a question to all of you
hi, i’ve been going through the archives reading some of the messages
and i’ve noticed something. in alot of the posts it seems like many
of the members in here consider complications unavoidable. they act
like there is no stopping them and that you are destined to have
horrible things happen to you. every single book i’ve read about
diabetes says that as long as you take good care of yourself,
exercise, take your insulin like you’re supposed to, eat right, and
get your checkups like you’re supposed to, every one of the
complications are totally preventable. i’ve talked to dozens of
people now on the net who have had this for 20, 30, 40 or more years
and have not experienced any side effects whatsoever. i am healthy
and i am determined to keep it that way. i never intend on letting
any of those bad things happen to me. of course no one knows the
future, but as long as i do everything i am supposed to, the chances
of any of those bad things happening to me are very, very, slim. if
you never allow yourself to get high blood pressure, then how are you
going to have heart problems? as long as you keep your sugar levels
close to normal, why should bad things happen? my doctor told me that
i should be healthier then most people are by age 40. at first i was
terribly scared, and i still am. but i’m feeling alot better now that
i know those bad things are avoidable. i dont plan on letting them
happen to me. why do some people think there is no stopping it?
robby
February 21st, 2005 at 10:33 pm
Robby,
My daughters doctor says that if we follow the rules and stay vigilant there should be no complications what so ever. So do what your doctor says and keep reading and you will be fine.
Although she is 7 we keep getting rave reviews from her doctor and nurse, we start the pump in Feb. (the day after we get back from Disney!) and they are amazed that she is in the 75th percentile for height and weight. (Are type 1’s generally small for their age? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)
Hang in there, you’ll be fine. And yes, keep a positive attitude.
Thanks for caring and sharing,
Rhonda
Mom to Sydney, 7
type 1 since April 7, 2003
February 22nd, 2005 at 4:42 pm
we were diagnosed at 6 and have grown quite a bit, she is 4′ 4 and weighs 63 lbs. not tremendous but like I said, doctors are really happy.
Rhonda
February 23rd, 2005 at 2:57 pm
Becky is type 1, diagnosed 3 years ago, (she’ll be 11 the end of this month). She’s almost as tall as I am, and I’m only 5′3
Vicky
February 24th, 2005 at 3:38 am
hey robbie it is all about the care you give yourself. you are
right, the better the care the better you will be.
right on! thats how i feel.
robby
February 24th, 2005 at 9:48 pm
I think by virtue of what the disease is, what it is capable of, the
thanks! i am also a christian. i have faith Jesus and God will keep
difficulty/impossibility for some’s metobolic processes to be
completely controlled, the wild ride the disease sometimes takes.
The opposite can also be true. I commend you highly for refusing to
walk that road because I personally think that the right attitude has
immense things to do with the outcome of any disease, any situation.
Great luck!!!. (Yup, I do think luck has a lot to do with it.
me healthy, and will never allow any of those bad things to happen to
me.
robby
February 25th, 2005 at 3:57 pm
Robby,
My daughters doctor says that if we follow the rules and stay
vigilant there should be no complications what so ever. So do what
your doctor says and keep reading and you will be fine.
Although she is 7 we keep getting rave reviews from her doctor and
nurse, we start the pump in Feb. (the day after we get back from
Disney!) and they are amazed that she is in the 75th percentile for
height and weight. (Are type 1’s generally small for their age?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)
Hang in there, you’ll be fine. And yes, keep a positive attitude.
i know i am small for my age. not height wise, i’m almost 6 ft. i’ve
always been skinny though. i only weigh 129. even before this
happened i was only 140. my doctor told me the same thing, and i
highly doubt she’d lie to me. i read 1 post where some girl said
things were going along fine, but she knew she was in for a rude
awakening. that really bugged me. i was like, what makes you so sure?
robby
February 26th, 2005 at 10:07 am
was told essential the same thing. Keep my sugars down, under 140
post meal 70-110 premeal and A1C under 6 and I would be find.
