that taking the Symlin right as I ate and not doing insulin is helping. Besides, I didn't really need it.
My blood sugar was 158 2 hours after the meal.
While my activity level has gone up and my insulin usage has gone down, I've experienced a bit of a weight gain.
I think my food intake has been fairly constant, so it's pretty weird.
Good news, though, while I had trouble going to sleep and it was an initial, pretty light sleep, I didn't wake up with heartburn bothering me, and slept until the alarm clock went off. Maybe the Nexium is going to do the job.
I have dosed Symlin at lunch and dinner both days (Sunday and Saturday), and haven't experienced another weird hypoglymic event.
My blood sugar seems to be under good control too. I had a blood sugar of 155 after lunch, and one of 208 after dinner today, corrected both. As a result, my insulin usage is hitting new lows. I'm creeping down from an average of 38 units, to 35, and on my way down to around 30.
I'm going to keep it up. Basically I'm dosing right at the meal, not giving myself insulin, and checking two hours after the meal and then doing a correction.
Had my first pump sighting -- my first clue was a teenager wearing a JDF Walk for A Cure tshirt, and sure enough she was wearing a pump -- a minimed.
I was at the grocery store, and she was with her mom. I said, "A mimimed? I wear an Animas". We talked for a few seconds and went on.
Pretty neat.
I had been taking Symlin 30 minutes before meals, to try to match the curve better. That might be what caused the two crashes this week, so I 'm going back to taking Symlin right before I eat.
That will also make life a bit easier.
FYI: The crash messages might show up again as new as I changed their category to Symlin, since I really think Symlin caused them.
Sorry, didn't mean to do that, but I have my comments working again.
I had another Sylmin related blood sugar crash today. However, I forgot I didn't take insulin during the last one.
I did however, take insulin today. It seemed worse than the other one, but then I didn't treat this one as quickly.
Here's what happened.
I injected Symlin 30 minutes prior to eating. Ate lunch and bolused. Went back to my classroom, got ready for class, and started to teach, but like the other day, started feeling odd. Picked up the phone and asked my CDE what to do, and she said suck on hard candy all day. Then she said drink coke. Hung up from her, ate a life saver, waited a few minutes and asked one of the students to get one of the ROTC teachers. He didn't understand me -- I don't know if it is because he doesn't speak English yet, or if I wasn't speaking English.
So I picked up the phone and called the office, told them I didn't know what I needed, but my blood sugar was low and I at least needed an English speaking adult to help me. The office manger called the nurse and sent her out. In the meantime, I was still crunching lifesavers.
Got my blood sugar up to 155, nurse and I went back to the main building while a security guard watched my class.
Ran into several administrators, we confessed to what was going on, though I kept saying -- but I did everything the way I am supposed to.
Anyway, I'm fine now, went back and taught the class, and stopped chewing lifesavers. Blood sugar stayed pretty even the rest of the day.
Also talked to the CDE again, and we agree Symlin without insulin for a while -- correct after meals when needed. Still doesn't solve Tuesday's issue, but at least maybe helps today.
I don't want to give up the symlin. It really makes losing weight easier.
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Over the last couple of days, some interesting comments have been made.
After I discussed my GERD with my Primary Care Physician, he said -- have you thought about going to Medical School. When I said it would take too long, he said, it would only be 4 more years. I kinda of like my life style now. I would be more interested in nursing school than med school (and becoming a CDE).
I was telling my ESL department chair about trying to explain my behavior when I crashed on Tuesday, and she said "I didn't know that you were that bad".
One person said "you are a real trooper", but that was relative to my teaching schedule ... I think.
I talked with my mom about the last two comments, and we came to the conclusion that a) I'm really lucky to still be alive afte the car accident that started all this crap (a long story I think I posted once, maybe other day).
b) I'm a heck of a lot better off than my father was at the same age.
I have just acknowledged though, that if you lose weight while you are a diabetic, someday you are going to get low, and I need to stop stressing over it, and let the lows happen. I've been running a tad higher than I should blood sugar wise and not using the temporary basal enough.
FDA reviewer battles the drug his boss approved
This guy is just goofy -- apparently he thinks that the average diabetic is stupid and is not capable of dealing with their own care.
Frankly, I just had the one crash yesterday and certainly felt it coming.
Major confusion -- if the doctor's office confirms a different time than you have written down, don't take their word for it, call them back and confirm. Oh well, everything got done.
Anyway, got dog to the vet and got a wart removed and her teeth cleaned. $200 later
Got the car looked at -- no problems.
