One of my good friends is a diabetic who gets wasted drunk all the time. His girlfriend and I have to constantly remind him to check his blood sugar because it's hard to tell if his actions are the result of the alcohol or if he is low. I'll see him passed out in a chair and not know if he is in a coma or just sleeping. It's his body, but that has to be bad for him.
7/2/2009 12:16:34 PM
my gf is like the OP, type 1she checks maybe 3 times a day or so
7/2/2009 12:28:14 PM
is she on a pump or does she do manual injections?
7/2/2009 1:20:08 PM
manual
7/2/2009 1:26:59 PM
Got my new insulin pump today to replace my Cozmo. Animas Ping. It's neato, for a variety of reasons. Of course, right now I'm not even sure if the pump is working correctly. I may have been shipped a batch of faulty cartridges with the pump, as the luer lock connector that attaches to the cartridge gets tilted over when you connect it (no matter how you try, lol). Yay manufacturing defects. At least it's not the pump that's fucked up.Also, pump trainers are somewhat crazy. Why is everybody so damn OCD about wiping off everything with alcohol wipes and so forth? I've only used alcohol wipes to sanitize an area after removing an old infusion site (as it's good for removing the old adhesive, too). Not once have I had an infection or any of that crap as a result of my "being slack". [Edited on July 3, 2009 at 3:15 PM. Reason : ]
7/3/2009 3:05:44 PM
b
10/21/2009 10:45:04 AM
just checking inI have been having a very hard time with my diabetes lately. I have been having so many stomach problems and my sugars are elevated in the morning. I changed my basal rates and I think that is helping. I am afraid to know what my A1c is going to be. My next appt is Dec 14th. I haven't been in a while. Just have not had the funds and my insurance def sucks.
10/21/2009 11:23:53 AM
I need some sort of email reminder when this thread is updated.Oops.Yeah, sorry to hear that punchmonk. My control has gotten worse and because of that my sleep has gotten worse to the point where I'm showing up for work almost late every day. I haven't had enough time to replace my infusion sites in the morning, so on two different occasions now I've been using one site for 5-7 days.At this rate my A1C is going to be iffy as well. Hopefully still under 7%.Diabetes is a pretty fucking lame disease sometimes. Maybe I can get my shit together and stop having problems with it for another 12 or so months.
11/20/2009 12:22:45 AM
11/20/2009 9:25:50 AM
The issue at hand being that I'm on a probationary period at work where, should they have other justification for not wanting me there, they could throw me out for being late once.Whether or not they'd actually do it is another matter entirely, but they held that over my head my first day there. So having medical stuff deteriorate to the point where I barely have enough time to get dressed and stumble into work is kind of a bad thing.
11/20/2009 5:02:45 PM
my g/f (type 1) has trouble sleeping and she wants to take sleeping pills -- should she be doing this? I'm concerned that if she has a low in the middle of the night she possibly won't be woken up by the low, as typically happens, if she has taken sleeping pills...is this a realistic concern? is she risking slipping into a coma of some sort if she doesn't wake up and raise her blood sugar?
11/26/2009 5:50:10 PM
If her control is pretty decent, don't be worried about it.Honestly, if I were her I'd just start off trying Melatonin supplements. I didn't have the best control and I could still wake up at night after taking those if my blood sugars got out of whack.I wouldn't take the heavier stuff, but that's just because when I first started on SSRI's I slept like a damn rock and would wake up at 2am with a blood sugar of 33 mg/dl and covered in sweat. Some of those medications will affect your blood sugar control and that fucking sucks when it's strongest when you're sleeping. For five nights in a row I got pretty close to the point of no return with the low blood sugar and woke up at 1-4am with a crazy ridiculous low.If she absolutely insists upon taking medication like that, she should give it a trial run on a weekend and set an alarm to wake her up every 3 hours so she can check her blood sugar to see if the medication is dangerous or not.[Edited on November 26, 2009 at 9:07 PM. Reason : This has been another episode of Depressabetes with Mindstorm.]