Basically keep sugars as close to normal as possible and I shouldnt
suffer complications it is the high sugar that causes the problems. I
have had this since may 2004 my first a1c (that included the month I
was DKA) was 6.4 and my last one was 6.0 and I hope my next to be
5.7. I have only hit 200 about 3 times since being diagnosed. I
occasionaly am at 160 or so, sometimes for stress and all, but I test
a LOT and watch my sugars like a hawk and in ways feel healthier than
I did when I was 18. No smoking, drinking, less caffeine, less
refined sugar and crap, no fast french fries and less meal skipping
and I frankly feel a lot better except for a few weird complications
from the DKA.
i’ve seen so many different ranges that you’re supposed to try to
stay within. my log book says it should be 70 - 140 between meals. my
doctor said it should be less then 160 2 hours after meals. which is
the right one?
robby
February 27th, 2005 at 8:15 am
Robby,
It used to be believed that a diabetic was just biding his/her time as to when complications would develop. In the “old” days, we tested our sugar by urine testing. This did not give an accurate picture of the real time sugar levels. Some people’s threshold (when they start to spill sugar in the urine) is different from others’. To take along a bottle of reagent strips, a test tube, eye dropper and catch receptacle (for the pee), was a huge undertaking. The test took about 5 minutes if you included the set up time, IF you had a place to set it up. Doing this for 13 years before the first glucose meter became available did some damage, I am sure, to my body. When I became pregnant at 21, the first meter was available. It required taking a basket of your supplies with you, dropping the blood onto a strip, waiting am inute, then rinsing the strip before inserting it into the meter to await another minute or two for the result. THAT was a pain, but a step in the right
direction. You are aware now of how far we have come in the ability to control the disease. However, we older diabetics (I have been for 36 years), did not always have that same technology to use, as you newly diagnosed diabetics have. Perhaps if I had the technology available when I was first diagnosed, I may have controlled better.
On the other hand, when I have almost killed my kids twice because of a low sugar with which there WERE NO SYMPTOMS, keeping my sugar a bit on the high side is my choice. Also, my doc, at the last visit, said as I am diabetic longer, the neuropathy I already have will inhibit my body from recognizing the signs of a low sugar, and I am more likely to slip into hypoglycemia without being aware.
As I stated in an earlier post, not everyone is a perfect diabetic. But, with the carb counting and the newer meters, I have at least gotten better at it.
Joan
March 4th, 2005 at 11:24 am
Robby i think its the horror stories we all here. I wasnt the one
that said that (I think, maybe I did) but I feel that way too. Things
are going great, but there is always that dark place in my mind that
feels the floor will fall out and this will get worse. When presented
with the terms “progressive disease” and “complications” it really
can scare a person.
yeah it scared me as well. i just figure that bad things can happen
to anyone, anytime. heck, you can get in a car wreck and die anytime
you get in a car. i just know that i’m going to take all my shots,
eat the right foods, and stay in good shape. i’m not going to let
myself wind up with heart disease or any of that crap. no way.
robby
March 5th, 2005 at 5:33 am
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Robby,
I am glad things are going well for you. Taking care of yourself
does help, but for some of us, complications are expected. I don’t
know how the other long-timers feel, but I know that back when I was
diagnosed in 72, they didn’t have all the things they do now for home
care. I remember only having a blood test once a month and no such
thing as an A1C. I was lucky that God looked out for me and kept me
fairly healthy. After 25 years, I started having complications.
When I did start to see an endo, he was surprised it had taken that
long. Now I look to God to help me through the rough times ahead,
which I know are still to come. I am so glad there are better ways
to control this than there used to be, but I wasn’t privileged to get
the treatments and care soon enough. It is just something I have to
live with. I am at the point where there is not much help
available. Things will get worse. You can live a nearly normal
life, though and I wish you all the best.
Lori
i hope you dont get any of those nasty complications! maybe things
wont get worse.
robby
March 12th, 2005 at 1:00 am
Robby,
Thanks, but they already have. I have already had laser surgery on
my eyes for retinopathy and I am close to end stage renal failure.
One of the things I need to ask my kidney doctor about next week is
getting on the transplant list. It has taken a while, though. I
started having problems almost eight years ago, and the doctor gave
me two before I had to start dialysis. I guess I did something
right. I have already talked to those people, but have not had to
start yet.
