Living with Diabetes and Lapband

I've got a little extra time in the next week or so, if you want to communicate in a different way, i'm on AIM as beaglemomdallas and on Skpke as kathweaver

Just let me know you are from my blog.

The main reason I strive for tight control is that I physically feel better on a day to day basis if my blood sugar is between 100 and 150. I also believe though, that doing so not only makes me feel better day to day, but it will delay the cardio-vascular complications common to my family. This article confirms this.

Diabetes Study Verifies Lifesaving Tactic - New York Times

But the result also gives rise to questions: Does the same effect occur in people with Type 2 diabetes, which usually occurs later in life and involves an inability to respond to insulin? And why would tight control of blood sugar for one brief period have such a pronounced effect later?

Got a shipment in today of supplies. First, I don't remember if I blogged this, but I was having problems with 43" Inset infusion sets. They weren't sticking and a corner of the adhesive was constantly off of each set when i opened them.

Animas sent me two new boxes to replace what I had left of the lot (I had this problem with the box before, same lot, was having problems with the box I was using and had one box on the shelf). I just packaged up the remaining stuff, and left it out for DHL to pick up.

At the same time, I did my first eStore order, and in the order, added a box of Glucowatch sensors -- the ones I've been waiting for. Here's the weird thing. The sensors had a different expiration date and lot number than the box did. I don't know if everyone checks this things as closely as I do, but I did. It was also weird to me, but they've discovered they came ship the sensors unrefrigatored for 96 hours and they are fine.

Anyway, they want to know what happened with this box, so are sending me a new box, and want me to send this box back.

The only problem is that the issue weirder out everyone I talked to, and they couldn't figure what to do, until I got Lisa in pump support.

By the way, I kinda of expect the sensors to be good longer than 4 months (this were to expire on 04/2006 according to the sticker on the sensors.

Yes, I have a glucowatch and I have blogged extensively about it. I've put most of the entries under the category Glucowatch if you want to read about my experiences.

Yes, it burns. I have two burns right now, one on each wrist, but it isn't as bad if you use the spray they recommend first, and after. It's Cortizone-10 Quick Shot spray. There is a prescription spray too. I got mine from Drugstore.com and it did take a bit to arrive.

I find it useful to verify and test basal rates.

You can not use it if you are going to sweat -- though it does work okay when I spend a few minutes in the hot tub -- I miss about 3 readings after I am in the tub.

For example, I couldn't use it at school last year, because the classroom was about 95 degrees and above, and I sweated a lot. I think I can use it now.

Like the Guardian (it shows trends, not exact readings). Also like the Guardian, the more finger stick calibrations you do the more accurate.

The lithium battery is working now! I've put on another expired sensor. It's nice to have the expired ones, as I can practice and don't feel like I'm wasting any sensors. I should have some new sensors tomorrow.

FYI: I certainly think after reading about the Guardian, that the Glucowatch is at least as accurate. The other problems though, just can't be gotten around -- not being able to exercise and get readings is a huge problem.

I actually ordered new sessions with my next Animas order, and today decided to pull it out and play with an expired sensor.

Seemed to work well, but dummy me, my battery wasn't fully charged and it went dead and lost all the data. The Quick Shot Cortizone spray really helped with the burn. It itches but isn't uncomfortable. I'll try another run tomorrow after I get my workout done. AND have a fully charged battery.

I am a bit concerned because the Lithium battery in the watch hasn't been holding a charge.

My Online Christmas Card

They wanted to know if I still wanted to do the scope. First I'd heard from them. I thought they were supposed to call the week after Thanksgiving.

Well I told them no but will think about it next break.

I've been playing with the Ultra Smart, and if I didn't already have a Palm with EzManager software, I would consider it.

Here's what I hate about it -- you can't upload data to it. You can manually enter data, but can't do it with the software.

It also takes up a lot of purse space.

So I doubt it will be my main meter, unless Animas makes it the only meter that talks with the next pump. I'm quite sure and I bet the sale of Animas will clinch the deal, that Lifescan meters and the Animas pump will be tallking soon. That's the only feature lacking from the Animas pump that the other big two have.

Actually it probably won't be any of the existing meters as they aren't IR. Just thought of that. They are going to have to come up with a new one.

If I were to come up with a perfect meter, it would have IR, and communicate with a pump, it would have a flashlight on the stirp like the Flash and be Flash sized. The strips would also show you how much blood is in the strip. I like that in both the Ultra and Accu-Chek Strips.

So I haven't decided yet, but I still have a few months to decide.

Got everything I wanted.

UltraSmart meter. I'm trying to decide if I want to fool with it or not. I'm sure it will be talking more intimately with the Animas pump in a few months. Or another One-Touch product.

Script for Novalog -- 4 vials a month. Weirdly enough, it is the same amount I was getting before the clinical trial.

On my legs. The good news is that the anti-inflammatory the podistric prescribed is helping the leg pain. She agreed that sort of things really slows you down as she recently went through heel spurs herself.

Agrees that my numbers suck and agrees that I need to try going to bed with lower blood sugars. Did some minor pump tweaks. The next two weeks are a good time to try that.

I've got the next three months scheduled on days that are "off" days. January -- Martin Luther King Day, February -- President's Day, March - Spring Break. Also rescheduled the January lab appointment for their last working day in 2005, so I don't have to have someone cover the class.