Living with Diabetes

Author: kathleen

  • Trouble Sleeping

    This is primary for me and the sleep doctor, I’m having trouble sleeping, and this is the best place to write things down and keep them.

    Last night was rough.

    First, I couldn’t sleep, the mask kept leaking and when it did, it made a popping sound. That went on until around midnight.

    At around 1:30, my pump sounded an occulision alarm, which meant I had to wake up and prime it before it would shut up.

    Then I woke around 2:00 am not sure why but was able to go asleep with difficulty. Woke again in the 3:00 am time frame and again couldn’t sleep. And then again at 4:15. Again, had trouble going back to sleep.

    Part of the problem at 4:15 was that I just didn’t want to be in bed and in the mask any more, though I did keep it on. My face was a bit greasy and it was sliding around.

    Am guessing, but did end up eating some crackers around 9:00 — I was at a big calorie defiect and wanted to get in at least another 200 calories.
    I had let the evening get away from me. One of my goals is to not go into starvation mode. I’ve done that before when losing weight, and it makes the whole process harder.

    I was able to wake up with no problem at 5:00 and am downstairs doing iShape schedule strength exercises.

  • Nap

    Came home, took a long nap — almost 3 hours, and had absolutely no mask or other issues.

    Weird. Though woke up because I felt I needed to get out of bed now.

    Oh, and had eaten lunch about an hour before taking the nap — a 700 calorie lunch, vs. the 200 calorie snack last night.

  • See an Endo

    If you get diagnosed with diabetes — see an endo, even if you have to travel a few hours to get one.

    I just got home from seeing mine, I met him and his staff 4 weeks ago. They are super and have made all the difference in the world.

    I will have to admit the new CPAP mask is helping too, BUT my blood sugar is best it’s been since I’ve been diagnosed and I feel SO much better.

    Food is easier to control because I am not having sugar cravings, one of the biggest side effects I have from high blood sugar.

    And did I say I FEEL better?

    Or and I’ve lost 9 pounds even though I’m using almost 10 more units of insulin a day.

  • Sleep doctor – Part 2

    Well, for some reason, they couldn’t download my CPAP machine.

    However, I’ve lost 9 pounds since I saw her last which made her happy. She could see I felt better which also made her happy.

    I’m having a weird problem with the mask. If it is in the right place, it makes me gag, if it is about 1/4″ inch, I’m fine, but she’s worried it will leak. Weird.

    We did have a conversation about how I felt last time. She did acknowledge that she knew I was upset.

    I am still having problems falling asleep and acknowledged that Thursday was my problem, but the rest of the week is still an issue. Also complained about waking at 4:00 – 5:00 am — I want to wake at 5:00, but not at 4:00. In fact, I’ve gotten up a few times when I’ve woke up at 4:30, since it wasn’t worth trying to go back to sleep.

    We agreed I’d call in two weeks and we’d see if I had improved.

    The endo appointments have been going better.

  • This is just stupid….

    MSNBC – Eyeball jewelry a new Dutch fashion trend

    Eyeball jewelry a new Dutch fashion trend

  • In the News

    I think you have to register (but it’s free, and I don’t think you have to be a doctor, but not sure) anyway, I quote the part that worries me.

    Reclassifying Insulins

    Insulins have hitherto been distinguished as clear (short-acting) and cloudy (long-acting). However the introduction of glargine, which is a clear long-acting insulin, has prompted the need for reclassification. In view of the increasing emphasis on intensive insulin therapy using basal-bolus regimens, a new, simple, pragmatic classification is suggested in which insulins are categorised according to the timing and purpose of administration: basal (maintenance), bolus (meal) and biphasic (mixed).

    I’m a member of the internet insulin pump users list, and periodically we get an email from a member who has been given the wrong insulin by a pharmacist — they always catch it because the insulin is cloudy instead of clear.

    Clearly, pharmacists are human and make mistakes. I always double check my boxes when they come in.

    HOWEVER, how are we going to catch this mistake? Hopefully they won’t make the mistake — BUT THEY DO!

    Shouldn’t this insulin be cloudy? Or another color? Someway the poor unsuspecting diabetic has to make sure someone isn’t accidently given him the wrong meds?

  • It’s done…

    Abbot Labs has acquired Therasense (makers of the Flash meter).

    According to the press release, they are combining the two test units — Therasense and Medisense.

    They have made a lot of changes to the website too.

  • Postprandial Insulin Lispro May Impair Long-Term Glycemic Control

    Postprandial Insulin Lispro May Impair Long-Term Glycemic Control

    Insulin Lispro is Humalog — it peaks at about 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

    This is a discussion that comes up quite a bit on the insulin pumpers list. I’ve actually played with this — and haven’t seen any real change.

    I would like to see what the time differences really are — since I’m a teacher, I tend to eat fast, unfortunately.

  • iShape still going well…

    I’m actually managing to wake up and exercise before the day starts more often than not lately.

    Couldn’t wake up last Thursday or Friday morning, early enough to get my “assigned” exercise done (I’m doing the iShape thing)., but did the majority of the week.

    And this week is going okay, so far. Of course we’re talking Sat, Sun, Mon and Tuesday only….

  • This type of story is why I’ve been taking care of myself

    Yep — this is why I saw a cardiologist this year and plan to visit one yearly now.

    Why I keep up with the diabetes so hard.

    I saw some patients like this when I did the pet therapy thing — neither of the current dogs are pet therapy candidates — but it is cheaper and easier to prevent, then to deal with the consequences.

    code blog: tales of a nurse: There are fates worse than death