Lori
thats to bad. all of this happened simply because they didnt have the
right kind of care when you were first diagnosed?
robby
March 15th, 2005 at 1:38 am
Lori, wasn’t care awful in the past - I was diagnosed in the early
80’s and the Dr told my parents that I would be lucky to see my
30’s. I am in my 30’s and fine.
gees! lucky to see your 30s? i guess it was bad back then.
robby
March 18th, 2005 at 3:40 am
oddly, I think carrotts are back on there way to being “free” again. When you take into the cosideration the fiber content they are probably pretty close.
Any one want to check their carb books?
Rhonda
March 19th, 2005 at 12:24 am
Robby,
I got the same thing in 1980. “She won’t make it to her 35th birthday.” I had my last child at 35! LOL nah nah nah nah pew pew.
A little humor doesn’t hurt sometimes.
Joan
March 19th, 2005 at 6:34 pm
Catie,
I had never heard of using a banana for a low. That is interesting. I have, however, discovered a half a roll of smarties elevates it 50 points, whereas the humalog lowers it 50 points.
Joan
March 20th, 2005 at 12:43 pm
Stephanie,
I know the post was to Catie, but I had to respond and say don’t apologize for asking questions. That is how we ALL learn! Thank you for asking.
Joan
March 21st, 2005 at 6:53 am
Judith,
I thought carrots were on the ‘B’ list? A cup was free, but more than that had to be counted…. beets, too.
My doc looked at me funny when I asked him how many exchanges of starch I should have a day now……..
Joan
March 23rd, 2005 at 9:23 am
I don’t think that quantum leap can be made. I’ve been at this for
44 years, my sis for 34 years; we’re both doing fine and both of us
still use the old exchange system (anyone remember that, where
carrots were free??). Yeah, some of it was gross (urine tests) and
some of it was less than perfect, but in 20 years, the “new”
diabetics will look back at today and say exactly the same thing.
It’s more a matter of education, dedication, application and
persistance than anything.
Then as now, attitude will outweigh diagnosis prognostications
i think by the time 20 years has gone by, there will be a cure for
it. there has to be a way that doctors can think of to make your
pancreas start making insulin again, and have your body not attack
its own self.
robby
March 24th, 2005 at 9:43 pm
oddly, I think carrotts are back on there way to being “free” again.
When you take into the cosideration the fiber content they are
probably pretty close.
Any one want to check their carb books?
Rhonda
i just looked at the bag of mini carrots in the fridge and it says
for 13 carrots, there are 9 carbs.
robby
March 25th, 2005 at 3:52 pm
Robby,
I got the same thing in 1980. “She won’t make it to her 35th
birthday.” I had my last child at 35! LOL nah nah nah nah pew pew.
A little humor doesn’t hurt sometimes.
Joan
thats what i say. i think the people that think you are destined to
have horrible things happen to you or die young are totally off their
rocker. if you take care of yourself, that stuff isnt going to
happen. why would all the diabetes books lie?
robby
March 28th, 2005 at 8:29 pm
Brian,
I can only tell you my experience with NPH.
I hate the stuff. My levels would go high, then low, and ultimately my doc said the body can ‘hoard’ insulin. This means it is released inexplicably at some point in the future. Perhaps your body is hoarding at present!
This info, by the way, came from my OB when I was pregnant with my 3rd. He was always right on target with his approach to diabetes care, even more so than the endos.
Brian, have you thought about Lantus and humalog? The two combined give you incredible control, even when you are not perfect in your approach to diet.
Joan
March 29th, 2005 at 12:04 pm
Brian,
Relax, everyone is different and insulin isn’t bad for you. “Normal” bodies make it naturally. We were on NPH morning and night before we started Lantus and it is normal because NPH only stays in your system for 8 hours. Think of it like leap frog. You take your clear for what you are eating now. (clear starts working in 20 minutes and is out of your system in 2 hours) The cloudy is for what you will eat for snacks and lunch. (cloudy starts working in 4 hours and takes 8 hours before it is out of your system)
My daughter is almost 8 and we were on 6 clear 9 cloudy at breakfast, 3 clear at dinner and 2 clear, 2 cloudy at bedtime.
I hope this helps!
