Living with Diabetes

Blog

  • Islet Cells

    Required reading for anyone who gets excited over islet cell research.

    He does an excellent job of explaining all the issues and is very readible.

    Dr. Andy: Living pancreatic islet cell donation

    Living pancreatic islet cell donation

  • Basal Rates

    I finally broke down and changed my basal rates by 0.05 every time period.

    I just am not getting the control with the Apidra that I had with the Novolog.

    I’ve tweaked slowly — first thing I did was to back down the IOB to 3.0 hours — 3.5 worked fine with Novalog.

    Then I tweaked the carb ratios, dropping them. I can see what is happening with carb ratios the easiest.

    Then I dropped correction factor, but I’m actually seeing an increase in blood sugar during periods when I should have very little insulin in my system.

    So now I’ve increased the basal rates.

  • Day 6

    My sites seem to be lasting longer with Apidra. My site usually starts itching a bit on day two, and this one hasn’t been. I’m going to try 3 days with this one and see how it goes.

    I definately use more insulin with Apidra, and I’m having trouble getting things set right.

    I’m not sure if it is the Apridra though, or the external stress I’m going through.

  • Day 3

    After three days on Apidra I can start commenting intelligently.

    It doesn’t seem to really do anything for the first hour, but appears
    to be gone within 3 hours. I’ve got my IOB (Animas 1250) set to 3
    hours, and that seems to work best.

    I had site reactions with humalog, and could always feel large boluses
    go in with Novolog but I don’t seem to feel Apidra.

    At first I thought I was going to have to change my basals, but things
    smoothed out pretty quickly — changing the IOB to 3 did the most
    good.

    Also another good lesson — remember to change things one at a time!

  • Lifestyle Guidelines for Type 2

    Infinitely more useful than the Food Pyramid thing.

    New “Lifestyle” Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes: A Newsmaker Interview

    In the new recommendations, 40% of daily calories come from carbohydrates; 20% to 30% from protein (except in the presence of renal disease); 30% to 35% from fat, (mostly mono- and polyunsaturated fats); and the diet consists of a minimum of 20 to 35 g of fiber. By reducing daily caloric intake by 250 to 500 calories, individuals should be able to lose one pound every one to two weeks. Total daily caloric intake should be at least 1,000 to 1,200 for women and 1,200 to 1,600 for men. To maintain or increase lean body mass, the guidelines recommend a target of 60 to 90 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, including cardiovascular, stretching, and resistance activities most days of the week, with a minimum of 150 to 175 minutes weekly.

  • ADA vs. Bernstein

    Diabetes Mine: The ADA vs. Dr. Bernstein

    I’m commenting on a Diabetes Mine post.

    Shame on you Amy — a lot of people would call that trolling. I do want you to realize I think it is funny.

    I’ve done Atkins and I’ve done Bernstein. My food service here in Dallas will do protein only and low carb meals if I want, but they get boring fast. I compromise and do about half the carbs that the ADA recommends.

    Both my sister and a good friend at work have lost quite a bit of weight, are healthier, etc. since they have done Atkins.

    I will say, though, that as long as you are on shots, you won’t get as good as control as you would with the pump.

  • Trying out Apidra

    I went to see my CDE today — she’s been a bit concerned since I have been having higher blood sugars.

    While I was there, she asked if I would try Apidra — I think it’s a clinical trial for their office only, but not sure. She said it would not be available until January but could provide me with free insulin if I would let her know how it works.

    It’s supposed to be more rapid acting than Novalog.

    I’m a good guinea pig for them, because I am “glucose sensitive”, allergic to Humalog, and use quite a bit of insulin.

    So far, I have noticed it goes into the pump a bit smoother — I can feel the Novalog when I do a bolus and did not feel the Apidra.

    FYI: She says Apidra is piglatin for rapid.

  • Latest in Technology

    Omnipod™ -The Whole Story
    Special report by
    Dave Joffe, Editor in Chief

    Personally I’m happy with my Animas. This device is still doing finger pricks. I’m also VERY curious on cost.

  • The Price of Desperation

    I’ve been reading him for some time, and really admire his opinion.

    April 18, 2005

  • Dr. Bernstein vs. the ADA

    Personally I’m more on the Dr. Bernstein side than the ADA.

    Diabetes Mine: Dr. Bernstein vs. the ADA

    I’m a big fan of Bernstein, and he has helped me tremedously. However, I find eating his way very difficult. On the other hand, I think the ADA recommends way too many carbohydrates.

    Right now, I’m kinda of balanced between the two. I try to eat a Bernstein style breakfast, I feel better when I do. I use a food service for the rest of the day, and do fine by them.

    If I get an overwhelming, I’ve got to eat urge (usually after a sleepless night), I pick a Bernstein style type of snack which usually gets me past it. It’s also MUCH easier on the blood sugar.