Author: kathleen

  • Restless Leg Syndrome

    The New York Times > Health > Restless Legs: Uncomfortable and Overlooked

    I’m told that this is one of my sleep issues. I am wondering more and more if this is being overlooked.

    I told the sleep doctor last time that I see no difference in my sleep whether or not I take Mirapex.

    Unfortunately my husband has never observed the restless leg–he doesn’t sleep with me, he hasn’t seen it when he comes by my room when I’m asleep.

    I’m wondering if it all means that the Mirapex isn’t working.

  • A User Perspective on Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Therapy

    A User Perspective on Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Therapy

    For this patient, clinical benefits of CSII are complemented by quality-of-life benefits. CSII allows her to eat, exercise, work, and socialise similarly to non-diabetic peers, mitigating psychosocial impacts of insulin dependence. Tailoring insulin dosage more precisely to meet insulin requirement has allowed her to pursue educational and personal goals while maintaining a healthy weight and an optimal HbA1C,
    without severe hypoglycaemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.

  • Insulin Usage Down Again

    My insulin usage is down again. It had gone up — I’d had a couple of sleepless nights, which made for sleepy days which always makes me eat too much and the wrong foods. Why are we convinced that sugar will make us stay awake?

    Anyway, the average usage is down to 58, so I’ve pulled all my correction factors down accordingly.

    Which will make things fun as that will bring my total insulin usage down a bit more. Which makes it easier to lose weight.

  • Abbott Laboratories Press Releases (2004748)

    Abbott Laboratories Press Releases (2004748)

    Apparently the merge (Abbott bought Therasense) is doing the Precision products some good.

    Still anxiously awaiting the Navigator.

  • Upgraded WordPress

    Man, this software is EASY! I upgraded to the latest release version, and it only took a few moments.

    MUCH easier to use than Movable Type!

  • Suit over insulin pump settled

    Suit over insulin pump settled

    A middle school administrator who confiscated a girl’s insulin pump in 2002 has paid $10,000 to the family and the school board must make sweeping changes in the way it handles diabetic students, under terms of a settlement signed Friday.
    The A.P. should have known better, and got what he deserved. I do hope that this reimbursed for the medical care she needed.

  • Provigil

    I finally got around to looking it up in the RIGHT place, and yes, a known side effect of Provigil is increased blood sugar.

    I am DEFINATELY saving it for emergencies.

  • CDE Visit

    Good visit with the CDE. She did, however, confirm that I hadn’t lost weight. I actually think I’ve been shifting fat around to muscle, but not enough to show on the scales. The scales at home are showing a slow amount of progress, but progress none the less.

    She agreed however, that 1500 calories was too few and that what I was doing was fine. She is also concerned about the Provigil’s affect on bloodsugar and thinks that might have some influence on the weight. (Provigil is a drug for keeping people awake — but it ONLY does that, it doesn’t allieve any of the other symthoms of not sleeping).

    I personally think keep it for emergencies and that’s it.

    You know, when you positively can’t sleep and as a result can’t stay awake the next day, even if you have to drive.

    Anyway, we both decided to blow off the sleep doctor, and I did ask her to see if she could find me a new one.

  • New Med Blog

    Interesting blog. We’ve got a bit in common, I am doing an online — almost virtual master’s. We have to meet face-to-face before each test, which actually helps.

    I’ve had border collies. There is one thing that border collies are not capable of herding. BEAGLES! The beagles bite them on the dew claw when they get too obnoxious. Got to feel like getting your finger slammed in a car door, the way the poor BC’s reacted.

    Unfortunately only one of the BC’s was a good dog. However, I even ended up sending him off after drug dog training to be a drug dog. For a while, he was partnered with TWO officers and worked TWO shifts. Yeah, they are that intense.

    The second BC had idopathic epilepsy and ended up going into statis. I didn’t realize that happened to people too, but we lost a student that way this year.

    And the third BC was a mismatched rescue. He’s in a good home now, and doing very well in agility.

    I seriously doubt that I’ll be getting another border collie. Just too much dog. Besides, I like my beagles.

  • Sleep Doctor Aggravations

    Went on a three week followup with the sleep doctor.

    Oh, and the last couple of days — since the major bad night on Sunday — I’ve been sleeping better. Haven’t woke up lately.

    Good news
    Oximeter study was excellent, never go below 90%

    Gave me more Provigil to play with. I really only like it in an emergency. It only falls the falling asleep thing. It fixes nothing else.

    Since they couldn’t find the oximeter study, doctor and I had time to converse and he asked GOOD questions about the pump. I kinda of wish I had been dressed to show if off better. I was wearing a long dress.

    SoSo News
    Compliant 6.8 or so hours on the machine. And nap times showing as compliant. First, I knew I had some bad news in the 3 weeks. Second, I keep telling them I’m compliant, sad it takes data to prove it.

    Bad News
    Got on me about my weight. Yeah, I know it didn’t change. It was 3 weeks, I’m trying to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. So 3 pounds can be the salad I haven’t finished processing. Plus the nurse just writes down a number close to what the scale says and never weights for it to settle.

    Not gaining was a good thing with the lack of sleep!