[Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

Sat Sep 5 20:33:01 UTC 2015

I'm with you here, Bridgit. I do seem to have to change my basal rates for winter and summer. Nobody seemed to think that analysis made sense but there it is. I change the basals and get the results I want so there! <grin> 
And of course, just when I think I know what I'm doing, there will be an occasional misbehaving cannula and surprise! And I too never guess what to do if I think I'm high. I've treated many lows before or without testing because, well, as long as it sometimes takes me to test, why risk going even lower. <grin> If my fingers cooperate, I like to test about an hour after a low to make sure I'm not heading too far in the other direction.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                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 Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2015 6:09 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

Veronica,

Yes, I definitely have days where I don't test as often as I like. Some days, I get caught up doing something, and before I know it, hours have gone by without me testing. I start feeling lows in the 70's, and sometimes I treat before knowing exactly how low I am, but I never correct when high without knowing exactly how high. My variables tend to change frequently too, even when I do things on the same schedule. I can eat the exact same food every day at the exact same time, exercise at the same time, doing the same activity each day, get up and go to bed at the same time, and still, things change frequently for me, like every couple of months, though at times, it has happened in a matter of weeks. But suddenly I will run high in the morning and low at night. When one per 20 for a bolus had been working, all of a sudden, I need one per 15. If I didn't test frequently, I wouldn't always catch this, and I wouldn't be able to track the trends, knowing where exactly I need to adjust. Others may be able to remain much steadier than this, and I wish I would, but ever since I was little, this is how my diabetes has been. I like that since being on the pump, I can set basal rates to deliver different amounts of insulin at different parts of the day, adjusting as I need too. For me, this has helped tremendously in keeping my sugars more even-keeled.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2015 4:04 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

Bridgit, my answer when I don't get in those regular or extra tests is, I don't. I fret or worry about what they are. I have never understood how people could say oh I know I am, fill in the blank. Yes, if I'm really high I can feel it. If I'm low, thank goodness I can feel it. But I can't know how much insulin to take to bring me down appropriately without testing. Unfortunately for me, I've had to accept the fact that sometimes I don't get a number and I have to just go on with life. But it bugs me!
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                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 Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2015 10:50 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

I have a legitimate question, and this is not directed at anyone, it's sheer curiosity. Regardless if type one or two, how do you know what you're sugars are running without testing several times throughout the day? And I have noticed that the type two's I know who test infrequently or not at all, do so under the supervision of a general practitioner or internal med doc. Whereas those who see an endocrine, tend to test regularly and frequently, for two's usually being four times a day. But without testing throughout the day, you don't honestly know what your numbers are running, and as Veronica pointed out, A1-C's, while usually more accurate than a glucose meter, they are not precise either. For best control and monitoring of sugars, how can this happen without testing frequently daily?

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Freeman via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2015 12:11 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

I dare say that goes for all of us.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark Tardif via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 5:58 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Mark Tardif
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

And if it becomes necessary and my doctor recommends it, I will test 3 or 4 times a day and become stricter about exercise and diet.  Actually, my exercise routine is good, (a lot of walking, and in this neighborhood we have a lot of hills,) but my food intake certainly needs modification.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 8:50 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

Mark,

That's one big difference between ones and twos: two's tend to remain more consistent than type one's, and that's why two's can usually test less frequently. Personally, I think two's, regardless of A1-C's, should test four times a day, but as long as you're managing things and are healthy, what works for you is what works. One's have much more problems with inconsistencies, and that's why it's important we test as frequently as possible. At 200 and higher, I can definitely feel it, and I don't like how I feel in these ranges. Even if bolusing correctly, one's still tend to have more potential problems with inconsistencies.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark Tardif via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 6:51 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Mark Tardif <markspark at roadrunner.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

I think what you said here is very important.  I have type two diabetes, don't take insulin yet, just metformin, and my last A1C level was 5.9, and I felt perfectly fine and my doctor thought that was very appropriate in my case.  Even though I like ice cream, my glucose readings rarely go above 200, and I can test once or twice a day with no problem.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 11:53 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

Eileen,

Diabetes is an individual disease, at the end of the day. Some regimines work better for some, and not so much for others. So many variables go into the equation, and while there are some constants, so much more is variable.

