[Diabetes-talk] why I don't test myself

Mon Sep 2 22:24:17 UTC 2013

Getting assistance is one thing, not testing at all is another.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Veronica Elsea
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2013 4:56 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] why I don't test myself

There is one important element in this message which I do want to bring
out. Back in the late nineties, I got so frustrated with all the time I
spent fighting my meters and tests that I did take a break. Oh, not from
testing, but from doing it completely alone. Granted I was fortunate
enough to have a willing hubby around, but in the long-run, for me, I
greatly benefitted from the break from the struggle. So if any of us
decide to take a break and get assistance testing, the important thing
is that we're testing. So I hope that nobody here feels defeated or bad
if you ask for help. We all have a lot that we're trying to fit into our
lives. Obviously we do need independent methods of testing and in the
end, we need good control of our diabetes and that's the real bottom
line. Just sharing a list hug, I guess. Veronica

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                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2013 2:21 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] why I don't test myself

Sandi: 
I applaud your encouragement of Julie and all others who can control
their diabetes with diet and exercise. However, I hope you do not mean
to imply that you sanction not testing blood sugar. Even ballpark
figures are far better than nothing. 
I also believe we should be very careful to not let our ability not to
need medicines to cloud our understanding into thinking that diabetics
who use or need medicines are somehow less diligent in their diabetes
treatment and control. Some of us don't have a choice in the matter. You
and I differ on this but I believe almost all diabetics would be far
better off to begin use of insulin upon discovery of their disease. 
YMMV applies in spades to diabetes. 
Mike freeman 

On Sep 2, 2013, at 13:35, "Sandi Ryan" <sjryan2 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm with you, Julie.  I'm another lucky one--and glad to be!  Good job

> on
getting your A1C's down.  It's not easy, but definitely worth it.
> 
> Sandi
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julie Kline"
<julie.kline at rochester.rr.com>
> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, September 02, 2013 1:40 PM
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] why I don't test myself
> 
> 
>> Hello all,
>> 
>> I don't mean to sound like I am gloating here, but I'd like to share 
>> my thoughts of the messages I have seen over the past few days.  
>> Reading
over
>> these messages, this is exactly the reason why I don't do testing for

>> my
own
>> blood glucose anymore.  I have had nothing but trouble with both 
>> talking meters and I'm sorry I spent the money on either one.  Even 
>> having people from the diabetes centers we have here watching me, I 
>> haven't been able
to
>> get enough blood to get enough of a sample, while the meters at the
diabetes
>> center work just fine.  I feel that with a 20 point plus or minus
accuracy
>> that seems to come with the talking meters, I'm not willing to
continually
>> sit there and poke my fingers for the 20 minutes it takes to finally 
>> get enough blood.  And yes, I have done the hot water thing, massaged

>> the finger, held it to the lancet on maximum setting, stayed 
>> hydrated, the rubber band thing . but testing with a talking meter 
>> just hasn't worked
out
>> for me, so I don't bother with it, and these messages just confirm to

>> me why.  I still do whatever lab work or tests my doctor or diabetes 
>> center
ask
>> me to do, and I stay on top of these tests every 3 months.  However, 
>> I
found
>> that I've lost enough weight now and that weight loss that came from
eating
>> better, combined with exercising an hour 5 days a week walking 4 
>> miles a session, and my medications, have given me 2 a1c readings of 
>> between 6
and
>> 6.2.  When I first learned I had diabetes, I was 83 pounds heavier 
>> and
had
>> an a1c reading of 8.6.  I know that the approach I take won't work 
>> for everybody, especially for people who have to take insulin.  But 
>> for
myself,
>> I have type 2 diabetes and am not at that point yet.  At least for
myself,
>> it has been possible to turn things around and I'd be willing to
recommend
>> exercise DVDs that I use and found helpful if anyone is interested.  
>> I recognize, or at least people tell me, that diabetes is a 
>> progressive illness.  I hope that when it does come my time where 
>> things get worse,
that
>> they will have perfected these meters more and maybe they can work 
>> better with people who can't generate enough blood, but for now I 
>> have much
better
>> use of my fingers for other things, like reading Braille.
>> 
>> Just my thoughts on the whole thing.
>> 
>> Julie
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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