Category: Current Status

Yesterday ended week 4 of my time with the pump. I really am happy I made this decision.

My husband is too! He says I’ve been happiest this four weeks than I have been in a long time.

I have lost 11 pounds “officially” according to my doctors scales. My blood pressure is lower. My doctor is very pleased.

Oh, and I think I’ve lost over 20 pounds from my heaviest, but not sure what the heaviest was.

I am not sure how I feel about the weight loss. I have not been super excited because I think I’m afraid it will come back. Or maybe it isn’t enough yet.

BUT I feel better. Yesterday I did 45 minutes on the ellipetical trainer and 15 on the treadmill and felt good about it when it got done.

Today is my third week on the pump. I still love it!

I keep learning things. Came close to running out of insulin today. I have now repacked by day bag, and have spare of everything.

Also repacked my insulin bag and no longer carry just a pen unit and needles as I sure don’t want to use them unless I have to.

Getting smarter.

We’ve got the numbers pretty close! I had 78 carbs in my lunch today, plus ate chocolate birthday cake. The REAL kind. It was great.

2 hours later my blood sugar was 143. That’s NORMAL.

I feel good. I’m learning to eat right again. I’m learning to listen to my body and eat what I’m hungry for, and eat when I’m hungry. It’s great!

The insulin pump is cool

There are some good articles on how the pump works today. Minimed had to own up that they screwed up and that their pump isn’t truly water proof. They are trying to claim now that no one’s is. Oh well…

I have an Animas. They are great!

The EzManager software is pretty cool. I decided today it would be interesting to see how my blood glucose values compared on and off the pump.

See http://www.kweaver.org/bgchart%20off%20pump.pdf

and
http://www.kweaver.org/bgchart%20on%20pump.pdf

Oddly enough I’ve had two conversations lately with medical professions about food cravings and diabetes.

The first was with my pump trainer. She was going over my logs and noticed that I wasn’t eating as much, EVEN on my bad days.

I said, it drives me nuts, but when my blood sugar is high, I crave sugar. I’ve finally learned that fat and protein makes the craving stop, and don’t go into to this massive blood sugar highs.

The yesterday, the sleep doctor was telling me that she was worried about a diabetic friend who claims that she is controlling her diabetes, but is eating sugar and has diabetic neuropathy.

I told her about the uncontrollable sugar cravings.

It’s horrible — pump trainer said it was normal, and that normal people don’t have them. That’s sad in a way because they don’t have a clue how we feel. And worse yet, we can’t explain it, and people dump on us because we have to give in.

Diabetes sucks, if you didn’t now that already.

Today is my two week aniversary on the pump.

I have an Animas pump and they have assigned a fabulous pump trainer.

I feel healthier since I got my pump. I can work out longer, I’m not as tired at the gym. I’m also not as tired at work. I’m in a better mood and I’m sleeping better.

I went to see a doctor yesterday and my blood pressure and weight are both substantially lower than pre pump — about a month ago.

I’m developing a healthier relationship to food. I don’t have as many cravings (but still have some but that is still related to high blood sugar).

We’re still doing basal checks (doing one today), and we’ve upped my carb/insulin ratio. I think we need to make some other adjustments.

Few people notice the pump — I’ve found wearing it in my bra works best for me (everyone’s milage varies).

In other words, even though I paid for the pump out of pocket, it’s been worth every penny and I’m looking forward to better things.

Went to the sleep doctor (PhD) today, and REALLY impressed her. Blood pressure was down, weight was down (11 pounds), I attribute some to better sleep but MOST to the pump.

I did have to explain it to her.

No, they can’t read blood sugar — we all wish they did. No, all it really does is deliver insulin more efficiently.

Yes, it lets me eat what I want, when I want, no more 6 meals a day.

New Message Emerges in Treating Diabetes

Oddly enough, with better blood sugar control, I’m actually SEEING better blood pressure.

Did my second basal test. It drove me nuts, and I think wore me out.

Went without eating from the time I got up until 12:30. That’s as long as I could stand.

HOWEVER, my blood sugar stayed pretty constant the whole time.

I’m tired!

I’ve been on the pump now, for almost a week. I’ve seen a huge number of improvements.

• Higher energy level
• Sleep better (when not checking basal rates
• Weight loss
• Improved appearance to others — I have been getting lots of comments, from vague, you look good today, to wow, your coloring is better

I actually almost enjoy the gym.

Problems? Hmmm, can’t think of any. I was dreading site changes, but after doing it twice with no problems, that isn’t an issue. yeah, I carry around this box, but on the other hand, I don’t have to give myself injections all the time.

I do a lot more blood testing than before, but I think that will start tapering off some.