Living With Diabetes

 I should have enough to last. 

SYMLIN, the company's diabetes drug that is used in combination with insulin, is in a fairly small market -- last quarter, it racked up just a tenth of the sales that big brother Byetta made. In order to increase sales of SYMLIN, Amylin got a pen formulation approved by the FDA, which it plans to launch in January. The pens make it easier for the patients to inject themselves and have been used as a way to increase sales in other products, such as Sanofi-Aventis' (NYSE: SNY) SoloSTAR Pen for injecting its insulin product.

Analyzing Amylin

Posted by at 9:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I don't know why I didn't ask them before -- I love their T-shirts, but I really have been wanting a night gown ....

Unique Accessories

Anyway, I finally emailed them and asked about an extra large size cotton nightie.  Got it in the mail today and it's great.  Both the pump and the Dexcom meter fit in the pocket and didn't fall out when I fed the dogs (one of my big tests).

I'll probably let them continue to run lose when I'm sleeping but it's nice to have a night gown that works.

I think I'm going to order some more stuff from them this evening.

Posted by at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wish they had this when I started Symlin and if you are the least bit interested in giving it a try -- go to the Symlin web site and sign up.

They called yesterday when I was out, and I returned their call today.  Very knowledgeable and personable nurse on the line.

Also, she said that they were starting the pens in January :-( I think I can last that long and she said, definitely see about getting samples from the local rep through my endo if I run out.

She also said, since I had joined the support group, they would email me and let me know when the pens were starting to ship.

Very good resource!

The Symlin web site is at http://www.symlin.com

Posted by at 6:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

 Interesting article today in the Dallas morning news.  My Aysha, and most of the dogs that I helped trained back in the day, were bark and hold dogs.  They were taught to fight only on command OR if their handler was physically attacked.  She was also taught to let go on command.  And that is a lot safer legally than the other way (which is talked about in the article if you care.

While it seems like the no-bite training would remove a police dog's real power and effectiveness, the "bark and hold" method is being used by a few police departments throughout the country, including Allen.

Police taking bite out of unit | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | News: Local News

Posted by at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm anxious.  I called the 1-800 number and asked about the pens, telling the phone answers that I was trying to see if I had enough vials to last (I think I do, and if I don't, I'll beg for samples).

The official word is that the pens will be available in January 2008, but check with both my pharmacy or them if I need to order more before then.

Posted by at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It wasn't easy but I managed to meet my goal of walking for 2 hours every day of my Thanksgiving break.  Some days were harder than others.  I managed it even though my knee has really been bugging me, we have wet, cold, miserable weather.

Posted by at 7:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've been loyal clients for years--Channel 8, our local ABC affiliate did a story on them, and here's the link.  Fun seeing the kitchen.

For those who value fresh over frozen, there is "Diet Gourmet."

Video On Demand | WFAA.com

Posted by at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have 2 days to go and have managed it so far. What? yeah, I haven't shared with anyone. Not husband or trainer.

I have been trying to walk an hour everyday I've been off. I do that a lot weekends and I didn't realize non haul it is.

Ihave never counted shopping trips as part of the time and I have done some of that almost every day.

Right now I am having trouble doing the last six minutes.

Posted by at 6:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I would like to wish everyone who reads this blog a Happy Thanksgiving.

I have lots to be thankful for. 

First, my students.  I really enjoy the kiddos I have this year.  Of course, I always do, that's the fun part of teaching.

Next I am thankful for my husband and my beagles.  Both keep me sane.

The next thing I am thankful for is my medical team.  That includes my primary care, my endo, my sleep doctor, the DME, the Fitness Diabetes team and even the Shrink Yourself team.

Finally, I am thankful for diabetes technology that helps me to get through the day.

Posted by at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

And this happened earlier in the day.

About 12 weeks ago, I signed up for Shrink Yourself.  It's at http://www.shrinkyourself.com, and it's about emotional eating.

