[Diabetes-talk] living with diabetes, meters, and foods

Thu Jun 21 12:36:48 UTC 2012

Hi Mike and list,
I like the comment about the meters. Grin My husband and I would both like 
that. Smile

I will finish Diabetes Burnout. I found the RFB&D recording and then 
discovered that it is available on iBooks. Once my Braille display gets 
fixed (for the third time in five months) I will finish reading the book. 
Health at Every Size is also available as an iBook for only $1.99.

Do your doctors generally require you to keep detailed records? I created my 
own database on the iPhone for keeping track. I write down the date, time, 
period (my meals are not always at the same time), correction bolus, meal 
bolus, temporary basal if any, exercise, and comments. I wish that there was 
a simpler, less time-consuming process. Just to let all of you know, the 
Prodigy meter software is usable (not 100% accessible), so it is possible to 
export records to a PDF or Excel file to email or print out for the doctor. 
The pump also keeps track of insulin given, but not for what it is for. 
Hopefully, we will have an accessible pump in the next thirty years. Smile

Part of eating healthy is buying the right ingredients to make healthy food. 
I have seen tuns of cookbooks on Bookshare, but I don't know which one I 
should start with. Some friends of mine make some recipes that I like but 
they don't measure ingredients or know the carb count--another issue that is 
especially difficult to educate people about. I am looking for simple, 
healthy recipes to make. It would be great if anyone on the list  could 
share a favorite recipe or cookbook.
I will try altering my days of good and bad eating like the doctor you 
mentioned. Smile
I have attempted to change the subject line to more accurately reflect what 
is being discussed.