Got to the primary care physician. Come to find out the Nexxium I was taking was expired. He gave me samples and we're going to give them a shot. We decided to talk to a surgeon this time, not a gastro guy, to save dealing with multiple doctors. I made an appointment for the week of Thanksgiving so that I can discuss the issue with the surgeon. That should give me enough time to decide if medication is helping.
Saw CDE. She doesn't know what is up with the blood sugars yesterday, told me to keep an eye on things and get back with them if I see more weirdness. Weight is down by 2 pounds according to her scales. I need to be more proactive with temporary basals to fix temporary problems.
Diabetes.Blog.Com :: My Diabetes
I get asked about oral medications on a regular basis too and frankly I did try one (Metformum both with and without insulin), and just wasn't happy on it.
And he actually knows what he is talking about!
We had Bill King of Animas and DESA.
If you ever get a change to hear him speak, he's great, no matter the type of Diabetes you have.
He has some really good ideas for my agility trials, and acknowledged that it WAS a sport, and I have some unique issues.
I really really enjoyed him.
Weird day. Had breakfast (did Symlin), and two hours laters was at 200. Corrected.
Did not check blood sugar pre-meal. Did Symlin, ate lunch and forgot my basal.
30 minutes later was feeling very hypoglymic, and even though I was at 90 -- remember I just ate, I did some glucose jel.
1/2 hour later, I was at 116.
Two hours after my meal, I was at 78. Whoops.
Ate a package of Peanut M&Ms.
Got home, did Symlin, ate dinner and did not bolus as I was still lowest (110), and I needed to walk for 30 minutes.
Two hours after that meal was 120.
I ate some more with bolusing and at 9:00 pm was about 155. Corrected that, and now I am leaving everything alone.
The good news is that I'm seeing the CDE tomorrow.
Right now, my only thought is that something just happened weird with my insulin resistance (and symlin resistance). I had stronger side effects than I have had in quite a while -- really had a hard time finishing each meal.
One small clue -- I weigh over one pound less than yesterday.
My strange sense of humor, but I like to call Byetta, lizard spit. It does seem to help with weight loss.
Exenatide Promotes Weight Loss in Overweight Diabetic Patients
Exenatide (Byetta) appears to promote weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), according to new research findings. The drug is currently approved as a glucose control agent for type 2 diabetes when used in combination with metformin and/or sulfonylureas.
Well, so far, I can't get the MacMini to work with the monitor i have downstairs. I will give that it is a very old monitor. I'll have to figure out how to get them to work together.
The other thing that gets me about the Mac is "drag and drop". I am VERY used to doing drags and drops of text on the PC, and I can't figure out how to do that on a Mac.
Also, is there a USB wireless 902.11g device that I can use with the MacMini?
Input IS welcome.
I still woke up last night with a GERD attack but was able to go back to sleep rather quickly. I did take two doses of Protonix and have been for several days, but haven't noticed much difference in severity. I also took a Zatac before I went to bed.
I had some old Nexxium, so I'm switching over to that for the next few days and that should give me more data to give to the doctor.
I've decided to reinstall everything on the Mini. I'm not sure what the factory defaults are, and I would just like to go with that for now.
It did come with OS10.
I broke down and bought an old Mac Mini from Best Buy today. Snagged it for $399, so I think I got a good deal.
No problem using it. It plugged right into my network and keyboard switch. Working on seeing what else I can do with it.
It may end up living downstairs is my workout room, the computer that was down there finally died, and I do use that computer every day. Right now I've got an old notebook set up. Basically just need to get to iShape, retrieve workout information and update it. Sometimes need to get to the Diet Gourmet site.
While I have been able to work out all week, I was not feeling good about my food control, especially since we went out last night for my husband's birthday and our anniverisary.
Good news, I've actually lost some weight!
FYI: Monday is our 19th wedding anniversary.
Some plans this week, will see the CDE on Wednesday and my primary care. My primary purpose right now is to get the GERD problem resolved since it is affecting everything else.
Will also get a bump removed off of Marcie's head that day, if I can get that arranged with the vet.
I got an appointment made for next Wednesday -- that makes me feel better about having to take the day off anyway.
And then ... I got a letter from Medco telling me they were taking Protonix off the formulary and that I should be switched to Nexxium. Weird.
So I'll deal with all that next week.
I've been really having problems with the GERD again, and I was hoping that losing weight would make it better. Part of the problem is that I've been needing to eat in the late evening to prevent lows. Then I'm up in the middle of the night and tired the next day.