11/26/2009 9:06:06 PM
^thanks for the response, Mindstorm.Her control is okay. But, like I said, she definitely has lows in the middle of the night from time to time and I'm very concerned about her being passed out on meds and not having that regular ability to be woken up by the low.The alarm clock thing is a good idea though. I'll see what she says...
11/26/2009 9:25:20 PM
https://participant.facilitymanagerplus.com/ProjectResponse.aspx?projectId=1150Also, Metformin. One of my dear friends also has PCOS (something I have), and takes Metformin to handle some of the carb issues caused by PCOS (which, if you're not up on, is an endocrine disorder of varying severity, with a high occurrence. There are strong links between it and diabetes/other insulin issues).I was having blood sugar issues (namely, horrible hypoglycemic issues) so unbelievably bad that I actually went to a doctor for them, convinced I had type II (fatty, with a family history...you do the math). I do not. Mystery still in place; working theory of "reactive hypoglycemia". Treatment: eat very, very frequently, and prioritize protein even more, and even fats, to keep food from disappearing from my bloodstream so fast. I started getting the need-food-right-now problems last night, and we started talking, and she's all "omg xtine you NEED to get on this stuff. It will really make your life so much easier - you don't understand. You sound JUST. LIKE. ME."The problem is: I don't quite know/understand how even diabetes works/the mechanics, despite a diabetic father and BFF. It's been explained to me repeatedly, and I still don't get it So trying to understand glucose processing/storage/handling problems in an even more complicated context befuddles the shit out of me. Then trying to understand how a medicine will help with this...I'm so lost. But it seems I'm at the point where I need to look into going onto Metformin for PCOS reasons, because the hypoglycemic symptoms were already a serious hindrance to functioning...and I jsut went and got braces and fucked up the only recourse I had for managing this
12/8/2009 3:58:48 PM
I have been having trouble with highs and lows. I have an appt Monday (THANK YOU JESUS) but I am about to go crazy with diabetes. I have been more tired lately and I am also experiencing more lows around 1am. I am so grateful Ken knows what to do and is not a bitch to me if my sugar goes low. I think I need to see my nutritionist again bc I am totally in WHAT THE FUCK mode.I change my site every three days bc I was having trouble with them pussing up if I went longer. Where all do you put your sites, Mindstorm? I just use my side and abdomen. They always go TERRIBLY wrong if I put them around my butt and I refuse to put them in my fucking arm. I can't believe you go 5-7 days sometimes. I could not do that. I would prob end up with MRSA. >_< What do your sites look like and what kind of infusion set do you use? I am using the silhouette by Medtronic.
12/8/2009 4:50:03 PM
ambrosia, if you're having problems with hypoglycemia you should go talk to your doctor about insulin resistance.HOWEVER.... I warn you, don't think Metformin is just a wonder drug. :\ It does have a lot of side effects so definitely talk to your doctor about those (which I'm sure you will, but just reiterating that fact). The drug helps regulate the amount of insulin your body produces. If you're having problems with hypoglycemia you might have issues with the amount of insulin your body releases and the timing of it. I.e., it might be releasing way too large of an amount way too late thus causing a drastic dip in your blood sugar. They might have you undergo a blood glucose test at the hospital (which sucks).Also, what do you normally eat? Controlling your carbs is going to be key (but 100% whole wheat is good in moderation). I would suggest carrying around some sort of cheese with you if possible, or fruits like apples, strawberries, or oranges... Bananas, pineapples, and grapes aren't as great for you due to their high amount of natural sugars. Do you find yourself craving things that are high in carbohydrates a lot?PM me if you have any questions... but either way, see a doctor ASAP because insulin resistance is nothing to mess around with. :\ I finally went after having the symptoms for a few years and then found out I could have Type II diabetes by the time I was 21 (found out at 19, have had it under control since then).Sorry that was so long!