I was really afraid of it, and got worse and worse about participating in it.  To the point, I really wasn't.

So this morning, during the 11th week of membership, I emailed them and asked if I could start over. I was even prepared to fork over another membership fee, and I guess what.

THEY DID IT!  They completely reset my program and I'm starting from scratch.

Definitely worth the bucks, and I am really planning on working to the full this time.

Posted by at 7:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

 Put a new sensor in this morning and it never did start working right.

Here's a picture:

So I called Dexcom tech support, hooked up the sensor and sent them the data.  They agreed it was bad, and are sending a new sensor and a return kit.  That's good, because that gives me a second "emergency" sensor.  I love the way they package the single sensors, as I can just tuck the box in my emergency kit.

That's the first time I've had a sensor start out bad, but I am thinking it is the second sensor in the same lot. 

So far, I'm on my third box of 4, I think, and I've had three sensors fail. One was a 3 day sensor and I just put it in wrong.  One failed in the middle, I thought caused by downloading data, and then this one.

Posted by at 6:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got my labs back this morning vin secure email.  A1C is 7.1 which is a darn site better than the last A1c this summer -- 7.7.

I did leave an email asking him if there was any way we could bring it down.

Posted by at 9:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since my last visit I've lost S lbs. Don't have A1C yet. My biggest concern wasn't met, which is Symlin. He didn't know the pen is coming out. He had even see the rep and still did not know. Not a  problem, it is not supposed to be out until December and that is at least 2 weeks away.

I will just email them when it is available.

Posted by at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My runs went better than they've gone in a way, but still no Q's.  I still need to get faster, meaning lose a bit more weight, get better on my conditioning, etc.

One of the judges made a comment I wanted to object to at the time.  We had arrived at the site yesterday to find no electricity, and it was too dark to run in the building.  She said, "remember, this isn't the cure to cancer" when we were talking about whether or not individual dogs should run.  However, I beg to differ, and several other people with chronic diseases felt the same way.

Dog agility might not be a cure for cancer or another other chronic disease but it IS a way to help me manage and enjoy my chronic disease.  I will be honest, if it weren't for dog agility I wouldn't be monitoring my health as much and I would not have a need to be physically active.

However, I still wouldn't have run with out lighting.  Not only do I worry about Marcie's older eyes being able to see the course, I had trouble seeing the course.

As it was, the lights came on just in time, and Marcie and I had the first clean standard run in a while.

Posted by at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

 Amy blogs about her test strips.

Back in the summer I was having a little fun bemoaning the trail of all those used test strips that seems to follow me everywhere I go.

Diabetes Mine: Test Strip Art

Back when I was sentenced to teach in a portable with no technology (don't worry, not only did I GET technology going there, BUT I escaped back to my old room), there actually was a trial of test strips from my portable to the dumpster.  Not a thick trail, but definitely could be followed -- goes to show how cheap the trash bags my district uses.  Apparently one or two escaped each day they cleaned my room.

Posted by at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Seriously. 

We've had some good advances this year.  I'm not sure when the Ultra Mini came out but we've got two really small meters now (Freestyle Flash and Ultra Mini).

Symlin is coming out in a pen in a few weeks.

Now Dexcom 7 will work with any meter.

That's going to make the amount of stuff I have to carry significantly smaller.  All good things.

Posted by at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

YES!!!!!!!   YEAH!  This will make life easier.  I had to come back home on Monday because I forgot my cable and had just started a new sensor.

DexCom Inc. (NASDAQ:DXCM) Friday said it received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to calibrate Seven, its seven-day continuous glucose monitoring system, using any FDA-cleared blood glucose meter.

DexCom gets FDA OK to calibrate Seven, its continuous glucose monitoring system

Posted by at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Again, I won't add happy.  But please fill out the Diabetes Technology Survey

Posted by at 7:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I put my latest sensor in on Monday morning, which should get me through to the beginning of next week and past the dog show.

