These kiddos are in Wichita Falls, Texas
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Expert Patient
See Expert Patients
Several of the doctor medlogs have blogged on this issue.
I consider myself an “expert patient” and I agree that it’s a misleading term, as it implies to me, that it might be derogatory.
There are two types of diabetic patients (and I am not referring to Type 1 or Type 2). They either fall under the expert patient category taking an active roll in their care. If you pump, you almost always have to be an expert patient.
The other type eat when and what their doctors tell them to. Can you imagine living a life where you eat at, say 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and they eat a precise amount of servings of carbs, protein and fat.
I actually know of a pumper that lives that way. My mother told me about her. Apparently years ago, her pump was programmed by her doctor and she has lived that way ever since.
I suppose that might work for someone who has been diabetic all of their life, but it certainly doesn’t and wouldn’t work for me! It really puts a crimp in your style if you want to socialize — which is when my mother found out about this.
I really advocate being on top and in control whenever you have a chronic illness. That CPAP go around is a prime example though, of what happens when the patient is ready to be an expert and the doctors aren’t
And of course to be effective as an expert patient, you have to research it all. Not just the advances, but the costs and the implications.
FYI: One of the good things about buying the pump last year, is that it, along with my husband’s medical bills, managed to reduce our income tax overage from $1500 to $750, and eliminated the possiblilty of a fine for the IRS for underpaying.
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Gastric bypass risky
MSNBC – Gastric bypass riskier than many patients know
Many of the reasons I’m not ready to go there.
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iShape
Yep, I’m still doing iShape, and since the new CPAP equipment have been able to get up and work out in the morning.
The neat thing — is that I got an email this morning, extending my iShape membership for 8 more weeks for $15.00
It really helps, having some guidance.
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New Tweak worked today…
But I am still wondering if we should up my basal at lunch time instead….
We moved my insulin to carb ratio at lunch from 1:8 to 1:5. TODAY, it worked. Though I was still sleepy but that might be more due to the heat in the building. I’m on the second floor with 30 computers, and usually that many students, so this time of year it’s hot.
But after lunch has always been my toughest time. My blood sugar is typically very high after low, but then goes low right before dinner. It’s even more pronounced when I work out after school.
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More CPAP musings….
I used the new CPAP last night for the first time. Man is it quiet!
It has also saved me quite a bit of driving time and hassle. I was supposed to pick up an oxymeter today from Baylor, which means driving downtown, finding a parking space, taking the elevator up, waiting for people to get their acts together, etc.
Then I have to sleep with the blasted thing, meaning I’ll wait up 3 or 4 times (been there, done that, literally), so I will be tired tomorrow.
Then I have to haul it back to Baylor.
SO, instead, I’ll take the new machine up there next Friday when I’m off and deal with it and the doctor then. Not sure I want to deal with the doctor, since I think I was thinking logically and I don’t think she was
The nicest thing though, is being able to pack up everything in one carry one sized bag. Especially since I am supposed to go to St. Louis in June.
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Endo visit
Saw the new Endo’s CDE yesterday. I am very pleased with his practice. A fellow pumper recommended him and them.
Good news, I lost 7 pounds in the two weeks between visits. Of course, I know how to lose weight, I just don’t know how to keep it off! That’s one thing the CDE and I discussed.
We did some tweaking on numbers. The fixes we made two weeks ago really helped, I’m running between 90-120 every morning, which is MUCH better than 130-140 every morning.
I’ve also had a problem with carb lockup after lunch. We upped the insulin to carb ratio on lunch but left the rest of the meals alone. Also fixed my correction factor.
We discussed the weight loss thing, and she agreed with an idea I came up with this weekend. I’m going to lose 25 pounds then maintain it for 4 weeks.
I’ve also come to the conclusion that I will be logging food someway for the rest of my life. That does make a difference.
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Fun with the Sleep Doctor
My experience with the sleep doctor has been VERY VERY frustrating. I should start by saying this is a PhD, not my pulmanary specialist, whom I really like!
I haven’t been sleeping well. BUT the first thing the doctor jumped on me with was my weight. Apparently I’d gained 20 pounds since the last visit. She was full of suggestions, of course, everything I’ve done.
So when I finally got a chance to talk … Well, I really think she brushed the sleeping thing off. And she refused to write a script for a new CPAP machine.
We FINALLY got to masks, since mine is driving me nuts, and IS worn out according to her. She wanted to go with a new nasal mask, which wasn’t a bad idea, but then we finally got to chin straps, and I explained I couldn’t wear one, everyone I had tried, slipped right off my hair — this is true of anything that goes on my head — barettes, rubber bands, you name it.
SO she suggested a full face mask — I wondered at the time why it had not been suggested before, and I need to do more research on it — BUT, they are not indicated for patients with reflux and hiatial hernia. WHOOPS!
I do have one now though … more frustration — I saw her last Wednesday, by the next Monday had not heard from the sleep company and called the office back. Finally heard Tuesday and the doctor’s office had given them the wrong insurance information!
So still had not heard from them by Thursday morning — so I called again, they had everything approved, and had a mask on their shelf. Finally good news, they are a few blocks from my school! So ran by after school picked one up, and took a nap after dinner. I felt so much better afterward.
It is going to take some getting used to…
On the new CPAP approval. Well, I asked the respiratory therapist — and he asked me at the same time. Told me about a new little CPAP model, which will facilitate traveling. I’ve seen it on the internet. Well, they have gotten approval from the insurance company and are now waiting on the doctor’s script.
In fact, I’m waiting for a call back for more information on that.