12/8/2009 6:49:33 PM
Well, the flip side of the/my hypoglycemia: the numbers don't back it up. Past readings have included shaking-so-hard-I-could-barely-unlock-the-door @ 117 (other numbers with similar symptoms have been 108, 123, and 131), and feeling-kinda-in-need-of-food at 35 (after which I swam for an hour, and then ate, and was fine all the while). I started wondering what the hell was going on, so I started taking readings. I was surprised at those numbers.My guess is that those numbers are what helped to arrive at the reactive hypoglycemia (which, as I best understand it, is a bad timing/dosage/fuel management issue) conclusion.
12/8/2009 9:12:50 PM
K, so punchmonkey, to answer you questions, here's some info.What my infusion site/area looks like:It's just a hairy belly, folks. Anyway, that little red dot in the top right near my infusion site is a site that is now 9 or so days old that was used for 4-5 days. I change my sites every two days now that I have a high-paying job with fantastic insurance, and that's how I avoid most of my swings. I only use the areas on the sides of my stomach for the most part (about 5-6 inches away because the adhesive doesn't work well in a hairy spot) and sometimes on my lower back in the "love handle" area. I have never had a site get infected or get pus or anything disgusting like that. I dunno how that happens, really. I think I'm just less vulnerable to it than a lot of people, because I don't wipe the tops of my insulin bottles with an alcohol wipe before using them, I don't use an alcohol wipe on my skin before using an insulin needle for a quick injection, but I do use a series of wipes when putting in an infusion site. My series of wipes for an infusion wipe is IV Prep first then Skin Tac second. Removing an old infusion site I use Uni-Solve adhesive remover and then use an alcohol wipe to sanitize the area and to wipe off the jelly-like adhesive stuff that's left over. My infusion sets that I use now are called Inset 90's (or just insets depending on who you talk to) and they're a 9mm 90° 23" infusion set that was kinda suggested for using with my Animas Ping.With the lows around 1am and the highs and lows, I'd try doing what I normally do when I become 100 percent GODDAMNED FED UP with this shitbag of a disease. I'll cut out all nonessentials (no beer, no candy, no snacks, no ice cream, no nothing outside of meals) and I'll make my own meals that are measured out to a fairly accurate reading. I'll eat stuff like PB+J (easy carb and protein mix, not hard to calculate carb content) and I'll count while eating chips like pringles or ritz crackers or something (stuff that doesn't come broken up in a bag and that has a fairly definitive carb count per chip on the nutrition facts). I'll also do simple stuff like white rice with sea salt and a tiny bit of duck sauce on top (simple, has some sweet flavor, easy on the stomach, easy to carb count since you can exactly measure the sauce and the amount of rice you cook). Keep the carb counts low in your meals (one sandwich, handful of chips, then some cheese or something, while dinner is just one serving of rice with a vegetable + egg stir fry) and adjust your basal rates accordingly if you notice that you're still getting high/low at certain times. When I swing high & low really bad, it's often because my basal rates are too low and I'm bolusing too much for my meals (over estimating how many carbs I just ate).Also, nutritionists are goddamn useless and make me want to throw puppies off of cliffs in anger. And I love puppies. That's how angry their advice makes me.WELL HURR MOTHERFUCKING DURR IF I JUST DRANK WHEATGRASS JUICE AND ATE RICE CAKES I WOULDN'T HAVE BLOOD SUGAR SWINGS. AND IF I COULD SPEND TWO HOURS COOKING EACH NIGHT I COULD GET ALL 37 DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOODS YOU WANT ME TO EAT INTO ONE MEAL! THANKS FOR THE PRACTICAL SOLUTION!Seriously though, take what they say with a grain of salt. When you start experiencing massive, repetitive blood sugar issues there's a few things you need to consider doing. Try increasing the frequency with which you change your site (if you can't afford it, 3 days should still work as long as you're spreading the infusion site zones around). Work on reducing your carb intake for at least a few days (or a week) and monitor your blood sugar as it will mostly be controlled by your basal insulin rates at that point. Cut out the fun stuff. Yeah, no beer, no snacky fun, no ice cream or cookies or candy, nothing that you really want to eat. Make sure that you're cleaning old infusion sites well when you remove them to avoid contaminating an entire area with an infection (even a minor infection will throw off your blood sugar control anyway since you're basically making yourself sick). Consider buying the "spot" bandages and sticking them on the areas where you had an infusion site (with neosporin) to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid putting infusion sites in the butt (that area gets a lot of activity, lol) and in the arm (who the fuck thought that was a good idea? SERIOUSLY!) and just try to use areas that look well-healed and of proper color (i.e. pink). Consider upping your exercise levels if you haven't, as otherwise you'll end up with a bit of a gut like I now have and it'll start causing pockets of insulin resistance that can be a real pain sometimes. Oh, and talk to your doc, and get a second opinion if you think that your doc is dumb.