Dummy me forgets the cable so I had to come back home and get it.  And went a few extra sets of hours without numbers <smile>

And the numbers since in have been very close to the meter.

I will say that I've lost my discipline to test since Dexcom.  I missed a lot of tests on the weekend and my blood sugar did get out of control.

Posted by at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The "Dallas-area police officer" was one of my best friends.   Honestly, I'm not sure he even deserves to die at this point, since it is something he wants.

Rodriguez, one of the "Texas 7" convicts who escaped from a state prison in 2000 and killed a Dallas-area police officer while on the lam, has dropped his appeals and wants to die.

'Texas 7' convict's desire to die stalled by courts | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News

Posted by at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I actually THOUGHT that yesterday was the 9th.  But just in the evening.  Think I was wishing for Friday.  But then, since I was probably the first diabetes blog and certainly the oldest dblog maybe posting early was a good idea.  Besides, the way that life is lately, I might not have gotten to it today.

FYI, my first post was in February 2003!  That's OLD in blog years.

I got into blogging because one of my dreams is to write a textbook for my students.  I haven't decided which group of students, but that's okay, it will come some day.  Teachers write textbooks when they are frustrated with the ones in existence.  And I have written much of the curriculum for my kiddos.

Everything I've read about writing, is that you have to practice the skill, just like any other skill.  I know I'm not a story telling.  That's okay, because the writing I've done all my career has been technical writing, and textbook writing AND this blog is just an extension.

Career -- technical writing -- yeah, I identify myself, first and foremost as a programmer.  As I tell my students, if you can't document what you do as a programmer, you might as well not.  I am quite sure that over 60% of what I did professionally involved writing documentation, not code.

Picking diabetes  and my overall health secondary was a good choice.   It allows me to vent when I get frustrated and allows me to collect information and share it.  Lots of times I've been a pioneer in using something.  Both Symlin and Dexcom come to mind.  Especially since I'm often one of the first Type 2's to try new technology.

Anyway, blogging has been good.  I've tried and do have blog about teaching, but there are a lot of things I just can't blog about when it comes to my teaching life. 

I can't say Happy when it comes to diabetes, especially since for me, it's a dark shadow that follows me always.  Watching someone die of diabetes was NOT fun.

Posted by at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I decided to go without Dexcom for a few days.  The current sensor stopped working -- and man it was a good sensor.  Lasted 10 days, and was accurate the whole time.

However, if I put in a new sensor today, I'll have a sensor failure during a dog show next weekend, and it's not something I want to deal with.  I'm going to try going without until Monday. 

I think it is probably a good idea to give my skin a bit of a rest anyway.  The Dexcom is hard on it.

This is the first I've been without CGMS I started in July.

Posted by at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's definitely screwing me up, but then it doesn't take much. 

How many of us woke up Monday morning this week an hour earlier than the actual time because our bodies were still on Daylight Savings Time? Millions, probably.

Sleep Disorders

Posted by at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've been very disappointed with my IR2020.  I got the silver one, and have always had a black pump before.

Though the biggest disappointment should have anything to do with the pump color the screen has been scratching badly.  Which is odd, because I keep my pump in my bra.

So yesterday I called -- I also wanted to verify when my pump warranty expires since I'm seeing the endo a week from Tuesday.  I let them know what I thought and they immediately offered to send a new pump -- surprising because there has been times lately when they seemed to be hesitant, but it just might be who answers the phone.

I switched back to the black, and received the new one today. 

The really nice thing was how quick I was in action.  Downloaded the old pump, downloaded the settings and the food database.  Uploaded the settings and then the food database and back in business.

I'll be sending the silver one back tomorrow evening.

Posted by at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In honor of D-Blog day, a few thoughts on being diabetic.

I'm most probably a Type 2.  I was diagnosed when I was 42.  Same birth year that my father was diagnosed.  I'm rabid about taking care of the diabetes as best I can since he passed away at birth year 48 with congestive heart failure, probably due to diabetes complications.

