Diabetes

[Toxick]

It will be ok, just stick to your diet and exercise and lay off the soda's and juices and you should be ok!

Well, luckily I'm an unsweetened ice-tea kinda guy.



Which, except for a few restaraunts (many of which I'm no longer allowed to frequent, like McDonalds and Wendy's), and my own batch at home - good unsweetened ice-tea really really hard to come by around here.

 

[Toxick]

Update:

Yup, I got the diabetes.

I think I only got one diabete though, so I got lucky.

Anyway, before my doctor appt monday, I almost slipped into a diabetic coma, which landed me in ICU for a few days of R&R. That's not a trip I'd like to repeat. They stuck needles in places that I didn't even know I had. Plus the hourly finger-pricks checking for sugar. Plus I missed my family even though they were there whenever they could be.

Good news: I feel like a million bucks right now.

Bad News, I have to stick myself with needles twice a day from now on, and I'm so far behind at work I can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'd fill in more details, but as I said, I'm behind at work, so I better get to this In-Box of mine which looks like a stack of paper that should be next to the copy machine.

See you-un's whenever I can.

 

[MMDad]

Update:

Yup, I got the diabetes.

I think I only got one diabete though, so I got lucky.

Anyway, before my doctor appt monday, I almost slipped into a diabetic coma, which landed me in ICU for a few days of R&R. That's not a trip I'd like to repeat. They stuck needles in places that I didn't even know I had. Plus the hourly finger-pricks checking for sugar. Plus I missed my family even though they were there whenever they could be.

Good news: I feel like a million bucks right now.

Bad News, I have to stick myself with needles twice a day from now on, and I'm so far behind at work I can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'd fill in more details, but as I said, I'm behind at work, so I better get to this In-Box of mine which looks like a stack of paper that should be next to the copy machine.

See you-un's whenever I can.

My wife just got diagnosed and is now insulin dependent so I understand what you're going through. It's a pain in more ways than one, but at least you can control it now.

Do you have type 1 or 2? With numbers as high as you quoted, I'm guessing 1?

 

[Toxick]

That sux! But you can't begin to get control until you know and at least now you know. Good luck!

Thanks.

On the plus side, ever since I've had kids, I haven't any good excuses to keep a box of syringes laying around the house. So thank goodness that problem's solved too.

My wife just got diagnosed and is now insulin dependent so I understand what you're going through. It's a pain in more ways than one, but at least you can control it now.

Well, up until a very few years ago, I've always been a health-nut with both exercise and eating... so I monitored my activity and everything I ate pretty closely. When I started a family I kind of slacked off with that, but I figure that it will not be a habit that's too hard to fall back into.

Do you have type 1 or 2? With numbers as high as you quoted, I'm guessing 1?

No, it's type 2. Both types run in my family, But type 2 is more prevalant. Neither type would have come as a surprise to anyone.

 

[virgovictoria]

Thanks for the update Those hospital vacations do suck but you now know and can do something about it - and that's the important part! There are soooo many diabetics in the world, a trip to the library (and e-research) can supply you with lists of what's safe always, some times, rarely and never and provide recipes and such.

Hang in there and keep us posted!

 

[Dutch6]

My wife just got diagnosed and is now insulin dependent so I understand what you're going through. It's a pain in more ways than one, but at least you can control it now.

Do you have type 1 or 2? With numbers as high as you quoted, I'm guessing 1?

Type 1 is insulin dependant. Type 2 is controlable by pills and diet.

 

[Dutch6]

The World Health Organization recognizes three main forms of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes (occurring during pregnancy),[1] which have similar signs, symptoms, and consequences, but different causes and population distributions. Type 1 is usually due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. Type 2 is characterized by tissue-wide insulin resistance and varies widely; it sometimes progresses to loss of beta cell function. Gestational diabetes is similar to type 2 diabetes, in that it involves insulin resistance; the hormones of pregnancy cause insulin resistance in those women genetically predisposed to developing this condition.

Types 1 and 2 are incurable chronic conditions, but have been treatable since insulin became medically available in 1921, and are nowadays usually managed with a combination of dietary treatment, tablets and, frequently, insulin supplementation. Gestational diabetes typically resolves with delivery.

 

[MMDad]

Type 1 is insulin dependant. Type 2 is controlable by pills and diet.

Wow, I'm going to have to tell my wife, who is type 2, that she doesn't need her insulin any more. I read it on the internet.

I understand the difference between the two, and the treatment is not what determines which type a person has. The type and severity determines the treatment.

 

[Dutch6]

Wow, I'm going to have to tell my wife, who is type 2, that she doesn't need her insulin any more. I read it on the internet.

I understand the difference between the two, and the treatment is not what determines which type a person has. The type and severity determines the treatment.

I guess I should have ended my statement with "in most cases." Sorry.

 

[MMDad]

I guess I should have ended my statement with "in most cases." Sorry.

It's cool. According to the specialist my wife sees, it can be healthier in the long run to stop the Metformin and remain on the insulin to control type 2, so she may keep shooting up and stop the pills. She doesn't mind the shots so much, she says they don't hurt. She just hates pricking her finger four tiimes per day.

 

[Dutch6]

It's cool. According to the specialist my wife sees, it can be healthier in the long run to stop the Metformin and remain on the insulin to control type 2, so she may keep shooting up and stop the pills. She doesn't mind the shots so much, she says they don't hurt. She just hates pricking her finger four tiimes per day.