Chanelle

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 9:36 PM
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] intuitive eating and textures Re:ExcellentArticle> Chanelle:
>
> You've only overexposed yourself if you think you have. To my way of
> thinking, you are in the family of blind diabetics and (barring some tabbo
> subjects that all families have), I think it's healthy to discuss 
> emotions,
> feelings, cravings, treatment conundrums, etc. -- anything that's bugging
> you. Of course, you lay yourself open to comment but that's the essence of
> email lists, blogging, social networking, etc. Anyway, you are mong 
> friends
> so let 'er rip. Insofar as *I* am concerned, there are no taboos.
>
> You mentioned Dr. William Palonsky's book "Diabetes Burnout" in your
> previous post. He discusses the phenomenon of people who feel their meters
> are accusatory (even though they are inanimate and, in reality, the people
> are accusing themselves). In chapter 1, the case of Mel exhibits exactly
> what you describe -- he didn't look at his numbers often because they were
> always high. Sadly, medical personnel don't always help; on the one hand,
> they advise looking at the numbers as giving information for improving
> control (correctly) while on the other hand, they all-too-often glibly
> assumg the patient is "noncompliant". One cannot have it both ways. But if
> one approaches the numbers as giving guidance for action, it's a little
> better. I remember one video on the dLife site where a doctor says he 
> wishes
> bg meters had a "spouse button" one could punch when one's spouse 
> approached
> that would automatically improve the readings. (grin)
>
> I have no personal experience with pumpers taking more liberties with 
> carbs
> than is prudent. However, it seems to me I corresponded with another blind
> diabetic who said he'd been on several email lists of pumpers but
> unsubscribed from them in disgust because, according to him, the 
> predominant
> theme of most of the posts was dosing up with their pumps so they could 
> eat
> a whole supreme pizza at one go and still stay in the normal range! So it
> must happen some. Truthfully, I dose up pretty well for a jumbo Mexican
> combo plate. But I might do this once every two weeks. And I remember an
> editorial in Diabetes Forecast wherein one of ADA's doctor advisors says 
> he
> eats "good" two days and "bad" one day and this scheduling satisfies his
> cravings and he stays in good health.
>
> For good or ill, diabetes is one of the few diseases where the diabetic
> patient has the majority of the power to make himself/herself better or
> worse.
>
> So we keep on keeping on.
>
> Mike Freeman
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Allen
> Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:11 AM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] intuitive eating and textures Re: Excellent
> Article
>
> Thank you for your reply and your words of wisdom. Here is the link to the
> article you mentioned.
> Updating Your Coping Skills
> http://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm10/bm1009/bm100912.htm
> My diabetes was tightly controlled for me as a child, so I rebelled in my
> young adult years instead when I was also diagnosed with major depression.
> With depression, anything and everything feels overwhelming. Medications 
> or
> therapy (which may also seem like work) can definitely help with that.
> Again, one must find benefits to outweigh the cost or trouble when 
> deciding
> to change. Fortunately though, even little changes, such as remembering to
> check blood sugar more often, definitely help. It's interesting how we or 
> at
>
> least I will monitor my blood sugar more closely when the numbers are good
> and shrink from it when they are bad. Do other people experience this? It 
> is
>
> easy to feel ashamed of diabetes control or lack thereof when 
> professionals
> don't understand the day to day experience of living with diabetes and 
> when
> many of the diabetics you know are in good control.
> Do people on the pump generally take more liberties with carbs since it is
> easier to immediately compensate for them? Even though I take too many
> liberties (I am trying to work on that), pump or no pump, one still needs 
> to
>
> watch the carbs.
> In writing this email, I am reminded of the advice to focus on the good
> things we are doing to be healthy and not on the bad.
> I hope that I have not exposed myself too much.
> Chanelle
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 10:42 PM
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] intuitive eating and textures Re:
> ExcellentArticle
>
>> Chanelle:
>>
>> The one thing that is universal about diabetes is the old adage 
>> symbolized
>> by the initials YMMV -- Your Mileage May Vary. Each person's diabetes is
>> different from that of every other person although there are
>> commonalities.
>> I write this as an introduction to what I shall say below so that you 
>> will
>> take it in the "for what it's worth" department rather than as the
>> testimony
>> of an "expert" which I am most definitely not.
>>
>> Once I learned the ins and outs of the wisdom (orthodox and otherwise)
>> about
>> diabetes and switched to intensive insulin management, I ultimately did
>> not
>> and do not find diabetes care to be overly-complex, a burden or requiring
>> the level of vigilance that you apparently do. AS I say, it's a case of
>> YMMV. But perhaps part of the key is that you say you aren't very good at
>> self-discipline (you said it; I did not so this is not criticism). I 
>> think
>> it's fair to say that good diabetes control *does* require a fair amount
>> of
>> discipline. There's a good Braille Monitor article about this from a year
>> or
>> two ago; it originally appeared in an issue of Diabetes Self-management
>> Quarterly from some time in 2009. I'll see if I can dig it up although, 
>> as
>
>> I
>> say, it's in the Monitor. The article asserts that many people who have a
>> tough time with diabetes were not all that disciplined in other areas of
>> their lives (they did not have to be) so find it tough getting into the
>> groove re diabetes management. As I say, this is not criticism.
>>
>> As for texture aversions, I don't have many although I did as a kid.
>> Although I liked their taste, I found oranges kind of yuchy in texture;
>> same
>> went for peas, lima beans and avocados. Now the only thing I find kind of
>> weird is peas although I will eat them mixed in with other vegetables or
>> potatos. I think one just sets one's mind to getting over it and keeps
>> trying until one succeeds or decides the effort isn't worth it. I have a
>> nephew that doesn't like the texture of steak or rost beef or ribs -- I
>> think he's terminally mentally ill in this regard but it's his problem,
>> not
>> mine. He likes hamburger, though -- go figure. But I think he just 
>> decided
>> it isn't worth it.
>>
>> If you are *truly* low-carb, as in Richard K. Bernstein, I suspect fruit
>> is
>> almost completely proscribed. Both South Beach and Atkins forbid fruit in
>> the first part of getting over carb cravings (the goal of the first few
>> weeks of their diets). South Beach, at least, reintroduces fruit after 
>> the
>> first strict phase of the diet when presumably carb cravings have been
>> tamed.
>>
>> I never really had or have carb cravings or even sweet cravings (being a
>> chocoholic as a kid doesn't count). Not having a sense of smell, I can
>> understand why you'd have a sweet tooth. You'll have to work out your own
>> salvation there.
>>
>> Although I tend to go for a somewhat low-carb diet and, unlike the
>> conventional wisdom dictates, I eat all the red meat I want, believing 
>> the
>> link between fat -- especially saturated fat -- and heart disease to be
