Type 1 diabetes

I have seen a number of similar threads with
questions and comments about
proper regulation,insulin types;
Lantus & others, and the ability to
take care of one’s self.
Here’s the info:
Your Diabetes is NOT going to disappear,
so, it would be to your advantage to
learn all you can.
How else could you possibly take care of yourself?
Forgetting your meter or forgetting to check your bg
is a bunch of crapola. Did you forget to put your pants on?
There is NO EXCUSE for not testing your blood sugar,
and taking insulin as needed.
When meters first came out, the average test took two minutes.

Now, it takes 45 seconds or less.
My diabetes was diagnosed when I was 12 years old.
I know what it is like to be a teen and to grow up with it
into adulthood. If you don’t take care of yourself,
you may not get the full chance to do that !
Complications such as blindness, amputations,
kidney failure & dialysis, heart disease, and
an overall crummy life are what happens to those
who do not see the point in taking care of themselves.
As I have had diabetes quite a bit longer than you have been
alive, I know what I am talking about.
After 42 years as a diabetic, I do not have signs of
retinopathy in my eyes. Has it been worth it to
watch my blood sugars and follow a diet? I think so.
Diabetes, unlike other medical conditions, requires
the patient to know almost as much as the doctor.
If you don’t, you better start learning.
There is loads of info on your computer,
as well as from local groups with discussion sessions,
seminars, and help/promotion projects.
You might even meet a nice boyfriend or girlfriend.
And, if you are a teen boy, taking care of your
blood sugar levels now, will prevent problems with
impotence further on down the road. High blood sugars
are not your friend, and will matter, if they continue
over long periods of time.
Low blood sugars also need to be controlled.
Sometimes they are a nuisance or embarrassing,
but not knowing what your blood glucose is,
is just plain stupid. You’re not stupid, are you?
Use a good meter.
I like the Accu-Chek Advantage because it has
easy to use test strips that take a small amount
of blood, which is applied to the test strip as it
hangs out past the edge of the meter. No chance of
getting blood on the meter, and, the Comfort Curve strip
soaks up just the right amount of blood, about 1/3 of a drop.
Best of all the meter has a high degree of accuracy.
Insulin & Diet:
They work together !
The standard diet is three square meals per day,
plus snacks as needed. Forget about the idea of
eating whatever you want whenever you want.
That is bad for anybody.
There is no practical way to regulate the amount of insulin
if you are always eating different amounts of food.
Taking a shot of Humalog or Novalog every time you eat
makes no sense when you can be regulated on less shots
along with a diet. Learn the food substitutions and you can
eat whatever you want, as long as you have the correct amount.
Many doctors have been sold on the advertising for using
the super-quick insulins with each meal.
It is not necessary, if you follow a diet.
Every insulin dependent diabetic should have
Humalog or Novalog available for times when their
blood sugar is high, and with some meals as needed.
But, taking a long-acting insulin and/or Regular
will allow for less shots, and more stable blood sugars.
Many doctors think that the use of three insulins
is too complicated, but if you know how to mix two,
you can just as easily mix three.
Example:
Morning shot- Long acting insulin lasts for most of the day.
Humulin R or Novolin R, which reaches its peak in 4 to 5 hours
will help with breakfast and cover lunch.
Humalog or Novalog to prevent a high bg right after breakfast.
If using Humulin U or N, all three can be mixed in one syringe
for one morning shot. No need for a shot at lunch, in school,
because the R will take care of that.
Take a second evening shot at dinner
or after dinner before your evening snack,
with all three or a small amount of the long acting
and the Humalog or Novalog.
Exact requirements need to be worked out between
you and your doctor. Following a diet and testing you bg
is a must. The alternative is 3 to 6 shots per day,
very inconvenient, and possibly high or low blood sugars
as the shots overlap one another.
Lantus = Good for Type 2 diabetics who are still
producing some of their own insulin.
For Type 1 diabetics, it is the dumbest thing ever invented.
You can’t mix anything else with it.
It is not enough by itself.
It is grossly overpriced at about $45 per bottle.
A much better alternative, with a negligible peak is Humulin U,
designed to last 22-24 hours.
Humulin N has a shorter duration with peaks that cause
some people to get low.
Doctors have been sold a bill of goods from Aventis,
the makers of Lantus. Don’t get caught in this trap.
Most of all, make your mind up that the only way to
survive successfully,
is to be in control of your diabetic condition.
The results will allow you to lead a life that
does not limit you activities.

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 29th, 2003 at 10:31 am and is filed under diabetes diet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.