Did the doctors say to take the shot in different places to keep from forming hard spots. My ex-stepdaughter was diagnosed at the age of 7. Buy the age of 8 she was giving herself shots with supervision. She got semi annual checkups and was told she needed to take her shots in different areas. She would have rather taken her shot in her tummy because it was easier and much less pain, but she started getting hard spots. She's now 17 and does quite well for herself. I remember her having low sugar and calling the ambulance several times. That hasn't happened in a long time. She's learned what it feels like when there is something wrong and she checks.

 

[Toxick]

She doesn't mind the shots so much, she says they don't hurt. She just hates pricking her finger four tiimes per day.

The first time they gave me the insulin shot, it hurt like an SOB. and the prospect of doing that to myself 2 or more times a day almost had me in tears.



Turns out that if you stick yourself before letting the rubbing alcohol dry, it really burns. So that's a lesson I only needed to have once.

So since that one time, there's been no pain with the needles. You can barely feel them at all.





And let me tell you all about the pain involved with getting a pure potassium drip fed into your arm..... I'd rather be filleted alive than do that again.

 

[MMDad]

The first time they gave me the insulin shot, it hurt like an SOB. and the prospect of doing that to myself 2 or more times a day almost had me in tears.



Turns out that if you stick yourself before letting the rubbing alcohol dry, it really burns. So that's a lesson I only needed to have once.

So since that one time, there's been no pain with the needles. You can barely feel them at all.





And let me tell you all about the pain involved with getting a pure potassium drip fed into your arm..... I'd rather be filleted alive than do that again.

Tip from my wife: cold insulin hurts. Draw the dose, then let it come up to room temperature.

 

[Dutch6]

Tip from my wife: cold insulin hurts. Draw the dose, then let it come up to room temperature.

My stepdaughter drew the dosage and then capped the needle and put it under her armpit. It worked.

 

[Toxick]

My stepdaughter drew the dosage and then capped the needle and put it under her armpit. It worked.

Thanks for the tip.

This morning was my first encounter with fully chilled insulin.





It was... unpleasant.

 

[sockgirl77]

Tox
Does diabetes run in your family? You are a little young for the onset of Type II diabetes, but at least Type II is manageable with proper diet and exercise. And as was posted before....prostate issues could be possible.

I was diagnosed with Type II at age 23. :shrug:

 

[MMDad]

She doesn't mind the shots so much, she says they don't hurt. She just hates pricking her finger four tiimes per day.

Diabetes 03-17-2007 07:33 PM she doesnt mind the needles, but minds the finger prick (which is near painless) weird

Thank you for signing your krama, Mr. Weird, but you should sign it with your member name, not your real name.

Basic physiology lesson for you:

The needle used to inject insulin is very small, and the stomach is used because the skin there has a very low concentration of nerves. There are three main causes of pain during injection: not letting the alcohol dry, cold insulin, and hitting a hair follicle with the needle. When done correctly, there is usually no pain.

The lancets used to draw blood have to big enough to get a good sized drop of blood. The fingers have a very high concentration of nerves. There is no chance that you don't hit a nerve when drawing the drop. That is why almost any diabetic will tell you that the finger pricks hurt far more than the insulin shots. Most diabetics hate insulin because it is a pain in the butt, not a pain in the injection site.

 

[Dutch6]

Diabetes 03-17-2007 07:33 PM she doesnt mind the needles, but minds the finger prick (which is near painless) weird

Thank you for signing your krama, Mr. Weird, but you should sign it with your member name, not your real name.

Basic physiology lesson for you:

The needle used to inject insulin is very small, and the stomach is used because the skin there has a very low concentration of nerves. There are three main causes of pain during injection: not letting the alcohol dry, cold insulin, and hitting a hair follicle with the needle. When done correctly, there is usually no pain.

The lancets used to draw blood have to big enough to get a good sized drop of blood. The fingers have a very high concentration of nerves. There is no chance that you don't hit a nerve when drawing the drop. That is why almost any diabetic will tell you that the finger pricks hurt far more than the insulin shots. Most diabetics hate insulin because it is a pain in the butt, not a pain in the injection site.

 

[kidschihuahuas]

Tox,

My daughter is a type 1 diabetic and is on an insulin pump. At your age with initial injections 2x a day, you may want to inquire about whether you can be a candidate for a pump. The reason I say this is due to the mimic of the pancreas that the pump does. It is a small catheter that you place under the skin every 3-4 days and you wear a cell phone size pump that delivers insulin to you continually.

Also, what meter did they put you on? What lancets? There is lots of advice that plenty of us can give you to assist in this.
You are welcome to PM me and I can help out. There is also a great group from diabetes experts to others diagnosed that get together all the time who can help. We found our best support there.

 

[Toxick]

My daughter is a type 1 diabetic and is on an insulin pump. At your age with initial injections 2x a day, you may want to inquire about whether you can be a candidate for a pump. The reason I say this is due to the mimic of the pancreas that the pump does. It is a small catheter that you place under the skin every 3-4 days and you wear a cell phone size pump that delivers insulin to you continually.

Thanks for the info, but that option doesn't sound very appealing to me. When I first learned that I would have to give myself shots every day, the idea was extremely unsettling - but as it turns out, I don't mind the shots at all; they're painless.

Plus I'm on two different kinds of insulin - one type before meals, and one other type before bed. I have to keep my eyes on that.

Also, what meter did they put you on? What lancets?

I have a True-Track smart system. It has its own meter and lancets that come in a package.

There is lots of advice that plenty of us can give you to assist in this.

Well the only advice I really need at this point is - what's a good place to poke for blood samples besides the fingertips. All 8 of my fingertips are polka-dotted little sausages. I work on the computer for a living, so I don't want to ruin my fingertips for typing.

You are welcome to PM me and I can help out. There is also a great group from diabetes experts to others diagnosed that get together all the time who can help. We found our best support there.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.