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All of a sudden my TDD has dropped about 30 units. That means I am consuming much less calories, especially the carb kind.
I'm not sure if it is the Fit4D class or the fact that the school year is finally winding down (last full day was yesterday), but it's actually a relief.
And the blood sugar has been fairly smooth. Especially no highs which I'll take.
I am doing the diuretic thing all weekend. Back during spring break the cardiologist looked at me and claimed that I had at least 20 pounds of water weight. I did a day of diuretics then but it didn't do much good.
Decided to do all three days,no matter what it does to the blood sugar, and to low carb as much as possible.
The good news is that my blood sugar doesn't seem to be very elevated -- and my TDD hasn't gone up. I think I feel better between the Celebrix and even getting a couple of pounds off. My activity level was higher yesterday than it was Saturday, without as much effort.
School countdown:
3 teaching days
4 exam days
1 week day
However I don't get much of a break, I've got consistent staff development between now and then.
"You would think with that many people in the plan, we would get better coverage at a reasonable price, but it doesn't seem to have helped," he said, contending that coverage under DISD's old plan – discontinued in 2004 when the district jointed TRS-ActiveCare – was better.
I sure disagree with the above statement. Now, I have no idea what it costs to have family members on the plan, but coverage is infinity better for the individual teacher, plus the costs have remained fairly stable.
Got a call Wednesday (as I was waiting for the Fit4D webinaire), from Matt at Dexcom. He told me that they couldn't send out a replacement label for my receiver, but would send me a new reciever. It arrived yesterday -- and here's weirdness, they sent everything I need to return the old receiver BUT the FedEx envelope. I need to email them and ask them for one.
I was hoping that it would have the new software on it, but no dice. I did enter another box of sensors -- but I don't plan to use them until the new software is available (but I do need to watch the expiration date).
I tend to agree with his assessment. Especially when it comes to the expense.
I am writing to caution readers against developing unrealistic expectations for the current generation of continuous glucose systems (Dexcom and Paradigm Real-Time).
Fit4D (I still like the old name, Fitness for Diabetics), has come up with a Group Weightloss class -- online. I've been invited to join so I'll review it here on the blog as it goes. It comes at a good time, as the school year is winding down. I think this link will get you there:
Look for: May 21 - July 2: WEIGHT MANAGEMENT & DIABETES
I might actually break down and buy a new box of sensors. I misread this paragraph:
The Dexcom Open Choice is being shipped to all new customers. Existing customers can pay an upgrade (about $200 currently). Dexcom is waiting for FDA approval to provide a download capability for software upgrades. The hope to get this approval by July and will then provide the upgrade for free to existing customers.
Source: Bernard's Diabetes Blog
I thought I was going to have to pay an extra $200 to get the new capabilities, but I just called Dexcom to tell them why I wasn't going to buy new sensors -- basically the cost.
I probably won't wear the system all the time, but just in weird situations.
I also complained about losing the label on the back on the receiver. I still can't understand why they can't just ship out a new label and let me put it on the back. Doesn't even have to have the S/N on it, but it would be nice.
The sensors are STILL too expensive. Sure wish insurance would cover it.
Will have to call Animas first thing tomorrow and get a replacement pump. The vibrator stopped working. I think the third one in a row. I used to be really attached to my pumps, but now i realize that they rotate out every few months.
<sigh>
I don't have any more Dexcom sensors, and I'm not in a hurry to order any more.
They are very expensive -- basically $240 a month and are a pain to keep going, even as long as 7 days.
I might get another receiver and another set of sensors and try out the system with my own meter, but not even sure I'll do that. Having to keep up with an insulin pump, the receiver, and my phone has proved to be too much several different days. So far, the insulin pump hasn't gotten left behind but everything else has.
I don't like the insertation pain. Yeah it's not a big deal but worse than putting in a set.
But the biggest issue IS the cost. And even if insurance would pick it up, they are currently out of network so it would still be $120.00 a month.
Basically taking a break. A break from tight control and a break from blogging. Seems the two go hand in hand.
I had even been taking a break from exercising probably not a good idea, but it was just stressing me out.
So I've gotten through TAKS testing last week, 4 days of staring at students. Okay only three, one day was spent entertaining them. I used my last Dexcom sensor to keep me from getting completely screwed up on control -- a good thing, as I went low on Wednesday when I was relieving.
I'm not sure why this year has been so stressful, but I do know a huge part of it was running regular staff developments for my co workers. I think it is more stressful dealing with them when they don't want to learn, than when they do, which has been a huge problem. I have to come up with a topic -- I think this week's topic is going to be Camastia -- a program used to record what you are doing on the computer. It was a request.
We only have about a month of school left, so maybe I can do better the rest of the school year.