What's an acceptable A1-C depends on a lot. For me, going below 7 means I'm running too low. For others, they can go below 7 and be totally fine. Type two's can usually have lower A1-C's too. There are differences between type one and two, and people don't always understand that. My grandma is a type two, and I'm a type one. She typically has A1-C's 6. 5 and lower. She doesn't understand why I shouldn't have mine lower, but the difference between one and two can be varied enough to create such differences.

Like Veronica, I need to get my daily work-out in. As a teen and in my early 20's, I ran three to five miles a day, and I danced-- ballet, tap, jazz-- and while I still incorporate ballet barre exercises into my work-out, I like to either power walk outside or use my elliptical at home for cardio. I do my ballet barre exercises and stretches afterwards. Sometimes I jog on a mini-trampoline too. In total, my work-outs last an hour to an hour-and-a-half. I usually have to disconnect during cardio then hook back up an hour afterwards. I test before working out then an hour-and-a-half after the work-out. Have you tried exercising at the same time each day?
This can help with consistency, and you can usually judge what your sugars will run before and after since doing it at the same time. You could also do it after a meal, adding a little more carbs to that meal. I have a three-year-old, so I tend to work-out late at night, like between nine and ten, since that's usually when I can get a lot done without distractions, smile. I tend to run higher at night, mid to upper 100's, so this actually works out. I also don't eat much during the day, mostly grabbing what I
can-- Greek yogurt, Clif bars, salads-- and I usually don't snack unless low, so I try to make supper the one meal I sit down and have a full course with all the wonderful foods you are suppose to fit into each meal, smile.

But it's really individually based. You can't always judge your treatment and effects of by how others are treated and their results. I can eat a candy bar, bolus and remain at 120, while a friend of mine will eat candy, bolus and have crazy, inconsistent sugars all the rest of the day. If I do run high, say 300 or higher, which happens during my lady time, when I correct, I can drop in an hour. The same friend will take all day to come down from a high sugar. For breakfast and lunch, my carb/insulin ratio is one per 22, while at supper, it's one per 15. And this ratio can also change depending on the carb I'm eating. Like if pasta, no matter the time of day, I usually do one per 15, though I eat pasta sparingly. My friend always needs to do one per 10, regardless of time of day or carb.

So what works for one, doesn't always work for another person. Do what works for you and what your doctors recommend, and as long as you achieve results you're happy with, it's okay. And if you want to try to get your A1-C below 7, try. If you start running low frequently, then you likely are good staying in the 7 to 8 range.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 6:40 PM
To: NFB Diabetes Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Fw: Good News?

Hi Veronica and all:

This for me has been a really interesting topic.

I too have been using a pump for a year and a half now.  While my numbers
are certainly better than what I had been experiencing, they are in my mind,
still not perfect or the perfect I’d like them to be.  I’ve found that
getting rid of the long acting Lantus in my insulin regiment has totally
eliminated extreme highs.  That’s not to say I don’t have highs & lows, but
the highs are at least contained to being no more than the high 200’s which
I can live with and fix.

Usually, when I go high  its due to poor estimating of my carb
intake/insulin ratio.  I’ve been a diabetic since I was 5, and I have had
good control with really good A1C’s.  However, weird things started
happening to my control in my 40’s.  When I was using Lantus I would see BG
numbers that could be in the 300’s, 400’s and even higher!  I found it
really stressful and was constantly fretting over the numbers.  Its not like
I wasn’t watching my diet or not exercising.  .  .  Making the change to the
pump and only having Novolog in my system has made a big difference and
leveled out the numbers.  The only thing I have been left questioning has
been my A1C results.  I’ve pretty much been around 7.4 to 7.8.  Last year
when I first started the pump I did get the A1C down to 6.3, but that’s
because I was having far too many lows while adjusting insulin rates.  My
doctor and Diabetic Educator have told me over and over that the numbers I’m
running are fine and they don’t want me down around 6.something because that
would leave me having too many low BGs and could be damaging to the heart
and heart function.

I’ve been questioning the advice, because I’ve heard other diabetics always
insisting that the closer to a 6 you can get the A1C the better your control
and the less the chance of complications.  This just has left me feeling
like I was doing something, somewhere so wrong by having a 7.whatever A1C
number.

So, bottom line is I feel a lot better after reading the posts by Bridget,
yourself & everet today.