12/8/2009 9:57:08 PM
Thanks, Mindstorm. Your advice is the best and I am so glad I am going through this with you. You are most excellent! ]
12/8/2009 10:06:28 PM
For anyone who takes Metformin:Have you ever noticed a change in your hair thickness? The past couple months I've noticed just how much hair I've lost in the past few years... I remember when I was a sophomore it was so thick I could only use those thick ponytail holders and wrap them twice - now I can use a regular ponytail holder and wrap it 4 times!! I started taking Metformin when I was a sophomore and ever since then it's gone down hill so I think I'm going to ask my endocrinologist about it next week, but I wanted to see if anyone else had this problem before? Makes me a sad panda.
1/4/2010 10:32:21 AM
I'm gonna ask about metformin at my next gyn appt, rather than my primary care doc. When I couldn't sleep last night, this occurred to me something tells me they're more likely to have more experience with PCOS and then metformin over a PCP >.<
1/4/2010 11:03:11 AM
i tried metformin for my pcos, but my blood sugar has never been anything but normal before. It made me feel dizzy and have spots in my vision .
1/4/2010 12:54:19 PM
So if any of you all used to have an issue with grazing when trying to get your sweetness fix, try doing what I (now) do. I bought a bag of dum dums and a bag of caramel candies (the ones with the oreo-esque filling) and eat one of each to kill the craving. Used to be I would eat ice cream or have a dark beer. This way kills me much less (~15 carbs, easy to count).
1/10/2010 11:48:18 AM
Just got my new medical alert bracelet. The writing on it is huge. Love it!
1/28/2010 5:26:50 PM
eetus
1/28/2010 5:38:36 PM
what do you know about insulin and nutrient receptors and resistance? I have never experienced insulin resistance but I am kind of freaked out that I might be damaging my receptors so my insulin keys won't fit the nutrient cell locks. I also have been having a shit load of lows.Also, my insulin strips are $60 now. They are consider a different type of prescription apart from my insulin. I know that is half of what they cost retail but I am just frustrated that I am not paying $35 anymore. The cost of my stuff keeps going up. I HATE BEING A TYPE I DIABETIC! I guess I am grateful that I do have insurance. I would prob die if I did not have the insurance. I cannot afford all the supplies and medicine without insurance.
3/11/2010 10:08:30 PM
Same here. With my new Apidra insulin I pay about $180 a month for insulin and strips. They're robbing my ass.I know nothing of receptors and resistance. I do know that once I switched insulins that my daily requirements dropped about 10-20%. If you're having problem with insulin resistance try putting your infusion sites in another area (my lower back has been a new area that my doctor suggested that I use), or try switching to another insulin. Apidra acts really fast, but it costs $30 more per refill than my old insulin.Reminds me, I gotta go pick that up tomorrow. And yeah, society wants us all to go jump off a cliff and die. The cost of my prescriptions went from $60 on mediocre insurance back in 2003 to $180 now on really goddamn good insurance in 2010. Not counting pump supplies. Soon it'll be as much as a car payment. @_@
3/13/2010 11:59:26 PM
im a little late on this but....