Then I eat to stay awake, making the GERD worse.
I think I'm going to double up on my medication, then see when I can see my primary care doctor and find out which direction he wants to go.
CNN.com - Study: Daily weigh-ins help dieters keep weight off - Oct 18, 2005
Against most wisdom, I DO weigh almost daily. I also use a scale that weighs in .10 which also helps.
Weighing daily keeps me motivated, most of the time and lets me know how I am doing. It also lets me know when I get dehydrated.
My 7th period is not at 35! ARGH! They are supposed to be reducing the class size, not making it bigger. We did a fun different lesson today, and I think the kids enjoyed it. And the special ed person in charge of one of my kids gave me a compliment today. She told me that my class is the only class he comes to on a regualr basis. I'm sure that is a good thing, but his behavior HAS gotten better.
And on the crown. I went to the dentist, expected to get an impression and order a crown. WRONG! Come to find out the tooth broke under the crown. He had to fill it, put a temporary one it AND do an impression (but not in that order).
Didn't get home until 6:30, but I did manage to get my workout done.
I've had at least two doctors try to pressure me to have weight loss surgery. My endo has left it to my choice.
Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News
After reading this, I know I have been right to delay the surgery. Right now, things are working okay, but if they stop, I'll consider it again.
They keep adding meetings at school. Our math adnisor/evaluator/assistant principal has decided we have to get together every week to discuss what he wants to see in our classrooms. We are taking turns. So far we've only gotten one presentation in.
The bad part, is that he seems to pick the worst food for diabetics. I am going to have to teach him. Tonight was pizza. He's done doughnuts in the past. Yes, I had some pizza, it was my first in 3 months, Domino's so it probably wasn't worth it.
However, I only ate two pieces as I had dosed WAY too much. I have to get my food list fixed. And I didn't get the combo dosing set up at all. I also forgot my Symlin.
So I did the Symlin on the way home, and ate my normal dinner. Right now, I can't decide what to do, because I'd really like a salad. It's become a bit of reward after working out.
I'm back to my iShape schedule but I need to do something about the computer in the "gym", so I can start logging properly.
Anyway, my department chair decided I should be on the Faculty Advisor Committee, so I have to do THAT meeting tomorrow. Worse yet, I have to run by the dentist and get in motion the process to replace my crown. Yes, I lost a crown this weekend and I can't find it any where. I don't really want to find it though.
Weight is holding steady, but size is smaller. When I first met my endo, I was weighing a size 30. Today I wore a size 20 skirt. It fit. That's a major accomplishment for me.
But at least I am through with the infections, though something IS going on with my gums. That's the first sign -- popping that crown. And maybe I'll stop popping that crown if I get a new one. I can always hope.
Okay, I have to admit, Accu-Chek got it right with the Multi-Clik. I've been using it for a week, and I REALLY REALLY like it. It rarely hurts, and if I did rotate the lancelets every time it probably never would.
I'm even doing finger testing! I've hardly every done finger sticks, because they hurt, and usually do forearm testing, but my forearm is a mess. Looks like needle tracks, and I tend to collect blood there.
I wish the lancelets were in the Medco formulary, and they probably will be at some point.
Basically what I do, is try to rotate my lancelets each day. I definately rotate if I have pain when I use the device.
On the other hand, the Activa meter is just too bulky.
Of course, you have to define normal. But I had a vanilla school day yesterday, and my TDD is down to 30.2 Some good news, is even on the days of the infection, my TDD never got over 45 units. However, the blood sugar was elevated. I probably should have poured on a bit more insulin, but hindsight is always 20-20.
On the school front, my English for Math classes are really good now that they are a reasonable size. We did a hands-on, scissors and glue activity yesterday, and it went well. We built a graphic organizer, a little square that has flaps. We wrote our coordinate plane vocabulary words on the flaps, and put the definitions inside the flaps, and glued some graph paper inside. On the graph paper, we drew a picture of the words.
It was fun. They didn't destroy the room any more than usual, and I got all my supplies back.
My other classes are still too full, but I've found out that the receiving teacher is just as frustrated as I am with the problem. I'm going to start nagging the appropriate powers that be, but have sent little appropriate messages other powers that be.
I've gotten a lot of compliments on how I am handling the new situation -- one from my evaluator. He came in last Monday and wasn't happy with my classroom and had some constructive comments to make. I argued a bit about some of them, but tried them all, and then gave him feedback -- all was positive. It obviously pushed his buttons the right way.