As for exercising for a full hour – I wish I could! Even after a short
workout of 20 or 30 minutes my BG level crashes.  I disconnect the pump
during and then leave it off for another half hour to a full hour.  Still, I
can sometimes have horrible lows.  I wish I could get a better handle on
getting that leveled out so I could exercise with a bit less worry.

Thanks for the great topic today and we’ll all just keep striving together
to improve control.

Eileen

From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2015 5:22 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Veronica Elsea
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Good News?

Hi Everett!
Oh how I loved reading your post. Congrats and bravo for you. When I was
first diagnosed at age 34, for the first couple of years my A1C ran between
13 and 16 no matter what I seemed to do. NPH insulin just didn't obsorb
consistently and no amount of fiddling seemed to sort me out. Within two
months on a pump, I had my A1C down to 7 to 8 range, where I seem to spend a
lot of time. I seem to go from being really on top of things to phases of
burn out, then back at it again, then burn out. So what I really like here
is that ability to be, well, human, knowing that sometimes it's okay to ride
the ups and downs with a supportive group. The sanity for me is exercise. I
feel really weird if I don't walk at least an hour a day.
My biggest struggle right now is blood testing. My callouses are really a
problem and the swollen fingers from rheumatoid arthritis don't help much.
But as you said, just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. <grin> Oh wait!
Striving! <laughing!
So go for it, all of us!
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club.
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                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 via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 12:55 PM
To: 'Everett Gavel'; 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Mike Freeman
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Good News?

Hey Everett! Bravo, my man! Glad your attitude adjustment is working! Keep
it up!

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Everett Gavel via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 11:56 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Everett Gavel
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Good News?

Hello All,

I just realized that, while I've recently begun sharing a little more about
my personal situation with my diabetes publicly on some 'blind diabetic'
lists, I've yet to share it here on my original and most favorite, most
read, bestest list of them all for blind diabetics. Please forgive me for
that.

I do have some good news to share. Good for me, at least. A week or two ago,
my doc told me my a1c was 8.0. Now, that may not be all that great, but try
to understand, I'm pretty sure it's not been that low, personally, since I
was a young teenager, and possibly even before that.

I got diabetes when I was 10, and all through my teens and 20's, and I'll
admit, even into my 30's truly, I was as stupid, er, stubborn as they come.
At least in regards to my diabetes. I pretty much ignored it as much as I
could without bringing on a quick death. About all I did for the first
couple of decades (I'm 45 now) was to take my insulin once and for a while
twice a day. That's it.

I never cared what my a1c was on those 3-month appointments I sometimes kept
with my docs. But a few years ago I started smartening up a bit.
Little by little I tried taking better care of my diabetes. I finally gave
in and got a Medtronic pump about 1.5 years ago.

Today, I can say I finally made the mental switch and gave into the need,
the smarter choice, to actually monitor my glucose levels regularly.
Nowadays, if I don't test at least 4 times a day, I feel wierd. Maybe it's
some kind of guilt or something, I don't know. But I *like* that it feels
wrong to not test at least 4 times a day, these days.

So, all that being rambled on about, while I realize it may be along the
lines of too little too late, I'm hoping for the other cliche to be more
true, where it says, better late than never.
;-)

So my BS levels are 8.0. Well, okay, my 'BS' (and
sarcasm) levels are often far higher than that, but, my blood sugar levels
are now most often under 200, and for me, that's great. For decades, my
average has been between 300 & 400 when I'd test it. I've been clocked more
times than I can count, back in the day when the Joslin Diabetes Center was
where I went for my 3-month check ups as a teen, at over 700. These days, I
can't seem to find a monitor that doesn't quit counting around 599 or 600,
seems like. But I don't test em out like that too much anymore either, so
who knows? I'm glad I can say I don't know that for sure, actually.

Anyway, I'm newly inspired by my 8.0 a1c. In 3 months, my new goal is 7.0.
I'm not just counting carbs and taking insulin to cover, now. It's a
challenge, and I love a good challenge. So I'm actually (gasp) paying
attention to what I'm eating, and not just counting carbs. I'm actually
focusing on, go figure, EATING BETTER.

So, I just wanted to share my small bit of good news and new inspiration.
You all, here, have been inspiring to me over the years, and I truly
appreciate all that you share.

Strive On!
Everett
In Colorado Springs, USA

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