3/14/2010 12:04:45 AM
I just wanted to come into this thread and say that that bracelet is pwn.That is all. I don't have Diabetes but I have a cousin who does and I know its been tough for him (just got diagnosed two years ago)Diabeteetus = teh sux
3/14/2010 12:33:45 AM
3/14/2010 12:56:08 PM
The new insulin isn't bad. It's about 10-15% more effective than the old insulin. It is a lot newer and thus costs more than the other brands right now.I put sites on my lower back using one of these:Once you've locked the device into the position where it's ready to insert the infusion site into your skin, it's a one hand operation. Just position it, squeeze it on the sides, and *boom*. I use skin tac adhesive wipes which keeps the infusion sites stable for three or four days. Haven't ever had one pull out because I've always used those wipes.
3/14/2010 3:11:53 PM
This girl maintains a pretty damn funny blog about living with diabeteshttp://alycemarie.wordpress.com/One of the highlights: be an ironic diabetic for halloween!
3/14/2010 3:18:04 PM
I need to get rid of some breeze test discs and contour strips and am too lazy to ebay them. Anyone use one of those meters? You can have extra meters and lances too. Long story, got them for someone else on the cheap and he's no longer interested.
3/15/2010 1:17:39 PM
forgot to respond to you, lewoods. Sorry lady. I will not be taking them off your hands. Thanks for the offer. ^^HAHAHAHAHA!! I can relate!!! I will add her blog to my reader! gg
3/15/2010 1:31:52 PM
^^i can't believe you'd try to sell and make cash off of what you acquire for free at Wags, CVS, and RA.wait, yes i can.
3/15/2010 1:33:14 PM
I think asking someone to pay shipping and the ebay fees is 100% reasonable if I list them there, but I'd rather not have to do that. If I meet someone locally I'd have time and gas invested, and don't consider it unreasonable to ask them to pay for that either. In my experience I have had people take ANYTHING because it was free then let it go to waste, so no I won't give them away for free. Extremely cheap, yes. I also have a shit ton of medical expenses and no extra money to waste. I hope you never have to experience that. I'm selling my fucking car so I can go see more doctors. I suggest you STFU and be glad you can afford to overpay for a new altima or whatever the hell it is you bought.Also, you said you'd pay me what I PAID for some benefiber then backed out. So maybe you should quit being a bitch and lying to me.
3/15/2010 2:40:54 PM
why don't you sue an airline or something for some cash while you are at it.
3/15/2010 4:02:19 PM
thumper why you openin' your mouth in the diabetes thread[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 4:03 PM. Reason : and talking shit to these poor people, damn]
3/15/2010 4:03:00 PM
diarrheabetes
3/15/2010 4:05:50 PM
^^^^I texted you to meet up that Sunday (like you told me to), and you backed out/changed your mind/never texted back so don't bitch that you didn't get your money. And if you don't need/use those meters and strips, why spend all that gas money driving around to get them? Then you wouldn't have to sell something you got for FREE and claim to be having them pay you for your precious gas money.]
3/15/2010 4:06:00 PM
3/15/2010 4:21:01 PM
You never set a time then left before I got there. Like I said, I got them for a friend then he got better insurance and now I'm stuck with them. I wouldn't have bought them otherwise. I also only ask people to pay half the original amount once they show up to get the stuff (or ship them extra strips or something). I just don't want to list them so cheap someone gets them just to resell them or some shit.
3/15/2010 4:22:56 PM
]
3/15/2010 4:24:56 PM
It's overpaying for a Honda that makes you a tard. Nothing is free. You need to learn about opportunity cost. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=opportunity+cost
3/15/2010 4:27:24 PM
3/15/2010 4:29:14 PM
i mean you came up in here starting shit, you knowthen continued bitching in the chatterbox
3/15/2010 4:30:51 PM
Wow, you must be special because they don't charge you tax on the damn things.
3/15/2010 4:31:18 PM
3/15/2010 4:32:19 PM
i'm not trying to embarrass you, newbiei'm showing that you are being a drama queen/attention whore/hypocrite/etc.
3/15/2010 4:33:23 PM
to be fair, it is lewoods who is trying to sell medical supplies she got for free. that's pretty shitty. insurance fraud is probably involved as well since she was "getting them for someone else"[Edited on March 15, 2010 at 4:35 PM. Reason : ]
3/15/2010 4:34:57 PM