Here's the good news.  I'll be 48 in December.  So far, I'm doing well.  Recently had a retinal map, no signs of complications.  Still feel my feet and my hands are doing well.  I'm still running dog agility so I'm doing infinity better than he was.

I thank the technology.  I started testing religiously as soon as I was diagnosed.

Went to insulin very early.  Within in a year when on an insulin pump.  Am currently on CGMS. 

Still, I feel the clock ticking.

Posted by at 7:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

 I've been there.  In fact, I'm sort of there today. Husband left at around 4:00 am this morning and I couldn't go back to sleep.  Not only am I cranky, but I hurt.

Experience tells us that sleepless nights can lead to overwrought emotions. Now scientists have uncovered some of the first evidence of how this occurs. Their imaging studies show that lack of sleep can lead to greater activation of the brain’s emotional centers and disrupt the brain circuits that tame emotional responses.

Source: Sleep Education.com

Posted by at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's really disturbing to a Type 2 diabetic that relies on both technologies.  I'd like to see a blog post from someone who was there, but there is what Amy has to say.

who came across as "dismissing the technology that in particular people with Type 1 diabetes use to keep healthy -- insulin pumps and glucose monitors," a number of influential attendees tell me.

Diabetes Mine

And she's right.  It's been difficult getting coverage on the pump, and still haven't on the CGMS, but it makes my life so much easier, I'm paying for it out of pocket.

Very disturbing indeed.

Posted by at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm also an early insulin adopter.  I started on insulin within two months of diagnosis.  The biggest drawback is I really had trouble with weight gain, but that has been solved since I was pumping.

Jo talks about her decision here: 

In October 2005, I went on insulin to assist in my control of Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin : Jo’s Cafe

Posted by at 8:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This was in our local paper today, in an article about diabetes.

Two of the family's dogs are beagles, the breed from which scientists first extracted insulin. "I feel as if beagles saved my life," Ms. Middlebrooks says. Kris shared some of his feelings:

For some youths, managing diabetes is part of daily life | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Life/Travel: Health

It bothers me.  As a long time beagle owner and even breeder of two litters, I know that beagles are frequently used as lab animals.  They are easy keepers, many easy to care for, easy to breed etc.  I also know that the beagles bred for lab use are not related to my girls and haven't been for many, many generations.  However, they do look like my girls.

What a weird coincidence if it is true though I didn't make the choice of beagles -- my husband did.  We have other breeds of dogs but we've always had at least one beagle since we've been married.

Posted by at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ignore it.

Seriously.  It helped that husband was sick and wanted to sleep, but I didn't buy any candy this year.

Someone did bring in some candy for the teachers, and I did eat a bit of it, but my blood sugar has been much better than it usually is around a food holiday.

I'm going to do close to the same Thanksgiving.  We'll go to Steak and Ale, but I'll get one of their regular prime rib dinners and stay away from the carbs.

Posted by at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I found one of these on Ebay and ordered one.  Not for my Animas pump -- if you go back through the archives, you'll know I have a pocket in my bra for that for the Dexcom. 

One big problem being female is finding skirts with pockets.  Few have them.  The Invisapump is nice because it slips down inside your skirt or pants. 

The Dexcom works, but it is a little too long for it.  It does kind of stick in the pouch so it doesn't slip in and out easily.  It would be nice to have something like this make for the Dexcom as most Dexcom users will tell you that the Dexcom case sucks.  I also start looking a bit silly with both the phone AND the Dexcom hanging out.

In fact, I'd love to see a similar arrangement for my phone!

From their web site:

The INVISAPUMP is made of full grain, soft leather, with a scratch resistant window that enables you to see your pump buttons clearly, an unbreakable belt clip, and durable nylon webbing. A simple idea maybe, but the best things in life are simple.

Invisapump the Invisible Insulin Pump Case

Posted by at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)