But honestly, if I screw up my job, I honestly feel like I have the capability of ruining a kid's life. To this day, I abhor a math teacher who told me I couldn't go into Computer Science because I couldn't do word problems. Stupid woman, I have always wondered how many students actually listened to her, and ended up unhappy, or at least making less money than they could have.
The girls really spoiled me yesterday.
So far, we've had two nice runs today - but since they were excellent runs -- we didn't get any where.
Yesterday I ran into a lady who took an obedience class from me years ago, who teaches in the next building. When I told her where and what I was teaching, she asked if the former principal was trying to get rid of me. Seems that when that principal was at her school the same thing was done to her. She left me wiith this -- it took a year, but she's now where she belongs was before it all started..
I may have screwed up. I just noticed while at the line that Marcie was entered in Excellent JWW A and not B.
Just as we were going in the ring.
It is probably my mistake.
It's because I put a little too much faith in technology and didnLt check well enough.
We Q'd 3 times out of 4. NOT bad. And the nonQing run wasn't bad either -- Maggie forgot to bring her beagle brains, but found them up after the weaves.
I suspect I know what happened with Marcie's entry. I'm not the only one at the trial who had their dog in the wrong class.
This trial opened before the trial that Marcie Qed at, and I just flat forgot to move her up, or check the confirmations carefully enough. The sad part, is that we need 10 Q's for our next title. Oh well....
I moved up both Marcie and Maggie, so they will be running the right classes.
So tomorrow, I'm doing Excellent B JWW, Excellent A Standard, Open Standard and Novice JWW. Maggie has one JWW leg so far and Marcie has one Standard leg.
It sure is nice when Maggie is good. It's funny, but every single time I've had her in the ring, she was just wild. I couldn't get a stay out of her at all. That even happened during the JWW run today, but she was just as calm as could be going into the Standard ring today, and I even had a stay at the line! That's new for us.
I physically feel better. Abcess isn't bothering me, blood sugar is where it should be, though I was raveously hungry this evening. I'm going to bed as soon as I've digested some of the food.
I may have screwed up. I just noticed while at the line that Marcie was entered in Excellent JWW A and not B.
Just as we were going in the ring.
It is probably my mistake.
It's because I put a little too much faith in technology and didnLt check well enough.
Very stressful week. Last night was parent conferences, which I have almost survived -- I have to get through today.
The abcess has not bothered me since the doctor cleaned it up and drained it. I'm still doing antibotics.
The good news, is that I am actually tired and falling asleep naturally around 10:30 lately. I still stay up to late and fight that, but at least I am getting there.
I haven't been thinking about losing weight this week and having been doing the treadmill thing. I am still having some hip pain, and I didn't want to aggrevate the abcess. The good news, is that my weight is staying steady.
I'm going to get back on a workout schedule next week.
The beagles and I have an agility trial this weekend. I am hopeful that we will do better since it is colder. Neither dog was happy with the heat last weekend. Nor was I!
My blood sugar is still running a bit higher than I like but was stabilizing yesterday. I think getting on the treadmill will help that.
I really like Jon Katz's articles, and this one is top on my list. Too many people ascribe human emotions, etc. to dogs. And it always gets in the way of finding a solution.
Owners assume their pet's brain works like their own. That's a big mistake.
Here's the deal -- the person wasn't a freaking teacher.
Teacher Banned After Ripping Out Boy's Insulin Pump - Yahoo! News
I don't have any respect at all for substitute teachers after having taught in the classroom for 14. All I have ever gotten a sub to do, today include is babysit. That's after making sure I had left transparencies with what I did with the earlier classes.
Not only that, but everything that wasn't nailed down was stolen out of my classroom when I had to be out for two days, and the administration ended up sending one of them home and calling in a second substitute.
I never really expected a sub to be able to deal with my computer science students and was always careful to leave something they could do on their own, but the subs might as well as not have been in the classroom. One day, memory was stolen out of a computer, and fortunately another student reported the theft AND reported who did it which is much more than the sub did.
One time a sub played an "R" movie to my students instead of letting them work on the computers, which REALLY bugged me. Both the movie part AND the "R" rated part. The computers put off too much light and he couldn't see the movie when they were on.
Anyway, almost every time I see a "Teacher does something stupid" headline, it was a stupid sub, the majority of which have never been certified, probably don't have a college degree, and spent a weekend in training.
And sadly, often it was retired certified teachers that "baby sat".
FYI: I did sub once. And I actually TAUGHT the students when I subbed.