Thanks for caring and sharing,
Rhonda
Mom to Sydney, 7
type 1 since April 7, 2003
March 30th, 2005 at 8:48 am
Brian,
You may want to check with your university’s health center to see if they have any suggestions. I am not sure if there is anything they could do, but it is always, as we have been saying, worth the question.
Joan
p.s. When do you graduate? Northern Kentucky University has a decent health center, and it is possible to get quite a number of meds at a significantly reduced rate, especially antibiotics and such.
March 31st, 2005 at 5:09 pm
Hey Guys,
I hate to whip this dead horse again. I am really worried about my
glucose levels. My insulin needs have doubled. Is that normal? It
seems that my NPH injection is particularly ineffective. I have
purchased new insulin think that my old had gone weak. It seemed to
help that first night, but now I am right back where I started. I am
taking 20 units at 9pm. Does anybody take NPH in the mornings also? I
am at my wits end and very frustrated.
20 units??? that sure is alot. i only take 4 every meal.
robby
April 1st, 2005 at 11:19 am
Brian,
I am in the same boat as you are. I am taking a minimum of 57 units
of insulin daily.
goodness gracious! 57 units?? what for?? i take 14 novolog, and 5
lantus, total.
robby
April 3rd, 2005 at 7:11 pm
When we were at CHOP our nurse said her father was working on an insulin patch and it would be ready for testing soon. It got us really excited!
How about the new pump that will keep a steady read on your blood sugar? Less finger pricks would be AMAZING! Syd plays the violin and I can’t believe she never complains about it. We tried the arm but she HATED it. Our pump person said 18 months until it hits the public. How cool is that?
Thanks for caring and sharing,
Rhonda
Mom to Sydney, 7
type 1 since April 7, 2003
April 21st, 2005 at 9:38 pm
But didn’t you say, you eat 75 carbs a meal? Your 5 lantus is your 24
hour coverage is only a month old, it’s not concrete. It will creep
up over time.
i dont mind if my insulin dosages go up over time. whats the big deal?
robby
April 22nd, 2005 at 3:47 pm
If you have already read Judith’s previous post, then you might
understand that we are all different and never assume that you are
invincible to anything!!!
Steve
i never have. i’m just not what of those hypochondriacs who think
there is nothing you can do to keep yourself healthy and stay free
from those complications. i know thats a bunch of b.s. plain and
simple.
robby
May 3rd, 2005 at 6:02 pm
Brian,
I used NPH both AM & PM, with a larger dose in the AM. That was before I went to the Lantus/Novolog regimen. I love the new regimen & have brought my A1c down to a 6.2 this last draw. I was never that good with the NPH & Regular. Are you rotating your injection sites well? I know that will have a negative effect. If you’ve already changed vials & are rotating sites well, the I suggest you get your doc involved. I’ve not heard of the insulin hoarding that Joan mentioned, but that doesn’t mean anything. Good luck!
Stacy
Joan Geohegan <smartblnde@…
Brian,
I can only tell you my experience with NPH.
I hate the stuff. My levels would go high, then low, and ultimately my doc said the body can ‘hoard’ insulin. This means it is released inexplicably at some point in the future. Perhaps your body is hoarding at present!
This info, by the way, came from my OB when I was pregnant with my 3rd. He was always right on target with his approach to diabetes care, even more so than the endos.
Brian, have you thought about Lantus and humalog? The two combined give you incredible control, even when you are not perfect in your approach to diet.
Joan
May 6th, 2005 at 10:38 am
Following Mary’s line of thought, i know that the diabetes targets the beta cells in the pancreas. I am wondering about whether it targets the alpha cells, the cells that make glucagon, as well. Glucagon is stimulated by low BS, and it travels to the liver where it stimulates the chemical RXN to change glycogen back into glucose, therefore raising the BS. If our alpha cells are damaged as well, then we also don’t have the same response to low sugars as a non-diabetic would. We DO, though, have the Simogee effect, where the glucagon/glycogen reaction occurs, and we then have sugars through the roof after a low sugar we have treated with either OJ or glucose tabs. Just wondering.
Joan
May 14th, 2005 at 12:14 am
thank you, Catie