Living with Diabetes

Author: kathleen

  • I hate teacher workshops!

    The problem is that I sit too still. Two hours after breakfast, one and half hours in the workshop, I’m at 165. Normal for me then with that meal, is 135-145.

    Before 11:00 I’m at 185 without eating anything! So I did a correction and cranked up the basal 10% and I’m at 165 at 12:00. Eat lunch, test 2 hours, and I’m up to 185 again. Basal had run out so I cracked up to 20%.

    Next time, going in, I’m just going to do the 20% and be done with it.

    FYI: Before the pump, I’d hit 300-400 at a teacher workshop and be sicker than a dog at the end of the day, so I’m doing better.

  • Watch your dosages!

    I just blogged on this last week — and seems I got bit.

    Here’s the deal — if you are a Type 1 diabetic you need two vials of symlin a month. However, if you are a Type 2 diabetic, you’re on twice the dose, so you need 4!

    Guess what, when I got my Symlin, I got two vials.

    Imagine my panic this weekend when I realized I had almost gone through one vial in one week. I did the math, and I got four vials, not two.

    I was so freaked, that I called Amylin — nice people and asked and they verified that yes, I was supposed to have 4.

    So I called the pharmacy and found out that they filled it wrong. Script was written one month’s supply, 20 units. Which is right, but they filled with 2 vials.

    So I ran by and picked it up and whew, have my 4 (I still can nurse at least one dose out) vials.

  • Death by Diabetic Complications

    That’s probably going to be in my obituary and it has been in the news lately.

    Amy blogged about it in talking about Luther Vandross’s death at Diabetes Mine: Salute to Luther Vandross, Divabetic

    It’s in the news again with Hank Stram’s passing. This article in the Indianapolis Star
    indicates that he died of diabetic complications.

    It’s dangerous to assume that when someone dies of diabetic complications that the person isn’t taking care of themselves.

    People, even my OWN health care providers (but not the diabetic ones), often make the assumption that I don’t take care of myself.

    However, there is a treadmill downstairs and free weights, and I just finished over 40 minutes on the treadmill and a short weight session.

    My A1C ranges from 6.0 – 7.0, mostly at the lower range.

    I test my blood sugar over 8 times a day, and I work hard to keep it as low as I can but remain safe.

    You can tell from the dog photos that I’m having weight issues, and they are something I think about constantly. The weight issues interfer with my way of life and my ability to do things that I want to do.

    In my opinion, every one needs to be screened for diabetes, everyone at risk for diabetes needs to be educated about it and everyone needs a health care team that listens and helps them to achieve their goals.

    No one deserves to be blamed for their condition though. By anyone.

  • Happy Fourth of July!

    We had our neighborhood parade today.

    I actually walked in the parade this year, which I think may be a first, but certainly it has been at least 3 years since I walked it.

    This is something I really think is cool. Our “block” faces a park, and the neighbors who have been here the longest have been organizing it. I think they are ready to pass it on to the younger generation, and I’m hoping the younger moms will take it on.

  • DLife

    Unfortunately I missed last week. I think a lot of Dr. Bernstein, I’ve got two of his books.

    I expected tonight to be a rerun, but was pleasantly surprised.

    I think the words of the person who was bringing out the new products was the best piece of advice I’ve ever heard and something I live by — do the best you can with the tools at hand to control your diabetes, so you’ll live long enough to take advantage of the newer technologies.

    Anyway, the latest episodes are heads above the beginning episodes.

  • Good news

    Today is my weigh in day. I’ve been ignoring most of them, but right now, I weigh the least I have weighed this summer.

    I think I am finally destressed and I do think the Symlin is helping. It definately makes controlling eating easier.

  • Interesting Site

    I did email and complain. Unfortunately I can’t read the bulk of the information.

    Welcome to Divabetic!

  • Symlin

    Since the symlin introduction went so smoothly, I probably won’t be commenting on it much. I really am not having any bad side effects, and am seeing the good ones.

    I do need to find a better way to transport the Symlin. I’ve already “lost” the vial once, and the syringes aren’t very handy or attractive either. If anyone has a suggestion for a small container for carrying injectables, please let me know. Temperature isn’t an issue. Having room for both vials would be nice.

    AND would the manufacture please give us pens!

    I’m a spoiled brat since I started out on pens.

  • Symlin

    Since the symlin introduction went so smoothly, I probably won’t be commenting on it much. I really am not having any bad side effects, and am seeing the good ones.

    I do need to find a better way to transport the Symlin. I’ve already “lost” the vial once, and the syringes aren’t very handy or attractive either. If anyone has a suggestion for a small container for carrying injectables, please let me know. Temperature isn’t an issue. Having room for both vials would be nice.

    AND would the manufacture please give us pens!

    I’m a spoiled brat since I started out on pens.

  • New Hangout Place

    The beagles and I found a new hang out place today. It’s a bit out of the way, but the girls are welcome, so I’ll be going again. It’s called The Pooch Patio, and they serve coffee, soft drinks, wine and beer.

    If anyone would like to get together with us sometime, send me an email.