>> tenuous at best, I do eat some carbohydrate.
>>
>> I think it's fair to say that one can get vitamin C and trace minerals
>> from
>> certain vegetables. But, all other things being equal, eating a wide
>> variety
>> of foods (including fruit), tends to make it more likely that one will
>> receive all the nutrients one needs.
>>
>> It certainly helps to be on insulin; although it's probably prudent to
>> keep
>> the carb load down to a dull roar, at least one can compensate when one
>> *does* want something carby!
>>
>> I do tend to subscribe to the intuitive eating theory; to me, it's the
>> most
>> natural and makes sense. Besides, contrary to the current fad of
>> hand-wringing and "woe is me" thinking about American eating habits, the
>> latest statistics show mortality on average is *decreasing* in America,
>> not
>> increasing. However, there is increasing evidence that, as a whole, we 
>> eat
>> far too much sugar. So, as Colleen says, ditch the guilt trip and eat
>> something delectable -- just don't get into the habit of it. (grin)
>>
>> I don't suppose this helps much but it's grist for the mill.
>>
>> Mike Freeman
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Allen
>> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 9:22 AM
>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] intuitive eating and textures Re: Excellent
>> Article
>>
>> I too enjoyed listening to the presenter at the DAN seminar last year (I
>> listened to the recording online). It would be wonderful if diabetes 
>> could
>> be reduced to a mere nuisance. The problem is that the vigilance, care,
>> and
>> consistency required is overwhelming and takes up too much effort. I am
>> not
>> strong-willed or self-disciplined. The book Diabetes Burnout suggests 
>> that
>> we are motivated to continue repeating destructive habits and that we
>> don't
>> change if the costs outweigh the benefits. Just because we know we
>> shouldn't
>>
>> do something to avoid unpleasant consequences, that doesn't hinder people
>> from choosing the same thing again.
>> I started reading Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your
>> Weight by Linda Bacon, which discusses the intuitive eating approach.
>> Later in the book, Dr. Bacon recommends eating a variety of foods. I have
>> a
>> problem where I gag on foods of certain textures--especially fruit. Even
>> mashed potatoes, which I like gives me that feeling if I eat too much. 
>> Has
>> anyone experienced a similar problem not liking certain textures and what
>> have you done to overcome it? I also don't have a sense of smell, so the
>> food I don't like does not have much appeal even if it is supposed to
>> taste
>> good. Even eating the fruit that I like (sweet, crisp apples) doesn't 
>> take
>> away my sweet craving. I try to eat lots of vegetables, so maybe that
>> makes
>> up for the lack of fruit. Is eating fruit still recommended on a low
>> carbohydrate diet? I use an insulin pump, so I can't make the excuse that
>> fruit will raise my blood sugar too high (smile).
>> I hope that I haven't gone off topic.
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Bernadette Jacobs" <bernienfb75 at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 9:02 AM
>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Excellent Article
>>
>>> On 6/16/12, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
>>>> Diabetics are often bombarded with advice on what's the "best" diet for
>>>> them
>>>> (as if diabetes is just one disease). The American diabetes Association
>>>> tells us not to eliminate carbs from our diet (ignoring the fact that
>>>> the
>>>> Inuit did and are doing quite well, thank you, without much 
>>>> carbohydrate
>>>> in
>>>> the diet). The Atkins people hit us with just the opposite advice but
>>>> arouse
>>>> suspicion in some because of their association with certain types of
>>>> alternative medical therapies.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It seems as though the advice is driven as much by the current
>>>> politically-correct, medical and scientific fads as it is by solid
>>>> research
>>>> (which is damnably difficult to do when dealing with diets and
>>>> nutrition).
>>>> And seldom is the *real* science behind all these assertions carefully
>>>> and
>>>> rigorously examined. It's high time this changed. It's why I had a
>>>> different
>>>> sourt of dietitian at last year's DAN Seminar and why I often come
>>>> across
>>>> as
>>>> a terminal skeptic.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Check out the blog post at the link shown below and get what seems to 
>>>> be
>>>> more the straight scoop on all this. Many of our most cherished and
>>>> unquestioned assumptions turn out to have little scientific basis.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
> http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/03/05/whats-wrong-with-the-dietary-advice-diabe
>>>> tes-uk-dishes-out-to-diabetics/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mike Freeman
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bernienfb75%40gma
>> il.com
>>>>
>>> Ya know gang, I was at that DAN Seminar and I really appreciated what
>>> that lady had to say.  I think that the way she mapped things out
>>> makes one's diabetes far more manageable.  Blindness, (at least to
>>> most of us here), is a mere nuisance; a characteristic.  We should be
>>> able to make diabetes the same; a mere characteristic or condition
>>> which we ourselves are all able to manage and control without being
>>> forced by myth, misconception, and society in general to regard our
>>> diabetes as a curse!!  Can't have this; can't have that; gotta eat
>>> this; gotta eat that; can only eat one cup of this; and whatever you
>>> do, don't forget your daily allowance of cardboard packaging; so help
>>> you God!!!  After all, ya gotta eat that because if ya eat something
>>> that actually tastes good, it's gonna be bad for ya.  I thought the
>>> bottom line of what that lady said was very simple: If you eat two
>>> pieces of chocolate fudge cake at the end of your meal and two hours
>>> later, you peak at 360, you know better than to ever do that again.
>>> especially if only you've eaten one piece of that cake and your sugar
>>> peaks at 165ish, then you know to allow yourself just one piece.  The
>>> object here is to set and know your peak so that if you rise above it,
>>> you know to cut yourself off.  Like Lynn said previously, the key is
>>> "MODERATION!"  It's not that you can't have what pleasures of life you
>>> wish.  You simply need to use discretion, disciplin and self control.
>>> If you can't control it, don't go there.  Simple as that. My other
>>> advice is test, test, test so you know where you are at all times.
>>> And, if you don't like your numbers, take heed and don't be afraid to
>>> seek counsel if you need.
>>>
>>> Bern
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellem.allen%4
>> 0gmail.com
>>>
>>
>>
>> ---
>> avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
>> Virus Database (VPS): 120618-1, 06/18/2012
>> Tested on: 6/18/2012 11:23:03 AM
>> avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2012 AVAST Software.
>> http://www.avast.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellem.allen%4
> 0gmail.com
>>
>
>
> ---
> avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
> Virus Database (VPS): 120620-0, 06/20/2012
> Tested on: 6/20/2012 7:14:07 AM
> avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2012 AVAST Software.
> http://www.avast.com
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellem.allen%40gmail.com
> 

---
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.
Virus Database (VPS): 120621-0, 06/21/2012
Tested on: 6/21/2012 7:38:10 AM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2012 AVAST Software.
http://www.avast.com