Living with Diabetes

Blog

  • Dexcom – beginning of day 2

    Still getting good readings — the Dexcom has been within 10 points of my meter every finger stick so far.  It would be very tempting to rely on it.

    Guess I should add — I’m not super surprised that the Dexcom is working so well for me.  I actually had extremely good luck with the Glucowatch even though it did burn the heck out of me.

    I did have a few hours of missing data last night.  However, what is there is a good trend. 

    It is the EASIEST medical device to sleep with I’ve ever dealt with, and this is a lady who sleeps with both a pump and a CPAP machine.

    So yes, still happy.

  • Dexcom — So far it is amazing!

    Seriously — I’ve been within 10 points between the meter and the Dexcom when I’ve checked.  That is SO cool! 

    Of course, I’m only an few hours in (4 1/2 hours to be exact).

  • Summer is sucking so far

    Well, I did have the first week off and got some progress made on my projects.

    The second week was staff development AND two afternoons of working on one of two test.

    This week has felt like all I did was work on test BUT at least we have fall turned in.  We’re supposed to work on Spring next week and I want to have it turned in by Thursday afternoon, IF I work on it.  It’s been hard working on it and there are things I want to say but won’t in a public form, so that’s why I haven’t been blogging.

    It’s hard to blog when most of what you want to say, you shouldn’t.

  • Dexcom – first few hours

    I’ve been hooked and calibrated since 3:30 — so I have 2 hours worth of reasonable data.  i saw a trend up just after eating and now a trend down.  I got an alert when  I got to my high setting.

    All in all, I’m very happy with it so far.  The sensor doesn’t interfere with anything I do though the length of it creeped me out.  Don’t ever show that thing to me again if you want me to use it, and the rep shouldn’t have in the first place.

    It was a good deal.  $450 for the Starter Kit, the software and a free upgrade to the 7-day sensor.  Not sure when software will come but then again, the Animas software for the IR2020 hasn’t arrived either.

  • Dexcom

    I am sitting in the waiting room of my doctors office waiting on the local sales rep for Dexcom. Yes I am going to get hooked up with the three day system and upgrade to seven day for free.
    Rep just got here.

  • ‘Juvenile’ diabetes at 49: ‘You deal with it’ – CNN.com

     Good article on diabetes in general, but especially Type 1.  AND another catch by an eye doctor.

    A year before turning 50, Michele Thomas learned she had type 1 diabetes, a condition that used to be associated mainly with children.

    ‘Juvenile’ diabetes at 49: ‘You deal with it’ – CNN.com

  • Tu Diabetes – A Social Network for Diabetics

    Scott’s right!  Tu Diabetes runs on Ning, which is an interesting website.  I’ve been a Ning member since it was started.  Check it out — it’s not just for insulin users. 

    “It’s like ‘MySpace’ on insulin…” – Scott Johnson

    Tu Diabetes – A Social Network for Diabetics

  • Busy Week

    I’ve had a busy week.  I’ve knocked out 2 1/2 days of staff development — all on Wed Mastering topics.  Tuesday, the first day, made me remember just how tired I get in staff development.  Sitting still all day is hard work when you are used to running around the room. 

    I am also working on test development for my district.  That’s also stressful, but getting better.

    I’m using a new style of insertion set — clinical trial, and am having erratic blood sugars, but it could be the heat, the workshops, the stress from different work, or the phases of the moon. 

     My Fitness4Diabetics workouts are still going well, and also my food intake.  I’ve lost 15 pounds now, and I think I’m also starting to notice.  I’m up to 25 minutes of straight walking, which I couldn’t do at the start.

    I’m definitely going to resign the exercise the portion, haven’t decided entirely on the nutrition, but I probably ought to since I’ll be eating away from home during my Monroe and Pittsburgh trips.

    Still working on planning Pittsburgh, but I’m pretty sure about Monroe right now — I am planning to pack and start my drive after dog class on Monday night (several weeks from now), and getting some of the trip out of the way.  I am going to take my emergency CPAP battery and sleep on the road.  I have 3 dogs, so no one can really sneak up on me.  One thing I’m thinking about is getting my concealed carry license and carry a weapon but I have to find out about laws in Louisiana and Mississippi.  Same thing for my trip to Pittsburgh.

  • Diabetes In Control – Predicting Severe Hypoglycemia

     This study might be helpful in preventing car accidents, etc.  I would really like to know what the pattern is.

    Predicting Severe Hypoglycemia

    Diabetes In Control – Predicting Severe Hypoglycemia

  • Diabetes Mine: When Things Get Ugly

    Amy sent me a comment today, and I do have some strong feelings about this. 

    Diabetes Mine: When Things Get Ugly

    First, the Doug Burns is pretty cut and dried to me — he went to the lobby for help, they didn’t and in fact reported him as intoxicated when he wasn’t.  Therefore if anyone is at fault in this case, it is the movie theater NOT Doug Burns.  If they have just sold him some sugar, everyone would have gone home happily that night.

    Second, I feel strongly, as a driver, I have a responsibility to make sure I do not endanger others.   I don’t have the right to a bad day.  Thus, I check my blood sugar before I get into the car.  I also check my blood sugar periodically — in fact, I have my pump set to remind me every two hours after a bolus.  That is my responsibility as a driver.  I also keep a whole bag of Smarties in the console of my car. 

    Today is a typical day.  Check morning blood sugar, was at 145.  Bolused, loaded up the car, went to McD’s a few blocks away and picked up an egga muffin (did I show my age?), and ate it on the way in.  If my blood sugar had been below 100, I would have eaten before I got in the car.

    At the end of the day, I checked my blood sugar before I started — it was 160, so no worry.  Went home, ate dinner, loaded up the beagles and headed to agility.  Just ate, blood sugar 160, and before dog agility so no bolus.  Still checked blood sugar two hours after dinner while I road — 165, still no problem, but grabbed a sandwich since I was running three dogs.

    Ran the three dogs, checking blood sugar between each class, and then checked blood sugar before I got in the car to leave.  160 after the second dog, the 125 after the third dog, so was good.  If I had been any lower, I would have eaten one of the snacks I keep in the car.

    Yeah that’s a heck of a lot of blood sticks — but the point is, I do that, and my fellow drivers are much happier.

    I am taking at least two major road trips this summer, and my regimen on the road will be similar.  In fact, I often check every hour if I am making major changes.