As I just posted, I picked up an Aviva from my CDE today. I've used it a couple of times.
Frankly I like the case better than the Flash case, and switched my Flash over to it. I also like the Lancing device, and am using it. Even picked up a box of lancelets tonight and asked the CDE for a script. I have an email out to Medco to see if they are available.
Here's what I don't like about the Aviva: Right now, I cannot download the results. Thus it isn't happening. I know for a fact that I am not going to record blood sugar readings, I'm too hooked on downloading.
I wish it and the Palm Pilot would communicate but they have removed the Pocket Compass software from sale according to their 1-800 number. Let's face it, right now, the Palm OS is in big question right now.
Roche's own software doesn't work with the meter right now. I will be right up front with everyone. I test 8-10 times a day, and I'm not buying any more blood glucose software. If you want me to use your meter, you better give me free software.
EzManager doesn't work with it either, but I'm confident that that will be fixed shortly.
It is larger than the Flash and it doesn't have a backlight. Those are both Flash features I love. The test strips are larger.
However, I do like the new lancing device. It is taking some getting used to but with my history of infections, I think reusing lancing devices is not a good idea.
Remember that old Irish curse? May your life be interesting.
When I came home from the agility trial, I discovered that my labia was very hot, enlarged, and enflamed. As minutes ticked on it got worse.
Made it to school, but it was getting larger, and hotter as the clock ticked. Walking hurt, standing hurt, everything hurt, and it just kept getting worse. I picked up the phone at 1:00 pm and called my ob/gyn's office. Begged for the first appointment available, which was 2:30 pm today. Not bad. I suspect if I pushed the issue, I could have gotten a quicker appointment but I also didn't know if we had anyone to cover me. Nor was I really able to be covered.
Got through the day -- and good news -- we graduated some of our ELI students to regular classes. Of course they were my best kiddos, and I'm sorry to see them go, but I'm glad they are earning high school credits now. My class sizes are down to around 25 a piece and I think there are a few more to go.
Requested a half day sub, starting in the afternoon today, and unfortunately no one got the assignment. Next time I'll know I have to take a full day off. I was hoping our sub situation was a bit better this year.
Checked my email in the Treo on the way out and noticed that my CDE had left me a message that there was an Accu-chek Aviva with my name on it waiting for me in the office, and since it's somewhat close to the ob/gen office, I swung by there first.
Got to the ob/gen and didn't have to wait long. I don't think I had gotten it across to anyone how bad the situation was, but yesterday evening the labia infection had burst. Basically when it burst that entire area was engorged with the infection and my doctor caught on it that fact as soon as he got a look at me. He cleaned up the area, drained some other problems and diagnosed it as an ordinary abcess (as opposed to some real nasty vaginal stuff).
Here's the deal... I've been noticed that if I let my blood sugar jump, even just a little bit over a few days, I get an infection. Last year, it was in my teeth and who knows why it decided to pick another area, but it did. And let me tell you, it was pretty painful, both the process AND the treatment.
The good news, is that the swelling is down, and most of the pain is relieved. I'm also on oral antibotics. I am thinking now, that I might need to just have a dose on hand for the next trip. I don't get that many.
Of course, it may be a chicken and an egg thing -- and all a coincidence, but I can't help to think that the elevated blood sugar I had on Wednesday, which persisted about 4 days, contributed to the problem. The weird part, is that my blood sugar was only 20-50 points higher those days then on any given day and that my blood sugar was much higher than that over a longer period time in the past.
It does emphasis the need to me to keep a tight control on the blood sugar.
Friday brought home another thing I need to be careful to avoid, When I get overly tired, I eat, which is the last thing I need to do in that situation.
The first thing I need to do, is just make sure I don't get that tired, which can be hard. However, maybe now that agility is on the earlier, winter schedule that might get better.
This should be a bit better week for the tired thing, especially if I can get some sleep tonight. No agility -- we have parent conferences on Thursday, though we do have another trial next weekend.
We're up in McKinney trialing this weekend. I'm still having odd foot pains and now hip pain, plus it is just hot, so it isn't going well.
The good news is that both dogs are running the whole run with me and aren't taking nose led excursions,
I am seeing an improvement in my running ability, but I still have quite a way to go before I feel "well".
Rolling eyes.
About 1 1/2 weeks ago I ordered a refill of my Vitorin. It hasn't arrived. I called the day after it was due and they offered to give me a free 7-day supply but said they wouldn't do anything until 25 days have passed.
I have enough, I just wish it would get here.